JP3581582B2 - Encoding / decoding device and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an encoding / decoding device for performing predetermined encoding / decoding processing on input data such as image data and outputting the same, and more particularly to an encoding / decoding device capable of performing a plurality of processes at high speed.
[0002]
[Prior art]
With the spread of network technology, data such as images, sounds, and programs have been frequently exchanged on a network. In many cases, data compression (encoding) technology is used to reduce network load and perform high-speed data transmission. Encoding / decoding is performed using an encoding / decoding device (codec). The codec is executed by hardware (hardware codec) such as a dedicated LSI or by executing software by a general-purpose processor (software codec). realizable. Generally, either a hardware codec or a software codec, such as a hardware codec if high-speed compression is required, or a software codec if processing speed is not so important or costs need to be kept low. One is used.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, for example, in a copier (multifunction peripheral) having a scanner function and a printer function, each function is connected to a common bus such as a PCI bus so that each function can be easily, arbitrarily added, deleted, or added. Often configured. That is, a network interface, an interface to a scanner and a printer, and a codec are connected to the same bus. The use of the common bus enables flexible setting and reduces costs, but there is a problem that if there are many simultaneous users (devices) of the bus, the performance of each device cannot be sufficiently exhibited. For example, even if a hardware codec is connected to perform high-speed processing, the encoding / decoding processing may take time depending on the processing of another device. In particular, in the case of the above-described configuration, a process of encoding image data of a document read using a scanner and outputting the encoded image data to another device connected to the network, and a process of decoding image data received from the other device to perform a printer function. In the case where the processes for outputting the data using the same method occur in duplicate, the bus use requests are duplicated, and the encoding / decoding process takes time.
[0004]
On the other hand, recently, the performance of a general-purpose processor (CPU) has been improved, and a software codec has been able to realize a somewhat high-speed processing.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An object of the present invention is to provide an encoding / decoding device capable of encoding / decoding data supplied from the outside at high speed.
[0006]
That is, the gist of the present invention is an encoding / decoding apparatus having an encoding / decoding means for performing predetermined encoding processing or decoding processing on original data supplied from the outside and outputting the result. Configured by hardware as a meansConnected to a first bus to which at least one or more resources are connectedIt has a first codec, a second codec that performs encoding and decoding by executing software, and a selecting unit that selects encoding and decoding means used for encoding or decoding of original data. AndThe selection unit monitors the usage status of the first bus to which the first codec is connected, and selects the second codec when a value based on the usage status exceeds a predetermined value.An encoding / decoding device is characterized in that:
[0007]
Further, another gist of the present invention resides in that the means for generating image data and the image forming means for forming and outputting an image on a recording material based on the received image data include the above-described encoding / decoding apparatus. And an image forming system communicably connected thereto.
Another aspect of the present invention is an encoding / decoding apparatus that performs predetermined encoding processing or decoding processing on original data supplied from the outside and outputs the result, wherein at least one or more resources are connected. A first codec connected to a first bus, a second codec connected to a second bus to which at least one or more resources are connected, and encoding or decoding of original data And a selecting means for selecting whether to execute the first codec or the second codec, the selecting means comprising a bus for each resource using the first bus and the second bus. And a codec to be used is selected based on the usage status of the codec.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, an example is shown in which the encoding / decoding device of the present invention is applied to a multifunction device that can be connected to a network. However, as described above, the encoding / decoding target is not limited to image data.
[0009]
[hardware]
FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the multifunction peripheral system. The controller 2000 is connected to a scanner 2070 which is an image input device and a printer 2095 which is an image output device, and is connected to a LAN 2011 or a public line (WAN) 2051 to input and output image information and device information. It is a controller. The CPU 2001 is a general-purpose processor that controls the entire MFP. A RAM 2002 is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 2001, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. A ROM 2003 is a boot ROM, and stores a boot program of the multifunction peripheral. An HDD 2004 is a hard disk drive that stores system software and image data. An operation unit I / F 2006 is an interface unit with an operation unit (UI) 2012 and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 2012 to the operation unit 2012. In addition, it plays a role of transmitting information input by the user of the system from the operation unit 2012 to the CPU 2001. The Modem 2050 connects to the public line 2051 and inputs and outputs information. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 2007.
[0010]
The image bus I / F 2005 is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 2007 and the image bus 2008 that transfers image data at high speed, and converts a data structure. The image bus 2008 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 2008. A network I / F 2010 connects the image bus 2008 to the LAN 2011 and inputs and outputs information. A raster image processor (RIP) 2060 develops a PDL (Page Description Language) code into a bitmap image. The device I / F unit 2020 connects the scanner 20000 and the printer 2095, which are image input / output devices, to the controller 2000, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. The scanner image processing unit 2080 performs correction, processing, and editing on input image data. The printer image processing unit performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on the print output image data. The image rotation unit 2030 rotates image data. The codec 2040 performs compression / expansion processing of JPEG for multi-valued image data and JBIG, MMR, and MH for binary image data.
[0011]
The configuration as described above has a configuration in which the system bus 2007 and the image bus 2008 are separated in consideration of the expandability of the image processing part, and is an application of a general computer configuration. is there. In the above configuration, the image bus I / F is a general-purpose I / F, so that the degree of freedom in which image processing can be arbitrarily combined and the expandability in consideration of the future are provided. In particular, the codec section is connected to the image bus side so that various standards may be proposed in the future.
[0012]
FIG. 2 shows an example of a front appearance of the multifunction peripheral system. A scanner unit 2070, which is an image input device, illuminates a document and scans a CCD line sensor (not shown) to convert the document into an electrical signal as raster image data. The original is set on a tray 2073 of an original feeder 2072, and when the apparatus user gives an instruction to start reading from the operation unit 2012, the controller CPU 2001 gives an instruction to the scanner 2070. Perform a read operation.
[0013]
A printer unit 2095, which is an image output device, is a unit that converts raster image data 2096 into an image on a recording material such as paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and a fine nozzle. There is an ink jet system in which an image is formed directly on paper by discharging ink from an array, but any system may be used. The start of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the controller CPU 2001. The printer unit 2095 has a plurality of supply stages so that different recording material sizes or different recording material directions can be selected, and includes cassettes 2101, 1022, 2103, and 2104 corresponding thereto. The discharge tray 2111 receives a recording material on which printing has been completed.
