JP4237353B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, for example, an image of a color original is read and input by an image input means such as a color scanner, and the input image is subjected to predetermined image processing such as image quality adjustment and editing processing. The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus such as a digital color copier that outputs onto a sheet by image output means such as an electrophotographic color printer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, in an image processing apparatus such as a digital color / monochrome copying machine that reads a color image or a monochrome image to form a duplicate image, the quality of the image to be duplicated is important.
[0003]
Further, color / monochrome copying machines generally have an extended image processing function not only for copying an image but also for various image editing such as image quality and color adjustment and image deformation. is there.
[0004]
Usually, the image processing unit for performing such extended image processing is configured by hardware logic such as ASIC. However, because of hardware, it is not easy to make corrections when problems occur, only certain algorithm parameters can be realized, and image processing algorithms tailored to individual users cannot be realized. It was.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
It has been desired to realize flexible image processing by configuring the image processing unit with an arithmetic processing device that is programmed and operated by software. However, the biggest problem is that the processing speed is slower than hardware logic. there were.
[0006]
As a means of improving the processing speed, the speed of instruction fetch (fetch) has been increased by introducing a storage device capable of high-speed operation. However, since a high-speed storage device is expensive, all the various image processing algorithms can be stored. Not enough capacity could be implemented.
[0007]
Therefore, a program loading means for a digital copying machine that loads an appropriate program from another storage device to a small-capacity and high-speed storage device at an appropriate timing has been desired.
[0008]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image processing apparatus capable of effectively using a small-capacity and high-speed storage device by loading only an appropriate image processing program.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image processing apparatus according to the present invention is executed by an image input unit that inputs an image of a document, an image processing unit that performs predetermined image processing on an image input by the image input unit, and the image processing unit. First program storage means for storing an image processing program for performing image processing, image output means for outputting an image processed by the image processing means, Other than basic image processing corresponding to the type of document A second program storage means in which a plurality of types of image processing programs for performing extended image processing are stored in advance; Document type Program loading means for reading out the corresponding image processing program from the second program storage means and loading it into the first program storage means based on the input information for designating.
[0010]
The image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an image input unit for inputting an image of a document, a first buffer for temporarily storing an image input by the image input unit, and an image output from the first buffer. A calculation unit for performing predetermined image processing calculation, a program storage unit for storing a calculation program for performing image processing executed by the calculation unit, and an image processed by the calculation unit are temporarily stored A second buffer and image output means for outputting an image output from the second buffer; Other than basic image processing corresponding to the type of document A memory interface having a storage unit in which a plurality of types of operation programs for performing extended image processing are stored in advance, and connecting the first buffer, the operation unit, and the second buffer to exchange data; , Input from the outside Document type Program loading means for reading a corresponding arithmetic program from the storage unit in the memory interface and loading the program into the program storage unit based on input information for designating.
[0011]
The image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an image input unit for inputting an image of a document, a first buffer for temporarily storing an image input by the image input unit, and an image output from the first buffer. A calculation unit for performing predetermined image processing calculation, a program storage unit for storing a calculation program for performing image processing executed by the calculation unit, and an image processed by the calculation unit are temporarily stored A second buffer and image output means for outputting an image output from the second buffer; For performing extended image processing other than basic image processing corresponding to the type of document A memory interface for storing a plurality of types of arithmetic programs in advance, connecting the first buffer, the arithmetic unit, and the second buffer to exchange data; and input by the image input means A feature amount calculating means for calculating the density distribution of the image as a feature amount; and determining the type of the document based on the feature amount of the image calculated by the feature amount calculating means, and determining the type of the document based on the determined document type. Program loading means for reading out a corresponding operation program from a storage unit in the memory interface and loading it into the program storage unit.
[0012]
The image processing apparatus of the present invention has two scanning modes of pre-scanning and main scanning, an image input means for inputting an image of a document in these two scanning modes, and an image input by the image input means. A first buffer that temporarily stores the image, a calculation unit that performs a predetermined image processing calculation on an image input by the main scan output from the first buffer, and image processing executed by the calculation unit A program storage unit that stores an arithmetic program to be performed, a second buffer that temporarily stores an image processed by the arithmetic unit, and an image output unit that outputs an image output from the second buffer; For performing extended image processing other than basic image processing corresponding to the type of document A storage unit storing a plurality of types of calculation programs in advance, a memory interface connecting the first buffer, the calculation unit, and the second buffer to exchange data; Document type identification means for identifying the type of the document based on an image input by scanning, and a corresponding arithmetic program is read from the storage unit in the memory interface based on the identification result of the document type identification means. Program loading means for loading into the storage unit.
[0013]
The image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an image input unit for inputting an image of a document, a first buffer for temporarily storing an image input by the image input unit, and an image output from the first buffer. A calculation unit for performing predetermined image processing calculation, a program storage unit for storing a calculation program for performing image processing executed by the calculation unit, and an image processed by the calculation unit are temporarily stored A second buffer, an image output means for outputting an image output from the second buffer, and an output result of the test pattern in the image output means , Engine temperature and humidity of the image output means State detection means for detecting Other than basic image processing corresponding to the state of the engine of the image output means A memory interface having a storage unit in which a plurality of types of operation programs for performing extended image processing are stored in advance, and connecting the first buffer, the operation unit, and the second buffer to exchange data; And a program loading means for reading an arithmetic program suitable for the state from the storage unit in the memory interface and loading the program into the program storage unit based on the state detected by the state detection unit.
[0014]
The image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an image input unit for inputting an image of a document, a first buffer for temporarily storing an image input by the image input unit, and an image output from the first buffer. A calculation unit for performing predetermined image processing calculation, a program storage unit for storing a calculation program for performing image processing executed by the calculation unit, and an image processed by the calculation unit are temporarily stored A second buffer and image output means for outputting an image output from the second buffer; Other than basic image processing corresponding to the type of document A memory interface having a storage unit in which a plurality of types of operation programs for performing extended image processing are stored in advance, and connecting the first buffer, the operation unit, and the second buffer to exchange data; , Input from the outside Document type Based on the input information for designating the program, a program loading means for reading the corresponding arithmetic program from the storage unit in the memory interface and loading it into the program storage unit, and the program based on the address information input from the outside Display output means for displaying and outputting a calculation program and data in the address of the storage unit.
[0015]
The image processing apparatus of the present invention further includes an image input unit for inputting an image of a document, a first buffer for temporarily storing an image input by the image input unit, and an image output from the first buffer. A calculation unit for performing predetermined image processing calculation, a program storage unit for storing a calculation program for performing image processing executed by the calculation unit, and an image processed by the calculation unit are temporarily stored A second buffer and image output means for outputting an image output from the second buffer; Other than basic image processing corresponding to the type of document A memory interface having a storage unit in which a plurality of types of operation programs for performing extended image processing are stored in advance, and connecting the first buffer, the operation unit, and the second buffer to exchange data; , Input from the outside Document type Based on input information for designating a program, a program loading means for reading a corresponding operation program from a storage unit in the memory interface and loading it into the program storage unit, and on the basis of address information input from the outside, the memory Display output means for displaying and outputting a calculation program and data in the address of the storage unit in the interface.
[0016]
According to the present invention, for example, it is noted that necessary image processing and unnecessary image processing can be determined based on input information such as an image copying mode designated by the user from the operation panel, and appropriate image processing is performed according to this input information. By loading only the program, it is possible to effectively use a small-capacity high-speed storage device.
