JP2002300407A - Image processor, image processing method, image processing program and computer-readable recording medium recorded with the program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance transfer efficiency of image data and to increase storage capacity by selecting a compression system, conforming to the content of image data and meeting the fidelity, required by an operator. SOLUTION: The image processor comprises a section 1901 for inputting image data, a section 1902 for inputting a compression control signal by a compression system selecting operation, a section 1903 for generating a histogram of gray levels of inputted image data, a section 1904 for selecting a compressing system corresponding to gray levels obtained from the histogram thus generated, a plurality of compressors 1906-1908 for compressing the image data by different compression systems, a selector 1913 for making a switch to output the image data of a compressor 1906-1908, selected at the compression algorithm selecting section 1904, and a section 1914 for outputting the image data, while converting into a specified format.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to image processing for digital image data, and more particularly, to image processing for digital image data in a digital multifunction peripheral having functions of a copier, a facsimile, a printer, a scanner and the like. In particular, the present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program for simultaneously processing and outputting a plurality of input images, and a computer-readable recording medium storing the program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, digital copiers for processing digital image data from analog copiers have appeared, and digital copiers have not only functions as copiers, but also have the functions of copiers. There are digital multifunction peripherals that combine functions such as facsimile functions, printer functions, and scanner functions.

FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral according to the prior art. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the digital multifunction peripheral is formed by a series of components including a reading unit 2701, an image processing unit 2702, a video control unit 2703, and a writing unit 2704, as well as a memory control unit 2705 and a memory module 2706. A part constituting the copying machine (copier part) and a motherboard 2711
Via the facsimile control unit 271
2. By connecting units such as a printer control unit 2713 and a scanner control unit 2714, each function as a digital multifunction peripheral has been realized.

Accordingly, the components of the copying machine that realizes the function as a copying machine include a reading unit 2701, an image processing unit 2702, a video control unit 2703, and a writing unit 2704. While a series of operations of each component is controlled, each unit such as the facsimile control unit 2712, the printer control unit 2713, and the scanner control unit 2714 uses a part of the established series of operations in the copying machine. By doing so, the function of each unit was realized.

In other words, the facsimile control unit 2712 and the printer control unit 27
13. By adding on the scanner control unit 2714, the function of the digital multifunction peripheral was realized. This is because the above-mentioned series of components are ASIC (App)
ligation Specific Integra
This is due to the background of emphasizing the processing speed (improving the processing speed) by using hardware such as a ted circuit.

In recent years, DSP (Digital S)
The processing capability of image signals and the like, which has been performed using the conventional ASIC in the fields of digital copiers, fax machines, printers, and multifunction peripherals of these devices, has been greatly improved due to the dramatic improvement in the arithmetic processing capability of digital processors.
SP, especially SIMD (Single Instruction)
ion MultiDataStream) type DSP
An arithmetic processing means realized by using the above has been devised. In addition, image processing that can be calculated from the density information of the current processing pixel and its surrounding pixels, such as quantization processing, γ processing, and filter processing, is executed using a SIMD type DSP, and other image processing, such as error diffusion processing, is performed. As described above, the image processing in which the previous processing result is reflected on the current processing result may be performed by a sequential processor or a dedicated hardware configuration. (Tokuhei 7-122866
JP-A-9-282305, etc.).

[0007]

However, in the digital multifunction peripheral constituted by the ASIC in the prior art, since the copier portion is established as one system as described above, the facsimile control unit 2712 and the printer With respect to the units connected to the copying machine, such as the control unit 2713 and the scanner control unit 2714, the system must be constructed independently of the copying machine in order to realize each function. was there.

Therefore, when a predetermined compression process is performed on image data, the process is performed in a predetermined unit, and the procedure and data flow of the predetermined compression process are fixed. Therefore, the amount of image data transferred between the units increases due to the compression processing, and the memory capacity of the storage unit used for the image data processing and storage cannot be reduced, and the processing efficiency of the image data decreases. There was a point.

If the compression method of the apparatus is fixed, the image quality of the image data after performing the compression processing and decompressing may not match the fidelity required by the operator. If only a plurality of image data compression methods are prepared to solve this problem, it is not clear which compression method is appropriate to select, and the same problem occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and is capable of switching a compression method suitable for the contents of image data, so that a compression method suitable for the fidelity required by an operator can be achieved. An image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program capable of easily selecting a method, improving transfer efficiency of image data, and increasing storage capacity, thereby performing high-efficiency image processing. And a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded.

[0011]

Means for Solving the Problems The above-mentioned problems are solved,
In order to achieve the object, an image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention provides an input / output control unit that controls input / output of image data, and performs predetermined image processing on the input image data and outputs the image data. Image processing means; compression processing means for performing predetermined data compression on the image data input via the input / output control means; and decompression means for decompressing and decompressing the image data compressed by the compression means. In the image processing apparatus, the compression processing means creates a histogram of the number of tones included in the image data and obtains the number of tones of the image data, and a histogram of the image data obtained by the histogram creating means. Compression means for performing data compression based on an appropriate compression algorithm among a plurality of compression algorithms provided in advance corresponding to the tones. To.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, by creating a histogram of the number of tones of the input image data, data compression based on a compression algorithm suitable for the number of tones can be appropriately performed. Thereby, even if the number of gradations of the image data is unknown, optimal compression can be easily performed at all times without being conscious, and the transfer efficiency of the image data can be improved and the storage capacity can be increased. . Further, compression suitable for the required fidelity can be performed, and the image quality of the decompressed image data can be reproduced as required.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the compressing means includes a plurality of image data gradation levels corresponding to the plurality of compression algorithms. Multi-value compression means for performing data compression based on a compression algorithm adapted to a multi-valued n value (n ≧ 2), and data compression based on a compression algorithm adapted to a binary number of image data gradations A binary compression means is provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to select a binary or multi-value compression algorithm based on the created histogram, and to compress the image data with higher fidelity.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the multi-value compression means compresses the image data by a high-definition low-compression compression algorithm. And first compression means for compressing the image data with a low-definition high-compression compression algorithm. High-definition, low-compression, low-definition Operating means for preparing and selecting high compression in advance, and switching means for switching and selecting the first or second compression means or non-compression processing in accordance with the selection operation of the operation means. I do.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the compression of multi-valued image data can be selected from high-definition, low-compression, low-definition, high-compression, and non-compression by the operation of the operator. Compression that is more suitable for requirements and fidelity can be performed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the compression processing means includes an image processing device for processing the image data obtained based on the histogram. When the number of gradations is binary, data compression based on a corresponding binary compression algorithm is preferentially performed.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the number of gradations is 2 based on the number of gradations obtained from the created histogram.
In the case of a value, binary-specific compression can be prioritized, so that appropriate binary image compression can be automatically performed by inputting image data without any operation input, thereby increasing the efficiency of the compression process. Can be achieved.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the compression processing means includes: A packing unit for packing the image data with the number of bits of the image data at the time of input and the number of bits suitable for the number of gradations based on the number of gradations of the image data obtained by the histogram creation. .

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, even when the image data is not compressed, any number of gradations can be adapted to the number of bits of the input data based on the number of gradations obtained by creating the histogram. The image data can be packed so as to have the determined number of bits, only necessary image information corresponding to the number of gradations can be output, and the transfer efficiency and the efficiency of image processing can be improved.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the input / output control means outputs the compressed image data. Sometimes, a notification signal relating to the compressed / uncompressed state, the number of gradations, and the output format is output to the outside together with the image data.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since information relating to the image data after the compression processing can be output, it is possible to appropriately perform various processings on the image data after the compression processing.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the binary compression means, the first compression means, and the second compression means are hardware. Image data input from the input / output control means are input in parallel, and data compression is performed in parallel based on each compression algorithm. Key,
And selecting and outputting image data after data compression from any one of the binary compression means, the first compression means, and the second compression means based on the selection operation of the operation means. Features.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, by performing hardware operations in parallel, it is possible to perform compression suitable for the actual number of gradations even if the image data has an unknown number of gradations. Will be able to

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the binary compression means, the first compression means, the second compression means, and the image Each system for non-compression of data is provided with a data storage means for temporarily storing image data after compression processing and enabling simultaneous output of any of the image data from each compression means. I do.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to absorb a delay difference in compression processing time based on a difference between compression algorithms, and to output image data output from any compression means at the same time. This makes it possible to smoothly perform image data output processing.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing method for performing predetermined data compression on image data, subjecting the image data to image processing, and outputting the image data. Creating a histogram of the number of tones and obtaining the number of tones of the image data; and performing appropriate compression among a plurality of compression algorithms provided in advance corresponding to the number of tones of the image data obtained based on the creation of the histogram. Performing data compression based on an algorithm.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in order to obtain a number of gradations by creating a histogram of the number of gradations of the input image data, a compression algorithm suitable for the number of gradations of the image data is obtained. Based data compression can be appropriately performed. Thus, even if the number of gradations of the image data is unknown, optimal compression can always be easily performed without being conscious, and the transfer efficiency of the image data can be improved and the storage capacity can be increased. Further, compression suitable for the required fidelity can be performed, and the image quality of the decompressed image data can be reproduced as required.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to the ninth aspect, the plurality of compression algorithms are arranged so that the number of gradations of the image data is n (n ≧ 2). Includes a multi-value compression step of performing data compression based on a compression algorithm adapted to multi-values, and a binary compression step of performing data compression based on a compression algorithm adapted to binary levels of image data. It is characterized by that.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to select a binary or multi-value compression algorithm based on the created histogram, and to compress the image data with higher fidelity.

