Facsimile and static presentation processing – Static presentation processing – Communication
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-28
2001-07-03
Nguyen, Madeleine (Department: 2622)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Static presentation processing
Communication
C358S434000, C358S442000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256106
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an image processing system in which two or more image forming apparatuses such as digital copiers, scanners, printers and facsimile machines are connected to each other and, more particularly, to a two-way image processing system including such apparatuses.
2. Discussion of the Background
Recently, with the introduction of the digital technology in copiers, processing or editing of image data using an image memory has become available. For example, rotation of an image or repeating of an image is possible by controlling read addresses of the image. Images from a plurality of original documents may be copied to one sheet of transfer paper by controlling write addresses of the images. In order to implement such facilities, a copier should generally be provided with an image memory for at least a page of an original document.
Another aspect of note in the digital copiers produced recently is that the facilities provided by a plurality of copiers are integrated. For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 321976 discloses a method whereby a plurality of digital copiers are connected by a cable so that, when a first copier is in use outputting a copy and a second copier is not used, image data is transferred to the second copier so that the second copier can also output a copy.
Various methods for transferring image data are known. For example, in asynchronous transfer of the SCSI system, handshake between devices involved in the transfer is performed for each transferred data unit. Data is transferred by exchanging a data request signal and a data acknowledgement signal. However, such a method of transfer, when performed between two digital copiers, causes a slow response especially when the cable is long, causing the transfer time to be significantly extended.
According to a conceivable method of transfer, a transmitting copier may scan an original document at a regular speed so that image data is output in synchronization with a clock using a raster system. The transfer time in this case would be significantly reduced as compared to the transfer time in the SCSI system. However, the latter method has a disadvantage in that received data may not be properly processed when a transmitting copier and a receiving copier are of different types or when the performance of the copiers are not suitable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, a two-way image processing system and a two-way image processing method in which the aforementioned disadvantages are eliminated.
Another and more specific object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, a two-way image processing system and a two-way image processing method in which the transfer time is reduced without causing improper data processing.
The aforementioned objects can be achieved by an image forming apparatus for use in an image processing system in which image data is transferred in two ways, comprising: an image reading unit for reading an original document so as to generate local image data; a link transmission and reception unit for exchanging image data and signals relating to control, with another image forming apparatus; an image memory for storing image data for at least one line on the original document; a first selection unit for selecting one of the local image data generated by the image reading unit and remote image data received from an image forming apparatus on the transmitting side via the link transmission and reception unit; a data write unit for writing image data selected by the first selection unit to the image memory; a second selection unit for selecting one of the image data stored in the image memory, the remote image data received from the image processing apparatus on the transmitting side via the link transmission and reception unit and the local image data generated by the image reading unit; an image output unit for outputting image using image data selected by the second selection unit; a request signal transmitting unit for transmitting, via the link transmission and reception unit, a request signal for requesting image transfer from the image forming apparatus on the transmitting side to an image forming apparatus on the receiving side and also requesting image output at the image forming apparatus on the receiving apparatus, to the image forming apparatus on the receiving side; a reception ready signal transmitting unit for transmitting, when the request signal is received via the link transmission and reception unit, a reception ready signal indicating that reception of the remote image data is enabled, to the image forming apparatus on the transmitting side, via the transmission and reception unit, prior to receiving the remote image data for one line on the original document; a reception ready signal receiving unit for receiving the reception ready signal from the image forming apparatus on the receiving side via the link transmission and reception unit; and an image data transmitting unit for transmitting the local image data for one line on the original document, a line synchronization signal and a clock synchronized with the local image data, to the image forming apparatus on the receiving side, via the transmission and reception unit, based on the reception ready signal received by the reception ready signal receiving unit.
The aforementioned objects can also be achieved by an image forming apparatus provided with an image data transmitting function, comprising: an image reading unit for reading an original document so as to generate image data; a link transmission and reception unit for transferring the image data to an image forming apparatus on the receiving side and for exchanging signals relating to control, with the image forming apparatus on the receiving side; an image memory for storing image data for at least one line on the original document; a data write unit for writing the image data generated by the image reading unit to the image memory; a selection unit for selecting one of the image data stored in the image memory, and the image data generated by the image reading unit; an image output unit for outputting image using image data selected by the selection unit; a request signal transmitting unit for transmitting, via the link transmission and reception unit, a request signal for requesting image transfer from the image forming apparatus on the transmitting side to an image forming apparatus on the receiving side and also requesting image output at the image forming apparatus on the receiving apparatus, to the image forming apparatus on the receiving side; a reception ready signal receiving unit for receiving the reception ready signal from the image forming apparatus on the receiving side via the link transmission and reception unit; and an image data transmitting unit for transmitting the image data for one line on the original document, a line synchronization signal and a clock synchronized with the image data, to the image forming apparatus on the receiving side, via the transmission and reception unit, based on the reception ready signal received by the reception ready signal receiving unit.
The aforementioned objects can also be achieved by an image forming apparatus provided with an image data receiving function, comprising: an image reading unit for reading an original document so as to generate local image data; a link transmission and reception unit for exchanging image data and signals relating to control, with another image forming apparatus; an image memory for storing image data for at least one line on the original document; a first selection unit for selecting one of the local image data generated by the image reading unit and remote image data received from an image forming apparatus on the transmitting side via the link transmission and reception unit; a data write unit for writing image data selected by the first selection unit to the image memory; a sec
Nguyen Madeleine
Oblon & Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt P.C.
Ricoh & Company, Ltd.
LandOfFree
Two-way image processing system and image forming apparatus... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Two-way image processing system and image forming apparatus..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Two-way image processing system and image forming apparatus... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2562379