[0017]
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to identify whether a document is a character document or a Victorian document based on an image feature amount (for example, a histogram). Therefore, necessary image processing and unnecessary images are performed according to the image feature amount. Focusing on the fact that processing can be determined, by loading only an appropriate image processing program based on the feature amount of this image, it is possible to effectively use a small-capacity and high-speed storage device.
[0018]
Further, according to the present invention, attention is paid to the fact that the image processing program to be used is limited according to the scanning mode when the image input unit performs scanning, and only an appropriate image processing program is loaded according to the scanning mode. This makes it possible to effectively use a small-capacity high-speed storage device.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
First, the first embodiment will be described.
[0021]
FIG. 1 shows an internal configuration of a digital copying machine as an example of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. This digital copying machine is, for example, a composite copying machine having three functions of a copying machine, a facsimile, and a printer.
[0022]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes an apparatus main body. In the apparatus main body 10, a scanner unit 4 as an image input unit and a printer unit 6 as an image output unit are provided.
[0023]
On the upper surface of the apparatus main body 10, a document placing table 12 made of transparent glass on which a document D as a reading object is placed is provided. An automatic document feeder (hereinafter abbreviated as ADF) 7 for automatically feeding the document D onto the document table 12 is disposed on the upper surface of the apparatus body 10. The ADF 7 is disposed so as to be openable and closable with respect to the document placing table 12, and also functions as a document presser for bringing the document D placed on the document placing table 12 into close contact with the document placing table 12.
[0024]
The ADF 7 includes a document tray 8 on which the document D is set, an empty sensor 9 that detects the presence or absence of the document, a pickup roller 14 that picks up the document D one by one from the document tray 8, and a paper feed roller 15 that conveys the document D that has been taken out. , An aligning roller pair 16 for aligning the front end of the document D, and a conveyor belt 18 disposed so as to cover almost the entire document document table 12. The plurality of documents D set upward on the document tray 8 are sequentially taken out from the lowest page, that is, the last page, and are aligned by the aligning roller pair 16, and then the document is collected by the conveying belt 18. It is conveyed to a predetermined position on the mounting table 12.
[0025]
In the ADF 7, a reversing roller 20, a non-reversing sensor 21, a flapper 22, and a paper discharge roller 23 are disposed at the end opposite to the aligning roller pair 16 with the conveying belt 18 in between. The document D whose image information has been read by the scanner unit 4 is sent out from the document table 12 by the conveyor belt 18, and the document discharge unit on the upper surface of the ADF 7 via the reverse roller 20, the flapper 21, and the discharge roller 22. 24 is discharged. When reading the back side of the document D, the document D transported by the transport belt 18 is reversed by the reversing roller 20 by switching the flapper 22, and then again, a predetermined position on the document placement table 12 by the transport belt 18. Sent to.
[0026]
The scanner unit 4 disposed in the apparatus main body 10 reflects an exposure lamp 25 as a light source for illuminating the document D placed on the document table 12 and reflected light from the document D in a predetermined direction. The exposure lamp 25 and the first mirror 26 are attached to a first carriage 27 disposed below the document table 12. The first carriage 27 is arranged so as to be movable in parallel with the document placing table 12 and is reciprocated below the document placing table 12 by a drive motor via a toothed belt (not shown).
[0027]
A second carriage 28 that is movable in parallel with the document placement table 12 is disposed below the document placement table 12. Second and third mirrors 30 and 31 that sequentially reflect the reflected light from the original D reflected by the first mirror 26 are attached to the second carriage 28 at right angles to each other. The second carriage 28 is driven with respect to the first carriage 27 by a toothed belt or the like that drives the first carriage 27, and at the half of the document placement table with respect to the first carriage. 12 in parallel.
[0028]
Below the document table 12, an imaging lens 32 that focuses the reflected light from the third mirror 31 on the second carriage 28, and the reflected light focused by the imaging lens 32 is received and photoelectrically converted. A CCD type line sensor 34 is disposed as a photoelectric conversion means. The imaging lens 32 is disposed so as to be movable via a drive mechanism in a plane including the optical axis of the light reflected by the third mirror 31, and moves itself to reflect light at a desired magnification. Form an image. The line sensor 34 photoelectrically converts the incident reflected light and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the read document D.
[0029]
On the other hand, the printer unit 6 includes a laser exposure device 40 as a latent image forming unit. The laser exposure apparatus 40 includes a semiconductor laser oscillator 41 as a light source, a polygon mirror 36 as a scanning member that continuously deflects laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser oscillator 41, and a predetermined rotational speed of the polygon mirror 36 described later. A polygon motor 37 as a scanning motor that is driven to rotate, and an optical system 42 that deflects the laser light from the polygon mirror 36 and guides it to a photosensitive drum 44 described later. The laser exposure apparatus 40 having such a configuration is fixedly supported by a support frame (not shown) of the apparatus main body 10.
[0030]
The semiconductor laser oscillator 41 is on / off controlled in accordance with image information of the original D read by the scanner unit 4 or facsimile transmission / reception document information, and the laser light is photosensitized through the polygon mirror 36 and the optical system 42. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 44 by being exposed to the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 44 and being exposed and scanned.
[0031]
In addition, the printer unit 6 includes a rotatable photosensitive drum 44 as an image carrier that is disposed substantially at the center of the apparatus main body 10, and the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 44 is a laser from the laser exposure device 40. Exposure scanning is performed with light, and a desired electrostatic latent image is formed. Around the photosensitive drum 44, a charging charger 45 for charging the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 44 to a predetermined charge, and toner as a developer is supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 44. A developing device 46 as a developing means for developing at a desired image density, a peeling charger 47 for separating the paper P as an image forming medium supplied from a paper feeding cassette described later from the photosensitive drum 44, The transfer charger 48 for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 44 to the paper P, the peeling claw 49 for peeling the paper P from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 44, and the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 44 remain. A cleaning device 50 that cleans the toner, and a static eliminator 51 that neutralizes the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 44 are sequentially arranged.
[0032]
In the lower part of the apparatus main body 10, an upper sheet feeding cassette 52, a middle sheet feeding cassette 53, and a lower sheet feeding cassette 54 that can be pulled out from the apparatus body 10 are arranged in a stacked state. Inside, paper P of different sizes is loaded. A large-capacity feeder 55 is provided on the side of the sheet feeding cassettes 52 to 54, and the large-capacity feeder 55 stores about 3000 sheets of paper P having a high frequency of use, for example, A4 size paper P. Has been. A paper feed cassette 57 that also serves as a manual feed tray 56 is detachably mounted above the large capacity feeder 55.
[0033]
In the apparatus main body 10, a conveyance path 58 extending from each of the paper feed cassettes 52 to 54 and the large capacity feeder 55 through a transfer portion located between the photosensitive drum 44 and the transfer charger 48 is formed. At the end of 58, a fixing device 60 having a fixing lamp 60a is provided. A discharge port 61 is formed in the side wall of the apparatus main body 10 facing the fixing device 60, and a single tray finisher 150 is attached to the discharge port 61.
