Abstract: The image processing apparatus comprises an image data control section and a system controller. The image data control section is connected to any one or more of a sensor board unit, an image-memory access control section, an image processor, a video data control section, and a facsimile control unit. The system controller switches, when the image data to be transmitted to the image data control section conflicts with one another, a transmission mode of the image data in conflict with one another. Further, the image-memory access control section and the image processor share jobs of performing image processing on the image data.

Abstract: In an image-processing apparatus, a digital image signal is stored in a memory, and a memory access control part entirely manages all accesses to the memory with respect to the digital image signal. An image processing part converts the digital image signal stored in the memory into an output image signal to be supplied to an imaging unit outputting a visible image based on the output image signal so that a pixel density of the output image signal is higher than a pixel density of the digital image signal read from the memory and an amount of the output image signal is less than an amount of the digital image signal stored in the memory. Accordingly, the central controlled memory is shared by a plurality of functions so as to effectively use the memory, and a high-quality image can be produced by carrying out a density conversion so as to match the pixel density.

Abstract: The image processing apparatus comprises an image data control section and a system controller. The image data control section is connected to any one or more of a sensor board unit, an image-memory access control section, an image processor, a video data control section, and a facsimile control unit. The system controller switches, when the image data to be transmitted to the image data control section conflicts with one another, a transmission mode of the image data in conflict with one another. Further, the image-memory access control section and the image processor share jobs of performing image processing on the image data.

Abstract: A programmable image processor capable of realizing a plurality of image formation operations is comprised of an SIMD type data operation processing section, RAMs, memory controllers, and memory switches. The memory controller and the memory switches selectively connect the plurality of RAMs to the data operation processing section thereby changing the memory capacity allotted to each image formation operation among a plurality of image formation operations.

Abstract: An image-processing device includes an image-reading unit that reads image data from a document optically, an image-recording unit that records the image data read onto recording paper, a first-density-correction unit that corrects first density characteristics that depend on the image-reading unit, a second-density-correction unit that corrects second characteristics to reproduce density of the document, a third-density-correction unit that corrects third density characteristics that depend on the image-recording unit, and a control unit that independently controls each of the first, second and third density-correction units to execute density correction. The image-processing device can record a high-quality image by adjusting the above described density characteristics by controlling each of the first, second and third density-correction units independently.

Abstract: A method of controlling an energy saving mode in an image forming apparatus having hardware resources used in an image forming process and programs for performing the image forming process includes a step of letting the image forming apparatus enter into an energy saving mode in a standby state in which the image forming apparatus is not used, and a step of recovering at least part of functions of the image forming apparatus in response to setting of a data carrier in the image forming apparatus, said data carrier being in a possession of an operator.

Abstract: A method of setting functions in an image forming apparatus having hardware resources used in an image forming process and programs for performing the image forming process includes a step of reading an information content of a data carrier that is in a possession of an operator, and a step of setting a function of the image forming apparatus in response to the read information content.

Abstract: The image processing apparatus comprises an input I/F memory which reads pixels having a predetermined length, subjects the read pixels to buffering, and writes them in a SIMD type processor. The SIMD type processor performs batch processing of the pixels. Further, an output I/F memory reads the pixels batch-processed by the SIMD type processor, subjects the read pixels to buffering and writes them in a predetermined output destination. Read and/or write timing of IN—FIFO and OUT—FIFO is appropriately controlled.

Abstract: In the image processing apparatus, an image data control unit is connected to at least one of an image reading unit, an image memory control unit, an image processing unit, and an image writing unit. The image data control unit receives any one of an image data read by the image reading unit, image data read by the image memory control unit, and image data processed by the image processing unit. The image data control unit transmits the received image data to any of the image memory control unit, the image processing unit, and the image writing unit.

Abstract: A programmable image processor capable of realizing a plurality of image formation operations is comprised of an SIMD type data operation processing section, RAMs, memory controllers, and memory switches. The memory controller and the memory switches selectively connect the plurality of RAMs to the data operation processing section thereby changing the memory capacity allotted to each image formation operation among a plurality of image formation operations.

Abstract: An image-processing device includes an image-reading unit that reads image data from a document optically, an image-recording unit that records the image data read onto recording paper, a first-density-correction unit that corrects first density characteristics that depend on the image-reading unit, a second-density-correction unit that corrects second characteristics to reproduce density of the document, a third-density-correction unit that corrects third density characteristics that depend on the image-recording unit, and a control unit that independently controls each of the first, second and third density-correction units to execute density correction. The image-processing device can record a high-quality image by adjusting the above described density characteristics by controlling each of the first, second and third density-correction units independently.