[0014]
・ Operation unit
FIG. 3 shows an example of the appearance of the operation unit 2012. The LCD display unit 2013 has a touch panel sheet affixed on the LCD, displays an operation screen of the system, and transmits the position information to the controller CPU 2001 when a displayed key is pressed. A start key 2014 is used to start a reading operation of a document image. A two-color LED 2018 of green and red is provided at the center of the start key 2014, and the color indicates whether the start key 2014 is in a usable state. A stop key 2015 functions to stop an operation in operation. An ID key 2016 is used to input a user ID of a user. A reset key 2017 is used to initialize settings from the operation unit.
[0015]
・ Scanner image processing unit
FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the scanner image processing unit 2080. The image bus I / F controller 2081 is connected to the image bus 2008, controls the bus access sequence, and controls and timings of each device in the scanner image processing unit 2080. The filter processing unit 2082 performs a convolution operation using a spatial filter. The editing unit 2083 recognizes, for example, a closed area surrounded by the marker pen from the input image data, and performs image processing such as shadowing, shading, and inversion of the negative image on the image data in the closed area. When changing the resolution of the read image, the scaling unit 2084 performs interpolation calculation in the main scanning direction of the raster image to perform enlargement and reduction. Zooming in the sub-scanning direction is performed by changing the scanning speed of an image reading line sensor (not shown). The table conversion unit 2085 performs a table conversion for converting image data, which is read luminance data, into density data. The binarization processing unit 2086 binarizes the multi-value grayscale image data by error diffusion processing or screen processing.
[0016]
The processed image data is transferred to the image bus via the image bus controller 2081 again.
[0017]
・ Printer image processing unit
FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the printer image processing unit 2090. The image bus I / F controller 2091 is connected to the image bus 2008, controls the bus access sequence, and controls and timings of each device in the scanner image processing unit 2090. The resolution conversion unit 2092 performs resolution conversion for converting image data received from the LAN 2011 or the WAN 2051 into a resolution of the printer 2095. The smoothing processing unit 2093 performs a process of smoothing jaggies (roughness of an image appearing at a black-and-white boundary such as an oblique line) of the image data after resolution conversion.
[0018]
・ Codec
FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the codec 2040. An image bus I / F controller 2041 is connected to the image bus 2008, controls the bus access sequence, performs timing control for exchanging data with the input buffer 2042 and the output buffer 2045, and the image compression / decompression unit 2043. Control such as a mode setting for. In the present invention, data compression is treated as encoding, and decompression is treated as decoding. The processing procedure of the codec is shown below.
[0019]
Through the image bus 2008, the CPU 2001 makes settings for image compression control in the image bus I / F controller 2041. With this setting, the image bus I / F controller 2041 makes settings necessary for image compression (for example, MMR compression, JBIG expansion, etc.) to the image compression / expansion unit 2043. After the necessary settings are made, the CPU 2001 again permits the image bus I / F controller 2041 to transfer image data. In accordance with this permission, the image bus I / F controller 2041 starts transferring image data from the RAM 2002 or each device on the image bus 2008. The received image data is temporarily stored in the input buffer 2042, and the image is transferred at a constant speed in response to the image data request from the image compression / decompression unit 2043. At this time, the input buffer determines whether image data can be transferred between the image bus I / F controller 2041 and the image compression / decompression unit 2043, reads image data from the image bus 2008, and performs image compression / decompression. If it is impossible to write an image to the unit 2043, control is performed to prevent data transfer (hereinafter, such control is referred to as handshake).
[0020]
The image compression / decompression unit 2043 temporarily stores the received image data in the RAM 2044. This is because several lines of data are required depending on the type of image compression processing to be performed when performing image compression. To compress the first one line, several lines of image data must be prepared. This is because image compression cannot be performed unless the image is compressed. The image data subjected to the image compression is immediately sent to the output buffer 2045. The output buffer 2045 performs handshake with the image bus I / F controller 2041 and the image compression / decompression unit 2043, and transfers image data to the image bus I / F controller 2041. The image bus I / F controller 2041 transfers the transferred compressed (or decompressed) image data to the RAM 2002 or each device on the image bus 2008. Such a series of processing is performed until there is no processing request from the CPU 2001 (when processing of the required number of pages is completed) or until a stop request is issued from the image compression / expansion unit (such as when an error occurs during compression and expansion). Repeated.
[0021]
・ Image rotation unit
FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the image rotation unit 2030. The image bus I / F controller 2031 is connected to the image bus 2008, controls the bus sequence, controls the mode setting and the like in the image rotating unit 2032, and transfers the image data to the image rotating unit 2032. Perform control. The processing procedure of the image rotation unit will be described below.
[0022]
Through the image bus 2008, the CPU 2001 makes settings for image rotation control in the image bus I / F controller 2031. With this setting, the image bus I / F controller 2041 makes settings (for example, image size, rotation direction, angle, and the like) necessary for image rotation to the image rotation unit 2032. After the necessary settings are made, the CPU 2001 again permits the image bus I / F controller 2041 to transfer image data. According to this permission, the image bus I / F controller 2031 starts transfer of image data from the RAM 2002 or a device on the image bus 2008. Here, the width of the image bus 2008 is set to 32 bits, the image size to be rotated is set to 32 × 32 (bit), and image data is transferred in units of 32 bits when image data is transferred onto the image bus 2008. (The image to be handled is assumed to be binary).
[0023]
As described above, in order to obtain a 32 × 32 (bit) image, the above-described unit data transfer needs to be performed 32 times, and image data needs to be transferred from discontinuous addresses (see FIG. 8). ). The image data transferred by the discontinuous addressing is written to the RAM 2033 so that the image data is rotated to a desired angle at the time of reading. For example, if the rotation is 90 degrees counterclockwise, the 32-bit image data transferred first is written in the Y direction as shown in FIG. By reading in the X direction at the time of reading, the image is rotated.
[0024]
After the 32 × 32 (bit) image rotation (writing to the RAM 2033) is completed, the image rotation unit 2032 reads the image data from the RAM 2033 by the above-described reading method, and transfers the image to the image bus I / F controller 2031.
