JP4144501B2 - Image reading device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus that converts read image data into PDL (page description language) data and directly transmits the data to a printer apparatus.

  There is an image reading device (scanner) that can read image data and send it to a printer device directly connected via USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like. When copying (copying) processing is performed using the image reading apparatus and the printer apparatus, the image data of the original is read by the image reading apparatus, and the read image data is converted into PDL data which is print data. Sent to the device. The printer device forms a print image on the recording paper based on the image data of the PDL data received from the image reading device.

  There are various types of PDL used between the image reading apparatus and the printer apparatus, such as Post Script, PCL, Interpress, ESC / Page, and the like. Since the corresponding image compression method and color space differ depending on the type of PDL, additional functions that can be used, data transfer speed, and the like differ depending on the type of PDL employed.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 includes three printer apparatuses with different types of PDL to be mounted, and a personal computer corresponding to any type of PDL that outputs PDL data to any one of them. An image transfer system is disclosed. In this image transfer system, an output destination can be selected from among the three printers during a printing operation on a personal computer, so the user of the personal computer selects a desired PDL from three different types of PDL. Can be printed.

JP-A-9-298655

  However, when using the image transfer system of Patent Document 1 to print using an additional function related to copying, etc., the user himself / herself must select each optimum PDL according to the additional function used. There is a problem that general users who do not understand the characteristics of PDL cannot effectively use the image transfer system.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and can be used even by a user who can select a plurality of types of PDL as print data when outputting to a printer apparatus and has no knowledge of PDL. An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus capable of selecting an optimum PDL according to a function to be performed.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image reading apparatus according to claim 1 includes a connection unit that connects a printer device via a cable, and a transmission unit that transmits print data to the printer device via the cable. An image reading apparatus, a storage unit that stores types of print data in association with functions that can be used for copy processing, a function designation receiving unit that receives designation of the function, and a print that is transmitted to the printer device The data type includes: a function received by the function designation receiving unit; and a determining unit that determines a function stored in the storage unit based on a correspondence relationship between the type of print data and the type of print data.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image reading apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising identification information detecting means for detecting identification information of the connected printer apparatus, wherein the storage means is provided for each identification information of the printer apparatus. The correspondence relationship is stored, and the determining means determines the type of print data to be transmitted to the printer device, the correspondence relationship specified by the identification information detected by the identification information detection means, and the function designation. The determination is based on the function received by the receiving means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the storage unit further stores priority information on the type of print data to be applied in association with each function. And the determining means determines the type of print data to be transmitted to the printer apparatus when the plurality of types of print data are stored in association with the function accepted by the function designation accepting means. The function is determined based on the function accepted by the accepting unit, the types of print data stored in association with the function by the storage unit, and the priority order information.

  According to the image reading apparatus of the first aspect, the optimum type of PDL is automatically selected from a plurality of types of PDL according to the designated function, and the copying process is performed. As a result, even a user who does not have knowledge about the characteristics of each PDL can copy an original by selecting an optimum PDL according to the function to be used.

  According to the image reading apparatus of the second aspect, even when a plurality of different types of printers are used in replacement, the same effect as the image reading apparatus of the first aspect can be obtained.

  According to the image reading apparatus of claim 3, when a plurality of functions are designated by the user and one of them includes a function that can be executed only by a specific PDL, the function is automatically performed. Copy processing is performed by the specific PDL. Thus, even when a plurality of functions are designated and copied, the same effect as the image reading apparatus according to the first aspect can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of the image reading apparatus 1. That is, the image reading apparatus 1 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 2, a RAM (random access memory) 3, a ROM (read only memory) 4, a page memory 5, an image memory 6, a codec (CODEC) 7, a reading unit 8, A display unit 9, an operation unit 10, a PDL conversion circuit 11, and a USB host controller 12 are provided, and the units 2 to 12 are connected by a bus 13.

  The CPU 2 controls each part constituting the image reading apparatus 1 according to a control program stored in the ROM 4. The RAM 3 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 2 and stores a function-PDL correspondence table 19 described later. The ROM 4 stores a control program. The page memory 5 temporarily stores the image data read by the reading unit 8. The image memory 6 stores image data obtained by compression-coding the image data in the page memory 5 by the codec 7.

