JP3161031B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus capable of simultaneously processing a plurality of image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in addition to reading an image of a manuscript and recording it on a predetermined sheet, such as an image created by a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a PC) and a facsimile (hereinafter, referred to as a facsimile). An image processing apparatus capable of recording an image received via a communication line on paper has been actively developed. In this type of apparatus, various types of image processing are performed in order to complete a short time from input of image data to image recording. Are performed simultaneously and in parallel.

[0003] For example, FIG.
No. 364, which is a configuration of an image processing apparatus, wherein a CCD is used as image input means for generating image data.
An image reading unit 1 including a line sensor, an A / D converter, and an image processing circuit for performing various correction processing and editing processing on the generated image data;
The image output unit includes external inputs 2 and 3 such as an AX, and an image output unit includes an image recording unit 10 for performing normal copy processing and other external outputs 11 and 12. Further, page buffers 4 to 9 are provided for each of the image input units 1 to 3 and the image output units 10 to 12, and the parallel processing is performed by controlling the page buffers 4 to 9 independently. It has been made possible.

That is, in this image processing apparatus, a flag or the like is used to indicate whether image data is stored in a large-capacity memory 14 including each of the page buffers 4 to 9 and a hard disk (hereinafter referred to as HD). The control unit 15 refers to a flag of the display unit 13 and enables input of the image input unit when image data is not stored in the page buffers 4 to 6 on the image input unit side. When image data is stored in the page buffers 7 to 9 or the large-capacity memory 14 on the image output unit side, control is performed to output image data regardless of the state of the image input units 1 to 3. Thus, for example, when the image data from the image reading unit 1 is stored in the large-capacity memory 14, even if the image reading unit 1 is currently reading the original, the image recording unit 1
The image data can be output at an arbitrary timing from 0 or the external outputs 11 and 12, and parallel processing is possible. In FIG. 24, reference numeral 16 denotes an image bus.

[0005] FIG.
2761 discloses an image processing apparatus having two bus lines 35 and 36 and two direct memory access controllers (hereinafter referred to as DMs).
AC) 33 and 34 are bus lines 35 and 3 respectively.
6, the operations are distributed. According to this image processing apparatus, when a request for a job that can be processed in parallel occurs even after the activation of one job, Since the operation corresponding to the request can be started even if the operation started earlier is not completed, parallel processing can be executed. For example, image data from the image reading unit 23 is data-compressed by the encoder 25,
Processing for storing the compressed image data in the large-capacity memory 29 via the bus line 35 and transferring the compressed image data stored in the large-capacity memory 29 to the decoder 28 or 31 via the bus line 35 Then, the process of transferring from the bus line 36 to the modem 22 connected to the bus line 35 via the line memory 32 can be performed in parallel.

[0006]

However, FIG.
In the configuration shown in (1), it is necessary to arrange a page buffer for each image input means and each image output means, which is very expensive. Will be remarkable. In addition, since a plurality of image input / output units are not always operating, there is a problem that the use efficiency of the page buffer is extremely low.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 25, it is necessary to provide a plurality of bus lines, so that not only the cost is high, but also when the memory existing on one bus line is used. Since other processes using the bus line cannot be performed in parallel, input of image data from the image reading unit 23 and transfer of image data to the image recording unit 24 cannot be performed continuously. There is a problem that productivity cannot be improved.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of simultaneously executing a plurality of jobs in parallel by effectively utilizing one image bus. It is the purpose. Also,
The present invention performs processing of image data of different jobs simultaneously and in parallel by using one page buffer and efficiently using each means for image processing, thereby increasing the productivity of image processing. The purpose is to improve. Still another object of the present invention is to maximize the operating rates of the respective units constituting the image processing apparatus and the operating rates of the entire image processing apparatus.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an image input unit for inputting image data; and a compression unit for compressing the image data input by the image input unit. Means, at least one storage means for storing image data compressed by the compression means, decompression means for decompressing the image data compressed by the compression means, and based on the image data decompressed by the decompression means. Image output means for performing image recording, an image bus to which the image input means, compression means, storage means, decompression means and image output means are connected, and the image input means, compression means, storage means, decompression means and image output Control means for controlling the operation of the means, and use of an image bus from the image input means, compression means, storage means, decompression means and image output means. Characterized in that it comprises an arbitration means for arbitrating the use of image bus based on the request.

Here, the storage means comprises a primary storage means for temporarily storing image data, and a secondary storage means for accumulating and storing the image data stored in the primary storage means. Also, the arbitration of the use of the image bus by the arbitration unit is performed in the order of higher priority set in the image input unit, the compression unit, the primary storage unit, the secondary storage unit, the decompression unit, and the image output unit. A feature is that this priority is set higher for means involving mechanical action. The image data transferred on the image bus at a time is a predetermined number of bytes or words.

When the image data input from the image input means is completed, the control means accepts the image data input of the next job, and simultaneously outputs the image data of the preceding job and the image data of the succeeding job. When the image data input of the succeeding job is completed earlier than the image data output of the preceding job, the image data input of the next job is accepted.

Further, the control means includes a state of the image input means,
It is characterized in that whether or not image data can be input is determined based on the state of the image output unit, the job parameters, and the empty area of the primary storage unit. Still further, the control means permits the input of the image data when the image data can be input even when the image output means has interrupted the image recording operation.

Further, the image processing apparatus of the present invention comprises: a plurality of image input means for inputting image data; a compression means for compressing the image data input by the image input means;
Primary storage means for temporarily storing image data; secondary storage means for accumulating and storing the image data stored in the primary storage means; and at least one storage means for storing the image data compressed by the compression means. Storage means, expansion means for expanding the image data compressed by the compression means, image output means for performing image recording based on the image data expanded by the expansion means, the image input means, compression means, storage Means, an image bus to which expansion means and image output means are connected, control means for controlling operations of the image input means, compression means, storage means, expansion means and image output means, and said image input means, compression means, An arbitration unit for arbitrating use of the image bus based on a request for use of the image bus from the storage unit, the expansion unit, and the image output unit A management device, wherein,
Job requests from the plurality of image input units are received, job parameters of each job are stored, and jobs that can be executed based on the operation status of each unit and the free space status of the primary storage unit are concurrently executed. , The job that cannot be executed is put on standby, and the job that can be executed at that time is placed first.

Further, the control means determines whether image data can be input based on the accepted job mode, job parameters, and available space in the primary storage means. In a case where input processing of image data from the means is performed, the area of the primary storage means is divided into a plurality of areas, and the image input means is assigned to each of the divided areas.

[0015]

[Operation] The operation of the arbitration means is as follows. The image data input from the image input means is compressed by the compression means. In order to transfer the compressed image data to the primary storage means, the compression means issues a request to use the image bus to the arbitration means. The arbitration means, upon receiving the request for using the image bus, permits the use of the image bus according to a predetermined algorithm. Thereby, the compression means transfers the compressed image data to the primary storage means when the use of the image bus is permitted.