[0025]
The image bus I / F controller 2031 receiving the rotated image data transfers the data to the RAM 2002 or each device on the image bus 2008 by continuous addressing. Such a series of processing is repeated until there is no more processing request from the CPU 2001 (when processing of the required number of pages is completed).
[0026]
・ Device I / F
FIG. 10 shows the configuration of the device I / F unit 2020. The image bus I / F controller 2021 is connected to the image bus 2008, controls the bus access sequence, and generates control and timing of each device in the device I / F unit 2020. Further, it generates control signals to the external scanner 2070 and printer 2095. The scan buffer 2022 temporarily stores the image data sent from the scanner 2070 and outputs the image data in synchronization with the image bus 2008. The serial / parallel / parallel / serial conversion unit 2023 arranges or decomposes the image data stored in the scan buffer 2022 in order, and converts the image data into a data width of image data that can be transferred to the image bus 2008. The parallel-serial / serial / parallel conversion unit 2024 decomposes or arranges the image data transferred from the image bus 2008 and converts the image data into a data width of image data that can be stored in the print buffer 2025. The print buffer 2025 temporarily stores the image data sent from the image bus 2008, and outputs the image data in synchronization with the printer 2095.
[0027]
The processing procedure at the time of image scanning is shown below. The image data sent from the scanner 2070 is stored in the scan buffer 2022 in synchronization with the timing signal sent from the scanner 2070. In the case where the image bus 2008 is a PCI bus, when the image data has entered 32 bits or more in the buffer, the image data is sent to the serial / parallel / serial / serial converter 2023 from the buffer for 32 bits on a first-in / first-out basis. , And transfers the image data to the image bus 2008 via the image bus I / F controller 2021. If the image bus 2008 is IEEE1394, the image data in the buffer is sent to the serial / parallel / serial / serial conversion unit 2023 from the buffer on a first-in first-out basis, and is converted into serial image data. Transfer to the bus 2008.
[0028]
The processing procedure at the time of image printing is shown below. When the image bus 2008 is a PCI bus, 32-bit image data sent from the image bus is received by the image bus I / F controller, sent to the parallel-serial / serial / parallel conversion unit 2024, and the input data bit of the printer 2095 is input. The image data is decomposed into a number of image data and stored in the print buffer 2025. When the image bus 2008 is IEEE1394, serial image data sent from the image bus is received by the image bus I / F controller, sent to the parallel-serial / serial / parallel converter 2024, and the number of input data bits of the printer 2095 is calculated. The data is converted into image data and stored in the print buffer 2025. The image data in the buffer is sent to the printer 2095 on a first-in first-out basis in synchronization with the timing signal sent from the printer 2095.
[0029]
・ Network system
FIG. 11 shows an example of a system configuration when a multifunction peripheral to which the codec of the present invention is applied is connected to a network. Reference numeral 1001 denotes a multifunction peripheral to which the codec of the present invention is applied. The multifunction peripheral includes a scanner and a printer, which will be described later. it can. Further, the image read from the scanner can be transmitted to the PSTN or ISDN (1030) by a facsimile transmission unit (not shown), or the image received from the PSTN or ISDN can be printed out by a printer. A database server 1002 manages the binary image and the multi-value image read by the multifunction peripheral 1001 as a database. Reference numeral 1003 denotes a database client of the database server 1002, which can browse / search image data stored in the database 1002.
[0030]
An e-mail server 1004 can receive an image read by the multifunction peripheral 1001 as an e-mail attachment. Reference numeral 1005 denotes an e-mail client, which is capable of receiving and browsing the e-mail received by the e-mail server 1004 and transmitting the e-mail. Reference numeral 1006 denotes a WWW server that provides an HTML document to the LAN, and the MFP 1001 can print out an HTML document provided by the WWW server. A router 1011 connects the LAN 1010 with the Internet / intranet 1012 by a router. Devices similar to the database server (1002), WWW server (1006), e-mail server (1004), and multifunction device (1001) are connected to the Internet / intranet as 1020, 1021, 1022, and 1023, respectively. . On the other hand, the multifunction peripheral 1001 can transmit to and receive from the FAX device 1031 via the PSTN or ISDN (1030). A printer 1040 is also connected on the LAN, and is configured so that an image read by the multifunction peripheral 1001 can be printed out.
[0031]
[software]
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a module configuration of software of the multifunction peripheral shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 1501 denotes a UI, that is, a user interface, which is a module that mediates with a device when an operator performs various operations and settings of the MFP. This module transfers input information to various modules, which will be described later, and requests processing or sets data according to the operation of the operator.
[0032]
Reference numeral 1502 denotes a database module for managing an address-book, that is, a data transmission destination, a communication destination, and the like. The contents of the Address-Book are used to add, delete, and acquire data by an operation from the UI 1501 and to provide data transmission / communication destination information to each module described later by an operation of an operator.
[0033]
Reference numeral 1503 denotes a Web-Server module, which is used for notifying management information of the MFP in response to a request from a Web client (not shown). The management information is read via a later-described Control-API 1518, and is notified to a Web client via a later-described HTTP 1512, TCP / IP 1516, and Network-Driver 1517.
[0034]
Reference numeral 1504 denotes a Universal-Send, that is, a module that manages data distribution, and distributes data designated by the UI 1501 to the operator to a communication (output) destination designated in the same manner. When the operator instructs the generation of distribution data using the scanner function of the present apparatus, the apparatus is operated via a Control-API 1518 described later to generate data.
[0035]
Reference numeral 1505 denotes a module that is executed when a printer is designated as an output destination in the Universalsend-Send 1504.
A module 1506 is executed when an E-mail address is specified as a communication destination in the Universalsend-Send 1504.
Reference numeral 1507 denotes a module that is executed when a database is specified as an output destination in the Universalsla-Send 1504.
A module 1508 is executed when a multifunction peripheral similar to the present apparatus is designated as an output destination in the Universalsla-Send 1504.
[0036]
Reference numeral 1509 denotes a Remote-Copy-Scan module, which uses the scanner function of the multifunction peripheral, outputs to another multifunction peripheral connected via a network or the like, and has the same function as the Copy function realized by the multifunction peripheral alone. This is a module that performs processing.