  The codec 7 sequentially compresses and encodes image data temporarily stored in the page memory 5 by a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) method, an MMR method, or the like. The codec 7 decodes the encoded image data stored in the image memory 6 in response to a request from the CPU 2.

  The reading unit 8 includes an RGB three-line CCD color line sensor, reads the image data of the original with the CCD color line sensor, performs predetermined data processing, and outputs binarized or multi-valued image data. To do.

  The display unit 9 includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) arranged in parallel with the operation unit 10 and displays various screen information. The operation unit 10 includes an input key for a user to input information, and various operations performed by the user are performed in the operation unit 10.

  The PDL conversion circuit 11 converts the image data stored in the image memory 6 into a plurality of types of PDL. In the present embodiment, image data is converted corresponding to three types of PDLs “PostScript3”, “ESC / Page”, and “PCL5”. Note that the print data command system differs for each type of PDL. In addition, the types of PDLs supported by the PDL conversion circuit 11 and the number of types of PDLs that can be supported are not limited thereto, and those that can be converted into other types of PDLs or those that can be converted into four or more types of PDLs. Good.

  The USB host controller 12 executes a USB (Universal Serial Bus) host controller function, and can transmit PDL data via the USB to a printer device 15 equipped with a USB device controller to be described later. The USB host controller 12 is provided with a USB port 17 to which one end of the USB cable 18 is connected. When the USB host controller 12 is actually connected to the printer device 15 via the USB cable 18, the USB host controller 12 electrically detects the connection and negotiates with the counterpart printer device 15, which is the connection destination device. Thus, the identification information of the printer device 15 is acquired. The USB host controller 12 includes a controller equipped with OTG (On-The-Go), which is a standard published by USB-IF (Implement Forum).

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the function-PDL correspondence table 19 stored in the RAM 3. This function-PDL correspondence table 19 functions as means for storing one or a plurality of PDL types in association with functions that can be used with respect to copying (copying) processing. The content information registered in the function-PDL correspondence table 19 can be input and edited by a predetermined operation by the operator from the operation unit 10.

  More specifically, the function-PDL correspondence table 19 includes a “function” field and a “PDL” field. In the “function” field, functions that can be used for copying (copying) processing or “None” is stored, and the type of PDL is stored in the “PDL” field. The function and the type of PDL are associated with each other by being stored in the same record in each field.

  The function-PDL correspondence table 19 can be formed for each identification information of the corresponding printer device 15 so that the image reading device 1 can select and print a plurality of printer devices 15 as output destinations. It has become. That is, by assigning identification information of the printer device 15 such as “printer A” to each of the plurality of function-PDL correspondence tables 19A to 19C, the correspondence relationship between the function and the type of PDL can be changed. Each type can be stored.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, three types of function-PDL correspondence tables 19A, 19B, and 19C are formed in the RAM 3, and printing can be performed corresponding to three different types of printers 15. It has become. Each function-PDL correspondence table 19A, 19B, 19C will be described in detail. The function-PDL correspondence table 19A provides print data to printer devices corresponding to two types of “PostScript3” and “ESC / Page”. It is a table that is referenced when outputting. The table 19B is a table that is referred to when print data is output to printer apparatuses corresponding to two types of PDLs “PostScript3” and “PCL5”. The table 19C is a table that is referred to when print data is output to a printer corresponding to three types of PDLs “PostScript3”, “ESC / Page”, and “PCL5”. Also, in all the function-PDL correspondence tables 19A to 19C, the default PDL type used when no function is specified during the copying operation is associated with “None” in the “Function” field, and “PDL”. Stored in the field.

  Further, the function-PDL correspondence table 19 also stores priority order information of PDL types to be applied to each function when a plurality of PDL types are registered for each function. That is, in each record of the “PDL” field, a plurality of types of PDLs are stored (registered) by interposing a delimiter “,”. For example, from the front (from the left in the drawing) It is considered that the priority is high, and various processes described later are performed. Note that the priority order information is not limited to the order described above as long as the priority order of the plurality of PDLs registered in association with each function can be specified.