[0034]
In the vicinity of the upper sheet cassette 52, the middle sheet cassette 53, the lower sheet cassette 54, the sheet cassette 57 and the large capacity feeder 55, the sheet P is fed from the sheet cassettes 52 to 54, 57 or the large capacity feeder 55. Pickup rollers 63 for picking up the sheets one by one are provided. The conveyance path 58 is provided with a plurality of paper feed roller pairs 64 for conveying the paper P taken out by the pickup roller 63 through the conveyance path 58.
[0035]
In the transport path 58, a registration roller pair 65 is provided on the upstream side of the photosensitive drum 44. The registration roller pair 65 corrects the inclination of the taken paper P and aligns the leading edge of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 44 with the leading edge of the paper P, so that the moving speed of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 44 is the same. The sheet P is supplied to the transfer unit at a speed. A pre-aligning sensor 66 for detecting the arrival of the paper P is provided in front of the registration roller pair 65, that is, on the paper feed roller 64 side.
[0036]
The paper P picked up one by one from the paper feed cassettes 52 to 54, 57 or the large capacity feeder 55 by the pickup roller 63 is sent to the registration roller pair 65 by the paper feed roller pair 64. Then, after the leading edge of the paper P is aligned by the registration roller pair 65, the paper P is sent to the transfer unit.
[0037]
In the transfer portion, the developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 44, that is, the toner image is transferred onto the paper P by the transfer charger 48. The sheet P on which the toner image has been transferred is peeled off from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 44 by the action of the peeling charger 47 and the peeling claw 49, and is fixed to the fixing device via the conveyance belt 67 constituting a part of the conveyance path 52. 60. After the developer image is melted and fixed on the paper P by the fixing device 60, the paper P is discharged onto the finisher 150 through the discharge port 61 by the paper feed roller pair 68 and the paper discharge roller pair 69.
[0038]
Below the conveyance path 58, there is provided an automatic duplex device 70 that reverses the sheet P that has passed through the fixing device 60 and sends it again to the registration roller pair 65. The automatic double-side device 70 includes a temporary stacking unit 71 that temporarily stacks the paper P, a reversing path 72 that branches from the conveyance path 58 and reverses the paper P that has passed through the fixing device 60 and leads the temporary stacking unit 71 to A pick-up roller 73 that picks up the sheets P collected in the temporary stacking unit 71 one by one and a paper feed roller 75 that supplies the picked-up sheets P to the registration roller pair 65 through the transport path 74 are provided. In addition, a distribution gate 76 that selectively distributes the paper P to the discharge port 61 or the reversing path 72 is provided at a branch portion between the conveyance path 58 and the reversing path 72.
[0039]
When performing double-sided copying, the paper P that has passed through the fixing device 60 is guided to the reversing path 72 by the sorting gate 76 and is temporarily accumulated in the temporary accumulating unit 71 in the inverted state, and then picked up by the pickup roller 73 and the supply roller The paper roller pair 75 is sent to the registration roller pair 65 through the conveyance path 74. Then, after the paper P is aligned by the registration roller pair 65, it is sent again to the transfer unit, and the toner image is transferred to the back surface of the paper P. Thereafter, the paper P is discharged to the finisher 150 via the conveyance path 58, the fixing device 60 and the paper discharge roller 69.
[0040]
The finisher 150 staples and stores the discharged partially structured document in units. Each time a sheet P to be stapled is discharged from the discharge port 61, the guide bar 151 moves toward the staple side and aligns. When all the paper has been discharged, the paper presser arm 152 holds the discharged partial paper P, and a stapler unit (not shown) performs stapling.
[0041]
Thereafter, the guide bar 151 is lowered, and the paper P for which the stapling is finished is discharged to the finisher discharge tray 154 by the finisher discharge roller 155 in a part of the paper P. The amount by which the finisher discharge tray 154 is lowered is determined to some extent by the number of sheets P to be discharged, and decreases step by step every time it is discharged in some units. Further, the guide bar 151 for aligning the discharged paper P is at such a height that it does not hit the already stapled paper P placed on the finisher discharge tray 154.
[0042]
Further, the finisher discharge tray 154 is connected to a shift mechanism (not shown) that shifts partly (for example, in the four directions of front, rear, left, and right) in the sort mode.
[0043]
An operation panel 80 (not shown) for inputting various copy conditions and a copy start command for starting a copy operation, and displaying an operation state and the like is provided on the upper front of the apparatus body 10.
[0044]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a signal flow for electrical connection and control of the digital copying machine shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the control system is composed of three CPUs (central processing units), a main CPU 91 in the main control unit 90, a scanner CPU 100 in the scanner unit 4, and a printer CPU 110 in the printer unit 6. They are connected by a bus 120.
[0045]
The main CPU 91 performs bidirectional communication with the printer CPU 110 via the shared RAM 95. The main CPU 91 issues an operation instruction and the printer CPU 110 returns a status status. The printer CPU 110 and the scanner CPU 100 perform serial communication, the printer CPU 110 issues an operation instruction, and the scanner CPU 100 returns a status status.
[0046]
The shared bus 120 is a completely synchronous bus such as a PCI bus, and the address bus and the data bus use the same signal line in a time-sharing manner, program I / O transfer via the CPU, and the peripheral device as a bus master. Data transfer by a bus master that controls the bus and directly accesses a memory or the like is possible.
[0047]
The operation panel 80 includes various operation keys 81, a liquid crystal display unit 82, and a panel CPU 83 to which these are connected, and is connected to the main CPU 91.
[0048]
The main control unit 90 includes a main CPU 91, ROM 92, RAM 93, NVRAM 94, shared RAM 95, image processing unit 96, page memory control unit 97, and page memory 98.
[0049]
The main CPU 91 is responsible for overall control. The ROM 92 stores a control program for the main CPU 91 and the like. The RAM 93 temporarily stores various data.
[0050]
An NVRAM (non-volatile RAM) 94 is a non-volatile memory backed up by a battery (not shown), and retains stored data even when the power is shut off.
[0051]
The shared RAM 95 is used for bidirectional communication between the main CPU 91 and the printer CPU 110.
[0052]
The page memory control unit 97 stores / reads image information in / from the page memory 98. The page memory 98 has an area capable of storing image information for a plurality of pages, and is formed so that data obtained by compressing image information from the scanner unit 4 can be stored for each page.
[0053]
The scanner unit 4 includes a scanner CPU 100 that controls the entire system, a ROM 101 that stores control programs, a RAM 102 for storing data, a CCD driver 103 that drives the line sensor 34, an exposure lamp 25, mirrors 26, 27, and 28, and the like. The scanning motor driver 104 that controls the rotation of the scanning motor that moves the motor, the image correction unit 105, and the like.
[0054]
The image correction unit 105 is an A / D conversion circuit that converts an analog signal from the line sensor 34 into a digital signal, a threshold for an output signal from the line sensor 34 due to variations in the line sensor 34 or changes in ambient temperature. It comprises a shading correction circuit for correcting level fluctuations, a line memory that temporarily stores the shading corrected digital signal from the shading correction circuit, and the like.
[0055]
The printer unit 6 drives a printer CPU 110 that controls the entire system, a ROM 111 that stores control programs, a RAM 112 for data storage, a laser driver 113 that drives the semiconductor laser oscillator 41, and a polygon motor 37 of the laser exposure device 40. The process of charging, developing, and transferring is controlled using the polygon motor driver 114, the conveyance control unit 115 that controls conveyance of the paper P by the conveyance path 58, the charging charger 45, the developing device 46, and the transfer charging device 48. A process control unit 116 for controlling the fixing device 60, an option control unit 118 for controlling options, and the like.