Reference numeral 1510 denotes a Remote-Copy-Print module, which uses the printer function of the multifunction peripheral, sets another multifunction peripheral connected via a network or the like as an input destination, and is equivalent to the Copy function realized by the multifunction peripheral alone. This is a module that performs processing.
[0037]
Reference numeral 1511 denotes a module that reads and prints information of various homepages on the Web or Pull-Print, that is, the Internet or an intranet.
Reference numeral 1512 denotes a module used when the multifunction peripheral communicates by HTTP, and provides communication to the Web-Server 1503 and Web-Pull-Print 1511 modules by a TCP / IP 1516 module described later.
Reference numeral 1513 denotes an lpr module, which provides communication to the printer module 1505 in the above-mentioned Universal-Send 1504 by a TCP / IP 1516 module described later.
[0038]
Reference numeral 1514 denotes an SMTP module which provides communication to the E-mail module 1506 in the above-mentioned Universal-Send 1504 by a TCP / IP 1516 module described later.
[0039]
Reference numeral 1515 denotes an SLM, that is, a Salutation-Manager module, which communicates with a database module 1517, a DP module 1518, a Remote-Copy-Scan 1509 module, and a Remote-Copy-Print 1510 module in the above-described Universal-Send 1504 by a TCP / IP 1516 module described later. To provide.
Reference numeral 1516 denotes a TCP / IP communication module which provides network communication to the above-described various modules by using a Network-Driver described later.
Reference numeral 1517 denotes a network driver which controls a portion physically connected to the network.
[0040]
Reference numeral 1518 denotes a Control-API, which provides an interface to a downstream module such as a Job-Manager 1519 described later for an upstream module such as the Universal-Send 1504, and reduces dependency between upstream and downstream modules. This enhances their diversion.
Reference numeral 1519 denotes a Job-Manager, which interprets a process instructed by the above-described various modules via the Control-API 1518 and gives an instruction to each of the modules described later. Also, this module is for centrally managing hardware processing executed in the multifunction peripheral.
[0041]
Reference numeral 1520 denotes a CODEC-Manager, which manages and controls various types of data compression / decompression in the processing specified by the Job-Manager 1519.
Reference numeral 1521 denotes an FBE-En coder which compresses data read by a scan process executed by the Job-Manager 1519 and the Scan-Manager 1524 in the FBE format.
[0042]
Reference numeral 1522 denotes a JPEG-CODEC, which performs JPEG compression of read data and JPEG decompression of print data in a scan process executed by the Job-Manager 1519 and the Scan-Manager 1524 and a print process executed by the Print-Manager 1526. Things.
[0043]
Reference numeral 1523 denotes an MMR-CODEC, which performs MMR compression of read data and MMR decompression processing of print data in a scan process executed by the Job-Manager 1519 and the Scan-Manager 1524 and a print process executed by the Print-Manager 1526. Things.
[0044]
Reference numeral 1524 denotes a Scan-Manager, which manages and controls a scan process specified by the Job-Manager 1519.
Reference numeral 1525 denotes a scanner driver which communicates between the Scan-Manager 1524 and a scanner unit internally connected to the multifunction peripheral.
Reference numeral 1526 denotes a Print-Manager, which manages and controls print processing instructed by the Job-Manager 1519.
[0045]
Reference numeral 1527 denotes a printer driver, which provides an I / F between the Print-Manager 1526 and the printing unit.
Reference numeral 1528 denotes a parallel port driver, which provides an I / F when the Web-Pull-Print 1511 outputs data to an output device (not shown) via the parallel port.
[0046]
·application
Hereinafter, embodiments of an embedded application according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating embedded application blocks related to image data distribution in the multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0047]
Reference numeral 4050 denotes a block indicating the operation unit application of the present invention described in the above 3000.
Reference numeral 4100 denotes a block indicating the transmitting side of the remote copy application.
Reference numeral 4150 denotes a block indicating the transmitting side of the broadcast distribution.
Reference numeral 4200 denotes a block indicating a Web Pull Print module.
[0048]
Reference numeral 4250 denotes a block indicating a Web Server module.
Reference numeral 4300 denotes a block indicating the receiving side (printing side) of the remote copy.
Reference numeral 4350 denotes a block for receiving and printing the image transmitted by the broadcast distribution using a general-purpose printer.
Reference numeral 4400 denotes a block indicating a remote print receiving side (print side).
[0049]
Reference numeral 4450 denotes a block for receiving and storing the image transmitted by the broadcast distribution using a publicly known Notes (TM) Server.
Reference numeral 4500 denotes a block for receiving and storing a binary image of the image transmitted by the broadcast distribution.
Reference numeral 4550 denotes a block for receiving and storing the image transmitted by the broadcast distribution using a known Mail Server.
[0050]
Reference numeral 4600 denotes a block for receiving and storing a multi-valued image transmitted from the broadcast.
Reference numeral 4650 is a known Web Server including information contents.
Reference numeral 4700 denotes a known Web Browser for accessing the Web Server and the like of the present invention.
[0051]
Hereinafter, the application group will be described in detail with reference to each block.
・ User Interface application
The details of the User Interface (hereinafter, UI) shown in the block 4050 are as described above. Here, the Address Book of 4051 will be described. The Address Book is stored in a nonvolatile storage device (such as a nonvolatile memory or a hard disk) in the device of the present invention, and the features of the device connected to the network are described therein. For example, those listed below are included.
Device official name or alias name
Device network address
Network protocol that can be processed by the device
Document format that can be processed by the device
Compression type that can be processed by equipment
Image resolution that can be processed by the device
Paper size and paper source information for printer devices
Folder name where documents can be stored for server (computer) devices
[0052]
Each application described below can determine the characteristics of the distribution destination based on the information described in the above-mentioned Address Book 4051.
Further, the Address Book can be edited, and can also be used by downloading a file stored in a server computer or the like in a network, or can be directly referred to.
[0053]
・ Remote copy application
The remote copy application 4041 determines the resolution information that can be processed by the device designated as the distribution destination from the above-mentioned Address Book 4051, and compresses the image binary image read by the scanner using known MMR compression. Is converted into a known TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) and transmitted to a printer device on a network through the SLM 4103. Although not described in detail, the SLM 4103 is a type of a network protocol that includes device control information called a well-known Salutation Manager (or Smart Link Manager).