  Next, processing operations executed when the image reading apparatus 1 having the above configuration and the printer apparatus 15 are connected by USB and copy processing (copy) is performed will be described based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Note that the processing operation of the image reading apparatus 1 described based on the following flowchart is performed according to a command issued by the CPU 2 based on a control program stored in the ROM 4. The printer device 15 connected to the image reading device 1 includes a USB device controller (not shown) and the like, and is directly connected to the image reading device 1 via USB to receive PDL data.

  When the user or the like connects the USB port 17 of the image reading apparatus 1 and the printer apparatus 15 with the USB cable 18, the USB host controller 12 of the image reading apparatus 1 electrically connects the printer apparatus 15 with the USB cable 18. (S1). The USB host controller 12 of the image reading apparatus 1 requests identification information by, for example, outputting a predetermined signal to the printer apparatus 15 that is a connection destination (S2), and the identification information returned as a response from the printer apparatus 15 is used. This is received (S3) and stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 3 (S4). This identification information is stored until the USB cable 18 is disconnected, and then updated to the newly received identification information when the USB cable is newly connected.

  As described above, in a state where the image reading device 1 and the printer device 15 are connected by USB, a document is set by the user in the reading unit 8 of the image reading device 1, and the user operates the operation unit 10 to set one or more functions. When an operation for starting copying (such as pressing the start key) is performed without selecting a function or selecting a function, the image reading apparatus receives a copy start command by the operation and a function is designated. In this case, the designated one or more functions are received and stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 3 (S51).

  Next, the image data of the set document is read by the reading unit 8, subjected to predetermined data processing and the like, and pasted on the page memory 5 (S52). On the other hand, the function-PDL correspondence table corresponding to the counterpart printer apparatus 15 based on the function accepted in S51 and the identification information of the counterpart printer apparatus 15 stored in S4 and the identification information assigned to the function-PDL correspondence table 19 19 is identified (S53), the correspondence between the functions (including “none”) stored in the identified function-PDL correspondence table 19 (hereinafter referred to as “specific table 19”) and the type of PDL, and the function in S51. Is received, a process for determining a PDL to be used is performed based on the received function (S54). When the PDL is determined (S55: YES), the determined PDL image data is generated from the read image data (S56), and the generated PDL image data is transmitted to the destination printer device 15 via USB ( (S57).

  On the other hand, the partner printer device 15 receives the PDL data transmitted from the image reading device 1 through the USB (cable) (S58), decodes the acquired PDL image data, and performs a printing process (S59). . If the PDL is not determined in S55 (S55: NO), the processing operations of S56 to S59 are not performed.

  Next, the processing operation of S54 will be described in more detail based on the flowchart shown in FIG. If the function designation is not accepted in S51 (S101: NO), the type of the default PDL stored in association with “None” in the “Function” field of the specific table 19 is determined as the PDL to be used. (S102).

  If the function designation is accepted in S51 (S101: YES), it is determined whether or not there is one designated function (S103). If there is one, the designated function is supported. Whether or not the attached PDL is one type is determined according to the number of PDLs associated with the function in the specific table 19 (S104). If it is determined that there is one type of associated PDL, the associated PDL is determined as a PDL to be used (S105).

  If it is determined in S104 that there are a plurality of types of PDLs associated with the designated function (S104: NO), the PDL having the highest priority is used based on the priority information of the plurality of types of PDLs. PDL to be determined (S106).

  If it is determined in S103 that there are a plurality of specified functions (S103: NO), it is determined whether there are PDL types associated with all the specified functions in the specific table 19 (S107). ) If there is such a PDL (S107: YES), it is further determined whether or not there is only one type of PDL (S108). If there is only one type of PDL (S108: YES), the PDL is determined as a PDL to be used (S109).

  If it is determined in S107 that there is no PDL type associated with all the specified functions (S107: NO), error notification is performed (S110). The error notification is performed by displaying an error message on the display unit 9 such as “cannot be selected by combining a plurality of designated functions”. The notification can also be performed by various other means. For example, the image reading apparatus 1 may be provided with a light emitting means or a sounding means to notify the user of the error by specific light emission or sounding.