In the image processing method according to the present invention, the image data is compressed by a high-definition low-compression compression algorithm in the multi-value compression step. Or compression of the image data with a low-definition, high-compression compression algorithm can be selected.
A step of switching a corresponding high-definition, low-compression, low-definition, high-compression or non-compression process based on a selection operation of a low-definition, high-compression selection item.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the operator selects a high-definition, low-compression, low-definition, or high-compression selection item to correspondingly increase the compression of multi-valued image data. Since appropriate compression is performed from among low-definition compression, low-definition high-compression, and non-compression, it is possible to perform compression that is more suitable for the requirements and fidelity of the operator.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to the tenth aspect, when the number of gradations of the image data obtained based on the histogram is binary, the binary The compression process is performed with priority.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, when the number of gradations is binary according to the number of gradations obtained from the created histogram, binary-only compression is preferentially performed, so that operation input is performed. Even without this, it is possible to automatically perform appropriate compression of a binary image by inputting image data, and it is possible to improve the efficiency of the compression process and facilitate the operation.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to any one of the ninth to twelfth aspects, when the image data is not compressed, the histogram is obtained. The method further includes a step of packing the image data with a bit number that matches the bit number of the image data at the time of input based on the gradation number of the image data.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, even when the image data is not compressed, any number of gradations can be adapted to the number of bits of the input data based on the number of gradations obtained by histogram creation. The image data can be packed so as to have the determined number of bits, only necessary image information corresponding to the number of gradations can be output, and the transfer efficiency and the efficiency of image processing can be improved.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to any one of the ninth to thirteenth aspects, when the image data after the compression processing of the image data is output, the image data is output. And a step of externally outputting a notification signal regarding the compressed / uncompressed state, the number of gradations, and the output format.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, since information relating to image data after compression processing can be output,
Various processes can be appropriately performed on the compressed image data.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to the eleventh aspect, data compression is performed based on a compression algorithm that differs according to the number of gradations of the image data and the definition or compression ratio. And the simultaneous and parallel processing, and among the compressed image data subjected to the simultaneous and parallel processing, based on the number of gradations obtained by the histogram creation and the selection operation, any one of the simultaneous and parallel processing And a step of selectively outputting the compressed data.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the compression processing is performed in parallel by each of the compression algorithms, so that even the image data in which the number of gradations is unknown is adapted to the actual number of gradations. Compression can be performed. In addition, compression processing and histogram creation can be performed simultaneously and in parallel, and image data compressed by a compression algorithm suitable for the number of gradations obtained by histogram creation can be immediately selected and output.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image processing method according to the fifteenth aspect, wherein a difference in delay of a compression processing time based on a difference between compression algorithms when performing the compression processing by the simultaneous and parallel processing. And a step of enabling each image data to be output simultaneously.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to absorb a delay difference in compression processing time based on a difference between compression algorithms, and to output image data output from any compression means at the same time. This makes it possible to smoothly perform image data output processing.

An image processing program according to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention is an image processing program for performing predetermined data compression on image data, subjecting the image data to image processing, and outputting the image data. Creating a histogram of the number of tones and obtaining the number of tones of the image data; and performing appropriate compression among a plurality of compression algorithms provided in advance corresponding to the number of tones of the image data obtained based on the creation of the histogram. Performing data compression based on an algorithm.

According to the seventeenth aspect of the invention, in order to obtain the number of gradations by creating a histogram of the number of gradations of the input image data, a compression algorithm suitable for the number of gradations of the image data is obtained. Based data compression can be appropriately performed. Thus, even if the number of gradations of the image data is unknown, optimal compression can always be easily performed without being conscious, and the transfer efficiency of the image data can be improved and the storage capacity can be increased. Further, compression suitable for the required fidelity can be performed, and the image quality of the decompressed image data can be reproduced as required.

In the image processing program according to the present invention, the plurality of compression algorithms may be arranged so that the number of gradations of the image data is n (n ≧ 2). Includes a multi-value compression step of performing data compression based on a compression algorithm adapted to multi-values, and a binary compression step of performing data compression based on a compression algorithm adapted to binary levels of image data. It is characterized by that.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to select a binary or multi-value compression algorithm based on the created histogram, and to compress the image data with higher fidelity.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing program according to the eighteenth aspect, at the time of the multi-value compression step, image data is compressed by a high-definition low-compression compression algorithm. Or
It is possible to select whether to compress the image data with a compression algorithm of low definition and high compression, and based on the selection operation of the selection items of high definition, low compression, low definition and high compression related to compression,
Switching a corresponding high definition low compression, low definition high compression, or non-compression processing.

According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, the operator can increase the compression of the multi-valued image data correspondingly by selecting from the selection items of high definition, low compression, low definition, and high compression. Since appropriate compression is performed from among low-definition compression, low-definition high-compression, and non-compression, it is possible to perform compression that is more suitable for the requirements and fidelity of the operator.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing program according to the eighteenth aspect, when the number of gradations of the image data obtained based on the histogram is binary, the binary The compression process is performed with priority.

According to the twentieth aspect, when the number of gradations is binary according to the number of gradations obtained from the created histogram, the binary-only compression is preferentially performed. Even without this, it is possible to automatically perform appropriate compression of a binary image by inputting image data, and it is possible to improve the efficiency of the compression process and facilitate the operation.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the image processing program according to any one of the seventeenth to twentieth aspects, when the image data is not compressed, the image processing program is obtained by creating the histogram. The method further includes a step of packing the image data with a bit number that matches the bit number of the image data at the time of input based on the gradation number of the image data.

According to the twenty-first aspect of the present invention, even when the image data is not compressed, any number of gradations can be adapted to the number of bits of the input data based on the number of gradations obtained by creating the histogram. The image data can be packed so as to have the determined number of bits, only necessary image information corresponding to the number of gradations can be output, and the transfer efficiency and the efficiency of image processing can be improved.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image processing program according to any one of the seventeenth to twenty-first aspects, wherein the image data is output when the image data after the compression processing of the image data is output. And a step of externally outputting a notification signal regarding the compressed / uncompressed state, the number of gradations, and the output format.

According to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention, since information on image data after compression processing can be output,
Various processes can be appropriately performed on the compressed image data.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image processing program according to the nineteenth aspect, wherein the data compression is based on a compression algorithm that differs according to the number of gradations of the image data and the definition or compression ratio. And the simultaneous and parallel processing, and among the compressed image data subjected to the simultaneous and parallel processing, based on the number of gradations obtained by the histogram creation and the selection operation, any one of the simultaneous and parallel processing And a step of selectively outputting the compressed data.

According to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention, the compression processing is performed in parallel by each compression algorithm, so that even if the image data has an unknown number of gradations, the image data is adapted to the actual number of gradations. Compression can be performed. In addition, compression processing and histogram creation can be performed simultaneously and in parallel, and image data compressed by a compression algorithm suitable for the number of gradations obtained by histogram creation can be immediately selected and output.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing program according to the twenty-third aspect, wherein a difference in a delay in a compression processing time based on a difference in each compression algorithm when performing the compression processing by the simultaneous and parallel processing. Absorbs
The method includes a step of enabling each image data to be output simultaneously.

According to the twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to absorb a delay difference in compression processing time based on a difference between compression algorithms, and to output image data output from any compression means at the same time. This makes it possible to smoothly perform image data output processing.

A computer-readable recording medium according to the invention of claim 25 is the computer-readable recording medium of claim 17.
Characterized in that the program described in any one of (1) to (24) is recorded.

In the storage medium according to the twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, the program for executing the computer according to the seventeenth to twenty-fourth aspects is recorded, so that the program can be machine-readable. 1
Operations 7 to 24 can be realized by a computer.

[0061]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of an image processing apparatus, an image processing method and an image processing program according to the present invention and a computer-readable recording medium storing the program will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Will be described in detail.

First, the principle of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram functionally showing the configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus has a configuration including the following five units.

The above-mentioned five units are an image data control unit 100, an image reading unit 101 for reading image data, and an image memory control unit 102 for controlling an image memory for storing images and writing / reading image data. And an image processing unit 103 that performs image processing such as processing and editing on the image data, and an image writing unit 104 that writes the image data on transfer paper or the like.

Each of the above-mentioned units includes an image data control unit 100, an image reading unit 101, an image memory control unit 102, and an image processing unit 103.
And the image writing unit 104 are connected to the image data control unit 100, respectively.

(Image Data Control Unit 100) The processing performed by the image data control unit 100 is as follows. For example,

(1) Data compression processing (primary compression) for improving data bus transfer efficiency, (2) transfer processing of primary compressed data to image data, (3) image synthesis processing (images from a plurality of units) It is possible to combine data, including combining on the data bus.),
(4) Image shift processing (shifting of the image in the main scanning and sub-scanning directions), (5) Image area expansion processing (the image area can be enlarged by an arbitrary amount to the periphery), (6) Image scaling processing ( For example, 50% or 200% fixed magnification),
(7) parallel bus interface processing, (8) serial bus interface processing (interface with a process controller 211 described later),
(9) Format conversion processing between parallel data and serial data, (10) interface processing with the image reading unit 101, (11) interface processing with the image processing unit 103, and the like.

(Image Reading Unit 101) The processing performed by the image reading unit 101 is as follows. For example,

(1) Reading processing of reflected light of an original by an optical system, (2) CCD (Charge Coupled)
Device: charge-coupled device), (3) digitization by A / D converter, (4)
A shading correction process (a process for correcting illuminance distribution unevenness of a light source); and (5) a scanner γ correction process (a process for correcting a density characteristic of a reading system).

(Image memory control unit 102) The processing performed by the image memory control unit 102 is as follows. For example,

(1) Interface control processing with the system controller, (2) parallel bus control processing (interface control processing with the parallel bus),
(3) Network control processing, (4) Serial bus control processing (control processing of a plurality of external serial ports), (5)
Internal bus interface control processing (command control processing with the operation unit), (6) local bus control processing (ROM, RAM for activating the system controller,
Font data access control processing), (7) memory module operation control processing (memory module read / write control processing, etc.), and (8) memory module access control processing (memory from multiple units). Access request arbitration processing), (9) data compression / expansion processing (processing to reduce the amount of data for effective memory utilization), (10) image editing processing (memory area data clearing, image data Rotation processing, image synthesis processing on a memory, etc.).

