Patent Publication Number: US-2009237698-A1

Title: Image processing device and initiating method therefor

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an initiating method, and more particularly to an initiating method for an image processing device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Image processing devices such as multifunction peripherals, copy machines, printers, fax machines or scanners are widely used for processing (e.g. copying, scanning, faxing or printing) various documents. 
     Generally, an image processing device comprises a controller, a flash memory, a display unit, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), an input unit, and several circuit modules, circuit units or integrated chips (functional chips) with diverse functions. By specified function programs such as copying programs, scanning programs, faxing programs and printing programs, the image processing device can execute associated functions (e.g. copying, scanning, faxing or printing functions). 
     Nowadays, the image processing device usually has expanded function in order for complying with diversified purposes. As a consequence, the flash memory should have increased memory capacity for storing desired function programs therein. The typical memory capacity of the flash memory is in a power series relation, e.g. 1M, 2M, 4M, 8M, 16M, 32M, 64M, 128M, 256M bytes. In a case that the memory capacity for storing desired function programs is 17M bytes, the flash memory with memory capacity of 16 M fails to be used but the flash memory with memory capacity of 32 M is usually selected. Since the 32 M-sized flash memory is much more costly than the 16 M-sized flash memory, the selection of the 32 M-sized flash memory adds extra cost. 
     Furthermore, when function programs are executed, the prompt messages associated with the function programs will be shown on the display unit of the image processing device. For example, in a case that the user intends to use the image processing device to generate two copies of the document, the image processing device will execute the copying programs and then a prompt message “Please input the number of copies” will be shown on the display unit. After the copying function is executed, a prompt message “The copying function has been implemented” will be shown on the display unit. For selling the image processing device to all countries or regions over the world, the prompt messages should be shown in various languages. For complying with the prompt messages in various languages, corresponding function programs should be refreshed and modified. As known, it is very complicated and difficult to refresh and modify the function programs. 
     Furthermore, all programs have been previously stored in the storage unit of the conventional image processing device. When the conventional image processing device is powered on, all programs stored in the storage unit will be loaded into a random-access memory. Via the input unit, selective instructions can be inputted to execute corresponding function programs. Since the memory capacity of the random-access memory should be greater than or equal to that of the flash memory, the cost of the image processing device is increased. Moreover, since the procedure of loading of programs into the random-access memory is very time-consuming, the time period of initiating the image processing device is extended. 
     There is a need of providing an initiating method for an image processing device to obviate the drawbacks encountered from the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an initiating method for an image processing device. By the initiating method, the memory capacity required for the storage unit and the memory unit can be reduced, so that the image processing device is more cost-effective and the programmer can refresh or modify the contents of the prompt messages or the function programs without difficulty. 
     Another object of the present invention provides an initiating method for an image processing device so as to shorten the time period of booting the image processing device. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an initiating method for an image processing device. The image processing device includes a memory unit, a storage unit for storing multiple compressed programs therein, and a controller connected to the storage unit and the memory unit. The initiating method includes steps of: (a) selectively reading out at least one compressed program and loading the at least one compressed program into the memory unit; (b) executing a decompression program to decompress the at least one compressed program; and (c) executing the at least one compressed program which has been decompressed. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing device. The image processing device comprises a memory unit; a storage unit for storing multiple compressed programs therein; and a controller connected to the storage unit and the memory unit for performing an initiating procedure comprising steps of: (a) selectively reading out at least one compressed program and loading the at least one compressed program into the memory unit; (b) executing a decompression program to decompress the at least one compressed program; and (c) executing the at least one compressed program which has been decompressed. 
     The above contents of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic architecture illustrating an image processing device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic architecture illustrating an image processing device according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic functional block diagram illustrating layout configurations of various function programs, message files and parameter data; and 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating an initiating method for the image processing device of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention will now be described more specifically with reference to the following embodiments. It is to be noted that the following descriptions of preferred embodiments of this invention are presented herein for purpose of illustration and description only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a schematic architecture of an image processing device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the image processing device  1  is for example a multifunction peripheral and principally comprises an image processor  10 , a memory unit  11 , a scanning unit  12 , a faxing unit  13 , a controller  14 , an input unit  15 , a display unit  16 , a printing unit  17  and a storage unit  18 . 
     The image processor  10  is connected to the scanning unit  12 , the faxing unit  13 , the controller  14  and the printing unit  17  for processing image data. The scanning unit  12  is connected to the image processor  10  and the controller  14 . The scanning unit  12  has an image scan region (not shown) for capturing the image of the document. The faxing unit  13  is also connected to the image processor  10  and the controller  14 . The images processed by the image processor  10  are sent to the faxing unit  13  and then transmitted to the receiving terminal via PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) or Internet. Alternatively, the faxing unit  13  can receive image data from other image processing devices. The controller  14  is connected to the image processor  10 , the memory unit  11 , the scanning unit  12 , the faxing unit  13 , the input unit  15 , the display unit  16 , the printing unit  17  and the storage unit  18  for controlling operations of the image processing device  1 . In some embodiments, the image processor  10  and the controller  14  can be integrated into a single controlling and processing unit such as a system on chip (SOC). The input unit  15  and the display unit  16  are connected to the controller  14 . The user can input instructions and select desired functions via the input unit  15  and messages associated with operations of the image processing device  1  can be shown on the display unit  16 . In some embodiments, the input unit  15  and the display unit  16  are integrated into an input and display unit such as a touch panel. The printing unit  17  is connected to the image processor  10  and the controller  14 . Under control of the controller  14 , the images processed by the image processor  10  can be printed out through the printing unit  17 . 
     The storage unit  18  is for example a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM) or other memory with data-storing capability. The storage unit  18  is connected to the controller  14  for storing function programs, message files and parameter data. The function programs includes for example boot programs, copying programs, scanning programs, faxing programs, printing programs, network programs and the like. The message files include various prompt message files in different languages. The parameter data include boot parameter data and function program parameter data. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a storage medium connection interface  19  is interconnected between the image processing device  1  and the storage unit  18 . Through the storage medium connection interface  19 , the data stored in the storage unit  18  is accessible to the controller  14 . An example of the storage medium connection interface  19  includes but is not limited to an universal serial bus (USB), an I-Link interface (e.g. IEEE 1394) or a secure digital (SD)/memory stick (MS)/multi media card (MMC) all in one carder reader interface. The storage unit  18  can be selectively arranged inside or outside the image processing device  1 . In some embodiments, the image processing device  1  further comprises at least a communication connecting port  20  such as an Ethernet port, a USB port and/or a printer port. The communication connecting port  20  is connected to the controller  14 . Through the communication connecting port  20 , the image processing device  1  can be communicated with other electronic devices linked to the communication connecting port  20 . 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic functional block diagram illustrating layout configurations of various function programs, message files and parameter data. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a boot program  181 , other function programs  182  (e.g. copying programs, scanning programs, faxing programs, printing programs and/or network programs), parameter data  183  (boot parameter data and function program parameter data) and message files  184  (various prompt message files in different languages) are stored in respective regions of the storage unit  18 . The contents of the message files  184  include for example the prompt messages associated with the copying programs, scanning programs, faxing programs or printing programs. These prompt messages are independent of the function programs  182  and can be included in several prompt message files in different languages. For example, the prompt message files may include Traditional Chinese prompt message files, Simplified Chinese prompt message files, English prompt message files, Japanese prompt message files, and so on. The contents of the message files  184  can be shown on the display unit  16  to suggest the user how to accurately operate the image processing device  1 . The contents of the message files  184  can be shown in texts, pictures or animations. In other words, these message files  184  may have extension names of ‘txt’, ‘jpg’ or ‘gif’. Moreover, for each language, the prompt messages can be shown in various fonts. For example, the Traditional Chinese prompt message can be shown in Microsoft Mingliu, Microsoft JhengHei and the like. 
     For saving the memory space of the storage unit  18 , the function programs  182  and the message files  184  can be compressed and then stored in the storage unit  18 . For example, the storage unit  18  can store the boot programs, the parameter data, the compressed copying programs, the compressed Traditional Chinese prompt message files of the copying programs, the compressed Simplified Chinese prompt message files of the copying programs, the compressed English prompt message files of the copying programs, the compressed Japanese prompt message files of the copying programs, and the like. Depending on the functions of the image processing device  1 , various function programs and various compressed message files are selectively stored in the storage unit  18 . 
     Hereinafter, an initiating method for the image processing device of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 4  as well as  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . 
     After the image processing device  1  is powered on (Step S 20 ), the controller  14  may access the storage unit  18  to read out the boot program such that the boot program is loaded into the memory unit  11  (Step S 21 ). Next, the controller  14  may access the storage unit  18  to read out the boot parameter data (Step S 22 ). The boot parameter data are then loaded into the memory unit  11 . For example, the boot parameter data include but are not limited to the operating frequency of the controller  14 , the operating frequency of the memory unit  11  and the bit rate of the faxing unit  13 . Next, the controller  14  executes the boot program with the boot parameter data, thereby initialize the image processing device  1  (Step S 23 ). As for the boot parameter data, the operating frequency of the controller  14  is 100M Hz, the operating frequency of the memory unit  11  is 133M Hz and the bit rate of the faxing unit  13  is 14400 bit/sec. Next, by the controller  14 , the decompression program  185  is read out and loaded into the memory unit  11  (Step S 24 ). Next, by the controller  14 , the function program parameter data is read out and loaded into the memory unit  11  (Step S 25 ). Examples of the function program parameter data include but are not limited to image contrast parameters, file storage data and the like. When the copying program is executed, the contrast of the copied image is adjusted according to the image contrast parameters. The file storage data contain the recording data associated with the compressed function program files and the compressed message files which are stored in the storage unit  18 . According to the file storage data, the controller  14  can accurately read out the compressed function program files and the compressed message files. Next, by the controller  14 , at least one compressed function program is selectively read out and loaded into the memory unit  11  (Step S 26 ). Next, the controller  14  will selectively read out at least one compressed message file corresponding to the selected function program (Step S 27 ). Next, the decompression program  185  is executed to selectively decompress the compressed function program files and the compressed message files in the memory unit  11  (Step S 28 ). Afterwards, the function programs are selectively executed to implement selected image processing functions (e.g. copying, scanning, faxing or printing) according to the function program parameter data (Step S 29 ). 
     In the above flowchart, the steps S 21 -S 23  involve the steps of executing the boot program of the image processing device  1 . The steps S 24 -S 29  involve the steps of executing the function programs of the image processing device  1 . In some embodiments, the decompression program is necessary because the function program files and the message files are stored in the storage unit  18  in compressed forms. Alternatively, the decompression program can be included in the boot program and thus the step S 24  can be dispensed with. 
     In some embodiments, in the steps S 26  and S 28 , the controller  14  can load all compressed function program files into the memory unit  11  and decompress the compressed function program files. Alternatively, in the steps S 26  and S 28 , the controller  14  can load some of the compressed function program files into the memory unit  11  and decompress such compressed function program files. In some embodiments, in the steps S 27  and S 28 , the controller  14  can load all compressed message files associated with the read function programs into the memory unit It and decompress such compressed message files. Alternatively, in the steps S 27  and S 28 , the controller  14  can load at least one compressed message file associated with the read function programs into the memory unit It and decompress the at least one compressed message file. 
     In some embodiments, the function programs are executed after the user inputs selective instruction through the input unit  16  of the image processing device  1 . For example, in response to a specified selective instruction associated with the copying function, the controller  14  will execute the copying program. Under this circumstance, the step S 29  may further include a sub-step of receiving and discriminating selective instructions by the controller  14 , and then selectively executing function programs in response to the selective instructions. The selective instructions can be inputted via the input unit  15 . Alternatively, the selective instructions can be generated and transmitted from the faxing unit  13  or the communication connecting port  20 . For example, for receiving a facsimile document, the faxing unit  13  will generate a selective instruction associated with receipt of the facsimile document. In response to such selective instruction, the image processing device  1  will execute the function of receiving the facsimile document. Moreover, for printing a document, the communication connecting port  20  should be linked to a computer such that a selective instruction associated with printing of the document will be transmitted from the computer to the image processing device  1  through the communication connecting port  20 . In response to such selective instruction, the image processing device  1  will execute the function of printing the facsimile document. 
     From the above description, since the prompt messages conventionally included in the function programs are separated as at least one independent message file and the function programs and the message file are compressed, the storage unit of the image processing device of the present invention may have reduced memory capacity so as to achieve the purpose of cost-effectiveness. Moreover, by selectively loading the compressed function program files and the compressed message files into the memory unit and then decompressing these compressed files, the memory unit can have small-sized memory capacity. As previously described, the conventional initiating method should load all function programs into the memory unit when the image processing device is booted. On the contrary, since the boot program, requisite parameter data, selected function programs and requisite message files are loaded into the memory unit and decompressed, the loading time period is reduced. In other words, the initiating method of the present invention is more time-saving in comparison with the prior art method. Moreover, the programmer can refresh or modify the contents of the prompt messages or the function programs without difficulty by using the method of the present invention. 
     While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.