Abstract:
To provide an image processor and an image processing method having enhanced speed of external output to a printer and the like, and a storage medium storing a control program therefor. A time Te(n, k) when each image output unit requires image data k is predicted, and a time Tn(k) when an image data controller stores the same image k in a HD on a temporary base and stores it again in a RAM completely is calculated, and if at least one of all the Te(n, k) are earlier than the Tn(k), then the image is outputted to each image output unit from the RAM, thereby enabling enhancement of the speed of the FCOT without use of the expensive RAM and HD.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to an image processor, an image processing method and a storage medium storing image processing processes.  
           [0003]    For further description, the present invention relates to an image processor, an image processing method and a storage medium storing a control program thereof, which are applicable to, for example, a combined copying machine having a high-speed image memory (RAM) and a bulk image memory (Hard disk device: hereinafter referred to as HD).  
           [0004]    2. Related Background Art  
           [0005]    As generally known, image processors such as combined copying machines must process image data that are read at high speed from scanners and the like. Thus, input image data are stored in a RAM that can be accessed quickly, thereby keeping up with the speed of scanners. Similarly, for out put sides, output image data are stored in the RAM, and image data are supplied therefrom to a printer for keeping up with the print speed of the printer.  
           [0006]    Furthermore, for a plurality of copies of a manuscript, a technique in which using a HD as a bulk image memory, image data read by a scanner is first stored in the RAM, and is transferred to the HD on a temporary base, and the image data required for the printer is transferred from the HD to the RAM, and is outputted to the printer, whereby a required number of copies are created by reading the manuscript only once has been proposed.  
           [0007]    However, the aforesaid technique has a disadvantage that the FCOT (First Copy On Time) considered as being important for the copying machine is prolonged due to the fact that HD cannot be operate at high speed.  
           [0008]    The FCOT cited here means a time interval between the time when a start key of the copying machine is depressed and the time when the first copy is obtained. For example, the RAM that is used for input is made to be same as the output RAM, thereby making it possible to speed up the FCOT for only one copy, but for dealing with a plurality of copies of multiple pages, large-volume RAM is required.  
           [0009]    However, the RAM is very expensive compared to the HD having the same capacity, and is not practically suitable for commercial production. In a different way, if everything is dealt with using a high-speed HD (such as RAID), there is a disadvantage that such a HD is also very expensive.  
           [0010]    Furthermore, it can be considered that these conditions will be increasingly strict and the aforesaid problem will be larger in the future, due to the enhanced speed and resolution of the scanner and the printer.  
           [0011]    Furthermore, this problem has been described using the copying machine as an example, but it can be considered that in reality, due to complex operations with a facsimile machine and other networks, one input image is supplied to a plurality of output units.  
           [0012]    Also, the aforesaid problem holds true not only for the copying machine but also for the facsimile machine, a PDL board (printer) and so on. However, as for limitation with respect to time, the copying machine undergoes strictest conditions.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    An object of the present invention is to provide an image processor solving the aforesaid problem.  
           [0014]    The present invention provides an image processor and an image processing method having further enhanced the speed of external output to a printer and the like, and a storage medium storing a control program therefor.  
           [0015]    Also, another object of the present invention is to provide an image processor and an image processing method that enable the speed of the FCOT to be enhanced as much as possible, and a storage medium storing a control program therefor, using an existing system and also considering complex operations.  
           [0016]    Other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following specification and drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image processor according to the first embodiment;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 shows procedures of controlling input-system normal operations in the first embodiment;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 shows procedures of controlling output system normal operations in the first embodiment;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 shows procedures of controlling RAM sharing operations in the first embodiment;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the image processor according to the second embodiment;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 shows procedures of controlling input-system normal operations in the second embodiment;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 shows procedures of controlling output system normal operations in the second embodiment;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8 shows procedures of controlling RAM sharing operations in the second embodiment;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the image processor according to the third embodiment;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 10 shows procedures of controlling input-system normal operations in the third embodiment;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 11 shows procedures of controlling output system normal operations in the third embodiment;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 12 shows procedures of controlling RAM sharing operations in the third embodiment;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the image processor according to the fourth embodiment;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 14 shows procedures of controlling input-system normal operations in the fourth embodiment;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 15 shows procedures of controlling output system normal operations in the fourth embodiment;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 16 shows procedures of controlling RAM sharing operations in the fourth embodiment; and  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 17 is a diagram for illustrating data transfer control in this embodiment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0034]    Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.  
         [0035]    [First Embodiment] 
         [0036]    The first embodiment described herein is a image processing device having a RAM in which image data is stored, an HD in which image data is stored, an image input unit in which image data is formed and stored in the RAM, a plurality of image output units to read the image data from the RAM to print on output paper, and an image data controller to store the image data stored in the HD in the RAM according to an output direction of the image output unit, wherein each image output unit n predicts a time Te(n, k) for which the image data k is required, the image data controller calculates the time Tn(k) for which the same image k is once stored in the HD and complete to store in the RAM again and if at least 1 of all the Te(n, k) faster than Tn(k), outputs the image from the RAM of the image input unit to the image output unit to make possible a high speed FCOT without use of an expensive RAM and HD.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 1 shows a total configuration of the image processing device as an application of the present invention.  
         [0038]    In FIG. 1, reference numeral  2  denotes the image input unit to supply the image data,  4  denotes the image data controller,  6  denotes a program memory in which a controlling program to control the above described image data controller  4  is stored,  8  denotes the RAM to read and write the image data in the high speed,  10  denotes a hard disk (hereafter, HD) to store a large quantity of the image data,  12  denotes a first image output unit,  14  denotes a second image output unit, and  16  denotes a third image output unit.  
         [0039]    In the first embodiment described herein, by separation by the image data controller  4 , operations of an image input system and an image output system are carried out almost asynchronously between each other. As mentioned later, these two systems are synchronized in three types. Of information used for synchronization, the one is an estimated image information (hereafter, Estimated Image  103 ) to inform information of input image data, which will be outputted from this to the image output system. Other two kinds are information about counting semaphore (hereafter, Direct Reading  401 ) to inform sharing of the RAM with the output system to the input system and information about direct reading completion (hereafter, Direct Read Completed  402 ) to inform about timing of completion of sharing of RAM.  
