JP2001202244A - Image processor and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor and image processing method having flexibility equivalent to software and a high speed processing function equivalent to hardware for properly converting multi-level image data into output image data suitable for output equipment. SOLUTION: This image processor is provided with a parallel arithmetic processing processor 511 for simultaneously performing the arithmetic operation of each pixel of inputted pixel column data at the time of converting inputted multi-level image data of one line unit into prescribed output image data by simultaneously performing the arithmetic operation of each pixel by parallel processing. Also, this image processor is provided with a program memory and a program loader for setting/changing the arithmetic processing contents to be executed by the parallel arithmetic processing processor 511.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method for parallel processing of multivalued image data.

More specifically, the present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method suitable for converting a multivalued image having a plurality of gradations into output image data suitable for an output device.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various types of data conversion are performed on input multi-valued image information such as a printer / facsimile apparatus, a copying machine, etc., and the image is converted into predetermined output image data according to an output device to be used. Products that apply processing technology have been put to practical use.

As a specific method for realizing this type of image processing, there are a method of performing image data processing by software using a CPU such as a microcomputer, and a method of forming a processing algorithm into a logic circuit to implement hardware. There is a method of performing image data processing.

[0005]

However, the above-described conventional image processing technique has the following problems.

First, regarding a software technique for performing data processing using a CPU, the CPU processes data one pixel at a time (so-called sequential processing), so that the processing speed is extremely slow. There is a problem that it is impossible to do.

On the other hand, a hardware method using a logic circuit is disadvantageous not only in circuit scale but also in cost because the number of arithmetic circuits and the like becomes enormous with the advance of image processing technology. There is a problem. Further, there is a problem that a great deal of time and cost is consumed in realizing a new algorithm, and further, it is not easy to partially change the algorithm or correct a defect.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide
To provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method suitable for converting multi-valued image data into output image data suitable for an output device, while having flexibility comparable to software and high-speed processing function comparable to hardware. is there.

[0009]

To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a parallel operation processing means for inputting multi-valued image data and processing data for each pixel in parallel. An image processing apparatus comprising: processing content control means for setting or changing the content of the arithmetic processing executed by the parallel arithmetic processing means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the parallel operation processing means is a parallel processing type processor controlled by a program.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the parallel processing type processor comprises one or more processors.
It has a predetermined number of logical operation units for processing data for each bit, and all logical operation units simultaneously perform the same data processing.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the parallel processing type processor includes a data register having a predetermined size, and the intermediate register generated during the processing of the image data. Retain data.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the processing content control means supplies an operation control program to the parallel operation processing means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the arithmetic control program for controlling the parallel arithmetic processing means includes a program for processing first multi-valued image data. A first data processing program;
A second data processing program for processing multi-valued image data different from the first multi-valued image data.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the first data processing program and the second data processing program are switched and supplied for each document image.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the first data processing program comprises: multi-valued image data processed by the second data processing program; And a data processing program for synthesizing the first multi-valued image data.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the multi-valued image data is pixel line data of one line unit.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image processing apparatus according to the first to ninth aspects, further comprising an output unit for supplying an arithmetic output of the parallel arithmetic processing unit to an external device. .

According to the present invention, there is provided a parallel processing step of inputting multi-valued image data and processing data for each pixel in parallel, and setting or executing a processing content to be executed by the parallel processing means. And an image processing method including a processing content control step of changing.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to the eleventh aspect, the parallel operation processing step is executed by using a parallel processing type processor controlled by a program.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method of the twelfth aspect, the parallel processing type processor has a predetermined number of logical operation units for processing data on a bit-by-bit basis. The units perform the same data processing simultaneously.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to the twelfth aspect, the parallel processing type processor includes a data register having a predetermined size, and an intermediate code generated during the processing of the image data. Retain data.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to the eleventh aspect, the processing content control step supplies an arithmetic control program when the parallel arithmetic processing step is executed.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to the fifteenth aspect, the arithmetic control program includes a first data processing program for processing first multi-valued image data; And a second data processing program for processing multi-valued image data different from the first multi-valued image data.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to the sixteenth aspect, the first data processing program and the second data processing program are switched and supplied for each document image.