(Image processing unit 103) The processing performed by the image processing unit 103 is as follows. For example,

(1) Shading correction processing (processing for correcting unevenness of the illuminance distribution of the light source), (2) scanner γ correction processing (processing for correcting density characteristics of a reading system), (3)
MTF correction processing, (4) smoothing processing, (5) arbitrary scaling processing in the main scanning direction, (6) density conversion (γ conversion processing: corresponding to density notch), (7) simple multi-value processing, (8) Simple binarization processing, (9) error diffusion processing, (10) dither processing, (1
1) dot arrangement phase control processing (rightward dot, leftward dot), (12) isolated point removal processing, (13) image area separation processing (color determination, attribute determination, adaptive processing), (14) density conversion processing, etc. is there.

(Image Writing Unit 104) The processing performed by the image writing unit 104 includes the following. For example,

(1) edge smoothing processing (jaggy correction processing), (2) correction processing for dot rearrangement, (3) pulse control processing of image signals, (4) format conversion processing of parallel data and serial data, And so on.

(Hardware Configuration of Digital MFP)
Next, a hardware configuration when the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment forms a digital multifunction peripheral will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

In the block diagram of FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a reading unit 201, a sensor board unit 202, and an image data control unit 2.
03, an image processor 204, a video data control unit 205, and an imaging unit (engine) 206. The image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a process controller 211, a RAM 212, and a ROM 213 via a serial bus 210.

The image processing apparatus according to this embodiment includes an image memory access control unit 221 and a facsimile control unit 224 via a parallel bus 220, and further includes an image memory access control unit 221.
Module 222, a system controller 231, a RAM 232, and a ROM 2
33 and an operation panel 234.

Here, the relationship between each of the above components and each of the units 100 to 104 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. That is, the reading unit 201 and the sensor board
The function of the image reading unit 101 shown in FIG. 1 is realized by the unit 202. Similarly, the function of the image data control unit 100 is realized by the image data control unit 203. Similarly, the image processor 204
Realizes the function of the image processing unit 103.

Similarly, the video data control unit 205
The image writing unit 104 is realized by the image forming unit (engine) 206. Similarly, the image memory access control unit 221 and the memory module 2
The image memory control unit 102 is realized by 22.

Next, the contents of each component will be described. The reading unit 201 that optically reads a document includes a lamp, a mirror, and a lens, and condenses the reflected light of the lamp irradiation on the document to a light receiving element by the mirror and the lens.

A light receiving element, for example, a CCD is
The image data that is mounted on the board unit 202 and converted into an electric signal by the CCD is converted into a digital signal and then output (transmitted) from the sensor board unit 202.

The image data output (transmitted) from the sensor board unit 202 is transmitted to the image data control unit 203.
Is input (received). Functional device (processing unit)
The transmission of image data between the data buses is entirely controlled by the image data control unit 203.

The image data control unit 203 transfers data between the sensor board unit 202, the parallel bus 220, and the image processing processor 204, and processes the image data with the process controller 21 for the image data.
1 and a system controller 231 that controls the entire image processing apparatus. RAM2
Reference numeral 12 is used as a work area of the process controller 211, and the ROM 213 stores a boot program and the like of the process controller 211.

The image data output (transmitted) from the sensor board unit 202 is transmitted to the image data control unit 203.
(Transmit) to the image processor 204 via
Then, the signal deterioration due to the quantization into the optical system and the digital signal (referred to as the signal deterioration of the scanner system) is corrected and output (transmitted) to the image data control unit 203 again.

The image memory access control unit 221 comprises:
It controls writing / reading of image data to / from the memory module 222. In addition, it controls the operation of each component connected to the parallel bus 220. Also, the RAM 23
2 is used as a work area of the system controller 231, and the ROM 233 stores a boot program and the like of the system controller 231.

The operation panel 234 inputs a process to be performed by the image processing apparatus. For example, the type of process (copying, facsimile transmission, image reading, printing, etc.), the number of processes, and the like are input. Thereby, the input of the image data control information can be performed. Further, by operating the operation panel 234, any one of a plurality of compression modes (including non-compression) determined in advance when compressing image data can be selected. On the operation panel 234, a switch for selecting a compression mode such as "high definition (low compression)", "low definition (high compression)", "binary", "non-compression", etc. is provided, and any one of them can be operated and designated. It is.

Next, a job to be stored in the memory module 222 and reused for the read image data,
There are jobs that are not stored in the memory module 222, and each case will be described. As an example of storing in the memory module 222, when copying a plurality of sheets of one document, the reading unit 201 is operated only once, and the image data read by the reading unit 201 is stored in the memory module 222. There is a method of reading stored image data a plurality of times.

As an example in which the memory module 222 is not used, when only one document is copied, the read image data may be reproduced as it is, so that the memory module 222 by the image memory access control unit 221 is used. You do not need to access to.

First, when the memory module 222 is not used, the data transferred from the image processor 204 to the image data controller 203 is returned from the image data controller 203 to the image processor 204 again. The image processor 204 performs image quality processing for converting luminance data by the CCD in the sensor board unit 202 into area gradation.

The image data after the image quality processing is transferred from the image processing processor 204 to the video data control unit 205. The post-processing relating to the dot arrangement and the pulse control for reproducing the dots are performed on the signal changed to the area gradation, and then the reproduced image is formed on the transfer paper in the image forming unit 206.

Next, a description will be given of the flow of image data when additional processing such as rotation in the image direction and synthesis of images are performed at the time of reading out an image stored in the memory module 222. The image data transferred from the image processor 204 to the image data control unit 203 is sent from the image data control unit 203 to the image memory access control unit 221 via the parallel bus 220.

Here, the system controller 23
1, control of access to image data and the memory module 222, expansion of print data of the external PC (personal computer) 223, and compression / expansion of image data for effective use of the memory module 222. .

The image data sent to the image memory access control unit 221 is stored in the memory module 222 after data compression, and is stored in the memory module 222 after data compression. The read image data is read as needed. The read image data is decompressed, restored to the original image data, and returned from the image memory access control unit 221 to the image data control unit 203 via the parallel bus 220.

After the image data is transferred from the image data control unit 203 to the image processor 204, image quality processing and video / video processing are performed.
The data control unit 205 performs pulse control, and the image forming unit 206 forms a reproduced image on transfer paper.

In the flow of image data, the functions of the digital multifunction peripheral are realized by the bus control by the parallel bus 220 and the image data control unit 203. The facsimile transmission function performs image processing on the read image data by the image processor 204, and executes the image data control unit 2.
03 and the facsimile control unit 224 via the parallel bus 220. The facsimile control unit 224 performs data conversion to a communication network, and transmits the data to a public line (PN) 225 as facsimile data.

On the other hand, the received facsimile data is
Line data from the public line (PN) 225 is converted into image data by the facsimile control unit 224 and transferred to the image processor 204 via the parallel bus 220 and the image data control unit 203. In this case, no special image quality processing is performed, the dot rearrangement and the pulse control are performed in the video data control unit 205, and the reproduced image is formed on the transfer paper in the image forming unit 206.

In a situation where a plurality of jobs, for example, a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and a printer output function operate in parallel, allocation of the right to use the reading unit 201, the imaging unit 206, and the parallel bus 220 to the job is performed by the system controller. 231 and the process controller 211.

The process controller 211 controls the flow of image data, and the system controller 231
Controls the entire system and manages the activation of each resource. In addition, the function selection of the digital multi-function peripheral is selectively inputted on the operation panel (operation unit) 234, and the processing contents such as the copy function and the facsimile function are set.

The system controller 231 and the process controller 211 communicate with each other via the parallel bus 220, the image data control unit 203, and the serial bus 210. Specifically, communication between the system controller 231 and the process controller 211 is performed by performing data format conversion for the data interface between the parallel bus 220 and the serial bus 210 in the image data control unit 203.

(Image Processing Unit 103 / Image Processing Processor 204) Next, an outline of processing in the image processing processor 204 constituting the image processing unit 103 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of processing of the image processor 204 of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

In the block diagram of FIG. 3, the image processing processor 204 includes a first input I / F 301, a scanner image processing unit 302, a first output I / F 303, and a second output I / F 303.
An input I / F 304, an image quality processing unit 305, and a second output I / F
/ F306.

In the above configuration, the read image data is sent to the first processor of the image processor 204 via the sensor board unit 202 and the image data controller 203.
The data is transmitted from the input interface (I / F) 301 to the scanner image processing unit 302.

The scanner image processing unit 302 has the purpose of correcting the deterioration of the read image data, and specifically includes shading correction, scanner γ correction, MTF
Make corrections, etc. Although not a correction process, a scaling process for enlargement / reduction can also be performed. When the correction processing of the read image data is completed, the image data is transferred to the image data control unit 203 via the first output interface (I / F) 303.

When outputting to transfer paper, the image data from the image data control unit 203 is received from the second input I / F 304, and the image quality processing unit 305 performs area gradation processing. The image data after the image quality processing is output to the video data control unit 205 or the image data control unit 203 via the second output I / F 306.

The area gradation processing in the image quality processing unit 305 includes density conversion processing, dither processing, error diffusion processing, and the like. The main processing is area approximation of gradation information. Once the image data processed by the scanner image processing unit 302 is stored in the memory module 222, various reproduced images can be confirmed by changing the image quality processing by the image quality processing unit 305.

For example, by changing (changing) the density of the reproduced image or changing the number of lines of the dither matrix, the atmosphere of the reproduced image can be easily changed. At this time, it is not necessary to read the image again from the reading unit 201 every time the processing is changed, and by reading the stored image data from the memory module 222, the same image data can be read.
Different processes can be quickly performed many times.

When the system is composed of a single scanner, the scanner image processing and the gradation processing are executed together and output to the image data control unit 203. The processing content can be changed programmably. Switching of processing, change of processing procedure, and the like are managed by the command control unit 307 via the serial I / F 308.

Next, the internal configuration of the image processor 204 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an outline of an internal configuration of the image processor 204 of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the block diagram of FIG. 4, the image processor 204 has a plurality of input / output ports 401 for data input / output with the outside, and can set data input and output arbitrarily, respectively.