         [0040]    In this embodiment, the case where a printer is used for the image output units  12 ,  14 , and  16 , will be described.  
         [0041]    Subsequently, three systems, a normal operation of the input system, a normal operation of the output system, and a RAM sharing operation, will be sequentially described.  
         [0042]    First, the normal operation of the input system will be described with reference to a FIG. 2.  
         [0043]    The image input unit requests a capacity of the image data, which will be prepared since this time, and a position of the HD, in which the data is stored, as storing request information (Storing Req)  101 , to the image data controller. Receiving the Storing Req  101 , the image data controller surveys any sequence of contiguous memory locations, in which the image data requested can be stored, in the RAM (a) or RAM (b).  
         [0044]    If a decision is assumed to be capable of storing in the RAM (a), the image data controller sets an image path A as a source address (specifically, addresses differ according to the image input unit: a fixed address, if it is a scanner and an initial address of the memory which stores an internally developed image, if it is an RIP of a PDL) an image path B (specifically, the initial address of a storing area found in the RAM (a)) as a destination address, and an image size requested, in a DMA controller, not illustrated, as a transfer byte numbers.  
         [0045]    At the point in which preparation is completed for transfer of the image data such as DMA transfer, a storing ready information (Storing Ready)  102  is returned to the image input unit. The image data controller send Storing Ready  102  to the image input unit and simultaneously, informs Estimated Image  103  to all of the first to the third image output units requiring the image. Following receiving Storing Ready  102 , the image input unit starts to transfer the image data.  
         [0046]    When transfer of the image data is completed, the DMA controller generates a data transfer completion interrupt and then, the image input unit received this interrupt informs a storing completion information (Storing Completed)  104  to the image data controller. The image data controller received the Storing Completed  104  starts image transfer from the RAM (a) to the HD. Setting of the image data transfer from the image path A to the image path B is carried out for the DMA controller not illustrated and a PC 1  controller also not illustrated.  
         [0047]    When this transfer is completed, the DMA controller generates a data transfer completion interrupt and then, the image data controller received this interrupt checks a counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401  of this image and destroys the image data reserved in the RAM (a), when anyone has not captured Next, with reference to a FIG. 3, the normal operation of the output system will be described.  
         [0048]    At the point in which the Estimated Image  103  is received from the image data controller, the output operation is started. Where, in order to simplify explanation, the image output unit  1  is mainly mentioned and the image output unit  2  and the image output unit  3  are similar to the image output unit  1 .  
         [0049]    First, print scheduling will be described. The image output unit  1  received the Estimated Image  103  starts to make necessary preparation for outputting its image n and simultaneously, reconstruct a printing schedule. If a new image is in a higher precedence than the other image data in a print queue, this image data is aligned in a initial position of the print queue and thus, all the other image data resultingly executes an image request delaying than time predicted. In the case where being in same precedence as others or in lower precedence than those, the new image data is aligned in a most behind position of the print queue.  
         [0050]    Next, request prediction time calculation of the image data will be described. For a part, which is in a schedule to be outputted prior to the image k and has not yet read out any image data, of the print schedule queue, time Tp(k) for carrying output paper, inter-paper time Td(k) which has to be kept between output papers are calculated to yield image data request prediction time Te(k).  
           Te ( k )=SUM( Tp ( i )+ Td ( i ))  i= 0 to  k −1  
         [0051]    Td(0) is time for carrying from a feeding cassette to a printing position.  
         [0052]    This item is sought for all images in the print queue to send to the image data controller as image data request prediction time information (Estimated Image Read Req Time)  304  (n=1, 2, 3).  
         [0053]    The image data controller stores the Estimated Image Read Req Time  304  (n), which is related to the image data k and returned from respective image output units n (the image output unit  1 , the image output unit  2  and the image output unit  3 ), as Te(n, k), time Tr 1 (k) for storing in the RAM, time Th(k) for storing from the RAM to the HD, and time Tr 2 (k) for storing from the HD to the RAM, for the same image data, are sought to calculate a total Tn thereof.  
           Tn ( k )= Tr   1 ( k )+ Th ( k )+ Tr   2 ( k )  
         [0054]    The Tn(k) expresses time for storing once the input image data to the RAM, storing the data to the HD thereafter to output to the image output unit again through the RAM.  
         [0055]    Next, a comparison processing will be described. The image data controller first seeks the fastest one, Te(k), among Te(n, k). When Te(k) delays than Tn(k), in a status of a RAM sharing operation mentioned later, one of the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401  reserved is released and at the point, when all the counting semaphore is released and completed to be stored in the HD, the RAM is destroyed to move to the normal operation of the output system mentioned later. When it is not in the status of the RAM sharing operation, no job is operated. When Te(k) is faster than Tn(k), the RAM sharing operation is executed.  
         [0056]    At the point in which preparation of a printer for a video inputting is completed, The image output unit  1  requests image reading request information (Image Read Req)  301  to the image data controller. The image data controller received this Image Read Req  301  make a preparation to read out the image from the HD. First, the sequence of contiguous memory locations is searched for storing the image designated by the RAM (a) and the RAM (b). Here, it is assumed that the locations are found from the RAM (b).  
         [0057]    Next, in the DMA controller not illustrated and the PC 1  controller not illustrated, the image data controller makes settings of the initial address of the image data stored in the HD as a source, the initial address of the locations found from the RAM (b) as a destination, and a size of the image data requested as a transfer byte, to start transfer. When transfer is completed and the data transfer completion interrupt is sent from the DMA controller, the image data controller make setting of the DMA from the RAM (b) to the image output unit  1 .  
