Facsimile and static presentation processing – Static presentation processing – Communication
Reexamination Certificate
1997-08-25
2001-02-27
Rogers, Scott (Department: 2724)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Static presentation processing
Communication
C358S001130
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195172
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-function peripheral device serving as a peripheral device of an information processing device and including a plurality of functions such as a scanner function, the multi-function peripheral device being capable of simultaneously executing the plurality of functions using multi-task processing. The present invention further relates to a recording medium storing a program for operating this multi-function peripheral device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, development of multi-function peripheral devices has been proceeding at a startling rate. Such multi-function peripheral devices can serve as a peripheral device of an information processing device such as a personal computer. The multi-function peripheral devices include a plurality of functions such as a scanner function. The multi-function peripheral devices are capable of simultaneously executing the plurality of functions by using multi-task processing.
For example, a multi-function peripheral device can include: a scanner function for retrieving an image of a document and producing image data accordingly; a printer function for printing an image on a desired recording sheet based on image data; and a facsimile modem function for modulating image data and then transmitting the image data over a transmission line, such as a telephone line, or demodulating image data inputted over the transmission line. In this case, the multi-function peripheral device serves as a scanner device, a printer device, and a facsimile modem of an information processing device. Additionally, the multi-function peripheral device can be used as a copy machine by using the scanner function and the printer function. Also, the multi-function peripheral device can be used as a facsimile device by using the scanner function, the printer function, and the facsimile modem function to realize a facsimile function.
Further, by performing multi-task processing, all of these different functions can be performed simultaneously as required. For example, a plurality of functions can be simultaneously operated by sequentially and cyclically devoting time of the control unit to perform the different tasks using the functions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
When a task using the scanner function is performed in conventional multi-function peripheral devices, images are retrieved at a fixed speed regardless of whether other tasks are being simultaneously performed with the task using the scanner function. Because the same CPU is used to perform all tasks, the CPU's capacity to perform individual tasks is lowered during simultaneous operations. As a result, the retrieval performance of the scanner function is reduced during simultaneous operation.
That is to say, because the CPU simultaneously performs different tasks using time sharing processes, the ability of the CPU to perform each task is reduced compared to when different tasks are not being simultaneously performed. Because the document is transported past the image sensors of the scanner at the same retrieval speed whether tasks are simultaneously performed or not, the CPU will be unable to process the resultant image data fast enough to keep up with the retrieval speed of the image sensor during simultaneous operation. As a result, the retrieval operation of the image sensors must be frequently stopped and started. When the retrieval operation of the image sensors is intermittently or non-uniform, the charge accumulation period for the light receiving elements of the image sensor will not be uniform throughout the retrieval process. Also, the document feed mechanism will operate intermittently so that smooth operations can not be maintained. Because of these problems, the image signal from the image sensor will not correctly correspond to the document image.
It is an objective of the present invention to overcome the above-described problems and to provide a multi-function peripheral device capable of maintaining performance of the scanner function during simultaneous operation even when the CPU's capacity to process individual tasks is reduced when a plurality of tasks are simultaneously performed. It is another objective of the present invention to provide a storage medium storing programs for operating such a multi-function peripheral device.
In order to achieve the above-described objectives, a multi-function peripheral device according to the present invention serves as a peripheral device of an information processing device and having a plurality of functions including a scanner function for retrieving an image from a document, the multi-function peripheral device using multitask processing to execute at least a first task, which uses the scanner function, simultaneously with at least a second task, the multi-function peripheral device including: a simultaneous operation determination unit that determines whether one task using the scanner function is being performed simultaneously with the second task; and a retrieval speed control unit that reduces retrieval speed of the scanner function when the simultaneous operation determination unit determines that the first task using the scanner function is being performed simultaneously with the second task.
With this configuration, when any task using the scanner function is being operated simultaneously with any other task, that is, whether the other task uses the scanner function or not, the speed at which the scanner function retrieves a document is reduced, thereby preventing the processing capacity of the CPU from falling behind the speed at which the scanner function retrieves the document. This prevents document retrieval operations from being frequently stopped. As a result, even when a plurality of tasks are simultaneously operated so that the ability of the CPU to process each task drops, the scanner function will not be degraded.
Because the processing ability of the CPU during simultaneous operation will be able to keep up with the retrieval speed of the image sensors configuring the scanner, the image sensors will smoothly retrieve images without frequent stops in operation. Accordingly, the light receiving elements of the image sensor will have a uniform charge accumulation period throughout the image retrieval process. Also, operation of the document feed mechanism will be cyclic and smooth. As a result, the image signal from the image sensor will accurately correspond to the document image.
Examples of image processing devices usable with the multi-function peripheral device of the present invention include a computer such as a personal computer, a work station, or other computers.
The plurality of functions including the scanner function can also include a printer function, a personal computer facsimile function, a copy function, and a facsimile function, although these are only possible examples. The personal computer facsimile function enables the multi-function peripheral device to modulate image data from an information processing device and transmit the modulated image data over a transmission line, such as a telephone line. The personal computer facsimile function also enables the multi-function peripheral device to demodulate image data inputted over the transmission line and to supply the demodulated image data to the information processing device.
Tasks using the scanner function include a variety of tasks that use the scanner as a resource, such as: a scanner task using the scanner function; a copy task using the copy function; and a facsimile task using the facsimile transmission function.
The simultaneous operation determination unit and the retrieval speed control unit can be realized by operating the CPU based on a predetermined program.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the speed at which the scanner function retrieves the document is changed by changing the cycle of the clock signal for outputting charges from each of the light receiving elements of the image sensor configuring the scanner funct
Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
McGinn & Gibb PLLC
Rogers Scott
Tran Douglas
LandOfFree
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