When the output of the image data is instructed, the decompression means issues a request to use the image bus to the arbitration means. When the arbitration unit permits the request, the compressed image data is transferred from the primary storage unit to the decompression unit, and after the data is decompressed, transferred to the image output unit and output.

On the other hand, when it is necessary to use the compressed image data again for output, it is necessary to transfer the compressed image data to the secondary storage means and store the image data in a data compressed state. The secondary storage unit issues an image bus use request to the arbitration unit. When the arbitration unit permits this request, the compressed image data is transferred from the primary storage unit to the secondary storage unit and stored.

As described above, by permitting use requests for a plurality of image buses in accordance with a predetermined algorithm, it becomes possible to transfer different image data on the image bus in a time-division manner. In this case, a plurality of jobs from the user side are processed simultaneously.

Here, the algorithm for permitting the use of the image bus may be such that the use of the image bus is permitted in descending order of the priority set in advance in each means of the image processing apparatus. In this priority order, a higher order is set for a means involving a mechanical operation.

Next, the operation of the control means is as follows. First, the operation of the control unit when a plurality of jobs are set in one image input unit will be described. The control means starts the image data input of the next job when the image data input from the image input means ends, and simultaneously processes the image data output of the preceding job and the image data input of the succeeding job. If the image data input of the succeeding job is completed earlier than the image data output of the preceding job, the image data input of the next job is started. Prior to the start of the image data input, the control unit needs to determine whether or not image data can be input. The determination is based on the state of the image input unit, the state of the image output unit, and the setting of the image output unit. This is performed based on the job parameters of the received job and the free space of the primary storage unit.

Thus, even when the operation of the image output means is interrupted, image data input can be executed, so that parallel processing is possible, and each means constituting the image processing apparatus is fully operated. Can be done.

Next, when a job is requested from a plurality of different image input units, the control unit queues all the job requests from the plurality of image input units and configures the image processing apparatus. By monitoring the operation status of each means for executing the job, even if there are a plurality of executable jobs, the processing can be executed in parallel, and the jobs which cannot be executed in parallel can be put on standby to execute the next parallel processing. Advance the job. At this time, the control unit determines whether or not the job can be executed based on the job mode of each job, job parameters, the free space of the primary storage unit, and the like.

When inputting image data from a plurality of image input means, the control means divides the primary storage means into a plurality of areas and allocates each image input means to each area. I do. Thus, jobs from a plurality of image input units can be processed in parallel.

[0024]

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 40 denotes an image reading unit, and 41 denotes an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as A).
DF), 42 is a compression unit, 43 is a DMAC, 44 is a buffer, 45 is a compressor, 46 is a buffer, and 47 is a DM.
AC, 48 is an arbitrator, 49 is a refresh counter, 5
0 is a decompression unit, 51 is a DMAC, 52 is a buffer, 53 is a decompressor, 54 is a buffer, 55 is a DMAC, 56 is an image output unit, 57 is an image bus, 58 is a control device, and 59 is a user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI). ), 60 is a page memory, 61 is HD, 62 and 63 are DMAC, 6
4 is an IOCP interface, 65 is an IOCP (Inpu
t Output Co-Processor), 66 is PC, 67 is FAX
Is shown.

Next, the outline of each device in FIG. 1 will be described. The image reading unit 40 reads the image of the original with a color CCD sensor or the like, converts the image into digital image data of a predetermined number of bits after performing offset adjustment and gain adjustment, and performs shading correction, color masking,
Various image processing such as document size detection, under color removal, halftone dot removal, edge emphasis, reduction / enlargement processing, and various kinds of editing processing are performed. The ADF 41 is attached to the image reading section 40 and automatically transports the read document to the image reading section 40. Here, it is assumed that the image data generated by the image reading unit 40 is 4 bits per pixel. All of these 4 bits may be density data or a combination of a color flag and density data. However, in this case, it is assumed that all 4 bits are density data for easy understanding.

The compression section 42 includes a page memory 60, an HD6
1, a compressor 45 for compressing the amount of image data to store more image data, a compressor 45 for performing data compression, and a DMAC 43 for taking in uncompressed image data. , This D
A buffer 44 for temporarily storing the image data captured by the MAC 43, a buffer 46 for temporarily storing the image data compressed by the compressor 45, and transferring the compressed image data stored in the buffer 46 to another device. And a DMAC 47. Buffers 44, 46
Has a capacity of several bytes or several words (hereinafter, collectively referred to as several words) predetermined as one data transfer amount in the system.

Although the data compression method by the compressor 45 may be any method, here, it is assumed that the compression is performed by the adaptive predictive coding method. This adaptive prediction encoding method is a method in which, for example, image data is simultaneously predicted by a plurality of predictors every eight pixels, and the predictor having the highest hit rate is used for prediction of the next eight pixels. In this case, the pixel signal for which the prediction was successful is replaced with “0”, and the pixel signal that is off is replaced with “1”. It has been confirmed that according to this adaptive predictive coding method, image data can be compressed to 1/5 on average.

The arbitrator 48 is a programmable array device.
A state machine composed of logic (PAL) or the like, which arbitrates for a use request of the image bus 57 issued from each device, and performs image arbitration according to a priority set in advance for each device. The use of the bus 57 is permitted. The arbitrator 48 will be described later in detail.

The refresh counter 49 performs a memory refresh of the page memory 60 composed of a dynamic RAM.

The decompression unit 50 is for restoring the image data compressed by the compression unit 42 to the original form, and includes a decompressor 53 for executing data decompression processing, a DMAC 51 for receiving compressed image data, and a DMAC 51 for receiving the compressed image data. A buffer 52 for temporarily storing the compressed image data fetched by the above, a buffer 54 for temporarily storing the image data decompressed by the decompressor 53, and a transfer of the image data stored in the buffer 54 to another device. DMAC 55 is provided. The buffers 52 and 54 have a capacity of several words, which is predetermined as one data transfer amount in the system.

The image output unit 56 controls the on / off of the laser beam for each pixel based on the binary data generated from the image data, and reproduces a halftone image by a halftone dot. It is composed of a laser printer. The image bus 57 is a bus to which image data is transferred, and the transfer amount at one time is set to a relatively small data amount of several words. The control device 58 manages the operation of each device of the image processing apparatus in an integrated manner, and includes an appropriate processor and its peripheral circuits. The operation of the control device 58 will be described later. The UI 59 is for inputting and displaying job parameters such as a paper size for image recording and the number of recording copies, and is constituted by an appropriate display device such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display device, a control panel including various buttons, and the like. You.

