JP2000172823A - Method and device for processing picture - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and device for processing picture by which the most complicated process can be achieved by combining plural picture processes together while reducing the load at the designing time. SOLUTION: At least one actually executed process is selected out of stored processes (S101) and the time required for the selected processes is integrated based on the time required for the selected processes or the information required for calculating the required time (S102). The integrated required time is compared with a prescribed time limit until which the selected processes can be executed (S103). Then whether the selected processes are executable or not is discriminated (S104) and, when the discriminated result is 'No', the execution of the selected processes is not started, but it is reported to the operator that the selected processes are not executable (S105).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image processing method and apparatus for executing a plurality of image processes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional apparatus for performing image processing in real time, such as a copying machine, the complexity of processing is determined at design time so that image processing can be performed within a predetermined time limit. It is necessary to ensure that the processing is completed within the time limit. Generally, the time limit is a margin time from input of an image to an output request, and if processing is not completed within the time limit, an output image as expected cannot be obtained. The time limit also depends on the capacity of the storage device added to the processing device.

In the case where a plurality of image processings are performed in series, a simultaneous operation of the plurality of image processings is realized by arranging a dedicated device for each processing in series.

However, since the hardware is designed to have dedicated functions, it is difficult to change the content and complexity of the processing determined at the time of design. Since a large number of processing apparatuses are arranged in series, it is very difficult to change the order of each processing.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a method using a general-purpose processor that executes instructions while sequentially reading instructions at the time of execution may be used instead of the dedicated hardware processing device. That is, by storing a program (instruction group) in a replaceable storage device, the content and order of processing can be easily changed, and the program can be changed to a program in which the order of processing has been changed.

[0006]

However, also in the above case, it is necessary to design image processing software designed on the assumption that the processing is completed within a predetermined time limit. In other words, when various types of processing are prepared and the processing contents and the processing order are to be changed at the time of execution, the processing is performed so that all the processing is completed within a predetermined time limit for all combinations of the processing contents and the processing order. It is necessary to determine in advance the complexity and the width of the change at the time of design. Otherwise, not all processing will be completed within the time limit when actually executed. Therefore, in this configuration, the possibility of the combination of the contents and order of the processing at the time of execution increases, so that much load is imposed on the verification of the feasibility at the time of design.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an image processing method and apparatus capable of greatly reducing the load at the time of designing and realizing the most complicated processing by combining a plurality of image processings. The purpose is to provide.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a storage means for storing selectable types of processing, and a method for actually executing the processing from the processing stored in the storage means. Selecting means for selecting at least one process;
A required time storage unit that stores information required for calculating the required time or required time of the selected process, and based on the stored required time or information,
Integrating means for integrating the required time of the selected process, time limit storing means for storing a predetermined time limit for executing the process, and comparing the required time integrated by the integrating means with the time limit. Determining means for determining whether the selected processing is executable, and execution control means for controlling execution of the selected processing according to a result of the determination by the determining means. .

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a selecting step for selecting at least one process to be actually executed from the processes stored in the storage means, and a time required for the selected process. Alternatively, based on the information required to calculate the required time, an integrating step of integrating the required time of the selected processing is compared with the required time integrated in the integrating step and a predetermined time limit in which the processing can be executed. A determining step of determining whether the selected processing is executable; and an execution controlling step of controlling execution of the selected processing according to a determination result in the determining step. I do.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a control unit, which is connected to a scanner 200 as an image input device and a printer 300 as an image output device, and is connected to a LAN or a public line (WAN) to obtain image information and data. Input and output device information. Also,
Reference numeral 101 denotes a CPU, which controls the entire system according to a program described later. 102 is a RAM, a CPU
101 is a system work memory for operation,
It is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data.
A ROM 103 stores a system boot program, control data, and the like. Reference numeral 104 denotes a hard disk drive (HDD),
Stores image data and the like.

Reference numeral 105 denotes an operation unit interface (I /
F), and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit (UI) 400. Further, it plays a role of transmitting information input by the system user from the operation unit 400 to the CPU 101. 106 is a network interface (I / F)
It is connected to a LAN and inputs and outputs information. 107
Is a modem, which is connected to a public line (WAN) to input and output information. Reference numeral 108 denotes a system bus, which connects the above devices. Reference numeral 109 denotes an image bus interface (I / F), which is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 108 to an image bus described later and converts a data structure. Reference numeral 110 denotes an image bus for transferring image data at high speed, and is constituted by a PCI bus, IEEE 1394, or the like. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 110.

Reference numeral 120 denotes a raster image processor (R).
IP), and expands a predetermined PDL code into a bitmap image. Reference numeral 130 denotes a device interface (I / F), which connects the controller 200 to the scanner 200 or the printer 300, which is an image input / output device, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. Reference numeral 140 denotes a scanner image processing unit which corrects input image data,
Perform image processing such as processing and editing. A printer image processing unit 150 performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. An image rotating unit 160 rotates image data. Reference numeral 170 denotes an image compression unit that performs compression / expansion processing of multi-valued image data in JPEG and binary image data in JBIG, MMR, and MH.

Next, the scanner 200 and the printer 300 which are the above-mentioned image input / output devices will be described.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of a copying machine as an image input / output device. The scanner 200, which is an image input device, illuminates an image on paper serving as a document and scans a CCD line sensor (not shown), thereby converting the image into raster image data to an electric signal. Original paper is set on the tray 202 of the original feeder 201, and when the user instructs reading and activation from the operation unit 400, C
PU 101 scans scanner 2 via device I / F 103
00, the feeder 201 feeds the document sheets one by one, and performs a document image reading operation.

On the other hand, a printer 3 as an image output device
Reference numeral 00 denotes a part for converting raster image data into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and an image is directly ejected on paper by discharging ink from a micro nozzle array. There is an ink jet system for printing, but any system may be used. Here, the print operation is started by the CPU 101 by the device I / F 1.
This is performed by instructing the printer 300 via the printer 30. The printer 300 is provided with a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and corresponding paper cassettes 301, 302, and 30 are provided.
3,304. The paper discharge tray 310 receives the printed paper.

Next, a detailed configuration of the operation unit 400 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation unit according to the embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 401 denotes an LCD
A display unit, which has a touch panel sheet affixed on the LCD, displays an operation screen of the system, and notifies the CPU 101 of the position information when those display keys are pressed. Reference numeral 402 denotes a start key, which is pressed to start a document image reading operation. In the center of the start key 402, a two-color LED 4 of green and red is provided.
03 indicates whether or not the start key 402 can be used according to the color. Reference numeral 404 denotes a stop key, which is depressed when stopping an operation in operation.
An ID key 405 is used to input a user ID of a user. 406 is a reset key,
Used when initializing settings from the operation unit 400.

Next, the scanner image processing unit 1 shown in FIG.
The detailed configuration of the forty will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a scanner image processing unit according to the embodiment. In the figure, an image bus I / F controller 141 is connected to the image bus 110 and has a function of controlling the bus access sequence and a function of controlling each device in the scanner image processing unit 140 and generating timing. . A filter processing unit 142 performs a convolution operation using a spatial filter. 143 is an editing unit,
For example, a closed area surrounded by a marker pen is recognized from the input image data, and image processing such as filtering, shadowing, shading, and negative / positive inversion is performed on the image data in the closed area. Although a general-purpose processor is used for this processing, the actual processing procedure will be described later.

Reference numeral 144 denotes a scaling unit, which changes the resolution of the read image by performing an interpolation operation in the main scanning direction of the raster image to perform enlargement or reduction. The magnification in the sub-scanning direction is changed by changing the scanning speed of an image reading line sensor (not shown). Reference numeral 145 denotes a table for converting image data, which is read luminance data, into density data. 1
Reference numeral 46 denotes a binarizing unit, which binarizes multi-value grayscale image data by error diffusion processing, screen processing, or the like. The processed image data is again transferred to the image bus 110 via the image bus I / F controller 141.
Transferred on.

Here, the detailed configuration and processing procedure of the above-described editing unit 143 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the editing unit according to the embodiment. As illustrated, the image data output from the filter processing unit 142 is stored in a general-purpose processor 1431 and a data storage device 143.
2 is input. Further, the configuration is such that the data stored in the data storage device 1432 can be output and the data can be stored in response to a request from the general-purpose processor 1431. The processing contents (instructions) of the general-purpose processor 1431 are stored in the program storage device 1433, and the general-purpose processor 1431 sequentially reads and executes the programmed processing. The processing contents may be programmed in the program storage device 1433 in advance, or may be written from the CPU 101 via the image bus 110, the image bus I / F controller 141, and the general-purpose processor 1431 before executing the program.

The general-purpose processor 1431 is a CPU 1
01 is received via the image bus 110 and the image bus I / F controller 141, and is programmed to switch the operation mode. The type of image processing to be executed after receiving the execution start signal is also transmitted from the CPU 101. It can be switched by the signal of Then, the general-purpose processor 1431 sends an execution start signal to the CPU 1
When the program is received from 01, execution of the program is started, and thereafter, the program operates according to the processing contents stored in the program storage device 1433. Basically, the filter 142
And processing the image data output from the data storage device 1432 and outputting the processed image data to the scaling unit 144. The processing performed by the general-purpose processor 1431 includes recognition of a closed region surrounded by a marker pen and image processing, as well as black correction, shading processing, scaling processing, moving processing, mirror image processing, folding processing, repeat processing, and italic processing. And any other image processing is programmable.

The execution time required for each type of image processing is different from the required capacity of the data storage device. Whether a plurality of processes can be executed simultaneously depends on the size of resources such as the execution time and the free space of the storage device. Depends on. For example, marker pen recognition requires a data storage device capacity of 160 kilobytes and an execution time of 100 microseconds. In addition, the italic processing requires the capacity of the data storage device to be 1000 kilobytes and the execution time to be 50 microseconds. For example, when these two processings are simultaneously performed, when the usage amounts of the respective resources are integrated, 150 Microseconds and 1160 kilobytes can be calculated.

Next, the printer image processing unit 1 shown in FIG.
The detailed configuration of 50 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the printer image processing unit according to the embodiment. In the figure, an image bus I / F controller 151 is connected to the image bus 110 and has a function of controlling the bus access sequence and a function of controlling each device in the printer image processing unit 150 and generating a timing. . A resolution conversion unit 152 converts image data from a LAN or a public line into a resolution of the printer 300. Reference numeral 153 denotes a smoothing processing unit which performs processing for smoothing jaggies (roughness of an image appearing at a black-and-white boundary such as an oblique line) of the image data after resolution conversion.

Next, a detailed configuration of the image compression section 170 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the image compression unit according to the embodiment. In FIG.
Reference numeral 1 denotes an image bus I / F controller, and an image bus 11
0, a bus access sequence control function, a timing control function for transferring data between an input buffer 172 and an output buffer 175, and a mode setting for an image compression unit 173. It has a function to do. Reference numeral 174 denotes a RAM, which is used as a work area when the image compression unit 173 executes the image compression processing. Hereinafter, a processing procedure of the image compression processing unit 170 will be described.

First, the CPU 10 via the image bus 110
1 to the image bus I / F controller 171 are set for image compression control. With this setting, the image bus I
The / F controller 171 performs settings necessary for image compression (for example, settings such as MMR compression and JBIG expansion) for the image compression unit 173. After making the necessary settings,
From 01, image data transfer is permitted to the image bus I / F controller 171. According to this permission, the image bus I / F controller 171 starts transfer of image data from each device on the RAM 102 or the image bus 110. The received image data is stored in an input buffer 172.
The image is transferred at a constant speed in response to an image data request from the image compression unit 173. At this time, the input buffer 172 determines whether the image data can be transferred between the image bus I / F controller 171 and the image compression unit 173, reads the image data from the image bus 110, and executes the image compression unit 173. If it is not possible to write image data into the memory, control is performed so that data is not transferred (hereinafter, such control is referred to as handshake).

When the image data is written into the image compression section 173, the image compression section 173 temporarily stores the received image data in the RAM 174. this is,
This is because, when performing image compression, several lines of data are required depending on the type of image compression processing. Otherwise, image compression cannot be performed. Then, the image data subjected to the image compression is immediately sent to the output buffer 175. Thereby, the output buffer 175
Then, a handshake is performed between the image bus I / F controller 171 and the image compression unit 173, and the image data is transferred to the image bus I / F controller 171. Image bus I /
The F controller 171 transfers the transferred compressed (or decompressed) image data to each device on the RAM 102 or the image bus 110. Such a series of processing is performed until there is no processing request from the CPU 101 (when processing of the required number of pages is completed) or until a stop request is issued from the image compression unit 173 due to an error during compression and decompression. Repeated.

Next, a detailed configuration of the image rotation unit 160 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image rotation unit according to the embodiment. In FIG.
Reference numeral 1 denotes an image bus I / F controller, and an image bus 11
A function of connecting to a bus 0 and controlling its bus sequence;
It has a function of setting a mode and the like in the image rotation unit 62 and a function of controlling timing for transferring image data to the image rotation unit 162. Reference numeral 163 denotes a RAM, which is used as a work area when the image rotation unit 162 executes the image rotation processing. The processing procedure of the image rotation unit 163 will be described below.

First, the CPU 10 via the image bus 110
1 to the image bus I / F controller 161 are set for image rotation control. With this setting, the image bus I
The / F controller 161 makes settings necessary for image rotation (for example, setting of image size, rotation direction, angle, etc.) for the image rotation unit 162. After making the necessary settings,
101 permits image data transfer to the image bus I / F controller 161. According to this permission, the image bus I / F controller 161 starts transfer of image data from each device on the RAM 102 or the image bus 110.

Here, the image size to be rotated is set to 3
It is assumed to be 2 × 32 (bit). When transferring image data to the image bus 110, image transfer is performed in units of 32 bits (the image to be handled is assumed to be binary).

As described above, in order to obtain a 32 × 32 (bit) image, it is necessary to perform the above-described unit data transfer 32 times as shown in FIG. Need to be transferred.

Next, the image data transferred by the discontinuous addressing is written to the RAM 163 such that the image data is rotated to a desired angle at the time of reading. For example, 9
If it is 0 degree counterclockwise rotation, 32b transmitted first
The image data of it is written in the Y direction as shown in FIG. Then, by reading in the X direction at the time of reading, the image is rotated.

As described above, when the image rotation of 32 × 32 (bit) (writing to the RAM 163) is completed, the image rotating unit 162 reads the image data from the RAM 163 by the above-described reading method, and the image bus I / F controller 1
The image is transferred to 61.

Then, the image bus I / F controller 161 having received the image data having been subjected to the rotation processing is used by the RAM 102 or the image bus 110 by continuous addressing.
Transfer data to each device above.

The above-described series of processing is repeated until there is no processing request from the CPU 101 (until the processing of the required number of pages is completed).

Next, the device I / F unit 13 shown in FIG.
0 will be described in detail. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a device I / F unit according to the embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 131 denotes an image bus I / F controller, which is connected to the image bus 110 and controls a bus access sequence thereof, and a function of controlling each device in the device I / F unit 130 and generating timing. And Further, it also generates control signals to the scanner 200 and the printer 300 connected to the outside. A scan buffer 132 temporarily stores the image data sent from the scanner 200 and outputs the image data in synchronization with the image bus 110. Reference numeral 133 denotes a serial-parallel / parallel-serial converter, which sequentially arranges or decomposes image data stored in the scan buffer 132 and converts the image data into a data width of image data that can be transferred to the image bus 110. Reference numeral 134 denotes a parallel-serial / serial-parallel conversion, which decomposes or arranges the image data transferred from the image bus 110 into a data width of image data that can be stored in a print buffer described later. A print buffer 135 temporarily stores the image data sent from the image bus 110 and outputs the image data in synchronization with the printer 300.

Here, a processing procedure at the time of image scanning will be described. First, the image data sent from the scanner 200 is stored in the scan buffer 132 in synchronization with the timing signal sent from the scanner 200.
When the image bus 110 is a PCI bus, when image data enters the buffer 132 in 32 bits or more,
32 bits of image data on a first-in first-out basis, buffer 1
32 to serial-parallel / parallel-serial conversion 13
3, the image data is converted into 32-bit image data, and transferred to the image bus 110 via the image bus I / F controller 131. When the image bus 110 is IEEE1394, the image data in the buffer 132 is sent from the buffer 132 to the serial-parallel-parallel-serial converter 133 on a first-in first-out basis, and is converted into serial image data. Transfer to the image bus 110.

Next, a processing procedure at the time of printing an image will be described. First, when the image bus 110 is a PCI bus,
The 32-bit image data sent from the image bus 110 is received from the image bus I / F controller 131,
The data is sent to the parallel-serial / serial-to-parallel converter 134, decomposed into image data of the number of input data bits of the printer 300, and stored in the print buffer 135. Also,
If the image bus 110 is IEEE1394, the serial image data sent from the image bus 110 is received by the image bus I / F controller 131 and sent to the parallel / serial / serial / parallel conversion 134 to be transmitted to the printer 3.
The image data is converted into image data having an input data bit number of 00 and stored in the print buffer 135. And the printer 30
The image data in the buffer 135 is sent out to the printer 300 on a first-in first-out basis in synchronization with the timing signal sent from 0.

Next, the above-described scanner 200 and printer 3
The copy operation by 00 will be described. First, when a start of a copy operation is instructed by an operation from the operation unit 400, a copy start signal is sent to the CPU 101 via the operation unit I / F 105. Here, the CPU 101 enters a copy operation, and scans the scanner 2 via the device I / F 130.
A start request signal is sent to 00. On the other hand, the scanner 200 that has received the activation request signal performs a scanning operation according to the above-described processing procedure at the time of image scanning. And the image bus 11
The serial image data transferred to “0” is transferred to the scanner image processing unit 140, and the scanner image processing is performed according to the procedure of the scanner image processing. Thereafter, the image data subjected to the scanner image processing is transferred to the RA via the image bus 110.
It is stored in a continuous area in M102.

Next, in synchronization with the timing signal sent from the scanner 200, the CPU 101
A start request signal is sent to the printer 300 via the / F 130 to start the printing operation. At this time, the RAM 10
The serial image data stored in the continuous area 2 is transferred to the printer image processing unit 150 via the image bus 110. Then, the printer image processing is performed on the serial image data transferred to the printer image processing unit 150 in accordance with the above-described printer image processing procedure. After that, the image data subjected to the printer image processing is sent to the device I / F 130 via the image bus 110, and is printed out according to the processing procedure at the time of printing.

Here, a description will be given of a process of selecting an image processing to be executed, determining a processing time required for the image processing, and determining whether the image processing can be executed. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according to the embodiment. FIG.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of each module executed according to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 12.

Before starting the operation of the image processing apparatus such as the copy operation, the operator can operate the operation unit 400 to perform various settings such as the image processing mode, the paper feed mode, and the paper discharge mode. ing. In the image processing mode setting, in the case of a document containing a large amount of intermediate density such as a photograph, a photo mode that can obtain a print output that is faithful to the original, and a character original in which black characters are written on a white background and do not contain much intermediate density In the case of, not only the setting that switches according to the type of the original, such as a character mode that outputs a white background whiter and black characters blacker, but also a density adjustment value that adjusts the overall print density and enlargement / reduction copy Perform various settings, such as setting the magnification in the case, recognizing a closed area surrounded by the marker pen, and setting whether to perform various image processing on image data in the closed area. Can be. The image processing contents in the editing unit 143 of the scanner image processing unit 140 differ depending on these image processing modes.

All the contents of image processing are stored in the HDD 104, and information may be transferred to the RAM 102 and used as needed. Further, necessary resource information such as the time required for executing the processing in the editing unit 143 and the capacity of the data storage device 1432 used during the processing by the general-purpose processor 1431 is set to H for each image processing content.
It is assumed that the information is stored in the DD 104. Note that the necessary resource information may be a function for numerical data such as a print output density value of image processing contents.