[0054]
・ Broadcast distribution application
Unlike the remote copy application, the broadcast distribution application 4150 can transmit images to a plurality of distribution destinations by one image scan. The distribution destination is not limited to an image output device such as a printer, and can be directly distributed to a so-called server computer.
[0055]
Hereinafter, description will be made in order according to the distribution destination.
If it is determined by the Addr- s Book 4051 that the device of the distribution destination can process the known network printer protocol, LPD (Line Printer Daemon), or the known LIPS as a printer control command, the image is read according to the image resolution similarly determined by the Add- er Book 4051. In this embodiment, the image itself is compressed using a known FBE (First Binary Encoding), further converted into an LIPS code, and transmitted to a partner device using an LPR which is a known network printer protocol.
[0056]
If the destination device can communicate with the SLM and is a server device, the address book 4051 determines the server address and the designation of the folder in the server from the Address Book 4051, and the image binary image read by the scanner is read in the same manner as the remote copy application. It is possible to compress using a known MMR compression, convert it to a known TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), and store it in a specific folder of a server device on the network through the SLM.
[0057]
Further, in the device of the present embodiment, when the server which is the partner device determines that the well-known JPEG-compressed multi-valued image can be processed, the multi-value read image is converted to the well-known JPEG-compressed image in the same manner as the binary image. By using compression, it is also possible to convert to JFIF which is also known, and store it in a specific folder of a server device on the network through SLM.
[0058]
If the device of the delivery destination is a known E-Mail server, the mail address described in the Address Book 4051 is determined, the image binary image read by the scanner is compressed using the known MMR compression, and it is compressed into the known MMR server. Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) is transmitted to the E-Mail server using the well-known Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) 4153. Subsequent distribution is performed according to Mail Server 4550.
[0059]
・ Web Pull Print application
Since the Web Pull Print application 4200 is not directly related to the present embodiment, the description is omitted.
[0060]
・ Web Server application
The Web Server application 4250 is not directly related to the present embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0061]
Hereinafter, the screen of the operation unit will be briefly described.
・ Operation screen
FIG. 14 shows a display example of the LCD display unit 2013 of the operation unit 2012 shown in FIG. The figure shows a display example of the copy function.
[0062]
The functions provided by the device of the present invention are divided into six major categories, Copy / Send / Retrieve / Tasks / Management / Configuration, and these are the six main tabs displayed at the top of the operation screen (3010). COPY / SEND / RETREIVE / TASKS / MGMT / CONFIG) (3011 to 3016). By pressing these main tabs, switching to a screen of each category is performed. When switching to another category is not permitted, the display color of the main tab changes, and there is no response even when the main tab is pressed.
[0063]
Copy includes a function of performing a normal document copy using a scanner and a printer of the own device and a function of copying a document using a printer connected to the scanner of the own device and a network (remote copy). . Send is a function for transferring a document placed in a scanner of the own device to an e-mail, a remote printer, a facsimile, a file transfer (FTP), and a database, and can designate a plurality of destinations. Retrieve is a function of acquiring an external document and printing the acquired document on its own printer. WWW, e-mail, file transfer and fax can be used as document acquisition means. Tasks automatically processes documents sent from outside such as fax and Internet print, and generates and manages tasks for periodically performing Retrieve. Management manages jobs, address books, bookmarks, documents, account information, and the like. In the configuration, the setting (network, clock, etc.) for the own device is performed.
[0064]
・ Device Information Service (DIS)
A database that holds setting values for jobs, functions of devices (scanners, printers, and the like), status, billing information, and the like in a data format conforming to the Control API, and an I / F with the database is a Device Information Service (hereinafter, referred to as “device information service”) , DIS). FIG. 15 shows the relationship between the DIS 7102 and the Job Manager 1519, and the Scan and Print Managers 1524 and 1526.
[0065]
Basically, dynamic information such as a job start command is directly instructed from the Job Manager 1519 to each Manager, and static information such as device functions and job contents refers to the DIS 7102. Static, dynamic information and events from each Manager are transmitted to the Job Manager 1519 via the DIS7102.
[0066]
When setting and acquiring data from each Manager to the DIS database, since the internal data format of DIS conforms to the Control API, the mutual conversion between the data format conforming to the Control API and the data format that each Manager can understand is performed. Perform processing. For example, when setting status data from each Manager, the device-specific data is interpreted, converted into the corresponding data defined by the Control API, and written to the DIS database.
[0067]
When data is set and obtained from the Job Manager to the DIS database, no data conversion occurs between the Job Manager and the DIS.
[0068]
In the DIS, the event data is updated based on various event information notified from the Manager.
[0069]
FIG. 16 shows various databases (hereinafter, referred to as DBs) held in the DIS, and each DB will be described.
[0070]
Reference numeral 7201 denotes a Supervisor DB, which stores status and user information of the entire device. Information that needs to be backed up, such as a user ID and a password, is stored in a non-volatile storage device such as an HD device or a backup memory. Will be retained.
[0071]
Reference numeral 7202 denotes a scan component DB, and reference numeral 7203 denotes a print component DB. These component DBs are stored in correspondence with each existing component. For example, in the case of a device including only a printer, only the Print Component DB exists. For example, in the case of a device having a FAX, the FAX Component DB is held. At initialization, the corresponding Manager sets the function and status of each Component DB in each Component DB.
[0072]
Reference numeral 7204 denotes a scan job service DB, and reference numeral 7205 denotes a print job service DB. Like the component DB, these job service DBs set the functions that can be used by the corresponding managers at the time of initialization and the support status of the respective devices at the time of initialization.
[0073]
Next, the Job DB and the Document DB will be described. Reference numeral 7206 denotes a scan job DB, reference numeral 7207 denotes a job DB of the print job DB, reference numeral 7208 denotes a scan document DB, and reference numeral 7209 denotes a print document DB.
[0074]
The Job DB and the Document DB are dynamically secured and initialized by the Job Manager every time a Job and a Document accompanying the Job are generated, and necessary items are set. Each Manager reads items necessary for processing from the Job DB and the Document DB before starting the Job processing, and starts the Job. Thereafter, when the Job ends, these Jobs and the DB of the Document attached thereto are released. Since a Job has one or more Documents, a plurality of Document DBs may be reserved for a certain Job.