The page memory 60 is constituted by a RAM,
This is a memory having a predetermined capacity, for example, a capacity capable of storing image data of several pages of an A4 document in the form of compressed image data, and temporarily stores image data to be written to the HD 61 and image data read from the HD 61, The image data is temporarily stored without being written to the HD 61 when the image data is output, and is used when the control circuit 58 performs an editing process such as rewriting or replacement to output the image data. As will be described later, the page memory 60 has a mode in which the last address and the start address are continuous (hereinafter, this mode is referred to as a ring mode), and a memory area which is divided into a plurality of areas and which is independent of each divided area (Hereinafter, this mode is referred to as a ping-pong mode).
The ring mode and the ping-pong mode will be described later. The HD 61 is a large-capacity data storage memory for storing image data compressed by the compression unit 42, and writing and reading are controlled by the DMAC 62.

The IOCP 65 is an external device control device.
A PC interface, a decomposer for expanding code data created or received by the PC 66 into bitmap data, a FAX interface, a storage device (not shown), and the like, image data created by the PC 66 and received by the FAX 67 are provided. Image bus 5 for image data
The image data is transferred to the PC 66 or the FAX 67 via the image bus 57. The IOCP 65 has a function of converting binary data into 4-bit data and a function of converting 4 bits.
It has a function to convert bit data into binary data. That is, as described above, the image data generated by the image reading unit 40 has 4 bits per pixel, whereas the image data generated by the PC 66 or the FAX 6
Since the image data received in step 7 is bit-mapped data is binary data, it is necessary to convert the binary data into 4-bit data when storing the binary data in the page memory 60. When outputting the image data read at 40 to the PC 66 or FAX 67, it is necessary to convert the image data of 4 bits per pixel into binary data.

The above is the outline of each device. It is also possible to provide a rotator capable of rotating an image in units of 90 ° in the configuration of FIG. 1. In this case, for example, the image reading unit 40 uses an A4LEF (Long Edge Fee).
For the image read in d), A4
Even when only SEF (Short Edge Feed) paper is stored, image recording is possible by rotating the paper by 90 °. However, since it is not related to the essence of the present invention, FIG. Is omitted.

Next, the operation of the arbitrator 48 will be described together with the operation of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 during copying. Note that copy job 1 has 10 sheets of A4 size documents and 10 copies. The flow of image data at the time of copying is as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, "JNPM" indicates the image data of the Mth page of the Nth job. Hereinafter, the same applies.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the flow of image data at the time of copying the first copy. At this time, the image reading unit 40 reads a document image and the image output unit 56 records an image. That is, first, the image reading unit 40 reads the original of the first page of the job and generates J1P1. The image data is subjected to data compression by the compression unit 42, and the compressed image data is written to the page memory 60 via the image bus 57. The transfer of the compressed data at this time is performed as follows. First, the output DMAC 4 of the compression unit 42
7 issues a request to use the image bus 57 to the arbiter 48 when the output data is accumulated to some extent in the output buffer 46. At this time, the arbitrator 48 stores the page memory 60
Is not used by another device, the memory is not refreshed, and a device having a higher priority than the priority assigned to the output DMAC 47 has not issued a request to use the image bus 57. Only, the use of the image bus 57 is permitted to the output DMAC 47. As a result, the output DMAC 47 transfers the compressed image data to the page memory 60 via the image bus 57.
The image data is transferred by burst transfer in which several words are transferred collectively. Then, the output DMAC 47 releases the image bus 57 when all the compressed image data of several words stored in the buffer are transferred to the page memory 60.

On the other hand, the compressed image data written in the page memory 60 needs to be decompressed for image recording in the image output unit 56. Therefore, the input DMAC 51 of the decompression unit 50 writes the compressed image data in the page memory 60. A request to use the image bus 57 is issued to the arbiter 48 in order to take in the compressed image data obtained. On the other hand, the arbitrator 48 determines that a device having a higher priority than the priority assigned to the input DMAC 51 in a state where the page memory 60 is not used by another device and the memory is not refreshed. Only when the use request of the image bus 57 is not issued, the input DMAC 51
Are permitted to use the image bus 57. Thus, the input DMAC 51 takes in the compressed image data from the page memory 60 via the image bus 57, and the transfer of the image data at this time is also performed by burst transfer.
At this time, the amount of data to be captured by the input DMAC 51 is notified from the control device 58. Since the control device 58 recognizes the amount of data after the image data of each document is compressed, and which page of the compressed image data is written in which area of the page memory 60, The control device 58 notifies the input DMAC 51 of the data amount and the address of the page memory 60 for each expanded page. As a result, the input DMAC 51 takes in the compressed image data to be decompressed from the page memory 60. However, since the image data is transferred only a few words at a time as described above, the input DMAC 51 uses the image bus 57. When the image data is accepted and a predetermined number of words of image data are fetched, the image bus 57 is once released. After that, when the compressed image data written in the buffer 52 is decompressed by the decompressor 53 and the buffer 52 becomes empty, the arbiter 48 requests the arbiter 48 to use the image bus 57 again to fetch the next few words from the page memory 60. Issue

The image data expanded by the expansion unit 50 is supplied from the output DMAC 55 to the image output unit 56 via the image bus 57, and is copied. The transfer of the image data at this time becomes possible only after the output DMAC 55 issues a use request of the image bus 57 to the arbiter 48 and the request is permitted, as described above.

Thus, the processing of the first copy of J1P1 is completed. For J1P2, the same processing as that of J1P1 is executed. However, when the processing of J1P2 is executed, as shown in FIG. 2, the processing of writing the compressed image data of J1P1 from the page memory 60 to the HD 61 is performed. . The transfer of the compressed image data at this time is performed by the DMAC 62
Issues a request to use the image bus 57 to the arbiter 48,
Of course, it is only possible if it is allowed.

By repeating the above processing, copying of the first copy of job 1 is completed. in this way,
Each device requests the use right of the image bus 57 in units of several words, is granted, transfers the image data, and releases the image bus 57. Therefore, the cycle time for processing the image of the image processing apparatus, that is, one The transfer of image data from a plurality of devices or the transfer of image data to a plurality of devices can be performed concurrently within the time required for image recording.

For the second and subsequent copies of the job 1, the compressed image data written in the HD 61 is read out as shown in FIG. That is, in order to copy the first page of the second copy, it is necessary to write J1P1 compressed image data from the HD 61 to the page memory 60.
Then, the DMAC 62 of the HD 61 issues a use request of the image bus 57 to the arbiter 48. On the other hand, the arbitrator 48 is a device that has a higher priority than the priority assigned to the input of the HD 61 in a state where the page memory 60 is not used by another device and the memory is not refreshed. Does not issue a request to use the image bus 57, the HD 61 is permitted to use the image bus 57. By this, HD61 to J
The 1P1 compressed image data is transferred to the page memory 60 via the image bus 57 by burst transfer.