[0056]
The image correction unit 105, the page memory 98, the image processing unit 96, and the laser driver 113 are serially connected, and image data flows in this order. However, it is also possible to flow image data from the image correction unit 105 to the image processing unit 96 without accumulating in the page memory 98.
[0057]
FIG. 3 shows in detail the configuration of the image processing unit 96 and its peripheral parts. In order to simplify the description, the page memory control unit 97, the page memory 98, and the like are omitted.
[0058]
The system control unit 302 includes the main CPU 91 and its peripheral circuits. Main CPU 91 The RAM 93 and the operation panel 80 are connected by a main CPU interface 312 and can access the shared bus 120 via the main CPU interface 312.
[0059]
The external interface 310 is connected to the shared bus 120, and inputs / outputs data to / from each unit connected to the shared bus 120 from the external device connected to the external interface 310 via the shared bus 120. .
[0060]
The image processing unit 96 includes a memory interface 304 having an external RAM 311 as a storage unit, an input buffer 305, an output buffer 306, a calculation unit 307, and an instruction RAM 308.
[0061]
The memory interface 304 can be provided with a storage means other than the RAM (for example, a hard disk device or the like), but in the present embodiment, the description will be made assuming that the RAM is provided.
[0062]
The arithmetic unit 307 is a program-driven arithmetic unit called a so-called CPU (processor), and is configured as shown in FIG. 4, for example. In FIG. 4, an arithmetic unit 307 includes an operand register file 401 including general-purpose registers R0 to R31 specified by an instruction, an instruction register (IR) 402 that holds an instruction currently being executed, and an instruction RAM 308 to be executed next. A program counter (PC) 403 that holds the address in the register, an arithmetic register (A) 404 that holds the contents of one source register (Rs1) in the register file 401, and the other source register (Rs2) in the register file 401 Between the operation register (B) 405 that holds the contents of the operation register, the operation register (C) 406 that holds the contents to be written to the contents of the destination register (Rd) in the register file 401, and the read / write operation to the external RAM 311 Keeps the address of the memory location External RAM memory address register (EMAR) 407, external RAM memory data register (EMDR) 408 for holding data passed between the external RAM 311 and basic arithmetic operations such as addition / subtraction / multiplication / division and AND / Arithmetic logic unit (ALU1) 409 that performs logical operations such as OR, instruction RAM memory address register (IMAR) 410 that holds the address of the memory location during read / write operations to instruction RAM 308, and instruction RAM 308 Instruction RAM memory data register (IMDR) 411 that holds instructions passed between them, instructions from instruction RAM 308 held in register 411 are loaded into instruction register 402 by connecting P1 and P2 buses, etc. Each Arithmetic logic unit (ALU2) 412 to run as operations by bridge S1, P1, P2 bus read and write data with static, and is constituted by the control unit 413.
[0063]
The S1 bus 414 is an internal bus that connects the arithmetic logic units 409 and 412 and the registers 404, 407, and 408 and transfers data between them. The S2 bus 415 is an internal bus that connects the arithmetic logic unit 409 and the registers 402, 405, 407, and 408 and transfers data between them. The D bus 416 is an internal bus that connects the arithmetic logic units 409 and 412, the program counter 403, and the registers 406, 407, and 408 and transfers data between them. The P1 bus 417 and the P2 bus 418 are internal buses to which the arithmetic logic unit 412, the program counter 403, and the registers 402, 410, and 411 are connected and data is transferred between them.
[0064]
The arithmetic logic units 409 and 412 operate in parallel, the arithmetic logic unit 412 performs an instruction fetch cycle, and the arithmetic logic unit 409 performs an instruction execute cycle. Other than the branch processing, the arithmetic logic unit 412 executes one instruction before the instruction executed by the arithmetic logic unit 409. For this reason, the bottleneck on the bus which occurs in the Neumann architecture using the same bus for instruction fetch and instruction execution is avoided, and high-speed processing is possible.
[0065]
Here, the instruction length and the register length are described as a 32-bit word.
[0066]
The operation during the instruction fetch cycle will be described below.
[0067]
In the instruction fetch cycle, the value of the program counter 403 gives the memory address in the instruction RAM 308. The value of the program counter 403 is loaded into the memory address register 410 via the P1 bus 417, the arithmetic logic units 409 and 412 and the P2 bus 418. After a delay depending on the access time of the instruction RAM 308, the memory data bus loads instruction data (assuming 32-bit long words) into the memory data register 411.
[0068]
Next, the contents of the memory data register 411 are loaded into the instruction register 402 via the P1 bus 417, the arithmetic logic unit 412, and the P2 bus 418.
[0069]
At the end of the instruction fetch cycle, the value of the program counter 403 is increased by four in order to point to the address in the instruction RAM 308 of the next execution instruction.
[0070]
The above operation is briefly described as follows.
[0071]
Imar ← PC
IR ← IMDR
PC ← PC + 4
The operation during the instruction execution cycle will be described below.
[0072]
The step of the instruction execution cycle depends on the instruction to be actually executed. In most cases, the operand is taken from the source registers Rs1, Rs2 in the register file 401. The source registers Rs1 and Rs2 are selected using a register address specified by an instruction. The contents of these two source registers Rs1, Rs2 are once loaded into the arithmetic registers 404, 405.
[0073]
The above operation is briefly described as follows.
[0074]
A ← Ss1
B ← Rs2
Regardless of the type of instruction, the register field is assumed to be in the same position. In this embodiment, one source register is designated by the 16th to 20th bits, and another source register is designated by the 1st to 15th bits.
[0075]
The subsequent steps depend on the type of instruction specified by the operation code. The operation code is decoded by hardware in the control unit 413. Next, the steps of main operation codes will be described below.
[0076]
Arithmetic logic operation instruction register-register type
For arithmetic logic operation instructions such as ADD R1, R2, and R3 using three registers, the contents of the operation register 404 and the operation register 405 are transferred to the arithmetic logic operation unit 409 to perform the arithmetic logic operation. The result is transferred to the operation register 406. Specifically, the contents of the arithmetic register 404 are transferred to the arithmetic logic unit 409 using the S1 bus 414, the contents of the arithmetic register 405 are transferred to the arithmetic logic unit 409 using the S2 bus 415, and D2 The bus 416 is used to transfer the output of the arithmetic logic unit 409 to the arithmetic register 406. The contents of the arithmetic register 406 are copied to the destination register Rd in the register file 401.
[0077]
The above operation is abbreviated as follows (; indicates simultaneous operation).
[0078]
S1 bus ← A; S2 bus ← B
D bus ← S1 bus <operation> S2 bus
C ← D bus
Rd ← C
Arithmetic and logical operation instruction register-constant type
An arithmetic logic operation instruction such as ADD R1, R2, 44 using two registers and one constant is different in that one of the sources is a constant held in the lower 16 bits after the instruction. That is, constants are extracted from the lower 16 bits of the instruction register 402.
[0079]
The above operation is briefly described as follows.