[0075]
Reference numeral 7211 denotes a database holding event information notified from each manager, and reference numeral 7210 denotes a counter table for recording the number of times of scanning and the number of times of printing of the apparatus.
[0076]
Events notified from the Manager include: Component status transition from the Scan Manager, Scan processing operation completion and various errors, Component status transition from the Print Manager, Print processing operation completion, paper jam, paper feed cassette open, etc. And an event ID for identifying each event is predetermined.
[0077]
When an event is issued from the Manager, the DIS registers the issued event ID in the event database 7211 and, if necessary, detailed data accompanying the event. When the release of the event is notified from the Manager, the event data designated to be released is deleted from the event database 7211.
[0078]
When the event is polled by the job manager, the DIS refers to the event database 7211, returns the currently generated event ID and, if necessary, detailed data attached to the event to the job manager, and returns the event to the job manager. If not, reply to that effect.
[0079]
When the event of the completion of the scan processing and the print processing operation is notified, the counter value of the user who performed the scan and print is updated. This software counter is written back to the backed-up memory device or the non-volatile storage device of the HD device every time the value is updated so that the value is not lost due to accidental power-off or the like.
[0080]
・ Scan operation
FIG. 17 shows a software structure related to the scanning operation. The Job Manager 1519 has a function of classifying and storing application-level requests. The DIS 7102 stores parameters required for a scan operation from the application level. The request from the application is stored in the RAM 2002. The scan operation management unit 8203 acquires information necessary for performing a scan from the Job Manager 1519 and the DIS 7102. The scan operation management unit 8203 receives the job number and document number table data 8301 shown in FIG. 18 from the Job Manager 1519, and receives the scan parameters 8302 shown in FIG. 19 from the DIS 7102 based on the job number and document number table data 8301. As a result, scanning is performed based on the scanning conditions requested by the application.
[0081]
The scan operation management unit 8203 passes the scan parameters 8302 acquired from the DIS 7102 to the scan sequence control unit 8204 in document number order. The scan sequence control unit 8204 that has received the scan parameter 8302 controls the device I / F control unit 8207 according to the content of the scan image attribute 8308. By operating the device I / F 2020 connected to the image bus 2008 in FIG. 1, a scan is executed by sending a control command to the scanner 2070 via the cable 2071. The scanned image is transferred to a device I / F 2020 via a cable 2071 and further stored in a RAM 2002 via a bus 2008.
[0082]
When the scan is completed and the image is stored in the RAM 2002 via the bus 2008, the scan sequence control unit 8204 compresses the scan image stored in the RAM 2002 according to the content of the scan image compression format 8309 of the scan parameter 8302. In order to do so, a request is made to the CODEC Manager 1520. The CODEC Manager 1520 that has received the request performs compression according to the specification of the scan image compression format 8309 from the scan sequence control unit 8204 using the codec 2040 connected to the bus 2008 or the software compression module in the MMR-CODEC 1523. The compression / decompression control unit 8205 stores the compressed image in the RAM 2002 via the bus 2008.
[0083]
The scan sequence control unit 8204 compresses the scan image in the format specified by the scan image compression format 8309 by the CODEC Manager 1520 and stores the compressed image in the RAM 2002 according to the image file type 8307 of the scan parameter 8302 at the time when the scan image is stored in the RAM 2002. File the scanned image. The scan sequence control unit 8204 requests the file system 8206 to create a file in the file format specified by the image file type 8307 of the scan parameter 8302. The file system 8206 converts the compressed image stored in the RAM 2002 into a file according to the image file type 8307 from the scan sequence control unit 8204, and transfers the compressed image to the HDD 2004 via the bus 2008 to convert the scanned image into a file. Become When the file system 8206 stores the filed image in the HDD 2004, the scan sequence control unit 8204 sends back a scan end notification to the scan operation management unit 8203, assuming that the processing of one document on the scanner 2070 has been completed.
[0084]
At this point, if there is an unscanned document on the scanner 2070 and a scan request is issued from the Job Manager 1519, the scan sequence control unit scans again using the scan parameters 8302 stored in the DIS 7102. Request action. If there is no unscanned document on the scanner 2070, or if there is no scan request from the Job Manager 1519, a scan end notification is issued to the Job Manager 1519 assuming that the scanning operation has been completed.
[0085]
・ Print event
Hereinafter, the printing operation will be described in detail.
[0086]
The device I / F 2020 has a DPRAM inside, and performs parameter setting to the printer, printer status reading, and exchange of print control commands via the DPRAM. This board also has a video controller, and transmits image data developed on the bus 2008 to the printer via the engine interface cable in accordance with VCLK (Video Clock) and HSYNC given from the printer via the engine interface cable. . FIG. 20 shows the timing of this transmission. VCLK is always output, and HSYNC is provided in synchronization with the start of one line of the printer. The Video controller reads data for the set image width (WIDTH) from the RAM 2002 and outputs the data as a Video signal to the engine interface cable. After repeating this for a specified number of lines (LINES), an IMAGE_END interrupt is generated.
[0087]
As described above, when a print job instruction is passed from the application program on the CPU to the Control API, the Control API passes this as a job to the job manager 1519 at the controller level. Further, the Job Manager 1519 stores the job settings in the DIS 7102, and instructs the Print Manager 1526 to start the job. Upon receiving the job, the Print Manager 1526 reads information necessary for job execution from the DIS and sets the information in the printer via the Engine I / F board and the DPRAM. If the image is compressed, a request is made to the CODEC Manager for expansion, and the CODEC Manager expands the image file into a bitmap image according to the expansion method (JPEG, MMR, etc.) instructed by the printer manager according to the request. The developed image is stored in the RAM 2002.
[0088]
FIG. 21 shows setting items of the device I / F 2020, and FIG. 22 shows setting items, control commands, and status commands via the DPRAM of the printer.
A specific operation of printing a bitmap image will be described on the assumption that a letter (11 ″ × 8.5 ″) size binary image is printed on one page of one copy and the printer has a performance of 600 dpi.
[0089]
After the image has been developed, the Print Manager calculates the number of image bytes of the width of the image (in this case, the side of 8.5 ").
WIDTH = 8.5 × 600/8 ÷ 630 (Bytes)
Next, the number of lines is calculated.