On the other hand, the compressed image data written in the page memory 60 needs to be decompressed for image recording in the image output unit 56. Therefore, the input DMAC 51 of the decompression unit 50 processes the first copy. As we did in
In order to take in the J1P1 compressed image data written in the page memory 60, a request to use the image bus 57 is issued to the arbiter. When the arbiter 48 permits the use request, the input DMAC 51
Is J1 from the page memory 60 via the image bus 57.
The compressed image data of P1 is taken in, and data decompression is performed.
The decompressed image data is transferred to the image output unit 56 and
The second copy of 1P1 is copied. Thereafter, the above-described processing is repeated, and copying of the second to tenth copies is performed.

Next, an operation in the case where another copy job, Job 2 is set from the UI 59 while Job 1 is being executed, will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the job 2 is usually different from the job 1, however, in order to facilitate understanding here, the document is A4 like the job 1.
The number of copies is 10 and the number of copies is 10 in size. Here, the job 2 is stored in the image reading unit 40 similarly to the job 1.
Image reading by the image reading unit 40
When the reading of all the originals of the job 1 is completed and the page memory 60 has a free space for writing the compressed image data of at least one page, it is naturally accepted that the reading of the original of the job 2 is performed. Is started from the second copy of job 1 onward. That is, if the job is the second copy or later, the image output unit 56 cannot be used for copying, but the image reading from the image reading unit 40, the data compression by the compression unit 42, and the storage of the compressed image data in the HD 61 are performed. This is because it can be executed up to the stage.

Now, as shown in FIG.
P1 is read, the image data is compressed,
The data is written to the page memory 60. At this time, HD
The compressed image data of J1P1 and J1P2 is read from 61 and written to the page memory 60. As described above, the transfer of these image data is performed according to the arbitration of the arbiter 48 every several words when the use of the image bus 57 is permitted by the arbiter 48, as described above.

Next, the image of J2P2 is read, compressed and written to the page memory 60. At this time, J1
The P1 compressed image data is transferred to the decompression unit 50 and decompressed, and further transferred to the image output unit 56 and copied. Also, at this time, the J2P
The first compressed image data is transferred to the HD 61 and stored. These transfers are also performed in the same manner as described above.

Thereafter, by repeating the same processing, it is possible to execute the image reading of the next job, Job 2, during the copying of the second and subsequent copies of Job 1. The copying of job 2 can be immediately executed using the compressed image data stored in the HD 61 when all ten copies have been completed. In FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the operation of each device has been described as being completed within a certain period of time and synchronized with the cycle in order to facilitate understanding. The processing is not necessarily a fixed time.

Next, the operation when image data is received by the facsimile 67 while the copying process of the second copy of job 1 is being executed will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 5, “F1P1” is the job 1 of the reception process of the FAX 67.
Means the first page. Also in this case, the received image data is subjected to data compression, so that this reception processing is accepted only when the compression unit 42 is not used and the free space of the page memory 60 is equal to or more than a predetermined amount. become.

When reception of image data by the FAX 67 is accepted by the control device 58, the image data F1P1 received by the FAX 67 and converted into 4 bits per pixel by the IOCP 65 is transmitted to the image bus 57 as shown in FIG. The data is input to the compression unit 42 via the. In the transfer of the image data F1P1 from the IOCP 65 to the compression unit 42, the DMAC 63 issues a use request of the image bus 57 to the arbiter 48, and the request is transmitted to the arbiter 48.
It is needless to say that, when permitted by the above, the transfer is performed by burst transfer every few words.

At this time, the compressed image data of J1P1 and J1P2 are read from the HD 61 and written in the page memory 60 simultaneously. As described above, the transfer of these image data is performed according to the arbitration of the arbiter 48 every several words when the use of the image bus 57 is permitted by the arbiter 48, as described above.

Next, the image data F1P2 of the second page received by the FAX 67 is data-compressed by the compression unit 42 and written to the page memory 60. At this time, the image data F1P2 is written to the page memory 60 concurrently. The J1P1 compressed image data is transferred to the expansion unit 50 and expanded, and further transferred to the image output unit 56 and copied. At this time,
The F1P1 compressed image data written in the page memory 60 is transferred to the HD 61 and stored. These transfers are also performed in the same manner as described above. Thereafter, by repeating the same processing, it is possible to execute the processing of the image data received by the FAX 67 during the copying of the second and subsequent copies of the job 1. When the copying of the job 1 is completed, the processing of the FAX 67 is completed. Can copy the received image.

In the above description, priorities are assigned to the respective devices in advance with respect to the use request of the image bus 57, and the arbitrator 48 operates when the use request of the image bus 57 is issued from each device. It has been described that the use of the image bus 57 is permitted in descending order of priority. Next, details of the operation will be described. Now, in the configuration of FIG. 1, the input DM of the compression unit 42 is used as a device requesting use of the image bus 57.
AC43, DMAC for output 47, DMAC for HD61
62, DMAC 63 of IOCP interface 64,
DMAC 51 for input and DMAC 5 for output of decompressor 50
Assuming that there are eight types of devices such as 5, refresh counter 49, and control device 58, the order of priority should be set as follows.

First, the page memory 60 has a dynamic R
Since it is AM, it is necessary to perform a memory refresh at a predetermined cycle. If the memory refresh is not performed, the written image data will be erased. It turns out that it is necessary to set the ranking. Further, the image reading section 40 has a scanner, and since the scanner cannot normally be interrupted once the document reading operation is started, the image reading section 40 stores the image data read when the image reading section 40 is operated. Therefore, it is necessary to give a relatively high priority to the input DMAC 43 of the compression unit 42 used for this purpose. Similarly, since the image output unit 56 cannot normally be interrupted once the copying operation is started, it is used to transfer the decompressed image data to the image output unit 56 when operating the image output unit 56. The output DMAC 55 of the decompression unit 50 needs to be given a relatively high priority.

As described above, the priority order for permitting the use of the image bus 57 is higher for a device that performs an absolutely indispensable operation and for a device that cannot be interrupted once started. It turns out that it is necessary to give a high priority. From the above, here, the refresh counter 49 and the input D
MAC 51, output DMAC 47 of compression section 42, output DMAC 55 of decompression section 50, input DMA of compression section 42
C43, DMAC62 of HD61, control device 58, IO
It is assumed that the priorities are given in the order of the DMAC 63 of the CP 65. When a request to use the image bus 57 is issued from each device at the same time, the arbitrator 48 permits the device having the highest priority among the devices requested to use the image bus 57 to use the image bus 57. The other devices wait until the device permitted to use ends the use of the image bus 57.
Therefore, it is desirable that each device is provided with a certain amount of buffer in order to absorb the waiting time from issuance of a request to use the image bus 57 to permission thereof, but as described above, Since the amount of data transferred on the image bus 57 at one time is as small as several words and the data transfer speed on the image bus 57 is very high, such a buffer is not always necessary.