A bus switch / local memory group 402 is internally provided so as to be connected to the input / output port 401.
The memory control unit 403 controls a memory area to be used and a data bus path. The input data and the data for output are assigned to the bus switch / local memory group 402 as buffer memories, stored in each of them, and control the I / F with the outside.

Bus switch / local memory group 4
The processor array unit 404 performs various processes on the image data stored in the image data 02 and stores the output result (processed image data) in the bus switch / local memory group 402 again. The processing procedure and parameters for processing in the processor array unit 404 are stored in the program RAM 405 and the data RAM
An exchange is performed with the 406.

Program RAM 405, Data RAM 4
06 is transmitted from the process controller 211 to the host buffer 407 through the serial I / F 408.
Downloaded to The serial I / F 408 is the same as the serial I / F 308 in FIG. In addition, the process controller 211
The contents of the AM 406 are read and the progress of the process is monitored.

When the contents of the processing are changed or the processing form required by the system is changed, the contents of the program RAM 405 and the data RAM 406 referred to by the processor array unit 404 are updated.

(Image data control unit 100 / image data control unit 203) Next, the image data control unit 1
The outline of the processing in the image data control unit 203 constituting 00 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of processing of the image data control unit 203 of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

In the block diagram of FIG. 5, the image data input / output control unit 501 includes a sensor board unit 20.
2 (input) and outputs (transmits) the image data to the image processor 204.
That is, the image data input / output control unit 501 is a component for connecting the image reading unit 101 and the image processing unit 103 (the image processing processor 204).
It can be said that it is a dedicated input / output unit only for transmitting the image data read by the image reading unit 101 to the image processing unit 103.

The image data input control unit 502 inputs (receives) the image data corrected by the image processor 204 for the scanner image. The input image data is subjected to data compression processing in the data compression unit 503 in order to increase the transfer efficiency in the parallel bus 220. Thereafter, the data is transmitted to the parallel bus 220 via the data conversion unit 504 and the parallel data I / F 505.

Parallel data I from parallel bus 220
Since the image data input via the / F 505 is compressed for bus transfer, it is sent to the data decompression unit 506 via the data conversion unit 504, where the data is decompressed. The decompressed image data is transferred to the image processor 204 in the image data output control unit 507.

The image data control section 203 also has a function of converting between parallel data and serial data. The system controller 231 transfers data to the parallel bus 220, and the process controller 211 transfers data to the serial bus 210. The image data control unit 203 performs data conversion for communication between the two controllers.

A serial data I / F is a first serial data I / F 508 for exchanging data with a process controller via a serial bus 210.
And a second serial data I / F 509 used for exchanging data with the image processor 204. By providing one system independently from the image processor 204, the interface with the image processor 204 can be smoothed.

The command control unit 510 controls the operation of each component and each interface in the image data control unit 203 according to the input command.

(Image Writing Unit 104 / Video Data Control Unit 205) Next, an outline of the processing in the video data control unit 205 constituting a part of the image writing unit 104 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of processing of the video data control unit 205 of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

In the block diagram of FIG. 6, the video data control unit 205 performs additional processing on the input image data in accordance with the characteristics of the image forming unit 206. That is, the edge smoothing processing unit 601 performs the dot rearrangement processing by the edge smoothing processing, the pulse control unit 602 performs the pulse control of the image signal for dot formation, and forms the image data on which the above processing has been performed. Output to the unit 206.

In addition to the image data conversion, the video data control unit 205 is provided with a format conversion function for parallel data and serial data, and can cope with the communication between the system controller 231 and the process controller 211 even with the video data control unit 205 alone. That is, a parallel data I / F 603 for transmitting / receiving parallel data, a serial data I / F 604 for transmitting / receiving serial data, a parallel data I / F 603 and a serial data I / F 6
And a data conversion unit 605 for mutually converting the data received by the data conversion unit 04.

(Image memory control unit 102 / image memory access control unit 221) Next, the image memory
The outline of the processing in the access control unit 221 will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of processing of the image memory access control unit 221 of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

In the block diagram of FIG. 7, an image memory access control unit 221 manages an interface of image data with the parallel bus 220, and accesses image data to the memory module 222, that is, stores (writes). / Readout control and mainly external P
It controls the expansion of the code data input from C223 into image data.

For this purpose, the image memory access control section 221 includes a parallel data I / F 701, a system controller I / F 702, a memory access control section 703, a line buffer 704, a video control section 705, Compression unit 706 and data decompression unit 7
07, a data conversion unit 708, and a memory image processing unit 7
09.

Here, the parallel data I / F 701 is
The interface of the image data with the parallel bus 220 is managed. Also, a memory access control unit 703
Controls access of image data to the memory module 222, that is, storage (writing) / reading.

The input code data is stored in the local area in the line buffer 704. The code data stored in the line buffer 704 is transmitted to the system controller I / F 70
2 entered through the system controller 231
The video control unit 705 expands the image data into image data based on the expansion processing instruction from.

The expanded image data or the image data input from the parallel bus 220 via the parallel data I / F 701 is stored in the memory module 222. In this case, the image data to be stored is selected in the data conversion unit 708, data compression is performed in the data compression unit 706 to increase the memory use efficiency, and the address of the memory module 222 is changed by the memory access control unit 703. The image data is stored (written) in the memory module 222 while being managed.

To read out the image data stored (stored) in the memory module 222, the memory access control unit 703 controls the read destination address.
The read image data is expanded by the data expansion unit 707. The decompressed image data is transferred to the parallel bus 220
When the data is transferred to the device, the data is transferred via the parallel data I / F 701.

The image memory access control unit 221
The memory image processing unit 709 provided in the CPU executes predetermined image processing on the input image data. The memory image processing unit 709 executes image processing mainly on the premise that image data is stored in the memory module 222, and executes image processing before data compression by the data compression unit 706.

(Unit Configuration) Next, the unit configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a unit configuration when the image processing apparatus is a digital multifunction peripheral. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a unit configuration when the image processing apparatus is a single printer.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the case of a digital multi-function peripheral, it is composed of three units, an image reading unit 101, an image engine control unit 800, and an image writing unit 104, each unit having a single PCB.
Can be managed on the board.

The image reading unit 101 has a CCD 80
1. It comprises an A / D conversion module 802, a gain control module 803, etc., and converts optically read optical image information into a digital image signal.

The image engine control unit 800 mainly includes a system controller 231, a process controller 211, and a memory module 222 in the image memory control unit 102, and includes an image processor 204, an image memory access control unit 221 and The image data control unit 203 that performs bus control is handled as a unit.

The image writing unit 104 has a configuration including an image forming unit 206 with a video data control unit 205 at the center.

In these unit configurations, when the specifications and performance of the image reading unit 101 are changed, if only the image reading unit 101 is changed in the digital multi-function peripheral system, the data interface is retained. No units need to be changed. Also,
When the imaging unit (engine) 206 is changed,
If only the image writing unit 104 is changed, the system can be reconfigured.

As described above, since the system depending on the input / output device is constructed with a different configuration, the system can be upgraded only by replacing the minimum unit as long as the data interface is maintained.

In the single printer shown in FIG. 9, the same image forming unit (engine) 206 as the digital multifunction peripheral is used.
When using the digital copier and the image writing unit 10
4 can be shared.

In the case where the image processing apparatus is used as a single printer, the image reading unit 101 is not necessary, and the image reading unit
Remove. Although the function of the image engine control unit 800 can be achieved even if it is shared with the digital multi-function peripheral, the specification is over. The image processor 204
Is unnecessary, so that an optimal controller for the system can be configured on another substrate, and cost can be optimized.

Image engine control unit 8 shown in FIG.
In the configuration of 00, each module (component) of the image processor 204, the image data control unit 203, and the image memory access control unit 221 is configured as an independent module. Therefore, the image engine control unit 80
The conversion from 0 to the controller deletes unnecessary modules, and the common module is used for general purposes. As described above, a similar function is realized by using a common module without separately creating a module for controlling an image engine and a module for a controller.

(Contents of Image Processing) Next, contents of image processing of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a scanner (an example of a spatial filter) of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The MTF correction function is realized by a configuration of a spatial filter.

In FIG. 10, when the two-dimensional spatial filter is configured with filter coefficients A to Y, the input image data is subjected to the same arithmetic processing for all the images. ing. For example, when spatial filtering is performed with input image data (i-th row, j-th column) as the center, arithmetic processing with corresponding coefficients is performed on the i-th row, j-th column image, respectively.
The pixel of (i, j) performs the calculation with the coefficient value M, and (i, j +
The pixel of 1) performs an operation with the coefficient value N, and the calculation result in the filter matrix indicates that the pixel of interest (i,
It is output as the processing result of j).

When the target pixel is (i, j + 1), (i, j + 1)
The pixel of (j + 1) performs an operation with the coefficient value M, and (i,
The pixel of (j + 2) performs an operation with the coefficient value N, and the calculation result in the filter matrix indicates that the pixel of interest (i, j +
It is output as the processing result of 1).

The input image data is different, and the processing parameters are common. In this spatial filtering, the values of the coefficient values A to Y are not fixed,
The value can be arbitrarily changed according to the characteristics of the input image and the desired image quality. In addition, if it cannot be changed, the flexibility of the image processing function may not be secured.

The implementation in the image processing processor 204 is as follows.
Even if the coefficient value is downloaded from the process controller 211 and the configuration of the reading unit is changed, and the characteristics of the read image deterioration are changed, it is possible to cope with the change of the system by changing the content of the data to be loaded.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of shading correction of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of shading data of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. Shading correction is for correcting non-uniformity of reflected light characteristics based on the illuminance distribution of the illumination system.Before reading a document, a reference white board with uniform density is read, and reference data for shading correction is generated.・
Based on the data, the reflection distribution depending on the reading position of the read image is normalized.

As shown in FIG. 12, the reflection distribution of shading data differs depending on the document reading position n. At the end of the document reading position, a white board of uniform density is read dark. Sn indicates the white board read signal level at the read position n, and the larger the Sn, the brighter the read was.