[0080]
S1 bus ← A; S2 bus ← IR (15 to 0 bits)
D bus ← S1 bus <operation> S2 bus
C ← D bus
Rd ← C
External RAM memory reference (load / store) instruction
Whether it is a load instruction or a store instruction from the external RAM 311, LD R1,100 [R2] (the contents of address R2 + 100 are copied to R1), ST R6, 200 [R8] (the contents of address R6 are copied to address R8 + 200) The location address in the external RAM 311 is obtained by adding the source register Rs1 and the lower 16-bit offset. An arithmetic logic unit 409 is used for this operation, and the operation result is loaded into the memory address register 407. If it is a load instruction, the contents of the designated memory location are transferred from the memory data register 408 to the arithmetic register 406 via the arithmetic logic unit 409. The complete sequence is as follows:
[0081]
EMAR ← A + IR (15 to 0 bits)
C ← EMDR
Rd ← C
The same applies to the store instruction, and the sequence is as follows.
[0082]
EMAR ← A + IR (15 to 0 bits)
EMDR ← B
Branch instruction
In the branch instruction, the authenticity of the condition specified by the instruction is determined. For example, in BEQR2, R1, and L1, if R2 = R1, the program counter 403 is offset by the arithmetic logic unit 409 by PC + L1, that is, L1 corresponding to the lower 16 bits of the instruction register 402. The sequence is as follows.
[0083]
condition ← A <operation> B
PC ← PC + IR (15 to 0 bits)
Jump instruction
The jump instruction is specified as J100 [R1], and is realized by loading the content of R1 + 100 into the program counter 403. The sequence is as follows.
[0084]
PC ← A <operation> IR (15 to 0 bits)
The above is the basic operation of the arithmetic unit 307 in FIG. 4. The arithmetic unit 307 has the following functions different from those of a general CPU, and can cope with various image processing even if the instruction RAM 308 has a small capacity. The function is a program load function from the external RAM 311 to the instruction RAM 308. The sequence will be briefly described below.
[0085]
The instruction is described as ILD R1, 100 [R2] (the contents of the external RAM R2 + 100 address are copied to the instruction RAM R1 address). First, the following sequence is executed by the arithmetic logic unit 412.
[0086]
A ← Rd (In the example, the contents of R1 are in register A)
IVAR ← A
In parallel with this, the arithmetic logic unit 409 executes the following sequence.
[0087]
B ← Rs1 (In the example, the contents of R2 are in register B)
EMAR ← B + IR (15 to 0 bits)
As a result, the memory data register 408 is loaded with the contents of the memory designated by the memory address register 407 from the external RAM 311. Subsequently, the contents of the memory data register 408 are loaded into the memory data register 411 by the arithmetic logic unit 412 via the S1 bus 414, the arithmetic logic unit 412, and the P2 bus 418.
[0088]
IMDR ← EMDR
When this loading is completed, the contents of the memory data register 411 are loaded at the memory address indicated by the memory address register 410. By repeating this, program loading from the external RAM 311 to the instruction RAM 308 is performed.
[0089]
Store is possible as well, and the instruction is described as IST R6, 200 [R8] (instruction RAM R6 address is copied to external RAM R8 + 200 address). First, the following sequence is executed by the arithmetic logic unit 409.
[0090]
B ← Rd (In the example, the contents of R8 are in register B)
EMAR ← B + IR (15 to 0 bits)
In parallel with this, the arithmetic logic unit 412 executes the following sequence.
[0091]
A ← Rs1 (In the example, the contents of R6 are in register A)
IVAR ← A
Thereafter, an instruction is read into the memory data register 411 from the address indicated by the memory address register 410. The contents of the memory data register 411 are copied to the memory data register 408 via the P1 bus 417, the arithmetic logic unit 412, and the D bus 416.
[0092]
EMDR ← IMDR
When this loading is completed, the contents of the memory data register 408 are loaded at the memory address indicated by the memory address register 407. By repeating this, storing from the instruction RAM 308 to the external RAM 311 is performed.
[0093]
The above is the outline of the arithmetic unit 307 and the external RAM 311 and instruction RAM 308 associated therewith. The calculation unit 307 can realize calculation processing performed by a general computer. The image processing includes the following image processing performed by a digital copying machine or a printer.
[0094]
・ Histogram creation
・ Γ correction
・ Color conversion
・ High pass filter
・ Low bus filter
・ Inking (UCR, UCA)
・ Tone processing (error diffusion method, systematic dither method)
・ Character / image identification
The input buffer 305 is, for example, a synchronous fifo (FIFO) as shown in FIG. 5 and outputs the internal state of the FIFO as a full detection signal FULL with respect to the write signal WR from the scanner unit 4. The scanner unit 4 outputs the input data DATAIN to the FIFO when it is not full, and the FIFO side stores this inside. Further, the input buffer 305 outputs the FIFO internal state as an empty detection signal ENTTY in response to the read signal RD from the memory interface 304. The memory interface 304 reads the output data DADAOUT when the FIFO is not empty.
[0095]
Similarly to the input buffer 305, the output buffer 306 is a synchronous FIFO as shown in FIG. 6 and outputs the internal state of the FIFO as a full detection signal FULL with respect to the write signal WR from the memory interface 304. The memory interface 304 outputs the input data DATAIN to the FIFO when it is not full, and the FIFO side stores this inside. Further, the output buffer 306 outputs the internal state of the FIFO as the empty detection signal ENTTY in response to the read signal RD from the printer unit 6. The printer unit 6 reads output data DADAOUT (that is, image data after image processing) when the FIFO is not empty.
[0096]
The memory interface 304 is an interface for connecting the input buffer 305, the output buffer 306, the bus 120, and the arithmetic unit 307, and has a large capacity external RAM 311 inside.
[0097]
The memory interface 304 outputs a read signal RD to the input buffer 305. If the input buffer 305 is not empty, the memory interface 304 reads the image data from the input buffer 305 and stores the image data at a predetermined address in the external RAM 311. Remember.
[0098]
The memory interface 304 outputs the write signal WR to the output buffer 306, confirms that the output buffer 306 is empty based on the empty detection signal EMPTY, and then sets the output buffer 306 in the external RAM 311 in advance. Output data at address.
[0099]
Further, the memory interface 304 reads data from the address position of the external RAM 311 output from the arithmetic unit 307 via the memory address register 407 in response to the read control signal output from the control unit 413, and stores the memory data. Output to the register 408. Similarly, the contents of the memory data register 408 are stored from the address position of the external RAM 311 output from the arithmetic unit 307 via the memory address register 407 in accordance with the write control signal output from the control unit 413.
[0100]
Further, the external RAM 311 is connected to the address space of the shared bus 120 by a bus master circuit in the memory interface 304, and reading / writing from / to the external RAM 311 is performed from the shared bus 120.
[0101]
The above is the configuration of the image processing unit 96. The present invention is characterized in that the image processing unit 96 is used to perform the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. This will be briefly described below.
[0102]
First, an image processing program stored in the external RAM 311 in the memory interface 304 in advance is selected based on information input by the user from the operation panel 80 before copying is started, and is loaded into the instruction RAM 308 through the arithmetic unit 307. (S1).
[0103]
Next, based on a processing start instruction from the operation panel 80, the scanner unit 4 starts a document reading operation (S2). The image data from the scanner unit 4 by this reading operation is buffered in the input buffer 305 and then output to the memory interface 304 (S3). The memory interface 304 stores the image data from the input buffer 305 at a predetermined address position in the external RAM 311 (S4). The external RAM 311 also stores calculation data used by the calculation unit 307.