As is apparent from the above, the arbitrator 4
8, a refresh counter 49, as shown in FIG.
Control element 58, DMAC 43, 47, 51, 55, 62,
63, a request signal for use of the image bus 57 from each device, a cycle-out signal from the refresh counter 49, and DMACs 43, 47, 51, 55, 62, 6
The DMAC cycle-out signal from the device 3 is input, and the output is a use permission signal of the image bus 57 to each device.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the state transition of the arbitrator 48.
When there is no request to use the image bus 57 from any device, the state remains state 1, that is, a state where no operation is performed (S1). As described above, since the memory refresh of the page memory 60 has the highest priority, the refresh counter 49 is provided with the image bus 5.
7 is notified, and a transition is made to state 2 (S2). As a result, the refresh counter 49 sets the image bus 5
7, the page memory 60 can be refreshed. At this time, the arbiter 48 stays in the state 2 until the refresh cycle signal is notified from the refresh counter 49 (S3), but returns to the state 1 when the refresh cycle signal is notified (S3).
4).

The arbiter 48 permits the use request of the image bus 57 from the input DMAC 51 of the decompression unit 50 when there is no refresh request, and shifts to the state 3 (S5). . In this state, D
The MAC 51 fetches predetermined compressed image data from the page memory 60 using the image bus 57. At this time, the arbitrator 48 remains in the state 3 until the DMAC 51 notifies the DMAC cycle-out signal (S6).
When the MAC cycle out signal is notified, the state returns to the state 1 (S7).

Further, the arbiter 48 permits a request for use of the image bus 57 from the output DMAC 47 of the compression unit 42 when there is no refresh request and no use request from the DMAC 51, and The state transits to the state 4 (S8). In this state, the DMAC 47 writes the compressed image data stored in the buffer 46 to the page memory 60 using the image bus 57. At this time, the arbitrator 48 remains in the state 4 until the DMAC 47 notifies the DMAC cycle-out signal (S9).
State 1 when the DMAC cycle out signal is notified
Return to (S10).

The refresh counter 49 and the DMA
The state transition in the case where there is a use request from the C51 and 47 has been described. However, it is natural that the same state transition is performed in response to a use request from another device. By doing so, arbitration can be performed for a request to use the image bus 57 from each device.

As described above, image data is transferred in bursts in units of several words, and the transfer speed of the image bus 57 is very high.
A plurality of image processes can be performed simultaneously and in parallel.
Further, even when the copying of the preceding job is not completed, if the image reading unit 40 is not used, the original of the next job is read, and the image data is compressed and stored in the HD 61. Therefore, each device can be operated efficiently, and the productivity of the entire system can be improved.

The arbiter 48 has been described above. Next, the operation of the control device 58 will be described. It is needless to say that the arbiter 48 performs the above-mentioned operation in the operation described below, but the operation of the arbiter 48 is omitted in the following description to avoid duplication, and will not be described each time. It shall be.

As shown in FIG. 8, the control device 58 includes a system manager 70, a job manager 71, and a UI 59.
Read task that notifies the system manager 70 of a copy request when a copy job is set in
75) an IOCP task 76 for notifying the system manager 70 of an input / output request from the IOCP 65, and various functions such as a scan input job scheduler, a print output job scheduler, a net input job scheduler, and a net output job scheduler. Module, and a job node table 72,
There are three tables, a job request management table 73 and a job execution management table 74.

The job request management table 73 is a table used when a plurality of jobs are performed using the image reading section 40, and is accessed from both the system manager 70 and the job manager 71. The job request management table 73 includes, as shown in FIG.
System state, request number, request job queue, execute job queue, input end flag,
Each information of the output end flag is written.

The system state is information indicating the state of the entire system such as whether the system is in a standby state, reading a document, copying, or has a fault. The request number is information indicating the number of jobs that are currently accepted and have not been processed. In the request job queue, information of job queues that have been received and for which no processing has yet been started is written in the order in which they were received, and some processing is stored in the execute job queue. The information of the started job queue is written in the order in which the processing was started. That is, when the job queue is accepted, the job queue is temporarily written to the request job queue to be in a standby state, and when the processing is started thereafter, the job queue is removed from the request job queue and written to the execute job queue. For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the job node queues A and B are being processed, and the job node queues C, D, and E are written to the request Assuming that the processing of the node C becomes possible, the job node queue C is moved from the request job queue to the execute job queue as shown in FIG. 10B, and the processing is started.

The input end flag is an area in which a flag indicating the end of the input operation is written, and the output end flag is an area in which the flag indicating the end of the output operation is written. Note that the output end flag is set to a predetermined value, for example, 1 at the end of the output operation, for example, when the output operation of the Nth copy of the last page is completed for a job for copying N copies.

The job node table 72 stores the information shown in FIG. The node link information is information indicating the mutual connection state of the job node queues. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the node link information holds pointers to the first and last job node information connected to the queue list. ing. Therefore, the system manager 70 refers to the node link information of the job node table 72 when moving the job node queue of the next job from the request job queue to the execute job queue when starting the next job.

The job identification information indicates whether the job is a copy job of a document image read by the image reading unit 40,
Alternatively, it is information indicating a job type such as a print job for printing an image received by the FAX 67. The job status management information is information indicating which stage of the job currently being executed, that is, the job node queue written in the execute job queue of the job request management table 73, is performing. The page status management information is information indicating what page is being processed by each of the currently executing jobs.

The file attribute information is as follows. As described above, the image data is compressed and stored in the HD 61. At this time, attributes such as a directory name, a file name, a storage area, and a data amount need to be written for each job or each page. It is this file attribute information that writes these file attributes.

The image area information is information indicating an input image size and an output image size for each job or document. That is, for example, when a copy job is set, the input image size and the output image size may be different due to the specification of the magnification or the paper size. Therefore, it is necessary to store information on the input / output image size in preparation for such a case, and the image area information is provided for that purpose.

The UI information is provided for storing the contents of the job set in the UI 59 for each job. A value set for each device is written in the device setting value information. For example, if a job for copying an image with predetermined offsets in the vertical and horizontal directions of the recording paper is set, the system manager 70
Writes the set vertical and horizontal offset amounts in the device setting value information. When the image is copied, the system manager 70 notifies the image output unit 56 of this information via the print output job scheduler. As a result, a set offset is provided in the vertical and horizontal directions of the sheet.

Next, the job execution management table 74 will be described. The job execution management table 74 is a table accessed only by the job manager 71. As shown in FIG. 13, information indicating the number of currently executed jobs, information indicating the type of currently executed jobs, Event flag has been written. The execute flag is provided to manage four job schedulers, a scan input job scheduler S, a print output job scheduler P, a net input job scheduler N, and a net output job scheduler T. As shown, the value of the corresponding bit can identify whether each job scheduler is currently running. In FIG. 14, “syn
"c" is a flag that is turned on (= 1) when input and output are operated simultaneously in one job. That is, for example, in the case of a copy job, it is necessary to operate the scan input job scheduler and the print output job scheduler. In particular, when the output is performed in the order of input from the first copy and output in accordance with the number of copies, the scan input job scheduler is used. It is necessary to operate the scheduler and the print output job scheduler at the same time. As described above, when the scan input job scheduler and the print output job scheduler are operating on the job execution management table 74,
There are two cases, one job and two jobs. Since the control of each scheduler is different between the two, the judgment of whether or not to execute is naturally different, and this difference is indicated by the sync flag. is there.