The shading correction corrects unevenness in the light amount distribution of the lamp by performing the same processing for each piece of read image data with respect to position-dependent data. The S data shown in FIG. 11 is shading data generated by reading the white board shown in FIG.
The D data shown in FIG. 11 is read image data of each read line. Further, n indicates a reading position.

The C data is data after the shading correction of the D data, and is normalized by Cn = A * (Dn / Sn). Here, A is a normalization coefficient.

In the image processor 204,
S data is stored in the local memory, and the input D
A correction operation is performed between Dn and Sn corresponding to the data.

(Data Flow) Next, processing for storing an image in the memory module 222 will be described.
FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are explanatory diagrams showing a data flow of the image processing apparatus as a digital multi-function peripheral, which has a process of storing images in the memory module 222 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 shows the flow from the reading unit 201 to the memory module 222, and FIG. 14 shows the flow from the memory module 222 to the image forming unit 206. Each process is performed by the image data control unit 20.
This is performed by controlling the data flow between the bus and the unit under the control of (3).

In FIG. 13, the reading unit 201 and the sensor board unit 202 perform reading control (step S1301). Next, the image data control unit 203 performs input processing and output control of image data (step S1302). Next, the image processor 204 performs input I / F control processing (step S1303), performs the above-described scanner image processing (step S1304), and performs output I / F processing (step S1305).

Next, again, the image data control unit 203
Performs input processing of image data (step S13).
06), data compression (step S1307) and data conversion (step S1308)
/ F control processing is performed (step S1309).

Next, the image memory access control unit 2
21 performs parallel I / F control processing (step S1310), performs data conversion (step S1311),
Data compression (step S1312) is performed, and memory access control is performed on the memory module 222 (step S1313). As a result, the image data is stored in the memory module 222 (step S1314).

In FIG. 14, the image data stored in the memory module 222 (step S1)
401), the image memory access control unit 221
Performs memory access control (step S1).
402), data expansion (step S1403) and data conversion (step S1404) are performed, and parallel I / F control processing is performed (step S1405).

Next, the image data control unit 203 performs parallel I / F control processing (step S140).
6), data conversion (step S1407) and data decompression (step S1408) are performed, and image data output control is performed (step S1409).

Next, the image processor 204
An input I / F control process is performed (step S141).
0), image quality processing is performed (step S1411), and output I / F control processing is performed (step S1412).

Next, the video / data control unit 205
An edge smoothing process is performed (step S1413), and a pulse control is performed (step S1414).
The image forming unit 206 performs an image forming process (step S
1415).

For the read image data, the scanner image processing in the image processor 204 is performed independently, and for the image data to be output to the image forming unit 206, the image processing in the image processor 204 is performed independently.

Further, the scanner image processing and the image quality processing can be operated in parallel, the read image is executed for facsimile transmission, and the image data stored in advance in the memory module 222 is processed in parallel with the contents of the image processing. Can be output to the transfer paper while changing.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are explanatory diagrams showing a data flow of the image processing apparatus including a process of storing an image in the memory module 222 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 15 shows the flow from the PC 223 to the memory module 222, and FIG.
The flow from the module 222 to the image forming unit 206 is shown.

In FIG. 15, the PC 223 outputs image data (step S1501), and the image memory / access control unit 221 holds the image data in the line buffer (step S1502), performs video control (step S1503), Conversion (Step S150)
4) Later, compression is performed (step S1505), and memory access control is performed on the memory module 222 (step S1506). Thereby,
The image data is stored in the memory module 222 (Step S1507).

In FIG. 16, memory module 2
22 (Step S160)
In contrast to 1), the image memory access control unit 221
A memory access control is performed (step S160).
2), data decompression (step S1603) and data conversion (step S1604) are performed, and the parallel I / O
An F control process is performed (step S1605).

Next, the video / data control unit 205
An edge smoothing process is performed (step S1606), and a pulse control is performed (step S1607).
The image forming unit 206 performs an image forming process (step S
1608).

As described above, the code data from the PC 223 is converted into image data, and is temporarily stored in the memory module 22.
If the number of copies is stored in 2, when printing a plurality of copies, the data development time is only one time, so that the printing performance is improved as compared with a controller that performs development processing every time.

The image data read from the memory module 222 is changed in post-processing content by the video data control unit 205 to form a reproduced image on a transfer sheet in a plurality of variations for the same image. it can. Further, edge smoothing processing of the video data control unit 205,
It is not necessary to expand the code data into the image data every time the parameters of the pulse control process are changed.

(Configuration of Facsimile Control Unit 224) Next, the functional configuration of the facsimile control unit 224 will be described. FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the facsimile control unit 224 of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

In the block diagram of FIG. 17, the facsimile control unit 224 includes a facsimile
1 and an external I / F 1702. Here, the facsimile transmission / reception unit 1701 converts the image data into a communication format and transmits it to an external line, and converts external data into image data to convert the image data into an image forming unit via the external I / F 1702 and the parallel bus 220. Is recorded and output.

The facsimile transmitting / receiving unit 1701 includes a facsimile image processing unit 1703, an image memory 1704, a memory control unit 1705, a data control unit 1706, an image compression / decompression unit 1707, a modem 1708, and a network control unit 1
709.

Of these, regarding facsimile image processing,
The binary smoothing processing on the received image is performed by the edge smoothing processing unit 6 in the video data control unit 205 shown in FIG.
01. As for the image memory 1704, the image buffer access control unit 221 and the memory module 2
22 transfers some of the functions.

In the facsimile transmission / reception unit 1701 configured as described above, when starting transmission of image data, the data control unit 1706 instructs the memory control unit 1705 to sequentially read the stored image data from the image memory 1704. Let out. The read image data is restored to the original signal by the facsimile image processing unit 1703, is subjected to density conversion processing and scaling processing, and is added to the data control unit 1706.

The image data added to the data control unit 1706 is code-compressed by the image compression / decompression unit 1707, modulated by the modem 1708, and transmitted to the destination via the network control unit 1709. Then, the image information whose transmission has been completed is deleted from the image memory 1704.

At the time of reception, the received image is temporarily stored in the image memory 1704, and if the received image can be recorded and output at that time, it is recorded and output when the reception of one image is completed. When a call is made during the copying operation and reception is started, the usage rate of the image memory 1704 is accumulated in the image memory 1704 until the usage rate of the image memory 1704 reaches a predetermined value, for example, 80%, and the usage rate of the image memory 1704 is reduced to 80%. If it has reached, the writing operation being executed at that time is forcibly interrupted, and the received image is read from the image memory 1704 and recorded and output.

At this time, the received image read from the image memory 1704 is deleted from the image memory 1704, and the writing operation which has been interrupted when the usage rate of the image memory 1704 decreases to a predetermined value, for example, 10%, is resumed.
When all the writing operations are completed, the remaining received image is recorded and output. Further, after the write operation is interrupted, various parameters for the write operation at the time of the interruption are internally saved so that the write operation can be resumed, and the parameters are internally restored when the write operation is restarted.

(Configuration of SIMD Processor) FIG.
Is a SIMD provided in the image processor 204
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a type arithmetic processing unit (SIMD type processor). SIMD (Single Ins
fraction stream multiple
Datastream) executes a single instruction on a plurality of data in parallel, and is composed of a plurality of PEs (processor elements).

Each PE has a register (Reg) 1801 for storing data, a multiplexer (MUX) 1802 for accessing a register of another PE,
Barrel Shifter (Shift Expand) 180
3. A logical operation unit (ALU) 1804, an accumulator (A) 1805 for storing a logical result, and a temporary register (F) 1806 for temporarily saving the contents of the accumulator 1805.

Each register 1801 is connected to an address bus and a data bus (a read line and a word line), and stores an instruction code defining a process and data to be processed. The contents of the register 1801 are input to the logical operation unit 1804, and the operation processing result is stored in the accumulator 1805. The result is temporarily saved in a temporary register 1806 in order to retrieve the result outside the PE. By extracting the contents of the temporary register 1806, a processing result for the target data can be obtained.

The instruction code is given to each PE with the same contents, and the data to be processed is given in a different state for each PE.
The contents of the register 1801 of E are stored in the multiplexer 18
By referring to 02, the calculation result is processed in parallel and output to each accumulator 1805.

For example, if the contents of one line of image data are arranged in the PE for each pixel and arithmetic processing is performed with the same instruction code, the processing result for one line can be processed in a shorter time than in the case of sequentially processing one pixel at a time. can get. In particular, in the spatial filter processing and the shading correction processing, the instruction code for each PE is an arithmetic expression itself, and the processing can be performed in common for all PEs.

(Data compression section 503 of image data control section 203) Next, the image data control section 203 according to the present invention.
Will be described with reference to FIG. The compression mode (including non-compression) of the image data includes a plurality of compression modes (compression ratios) depending on the content (the number of gradations) of the image data input to the image data control unit 203 and the operation of the operation panel 234 by the operator. ) Is selected.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an outline of the processing of the image data control unit 203. In the illustrated configuration, only components related to the compression operation are extracted and described in the outline of FIG. 5 described above. Note that the number of bits of the transmission data is described on the signal line in the figure.

As shown in the figure, the components involved in data compression include an image data input unit 1901, a compressed signal input unit 1902, a histogram creation unit 1903, a compression algorithm selection unit 1904, a data transfer method selection unit 1905,
Multiple compressors 1906 to 1908, output delay FIFO1
909 to 1912, a selector 1913, and an image data output unit 1914.

The image data is transferred to the image processor 20.
The data is transferred and input as data of 4 to 8 bits. This 8
The bit image data has a maximum of 256 gradations (0 is all white,
It is input with a gradation number up to 255 (all black). When the compression mode is selected by the operator, the data is transferred from the operation panel 234 to the data compression unit 503 in the image data control unit 203 via the system controller 231 as a compression control signal.

The image data received by the image data input unit 1901 is transferred to the histogram creation unit 1902,
The number of gradations is required. Here, the histogram is obtained by counting the number of bytes of the received image data for each data value, and indicates the density distribution of the image data.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a histogram when the received image data is multi-valued (gray scale: 256 gradations). As shown in the figure, the count number varies depending on the content of image data (density distribution of each pixel).
It is distributed in the range up to 255.