LINES = 11 × 600 = 6600 (Lines)
[0090]
These calculated values and the SOURCE address of the RAM 2002 in which the given first page image is stored are set to WIDTH, LINES, and SOURCE shown in FIG. At this point, the device I / F has completed preparation for image output, but has not output image data because the HSYNC signal from the printer has not been received (VCLK has been received).
[0091]
Next, the Print Manager writes 1 as the number of output copies to a predetermined address (Book No) of the DPRAM shown in FIG. Thereafter, a request for feeding the output sheet for the first page (FEED_REQ) is issued, and an image-REQ from the printer is awaited. When IMAGE-REQ is received from the printer, IMAGE_START is issued. In response to this, the printer starts outputting HSYNC, and the device I / F 2020 that has been waiting for HSYNC outputs an image. The printer outputs IMAGE_END when detecting the rear end of the output sheet, and outputs SHET_OUT when the output sheet is discharged. The Print Manager receives IMAGE_END of the first page, sets WIDTH, LINES, and SOURCE of the second page on the Engime I / F board, issues FEED_REQ, and waits for IMAGE_REQ. The operation after IMAGE_REQ of the second page is the same as that of the first page.
[0092]
[Select Codec]
Hereinafter, selection of a software (S / W) codec and a hardware (H / W) codec, which are features of the present invention, will be described in detail.
First, the data flow timing at the time of scanning and printing will be described. A case of the Universal Send function will be described as an example of the scan. The image scanned by the scanner is first written into the RAM 2002 from the device I / F 2020 via the bus 2008. Next, after being read from the RAM 2002 and encoded by hardware or software, it is stored in the RAM 2002 again. In the case of encoding by hardware, it is compressed by the codec 2040 via the bus 2008. In the case of compression by software, the data is read from the RAM 2002, compressed by the CPU 2001, and stored in the RAM 2002. The image stored in the RAM 2002 is converted into a general-purpose format such as a TIFF file and stored in the RAM 2002 and the HDD 2004. Finally, the file read from the RAM 2002 and the HDD 2004 is transferred to another device on the network via the bus 2008 and the Network 2010. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing, as a time chart, a usage state of the bus 2008 when this series of operations is performed.
[0093]
Similarly, a Remote Copy Print function will be described as an example of a print operation. The image data (TIFF-compressed image) transmitted via the network 2010 and the bus 2008 is first stored in the RAM 2002 and the HDD 2004. Next, after removing an extra header such as TIFF, the compressed data is stored in the RAM 2002. The data read from the RAM 2002 is decoded by hardware (bus 2008 → codec 2040 → bus 2008) or software, and stored in the RAM 2002 again. Finally, the bit-mapped image is read from the RAM 2002 and printed out via the bus 2008 and the device I / F.
[0094]
The timing when a request for scanning (two documents) in the Universal Send function and a request for printing (one sheet) by the Remote Copy Print function occur simultaneously will be described with reference to FIG. 11001 denotes a first scan, 11002 denotes a second scan, and 11003 denotes a print. In the scanning operation of the first sheet, the H / W Codec and the LAN for the printing operation use the bus 2008 at the same time, so that a bus contention occurs and the processing time becomes longer than when using alone. Further, if the three times of the LAN of the first scan, the transfer of the scan image of the second scan, and the decoding operation of the print overlap, the operation is further delayed.
[0095]
Therefore, in the present invention, the bus usage status of resources sharing the bus 2008 such as a scanner, a printer, and a LAN is investigated, and when the bus usage rate is larger than a predetermined value, the S / W Codec is used. The S / W Codec is realized by the CPU 2001 executing, for example, encoding / decoding processing software stored in the ROM 2003. Therefore, the processing can be performed by using only the system bus 2007, and the image bus 2008 is affected. Do not give.
[0096]
The bus management method will be described below with reference to FIG. 25 showing the software configuration around the CODEC Manager 1520. When the Scan Manager 1524, the Print Manager 1526, and the CODEC Manager 1520 have a resource that uses the bus, a flag is set in the area of the database in the Supervisor 7201 of the DIS 7102 (1 is written). Immediately before using the resources that actually use the bus, a flag is set in an area indicating that the database is being used, and the flag is reset at the time of termination. FIG. 26 shows this database. FIG. 26 shows the state of the database when the LAN, H / W codec, Scan, and Print have resources using the bus 2008, and the LAN and the scan are using the bus.
[0097]
The actual scanner operation will be described with reference to FIG. When a job occurs, the Scan Manager 1524 performs a scanner initialization process in step S14001. At this time, if the scanner cannot be used due to a row communication error or the like, an error is displayed on the operation unit on the UI. If a scan request is issued in step S14002, a flag indicating busy is set in the Supervisor database in step S14003. In step S <b> 14004, the scanner 2070 is instructed to scan, and the scan data is transferred to the RAM 2002. Upon completion of the transfer to the RAM, the in-use flag is reset to 0 in S14005, and a code compression request is made to the Codec Manager 1520 in S14006.
[0098]
Similarly, the operation of the printer will be described with reference to FIG. When a job occurs, the print manager 1526 performs printer initialization processing in step S 15001. Investigation of resources using the bus is performed at the same time, and if there is a resource using the bus, a flag is set in the Supervisor database of the DIS 7102 as described above. During the initialization process, if the printer cannot be used due to a communication error or the like, an error is displayed on the operation unit on the UI. If there is a scan request in S15002, a decode request is made to the Codec Manager in S15003, and the process waits until decoding is completed. After the decoding is completed in S15004, a flag indicating that it is in use is set in the Supervisor database. In step S15005, the printer is instructed to print, and the print data is transferred from the RAM 2002. When the transfer from the RAM is completed, the in-use flag is reset (0 is written) in S15006.
[0099]
FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the operation of the Codec Manager 1520. In step S16001, the H / W codec 2040 is initialized, and a flag is set in the Supervisor database of the DIS 7102. If the codec chip cannot be used due to a failure or the like, an error is displayed on the operation unit on the UI. If there is a request for encoding / decoding from the printer / scanner in S16002, the use status of the bus 2008 is checked in S16003. Specifically, it accesses the Supervisor database in the DIS and counts how many resources are using the bus. If the number of resources using the bus 2008 exceeds a predetermined number, encoding / decoding for the request is performed using a software codec. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the use of a soft codec is determined in advance when two or more resources are used. However, the performance of the soft codec as a codec changes depending on the processing capacity and processing content of the CPU, so that the resource usage rate for determining whether to switch to the soft codec is set in advance to a value appropriate for the system.