Although not shown in FIG. 8, the job manager 71 determines whether the subsequent job can be processed in parallel with the preceding job when the succeeding job is requested before the preceding job is completed. The first table shown in FIG. 15 and the second table shown in FIG. 16 are provided as means for determining.

The first table is a table which determines whether or not subsequent jobs can be processed in parallel when the next job is requested while a certain job is being executed. "○" indicates a job that can be processed in parallel, "x"
Indicates a job that cannot be processed in parallel, and “△” indicates a job that performs interrupt processing. “「 / △ ”indicates that parallel processing is performed if possible, but interrupt processing is performed if parallel processing is not possible. It is shown that. Therefore, according to the drawing, for example, when the scan input job scheduler S is currently operating, that is, when the image reading unit 40 is reading a document of a preceding job, and a scan input is requested as a subsequent job, the preceding Although the job and the succeeding job cannot be processed in parallel, if the operation of the net input job scheduler N is requested during the scan input, that is, the processing of image data received from the outside by the IOCP 65 is performed in parallel. Will be

The print output job scheduler P
Are operating, when a scan input job is requested as a subsequent job, and when a net input job is requested, these subsequent jobs are processed in parallel. Further, when the net output job job scheduler T is operating, that is, when an output job to the IOCP 65 is being executed and a net input is requested as a subsequent job, the net input processing cannot be performed in parallel. ,
When a scan input is requested as a subsequent job,
If the scan input is a scan input for a normal copy (N-Copy) or a scan input for an N-up / S copy, parallel processing or interrupt processing is performed. If it is a scan input for Net-T), no parallel processing is performed. In addition,
“N-up” indicates a process of fitting N (N ≧ 2) images on one sheet. “Sig (Signature)” indicates that two images are fitted on both sides of one sheet, and the center is set. The process of rearranging and outputting pages so as to become a booklet when bound will be described.

The second table is a table in which the executable jobs are determined by a combination of the values of the execute flags in the job execution management table shown in FIG. 14. For example, the values of all five flags are 0. In other words, when the image processing apparatus is in the standby state, all jobs of scan input (S), net input (N), print output (P), net output (T), SP, and NP are executed. If the job is executable and only the net output job scheduler is operating, that is, if only the value of T of the execution scheduler flag is 1, only S / Sintr and print output P can be executed. In the figure, NG
Indicates that execution is not possible (No Good). FIG. 16 is an example of a table in which the number of jobs that can be processed in parallel is 2, and when there is no limit on the number of jobs that can be processed in parallel, the jobs shown in parentheses can be performed. .

In FIG. 16, "SP (scan input & print output)" indicates a copy job for performing print output after scan input is completed, and "NP (net input & print output)" is printed after completion of net input. A printing job for outputting, for example, a job for outputting a document or an image created by the PC 66 to the image output unit 56 is shown. “S / Sintr” indicates that only scan input is permitted regardless of the job.
"intr" indicates that scan input is performed by interruption. “SPsync” indicates a copy job in which print output is performed while scanning input, and similarly “NPsyn”
"c" indicates a printing job for performing print output while inputting to the net.

In the above configuration, the system manager 70 issues a copy request from the read task 75 or
Upon receiving an external input / output request from the OCP task 76, the job manager 71 inquires of the job manager 71 whether the requested processing is executable. On the other hand, the job manager 71 issues an execution permission to the system manager 70 when the process becomes executable.

When the execution permission is notified, the system manager 70 instructs each job scheduler to start execution of the process. As a result, copy processing or external input / output processing is started.

As described above, when there is a copy request or an external input / output request, the system manager 70 inquires of the job manager 71 whether or not the request can be executed. The job manager 71 determines whether the request can be executed in response to the execution request from the system manager 70. When the execution becomes executable, the job manager 71 Since the operations that are issued and the operation status of each job scheduler are managed independently of each other, the system manager 70 does not determine whether or not it can be executed.
Job requests that occur one after another can be accepted.

Next, the mode of the page memory 60 will be described. First, the ring mode will be described. The ring mode is read by the image reading unit 40 and the compression unit 42
This mode is used when writing compressed image data from the HD 61 or writing compressed image data from the HD 61 for output by the image output unit 56. In a state where no image data is written, When writing the image data of the first page, the image data shown in FIG.
7A, the data is written from the top address of the page memory 60. Then, a write start pointer WAP (Erite Addr) indicating the start address for writing the next image data is provided at the last address of the image data.
ess Pointer) is placed, and the first address of the image data is set to the image data that is no longer required to be read from the page memory 60 again because the storage in the HD 61 and the transfer to the decompressor 50 are completed. Read start pointer RAP (Read Address P indicating the end address)
ointer) is placed. Therefore, the free area at this time is from WAP to RAP as shown by the arrow in the figure.

In the state shown in FIG. 17A, it is assumed that the state shown in FIG. 17B is obtained when the image data of the second page is successively written, and the image data of the first page is read in this state. As shown, the RAP shifts to the start address of the second page, and the empty area becomes the area indicated by the arrow in the figure. The same applies to the following. For example, when the third page is written in the state of FIG. 17C, the state becomes as shown in FIG. 17D, and when the fourth page is subsequently written, the state becomes as shown in FIG. 17E. When writing the fifth page in the state shown in FIG. 17E, if the data amount of the fifth page is smaller than the free area indicated by the range of the arrow in FIG. 17E, the image data of the fifth page continues. Although the data can be written, if the data amount is larger than the free area, the writing of the image data of the fifth page is not performed until there is a free area in which the image data can be written.

In the ring mode, the image reading unit 4
It is also used when the input job at 0 and the output job at the image output unit 56 are executed in parallel. For example, now, the image reading unit 4 is stored in the page memory 60.
Image data Page1 and Page2 of 2 pages input from 0
When the image data for the output of the preceding job is to be written while the
Has at least one free area as shown in FIG. 18A.
When there is a free space for writing the output image data for a page, as shown in FIG. B, an area for a predetermined number of pages is secured in the free area as an area for writing the output image data. As a result, the output image data is written in the area. When there is a free area in which image data for output can be written in addition to the free area as shown in FIG. C, the control device 58 stores the image data for output in the free area as shown in FIG. Reserve an area for writing. As a result, the output image data is written in the area.