FIG. 21 shows a case where the image data is the same as the 8-bi image data.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a histogram when t is two gradations,
It is distributed to either 0 or 255 (binary). FIG.
Are the case of the same four gradations, and 0, 85, 170, 255
(4 values). Histogram creation unit 1
A compression algorithm selection unit 903 obtains the number of tones of the input image based on the characteristics of the histogram.
904 and the data transfer method selection unit 1905 to transfer the obtained compression algorithm.

As shown in the figure, the image data control unit 203 is equipped with three types of compressors 1906 to 1908, and has a total of four compression systems including a non-compression system. First
The first compressor 1906 of the system executes image compression by a compression algorithm (high-definition low-compression) with a low compression ratio and emphasis on image quality. The second compressor 2907 of the second system executes image compression by an algorithm (low definition and high compression) in which the image quality is lower than that of the first compressor 1906 but the compression ratio is high. The compression by the first and second systems is effective for gray scale (multi-value) of image data such as a photograph.

The third compressor 1908 of the third system is
Image compression is performed by a compression algorithm (binary compression) specialized for a binary image such as a character having a strong edge. The fourth system has no compressor and is a non-compressed system. The output of the image data input unit 1901 is output in parallel to these four systems, and the compressors 1906 to 1908 execute respective compression operations in parallel.

Since the processing time required to compress the image data differs depending on the compression algorithm for each system, the compressed data that has passed through the compressors 1906 to 1908 of the first to third systems and the uncompressed data of the fourth system are: The output data is temporarily stored in the first to fourth output delay FIFOs 1909 to 1912, respectively, and the output data is output at the same timing at the beginning of the data regardless of the compression ratio (including the case of non-compression). The delay time is adjusted so as to be input to the.

The selector 1913 makes the first to fourth signals in accordance with the selection signal from the compression algorithm selecting unit 1904.
The image data output unit 19 selects and switches only one of data compressed by any of the compressors 1906 to 1908 of the system or uncompressed data.
Transfer to 14.

The compression algorithm selection unit 1904 obtains the number of tones of image data from the histogram creation unit 1903, and controls switching of the selector 1913 so that appropriate image data is transferred to the image data output unit 1914. In addition, when the compression mode is selected by the operator, the compression method (including non-compression) selected by the user is obtained from the compression control signal input unit 1902, and the compression method is selected along with the gradation number of the image data obtained from the histogram creation unit 1903. Selector 1 so that the image data is transferred to the image data output unit 1914.
913 is switched.

The data transfer method selection unit 1905 obtains the number of gradations of the image data from the histogram creation unit 1903 and sends the image data output unit 1914 as a data transfer method selection signal the compression / non-compression state or the level of the image data. Transfer the key. When the operator selects a compression method (including non-compression), the compression control signal input unit 1902 outputs
The corresponding compression control signal and the histogram creation unit 1903
From the image data output unit 1
In step 914, the compression / non-compression state of image data and the number of gradations are transferred as a data transfer method selection signal.

If the content of the data transfer mode selection signal is, for example, "0", it indicates that the output image data is compressed. Further, if the value is between 1 and 255, the number of gradations obtained by adding 1 (for example, the value of the data transfer method selection signal is "3" for 4 gradations, and the value of the data transfer method selection signal for 2 gradations The value indicates that the image data has “1”).

The image data output unit 1914 outputs the compressed image data to the image memory access control unit 221 as it is in accordance with the data transfer method selection signal transferred from the data transfer method selection unit 1905. In the case of non-compressed image data, a plurality of image data are packed into the same 8-bit data as the input image data and output to the image memory access control unit 221.
The image data output unit 1914 externally outputs information on compression / non-compression of image data, the number of gradations, and an output format together with image data as an output format signal. Based on this output format signal, it is possible to appropriately perform compression and decompression (data expansion) on the side receiving the compressed image data.

The method of packing the image data at the time of non-compression depends on the number of gradations of the output image data. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing image data of two gradations and image data after packing. Since the two-gradation image data is valid only for the upper one bit (MSB) of the eight bits, as shown in the upper part of FIG. MSB
Are extracted, packed in order from the LSB, and output.

FIG. 24 shows image data of four gradations,
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing image data after packing. If the image data has four gradations, the MSB is calculated from eight consecutive image data.
, And extracts only 2 bits of data, one bit lower than the MSB, performs packing in order from the LSB, and outputs the result. By this packing, only necessary image information corresponding to the number of gradations can be output, so that transfer efficiency can be improved and image processing can be performed more efficiently.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing the contents of the compression processing based on the histogram detection of the image data executed by the image data control unit 203.

First, 8-bit image data is input to the image data input section (step S2501). The histogram creation unit 1903 obtains the number of gradations of the input image data and the density distribution at each gradation (step S250).
2: Create a histogram of image data).

Next, compression corresponding to the obtained number of gradations is performed. Here, the compression algorithm selection unit 190
No. 4 judges whether or not the operator has selected a compression method (step S2505). If the obtained number of gradations is two (step S2503: Yes), the compression algorithm is selected regardless of the selection of the operator. The selecting unit 1904 switches the selector 1913 to image compression for a binary image (third compressor 1908 of the third system) (step S2504).

In step S2505, if the operator selects a compression method (step S2505: Ye)
s) Then, the selected content is acquired (step S250)
6). If the operator selects “high definition” on the operation panel 234 (step S2506: Yes), the selector 1913 is switched to high definition low compression image compression (first compressor 1906 of the first system) (step S2507). ).
When the operator selects “low definition” (step S2
506: No), switching to image compression of low definition and high compression (second compressor 1907 of the second system) (step S250)
8).

On the other hand, if there is no compression method selected by the operator in step S2505 (or non-compression is selected) (step S2505: No), the image data is not compressed and the system is switched to the fourth system (step S2505). Step S2509). Thereafter, packing is performed on the uncompressed image data (step S251).
0).

Each of the image data compressed (including non-compressed) by the first to fourth systems is output from the first to fourth output delay FIFO1s.
After the delay time is adjusted via 909 to 1912, the selector 1913 switches to one of the first to fourth systems and outputs the image data from the image data output unit 1914 (step S2511).

In the compression processing described with reference to the flowchart, the compression method by the operator is selected from "high definition", "low definition", and "uncompressed". However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to display and select “high compression”, which is synonymous with low definition, and “low compression”, which is synonymous with high definition, on the operation panel 234. In addition, the type of image data such as “text” and “photo” can be selected, and a plurality of resolutions “200 dpi”,
“600 dpi” can also be selected. Also, the number of compression systems is not limited to the above-described four systems, and compressors for compressing image data by different compression algorithms can be arranged in a plurality of systems.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of an appropriate compression method for the selection items of the operator. In general, image data having a small number of gradations, such as "characters", has a clear black and white image, and if a high-compression (low-definition) compression method is used, it will not be restored after compression and decompression (data expansion). Low compression (high definition) is desirable. Since image data having a large number of gradations, such as "photographs", is a smooth image on display, high-compression (low-definition) compression can be performed.
Therefore, as shown, the type of image data, the number of gradations,
Depending on the resolution, the compression algorithm selection unit 1904
A configuration is adopted in which a compression method suitable for each condition is selected in advance.

In any case, it is possible to perform compression on image data that conforms to the fidelity of image data requested by the operator (the state of image data after compression and decompression). By compressing the image data, the transfer efficiency of the image data output from the image data control unit 203 is improved,
Output destination of image data (for example, memory module 22
More image data can be stored without increasing the storage capacity of the storage unit provided in 2).

The image data control unit 203 described with reference to FIG. 19 in the above embodiment can be constituted by a hardware circuit using electric elements. In this case, image data is parallelized to a plurality of systems. Input, the first to third compressors 1906 to 1908 of each system perform compression operations individually and in parallel, and the selector 1913 selects the compressed image data of any one system.

On the other hand, in the configuration in which each unit shown in FIG. 19 is software-processed, an appropriate single compression-type operation process is selectively executed based on the number of gradations obtained from the histogram of the image data. The image compression method described in the present embodiment can be realized by executing a prepared program on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. This program can be distributed via the recording medium and a network such as the Internet.

[0209]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, input / output control means for controlling input / output of image data, and a predetermined image processing for the input image data. Image processing means for outputting, compression processing means for performing predetermined data compression on the image data input via the input / output control means, and decompression means for decompressing and decompressing the image data compressed by the compression means. Wherein the compression processing means creates a histogram of the number of tones included in the image data and obtains the number of tones of the image data; and the image data obtained by the histogram creating means. Compression means for performing data compression based on an appropriate compression algorithm among a plurality of compression algorithms provided in advance corresponding to the number of gradations of By creating a number of gradations of the histogram of the image data, a data compression based on the compression algorithm that is suitable for the number of gradations can be performed appropriately. Thereby, even if the number of gradations of the image data is unknown, optimal compression can be easily performed at all times without being conscious, and the transfer efficiency of the image data can be improved and the storage capacity can be increased. . In addition, it is possible to perform compression suitable for the required fidelity and to reproduce the image quality of the decompressed image data as required.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the compression unit is configured to change the number of gradations of the image data to n values (corresponding to the plurality of compression algorithms). a multi-value compression means for performing data compression based on a compression algorithm adapted to a multi-value in which n ≧ 2);
Since a binary compression means for performing data compression based on a compression algorithm in which the number of gradations of image data conforms to binary is provided, a binary and multi-value compression algorithm can be selected based on a created histogram. This has the effect of compressing the image data more faithfully.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the multi-value compression means compresses the image data with a high-definition low-compression compression algorithm. Compression means, and second compression means for compressing the image data with a compression algorithm of low definition and high compression. High definition, low compression, low definition and high compression are selected as compression items by the operator. An operation means prepared and selectable in advance and a switching means for switching and selecting the first and second compression means or non-compression processing in accordance with the selection operation of the operation means are provided. Since the compression of multi-valued image data can be selected from high-definition low-compression, low-definition high-compression, and non-compression, there is an effect that it is possible to perform compression more suited to the requirements and fidelity of the operator.