[0104]
The memory interface 304 sequentially outputs the image data in the external RAM 311 according to the read control signal of the arithmetic unit 307 (S5). The arithmetic unit 307 performs processing on the image data input from the memory interface 304 based on the program on the instruction RAM 308, and outputs the processed image data to the memory interface 304 again as image data (S6).
[0105]
The memory interface 304 stores the processed image data output from the arithmetic unit 307 at a predetermined address in the external RAM 311 and outputs the data to the output buffer 306 from the address (S7). The output buffer 306 outputs image data according to the connected printer unit 6 (S8).
[0106]
Here, an example of information input by the user in step S1 will be described. The liquid crystal display unit 82 on the operation panel 80 displays, for example, three document mode switches for designating document modes of “character photo document”, “text document”, and “photo document”. Select these. Each document mode uses different image processing programs and can be summarized as follows.
[0107]
Text photo manuscript: Identification-> Color conversion-> Filter processing->Inking-> Error diffusion method
Text manuscript: Color conversion-> Filter processing->Inking-> Error diffusion method
Photo manuscript: Color conversion-> Filter processing->Inking-> Error dither method
In step S1, if a program corresponding to each original mode is not loaded into the instruction RAM 308 based on this mode information, it is necessary to develop a program on the instruction RAM 308 that satisfies the three original modes simultaneously. Usually, a high-speed operation memory is used for the instruction RAM 308, but since this is expensive, only a small capacity (1024 × 32 bits or the like) can be mounted. It is difficult to develop a program that satisfies the three document modes with processing speed and image quality with this small memory.
[0108]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, three image processing programs corresponding to the three original modes are prepared in the external RAM 311 in advance, and image processing corresponding to the original mode is performed by operating the operation panel 80 in step S1. The program is loaded into the instruction RAM 308.
[0109]
As described above, since all the areas of the instruction RAM 308 can be used for each original mode and function, a more complicated program is possible, and satisfactory image processing is possible in terms of processing speed and image quality. It is excellent in terms of effective use. Moreover, when realizing the same function, the cost can be reduced because the expensive high-speed instruction memory has a small capacity.
[0110]
Next, a second embodiment will be described.
[0111]
In the second embodiment, first, an image feature amount is calculated by the calculation unit 307, and an appropriate image processing program stored in the external RAM 311 in the memory interface 304 is executed according to the calculated feature amount. The instruction RAM 308 is loaded through the arithmetic unit 307. The process will be described below with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0112]
Since the apparatus configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, the description of the configuration itself will be omitted as it will be described based on that.
[0113]
First, before starting copying, an image feature amount extraction program stored in advance in the external RAM 311 in the memory interface 304 is selected and loaded into the instruction RAM 308 through the arithmetic unit 307 (S11).
[0114]
Next, based on a processing start instruction from the operation panel 80, the scanner unit 4 starts scanning (S12). The image data from the scanner unit 4 by this scanning is buffered in the input buffer 305 and then output to the memory interface 304 (S13). The memory interface 304 stores the image data from the input buffer 305 at a predetermined address position in the external RAM 311 (S14). The external RAM 311 also stores calculation data used by the calculation unit 307.
[0115]
The memory interface 304 sequentially outputs the image data in the external RAM 311 according to the read control signal of the arithmetic unit 307 (S15). The computing unit 307 processes the image data input from the memory interface 304 based on the image feature amount extraction program on the command RAM 308, and calculates the image feature amount (S16).
[0116]
After calculating the image feature amount, the calculation unit 307 stores an appropriate image processing program corresponding to the calculated image feature amount, which is stored in advance in the external RAM 311 in the memory interface 304 based on the calculated image feature amount. Is loaded into the instruction RAM 308 (S17).
[0117]
Next, the calculation unit 307 requests the scanner unit 4 to perform rescanning, and the scanner unit 4 starts rescanning (S18). The image data from the scanner unit 4 by this rescanning is buffered in the input buffer 305 and then output to the memory interface 304 (S19). The memory interface 304 stores the image data from the input buffer 305 at a predetermined address position in the external RAM 311 (S20).
[0118]
The memory interface 304 sequentially outputs the image data in the external RAM 311 according to the read control signal of the arithmetic unit 307 (S21). The arithmetic unit 307 processes the image data input from the memory interface 304 based on the image processing program on the instruction RAM 308, and outputs it again to the memory interface 304 as image data (S22).
[0119]
The memory interface 304 stores the processed image data output from the arithmetic unit 307 at a predetermined address in the external RAM 311 and outputs the data to the output buffer 306 from the address (S23). The output buffer 306 outputs image data in accordance with the connected printer unit 6 (S24).
[0120]
Here, an example of the image feature amount calculated in step S16 and the image processing program loaded in step S17 will be described. A density histogram is taken as an example of the image feature amount. The density histogram is obtained by classifying pixels in a certain area of an image for each image density area and counting the number of pixels for each classification.
[0121]
A density histogram of a certain area of the image is calculated by the processes in steps S11 to S16. When the density histogram is distributed only in gray color, it is a monochrome document, and when it is spread over the entire color gamut, it is a color document. In step S17, an image processing program suitable for each is loaded in accordance with whether the original is a monochrome original or a color original determined from the density histogram. An example is as follows.
[0122]
Color manuscript: color conversion-> filter processing->inking-> tissue dither method
Monochrome manuscript: Monochrome processing → Filter processing → Error diffusion method → Smoothing
As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to effectively use the small-capacity instruction RAM 308 to perform image processing according to the characteristics of the document, and to improve image quality and speed up processing.
[0123]
Next, a third embodiment will be described.
[0124]
The third embodiment is a case where the scanner unit 4 has a plurality of scanning modes such as pre-scan and main scan. When performing the scan operation of the pre-scan and main scan, according to each scan mode, An image processing program stored in advance in an external RAM 311 in the memory interface 304 is loaded into the instruction RAM 308 through the arithmetic unit 307 before the scan is executed. The process will be described below with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0125]
Since the apparatus configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, the description of the configuration itself will be omitted as it will be described based on that.
[0126]
First, before starting copying, a prescan image processing program stored in advance in the external RAM 311 in the memory interface 304 is selected and loaded into the instruction RAM 308 through the arithmetic unit 307 (S31).
[0127]
Next, based on a processing start instruction from the operation panel 80, the scanner unit 4 starts scanning (S32). The image data from the scanner unit 4 by this scan is buffered in the input buffer 305 and then output to the memory interface 304 (S33). The memory interface 304 stores the image data from the input buffer 305 at a predetermined address position in the external RAM 311 (S34). The external RAM 311 also stores calculation data used by the calculation unit 307.
[0128]
The memory interface 304 sequentially outputs the image data in the external RAM 311 according to the read control signal of the arithmetic unit 307 (S35). The calculation unit 307 performs processing on the image data input from the memory interface 304 based on the prescan image processing program on the command RAM 308, and outputs the processed image data to the memory interface 304 as prescan image data (S36).
[0129]
The memory interface 304 sequentially stores the processed prescan image data output from the arithmetic unit 307 at a predetermined address in the external RAM 311 (S37).