The above is the operation in the ring mode. Next, the ping-pong mode will be described. Ping-pong mode is
This mode is set when image reading and copying are performed concurrently or when a plurality of jobs are executed concurrently. In this ping-pong mode, the area of the page memory 60 is divided into a plurality. That is, when it becomes necessary to use the page memory 60 in the ping-pong mode, the control device 58 completely removes _one of the predetermined divided areas PM ₁ and PM ₂ into the free area as shown in FIG. 19A. If it is included, it is divided into two areas as shown in FIG. Then, each divided area PM ₁ ,
The PM ₂ predetermined image data is written. But,
When neither of the divided areas PM ₁ and PM ₂ is completely included in the free area, the control device 58 sets the divided area P
Area division of the page memory 60 is not performed until _{one of} M ₁ and PM ₂ is completely included in the free area. Then, area division is performed, and when operating in the ping-pong mode, each of the divided areas is used in the ring mode.

The input image data and the output image data can be written in the ring mode as shown in FIG. 18B or 18D.
As shown in FIG. 19B, writing can be performed in a ping-pong mode. In such a case, the mode in which the page memory 60 is used is arbitrary, but the reading speed of the image reading unit 40 and the image output unit 56 18B and D, when the output speed is greatly different, a so-called insect-eating state occurs in the page memory 60, and there is a problem that a partially useless area is generated. As shown in FIG. 19B, when used in the ping-pong mode, such a problem is solved, but the capacity of each divided area is reduced, so that writing of a plurality of pages becomes difficult. If the speed is faster, the read image data may not be able to be stored continuously. Therefore, when the processing speeds of the image reading unit 40 and the image output unit 56 are substantially equal, the image reading unit 40 may be used in the ring mode, and otherwise, it may be used in the ping-pong mode. Here, the former is adopted for convenience. The mode of the page memory 60 has been described above. Next, the operation of the control device 58 will be specifically described.

FIGS. 20 and 21 show the operation of the control unit 58 when a scan input is requested as a subsequent job while executing the process shown in FIG. 4, that is, the scan input. U when the job is running
When a copy job is set from I59 and a copy start is input, the system manager 70 receives a job request signal from the read task 75 (S11), and stores the requested job parameters in the request job queue of the job request management table 73. Set to the job node (S
12) The job is queued (S13), and an execution request is issued to the job manager 71. At this time, it goes without saying that the job node of the preceding job has been moved from the request job queue of the job request management table 73 to the execute job queue.

On the other hand, the job manager 71 fetches the job node from the top of the request job queue in the job request management table 73 (S14), and generates a new job node based on the job parameters set in the job node and the job parameters being executed. Check whether the job can be started (S15), whether the input end flag of the job request management table 73 is turned on (S17), and whether the page memory 60 is in a usable state. Is checked (S19), and it is determined whether scan input of the succeeding job is possible. The start of this determination is triggered not only when the execution request is received, but also when the operation of the scan input job scheduler ends and the operation of the print output job scheduler ends.

The job manager 71 gives execution permission to the system manager 70 only when all the above three items are satisfied. As a result, the system manager 70 moves the job node from the request job queue of the job request management table 73 to the execute job queue, and gives the job node to the job scheduler to instruct execution (S2).
1). However, if all of the above three items are not satisfied, the job node is on standby until the next judgment start trigger occurs (S28). At this time, it is natural that the job node remains at the head of the request job queue.

The job is started as described above (S2
1) The scan input process is performed (S22). When the input process is completed, the job manager 71 receives the notification of the input completion from the scan input job scheduler and updates the input end flag (S23) to make the above determination. Start trigger.

Then, the job manager 71 checks the output end flag (S24). If the flag is off, the print output job scheduler is currently operating and copy output is being performed, so copy is performed. It is determined that the output process is not possible, and the output process is suspended (S29). If the flag is on, the output process is possible.
Notify. As a result, the system manager 70 instructs the print output job scheduler to start execution of output processing (S26). Then, when the output processing ends, the job manager 71 receives the notification of the output end from the print output job scheduler, updates the output end flag (S27), sets the output end flag as a trigger for starting the determination, and returns to step S14.

The job input process of step S22 in FIG. 20 and the job output process of step S26 are performed as shown in FIG. When the execution of the input process is started, the system manager 70 secures an area for writing the read and compressed image data in the page memory 60 (S3).
0). When the area is secured in the page memory 60, the start of the operation is instructed to the scan input job scheduler, whereby the image reading unit 40 starts scanning (S31) and the compression unit 42 starts data compression. The compressed image data is stored in the page memory 6.
0 (S32), and writing to the HD 61 is started (S33). In this process, the arbiter 48 naturally arbitrates the image bus use request described above.

When the writing to the HD 61 is started, the job manager 71 next determines whether or not the output processing by the image output unit 56 is possible by referring to the job parameters (S34). In this case, the fact is notified to the system manager 70. Accordingly, the system manager 70 instructs the decompression unit 50 to start decompression processing (S35), and instructs the print output job scheduler to start output processing (S36). As a result, the output of the first copy is executed. However, if the output process cannot be performed, the above process is repeated until the final document, and the input process ends (S37). Step S
The determination in step S34 is made only for the first page. Therefore, if the output processing is possible in the determination in step S34 for the first page, the output processing for the first copy is performed.
If it is determined in step S34 of the page that output processing is not possible, output processing is not performed from the middle page, and image data of all originals from page 1 to the last original is It is only stored in the HD 61.

The above is the input processing in step S22 in FIG. 20, and the output processing in step S26 is as follows. If the number of copies is two or more in the job parameters, the system manager 70 first
An area for reading the compressed image data from 1 is secured in the page memory 60 (S40), and an instruction to start processing for reading the compressed image data from the HD 61 is issued. As a result, predetermined compressed image data is transferred from the HD 61 to the page memory 60.
(S41). At this time, if there is compressed image data to be output on the page memory 60, it is natural that the reading process from the HD 61 may be omitted.

When the compressed image data to be output is stored in the page memory 60, the system manager 70
Instructs the decompression unit 50 to start decompression processing (S42).
The print output job scheduler is instructed to start output processing (S43). As a result, a copy output is performed. At this time, what is output is the previous input processing (S2
It is determined in step S34 of 2) that the output is possible. If the output processing of the first copy has been performed, the output is the output of the second copy, and if not, the output is the output of the first copy.

When the above processing is repeated and the output processing up to the final document is completed and it is determined that the number of input sheets and the number of output copies set in the job parameters are satisfied, the job manager 71 notifies the system manager 70 to that effect. I do. Thereby, the system manager 70 instructs the HD 61 to start erasing the compressed image data of the job (S45). Further, the job manager 71 turns on the output end flag. The reason why the compressed image data on the HD 61 is erased in step S45 is to recover from an error such as a paper jam or a paper feed error in the image output unit 56.

The above is the operation when the scan input is requested as the subsequent job while the scan input is being executed. Next, referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, the processing shown in FIG. The operation of the control device 58 when a print request for the image data received from the IOCP 65 as a subsequent job while the input is being executed will be described. 20 and 21 may be omitted.