According to the invention described in claim 4, in the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the compression processing means may include a gradation number of image data obtained based on the histogram. Is binary, priority is given to data compression based on the corresponding binary compression algorithm. Therefore, when the number of gradations is binary based on the number of gradations obtained from the created histogram, Since binary-specific compression can be prioritized, appropriate binary image compression can be automatically performed by inputting image data without any operation input, and the compression processing can be made more efficient. .

According to the invention described in claim 5, in the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4, the compression processing means includes the step of generating the histogram when the image data is not compressed. Based on the number of tones of the image data obtained in the above, a packing means for packing the image data with the number of bits of the image data at the time of input and the number of bits suitable for the number of tones is provided. In the above, based on the number of tones obtained by creating the histogram, image data can be packed so that the number of bits conforms to the number of bits of the input data, regardless of the number of tones. It is possible to output only information, and it is possible to improve transfer efficiency and increase image processing efficiency.

According to the invention described in claim 6, in the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 5, the input / output control means outputs the image data after the compression processing. Compression / uncompression state, gradation number,
Since the notification signal relating to the output format is output to the outside, the information relating to the image data after the compression processing can be output, so that various effects can be appropriately performed on the compressed image data.

According to the invention of claim 7, in the invention of claim 4, the binary compression means,
The first compression unit and the second compression unit are configured by hardware circuits, and image data input from the input / output control unit are input in parallel, and data compression is performed in parallel based on each compression algorithm. The switching means, based on the number of gradations obtained by the histogram creation means and the selection operation of the operation means, the binary compression means;
The image data after the data compression from any one of the compression means and the second compression means is selectively output, so that the hardware circuits are operated in parallel so that the number of gradations is unknown. There is an effect that compression suitable for the actual number of gradations can be performed even for image data.

According to the invention described in claim 8, in the invention described in claim 7, the binary compression means,
Each of the first compression unit, the second compression unit, and the non-compression system of the image data temporarily stores the image data after the compression processing. Since it has data storage means that can output,
It is possible to absorb the delay difference in the compression processing time based on the difference between the respective compression algorithms, to output the image data output from any of the compression means at the same time, and to achieve an effect of facilitating the output processing of the image data. .

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method for performing predetermined data compression on image data, performing image processing on the image data, and outputting the image data, the number of gradations of the image data Generating a histogram of the image data and obtaining the number of gradations of the image data, and based on an appropriate compression algorithm among a plurality of compression algorithms provided in advance corresponding to the number of gradations of the image data obtained based on the generation of the histogram. A data compression step based on a compression algorithm suitable for the number of tones of the image data in order to obtain a number of tones by creating a histogram of the number of tones of the input image data. We can do it properly. Thus, even if the number of gradations of the image data is unknown, optimal compression can always be easily performed without being conscious, and the transfer efficiency of the image data can be improved and the storage capacity can be increased. In addition, it is possible to perform compression suitable for the required fidelity and to reproduce the image quality of the decompressed image data as required.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention,
10. The multi-value compression process according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of compression algorithms perform data compression based on a compression algorithm adapted to a multi-valued image data whose gradation number is n-valued (n ≧ 2). And a binary compression step of performing data compression based on a compression algorithm in which the number of tones of image data conforms to binary, so that a binary and multi-valued compression algorithm is performed based on the created histogram. Can be selected, and the image data can be compressed with higher fidelity.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention,
In the invention according to claim 10, in the multi-value compression step, whether to compress the image data by a high-definition and low-compression compression algorithm or to compress the image data by a low-definition and high-compression compression algorithm And selecting a corresponding high-definition, low-compression, low-definition, high-compression, or non-compression process based on a selection operation of a high-definition, low-compression, low-definition, high-compression selection item related to compression. Therefore, the operator can use high definition, low compression, low definition,
By selecting from the high-compression selection items, corresponding multi-valued image data is compressed from high-definition, low-definition, low-definition, high-compression, or non-compression. This has the effect that compression more suitable for the degree can be performed.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention,
In the invention according to claim 10, when the number of gradations of the image data obtained based on the histogram is binary, the compression process for the binary is preferentially executed. When the number of gradations is binary according to the obtained number of gradations, compression for binary only is given priority, so that appropriate binary image compression is automatically performed by inputting image data without any operation input. This makes it possible to perform the compression processing more efficiently and to facilitate the operation.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention,
In the invention according to any one of claims 9 to 12,
At the time of non-compression of the image data, based on the number of gradations of the image data obtained by the histogram creation, since it has a step of packing the image data with the number of bits suitable for the number of bits of the image data at the time of input Even when the image data is not compressed, the image data can be packed so that the number of bits conforms to the number of bits of the input data, regardless of the number of gradations, based on the number of gradations obtained by creating the histogram. Only the necessary image information corresponding to the number can be output, so that there is an effect that transfer efficiency can be improved and image processing can be performed more efficiently.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention,
In the invention according to any one of claims 9 to 13,
When outputting the image data after the compression processing of the image data, there is provided a step of externally outputting a notification signal regarding the compression / non-compression state, the number of gradations, and the output format together with the image data. Can be output, so that various processes can be appropriately performed on the compressed image data.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention,
12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein data compression based on a compression algorithm that differs according to the number of gradations of the image data and the definition or compression ratio is performed simultaneously and in parallel; Among them, based on the number of gradations obtained in the histogram creation, and the selection operation, the method includes the step of selectively outputting any of the compressed data of the simultaneous and parallel processing,
By performing the compression processing in parallel with each compression algorithm, it is possible to perform compression suitable for the actual number of gradations even if the image data has an unknown number of gradations. This makes it possible to immediately select and output image data compressed by a compression algorithm suitable for the number of gradations obtained by creating a histogram.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention,
The invention according to claim 15, further comprising a step of absorbing a delay difference in a compression processing time based on a difference in each compression algorithm when performing the compression processing by the simultaneous and parallel processing, and enabling simultaneous output of each image data. It is possible to absorb the delay difference in the compression processing time based on the difference between the respective compression algorithms, to output the image data output from any of the compression means at the same time, and to achieve an effect of facilitating the output processing of the image data. .

According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention,
In an image processing method of performing predetermined data compression on image data, performing image processing on the image data, and outputting the image data, creating a histogram of the number of gradations of the image data,
Obtaining the number of tones of the image data; and performing data compression based on an appropriate compression algorithm among a plurality of compression algorithms provided in advance corresponding to the number of tones of the image data obtained based on the histogram creation. Since a histogram of the number of tones of the input image data is created to obtain the number of tones, data compression based on a compression algorithm suitable for the number of tones of the image data can be appropriately performed. . Thus, even if the number of gradations of the image data is unknown, optimal compression can always be easily performed without being conscious, and the transfer efficiency of the image data can be improved and the storage capacity can be increased. Further, the present invention has an effect that an image processing program capable of performing compression suitable for required fidelity and reproducing the image quality of decompressed image data as required can be obtained.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention,
10. The multi-value compression process according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of compression algorithms perform data compression based on a compression algorithm adapted to a multi-valued image data whose gradation number is n-valued (n ≧ 2). And a binary compression step of performing data compression based on a compression algorithm in which the number of tones of image data conforms to binary, so that a binary and multi-valued compression algorithm is performed based on the created histogram. Can be selected, and it is possible to obtain an image processing program capable of compressing image data with higher fidelity.

According to the nineteenth aspect,
In the invention according to claim 10, in the multi-value compression step, whether to compress the image data by a high-definition and low-compression compression algorithm or to compress the image data by a low-definition and high-compression compression algorithm And selecting a corresponding high-definition, low-compression, low-definition, high-compression, or non-compression process based on a selection operation of a high-definition, low-compression, low-definition, high-compression selection item related to compression. Therefore, the operator can use high definition, low compression, low definition,
By selecting from the high-compression selection items, corresponding multi-valued image data is compressed from high-definition, low-definition, low-definition, high-compression, or non-compression. An effect is obtained that an image processing program capable of performing compression more suitable for the degree is obtained.

According to the twentieth aspect of the present invention,
In the invention according to claim 10, when the number of gradations of the image data obtained based on the histogram is binary, the compression process for the binary is preferentially executed. When the number of gradations is binary according to the obtained number of gradations, compression for binary only is given priority, so that appropriate binary image compression is automatically performed by inputting image data without any operation input. It is possible to obtain an image processing program that can be executed and that can increase the efficiency of the compression processing and facilitate the operation.

According to the twenty-first aspect of the present invention,
In the invention according to any one of claims 9 to 12,
At the time of non-compression of the image data, based on the number of gradations of the image data obtained by the histogram creation, since it has a step of packing the image data with the number of bits suitable for the number of bits of the image data at the time of input Even when the image data is not compressed, the image data can be packed so that the number of bits conforms to the number of bits of the input data, regardless of the number of gradations, based on the number of gradations obtained by creating the histogram. It is possible to output only necessary image information corresponding to the number, and to obtain an image processing program that can improve transfer efficiency and increase image processing efficiency.

According to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention,
In the invention according to any one of claims 9 to 13,
When outputting the image data after the compression processing of the image data, there is provided a step of externally outputting a notification signal relating to the compression / non-compression state, the number of gradations, and the output format together with the image data. Can be output, so that it is possible to obtain an image processing program capable of appropriately performing various processes on the compressed image data.

According to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention,
12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein data compression based on a compression algorithm that differs according to the number of gradations of the image data and the definition or compression ratio is performed simultaneously and in parallel; Among them, based on the number of gradations obtained in the histogram creation, and the selection operation, the method includes the step of selectively outputting any of the compressed data of the simultaneous and parallel processing,
By performing the compression processing in parallel with each compression algorithm, it is possible to perform compression suitable for the actual number of gradations even if the image data has an unknown number of gradations. This makes it possible to obtain an image processing program capable of immediately selecting and outputting image data compressed by a compression algorithm suitable for the number of gradations obtained by creating a histogram.