Abstract: In the image processing apparatus, an image data control unit is connected to at least one of an image reading unit, an image memory control unit, an image processing unit, and an image writing unit. The image data control unit receives any one of an image data read by the image reading unit, image data read by the image memory control unit, and image data processed by the image processing unit. The image data control unit transmits the received image data to any of the image memory control unit, the image processing unit, and the image writing unit.

Abstract: An image processor has a controller unit connected to at least one of functional units such as an image reading unit, detects a source of input of image data according to a network I/F or a parallel bus I/F. An image-memory access control section transmits the image data input from each of the functional units to a memory group and also transmits the image data stored in the memory group to the functional unit. A system controller controls the overall apparatus and also controls the image-memory access control section according to the input source of the image data to determine an order of transmitting the image data to the memory group.

Abstract: An image processor has a controller unit connected to at least one of functional units such as an image reading unit, detects a source of input of image data according to a network I/F or a parallel bus I/F. An image-memory access control section transmits the image data input from each of the functional units to a memory group and also transmits the image data stored in the memory group to the functional unit. A system controller controls the overall apparatus and also controls the image-memory access control section according to the input source of the image data to determine an order of transmitting the image data to the memory group.

Abstract: An image processor has a transfer control section that transfers a sequence of image processing and data for image processing to be added or updated from a host buffer to program RAM and data RAM. The host buffer receives the sequence of image processing and data for image processing to be added or updated transferred from a process controller, and temporarily stores the sequence and the data during idle cycle time that a processor array section does not execute image processing. The transfer control section provides controls for transfer so that the sequence of image processing and data for image processing to be added or updated are split into blocks for a plurality of transfer times, and the blocks are transferred from the host buffer to the program RAM and the data RAM.

Abstract: In the image processing apparatus a matrix selector selects a position matrix for determining the gradation direction. The gradation direction is the direction of a contrast of a gradation at a position of a target pixel and a dispersion matrix for determining a spatial frequency at the position of the target pixel. Further, a pixel interpolator divides the target pixel into still smaller pixels. A table selector selects a conversion table for determining a gradation level of the smaller pixels based on the gradation level of the target pixel, the position matrix and the dispersion matrix.

Abstract: The image processing device comprises a first function block section formed of functional blocks which require a supply of power so as to maintain the image processing device in an operating state when the power supply is on, and a second function block section formed of functional blocks which need not be supplied with the power so as to maintain the image processing device in an operating state even when the power supply is on. The supply of power to the second function block section can be stopped when desired, while continuing the supply of power to the first function block section, thereby saving the power.

Abstract: An image reproduction apparatus having a basic function at low cost, and additional functions as an option. The image reproduction apparatus is configured to detect invalid pixels, remove a black streak, and detect a blank document page. The image reproduction apparatus includes a base engine/image data controller that includes a process controller, a RAM used as a work area, a ROM in which operation commands are stored, a video controller that processes image data and controls the flow of image data, and an I/O controller that monitors and controls I/Os of various devices, such as drivers or sensors, wherein those parts are connected via a CPU bus. The image reproduction apparatus can be extended into the form of a digital multifunction device by connecting a controller board to the base engine/image data controller via a parallel bus.

Abstract: The image processing device comprises a first function block section formed of functional blocks which require a supply of power so as to maintain the image processing device in an operating state when the power supply is on, and a second function block section formed of functional blocks which need not be supplied with the power so as to maintain the image processing device in an operating state even when the power supply is on. The supply of power to the second function block section can be stopped when desired, while continuing the supply of power to the first function block section, thereby saving the power.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image reading device configured to read an image of an original document, an image forming device configured to form an image on a sheet in accordance with image data read by the image reading device and an operation unit connecting device configured to detachably connect an operation unit. The operation unit is configured to accept inputting of operational instructions operating the image forming apparatus. Also included is a process controller configured to control the image forming apparatus to operate, and an expansion unit connecting device configured to connect an additionally attachable expansion unit, and in which the expansion unit includes an expansion operation control device configured to allocates the image reading device or image forming device to a job. Further, the process controller controls the operation unit to operate and receives control command from the expansion control device to perform image formation.