[0130]
After completing the prescan, the arithmetic unit 307 selects the main scan image processing program stored in advance in the external RAM 311 in the memory interface 304 and loads it into the instruction RAM 308 (S38).
[0131]
Next, the computing unit 307 requests the scanner unit 4 to perform a main scan, so that the scanner unit 4 starts the main scan (S39). The image data from the scanner unit 4 in this main scan is buffered in the input buffer 305 and then output to the memory interface 304 (S40). The memory interface 304 stores the image data from the input buffer 305 at a predetermined address position in the external RAM 311 (S41).
[0132]
The memory interface 304 sequentially outputs the image data in the external RAM 311 according to the read control signal of the calculation unit 307 (S42). Further, the memory interface 304 sequentially outputs the prescan image data in the external RAM 311 corresponding to the image data currently being processed according to the read control signal of the arithmetic unit 307 (S43).
[0133]
The arithmetic unit 307 performs processing based on the main scan image processing program on the command RAM 308 based on the image data input from the memory interface 304 and the prescan image data, and outputs the processed image data to the memory interface 304. (S44).
[0134]
The memory interface 304 stores the processed image data output from the calculation unit 307 at a predetermined address in the external RAM 311 and outputs the data to the output buffer 306 from the address (S45). The output buffer 306 outputs image data in accordance with the connected printer unit 6 (S46).
[0135]
Here, an image processing program for pre-scanning and main scanning will be briefly described with an example. In the pre-scan, a document type identification program for identifying whether a document is a text document, a mixed text photo document, or a photo document is executed, and an area identification program for identifying a character area and a photo area in the document based on the identification result As a result of the identification, each pixel in the image is classified as a character or a photograph, and the classification result is stored in the external RAM 311.
[0136]
In order to increase the processing speed, pre-scanning is generally performed at a coarser resolution than main scanning (by changing the scanning speed). Since this identification program is very complicated, the program scale is large, and other processing programs cannot coexist on the small-capacity instruction RAM 308.
[0137]
Therefore, at the time of pre-scanning, only the area identification program is loaded into the instruction RAM 308 and executed by the arithmetic unit 307, and the result is stored in the external RAM 311. After the pre-scan, during the main scan, the following image processing suitable for characters and photographs is executed based on the identification result in the external RAM 311.
[0138]
Color conversion → Filter processing → Inking → Error diffusion method
As described above, if the image processing programs for the pre-scan and the main scan are separated and loaded according to the procedure of the present embodiment, image processing using complicated identification can be realized even with the small-capacity external RAM 308.
[0139]
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described.
[0140]
The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that an engine sensor 313 is added as a state detection unit for detecting the engine state of the printer unit 6 as shown in FIG. The other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, and the description thereof is omitted.
[0141]
The fourth embodiment is characterized in that an image processing program suitable for this is loaded from the external RAM 311 into the instruction RAM 308 based on the engine status of the printer unit 6 output from the engine sensor 313. The processing at the time of copying corresponds to the processing of step S1 in the flowchart of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7 according to the engine status output by the engine sensor 313 as shown in FIG. The loaded image processing program is loaded from the external RAM 311 to the instruction RAM 308 ”.
[0142]
Specifically, the engine sensor 313 is, for example, a CCD sensor that reads a test pattern developed on the photosensitive drum, a temperature / humidity sensor that measures the temperature and humidity of the engine, and the like. From these sensor information, for example, when it is detected from the test pattern that the γ characteristic (pulse width-density) of the engine is steep, it is determined that the number of gradations is not sufficient, and the instruction RAM 308 stores A halftone processing program with a reduced number of multi-values is loaded.
[0143]
In addition, when the temperature and humidity sensor detects high temperature and humidity, a laser pulse width selection program that suppresses the maximum density is loaded.When the temperature and humidity sensor detects low temperature and low humidity, a laser pulse width selection program that increases the maximum density as much as possible is loaded. A γ conversion program suitable for the state is loaded.
[0144]
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described.
[0145]
In the fifth embodiment, the frequency of each image processing program loaded in the instruction RAM 308 is stored in the external RAM 311, and a frequently used program is loaded before the user's operation. Only an unloaded program is loaded after the program loading instruction. As a result, the time required for loading the program can be shortened, and the copying function can be speeded up.
[0146]
As shown in FIG. 14, the process at the time of copying is a new step S0 as shown in FIG. 14 before the step S1 in the flowchart of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The processing program is loaded from the external RAM 311 to the instruction RAM 308 ”.
[0147]
The apparatus configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0148]
Next, a sixth embodiment will be described.
[0149]
Since the apparatus configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, the description of the configuration itself will be omitted as it will be described based on that.
[0150]
The sixth embodiment is characterized in that data in the command RAM 308 and the external RAM 311 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 84 of the operation panel 80 in accordance with input information from the operation panel 80. Addresses are assigned to the storage areas of the instruction RAM 308 and the external RAM 311, respectively.
DUMP A000 A1000
When a command is input as described above, the program and data stored at addresses A000 to A1000 in the RAM are displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 84 of the operation panel 80. This function improves the efficiency of debugging work during program development.
[0151]
In addition to displaying data, the operating state can be monitored by displaying a symbol representing the currently operating program on the liquid crystal display unit 84 of the operation panel 80.
[0152]
The external RAM 311 sequentially stores the image data input from the scanner unit 4. The stored address is designated (determined from the coordinates in the image), and the liquid crystal display on the operation panel 80 is displayed. By displaying the data in the designated address on the unit 84, the function of the scanner unit 4 can be confirmed.
[0153]
Next, a seventh embodiment will be described.
[0154]
The seventh embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that an internal information imaging unit (for example, RIP: Raster) as information imaging means for imaging internal information as shown in FIG. Image Processor) 314 is added, and the other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
[0155]
The seventh embodiment is characterized in that the information in the command RAM 308 and the external RAM 311 is imaged by the internal information imaging unit 314 and recorded and output from the printer unit 6 in accordance with an instruction from the operation panel 80. .
[0156]
The internal information imaging unit 314 is connected to the shared bus 120, and has a memory interface 316 having a RAM 315 therein, a CPU 317 that performs arithmetic processing for imaging, and outputs the imaged information to the printer unit 6. The RAM 315 stores an imaging processing program for imaging data in the instruction RAM 308 and the external RAM 311.
[0157]
This imaging processing program includes a program that converts data into character codes and converts numeric data into graphs. For example, the γ data for γ conversion in the instruction RAM 308 is imaged by the internal information imaging unit 314 and recorded and output by the printer unit 6 to obtain a graph as shown in FIG. As a result, since the setting state and the like can be easily understood at the time of debugging or maintenance service, the work efficiency is significantly improved.
[0158]
Of course, the internal information imaging unit 314 can be substituted by using the arithmetic unit 307, the external RAM 311 and the output buffer 306 in the image processing unit 96.
[0159]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, for example, necessary image processing and unnecessary image processing can be determined based on input information such as an image copying mode designated by the user from the operation panel. Accordingly, by loading only an appropriate image processing program, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of effectively utilizing a small-capacity high-speed storage device.
[0160]
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to identify whether a document is a character document or a Victorian document based on an image feature amount (for example, a histogram). Focusing on the fact that processing can be determined, providing only an appropriate image processing program based on the feature amount of the image, thereby providing an image processing device capable of effectively using a small-capacity high-speed storage device it can.
