JPH10289066A - Image processor and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently utilize each processing means in an image processor which has plural processing means that parallelly process an image. SOLUTION: An analyzing part 10 analyzes inputted print data, examines a RIP(raster image processing) function that is needed for the processing and informs it as RIP function information to a RIP deciding part 20. The part 20 decides a RIP part which the most quickly processes a print job that is related to the inputted print data based on spool information that shows the states of spoolers 41 to 43 and RIP information that shows the states of RIP parts 51 to 53 which parallelly operate in addition to the RIP function information. A PDL(page description language) converting part 30 converts the inputted print data as necessary and registers it on a spooler of a RIP that is related to the decision.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus and method capable of processing images in parallel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A plurality of RIPs (Raster Ima
Many printers having a ge processing function do not have a spooling function, and while a certain print job is being processed, data relating to the next print job cannot be received.

Further, in a conventional printer having a spooling function, data relating to a received print job is spooled as it is without being converted to data of another format, and is sequentially converted to a RIP unit. Was passed to and processed.

[0004]

Conventionally, memories and CPUs
However, it was difficult to realize a function to execute a plurality of RIPs in parallel due to the limitation of the processing capability of the above.
These restrictions are being relaxed.

However, a plurality of different RIPs
In a conventional printer having a copy unit, when print jobs specifying a particular RIP function are concentrated, only that particular RIP unit operates continuously, and the other RIP units do not contribute to the execution of the print job. In such a situation, the function of executing a plurality of RIPs in parallel is not effectively utilized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to efficiently use each processing means in an image processing apparatus having a plurality of processing means capable of processing images in parallel.

[0007]

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus having a plurality of processing means capable of processing images in parallel, comprising: an input means for inputting image information; Management means for distributing and assigning information processing to the respective processing means.

In the above-mentioned image processing apparatus, all or some of the plurality of processing means have different functions from each other,
The management means has a conversion means for converting the input image information into image information in a format suitable for each of the processing means, and the conversion means converts the input image information as needed, thereby It is preferable that the processing is distributed and assigned to the respective processing means.

In the above-mentioned image processing apparatus, when the image information is input by the input means,
Preferably, the processing of the input image information is allocated to any one of the plurality of processing units based on the allocation status of the image information processing to each of the processing units at that time.

[0010] In the image processing apparatus, the management unit may be configured to assign a small amount of image information processing to the processing unit.
Preferably, processing of the input image information is assigned.

In the above-mentioned image processing apparatus, the management unit may be configured to input image information based on a format of input image information and a function of each processing unit, in addition to an assignment status of image information processing to each of the processing units. Is preferably determined.

[0012] In the image processing apparatus, it is preferable that the management unit determines the assignment of processing of the input image information on a print job basis.

[0013] In the image processing apparatus, the management unit divides the print job when all of the image information relating to one print job cannot be processed by the function of the processing unit with a small allocation of image information processing; It is preferable that a portion of the image information which can be processed by the processing unit having a small allocation of the image information is assigned to the processing unit, and a process of the other portion of the image information is assigned to another processing unit.

In the above image processing apparatus, the management means may have a plurality of spoolers respectively corresponding to the respective processing means, and register image information for assigning processing to the respective processing means to the corresponding spooler. preferable.

In the image processing apparatus, each of the processing means preferably has a function of processing image information in a page description language.

In the image processing apparatus, it is preferable that each of the processing units includes a unit that draws an image on an image memory based on image information.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing method for processing an image by supplying image information to a plurality of processing steps capable of processing the image in parallel. And a management step of distributing and assigning the processing of the input image information to the respective processing steps.

A computer readable memory according to the present invention comprises:
A computer readable memory containing a program code for supplying image information to a plurality of processing means capable of processing an image in parallel and processing the image, the code including an input process for inputting the image information, And a code of a management step for distributing and assigning the processing to the respective processing means.

[0019]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Input unit 6
0 is connected to a network, for example, and receives print data (print job) from one or a plurality of information processing apparatuses via the network. In this embodiment, the print data is described in PDL (Page Description Language).

The analysis unit 10 checks the RIP function required for processing the received print data, and notifies the RIP function unit 20 of the result as RIP function information.
The RIP determination unit 20 determines a RIP unit that can process the print data quickly and appropriately based on the RIP function information, the RIP information, and the spool information, and notifies the PDL conversion unit 30 of the result as conversion instruction information. The PDL conversion unit 30 may, if necessary,
The print data (PDL data) related to reception is converted into PDL data of another format, and registered in the corresponding spooler of the spooler group.

The spooler group 40 includes a spooler 41 (RIP-A spooler) and a spooler 4 as a plurality of spoolers.
2 (RIP-B spooler), spooler 43 (RIP-C
Spooler). The RIP group 50 includes a plurality of RIP units that execute different RIPs, such as a RIP unit 51 (RIP-A), a RIP unit 52 (RIP-B), and a RIP unit 52 (RIP-B).
It has an IP unit 53 (RIP-C). Note that multiple RIs
Some of the PIPs may have the same function.

The spooler 41 corresponds to the RIP unit 51, the spooler 42 corresponds to the RIP unit 52, and the spooler 43 corresponds to the RIP unit 53. The RIP units 51 to 53 are provided with page memories 55 to 57 for drawing an image based on image information, respectively.

The RIP units 51 to 53 operate in parallel,
The raster data generated by drawing the image on the page memory is sent to the printer engine 70. In addition, for example, a plurality of printer engines may be provided in correspondence with each RIP unit, or as shown, the RIP units 51 to 53 may be provided.
, One printer engine 70 may be shared.

Here, the RIP unit 51 includes a RIP unit 52
And all the functions supported by
It is assumed that the P unit 52 has a relationship of supporting all functions supported by the RIP unit 53.

Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, all print jobs (jobs based on print data relating to reception) are described for simplification of the description.
Requires three minutes for the processing in the RIP unit.

First, consider a state as shown in FIG. Specifically, in the RIP unit 51, the print jobs A-1, R
Immediately after the processing of the print job B-1 in the IP section 52 and the processing of the print job C-1 in the RIP section 53 are started,
The print jobs A-2 and A-3 are registered in the spooler 41, and the print job B-2 is registered in the spooler 42.

In this state, print data relating to the print job X is newly received by the input unit 60, and as a result of analysis by the analysis unit 10, R
It is assumed that it is determined that the function of the IP unit 51 is required. In this case, the RIP function information includes the print job X
Includes information necessary for processing.

The RIP determining unit 20 indicates the status of the spoolers 41 to 43 (for example, the number of print jobs registered in each spooler, an estimated processing time of the print jobs, and the like) in addition to the RIP function information. Spool information,
Based on RIP information indicating the state of the RIP units 51 to 53 (for example, whether or not a print job is being executed, an estimated value of the remaining processing time, etc.), a RIP unit that processes the print job X is determined, The conversion instruction information indicating the result is P
Notify the DL conversion unit 30.

In the state shown in FIG. 2, the spooler 41
Considering the print job registered in the print job A, it is immediately after the processing relating to the print job A-1 is started,
Since the two print jobs A-2 and A-3 are in the waiting state, the completion of all the processes for the print jobs A-1, A-2 and A-3 is completed nine minutes later. On the other hand, for a print job registered in the spooler 42, the entire processing is completed after 6 minutes, and for a print job registered in the spooler 43, the processing is completed after 3 minutes.

Therefore, if the print job X can be processed by the RIP unit 52 or the RIP unit 53, the overall processing (RIP) can be speeded up. Therefore, the RIP determination unit 20 converts the print job X into the RIP unit 52 or the RIP unit 5 by converting the print data related to the print job X by the PDL conversion unit 30.
In step 3, it is determined whether or not processing can be performed. As described above, since the RIP unit 52 has a higher function than the RIP unit 53, the RIP unit 52 generally has a higher possibility of processing the print job X.

If it is determined that the print job X can be processed only by the RIP unit 52, the RIP determination unit 20
The PDL conversion unit 30 is notified of the conversion instruction information indicating that. The PDL conversion unit 30 converts the print data of the print job X into print data that can be processed by the RIP unit 52 according to this information, and registers the print data in the spooler 42 as shown in FIG. In this case, the processing of the print job X is started after six minutes.

As a result of the determination, the print job X is
If both the IP unit 52 and the RIP unit 53 can process the print job X, the RIP determination unit 20 selects a RIP unit that can process the print job X more quickly based on the spool information, and conversion instruction information indicating that. To the PDL conversion unit 30. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 2, the RIP unit 53 can process the print job X more quickly. According to this information, the PDL conversion unit 30 converts the print data relating to the print job X into print data that can be processed by the RIP unit 53, and as shown in FIG.
Register to 3. In this case, the processing of print job X is 3
Will start in minutes.

Next, an example in which the above processing is generalized will be described. In the following description, the analysis unit 10 and the RIP determination unit 2
In this example, the spooler management unit is integrated with the PDL conversion unit 30.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the spooler management unit. The spooler management unit 100
0, and a memory 210, and the CPU 200 operates based on the program 211 stored in the memory 210 to determine a RIP unit for processing a print job related to reception. Convert print data to an appropriate format.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the spooler management section 100 based on the program 211. First, in step S101, the print data received by the input unit 60 is analyzed, and the RIP function necessary for processing the print job is checked. This processing is performed by the analysis unit 1
0.

Steps S102 to S107 correspond to the processing in the RIP determination unit 20. In step S102, based on the RIP information, the status of the RIP units 51 to 53 (for example, whether or not a print job is being executed and the estimated value of the remaining processing time) is confirmed. Step S103
Then, based on the spool information, the state of the spoolers 41 to 43 (for example, the number of print jobs registered in each spooler, the estimated processing time of the print jobs, and the like) is confirmed.

In step S104, step S101
A RIP unit capable of processing the print job without converting the print data related to the reception and a RIP unit capable of processing the print job by converting the print data related to the reception based on the investigation result in I do.

In step S105, step S103
Based on the status of the spooler confirmed in the above, the order of the RIP units that can quickly process the print job related to the reception, that is, the RIP units with the short waiting time is checked.

In step S106, the RIP unit which can process the print job related to reception most quickly and has a function capable of processing the print job is determined.

In step S107, step S104
When the print job related to reception is processed by the RIP unit determined in step S106, it is determined whether or not the print data needs to be converted based on the investigation result in step S106. If conversion is necessary, the print data is converted into an appropriate format in step S108, and if not, step S109 is performed.
Proceed to. This conversion processing corresponds to the processing of the PDL conversion unit 30.

In step S109, step S106
The print job is registered in the spooler corresponding to the RIP unit determined in.

[Modification] In this modification, the time at which the processing of the print job registered in the spooler (eg, spooler 41) of the RIP unit having a high function is completed is determined by the spooler (eg, the spooler of the RIP unit having a low function) Spooler 41, 4
Another example of processing when new print data is received when the time is later than the time when the processing registered in 2) is completed is provided.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the operation of this modification. In this modification, in the state shown in FIG.
This is a case where print data relating to the print job X is received, and a part of the print job (for example, a part of pages)
If the print job X1 includes a print job X1 that cannot be processed without a high-performance RIP unit (for example, the RIP unit 51), the print job X1 is replaced with the print job X1.
And another print job X2, and the print job X1 is registered in the spooler of the RIP unit having a high function, and as for the print job X2, another R that can process it is registered.
It is registered in the IP unit (for example, the RIP unit 53).

According to this modification, by dividing the print job, the RIP unit can be operated more efficiently, and the print job can be processed quickly as a whole.

However, in this modified example, it is rare that raster data relating to the print job X1 and the print job X2 can be continuously supplied to the printer engine 70. Therefore, it is preferable to provide a means for correcting this problem.

This means, for example, with respect to one of the divided print jobs X1 and X2, when drawing on the page memory is completed, sequentially saves the drawn image (raster data) to a memory (not shown), This can be realized by achieving time matching with print job processing.

Although the above configuration example has a plurality of spools, it does not necessarily require that a plurality of spoolers be physically provided, and if it functions logically as a spooler for each RIP unit. It is enough.