  In S108, when it is determined that there are a plurality of types of PDLs associated with all the specified functions (S108: NO), the PDL priority information is set to the first, second,. The priority information of each PDL associated with the assigned function is added (S111), and the PDL with the highest priority is determined as the PDL to be used based on the addition result (S112). For example, when the specific table 19 is the function-PDL correspondence table 19C, and the designated functions are three functions of sort, rotation, and frame deletion, the priority order information of “PCL5” Since “1st”, “1st” for rotation, and “2nd” for frame deletion, the addition priority is “1 + 1 + 2 = 4”, and the priority information of “ESC / Page” is “2” for sorting. "Position", "Rotation" is "Second", and Frame Erasure is "First", so the addition priority is "2 + 2 + 1 = 5", and the priority information of "PostScript3" is "third" for sorting and rotation Is “3rd” for frame erasure and “3rd” for frame erasure, so the addition priority is “3 + 3 + 3 = 9”. Therefore, “PCL5”, which is “4” having the highest addition priority, is determined to be the highest priority and is determined as the PDL to be used. Note that the priority determination processing in S111 and S112 described above is merely an example of a comprehensive priority determination processing means. Naturally, the overall priority order is determined by processing means based on other priority order information. And the PDL to be used may be determined.

  As is clear from the above description, according to the image reading apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, if a person who knows the characteristics of each PDL is registered in the function-PDL correspondence table 19 or is a general user. If the function-PDL correspondence table 19 is appropriately registered after investigating the characteristics of the PDL, the optimum PDL is automatically selected based on the registered information after the copying process. Even another person who does not grasp the characteristics of PDL can perform copying using the optimum PDL according to the designated function. In addition, since the function-PDL correspondence table 19 can be registered (stored) for each printer, the optimum PDL is automatically selected according to the function even if a plurality of printers are connected and used. The

  In the above embodiment, the case where the image reading device 1 and the printer device 15 are connected via the USB has been described as an example. However, before the copy process is executed in the image reading device 1, the other party If the identification information of the printer device 15 can be acquired, the connecting means is not limited to the USB. In this case, for example, instead of the USB host controller 12, a parallel interface, a LAN (local area network) interface, or the like may be provided, and parallel, LAN, or the like may be used as the connection means.

  In the present embodiment, the image reading apparatus 1 is configured to acquire the identification information of the other party through negotiation. However, the image reading apparatus 1 accepts and stores the identification information input by the user operation from the operation unit 10 or the like. The identification information may be used in place of the identification information acquired by negotiation.

  The present invention can be applied to, for example, an image reading apparatus such as a scanner that can be connected to a printer apparatus via a USB.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed the example of the function-PDL correspondence table. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of negotiation formed when the image reading apparatus and the printer apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention are connected. 5 is a flowchart showing a copying process operation of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation for determining a PDL to be used by the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention to transmit image data to the printer apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 Image reading device 2 CPU
3 RAM
4 ROM
8 Reading unit 11 PDL conversion circuit 12 USB host controller 15 Printer device 19 Function-PDL correspondence table

Claims (3)

An image reading apparatus comprising: connection means for connecting a printer device via a cable; and transmission means for transmitting print data to the printer device via the cable,
Storage means for storing types of print data in association with functions available for copying processing;
Function designation accepting means for accepting designation of the function;
A function that is received by the function designation receiving unit, and a determination unit that determines a type of print data to be transmitted to the printer device based on a correspondence relationship between the function stored by the storage unit and the type of print data. An image reading apparatus. An identification information detecting means for detecting identification information of the connected printer device;
The storage means stores the correspondence relationship for each identification information of the printer device,
The determining means determines the type of print data to be transmitted to the printer device based on the correspondence specified by the identification information detected by the identification information detecting means and the function received by the function designation receiving means. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1. The storage means further stores priority information on the type of print data to be applied in association with each function,
The determining means determines the type of print data to be transmitted to the printer device when the function designation accepting means stores a plurality of types of print data in association with the function accepted by the function designation accepting means. 3. The image reading according to claim 1, wherein the function is determined based on the received function and the types of print data stored in association with the function by the storage unit and the priority order information. apparatus.

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