[0161]
Further, according to the present invention, attention is paid to the fact that the image processing program to be used is limited according to the scanning mode when the image input unit performs scanning, and only an appropriate image processing program is loaded according to the scanning mode. Thus, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of effectively utilizing a small-capacity high-speed storage device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing an internal configuration of an image processing apparatus such as a digital color copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a flow of signals for electrical connection and control of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing in detail a configuration of an image processing unit and its peripheral unit according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing in detail the configuration of a calculation unit.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an input buffer.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an output buffer.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of image processing in the image processing unit according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of image processing in an image processing unit according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of image processing in an image processing unit according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of image processing in an image processing unit according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of image processing in an image processing unit according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing in detail the configuration of an image processing unit and its peripheral units according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of image processing in an image processing unit according to the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of image processing in an image processing unit according to the fifth embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing in detail the configuration of an image processing unit and its peripheral units according to a seventh embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a recording output example of information imaged by an internal information imaging unit;
[Explanation of symbols]
D …… Original
4 …… Scanner (image input means)
6. Printer unit (image output means, recording output means)
80 …… Control panel
82 …… Liquid crystal display (display output means)
90 …… Main control unit
91 …… Main CPU
92 …… ROM
93 …… RAM
96 …… Image processing unit
120 …… Shared bus
304 …… Memory interface
305 …… Input buffer (first buffer)
306 ... Output buffer (second buffer)
307 …… Calculation unit (calculation means)
308 ... Instruction RAM (memory means)
310 …… External interface
311: External RAM (storage means)
312 …… Main CPU interface
313 …… Engine sensor (state detection means)
314 .. Internal information imaging unit (information imaging means)

Claims (7)

An image input means for inputting an image of the document;
Image processing means for performing predetermined image processing on the image input by the image input means;
First program storage means for storing an image processing program for performing image processing executed by the image processing means;
Image output means for outputting the image processed by the image processing means;
A second program storage means in which a plurality of types of image processing programs for performing extended image processing other than basic image processing corresponding to the type of document are stored in advance;
Program loading means for reading a corresponding image processing program from the second program storage means and loading it into the first program storage means on the basis of input information for designating the type of document inputted from the outside;
An image processing apparatus comprising: An image input means for inputting an image of the document;
A first buffer for temporarily storing an image input by the image input means;
An arithmetic unit for performing a predetermined image processing operation on the image output from the first buffer;
A program storage unit for storing a calculation program for performing image processing executed by the calculation unit;
A second buffer for temporarily storing an image processed by the arithmetic unit;
Image output means for outputting an image output from the second buffer;
A storage unit storing a plurality of types of calculation programs for performing extended image processing other than basic image processing corresponding to the type of document ; the first buffer, the calculation unit, and the second buffer; A memory interface to connect and transfer data,
Program loading means for reading out a corresponding operation program from a storage unit in the memory interface and loading it into the program storage unit based on input information for designating the type of the document input from the outside,
An image processing apparatus comprising: An image input means for inputting an image of the document;
A first buffer for temporarily storing an image input by the image input means;
An arithmetic unit for performing a predetermined image processing operation on the image output from the first buffer;
A program storage unit for storing a calculation program for performing image processing executed by the calculation unit;
A second buffer for temporarily storing an image processed by the arithmetic unit;
Image output means for outputting an image output from the second buffer;
A storage unit storing a plurality of types of calculation programs for performing extended image processing other than basic image processing corresponding to the type of document ; the first buffer, the calculation unit, and the second buffer; A memory interface to connect and transfer data,
Feature amount calculating means for calculating the density distribution of the image input by the image input means as a feature amount;
The type of the original is determined based on the feature amount of the image calculated by the feature amount calculating means, and a corresponding arithmetic program is read from the storage unit in the memory interface based on the determined type of original and the program storage is performed. Program loading means to be loaded into the section;
An image processing apparatus comprising: An image input means having two scanning modes of pre-scanning and main scanning, and inputting an image of a document by these two scanning modes;
A first buffer for temporarily storing an image input by the image input means;
An arithmetic unit for performing a predetermined image processing operation on an image input by the main scan output from the first buffer;
A program storage unit for storing a calculation program for performing image processing executed by the calculation unit;
A second buffer for temporarily storing an image processed by the arithmetic unit;
Image output means for outputting an image output from the second buffer;
A storage unit storing a plurality of types of calculation programs for performing extended image processing other than basic image processing corresponding to the type of document ; the first buffer, the calculation unit, and the second buffer; A memory interface to connect and transfer data,
A document type identifying means for identifying the type of the document based on the image input by the prescan of the image input means;
Based on the identification result of the document type identification means, a program loading means for reading a corresponding operation program from the storage section in the memory interface and loading it into the program storage section;
An image processing apparatus comprising: An image input means for inputting an image of the document;
A first buffer for temporarily storing an image input by the image input means;
An arithmetic unit for performing a predetermined image processing operation on the image output from the first buffer;
A program storage unit for storing a calculation program for performing image processing executed by the calculation unit;
A second buffer for temporarily storing an image processed by the arithmetic unit;
Image output means for outputting an image output from the second buffer;
A test pattern output result in the image output means, a state detection means for detecting the engine temperature and humidity of the image output means, and
A storage unit storing in advance a plurality of types of calculation programs for performing extended image processing other than basic image processing corresponding to the engine state of the image output means; And a memory interface for connecting and transferring data by connecting a second buffer;
Based on the state detected by the state detection unit, a program loading unit that reads an arithmetic program suitable for the state from the storage unit in the memory interface and loads the program into the program storage unit;
An image processing apparatus comprising: An image input means for inputting an image of the document;
A first buffer for temporarily storing an image input by the image input means;
An arithmetic unit for performing a predetermined image processing operation on the image output from the first buffer;
A program storage unit for storing a calculation program for performing image processing executed by the calculation unit;
A second buffer for temporarily storing an image processed by the arithmetic unit;
Image output means for outputting an image output from the second buffer;
A storage unit storing a plurality of types of calculation programs for performing extended image processing other than basic image processing corresponding to the type of document ; the first buffer, the calculation unit, and the second buffer; A memory interface to connect and transfer data,
Program loading means for reading out a corresponding operation program from a storage unit in the memory interface and loading it into the program storage unit based on input information for designating the type of the document input from the outside,
Display output means for displaying and outputting a calculation program and data in the address of the program storage unit based on address information input from the outside,
An image processing apparatus comprising: An image input means for inputting an image of the document;
A first buffer for temporarily storing an image input by the image input means;
An arithmetic unit for performing a predetermined image processing operation on the image output from the first buffer;
A program storage unit for storing a calculation program for performing image processing executed by the calculation unit;
A second buffer for temporarily storing an image processed by the arithmetic unit;
Image output means for outputting an image output from the second buffer;
A storage unit storing a plurality of types of calculation programs for performing extended image processing other than basic image processing corresponding to the type of document ; the first buffer, the calculation unit, and the second buffer; A memory interface to connect and transfer data,
Program loading means for reading out a corresponding operation program from a storage unit in the memory interface and loading it into the program storage unit based on input information for designating the type of the document input from the outside,
Display output means for displaying and outputting a calculation program or data in the address of the storage unit in the memory interface based on address information input from the outside;
An image processing apparatus comprising:

Images