According to the twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention,
The invention according to claim 15, further comprising a step of absorbing a delay difference in a compression processing time based on a difference in each compression algorithm when performing the compression processing by the simultaneous parallel processing and enabling each image data to be output simultaneously. Image processing that can absorb the delay difference in compression processing time based on the difference between compression algorithms, can output image data output from any compression means at the same time, and can smoothly output image data This produces an effect that a program can be obtained.

According to the twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention,
Since the program described in any one of claims 17 to 24 is recorded, the program can be machine-readable, thereby providing an effect that the operations of claims 17 to 24 can be realized by a computer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram functionally showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a process of an image processor of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of an internal configuration of an image processor of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a process performed by an image data control unit of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a video / video of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment;
It is a block diagram showing an outline of processing of a data control part.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a process of an image memory access control unit of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a unit configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating another example of the unit configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a scanner (an example of a spatial filter) of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of shading correction of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing shading data of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a data flow of image data of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the data flow of the image data of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the data flow of the image data of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the data flow of the image data of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a facsimile control unit of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a SIMD type processor used in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration related to a compression process of an image data control unit of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a histogram when image data input during compression processing of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is multi-valued (256 values).

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a histogram when image data input at the time of compression processing of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is binary.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a histogram when image data input at the time of compression processing of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is quaternary.

FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining packing of image data during non-compression processing of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining another example of image data packing during non-compression processing of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating a process of compressing image data performed by the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of selection of an appropriate compression method for a selection item by an operator of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Image data control unit 101 Image reading unit 102 Image memory control unit 103 Image processing unit 104 Image writing unit 201 Reading unit 202 Sensor board unit 203 Image data control unit 204 Image processing processor 205 Video data control unit 206 Image formation Unit (engine) 210 Serial bus 211 Process controller 212,232 RAM 213,233 ROM 220 Parallel bus 221 Image memory access control unit 222 Memory module 223 Personal computer (PC) 224 Facsimile control unit 225 Public line 231 System Controller 234 Operation panel 301, 303, 304, 306 Interface (I / F) 30 Scanner image processing unit 305 image quality processing unit 307 command control unit 308 serial interface 401 input / output port 402 bus switch / local memory 403 memory control unit 404 processor array unit 406 data RAM 407 program RAM 408 serial interface 501 image data input / output control Units 502, 503 Image data input / output control unit 504 Data conversion unit 505, 508, 509 I / F 510 Command control unit 601 Edge smoothing processing unit 602 Pulse control unit 603, 604, 701, 702 I / F 605 Data conversion unit 703 Memory access control unit 704 Line buffer 705 Video control unit 706 Data compression unit 707 Data decompression unit 708 Data conversion unit 800 Image engine Control unit 1701 Facsimile transmission / reception unit 1801 Register (Reg) 1802 Multiplexer (MUX) 1803 Barrel shifter (Shift Expand)
d) 1804 Logical operation unit (ALU) 1805 Accumulator (A) 1806 Temporary register (F) 1901 Image data input unit 1902 Compression control signal input unit 1903 Histogram creation unit 1904 Compression algorithm selection unit 1905 Data transfer method selection unit 1906 1907, 1908 Compressor 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912 Output delay F
IFO 1913 Selector 1914 Image data output unit

Claims (25)

[Claims] An input / output control unit configured to control input / output of image data; an image processing unit configured to perform predetermined image processing on the input image data and output the input image data; Compression processing means for performing predetermined data compression on the compressed image data, and expansion means for decompressing and expanding the image data compressed by the compression means, wherein the compression processing means A histogram creating unit that creates a histogram of the number of tones having the image data and obtains the number of tones of the image data; and a plurality of compression algorithms provided in advance corresponding to the number of tones of the image data obtained by the histogram creating unit. An image processing apparatus comprising: compression means for performing data compression based on an appropriate compression algorithm. 2. The compression unit according to claim 1, wherein the compression unit performs data compression based on a compression algorithm adapted to a multi-valued image data, the number of gradations of which is n (n ≧ 2), corresponding to the plurality of compression algorithms. 2. The image according to claim 1, further comprising: a value compression unit; and a binary compression unit that performs data compression based on a compression algorithm in which the number of gradations of the image data conforms to the binary value. 3. Processing equipment. 3. The multi-value compression means comprises: first compression means for compressing image data by a high-definition, low-compression compression algorithm; and second compression means for compressing image data by a low-definition, high-compression compression algorithm. And compression means prepared in advance as high-definition, low-compression, low-definition, and high-compression selection items by the operator. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a switching unit configured to switch and select the first and second compression units or the non-compression process. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the number of gradations of the image data obtained based on the histogram is binary, the compression processing means prioritizes data compression based on a corresponding binary compression algorithm. The image processing device according to claim 1. 5. The compression processing means according to claim 1, wherein, when the image data is not compressed, the number of bits and the number of gradations of the image data at the time of input are based on the number of gradations of the image data obtained by creating the histogram. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a packing unit that packs image data with a suitable number of bits. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input / output control unit externally outputs a notification signal relating to a compression / non-compression state, the number of gradations, and an output format together with the image data when outputting the image data after the compression processing. The image processing device according to claim 1. 7. The binary compression means, the first compression means, and the second compression means are constituted by a hardware circuit,
The image data input from the input / output control unit is input in parallel, and data compression is performed in parallel based on each compression algorithm. The image data after data compression from any one of the binary compression means, the first compression means, and the second compression means is selectively output based on a selection operation of the means. The image processing device according to claim 4. 8. The compression means for binary, the first compression means, the second compression means, and each system for non-compression of image data temporarily store image data after compression processing. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a data storage unit that can simultaneously output any one of the image data from the compression unit. 9. An image processing method for performing predetermined data compression on image data, performing image processing on the image data, and outputting the image data, comprising: creating a histogram of the number of gradations of the image data; Obtaining a number, and performing data compression based on an appropriate compression algorithm among a plurality of compression algorithms provided in advance corresponding to the number of gradations of image data obtained based on the histogram creation. Characteristic image processing method. 10. A multi-value compression step for performing data compression based on a compression algorithm adapted to a multi-valued image data in which the number of gradations of the image data is n-valued (n ≧ 2). The image processing method according to claim 9, further comprising: a binary compression step of performing data compression based on a compression algorithm in which the number of gradations of the binary data conforms to binary. 11. In the multi-value compression step, it is possible to select whether to compress the image data using a high-definition and low-compression compression algorithm or to compress the image data using a low-definition and high-compression compression algorithm. Switching a corresponding high-definition, low-definition, low-definition, high-compression, or non-compression process based on a selection operation of a high-definition, low-compression, low-definition, high-compression selection item relating to compression. The image processing method according to claim 10, wherein: 12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein when the number of gradations of the image data obtained based on the histogram is binary, the binary compression process is executed with priority. Method. 13. When the image data is not compressed, the number of bits of the image data at the time of input and the number of bits adapted to the number of gradations are set based on the number of gradations of the image data obtained by creating the histogram. The image processing method according to claim 9, further comprising a step of packing. 14. When the image data is output after the image data is compressed, the image data is compressed / uncompressed together with the image data.
14. The image processing method according to claim 9, further comprising a step of externally outputting a notification signal relating to the number of gradations and an output format. 15. A step of simultaneously and concurrently performing data compression based on a compression algorithm that differs according to the number of gradations of the image data and the definition or the compression ratio; 12. A step of selecting and outputting one of the compressed data that has been subjected to the simultaneous and parallel processing based on the number of gradations obtained by creating a histogram and the selection operation. Image processing method. 16. A step of temporarily storing image data after compression processing in order to absorb a difference in compression processing time based on a difference in each compression algorithm when the compression processing is performed in parallel. 16. The image processing method according to claim 15, further comprising: simultaneously outputting any image data. 17. An image processing program for performing predetermined data compression on image data, performing image processing on the image data, and outputting the image data, comprising: creating a histogram of the number of gradations of the image data; Obtaining a number, and performing data compression based on an appropriate compression algorithm among a plurality of compression algorithms provided in advance corresponding to the number of gradations of image data obtained based on the histogram creation. Characteristic image processing program. 18. A multi-value compression step for performing data compression based on a compression algorithm adapted to a multi-valued image data in which the number of gradations is n (n ≧ 2); 18. The image processing program according to claim 17, further comprising: a binary compression step of performing data compression based on a compression algorithm in which the number of gradations of the binary data conforms to binary. 19. In the multi-value compression step, it is possible to select whether to compress the image data by a high-definition and low-compression compression algorithm or to compress the image data by a low-definition and high-compression compression algorithm. Switching a corresponding high-definition, low-definition, low-definition, high-compression, or non-compression process based on a selection operation of a high-definition, low-compression, low-definition, high-compression selection item relating to compression. 19. The image processing program according to claim 18, wherein: 20. The image processing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein when the number of gradations of the image data obtained based on the histogram is binary, the compression process for binary is executed with priority. program. 21. When the image data is not compressed, the number of bits of the image data at the time of input and the number of bits adapted to the number of gradations are set based on the number of gradations of the image data obtained by creating the histogram. The image processing program according to any one of claims 17 to 20, further comprising a step of packing. 22. When outputting image data after compression processing of the image data, a state of compression / non-compression together with the image data;
22. The image processing program according to claim 17, further comprising a step of externally outputting a notification signal regarding the number of gradations and an output format. 23. A step of simultaneously and concurrently performing data compression based on a different compression algorithm for each of the number of gradations of the image data and the definition or compression ratio; 20. A step of selectively outputting one of the compressed data that has been subjected to the simultaneous and parallel processing based on the number of gradations obtained by creating a histogram and the selection operation. Image processing program. 24. A step of temporarily storing image data after the compression processing in order to absorb a difference in compression processing time based on a difference in each compression algorithm at the time of the compression processing by the simultaneous and parallel processing; 24. The image processing program according to claim 23, further comprising: simultaneously outputting any one of the image data. 25. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 17 is recorded.