[0100]
If the bus usage rate does not exceed the predetermined value in S16004, a flag indicating that the H / W codec is being used is set in S16005. In S16006, the codec 2040 is instructed to perform compression / decoding, and the data is transferred from the RAM 2002, compressed / decoded, and further transferred to the RAM 2002. Upon completion of the transfer to the RAM, the in-use flag set in S16005 is reset in S16007.
[0101]
On the other hand, if the bus usage rate exceeds the predetermined value in S16004, the CPU operates the S / W codec (S16008).
[0102]
FIG. 30 shows a time chart when the present patent is used for the job described in FIG. It can be seen that the output completion time of the scan image to the network is earlier than in FIG.
[0103]
FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In the above-described embodiment, both the hardware codec and the software codec read and store the processing data from the RAM 2002. Therefore, there is no conflict of the image bus, but there is a case where the conflict of the system bus occurs. In this configuration, a storage device 2041 used by a hardware codec and a storage device (RAM 2002) used by a software codec are separately provided.
[0104]
With this configuration, there is no system bus contention when storing the processed data. In addition, by storing the image data to be processed by the hardware codec in the storage device 2041 in advance by DMA transfer or the like, the original data can be stored. Even when image data is read out, contention of the system bus does not occur, so that more efficient processing can be performed. As the storage device 2041, a general storage device such as a HDD, such as a RAM, can be used.
[0105]
In the above-described embodiment, the use of the software codec is determined based on the occupancy of the image bus. However, if the CPU 2001 operating as the software codec is in a high load state by another process, the hardware It is also conceivable that the use of a codec results in faster processing. Therefore, the configuration may be such that the use of the software codec is determined by combining the load state of the CPU 2001 and the occupancy of the image bus 2008.
[0106]
Although the embodiment has been described using an example in which the encoding and decoding apparatus of the present invention is applied to an apparatus that handles image data, the encoding and decoding targets are not limited, and audio and document It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to an apparatus that handles arbitrary data such as a program and a program.
[0107]
In the embodiment, the multifunction peripheral having the scanner function and the printer function integrated has been described as an example. However, the present invention relates to a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, and a printer) connected on a network. Etc.), or may be applied to an apparatus (e.g., copier, facsimile machine, etc.) composed of one device.
[0108]
【The invention's effect】
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a multifunction peripheral to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a front appearance of a multifunction peripheral to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an external appearance of an operation unit.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a scanner image processing unit.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a printer image processing unit.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a codec.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an image rotation unit.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an image rotation process.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an image rotation process.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a device I / F unit.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network system to which apparatuses to which the present invention is applied are connected.
FIG. 12 is an overall configuration diagram of software of a multifunction peripheral to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a distribution embedded application.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a specific display example of an operation unit.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a connection relationship between DIS and Job Manager, Print Manager, and Scan Manager.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a database and counters inside DIS.
FIG. 17 is a block diagram of software control in scanning.
FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a parameter table in scanning.
FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a parameter table in scanning.
FIG. 20 is a waveform chart showing data transfer timing during printing.
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a print parameter register in the Engine I / F board.
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a communication command between the printer and the Engine I / F board.
FIG. 23 is a time chart when scanning one page.
FIG. 24 is a time chart when a plurality of jobs occur simultaneously.
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a software configuration around a codec manager.
FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a configuration of a Supervisor database in DIS.
FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the operation of the scanner.
FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the printer.
FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an operation of the codec.
FIG. 30 is a time chart when codec switching according to the present invention is performed in FIG. 24;
FIG. 31 is a block diagram illustrating another configuration example of a multifunction peripheral to which the present invention has been applied.
[Explanation of symbols]
2001 CPU
2002 RAM
2003 ROM
2004 HDD
2005 Image bus interface
2006 Operation interface
2007 system bus
2008 Image Bus
2010 Network Interface
2020 Device Interface
2040 codec
2050 modem
2060 raster image processor
2070 Scanner
2095 Printer

Claims (9)

An encoding / decoding device having encoding / decoding means for performing predetermined encoding processing or decoding processing on original data supplied from the outside and outputting the result,
As the encoding / decoding means, a first codec configured by hardware and connected to a first bus to which at least one or more resources are connected, and encoding / decoding by executing software, A second codec to perform;
Selecting means for selecting an encoding / decoding means used for encoding or decoding of the original data,
The selecting means monitors a use status of the first bus to which the first codec is connected, and selects the second codec when a value based on the use status exceeds a predetermined value. An encoding / decoding device characterized by the above-mentioned. The value based on the use status of the first bus is determined by the number of resources that are connected to the first bus and are using the first bus among resources that can use the first bus. 2. The encoding / decoding device according to claim 1, wherein the encoding / decoding device has the following values . The encoding / decoding device according to claim 1, wherein the second codec is connected to a second bus connected to the first bus. 2. The encoding / decoding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second codec includes a storage unit that stores the software, and a processing unit that executes the software. Said selection means monitors the load of the processing unit, the coding according to claim 4, wherein determining the selection of the second codec with said value based on the usage load Decryption device. 6. The encoding / decoding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of sources of said original data, and a plurality of said predetermined encoding or decoding processing requests can be generated simultaneously. First storage means for storing data processed by the first codec is connected to the first bus, and second storage means for storing data processed by the second codec is provided. 7. The encoding / decoding device according to claim 1, wherein the encoding / decoding device is connected to the second bus . Means for generating image data, encoding and decoding apparatus according to an image based on the image data received in any one of the image forming means forms and outputs on the recording material the claims 1 to 7 An image forming system communicably connected via a computer. An encoding / decoding device that performs predetermined encoding processing or decoding processing on original data supplied from the outside and outputs the result.
  A first codec connected to a first bus to which at least one or more resources are connected;
  A second codec connected to a second bus to which at least one or more resources are connected;
  Selecting means for executing the encoding or decoding of the original data with the first codec or with the second codec,
  The encoding / decoding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said selecting means selects a codec to be used based on a bus usage status of each resource using said first bus and said second bus.

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