The present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), and can be applied to a single device (for example, a copier, a facsimile). Device).

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system or an apparatus with a storage medium in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or the apparatus.
And MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0055]

According to the present invention, each processing means can be used efficiently in an image processing apparatus having a plurality of processing means capable of processing images in parallel.

[0056]

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an operation example of the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation example of the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an operation example of the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an operation of a modified example.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a spooler management unit.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a spooler management unit.

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus having a plurality of processing means capable of processing images in parallel, wherein input means for inputting image information and processing of the input image information are distributed to each of the processing means. An image processing apparatus comprising: a management unit for allocating; 2. All or a part of the plurality of processing units have functions different from each other, and the management unit converts input image information into image information in a format suitable for each of the processing units. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conversion unit converts the input image information as needed, thereby distributing and assigning the processing of the image information to each of the processing units. . 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the image information is input by the input unit, the management unit performs the processing of the input image information based on an allocation status of the image information processing to each of the processing units at that time. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is assigned to any one of a plurality of processing units. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the management unit allocates the processing of the input image information to the processing unit to which the allocation of the processing of the image information is small. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the managing unit allocates the processing of the input image information based on a format of the input image information and a function of each of the processing units, in addition to an allocation status of the image information processing to the respective processing units. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the management unit determines the assignment of the processing of the input image information on a print job basis. 7. The management unit divides a print job when all of the image information related to one print job cannot be processed by a function of the processing unit with a small allocation of image information processing, and 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a part of the image information which can be processed by the processing means with a small allocation is allocated to the processing means, and a processing of the other part of the image information is allocated to another processing means. Image processing device. 8. The management means has a plurality of spoolers respectively corresponding to the respective processing means, and registers image information for assigning processing to the respective processing means to the corresponding spooler. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the processing units has a function of processing image information in a page description language. 10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each of the processing units includes a unit for drawing an image on an image memory based on image information. 11. An image processing method for processing an image by supplying image information to a plurality of processing steps capable of processing the image in parallel, comprising: an input step of inputting image information; and a processing of the input image information. And a management step of distributing and assigning to each of the processing steps. 12. All or a part of the plurality of processing steps execute mutually different processing, and the management step converts an input image information into image information in a format suitable for each of the processing steps. 12. The image processing method according to claim 11, further comprising: converting the input image information as needed by the conversion step, thereby distributing and assigning the processing of the image information to the respective processing steps. . 13. When the image information is input by the input step, the management step performs the processing of the input image information on the basis of the allocation status of the image information processing to each of the processing steps at that time. 13. The image processing method according to claim 11, wherein the image processing method is assigned to any one of a plurality of processing steps. 14. The image processing method according to claim 13, wherein the management step assigns processing of input image information to a processing step to which assignment of image information is small. 15. The processing of the input image information based on the format of the input image information and the contents of the processing in each of the processing steps, in addition to the assignment status of the image information processing to each of the processing steps. 15. The image processing method according to claim 14, wherein the assignment of the image is determined. 16. The image processing method according to claim 13, wherein the management step determines the allocation of the processing of the input image information on a print job basis. 17. The management step divides a print job when all of the image information relating to one print job cannot be processed by a processing step having a small allocation of image information processing. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein a part of the image information which can be processed by a small number of processing steps is allocated to the processing step, and a processing of the image information of another part is allocated to another processing step.
The image processing method according to 1. 18. The management step manages a plurality of spoolers corresponding to each of the processing steps, and registers image information for assigning processing to each of the processing steps to the corresponding spooler. The image processing method according to claim 11. 19. The image processing method according to claim 11, wherein each of the processing steps has a function of processing image information in a page description language. 20. The image processing method according to claim 19, wherein each of the processing steps includes a step of drawing an image on an image memory based on image information. 21. A computer-readable memory storing a program code for supplying image information to a plurality of processing means capable of processing an image in parallel and processing the image, comprising: a code for an input step of inputting the image information; And a code for a management step of distributing and assigning processing of the input image information to each of the processing means, and a computer readable memory.