         [0058]    At the point in which setting of the DMA the controller is completed, the image data controller informs image read ready completion information (Image Read Ready)  302  to the image output unit  1 . The image output unit  1  received this Image Read Ready  302  informs start of image data transfer to the printer. The image output unit  1 , in which data transfer is completed and transfer interrupt from the DMA is received, sends image read completion information (Image Read Completed)  303  to the image data controller. The image data controller received this Image Read Completed  303  releases one of the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401  of the image. (If nothing has been had, no release).  
         [0059]    The image output unit  1  completes the predetermined image output and send image delete request information (Image Delete Req)  306  for the image data unnecessary to the image data controller. The image data controller received this Image Delete Req  306  destroys the image designated in the HD.  
         [0060]    Next, with reference to a FIG. 4, the RAM sharing operation will be described.  
         [0061]    When sharing of the RAM by the input system and the output system is decided for execution, the image data controller first captures one of the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401  to prevent destruction of the image data in the RAM after completion of storing by the input system in the HD.  
         [0062]    Next, when the output system receives the Image Read Completed  303  for this image, as described above, releases one of the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401 . In the input system, at the point of completion of storing in the HD as described above, the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401  is checked and when someone has captured this, waits for Direct Read Completed  402  in the sense of all release of the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401  from the output system to destroy a content of the RAM.  
         [0063]    In assumption, before completion of storing operation from the RAM to the HD, if the Image Read Req  301  is executed to this image thee times, until the Image Read Completed  303  to respective sets of Image Read Req  301  are received, the content of the RAM cannot be destroyed even if storing in the HD has been completed.  
         [0064]    When the RAM is shared, storing in the HD is parallel executed.  
         [0065]    (First Modification of the First Embodiment)  
         [0066]    Other example of processing differing from the above described comparative processing steps will be described.  
         [0067]    Step 1: first, any one of Te(n, k) is extracted as Te(k).  
         [0068]    Step 2: when Te(k) is faster than Tn(k), comparison is finished to go to the step 4.  
         [0069]    Step 3: when Te(k) delays than Tn(k), if there is any one, not been compared, of Te(n, k), this is designated to Te(k) to go to the step 2. If all Te(n, k) has been compared, comparison is finished to go to the step 4.  
         [0070]    Step 4: when Te(k) delays than Tn(k), sharing operation of the RAM is not necessary. In a status of the RAM sharing operation mentioned later, one of the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401  reserved is released and at the point, when all the counting semaphore is released and completed to be stored in the HD, the RAM is destroyed to execute the normal operation of the output system mentioned later. When it is not in the status of the RAM sharing operation, no job is operated. When Te(k) is faster than Tn(k), the RAM sharing operation is executed.  
         [0071]    (Second Modification of the First Embodiment)  
         [0072]    In addition, other example of comparative processing steps will be described.  
         [0073]    The image data controller compares respective Te(n, k) with Tn(k) to store respective results r(k) as R(n, k).  
         [0074]    If there is no result that none of Tn(k) delays than Te(n, k) in R(n, K), in a status of the RAM sharing operation mentioned later, one of the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401  reserved is released and at the point, when all the counting semaphore is released and completed to be stored in the HD, the content of the RAM is destroyed to execute the normal operation of the output system mentioned later. When it is not in the status of the RAM sharing operation, no job is operated.  
         [0075]    If there is the result that Tn(k) delays than Te(n, k) in R(n, k), the RAM sharing operation is executed.  
         [0076]    (Effect of the First Embodiment)  
         [0077]    In this embodiment, in the image processing device having the RAM in which image data is stored, an HD in which image data is stored, an image input unit in which image data is formed and stored in the RAM, image output unit to read the image data from the RAM to print on output paper, and an image data controller to store the image data stored in the HD in the RAM according to an output direction of the image output unit, wherein each image output unit n predicts the time Te(n, k) for which the image data k is required, the image data controller calculates the time Tn(k) for which the same image k is once stored in the HD and complete to store in the RAM again and if at least 1 of all the Te(n, k) faster than Tn(k), outputs the image from the RAM of the image input unit to the image output unit to make possible the high speed FCOT without use of an expensive RAM and HD.  
         [0078]    [Second Embodiment] 
         [0079]    The second embodiment described below is the image processing device having the RAM in which image data is stored, the HD in which image data is stored, the image input unit in which image data is formed and stored in the RAM, the image output unit to read the image data from the RAM to print on output paper, and the image data controller to store the image data stored in the RAM in the HD and, according to the output direction of the image output unit, the image data stored in the HD in the RAM, wherein the image processing device has prediction means to predict time (nonrequest term) until the image output unit requests the image data, starts to store the image data and then seeks the nonrequest term Iv of the image, compares the nonrequest term Iv with time Tn for which the same image is once stored in the HD and completes to store it in the RAM again, and outputs the image from the RAM of the image input unit, when the RAM storing completed time Tn delays than the nonrequest term Iv, to the image output unit to make possible the high speed FCOT without use of the expensive RAM and HD.  
         [0080]    [0080]FIG. 5 shows the image processing device according to the second embodiment. This second embodiment has, as a rule, the same configuration as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, however, there is a difference in having a non-image request term prediction unit  42  together with the image output unit  40 . Consequently, the image data controller  24 , in order to executes a control steps described later in detail in FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, executes an operation according to an input system program and an output system program stored in a program memory  26 .  
         [0081]    First, with reference to FIG. 6, the input system normal operation will be described. For reference, various kinds of information communicated between the image data controller, the image input unit, and image output unit already described and hence, a signal name (English name) in the drawings will be referred for description.  
         [0082]    The image input unit requests the capacity of the image data to be prepared and the position of the HD, in which the image data is finally stored, as a Storing Req  101  toward the image data controller. The image data controller received this Storing Req  101  searches the sequence of contiguous memory locations capable of storing of the image data requested by the RAM (a) or RAM (b).  
         [0083]    Now, if a decision is assumed to be capable of storing in the RAM (a), then, the image data controller sets the image path A as the source address (specifically, addresses differ according to the image input unit: the fixed address, if it is the scanner and the initial address of the memory which stores the internally developed image, if it is the RIP of the PDL), the image path B (specifically, the initial address of the storing area found in the RAM (a)) as the destination address, and the image size requested, in a DMA controller, not illustrated, as the transfer byte numbers.  