Now, when a print process of the image data received from the IOCP 65 is requested while the preceding job is being executed, the system manager 70 receives a job request signal from the IOCP task 76 (S51). The job parameters are stored in the job request management table 73.
Is set in the job node of the request job queue (S52), the job is queued (S53), and an execution request is issued to the job manager 71.

On the other hand, the job manager 71 fetches the job node from the top of the request job queue in the job request management table 73 (S54), and checks four items of steps S55, S57, S59, and S61. The execution permission is given to the system manager 70 only when all the items are satisfied. Here, the check in step S55 is performed in the first step shown in FIG.
This is to determine whether or not the combination of the job being executed with reference to the table and the subsequent job requested this time is possible, and the check in step S57 is set in the job node. This is for determining whether or not the subsequent job can be started based on the job parameters and the job parameters being executed. Step S5
The check of No. 9 is for judging whether or not the succeeding job is an executable job from the execute flag of the job execution management table 74 and the second table shown in FIG. Memory 60
Is used to determine whether or not is available.

As a result of checking the above four items, if any one item cannot be satisfied, the job manager 71
Does not give execution permission to the system manager 70,
The job node returns to the top of the request job queue and takes out the next job node (S68). If there are no more job nodes to be taken out, the process waits until the next trigger for starting the determination of the above four items occurs (S6).
9).

When it is determined that all of the above four items are satisfied, the job manager 71 gives execution permission to the system manager 70. As a result, the system manager 70 moves the job node from the request job queue in the job request management table 73 to the execute job queue, and gives the job node to the job scheduler to instruct the job scheduler to start execution (S63). The job is processed (S64). Then, when the job ends (S65), the execution scheduler flag is updated (S66), and a trigger for starting the determination of the above four items is generated. Thereafter, the processing of step S54 and subsequent steps are repeated.

The process of step S64 in FIG. 22 is performed as shown in FIG. 23, but this process omits steps S38 and S39 of the process shown in FIG.
Since the process of executing step S40 after step 37 is exactly the same, the description is omitted.

As described above, one embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, one image reading unit and one image output unit are provided, but a plurality of image reading units and image output units may be provided.

[0101]

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the right to use the image bus is assigned based on a request from each device, so that the right to use the image bus is assigned in a fixed manner. Useless use rights are not assigned to devices that are not used, and the utilization rate of the image bus is improved. Further, a plurality of jobs can be processed simultaneously and in parallel, and the efficiency and productivity of the entire system can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a flow of image data of a first copy of a copy job.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a flow of image data of a second copy and thereafter of a copy job.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a flow of image data when a plurality of copy jobs are performed simultaneously and in parallel.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a flow of image data when a copy job and an external input process are performed simultaneously and in parallel.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an arbitrator.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state transition of an arbitrator.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a control device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a job request management table.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the movement of a job node.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a job node table.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining node link information.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a job execution management table.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining an execute flag.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a first table.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a second table.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a ring mode of a page memory.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a ring mode of a page memory.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the ping-pong mode of the page memory.

20 is a diagram for explaining an operation of the control device when executing the processing shown in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining operations of the job input process and the job output process of FIG.

FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the control device when executing the processing shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining an operation of processing the job in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a conventional image processing apparatus capable of performing parallel processing.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing another configuration example of a conventional image processing apparatus capable of performing parallel processing.

[Explanation of Signs] 40 ... Image Reading Unit, 41 ... Automatic Document Feeder, 42
... compressor, 43 ... DMAC, 44 ... buffer, 45 ... compressor, 46 ... buffer, 47 ... DMAC, 48 ... arbiter, 49 ... refresh counter, 50 ... decompressor, 51
.. DMAC, 52 buffer, 53 expander, 54 buffer, 55 DMAC, 56 image output unit, 57 image bus, 58 control unit, 59 user interface, 60 page memory, 61 HD, 62, 63
... DMAC, 64 ... IOCP interface, 65 ...
IOCP, 66 ... PC, 67 ... FAX.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108

Claims (11)

(57) [Claims] An image input unit for inputting image data; a compression unit for compressing the image data input by the image input unit; and at least one storage unit for storing the image data compressed by the compression unit. Decompression means for decompressing the image data compressed by the compression means, image output means for performing image recording based on the image data decompressed by the decompression means, image input means, compression means, storage means, decompression An image bus to which means and an image output means are connected; control means for controlling operations of the image input means, compression means, storage means, decompression means and image output means; and an image input means, compression means, storage means, Arbitration means for arbitrating use of the image bus based on a request for use of the image bus from the decompression means and the image output means. The image processing apparatus according to claim and. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit includes a primary storage unit that temporarily stores image data, and a secondary storage unit that accumulates and stores the image data stored in the primary storage unit. The image processing device according to claim 1. 3. The arbitration of the use of the image bus by the arbitration means is performed in the order of higher priority set in the image input means, the compression means, the primary storage means, the secondary storage means, the decompression means, and the image output means. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image processing is performed. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a higher priority is set for the means that involves a mechanical operation. 5. The image data according to claim 1, wherein the image data transferred on the image bus at a time is a predetermined number of bytes or words. Image processing device. 6. The control means receives the image data input of the next job when the image data input from the image input means is completed, and simultaneously outputs the image data of the preceding job and the image data of the succeeding job. 2. The image data input of the succeeding job is further executed when the image data input of the succeeding job is completed earlier than the image data output of the preceding job.
The image processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 7. The control means includes: a state of an image input means;
7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein whether to input image data is determined based on a state of the image output unit, a job parameter, and a free area of the primary storage unit. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means permits image data input when image data can be input even when the image output means has interrupted the image recording operation. 2. The image processing device according to 1. 9. A plurality of image input means for inputting image data; a compression means for compressing image data input by the image input means; a primary storage means for temporarily storing image data; Secondary storage means for accumulating and storing the image data stored in the means, at least one storage means for storing the image data compressed by the compression means, and expanding the image data compressed by the compression means Decompression means; image output means for performing image recording based on the image data decompressed by the decompression means; an image bus to which the image input means, compression means, storage means, decompression means and image output means are connected; Control means for controlling operations of the image input means, compression means, storage means, decompression means and image output means; Arbitration means for arbitrating the use of the image bus based on a request for use of the image bus from the storage means, storage means, decompression means and image output means, the control means comprising: A job request from a unit is received, and job parameters of each job are stored. Jobs that can be executed based on the operation status of each unit and the status of free space in the primary storage unit are executed simultaneously and in parallel. An image processing apparatus characterized in that an impossible job is put on standby and a job executable at that time is placed first. 10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit determines whether image data can be input based on a received job mode, a job parameter, and a free area of the primary storage unit. apparatus. 11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means divides the area of the primary storage means into a plurality of areas and performs image input means on each of the divided areas when performing input processing of image data from the plurality of image input means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein