JP2000181648A - Data conversion device and data converting method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make data conversion fast by using a dedicated image processor. SOLUTION: This data conversion device 10 consists of plural data converting parts, and an inherent address is respectively allocated to the data converting parts. When image data is supplied to the data conversion device with an address designated, the data converting part having the designated address fetches the image data and performs prescribed conversion. The data converting part designates an address and outputs converted data, and the data converting part having the address fetches the converted data and further performs conversion. After each data converting part finishes needed conversion, the data is outputted to a printer 20. If conversion contents to be executed to image data are designated with an address in this way, the time needed for command interpretation in the conventional practice can be omitted so that quick conversion can be performed even if complicated conversion is performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for performing various processes on image data output from a computer or the like to convert the image data into a data format printable by a printing apparatus and output the converted data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Computers typically produce color images, typically R images.
It is handled as GB gradation data. That is, a color image is expressed by superimposing light-dark images of respective colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B), thereby performing additive color mixture of each of R, G, and B. 8b for each color
When treated as it data, the brightness that can be represented by each light-dark image is 25 from the brightest state to the darkest state.
Any of the six stages (gradation values) can be adopted. On the other hand, a printing apparatus capable of color printing basically expresses a color image by subtractive color mixing of three colors of cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). . Regarding light and dark that can be expressed for each color, the printing apparatus can microscopically express only two states of forming an ink dot on a sheet (dark state) or not (bright state). For this reason, the dots are appropriately distributed to express an intermediate brightness on the entire printing paper. As described above, since the expression method of a color image is greatly different, in order to print a color image on a computer, it is necessary to first convert the expression method of an image into an expression method of a printing apparatus.

[0003] The process of converting the image expression method as described above is usually performed using a computer. However, since an image has a large data amount, conversion of image data requires a long time. Therefore, a data conversion device that specializes in the conversion of image data is provided separately from the computer, the image data is supplied from the computer, and the necessary conversion is performed by the data conversion device. It can be converted to

[0004] Here, the content of the processing performed inside the computer is expressed by combining a command representing the content of the processing with the data to be processed.
Therefore, in the conversion process of the image data, the command representing the processing content and the image data are always handled in combination, and even when the image data is supplied from the computer to the data conversion device, the image data is supplied in combination with the command. ing.

[0005]

However, when the image data is supplied to the data conversion device in combination with the command, the effect of speeding up by using the data conversion device is reduced as the data conversion process becomes complicated. There was a problem of becoming. That is, as the processing becomes more complicated, the types of commands increase, and when the types of commands increase, the time required for command interpretation increases. As a result, as the conversion process becomes more complicated, the time required for command interpretation tends to increase, and there is a problem in that even if a data conversion device is used, there is a limit in reducing the conversion time.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and has as its object to rapidly convert image data using a dedicated data conversion device.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems and Their Functions and Effects In order to solve at least a part of the above-mentioned problems, a first data conversion device according to the present invention has the following configuration. That is, the first data conversion device sends a
A data conversion device that receives image data and an address value corresponding to the image data, converts the image data into a data format printable by a printing device, and then outputs the converted data. A plurality of data conversion units for converting the image data in a predetermined method, each of the data conversion unit, image data selection means for selecting image data corresponding to the unique address value,
The gist of the present invention is to include a data conversion unit for performing a predetermined conversion on the selected image data and a conversion result output unit for outputting the conversion result.

A first data conversion method according to the present invention corresponding to the above data conversion device employs the following configuration. That is, the first data conversion method is a data conversion method that receives image data and an address value corresponding to the image data from a computer, converts the image data into a data format printable by a printing device, and outputs the converted data. So,
The gist is that a conversion method of the image data is stored in association with various address values, and the image data is converted and output using a method corresponding to the address value received together with the image data. .

In the data conversion device and the data conversion method, various data conversion methods are stored in advance in association with the address value, and the image data and the address value are received from the computer, and the image data is stored in the address. The conversion is performed by the conversion method associated with the value, and the conversion result is output to the printing apparatus. In this way, only by specifying the address value and inputting the image data to the data conversion device, a predetermined conversion is performed on the image data. Therefore, the data conversion device does not need to interpret the command to determine the conversion content to be applied to the data,
Data can be quickly converted by that amount.

In the data conversion device and the data conversion method described above, various data conversion methods are stored in advance in association with the address value, and the image data and the address value are received from a computer to receive the image data. May be converted by the conversion method associated with the address value, and the conversion result may be output together with the address value.
By outputting the address value along with the conversion result,
Since the conversion content to be added next can be specified in the conversion result, it is possible to perform predetermined conversion on the image data received from the computer one after another.

Further, in order to solve at least a part of the above-mentioned problems, a second data conversion device according to the present invention employs the following configuration. That is, the second data conversion device is a data conversion device that receives image data from a computer, converts the image data into a data format printable by a printing device, and then outputs the converted data format. A plurality of data converters for converting the image data in a predetermined manner, receiving image data from the computer, and converting the image data and an address value designating the data converter to convert the image data. A data input / output unit for outputting, wherein each of the data conversion units includes an image data selection unit that selects image data corresponding to the unique address value, and a data conversion unit that performs a predetermined conversion on the selected image data. Means, and a conversion result output means for outputting the conversion result and an address value designating a next data conversion unit to which the conversion result is to be converted. The gist be obtained.

In the second data converter of the present invention, when a computer outputs image data to the data converter, a data input unit of the data converter receives the image data and outputs the image data together with a predetermined address value. The output image data is selected by the data conversion unit to which the same address value as the output address value is assigned, and after a predetermined conversion is applied by the data conversion unit, the next data conversion unit is processed. Output with the specified address value. The output image data is subjected to predetermined conversion by a data conversion unit having a specified address value,
It is output again with the address value designating the next conversion content. In this way, the image data supplied from the computer is output to the printing device after being subjected to the predetermined conversion one after another.

According to the second data conversion device of the present invention, a predetermined conversion can be performed on image data without outputting an address value from a computer to the data conversion device. As a result, the data supply time to the data conversion device is shortened, and the data can be rapidly converted as a whole.

Further, the data input / output unit in the second data converter of the present invention may perform a predetermined conversion on the image data received from the computer and output the conversion result and the address value. Absent. If the data input / output unit also has the function of the data conversion unit, the data conversion device as a whole can be made compact in configuration, which is preferable.

In the first data conversion device or the second data conversion device of the present invention, at least one of the data conversion units is a data conversion unit that performs a process of converting the resolution of image data received from a computer. Are also suitable. When printing image data output from a computer, for example, by interpolating or thinning out pixels,
Since it may be necessary to change the resolution of an image, if such processing is performed by the first or second data conversion device of the present invention, it is possible to speed up data conversion.

In the first data conversion device or the second data conversion device of the present invention, at least one of the data conversion units converts the gradation value of the image data received from the computer for each color constituting the image. It is also preferable to use a data conversion unit that performs a correction process. For example, when it is necessary to correct the color reproduction characteristics of each device, such as an image output device such as a printing device or an image reading device such as a color scanner,
If the first or second data conversion device of the present invention performs a process of correcting a gradation value for each color, it is possible to speed up data conversion. Even when the image received from the computer is a monochrome image, the data conversion can be speeded up by correcting the gradation value using the first or second data conversion device of the present invention. Of course you can.

In the first data conversion device or the second data conversion device of the present invention, at least one of the data conversion units converts image data expressing a color image by a combination of a plurality of colors into another plurality of colors. A process of converting the image data into image data expressed using a combination of the above may be performed. For example, when it is necessary to convert image data of a color image represented by a red / green / blue light / dark image into image data represented by cyan / magenta / yellow when printing a color image, It is preferable that such conversion be performed by the first data conversion device or the second data conversion device of the present invention because the conversion can be performed quickly.

Further, in the first or second data conversion device of the present invention, at least one of the data conversion units may perform the following conversion. That is, image data having three or more gradation values for each pixel is received, and the received image data is converted into data expressed by the presence or absence of a dot of a type smaller than the gradation value of the image data. For example, when an image is expressed using one type of dot, focusing on one pixel can express only two states (two gradations) of whether or not a dot is formed. The use of various types of dots, such as the use of various types of ink and the variable size of the dots, enables the expression of multiple gradations for each pixel. In this way, if multi-gradation expression can be performed for each pixel, richer gradation expression can be achieved.

When printing image data output from a computer, it is preferable to perform such processing using the first or second data conversion apparatus of the present invention, since conversion can be performed quickly.

In the first or second data converter of the present invention, at least one of the data converters performs a process of rearranging image data in units of pixels based on the order in which the printing apparatus forms dots. It may be. In the first or second data conversion device of the present invention, if the printing device rearranges the image data based on the order in which the dots are formed and supplies the rearranged image data to the printing device, the printing speed is increased. This is preferable because it can be achieved.

The third data converter according to the present invention employs the following configuration in order to solve at least a part of the above-mentioned problems. That is, the third data conversion device:
A data conversion device that receives an address value and a plurality of data from a computer, performs a predetermined conversion on the data, and outputs the data to a printing device. A plurality of data conversion units for converting the data, an address association unit for generating a plurality of address values based on a predetermined relationship from the received address values, and associating the generated address values with the plurality of data; Wherein each of the data conversion units includes a data selection unit that selects data corresponding to the unique address value, a data conversion unit that performs a predetermined conversion on the selected data, and a conversion that outputs the conversion result. The gist of the present invention is to provide a result output unit.

In the third data converter of the present invention, when an address value and a plurality of data are supplied from a computer, the address associating unit of the data converter receiving them receives the address value and the plurality of data from the computer. A plurality of address values are generated based on a predetermined relationship, and the generated address values and the received data are output in association with each other. Each data output with the address value is
The data is converted in a predetermined manner by a data conversion unit having the same address value as the address value associated with each of them, and output.

In this way, even when the computer supplies a plurality of data, only one address value needs to be supplied, so that the time for outputting the data from the computer can be shortened, and the conversion process can be speeded up as a whole. Can be achieved.

In the above data converter, the address associating unit associates the address value received from the computer with the data received first, and the data received thereafter is an address obtained by adding one to the address value. You may make it correspond to a value in order. This is preferable because address values can be generated and associated by a simple method.

A fourth data conversion device according to the present invention comprises:
In order to solve at least a part of the problems described above, the following configuration is adopted. That is, the fourth data conversion device is a data conversion device that receives image data from an image device such as a digital camera or a color scanner, converts the image data into a data format printable by a printing device, and outputs the converted data. A plurality of data conversion units that are assigned unique address values and convert the image data in a predetermined manner; and receive image data from the image device and output an address value together with the image data to obtain the image data. A data input / output unit that specifies the data conversion unit to which data is to be converted, wherein each of the data conversion units is an image data selection unit that selects image data corresponding to the unique address value; Data conversion means for performing a predetermined conversion to image data; an conversion unit configured to convert the conversion result; And summarized in that and a conversion result output means for outputting and less value.

When the image device outputs image data, the fourth
Is input to a data input unit in the data conversion device, and the data conversion unit outputs the image data together with a predetermined address value. The output image data is selected by a data conversion unit to which the same address value as the output address value is assigned, and after a predetermined conversion is applied by the data conversion unit, the data to be selected next. It is output together with the address value of the conversion unit. The output image data is converted by the data conversion unit to which the address value is assigned, and then output together with the next address value. In this way, the image data output by the image device is sequentially subjected to predetermined conversion, converted into a data format printable by the printing device, and then output to the printing device.

As described above, if the data conversion is performed using the fourth data conversion device of the present invention, the image data captured by the image equipment can be printed without using a computer, which is preferable.

[0028]

Other Embodiments of the Invention The present invention includes the following other embodiments. The first aspect is the first to fourth aspects of the present invention.
Is a mode in which the data conversion device is mounted in an expansion slot of a computer. This is preferable because the computer and the data conversion device can be made compact.

The second mode is a mode in which the first to fourth data converters of the present invention are mounted in an expansion slot of a printing apparatus, or are configured integrally with a printing apparatus.
This is preferable because the data conversion device and the printing device can be made compact.

[0030]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Configuration of Apparatus An embodiment of the present invention will be described based on examples. FIG.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus including a data conversion device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the printing apparatus has a configuration in which a computer 80, a data conversion apparatus 10, and a color printer 20 are connected, and a predetermined program is loaded and executed on the computer 80, so that printing is performed as a whole. Functions as a device. The computer 80 stores the color image data O
The RG is output to the data converter 10 and the data converter 1
0 converts the received color image data ORG into a data format printable by the color printer 20 and outputs it to the color printer 20. The color printer 20 converts the converted image data FN received from the data converter 10.
Based on L, a color image is printed by forming dots on printing paper. As a result, the computer 8
A color image corresponding to the color image data output from 0 is obtained on the printing paper.

The computer 80 comprises a CPU 81 for executing various arithmetic processing, a ROM 82, a RAM 83, a hard disk 84, an interface 85, and the like. These are connected by a bus (not shown).
Data can be exchanged with each other. ROM8
Reference numeral 2 is used to store in advance programs and data necessary for the CPU 81 to execute various arithmetic processes. The RAM 83 is used to temporarily store programs and data necessary for the CPU 81 to perform various arithmetic processing. The hard disk 84 includes a ROM 82 and an R
It is used to store programs and data that cannot be stored in the AM 83. The interface 85 is used by the computer 80 to exchange data with the outside.

The color scanner 24 connected to the outside of the computer 80 reads a color original and converts it into image data that can be interpreted by the computer 80. Further, the computer 80 is connected to the public telephone line PN via the modem 91.
T connects to the server S on the external network
V can receive necessary data.

When the power of the computer 80 is turned on, the RO
The operating system stored in the M82 and the hard disk 84 is activated, and various application programs operate under the management of the operating system. A color document to be printed is created using an application program, and is output to the data conversion device 10 via the interface 85.
In some cases, a color document is created by processing a color image fetched from outside via the color scanner 24 or the modem 91 by an application program.

As shown in the figure, the data conversion device 10
Input interface 11 for receiving data from outside
And modules 12 to 16 for sharing image data conversion processing, a bus 18 for interconnecting these modules to enable data exchange, and an SRAM 17 for temporarily storing data. I have. Although the bus 18 is composed of an address bus through which an address value flows and a data bus through which data flows, both are collectively represented as a bus 18 in FIG.

The image data ORG supplied from the computer 80 is transmitted to the bus 1 via the input interface 11.
8 is supplied. First, the resolution conversion module (SC
M) 12 takes in the image data on the bus 18,
Predetermined processing is added, and the processing result is supplied to the bus 18. Next, the color conversion module (CLM) 13 fetches the data on the bus 18 and performs predetermined processing, and then outputs the processing result to the bus 18 again. Similarly, the halftone module (HTM) 14, the pixel rearrangement module (MW)
M) 15 takes in data from the bus 18 and performs predetermined processing. MWM (pixel rearrangement module) 15
Stores the conversion result in the SRAM 17. The output module (OTM) 16 reads out the image data stored in the SRAM 17 and supplies it to the color printer 20. As a result, the image data O supplied from the computer 80 is output.
The RG is output to the color printer 20 as image data FNL printable by the printer.

The color printer 20 is a printer capable of printing a color image. In this embodiment, a color image is printed by forming dots of four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow and black on a printing paper. You are using an inkjet printer. Of course, it is also possible to use another type of color printer such as a laser printer or a thermal transfer printer.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the color printer 20 of the present embodiment. As shown, the color printer 20 drives a print head 41 mounted on a carriage 40 to eject ink and form dots.
A mechanism for reciprocating the carriage 40 in the axial direction of the platen 36 by the carriage motor 30, a mechanism for transporting the printing paper P by the paper feed motor 35, and a control circuit 50. The mechanism for reciprocating the carriage 40 in the axial direction of the platen 36 includes an endless drive between a carriage shaft 30 that slidably holds the carriage 40 erected in parallel with the shaft of the platen 36 and the carriage motor 30. A pulley 32 for stretching a belt 31 and a carriage 4
It comprises a position detection sensor 34 for detecting the zero origin position. The mechanism for transporting the printing paper P is a platen 3
6, a paper feed motor 35 for rotating a platen 36,
It comprises a paper feed auxiliary roller (not shown) and a gear train (not shown) for transmitting the rotation of the paper feed motor 35 to the platen 36 and the paper feed auxiliary roller. Control circuit 50
Controls the movements of the paper feed motor 35, the carriage motor 30, and the print head 41 while exchanging signals with the operation panel 51 of the printer. The printing paper P supplied to the color printer 20 is set so as to be sandwiched between the platen 36 and the paper feed auxiliary roller, and is fed by a predetermined amount according to the rotation angle of the platen 36. Also,
The ink cartridges 42 and 43 are mounted on the carriage 40. The ink in the cartridge is ejected from the print head 41 by the method described below, and forms dots on printing paper.

FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of each color head. The ink discharge heads 44 to 47 of each color are provided with 48 nozzles Nz for each color, and each nozzle is provided with an ink passage 48 and a piezo element PE on the ink passage. As is well known, the piezo element PE is an element that distorts the crystal structure due to the application of a voltage and converts electro-mechanical energy very quickly. In the present embodiment, by applying a voltage having a predetermined time width between the electrodes provided at both ends of the piezo element PE, the piezo element PE expands by the voltage application time as shown in FIG. One side wall of the ink passage 48 is deformed. As a result,
The volume of the ink passage 48 expands and contracts in accordance with the expansion of the piezo element PE, and ink corresponding to the contraction is ejected from the nozzle Nz as particles Ip at a high speed. This ink Ip
Penetrates into the printing paper P mounted on the platen 36, thereby forming dots on the printing paper P.

FIG. 4 shows the ink ejection heads 44 to 4.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement of inkjet nozzles Nz in FIG. The arrangement of these nozzles is composed of four sets of nozzle arrays for ejecting ink of each color, and 48 nozzles Nz per set are arranged in a staggered manner at a fixed nozzle pitch k. In addition, 48 included in each nozzle array
The nozzles Nz need not be arranged in a staggered manner, but may be arranged in a straight line. However, the arrangement in a staggered manner as shown in FIG. 4 has an advantage that the nozzle pitch k can be easily set small in manufacturing.

As shown in FIG. 4, the positions of the ink discharge heads 44 to 47 of the respective colors are shifted in the transport direction of the carriage 40. Also, regarding the nozzles for each color head, since the nozzles are arranged in a staggered manner,
The position is shifted in the transport direction of the carriage 40. When driving the nozzles while transporting the carriage 40, the control circuit 50 of the color printer 20 drives each head at an appropriate timing while taking into account differences in head drive timing due to differences in nozzle positions. .

In the color printer 20 having the above-described hardware configuration, the ink discharge heads 44 to 4 of each color are driven by driving the carriage motor 30.
7 is moved in the main scanning direction with respect to the printing paper P, and the paper feed motor 35 is driven to move the printing paper P in the sub-scanning direction. Under the control of the control circuit 50, while repeating the main scanning and the sub-scanning of the carriage 40,
By driving the print head 41 at an appropriate timing, the color printer 20 prints a color image on printing paper.

In the present embodiment, the color printer 20 of the type in which ink is ejected by using the piezo fabric PE as described above is used, but a printer of another type may be used. For example, the present invention may be applied to a printer of a type in which a heater disposed in an ink path is energized and ink is ejected by bubbles generated in the ink path, or a printer of another type such as thermal transfer.

B. Data Conversion Process Although the color printer 20 has a function of printing a color image as described above, the format of image data that the color printer 20 can handle is different from the format of the image that the computer 80 can handle. I have. For this reason, the color image on the computer 80 is transferred to the color printer 2.
0, the data format must be changed to color printer 2
It needs to be converted to something that can handle 0. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram conceptually explaining each step of the data conversion.

In the computer 80, the image is treated as matrix data, that is, as a large table in which a number of numbers are arranged vertically and horizontally (for example, every 1000 rows). Each cell constituting the table is called a pixel, and the computer 80 interprets the pixel value (gradation value) as the brightness at that point. When the gradation value is expressed by 8 bits, each gradation value can take a value between 0 and 255. The gradation value 0 is the darkest state, and the gradation value 255 is the brightest. Indicates the state. In this way, in the computer 80, the monochrome image is represented by one piece of matrix data. Also, a color image can be represented using matrix data. In other words, according to the teachings of color science,
Since any color can be expressed by appropriately mixing light of three colors, green and blue, matrix data representing bright and dark images of each color of red, green, and blue, that is, R image, G image, and B image A color image can be handled as a composite.

Such image data is transferred to the color printer 2
When printing with 0, first, resolution conversion processing is performed (step S100). The contents of this processing will be described below.
For example, consider a case in which image data consisting of 1000 × 1000 pixels vertically and horizontally is printed in a size of 10 cm vertically and horizontally. In this case, one pixel corresponds to 0.1 mm on the printing paper. How many pixels a pixel corresponds to on a printing paper naturally depends on the size of an image to be printed. Here, since the number of dots formed by the printer per unit length (this is called the printer resolution) is determined by the printer model, the resolution of the original image and the printer are determined by the size of the image to be printed. May or may not match. If the resolution of the printer is different from the resolution of the original image, it is inconvenient for data processing.Therefore, the number of pixels in the original image is reduced by thinning out the pixels, or conversely, the number of pixels is increased by interpolation. It is convenient to match the resolution of the original image with the resolution of the printer. In the resolution conversion processing, such processing is performed.

When the resolution conversion processing is completed, a color conversion processing is performed (step S102). As described above, computers generally convert color images into red (R), green (G),
Although the printer is represented by three colors of blue (B), a printer generally represents a color image by three colors of cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). Therefore, when printing a color image, a method of expressing colors using three colors of R, G, and B is used.
It is necessary to change to a color expression method using three colors of C, M, and Y. The color conversion process is a process for performing such conversion.
When the color conversion process is performed, the R.R.
The G / B gradation image data is a C / M / G
It is converted to Y gradation image data.

Actually, the computer refers to the conversion table as shown in FIG. 6 and converts the R, G, B gradation values into C, M, Y.
Is converted to the gradation value of As shown, the conversion table is
This is a three-dimensional numerical table having R, G, and B gradation values as axes, and the values of each axis can take values from 0 to 255. A cube whose length of one side is 255 and each side is the R, G, B axis is called a color solid. In addition, R ·
The space defined by the G and B axes is called a color space. The conversion table subdivides the color solid into small cubes and stores the corresponding C, M, Y tone values for each vertex of each small cube. The color conversion is performed with reference to the conversion table as follows. For example, if the R, G, B gradation values are RA, R,
When a color represented by G / RB is represented by C / M / Y gradation values, a point A at coordinates (RA, GA, BA) in a color space is considered, and a small cube (dV Figure out). The C, M, and Y gradation values of each vertex of the cube are obtained by referring to a conversion table, and the C, M, and Y gradation values of point A are obtained from the obtained C, M, and Y gradation values by interpolation. Ask for.

In most cases, color correction and under color removal are also performed in the color conversion processing. What is color correction?
Correction of each gradation value of B eliminates the influence of different sensitivity characteristics for each device when reading a color image, or corrects each gradation value of C, M, Y in advance for each printing device Is a process for removing the difference in the color reproduction characteristics of.
By performing the color correction, it is possible to express an accurate color irrespective of the difference between a device or a printing device that reads an image.

Under color removal is a process of extracting a black (K) component from a C, M, Y gradation image and converting it into C, M, Y, K gradation image data. By removing undercolor,
Equivalent amount of C, M, Y three color inks with the same amount of K ink 1
Since the color can be replaced, the amount of ink used can be reduced, which is preferable in terms of ink duty.

When the color conversion processing is completed, a halftoning processing is performed (step S104). The contents of this processing will be described below. The image data after color conversion is C.
It is matrix data of four colors of M, Y, K,
Each pixel takes any value of 256 gradations. On the other hand, a printer prints an image by forming dots on printing paper.
Only one state can be taken. Most recently, some printers are capable of printing multi-valued dots including intermediate states by changing the size of the dots, but there are still not many gradation values that can be expressed. Therefore, it is necessary to convert an image having 256 gradations into an image represented by very few gradations that can be represented by a printer. Processing for performing such conversion is halftoning processing. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the halftoning process is performed.
FIG. 7A shows image data after color conversion before performing halftoning processing, and FIG. 7B shows image data after performing halftoning processing. As shown
Each pixel constituting the image before the half-toning process has
Although any value of 256 gradations is written, a dot is formed in the pixel after the halftoning process (O
Either N) or not (OFF) is written. In FIG. 7B, in order to make the distribution state of the dots easy to understand, the pixels in which ON is written are hatched, and the pixels in which OFF is written are outlined.

If the image data having 256 tones is simply binarized or ternary-converted according to the number of tones that can be expressed by the printer, a predetermined threshold value is compared with the gradation value of each pixel. , Can be multi-valued depending on the magnitude of the value.
However, when printing such a multi-valued image, there is a problem of a so-called pseudo contour, in which a contour that does not exist in the original image appears in the printed image. In order to avoid this problem, many halftoning methods have been proposed, and representative methods include a method called an organized dither method and a method called an error diffusion method. In general,
When the systematic dither method is used, the halftoning process can be performed at high speed, and when the halftoning process is performed using the error diffusion method, a high-quality image tends to be obtained. For this reason, it is preferable that an optimum method can be selected according to an image to be printed or a request of a printer.

When the halftoning process is completed, the pixels are rearranged (step S106). This process is a process of rearranging the image data converted into a format indicating the presence or absence of dot formation by the halftoning process in an order in which the image data should be transferred to the color printer 20. That is, as described above, the color printer 20 drives the print head 41 to form a dot row on the printing paper P while repeating the main scanning and the sub scanning of the carriage 40. As described with reference to FIG. 4, the ink ejection head 4 for each color is used.
Since the nozzles 4 to 47 are provided with a plurality of nozzles Nz, a plurality of dot rows can be formed in one main scan, but these dot rows are separated from each other by a nozzle pitch k. . It is desirable that the nozzle pitch k be as small as possible, but it is difficult to reduce the nozzle pitch k to the pixel interval (corresponding to the case where the nozzle pitch k is 1) for the sake of head manufacturing. As a result, in order to form dot rows arranged at pixel intervals, first, a plurality of dot rows separated by the nozzle pitch k are formed, and then the head position is slightly shifted to form a new dot row between the dot rows. Control such as formation is required.

Further, in order to improve the print quality, one dot row is formed by dividing the main scan into a plurality of main scans. Control such as forming a dot at each time is also performed. When these controls are performed, the order in which the color printer 20 actually forms dots becomes different from the order of pixels on the image data.
It sorts the data. When the pixel rearrangement process is performed, the image data is converted into image data FNL in a format that can be printed by the printer 20.

C. Configuration and Operation of Data Conversion Device As described above, the data conversion device 10 is configured by a plurality of modules including an SCM (resolution conversion module) 12. Each module performs each step of the above-described image data conversion process (see FIG. 5) in a shared manner, and the image data ORG supplied from the computer 80 is subjected to predetermined processing by each module, and the final processing is performed. Specifically, the image data is converted into image data FNL that can be printed by the color printer 20. In the following, an operation in which each module captures and outputs data will be described, and then, an operation of each module will be described.

(1) Data Import Operation in Each Module Each of the modules 12 to 16 of the data conversion device 10 is provided with an input sub-module (IPSM).
Import image data from. Hereinafter, the operation of the input sub-module will be described using the SCM (resolution conversion module) 12 as an example.

FIG. 8 shows an SCM (resolution conversion module) 1
2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of FIG. The portion described as IPSM in the figure is an input submodule. still,
The input sub-module is abbreviated as IPSM not only in FIG. 8 but also in other drawings. As shown, IPS
The M120 is connected to an address bus 18A via an address decoder 124, a data bus 18D via a three-state buffer 125, and a clock signal 18C. The address decoder 124 compares the set digital value with the input digital value, and sets the output terminal to a high level (hereinafter, referred to as a HI state) indicating a logic 1 only when both match. It is. The three-state buffer 125 is an element that functions like a switch. When the control terminal is in the HI state, the three-state buffer 125 electrically connects the input terminal and the output terminal, and the control terminal has a low level (hereinafter, referred to as LO) representing logic 0. In the case of (state), it functions to electrically disconnect the input / output terminal. The clock signal 18C is a signal used to synchronize the operation of each submodule.

An address value previously assigned to the SCM (resolution conversion module) 12 is set in the address decoder 124, and when the address value on the address bus 18A matches the set address value, The output terminal of the address decoder 124 enters the HI state. The output terminal of the address decoder 124 is connected to the control terminal of the three-state buffer 125. When this output terminal is set to the HI state, the input / output terminals of the three-state buffer 125 are connected and are on the data bus 18D. Data is provided to IPSM 120. IPSM12
0 generates a latch signal based on the clock signal and holds the supplied data for a predetermined time. When the IPSM 120 holds the data, the data fetching operation is completed, and other modules can use the bus 18 thereafter.

(2) Data Output Operation in Each Module Each of the modules 12 to 16 of the data converter 10 is provided with an output sub-module (OPSM). To output image data. Hereinafter, SC
The operation of the output sub-module will be described using M (resolution conversion module) 12 as an example.

The part described as OPSM in FIG. 8 is the output submodule. Note that, similarly to the case of the IPSM, the output submodule is abbreviated as OPSM not only in FIG. 8 but also in other drawings. The OPSM 122 has two registers inside (not shown). One register is connected to the address bus 18A via the three-state buffer 126, and the other register is connected to the data bus 18D via the three-state buffer 127. ing.
In a register connected to the address bus 18A, an address value corresponding to a module that performs the next conversion (here, a CLM (color conversion module) 13) is set in advance. The data conversion result is set in the register connected to the data bus 18D. OPSM122
Generates a data output signal following the address output signal, the address output signal is supplied to the input / output terminal of the three-state buffer 126 connected to the address bus 18A, and the data output signal is supplied to the three-state buffer 127 connected to the data bus 18D. Put the input and output terminals in the connected state. As a result, a predetermined address value (here, an address value corresponding to the CLM 13) is output to the address bus 18A, and then the converted data is output to the data bus 18D.

(3) Method of synchronizing input / output operations between each module If data is output from two modules at the same time, correct data cannot be received, so that the output timing of each module does not overlap. There is a need to. The simplest way to avoid overlapping outputs of each module is to provide a control module (CTM) 101 as shown in FIG.
However, there is a method of managing the data output timing and the data fetch timing of each module.

Even if each module autonomously repeats occupation and release of the bus at a constant cycle, if the cycle is set with a sufficient margin, the output of each module is prevented from overlapping. Is also possible. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing such an example. The upper part of FIG. 10 shows the clock signal.
CM (resolution conversion module) 12, CLM (color conversion module) 13, HTM (halftone module) 1
4, the operation timings of the MWM (pixel rearrangement module) 15 and the OTM (output module) 16 are shown. The time progresses from left to right, and the hatched portions in the figure indicate periods during which each module performs data conversion. The pulse immediately before the data conversion indicates the timing at which the IPSM of each module takes in the data on the bus 18, and the pulse immediately after the data conversion indicates the timing of the OPSM.
Indicates the timing at which data is output to the bus 18.

The operation of the SCM (resolution conversion module) 12 will be described as an example. The SCM 12 takes in data from the bus 18 at a timing A in the figure, converts the data during a hatched period B, and converts the data at a timing C. 18 is output. Subsequently, the next data is fetched at the timing D, converted during the period of the oblique line E, and output to the bus 18 at the timing F. The SCM 12 repeatedly performs such a periodic operation based on the clock signal. Hereinafter, other modules perform the same operation. Referring to FIG. 10, if the time for data conversion is sufficiently secured, the operation timing of each module is slightly shifted and set, and a single bus is shared by a plurality of modules one after another. It turns out that it is possible to pass data.

(4) Resolution Conversion Module (SCM) The configuration block diagram of the SCM (resolution conversion module) 12 is shown in FIG. As shown, this module is an I / O
A PSM 120 and a resolution conversion sub-module (hereinafter, SCSM) 121 for converting the resolution of the captured data
OPSM 12 that outputs the converted data to bus 18
It consists of two sub-modules. Also,
Data necessary for the resolution conversion process is stored in the SRAM 128, and the SCSM 121 can read necessary data from the SRAM 128 via the memory interface (MIF) 123. IPSM120
The operation of the OPSM 122 has been described above.

The SCSM 121 fetches the data held by the IPSM 120 and performs the resolution conversion process described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 conceptually shows the internal structure of the SCSM121. As shown, the SCS
M121 includes an arithmetic circuit unit 200 and a control circuit unit 220. The arithmetic circuit unit 200 includes an arithmetic logic unit (hereinafter, ALU) 210 and a plurality of registers 201, 202, 203, 204, 205. It is configured. The ALU 210 is configured by combining a plurality of basic gates such as an AND gate and an OR gate, and can execute various operations such as arithmetic operations and logical operations. The register is composed of a plurality of flip-flops, and can temporarily store data, operation results, and the like captured by the IPSM 120. The ALU 210 and the register are connected by an internal bus 211, and ALU2
Reference numeral 10 captures data from a register via the internal bus 211, performs various calculations on the captured data, and stores the calculation result in a predetermined register. The ALU 210 is provided with a control terminal, and the type of operation can be selected by a signal applied to the control terminal.

The control circuit section 220 supplies an appropriate control signal to the arithmetic circuit section 200 so that a predetermined operation is performed. Two methods are known as a configuration method of the control circuit unit 220. The first method is a method called a random logic method, which includes a flip-flop,
A so-called sequential circuit is formed by combining basic gates such as an AND gate and an OR gate to generate a predetermined control signal. The other method is a method called a microprogram method, in which a series of control signals are stored in advance, and the stored control signals are read out one after another and supplied to the arithmetic circuit unit 200 to perform the arithmetic operation. This is to cause the circuit unit 200 to perform a predetermined operation. Either method can be adopted, but in the present embodiment, a random logic method which is excellent in operation speed is adopted.

The result of the resolution conversion by the SCSM 121 is sent to an OPSM (output sub-module) 122, and the OPSM 122 outputs the result to the bus 18 by performing the above-described operation.

In the normal case, that is, when the data output from the computer 80 is RGB gradation image data, the address value assigned to the CLM (color conversion module) 13 is set in the OPSM 122 of the SCM 12. The conversion result is supplied to the CLM 13 and color conversion processing is performed. However, when the image data supplied from the computer 80 is a monochrome image or color-converted image data, the data conversion device 10 does not need to perform the color conversion processing. In such a case, the address value assigned to the HTM (halftone module) 14 may be set in the OPSM 122 in the SCM 12. Thus, OPSM 122
By changing the address value to be set, the module for supplying data can be freely selected.

(5) Color Conversion Module (CLM) FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the color conversion module (CLM) 13. As shown, this module includes an IPSM (input sub-module) 130 for taking in data from the bus 18 and a color conversion sub-module (CLSM) 13 for performing color conversion of the taken-in data.
1 and OPSM for outputting the converted data to the bus 18
(Output sub-module) 132 is composed of three sub-modules. Further, the SRAM 138 stores data necessary for the color conversion process,
M131 is a memory interface (MIF) 133
, Necessary data can be read from the SRAM 138. The operations of the IPSM 130 and the OPSM 132 are the same as the operations described above with the SCM (resolution conversion module) 12 as an example.

The CLSM 131 is a module for performing the color conversion processing described above with reference to FIGS. C
Like the SCSM (resolution conversion sub-module) 121, the internal configuration of the LSM 131 is divided into an arithmetic circuit unit and a control circuit unit, and a predetermined process is performed by the arithmetic circuit unit according to a control signal supplied from the control circuit unit. By doing so, a color conversion process can be executed.

When data is output from the SCM (resolution conversion module) 12 along with the address value assigned to the CLM 13 to the bus 18, the IPSM of the CLM 13 is output.
(Input sub-module) 130 takes in the data. The CLSM 131 performs a predetermined color conversion process on the data, and supplies the conversion result to an OPSM (output sub-module) 132. An address value assigned to the halftone module (HTM) 14 is set in the OPSM 132 in advance, and the conversion result of the CLSM 131 is output to the bus 18 together with the address value.

(6) Halftone Module (HTM) FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the halftone module (HTM) 14. As shown, this module, like the other modules, also has an IPSM (input sub-module) 140 for taking in data from the bus 18 and a halftone sub-module (HTSM) 14 for performing halftoning processing of the taken-in data.
1 and OPSM for outputting the converted data to the bus 18
(Output sub-module) 142 is composed of three sub-modules. The SRAM 148 stores data (for example, a dither matrix or the like in the systematic dithering method) necessary for the halftoning process and various operation results (for example, error information in the error diffusion method). Can read these data via the memory interface (MIF) 143. IPSM140 and OPSM
The operation of 142 is the same as the operation described above.

HTSM (Halftone submodule)
Reference numeral 141 denotes a module that performs the halftoning process described above with reference to FIGS. HTSM14
The internal configuration of 1 is divided into an arithmetic circuit section and a control circuit section as in the case of the SCSM121 and the like, and the arithmetic circuit section performs predetermined processing in accordance with a control signal supplied from the control circuit section, thereby performing a halftoning process. It can be performed.

From the CLM (color conversion module) 13, H
When the data is output to the bus 18 together with the address value assigned to the TM 14, the IPSM (input sub-module) 140 of the HTM 14 captures the data,
The HTSM 141 performs a predetermined halftoning process, and supplies a conversion result to an OPSM (output submodule) 142. In the OPSM 142, an address value assigned to the pixel rearrangement module (MWM) 15 is set in advance, and together with the address value, HT
The conversion result of SM 141 is output to bus 18.

(7) Pixel Relocation Module (MWM) FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the pixel relocation module (MWM) 15. As shown, this module is an IPSM that captures data from the bus 18.
(Input sub-module) 150 and a pixel rearrangement sub-module (MWSM) 151 for performing pixel rearrangement processing of the acquired data. The MWSM 151 has two SRAs.
M158, 17 are connected. The SRAM 158 stores data necessary for the pixel rearrangement process.
The MWSM 151 has a memory interface (MIF)
Via 153, these data can be read. The result of the pixel rearrangement processing performed by the MWSM 151 is stored in the SRAM 17. The operation of IPSM 150 is the same as the operation described above.

Pixel Relocation Sub-Module (MWSM) 1
Reference numeral 51 denotes a module for performing a pixel rearrangement process. MW
The internal configuration of the SM 151 also includes an arithmetic circuit unit and a control circuit unit, like the SCSM (resolution conversion sub-module) 121 and the like. As described above, the pixel rearrangement process is a process of rearranging the image data, which has been converted into a format representing the presence or absence of dot formation by the halftoning process, into an order in which the image data should be transferred to the color printer 20. MWS
The arithmetic circuit unit of M151 performs an address calculation according to the control signal supplied from the control circuit unit, and transfers the half-toned data to the SRAM1 via the MIF 152.
7 at a predetermined position.

(8) Output Module (OTM) The output module (OTM) 16 is a module that reads data from the SRAM 17 and outputs the data to the outside.
The OTM 16 is connected to an SRAM via a dedicated bus (not shown).
17 can read data.
The WSM 151 sequentially reads out the dot data developed on the SRAM 17 and outputs the dot data to the color printer 20. As a result, the image data supplied to the data conversion device 10 is output to the color printer 20 as printable image data FNL.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an address map of the data converter 10 as viewed from the computer 80, that is, a state in which addresses are assigned to the respective modules. As shown in the figure, the modules such as the SCM (resolution conversion module) 12 and the CLM (color conversion module) 13 are assigned addresses without duplication, and output data by designating an address corresponding to each module. Then, data can be directly input to each module. PASS of FIG.
Is specified and the data is input to the color printer 20 without any processing by the data converter 10. FIG.
The addresses described as BST1 and BST2 are areas to which burst processing described later is allocated.

In the data conversion apparatus 10 described above, a unique address value is set for each module that performs various processes, and only by specifying an address value and supplying data, a desired process can be performed on the data. It can be performed. Therefore, when the image data is supplied from the computer 80 or the like, it is not necessary to output a command for designating the data processing content. Further, the data conversion device 10 does not need to receive and interpret the command.
Since these operations can be omitted, it is possible to speed up the data conversion process.

In the above-described embodiment, for example, FIG.
The control module (CTM) 101 shown in
Information on which module should be supplied with data may be input in advance. When each module outputs converted data, the CTM 101 notifies each module of an address value to be output together with the data based on the information. In this manner, the converted data can be supplied by appropriately specifying the module. For example, if the image data is a black and white image, the color conversion processing is not necessary. However, the data output from the SCM (resolution conversion module) 12 is transmitted to the HTM (halftone module) by skipping the CLM (color conversion module) 13. This is preferable because unnecessary processing can be prevented, for example, it is possible to directly supply to (14).

The image data output by the computer 80 may be supplied to a specific module of the data converter 10, and may be output by adding an address value to the image data received by the module. FIG. 16 shows an example of the data conversion apparatus 10 as such an embodiment.
Shown in As shown, the data conversion device 10 includes an input module (INM) 111, a resolution conversion module (SCM) 12, and a color conversion module (CLM).
13 are connected by a bus 18 so that they can exchange data with each other.

The image data supplied from the computer 80 is supplied to the INM 111, and the INM 111
The received image data is output to the bus 18 together with the address value of “12”. The SCM 12 captures the data from the bus 18 by the above-described method, performs a resolution conversion process, and outputs the data together with the address value of the CLM 13. In this way, while transferring the image data one after another in a predetermined order,
Each module performs a predetermined conversion, and finally outputs the printable image data FNL from the OTM 16 to the color printer 20.

In this way, the computer 80 only needs to supply the image data to the data conversion device 10, so that the time required for data output can be reduced by the amount of no address output, and the data conversion processing can be performed as a whole. Can be accelerated.

In the above embodiment, the INM 111 is described as not performing the conversion of the image data.
It goes without saying that some conversion may be performed, such as performing a part of the resolution conversion processing in the NM 111.

Further, as described above, it is preferable that a method of the half-toning process can be appropriately selected according to an image to be printed or the like. FIG. 17 shows an example of a data conversion device as such an embodiment. As illustrated, the data conversion device 10 includes two types of halftone modules, and a halftone module D (HTMD) 241 is a module that performs a halftoning process using an organized dither method. E (HTME) 242 is a module that performs a halftoning process using the error diffusion method. The computer 80 selects which module to use for performing the halftoning process before outputting the image data. This selection is based on the OPSM (output sub-module) in the CLM (color conversion module) 13.
This is performed by rewriting the address value set in 142 (see FIG. 12). In this way, the halftoning process can be performed using a more suitable method such as the systematic dither method or the error diffusion method according to the image to be printed.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the content of the halftoning process is selected has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and another process such as a resolution conversion process can be selected as necessary. Of course, there may be.

D. Burst processing As in the example described later, multiple processing is always performed in the same order,
In addition, when data needs to be supplied to each process, the process can be speeded up by performing the burst process.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an initial setting operation of the color printer 20 using the burst processing. FIG.
(A) shows the contents of an instruction to the color printer 20 at the time of initial setting. The first line notifies the color printer 20 of the start of the initial setting operation.
The line indicates the transition to the graphics mode, the third line indicates the use of the unidirectional printing mode, the fourth line indicates the formation of two types of dots, and the fifth line indicates the origin position in the sub-scanning direction. This is the specified part. The portions (P1, P2, P3, P4 in the figure) enclosed by squares in each line are portions corresponding to parameters, and by changing the numbers set as parameters, various printing conditions can be transmitted to the color printer 20. Can be set. For example, if the parameter P3 on the third line is changed to “2”, the color printer 20 is set to perform bidirectional printing, and if the parameter P4 on the fourth line is changed to “1”, the color printer 20 is set to one type. This is a setting for forming dots.

FIG. 18B shows the contents of data output from the computer 80. As illustrated, the computer 80 specifies the address “C000h”,
Four data “101, 1, 2, 362” are output. In the present specification, the suffix h indicates that the number is displayed in hexadecimal. Address "C000h"
Is an address to which the burst processing BST1 is assigned on the address map of the data conversion device 10, and 4
The two data “101, 1, 2, 362” are shown in FIG.
The parameters (P1, P2, P3, P
This is a part corresponding to 4).

Data conversion modules are associated with addresses “C000h” to “C003h” on the address map for each address. FIG. 18C shows the contents of conversion performed by each data conversion module at the corresponding address position. In the module associated with the address “C000h”, conversion is performed by adding a character code “ESC @ ESC (G)” before the received data. This is where the data received from 80 is inserted.The module associated with the address "C001h" outputs the received data with the character code "ESCU" added. The module corresponding to "." Outputs character codes "ESC (e)" and "ESC @".

When the computer 80 designates the address "C000h" and outputs the data "101, 1, 2, 362" to the data converter 10 as shown in FIG. The CTM (control module) 101 of FIG.
1 (corresponding to the parameter P1) with the address "C000
h ", and subsequent data" 1 "(corresponding to parameter P2)," 2 "(corresponding to parameter P3)," 362 "
(Corresponding to the parameter P4) to the address "C00
1h "," C002h ", and" C003h ".
In the data conversion module associated with each address, the conversion shown in FIG. 18C is performed, and as a result, the data shown in FIG.

In this way, the computer 80 can
By simply designating one address and supplying a plurality of data to the data converter 10, each data is subjected to a predetermined conversion and output to the color printer 20. Therefore, it is not necessary for the computer 80 to output the number of addresses corresponding to the number of data, and the time required for outputting the data can be reduced by that amount, and the data conversion process can be speeded up as a whole. .

In the above-described embodiment, the description has been made on the assumption that the continuously increasing addresses are associated with the continuous data. However, even if the associated addresses are the addresses decreasing continuously, The addresses may be discretely arranged at regular intervals.

Also, when the table data stored in the hard disk 84 is developed at a predetermined position in the RAM 83, the burst processing can be used. That is, by specifying the head address of the RAM in which the table is to be expanded and sending the data one after another by burst processing, the data can be efficiently expanded on the RAM. Further, when the burst processing is used, for example, 8 bits
Even if the table has a complicated format, such as a table having a width (1 word) and a table having a width of 12 bits (1.5 words), data can be efficiently expanded as long as the format is determined. It is.

The data converter 10 described above is
Although it has been described that the image data is received from the computer 80, the device that outputs the image data is not limited to the computer. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, image data may be supplied from various kinds of image devices such as a digital camera 22, a color scanner 24, a video printer 26, and a film scanner 28, and the image data may be converted. Absent. This is preferable because the image data can be directly received from the image device and printed by the color printer 20 without using the computer 80.

Although various embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention. It is possible. For example, in the various embodiments described so far, the data conversion device 10 has been described as being externally present separately from the computer 80 and the color printer 20.
However, they need not be apparently distinct. For example,
As shown in FIG. 20, the data conversion device 10 may be mounted in an expansion slot of the computer 80 or the color printer 20 and may be configured integrally with them.

Similarly, in the data converter 10 described so far, each module for performing each data conversion has been described as forming one data converter 10 in appearance, but FIG. As shown,
Each module may be configured to be separable, and may be used in combination as needed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a printing apparatus including a data conversion device as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view of a printer used in the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a dot forming principle of a printer used in the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a nozzle arrangement of a printer used in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a data conversion process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an outline of a conversion table according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an outline of a halftoning process.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a resolution conversion module according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a data conversion device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart illustrating an example in which each module inputs and outputs data while synchronizing with each other.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a resolution conversion submodule according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a chromaticity conversion module according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a halftone module according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a pixel rearrangement module according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a memory map according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a data conversion device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating another example of the data conversion device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of a burst process in the present embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating another example of the data conversion device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating another example of the data conversion device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating another example of the data conversion device according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Data conversion apparatus 11 ... Input interface 12 ... Resolution conversion module (SCM) 13 ... Color conversion module (CLM) 14 ... Halftone module (HTM) 15 ... Pixel rearrangement module (MWM) 16 ... Output module (OTM) 17 ... SRAM 18 ... Bus 20 ... Color printer 22 ... Digital camera 24 ... Color scanner 26 ... Video printer 28 ... Film scanner 30 ... Carriage motor 31 ... Drive belt 32 ... Pulley 33 ... Sliding shaft 34 ... Position detection sensor 35 ... Paper feed Motor 36 Platen 40 Carriage 41 Print head 42, 43 Ink cartridge 44, 45, 46, 47 Ink ejection head 48 Ink passage 50 Control circuit 51 Operation panel 80 Computer 81 CPU 82 OM 83 RAM 84 Hard disk 85 Interface 91 Modem 101 Control module (CTM) 111 Input module (INM) 120 Input sub-module (IPSM) 121 Resolution conversion sub-module (SCSM) 122 Output sub-module (OPSM) 123 ... Memory interface (MIF) 124 ... Address decoder 128 ... SRAM 130 ... Input sub-module (IPSM) 131 ... Color conversion sub-module (CLSM) 132 ... Output sub-module (OPSM) 133 ... Memory interface (MIF) 138 SRAM 140 Input sub-module (IPSM) 141 Halftone sub-module (HTSM) 142 Output sub-module (OPSM) 143 Memory interface (MIF) 148 SRAM 150 Input sub-module (IPSM) 151 Pixel relocation sub-module (MWSM) 152 Memory interface (MIF) 153 Memory interface (MIF) 158 SRAM 200 arithmetic processing unit 201, 202, 203, 204, 205 register 210 ALU 211 internal bus 220 control circuit unit 241 halftone module D (HTMD) 242 halftone module E (HTME)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/46 H04N 1/46 Z

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A data conversion device that receives image data and an address value corresponding to the image data from a computer, converts the image data into a data format printable by a printing device, and outputs the converted data. And a plurality of data conversion units for converting the image data by a predetermined method, wherein each of the data conversion units selects image data corresponding to the unique address value. A data conversion device comprising: a selection unit; a data conversion unit that performs a predetermined conversion on the selected image data; and a conversion result output unit that outputs the conversion result. 2. The data conversion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conversion result output means outputs the conversion result and an address value specifying a next data conversion unit to which the conversion result is to be converted. Data conversion device as means. 3. A data conversion device for receiving image data from a computer, converting the image data into a data format printable by a printing device, and outputting the converted data. A plurality of data conversion units for converting the image data; a data input / output for receiving image data from the computer and outputting the image data and an address value designating the data conversion unit to which the image data is to be converted An image data selecting unit for selecting image data corresponding to the unique address value; a data converting unit for performing a predetermined conversion on the selected image data; A data conversion unit for outputting a result and an address value designating a next data conversion unit to which the conversion result is to be converted; Place. 4. The data conversion device according to claim 3, wherein the data input / output unit has a conversion unit that performs a predetermined conversion on the image data received from the computer. A data converter that is a data input / output unit that outputs the conversion result. 5. The data conversion device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the data conversion units is a data conversion unit that performs a process of converting a resolution of the image data. A data conversion device. 6. The data conversion device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the data conversion units configures a gradation value of the image data to form the image. A data conversion device that is a data conversion unit that performs a process of correcting each color. 7. The data conversion device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the data conversion units converts the image data representing a color image by a combination of a plurality of colors. A data conversion device that is a data conversion unit that performs a process of converting the color image into image data expressing the color image with another combination of a plurality of colors. 8. The data conversion device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the data conversion units is an image expressing a color image by a red / green / blue light / dark image. A data conversion device that is a data conversion unit that performs a process of converting data into image data expressing a color image with a multicolor light and dark image including a cyan color, a magenta color, and a yellow color. 9. The data conversion device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the data conversion units converts image data having three or more gradation values for each pixel. A data conversion device that is a data conversion unit that performs a process of converting an image into data expressing an image based on the presence or absence of a dot of a type corresponding to a number smaller than the tone value. 10. The data conversion device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the data conversion units converts the image data based on an order in which a printing device forms dots. A data conversion device that is a data conversion unit that performs a process of rearranging pixels. 11. A data conversion device that receives an address value and a plurality of data from a computer, performs predetermined conversion on the data, and outputs the converted data to a printing device, wherein a unique address value is assigned to each of the data conversion devices. A plurality of data conversion units for converting the data by a predetermined method; and generating a plurality of address values from the received address values based on a predetermined relationship, and associating the generated address values with the plurality of data. An address associating unit; each of the data converting units includes a data selecting unit that selects data corresponding to the unique address value; a data converting unit that performs a predetermined conversion on the selected data; A data conversion device comprising: a conversion result output unit that outputs a result. 12. The data conversion device according to claim 11, wherein the address associating unit associates the first received data in the plurality of data with the address value, and further includes: A data conversion device as means for associating an address value obtained by adding one to the previously associated address value. 13. A data conversion method for receiving image data and an address value corresponding to the image data from a computer, converting the image data into a data format printable by a printing device, and outputting the converted data. A data conversion method in which the conversion method of the image data is stored in association with a value, and the image data is converted and output using a method corresponding to an address value received together with the image data. 14. A data conversion method for receiving image data and an address value corresponding to the image data from a computer, performing predetermined data conversion on the image data, and outputting the converted data to a printing apparatus. Correspondingly, a conversion method of the image data is stored, the image data is converted using a method corresponding to the address value received together with the image data, and an address value is output together with the conversion result. A data conversion method for specifying a conversion method to be added next to the conversion result. 15. A data conversion device for receiving image data from an image device such as a digital camera or a color scanner, converting the image data into a data format printable by a printing device, and outputting the converted data. A plurality of data converters that are allocated and convert the image data in a predetermined manner; and that the image data should be converted by receiving the image data from the image device and outputting an address value together with the image data. A data input / output unit that specifies the data conversion unit, wherein each of the data conversion units includes an image data selection unit that selects image data corresponding to the unique address value; Data conversion means for performing conversion; outputting the conversion result; and an address value designating a next data conversion unit to which the conversion result is to be converted. And a conversion result output unit.