         [0084]    At the point in which preparation is completed for transfer of the image data such as DMA transfer, Storing Ready  102  is returned to the image input unit. The image data controller send Storing Ready  102  to the image input unit and simultaneously, informs Estimated Image  103  to the image output unit and an image nonrequest term prediction unit. Following receiving Storing Ready  102 , the image input unit starts to transfer the image data.  
         [0085]    When transfer of the image data is completed, the DMA controller generates the data transfer completion interrupt and then, the image input unit received this interrupt informs Storing Completed  104  to the image data controller. The image data controller received the Storing Completed  104  starts image transfer from the RAM (a) to the HD. Setting of the image data transfer from the image path A to the image path B is carried out for the DMA controller not illustrated and the PC 1  controller also not illustrated.  
         [0086]    When this transfer is completed, the DMA controller generates the data transfer completion interrupt and then, the image data controller received this interrupt checks the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401  of this image and destroys the image data reserved in the RAM (a), when anyone has not captured it.  
         [0087]    Next, with reference to a FIG. 7, the normal operation of the output system will be described.  
         [0088]    At the point in which the Estimated Image  103  is received from the image data controller, the output operation is started.  
         [0089]    The image output unit and an image nonrequest term prediction unit received Estimated Image  103  starts preparation necessary for image output thereof and then, in the print schedule queue, to output before the image n, for respective data which have not read, seeks time Tp(k) for carrying the output paper and the inter-paper time Td(k) to take after previous output paper, and seeks the image data request prediction term Iv(n) to return this value as Image Read Req Interval  1304  to the image data controller.  
           Iv ( n )=SUM( Tp ( i )+ Td ( i ))  i= 0 to  n −1  
         [0090]    Td(0) is time for carrying from the feeding cassette to the printing position.  
         [0091]    The image data controller stores the Image Read Req Interval  1304  returned as Tdirect(n), seeks storing time Tr 1 (n) of the image data n in the RAM, storing time Th(n) in the RAM, and storing time Tr 2 (n) from the HD to the RAM, and calculates the total Tnormal thereof.  
           Tnormal ( n )= Tr   1 ( n )+ Th ( n )+ Tr   2 ( n )  
         [0092]    The image data controller does nothing when Tdirect(n) is shorter than Tnormal(n).  
         [0093]    At the point in which video input preparation of the printer is completed, the image output unit requests Image Read Req  301  to the image data controller. The image data controller received Image Read Req  301  prepares reading the image from the HD.  
         [0094]    First, the sequence of contiguous memory locations capable of storing of a specified image data is searched in the RAM (a) or the RAM (b). It is assumed that the locations is found from the RAM (b). The image data controller make, in the DMA controller not illustrated and the PC 1  controller not illustrated, setting of the initial address of the image data stored in the HD as the source, the initial address of the area found in the RAM (b) as the destination, and the size of the image data requested as the transfer byte number to start transfer. When transfer is completed and the data transfer completed interrupt is sent from the DMA controller, the image data controller make setting of the DMA from the RAM (b) to the image output unit.  
         [0095]    At the point in which setting of the DMA the controller is completed, the image data controller informs Image Read Ready  302  to the image output unit. The image output unit received this Image Read Ready  302  informs start of image data transfer to the printer. The image output unit, in which data transfer is completed and transfer interrupt from the DMA is received, sends Image Read Completed  303  to the image data controller. The image data controller received this Image Read Completed  303  releases one of the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401  of the image. (If nothing has been had, no release). The image output unit completes the predetermined image output and sends Image Delete Req  306  for the image data unnecessary to the image data controller. The image data controller received this Image Delete Req  306  destroys the image data specified in the HD.  
         [0096]    Next, with reference to a FIG. 8, the RAM sharing operation will be described.  
         [0097]    The image data controller executes sharing of the RAM with the output system, when Tdirect(n) is longer than Tnormal(n). The image data controller first captures one of the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401  of this image to prevent destruction of the image data in the RAM after completion of storing by the input system in the HD.  
         [0098]    Next, when the output system receives the Image Read Completed  303  for this image, as described above, releases one of the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401 . In the input system, at the point of completion of storing in the HD as described above, the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401  is checked and when someone has captured this, waits for Direct Read Completed  402  in the sense of all release of the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401  from the output system to destroy the content of the RAM.  
         [0099]    In assumption, before completion of storing operation from the RAM to the HD, if the Image Read Req  301  is executed to this image thee times, until the Image Read Completed  303  to respective the sets of Image Read Req  301  are received, the content of the RAM cannot be destroyed even if storing in the HD has been completed.  
         [0100]    When the RAM is shared, storing in the HD is parallel executed.  
         [0101]    (Effect of the Second Embodiment)  
         [0102]    According to this embodiment, the image processing device has the RAM in which image data is stored, the HD in which image data is stored, the image input unit in which image data is formed and stored in the RAM, the image output unit to read the image data from the RAM to print on output paper, and the image data controller to store the image data stored in the RAM in the HD and, according to the output direction of the image output unit, the image data stored in the HD in the RAM, wherein the image processing device has prediction means to predict time (nonrequest term) until the image output unit requests the image data, starts to store the image data and then seeks the nonrequest term Iv of the image, compares the nonrequest term Iv with time Tn for which the same image is once stored in the HD and completes to store it in the RAM again, and outputs the image from the RAM of the image input unit, when the RAM storing completed time Tn delays than the nonrequest term Iv, to the image output unit to make possible the high speed FCOT without use of the expensive RAM and HD.  
         [0103]    [Third Embodiment] 
         [0104]    The third embodiment described below is the image processing device having the RAM in which image data is stored, the HD in which image data is stored, the image input unit in which image data is formed and stored in the RAM, the image output unit to read the image data from the RAM to print on output paper, and the image data controller to store the image data stored in the RAM in the HD and, according to the output direction of the image output unit, the image data stored in the HD in the RAM, wherein the image processing device has prediction means to predict time until the image output unit requests the image data, starts to store the image data and then seeks the predicted time of the image, compares the predicted time with time for which the same image is stored in the HD and completes to store it in the RAM again, and outputs the image from the RAM of the image input unit, when the RAM storing completed time delays than the predicted time, to the image output unit to make possible the high speed FCOT without use of the expensive RAM and HD.  
         [0105]    [0105]FIG. 9 shows the image processing device according to the third embodiment. This third embodiment has, as a rule, the same configuration as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, however, there is a difference in having the non-image request time prediction unit  52  together with the image output unit  50 . Consequently, the image data controller  34 , in order to executes the control steps described later in detail in a FIG. 10 to FIG. 12, executes the operation according to the input system program and the output system program stored in a program memory  36 .  
         [0106]    First, with reference to FIG. 10, the input system normal operation will be described.  
         [0107]    The image input unit requests the capacity of the image data to be prepared and the position of the HD, in which the image data is finally stored, as the Storing Req  101  toward the image data controller. The image data controller received this Storing Req  101  searches the sequence of contiguous memory locations capable of storing of the image data requested by the RAM (a) or RAM (b).  
         [0108]    Now, if a decision is assumed to be capable of storing in the RAM (a), then, the image data controller sets the image path A as the source address (specifically, addresses differ according to the image input unit: the fixed address, if it is the scanner and the initial address of the memory which stores the internally developed image, if it is the RIP of the PDL), the image path B (specifically, the initial address of the storing area found in the RAM (a)) as the destination address, and the image size requested, in the DMA controller, not illustrated, as the transfer byte numbers.  
         [0109]    At the point in which preparation is completed for transfer of the image data such as DMA transfer, Storing Ready  102  is returned to the image input unit. The image data controller sends Storing Ready  102  to the image input unit and simultaneously, informs Estimated Image  103  to the image output unit and the image request time prediction unit. Following receiving Storing Ready  102 , the image input unit starts to transfer the image data.  
         [0110]    When transfer of the image data is completed, the DMA controller generates the data transfer completion interrupt and then, the image input unit received this interrupt informs Storing Completed  104  to the image data controller. The image data controller received the Storing Completed  104  starts image transfer from the RAM (a) to the HD. Setting of the image data transfer from the image path A to the image path B is carried out for the DMA controller not illustrated and the PC 1  controller also not illustrated.  
         [0111]    When this transfer is completed, the DMA controller generates the data transfer completion interrupt and then, the image data controller received this interrupt checks the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401  of this image and destroys the image data reserved in the RAM (a), when anyone has not captured it.  
         [0112]    Next, with reference to a FIG. 11, the normal operation of the output system will be described.  
         [0113]    At the point in which the Estimated Image  103  is received from the image data controller, the output operation is started.  
         [0114]    The image output unit and the image request time prediction unit received Estimated Image  103  starts preparation necessary for image output thereof and then, in the print schedule queue, to output before the image n, for respective data which have not read, seeks the inter-paper time Td(k) to take after previous output paper, and seeks the image data request prediction time Te(n) to return this value as Estimated Image Read Req Time  304  to the image data controller.  
           Te ( n )=SUM( Tp ( i )+ Td ( i ))  i= 0 to  n −1  
         [0115]    Td(0) is time for carrying from the feeding cassette to the printing position.  
         [0116]    The image data controller stores the Estimated Image Read Req Time  304  returned as Tdirect(n), seeks storing time Tr 1 (n) of the image data n in the RAM, storing time Th(n) from the RAM to the HD, and storing time Tr 2 (n) from the HD to the RAM, and calculates the total Tnormal thereof.  
           Tnormal ( n )= Tr   1 ( n )+ Th ( n )+ Tr   2 ( n )  
         [0117]    The image data controller does nothing when Tdirect(n) delays than Tnormal(n).  
         [0118]    At the point in which video input preparation of the printer is completed, the image output unit requests Image Read Req  301  to the image data controller. The image data controller received Image Read Req  301  prepares reading the image from the HD.  
         [0119]    First, the sequence of contiguous memory locations capable of storing of a specified image data is searched in the RAM (a) or the RAM (b). It is assumed that the locations is found from the RAM (b). The image data controller make, in the DMA controller not illustrated and the PC 1  controller not illustrated, setting of the initial address of the image data stored in the HD as the source, the initial address of the area found in the RAM (b) as the destination, and the size of the image data requested as the transfer byte number to start transfer. When transfer is completed and the data transfer completed interrupt is sent from the DMA controller, the image data controller make setting of the DMA from the RAM (b) to the image output unit.  
         [0120]    At the point in which setting of the DMA controller is completed, the image data controller informs Image Read Ready  302  to the image output unit. The image output unit received this Image Read Ready  302  informs start of image data transfer to the printer. The image output unit, in which data transfer is completed and transfer interrupt from the DMA is received, sends Image Read Completed  303  to the image data controller. The image data controller received Image Read Completed  303  releases one of the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401  of the image. (If nothing has been had, no release). The image output unit completes the predetermined image output and sends Image Delete Req  306  for the image data unnecessary to the image data controller. The image data controller received this Image Delete Req  306  destroys the image data specified in the HD.  
         [0121]    Next, with reference to a FIG. 12, the RAM sharing operation will be described.  
         [0122]    The image data controller executes sharing of the RAM with the output system, when Tdirect(n) is faster than Tnormal(n). The image data controller first captures one of the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401  of this image to prevent destruction of the image data in the RAM after completion of storing by the input system in the HD.  
         [0123]    Next, when the output system receives the Image Read Completed  303  for this image, as described above, releases one of the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401 . In the input system, at the point of completion of storing in the HD as described above, the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401  is checked and when someone has captured this, waits for Direct Read Completed  402  in the sense of all release of the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401  from the output system to destroy the content of the RAM.  
         [0124]    In assumption, before completion of storing operation from the RAM to the HD, if the Image Read Req  301  is executed to this image thee times, until the Image Read Completed  303  to respective the sets of Image Read Req  301  are received, the content of the RAM cannot be destroyed even if storing in the HD has been completed.  
         [0125]    The image data controller, in the status of executing sharing of the RAM with the output system, releases one of the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401  reserved to destroy the content of the RAM, when no image request comes after the predicted image request time Tdirect(n) has passed  
         [0126]    When the RAM is shared, storing in the HD is parallel executed.  
         [0127]    (Effect of the Third Embodiment)  
         [0128]    According to the third embodiment, the image processing device has the RAM in which image data is stored, the HD in which image data is stored, the image input unit in which image data is formed and stored in the RAM, the image output unit to read the image data from the RAM to print on output paper, and the image data controller to store the image data stored in the RAM in the HD and, according to the output direction of the image output unit, the image data stored in the HD in the RAM, wherein the image processing device has prediction means to predict time until the image output unit requests the image data, starts to store the image data and then seeks the predicted time of the image, compares the predicted time with time for which the same image is stored in the HD and completes to store it in the RAM again, outputs the image from the RAM of the image input unit, when the RAM storing completed time delays than the predicted time, to the image output unit, and the RAM is released, when the image data is not requested after the predicted time Te has passed, to make possible the high speed FCOT without use of the expensive RAM and HD.  
         [0129]    [Fourth Embodiment] 
         [0130]    The fourth embodiment described below is the image processing device having the RAM in which image data is stored, the HD in which image data is stored, the image input unit in which image data is formed and stored in the RAM, the image output unit to read the image data from the RAM to print on output paper, and the image data controller to store the image data stored in the RAM in the HD and, according to the output direction of the image output unit, the image data stored in the HD in the RAM, wherein on the basis of a scheduler to decide an order to output the image output from image information and scheduling information from the scheduler in completion of the schedule, the image processing device has prediction means to predict time until the image output unit requests each image data, starts to store the image data and simultaneously send image information to the scheduler, executes scheduling, seeks the predicted time Te(n) of each image, compares the predicted time of the image (k), which has been stored in the RAM or will be stored in the RAM, with time Tn(k), for which the same image is once stored in the HD and completes to store it in the RAM again, outputs the image from the RAM of the image input unit, when the RAM storing completed time Tn(k) is later than the predicted time Te(k), to the image output unit, the RAM is destroyed by waiting storing for the image, which has not been stored in the HD, or immediately for the image, of which storing in the HD has been completed, when the predicted time Te(k) is later than the RAM storing completed time Tn(k), to make possible the high speed FCOT without use of the expensive RAM and HD.  
         [0131]    [0131]FIG. 13 shows the image-processing device according to the fourth embodiment. This fourth embodiment has essentially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, however, there is a difference in having the scheduler  60 , the print schedule queue  62  and the image request time prediction unit  64  in addition to the image output unit  18 . Consequently, the image data controller  44 , in order to executes the control steps described later in detail in a FIG. 14 to FIG. 16, executes the operation according to the input system program and the output system program stored in a program memory  46 .  
         [0132]    First, with reference to FIG. 14, the input system normal operation will be described.  
         [0133]    The image input unit requests the capacity of the image data to be prepared and the position of the HD, in which the image data is finally stored, as the Storing Req  101  toward the image data controller. The image data controller having received this Storing Req  101  searches the sequence of contiguous memory locations capable of storing of the image data requested by the RAM (a) or RAM (b).  
         [0134]    Now, if a decision is assumed to be capable of storing in the RAM (a), then, the image data controller sets the image path A as the source address (specifically, addresses differ according to the image input unit: the fixed address, if it is the scanner and the initial address of the memory which stores the internally developed image, if it is the RIP of the PDL), the image path B (specifically, the initial address of the storing area found in the RAM (a)) as the destination address, and the image size requested, in the DMA controller, not illustrated, as the transfer byte numbers.  
         [0135]    At the point in which preparation is completed for transfer of the image data such as DMA transfer, Storing Ready  102  is returned to the image input unit. The image data controller send Storing Ready  102  to the image input unit and simultaneously, informs Estimated Image to the image output unit. Following receiving Storing Ready  102 , the image input unit starts to transfer the image data.  
         [0136]    When transfer of the image data is completed, the DMA controller generates the data transfer completion interrupt and then, the image input unit having received this interrupt, informs Storing Completed  104  to the image data controller. The image data controller having received the Storing Completed  104  starts image transfer from the RAM (a) to the HD. Setting of the image data transfer from the image path A to the image path B is carried out for the DMA controller not illustrated and the PC 1  controller also not illustrated.  
         [0137]    When this transfer is completed, the DMA controller generates the data transfer completion interrupt and then, the image data controller having received this interrupt checks the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401  of this image and destroys the image data reserved in the RAM (a), when anyone has not captured it.  
         [0138]    Next, with reference to a FIG. 15, the normal operation of the output system will be described.  
         [0139]    At the point in which the Estimated Image  103  is received from the image data controller, the output operation is started.  
         [0140]    The image output unit having received Estimated Image  103  starts preparation necessary for image output thereof and simultaneously, transfers such image information as precedence of the order of printing to the scheduler. Then, the scheduler decides the print schedule based on the information to reflect to the print schedule queue.  
         [0141]    The image request time prediction unit, in the print schedule queue, to output before the image n, for respective (k), which has not yet read the image data, seeks the time Tp(k) for carrying the output paper and the inter-paper time Td(k) to be taken after previous output paper, and seeks the image data request prediction time Te(n) to return this value as image data request prediction time list information (Estimated Image Read Req Time List)  2304  to the image data controller.  
           Te ( n )=SUM( Tp ( i )+ Td ( i ))  i= 0 to  n −1  
         [0142]    Td(0) is time for carrying from the feeding cassette to the printing position.  
         [0143]    The image data controller stores the Estimated Image Read Req Time List  2304  returned as Tdirect(n), seeks storing time Tr 1 (j) of the image data j, which has been stored at present or to be stored in the RAM, to be stored in the RAM, storing time Th(j) from the RAM to the HD, and storing time Tr 2 (j) from the HD to the RAM, and calculates the total Tnormal thereof.  