First, in step S101, one image processing to be executed by the operation of the operator is selected, and in step S102, a processing time required for the selected image processing is calculated. More specifically, the CPU 101
Using the necessary resource information stored in No. 4, the time required to execute the currently selected image processing is calculated. At this time, by referring to resource information such as the capacity of the data storage device 1432 required for the selected image processing and information such as the actual free space of the data storage device 1432, the possibility of simultaneous operation of a plurality of image processes is determined. Verification and the like are also performed, and an accurate calculation of the time required for execution is performed.

Here, the time limit is stored in the HDD 104, and this time limit may be function information based on the free space of the data storage device 1432. CPU1
01 uses this time limit information to calculate an accurate time limit for the processing of the current image processing apparatus. Generally, the time limit of image processing is limited due to the time relationship between the two processes of reading an image with the scanner 200 and outputting the image with the printer 300.

Next, in step S103, a predetermined time limit is compared with a required processing time. In this process, the CPU 101 compares the time required to execute the selected image processing with the time limit of the image processing.
In step S104, it is assumed that the time limit changes depending on the usage rate of the image bus 110, which is an uncertain factor, and a certain time is set as a threshold, and a time obtained by subtracting the time limit from a necessary time is a threshold. If the value is larger than the value, it is determined that the selected image processing can be executed. The time used for the threshold value is stored in a predetermined area on the HDD 104.

Here, when it is determined that the selected image processing can be executed, the state shifts to a normal state, and the image processing is further set by the operator. Then, when the selection of the image processing to be executed is added again, the procedure from the calculation of the time required to execute the selected image processing to the procedure of determining the feasibility is similarly executed. .

If it is determined in step S104 that the selected image processing cannot be executed, the process proceeds to the processing when it is determined that the selected image processing cannot be executed, and an operation for starting image processing such as copying is performed. Even does not start operation.

[Modification] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a modification of the module configuration shown in FIG. In this example, when it is determined that the selected image processing cannot be executed, the selected processing is replaced with a simplified processing one by one, and the processing can be executed within the time limit. Here, control information for simplifying the processing contents is stored in the HDD 104, and the control information includes a correspondence table in which another processing that uses less processing time or uses less resources is assigned to each processing. And information obtained by quantifying the amount of image quality degradation in the case of simplification. In the case of simplification, simplification is performed in order from the processing with the least image quality deterioration amount. Each time one simplification is performed, the procedure from the calculation of the time required to execute the selected image processing to the procedure of determining the feasibility is executed in the same manner as described above, and all the steps are performed within the time limit. The above simplification procedure is repeated until the processing can be completed. Note that the simplification includes approximation calculation using a matrix having a small size used for matrix product operation in the filter processing.

If it is determined in step S104 that the selected image processing cannot be executed,
Characters and pictograms may be displayed on the LCD display unit 401 of the operation unit 400 to notify the operator that it is impossible to execute all the selected processing.

If it is determined in step S104 that the selected image processing cannot be executed,
In order to reduce the processing time required for executing all the selected image processing, a predetermined image processing, for example, the image processing that is added last is deselected and the process returns to step S102.
It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which it is determined whether or not execution is possible again.

If it is determined in step S104 that the selected image processing cannot be executed,
The control may be changed so that the time limit is longer than the processing time required for executing all the selected image processing. In other words, control information corresponding to a time limit longer than a required processing time is used from among control information of a control information storage device that stores control information for extending the time limit,
The control timing may be changed. In this case, when a scan is started by an operation of the operator, all the selected image processing is executed, an image subjected to the image processing intended by the operator is output, and the processing is ended. it can.

As described above, the designer does not have to be conscious of whether or not execution is possible within a predetermined time limit.
Software for each process can be prepared individually, and by determining whether each process is executable at the time of actual execution, execution of a combination of processes that cannot be executed can be avoided.

Further, by making a judgment immediately before execution, a processing time and a time limit dynamically corresponding to a change in an external factor such as a capacity of an external storage device such as a capacity of an external storage device can be used. Thus, it can be accurately determined whether or not it is actually feasible.

Therefore, the load at the time of design is greatly reduced, and the maximum time by any combination of processes is not exceeded within a time limit that reflects the size of resources such as the capacity of a storage device at the time of execution of the process. Only complicated processing can be realized.

Further, a process for extending the time limit is performed, and all selected processes can be executed within the extended time limit. Can be avoided.

Accordingly, even when the operator selects a combination of processes that exceeds the time limit, the image processing selected by the operator can be executed with little sacrifice, and the operator can perform image processing. The operation of the processing device is not bothered.

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.), but it can be applied to a single device (for example, a copier, a facsimile). Device).

An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (CPU or MP) of the system or apparatus.
It goes without saying that U) can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, 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 into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, 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 functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The load at the time of design can be greatly reduced, and the most complicated processing by combining a plurality of image processing can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a copying machine as an image input / output device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a scanner image processing unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an editing unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer image processing unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image compression unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image rotation unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining rotation processing of the image rotation unit shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a rotation process of the image rotation unit shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a device I / F unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of each module executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of each module in a modified example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 Control Unit 101 CPU 102 RAM 103 ROM 104 HDD 105 Operation Unit I / F 106 Network I / F 107 Modem 108 System Bus 109 Image Bus I / F 110 Image Bus 120 RIP 130 Device I / F 140 Scanner Image Processing Unit 150 Printer Image processing unit 160 Image rotation unit 170 Image compression unit 200 Scanner 300 Printer 400 Operation unit

Claims (13)

[Claims] A storage unit configured to store a type of a selectable process; a selection unit configured to select at least one process to be actually executed from the processes stored in the storage unit; Required time storage means for storing required time or information required for calculating the required time; and integrating means for integrating the required time of the selected process based on the stored required time or information. A time limit storage unit storing a predetermined time limit in which the process can be executed, and comparing the required time accumulated by the accumulation unit with the time limit to determine whether the selected process can be executed. An image processing apparatus comprising: a determination unit configured to perform determination; and an execution control unit configured to control execution of the selected process in accordance with a result of the determination performed by the determination unit. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that execution is not possible, the operator is notified that all of the selected processing is not executable. . 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that the processing cannot be executed, the predetermined processing is deselected to enable the selected processing to be executed. Image processing device. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined processing is a latest additional selected processing. 5. A control information storage means for storing control information for simplifying the processing contents, wherein when the determination means determines that the processing cannot be executed, a part or all of the selected processing is performed. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing is performed within the time limit by replacing the processing with a simplified processing. 4. 6. A control information storage unit for storing control information for extending a time limit, wherein when the determination unit determines that the execution is not possible, a process for extending the time limit is performed. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein all selected processes can be executed within the limited time. 7. A selecting step of selecting at least one process to be actually executed from the processes stored in the storage means, and a time required for the selected process or information required for calculating the required time. An integration step of integrating the required time of the selected processing, and comparing the required time integrated in the integration step with a predetermined time limit in which the processing can be performed, and determining whether the selected processing can be performed. An image processing method, comprising: a determination step of determining whether the selected processing is performed; and an execution control step of controlling execution of the selected processing according to a determination result in the determination step. 8. The image processing method according to claim 7, wherein when it is determined in the determining step that the processing cannot be performed, the operator is notified that all of the selected processing cannot be performed. . 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein, when it is determined in the determining step that the processing cannot be performed, the predetermined processing is deselected to enable the selected processing to be performed. Image processing method. 10. The image processing method according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined process is a latest additional selected process. 11. A control information storing step for storing control information for simplifying the processing contents, and when it is determined in the determining step that the processing cannot be executed, a part or all of the selected processing is performed. By replacing with a simplified process,
9. The image processing method according to claim 7, wherein the method is executable within the time limit. 12. A control information storing step of storing control information for extending a time limit, wherein when it is determined that the execution is not possible in the determining step, a process for extending the time limit is performed, and 9. The image processing method according to claim 7, wherein all selected processes can be executed within the limited time. 13. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program code of an image processing method, wherein a code of a selection step of selecting at least one process to be actually executed from the processes stored in the storage means is provided. A code of an integration step for integrating the required time of the selected process based on the required time of the selected process or information necessary for calculating the required time, And a code for an execution control step for controlling the execution of the selected process in accordance with the result of the determination. A storage medium characterized by having.