           Tnormal ( j )= Tr   1 ( j )+ Th ( j )+ Tr   2 ( j )  
         [0144]    The image data controller releases, for the image of which Tdirect(j) is later than Tnormal(j), one of the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401  of the image which has been stored in the HD (if no semaphore, no release) to release the RAM. Nothing is done fore the image, of which storing in the HD has not been completed.  
         [0145]    At the point in which video input preparation of the printer is completed, the image output unit requests Image Read Req  301  to the image data controller. The image data controller having received Image Read Req  301  prepares reading the image from the HD.  
         [0146]    First, the sequence of contiguous memory locations capable of storing of a specified image data is searched in the RAM (a) or the RAM (b). It is assumed that the locations is found from the RAM (b). The image data controller make, in the DMA controller not illustrated and the PC 1  controller not illustrated, setting of the initial address of the image data stored in the HD as the source, the initial address of the area found in the RAM (b) as the destination, and the size of the image data requested as the transfer byte number to start transfer. When transfer is completed and the data transfer completed interrupt is sent from the DMA controller, the image data controller make setting of the DMA from the RAM (b) to the image output unit.  
         [0147]    At the point in which setting of the DMA the controller is completed, the image data controller informs Image Read Ready  302  to the image output unit. The image output unit having received this Image Read Ready  302  informs start of image data transfer to the printer. The image output unit, in which data transfer is completed and transfer interrupt from the DMA is received, sends Image Read Completed  303  to the image data controller. The image data controller having received Image Read Completed  303  releases one of the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401  of the image. (If nothing has been had, no release). The image output unit completes the predetermined image output and sends Image Delete Req  306  for the image data unnecessary to the image data controller. The image data controller having received this Image Delete Req  306  destroys the image data specified in the HD.  
         [0148]    Next, with reference to a FIG. 16, the RAM sharing operation will be described.  
         [0149]    The image data controller executes sharing of the RAM with the output system for the image in which Tdirect(j) is faster than Tnormal(j). For the image of which storing in the HD has been completed, nothing is done. For the image, of which storing in the HD has not been completed, the image data controller first captures one of the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401  of this image to prevent destruction of the image data in the RAM after completion of storing by the input system in the HD.  
         [0150]    Next, when the output system receives the Image Read Completed  303  for this image, as described above, releases one of the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401 . In the input system, at the point of completion of storing in the HD as described above, the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401  is checked and when someone has captured this, waits Direct Read Completed  402  in the sense of all release of the counting semaphore  401  from the output system to destroy the content of the RAM.  
         [0151]    In assumption, before completion of storing operation from the RAM to the HD, if the Image Read Req  301  is executed to this image thee times, until the Image Read Completed  303  to respective the sets of Image Read Req  301  are received, the content of the RAM cannot be destroyed even if storing in the HD has been completed.  
         [0152]    The image data controller, in the status of executing sharing of the RAM with the output system, releases one of the counting semaphore (Direct Reading)  401  reserved to destroy the content of the RAM, when no image request comes after the predicted image request time Tdirect(j) has passed  
         [0153]    When the RAM is shared, storing in the HD is parallel executed.  
         [0154]    (Effect of the Fourth Embodiment)  
         [0155]    According to this embodiment, the image processing device has the RAM in which image data is stored, the HD in which image data is stored, the image input unit in which image data is formed and stored in the RAM, the image output unit to read the image data from the RAM to print on output paper, and the image data controller to store the image data stored in the RAM in the HD and, according to the output direction of the image output unit, the image data stored in the HD in the RAM, wherein on the basis of a scheduler to decide an order to output the image output from image information and scheduling information from the scheduler in completion of the schedule, the image processing device has prediction means to predict time until the image output unit requests each image data, starts to store the image data and simultaneously send image information to the scheduler, executes scheduling, seeks the predicted time Te(n) of each image, compares the predicted time of the image (k), which has been stored in the RAM or will be stored in the RAM, with time Tn(k), for which the same image is once stored in the HD and completes to store it in the RAM again, outputs the image from the RAM of the image input unit, when the RAM storing completed time Tn(k) is later than the predicted time Te(k), to the image output unit, the RAM is destroyed by waiting storing for the image, which has not been stored in the HD, or immediately for the image, of which storing in the HD has been completed, when the predicted time Te(k) is later than the RAM storing completed time Tn(k), to make possible the high speed FCOT without use of the expensive RAM and HD.  
         [0156]    On the basis of the above described embodiments  1  to  4 , with reference to a FIG. 17, data transfer control including the RAM sharing operation in this embodiment will be described using one example.  
         [0157]    Herewith, cases of processing of JOB  1  composed of  3  pages followed by JOB  2  also composed of  3  pages will be described.  
         [0158]    The image data inputted in the image input unit  2  is exemplified by the image data of a copy mode, the image data of a print mode, and the image data of a facsimile receiving mode. In addition, in this example, the image output destination  173  is assigned to the image-forming unit installed in an own device.  
         [0159]    In the image input unit  2 , the image data is adapted to input sequentially from an initial page. The image data controller  4  decides a data transfer path through which the image data P 1  of the JOB 1  stored in the input RAM  174  is transferred from the image input unit  2  to the image output destination  173  on the basis of the situation of the image output destination  173 .  
         [0160]    For example, for the image output destination  173 , at the current point, when the image data P 1  of the JOB 1  is transferred to the image output destination  173 , in the case where in the image output destination  173  side decides the status is not suitable for immediate processing of the image data P 1  (for example, the case where in the image output destination  173 , there is already a preceding job and currently in print waiting by printing operation of the job or, for example, cases of error status, toner end, paper out, memory full), the data transfer path is selected to store the image data P 1  of the JOB 1  from the input RAM  174  to the hard disk  10  through a compression unit  171  to store in the hard disk  10 .  
         [0161]    In this case, the image data P 1  is destroyed from the RAM  174  without being held in the input RAM  174 , and the RAM  174  is released for a following page (in this case, P 2  of the JOB 1 ) to make it possible to store the following page in the input RAM  174 . According to these steps, FCOT and also a productivity of whole JOB can be improved.  
         [0162]    According to the fact that processing becomes possible in the image output destination  173  side (for example, all preceding JOBs are processed), the image data P 1  stored in the hard disk  10  is transferred to the image output destination  173  through the transfer path (route B) of the sequence comprising the hard disk  10 , a decompression unit  172 , the output RAM  175 , and the image output destination  173 . During these steps, the following pages such as P 2  and P 3  of the JOB 1  are sequentially transferred from the input RAM  174  to the HD  10  to store the HD. In other words, processing is executed parallel. By this, the productivity of all JOBs is further increased.  
         [0163]    On the other hand, at the point in which the image data P 1  of the JOB 1  is stored from the image input unit  2  in the input RAM  174 , in the case where the image output destination  173  side decides that the status is suitable for immediate processing of the image data P 1  (for example, the case where in the image output destination  173 , there is no any preceding job and in idling status or, the case where even if there is the job already preceded, precedence of the JOB 1  is high), the data transfer path including a route B of the sequence comprising the input RAM  174 , the compression unit  171 , the hard disk  10 , a decompression unit  172 , the output RAM  175 , and the image output destination  173  is not selected, but the data transfer path (route A) of the sequence comprising the input RAM  174  and the image output destination  173  is selected. In other words, the image data P 1  of the JOB 1  is directly transferred from the input RAM  174  to the image output destination  173 .  
         [0164]    Even during these steps, following pages such as P 2  and P 3  of the image data of the JOB 1  are transferred sequentially from the input RAM  174  to the hard disk  10  to execute parallel processing for storing in the HD.  
         [0165]    However, at the point in which the P 2  of the JOB 1  is stored from the image input unit  2  to the input RAM  174 , processing of the image data P 1  has been completed in the image output destination  173  side and immediately, in the case where decision is made as it is the status capable of processing of the image data P 2 , the P 2  of the JOB 1  is transferred directly to the image output destination  173  through the route A.  
         [0166]    As described above, decision is made for each page whether the route A should be selected or the transfer path including the Route B should be selected. In other words, even the initial page of the JOB does not always select the route A. In addition, even an intermediate page during the JOB does not always select the data transfer path including the route B. According to the situation of the image output destination  173 , decision is made for each page whether the route A should be selected or the transfer path including the Route B should be selected.  
         [0167]    For reference, concerning the intermediate page (not the initial page) during the JOB, regardless of an operation mode of the above described image output destination  173  side, controlling may be conducted to select always the data transfer path including the Route B.  
         [0168]    As similar to the above described processing, for the JOB 2  following the JOB 1 , the data transfer path is decided for each page.  
         [0169]    In this example, the image output destination  173  was described as the image forming unit installed inside the own device. Regardless of this example, when the image output destination  173  is other remote-controlled image forming apparatus such as other printers, copiers, and facsimile apparatus, controlling is similarly carried out. As other external apparatus, a host computer, and a filing apparatus to execute storing and searching processing of the image data can be applied. By the way, controlling is adapted to be carried out as follows: the image data, which has been stored in the RAM and should be transferred to the image output destination  173 , can be immediately processed in the image output destination  173  side and then, is transferred directly from the RAM to the image output destination  173  to be impossible immediate processing in the image output destination  173  and then, transferred to the image output destination  173  through the hard disk  10 .  
         [0170]    A method to decide properness of the status for processing of the image data P 1  immediately in the image output destination  173  side may be decision by performing processing using the image data request prediction time and the like such as the above described embodiments 1 to 4 or may be decision based on knowing the status (status information) of the image output destination  173  side. When the status (status information) of the image output destination  173  side is known by the image data controller  10 , decision is made, for example, on the basis of information (information such as print, print waiting, JOB precedence, idling status, error status, paper out, toner end, memory full, and the like) expressing the status of the image output destination from the image output destination  173 . For reference, in this step, a configuration may be that status request information is sent from the image data controller  10  and then status is captured from the image output destination  173  side. In addition, the configuration may be that when the image output destination  173  has completed preparation of receiving the image data, information showing this status is sent from the image output destination  173  side to make receiving the information by the image data controller  10  possible, and finally according to the status in which the information has been received or not, makes decision as described above.  
         [0171]    Needless to say, the present invention is achieved by the fact that a memory medium, in which a program code of software to realize a function of respective embodiments as described above is stored, is supplied to a system or an apparatus and then a computer (or, CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus reads out the program code, stored in the memory medium, to execute.  
         [0172]    In this case, the program code itself read from the memory medium realizes a new function of the present invention and therefore, the memory medium, in which the program code has been stored, configures the present invention.  
         [0173]    As the memory medium to provide the program code, for example, a diskette, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, and ROM can be used.  
         [0174]    By executing the program code read by the computer, the function of embodiments as described above is realized. In addition, on the basis of specification of the program code, an OS and the like operated on the computer executes a part or all of a real processing and, also by the processing, the function of embodiments as described above can be realized.  
         [0175]    Furthermore, after the program code read out by the memory medium is written in the memory mounted on a function-extending board installed in the computer and a function-extending unit connected to the computer, on the basis of specification of the program code, the function-extending board and the CPU mounted on the function-extending unit execute a part or all of a real processing, and the function of embodiments as described above can be realized by the processing.  
         [0176]    Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to the case where the program is distributed from the memory medium, in which the program code of the software to realize the function of embodiments as described above has been recorded, to a requester through a communication line such as PC communication.  
         [0177]    As described above, according to the present invention, the image processing apparatus, in which a speed of an external output such as the printer has been made higher, an image processing method, and the memory medium, in which a control program therefor is stored, can be realized.  
         [0178]    Also according to the present invention, by using the current system and by considering a complicated operation, the image processing apparatus, in which a speed of the FOT has been made as high as possible, the image processing method, and the memory medium, in which the control program therefor is stored, can be realized.