[0026] According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to the sixteenth aspect, the first data processing program includes multi-level image data processed by the second data processing program; And a data processing program for synthesizing the first multi-valued image data.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to the eleventh aspect, the multi-valued image data is
This is pixel line data in line units.

The present invention according to claim 20 is the invention according to claims 11 to
20. The image processing method according to claim 19, further comprising an output step for supplying an operation output of said parallel operation processing means to an external device.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a parallel operation processing step of inputting multi-valued image data and processing data for each pixel in parallel, and setting or executing the operation processing contents executed by the parallel operation processing means. This is a storage medium that stores a process content control step to be changed in the form of a readable program.

The present invention according to claim 22 is the storage medium according to claim 21, wherein the parallel operation processing step comprises:
It is executed using a parallel processing type processor controlled by a program.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the twenty-second aspect, the parallel processing type processor comprises one or more processors.
It has a predetermined number of logical operation units for processing data for each bit, and all logical operation units simultaneously perform the same data processing.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the twenty-second aspect, the parallel processing type processor has a data register having a predetermined size, and the intermediate data generated during the processing of the image data. Hold.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the twenty-first aspect, the processing content control step comprises:
An operation control program is supplied when executing the parallel operation processing step.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the twenty-fifth aspect, the arithmetic control program comprises: a first data processing program for processing first multi-valued image data; And a second data processing program for processing multi-valued image data different from the multi-valued image data.

According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the twenty-sixth aspect, the first data processing program and the second data processing program are switched and supplied for each document image.

According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the twenty-sixth aspect, the first data processing program stores the multi-valued image data processed by the second data processing program, A data processing program for performing a combining process with the first multi-valued image data.

According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the twenty-first aspect, the multi-valued image data is pixel row data of one line unit.

The present invention according to claim 30 is the invention according to claims 21 to 21.
30. The storage medium according to claim 29, further comprising an output step for supplying an operation output of said parallel operation processing means to an external device.

The present invention according to claim 31 is the invention according to claims 21 to
31. The storage medium according to claim 30, wherein the storage medium is a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-ROM storing a program readable by a server computer and a client computer. R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, and a ROM are used.

The present invention according to claim 32 provides the invention as set forth in claims 21 to 21.
31. The storage medium according to claim 30, wherein the storage medium is a server computer and a client computer.
It is detachable from the computer.

[0041]

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

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, 20
Reference numeral 1 denotes a scanner unit which performs digital signal processing for reading a document. Reference numeral 200 denotes a printer unit which prints out an image corresponding to the document read by the scanner unit 201 on a recording sheet in full color.

In the scanner unit 201, reference numeral 203 denotes an original platen glass, and reference numeral 202 denotes an original platen (document feeder) for pressing (exchanging) the original 204 placed on the platen 203.
The original document 204 placed on top is irradiated with light from a halogen lamp 205. Light reflected from the original is reflected by mirrors 206 and 207.
And an image is formed on a three-line color sensor (hereinafter, referred to as a CCD) 210 by a lens 208. Lens 2
08 is provided with an infrared cut filter 231.

The CCD 210 performs color separation of light information from the original, reads red (R), green (G), and blue (B) components as three color information, and sends them to the image signal processing unit 209. Each color component reading sensor row of the CCD 210 is composed of 5000 pixels.
As a result, the A3-size document, which is the largest document among the documents placed on the platen glass 203, has a width of 297 mm in the short direction.
Is read at a resolution of 400 dpi.

The halogen lamp 205 and the mirror 206 are moved at a speed V, and the mirror 207 is mechanically moved at V / 2 in a direction perpendicular to the electrical scanning direction (main scanning direction) of the line sensor (sub scanning direction). Thereby, the entire surface of the original is scanned.

Reference numeral 211 denotes a standard white plate,
It is used to generate correction data for read data of R, G, B sensors of -1 to 210-3. The standard white plate 211 has a substantially uniform reflection characteristic with respect to visible light, and has a white color in the visible light region. Therefore, by using this standard white plate 211, the sensors 210-1 to 210-1
The output data of 210-3 can be corrected.

The image signal processing unit 209 electrically processes the read image signal, converts the read image signal into respective components of magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (BK). Send to 202.

M sent from the scanner unit 201,
The C, Y, and BK image signals are sent to the laser driver 212. The laser driver 212 converts and drives the semiconductor laser 213 according to the image signal. Semiconductor laser 2
The laser light generated at 13 is transmitted to a polygon mirror 214,
It scans the photosensitive drum 217 via the f-θ lens 215 and the mirror 216.

Reference numerals 219 to 222 denote developing units, which are a magenta developing unit 219, a cyan developing unit 220, and a yellow developing unit 2
11, a black developing device 222, and four developing devices alternately contact the photosensitive drum 217,
The M, C, Y, and BK electrostatic latent images formed on the surface 7 are developed with corresponding color toners.

Reference numeral 223 denotes a transfer drum, which winds the paper fed from the paper cassette 224 or 225 around the transfer drum 223, and transfers the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 217 to recording paper. M, C, Y, BK 4
After the colors are sequentially transferred, the recording paper is transferred to the fixing unit 22.
6 and is discharged.

In this way, M, C, Y, B
One component of K is sent to the printing unit 200, and the four components are sequentially scanned by the document scanning four times in total, and the
By sending to 0, one printout is completed.

Next, the scanner unit 201 will be described in detail.

In the present embodiment, a CCD (three-line color sensor) which is well known as a digital reading method of an original in the scanner unit 201 is used.

FIG. 2 shows a CCD 21 used in this embodiment.
0 is shown. Here, 210-1 is a light receiving element array for reading red light (R), and 210-2, 210
Reference numeral -3 denotes a light receiving element array for sequentially reading the G and B wavelength components. The three light receiving element rows having different optical characteristics are arranged in parallel with each other so as to read the same line of the document. By using the CCD 210 having such a configuration and using a common optical system such as a lens for reading for each of the R, G, and B color components,
The optical adjustment for each of the R, G, and B color components can be simplified.

Next, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ in FIG. As shown in FIG.
-5, a light receiving element (photo sensor) array 210-1 for reading the visible information of R and a light receiving element (photo sensor) array 210 for reading the visible information of each of G and B
2,210-3 are arranged. Also, the light receiving element row 2
An R filter 210-7 that transmits a wavelength component of red light (R) in visible light is disposed on 10-1. Similarly,
A G filter 210-8 is provided on the G light receiving element row 210-2.
However, the B filter 210 is provided on the B light receiving element row 210-3.
-9 is arranged. 210-6 is a flattening layer composed of a transparent organic film.

Next, FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a dashed line B in FIG. In this figure, 210-1 to 210
Each of the R, G, and B light receiving element rows of -3 has a light receiving element (photo sensor) of 5000 pixels in the main scanning direction so that the short direction (297 mm) of the A3 document can be read at a resolution of 400 dpi. It is composed of Each of the light receiving elements (photo sensors) has an opening of 10 μm in each of the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. Furthermore,
The line-to-line distance of each of the R, G, and B light receiving element rows is 80 μm.
m and are arranged at a distance of 8 lines for each sub-scanning resolution of 400 dpi.

Next, the density reproduction method in the printer unit 200 will be described.

In this embodiment, a well-known PWM method is used to reproduce the density of the printer unit 200, and the lighting time of the laser 213 is controlled according to the image density signal. As a result, an electrostatic latent image having a potential corresponding to the lighting time of the laser 213 is formed on the photosensitive drum 217. Then, the latent images are developed by the developing devices 219 to 222 using an amount of toner corresponding to the potential of the electrostatic latent images, thereby reproducing the density.

FIG. 5 is a waveform chart showing a control operation method for density reproduction of the printer unit 200 in the present embodiment.
In the figure, reference numeral 401 denotes an image clock (CLK) used in the printer unit 200, which is generated by the laser driver 212. In synchronization with this image clock 401, 400
A line triangular wave 403 is generated. This 400-line triangular wave 40
The cycle of 3 is the same as the cycle of the image clock 401.

M, sent from the image signal processing unit 209,
C, Y, BK image signal (256 at resolution 400 dpi)
The gradation switching signal for controlling the switching between 400 lines / 800 lines is transmitted in synchronization with the clock signal used in the scanner unit 201.
A printer unit 20 is provided by a FIFO memory (not shown) at 12.
0 is resynchronized with the image clock 401 used.

The 8-bit digital image signal transmitted from the scanner unit 201 is converted into an analog image signal 402 by a D / A converter (not shown). Then, it is compared with the aforementioned 400-line triangular wave 403 in an analog manner,
A zero line PWM output 404 is generated. Here, the digital image signal changes from 00H to FFH, and 400 lines PW
The M output 404 has a pulse width corresponding to this value.
A latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum at a period of 3.5 μm.

On the other hand, the laser driver 212 produces an 800-line triangular wave 405 having a double cycle synchronized with the image clock 401 in addition to the 400-line triangular wave 403 described above. Then, this 800-line triangular wave 405 and 400 dpi
By comparing the analog image signal 402 with
A 00 line PWM output 406 is generated. The 800 line PWM output 406 forms a latent image on the photosensitive drum at a period of 31.75 μm as shown.

In the PWM recording of 400 lines, the minimum unit for density reproduction is 63.5 μm, which is twice as large as that of 800 lines, and therefore, the gradation reproducibility is excellent. On the other hand, in terms of resolution,
800-line PWM that reproduces the density in units of 31.75 μm
Recording is more suitable for high-resolution image recording. That is,
400-line PWM recording is suitable for gradation reproduction, and 800-line P
Since WM recording is excellent in terms of resolution, switching between PWM recording of 400 lines and PWM recording of 800 lines is performed depending on the nature of an image.

The signal for this is a line number switching signal 407.
The image signal is input from the image signal processing unit 209 to the laser driver in pixel units in synchronization with an image signal of 400 dpi. 40 when the line number switching signal 407 is at the L level.
The 0-line PWM output 404 is selected, and in the case of H level, the 800-line PWM output 406 is selected.

Next, the image signal processing section 209 will be described in detail.

The light information from the original is color information of three colors, red (R), green (G),
The image signal processing unit 20 is separated into blue (B) components
9 is input.

FIG. 6 shows a block configuration of the image signal processing unit 209 used in the present embodiment. Image signal processing unit 20
In step 9, the read image information (analog image signal) is
The signal is converted into a digital image signal using the A / D conversion circuit 501. The converted image signal is subjected to characteristic correction of the reading optical system by the shading correction circuit 502, and the lightest (bright) image signal is FFH and the darkest (dark) image signal is 00H. The image signal that has been subjected to the shading correction is sent to the parallel processing processor 511.

The parallel processing processor 511 performs a conversion process on the input RGB 8-bit image signals in accordance with the contents of the designated processing program, and at the same time, in the process, sets by the user in advance. A predetermined data conversion process is performed so as to obtain the set image tone.

In this parallel processing processor 511,
When recording the processed image signal, the printer unit 200
In accordance with the image forming order, the image signal is sequentially processed as necessary, and the image signal is supplied to the laser driver 212. In the present embodiment, image signals are processed in the order of M, C, Y, and BK. Further, the configuration is such that the processed image signal can be supplied to the image memory 512.

On the other hand, the image signal subjected to the shading correction by the shading correction circuit 502 is also input to the image area discrimination circuit 510.

The image area discriminating circuit 510 classifies the digital image signal input by a known image area discriminating means (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-53350) into a gradation image area and a resolution image area. Density reproduction of printer unit 200 (400 lines /
A line number switching signal for controlling the switching of 800 lines is generated and output.

Next, the parallel processing processor 511 will be described in detail.

In the present embodiment, the parallel processing processor 511 is mounted on the image signal processing unit 209, so that predetermined data conversion processing can be performed in real time by software. In this embodiment, the parallel processing processor 511 is a parallel processing processor SVP (trade name) manufactured by Texas Instruments of the United States.
Is used.

Parallel processing processor 511 (SVP)
Is an SVPc that performs data arithmetic processing as shown in FIG.
and an IG that stores and controls programs. The part that performs data processing in the SVPcore is a processing element PE (Processing Element).
ent). As shown in FIG. 8, the processing element PE is a 1-bit ALU (Ari
thmetric Logic Unit) and a set of two 128-bit register files. The SVPcore has a structure in which a plurality of processing elements PE are arranged in parallel. The two registers can be used by the user by freely allocating the number of bits required for each process.

All processing elements PE can only execute the same instruction given by the IG at the same time. Therefore, the parallel arithmetic processing processor 511 (SVP) performs processing for all pixels of one line of the input image at once, outputs them collectively, and sequentially performs the processing for each line.

That is, the parallel operation processor 511
In (SVP), image data for one line of an input image is temporarily stored in a register DIR, and processing of each pixel row is performed from that state. The processing for one line is completed for all the pixels at the same time, and the output is temporarily stored in the register DOR (see FIG. 10) and then output one pixel at a time, thus completing the processing for one line. By repeating this several times for the line of the image to be processed, the processing of the image data for all lines is completed, and a desired output image is reproduced. FIG. 9 shows this state.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a parallel operation processor 511.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a program setting / change mechanism for (SVP). RAM used in the configuration shown in FIG.
After the power is turned on, the parallel arithmetic processing processor 511 (SVP) downloads a program from the outside to the internal RAM, and operates according to the program. That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, a program memory (RAM) 101 is provided outside the parallel processing processor 511 (SVP), and after the copy job starts, the instruction memory 103 (with SVP built-in) is transferred from the program memory 101. (RAM). Here, upon detecting power-on, the program loader 102 initializes the parallel processing processor 511 (SVP), and in response to a command from a CPU (not shown), stores the program memory (RA
M) 101 to the parallel processing processor 511 (SV
A program for controlling P) is downloaded to the instruction memory 103.

The program memory (RAM) 101
Can change data arbitrarily using a CPU (not shown). In this way, it is possible to replace the program from the outside after the product is completed, and it is possible to promptly deal with a change or improvement of the algorithm. Also, customization of the program for each user becomes easy.

Next, the parallel operation processor 511 (S
The processing procedure executed in the VP) will be outlined.

Normally, this type of image processing apparatus performs a plurality of data processes on input image data, converts the data into desired output image data, and outputs the desired output image data. FIGS. 11 and 12 show a parallel operation processor 511 (SVP).
Is a flowchart showing a basic procedure of data processing executed by each of them (each step in the figure will be described later in detail).

FIG. 13 shows each work area in the register file RF0 or RF1 of the processing element PE. The required number of processing elements PE is equal to or greater than the number of pixels in one line, and when the number of processing elements PE is small for the image to be processed, a plurality of parallel processing processors 511 (SVP) are serially connected. And perform parallel operation.

Here, the area in each PE register file shown in FIG. 13 will be described.

The area dti is an area of 24 bits (R, G, B, 8 bits each) for storing one line of data of an input image in input data transfer (step S1).

An area dmi has 8 bits (C, C) for storing one line of data of an image to be synthesized in input data transfer (step S1: see FIGS. 11 and 12).
(M, Y, K, sequentially).

The areas tmp0 and tmp1 are 32-bit areas for storing intermediate input / output data when executing each data processing.

The area flt0 has 32 bits (8 bits × 8 bits) for line-delaying the luminance data of the pixel in the spatial filter processing (step S4: see FIGS. 11 and 12).
(4 lines).

The area flt1 has 32 bits (16 bits) for line delay of pixel hue data in the spatial filter processing (step S4: see FIGS. 11 and 12).
Bit × 2 lines).

An area dto is used for storing one line of data of an image for which all processing has been completed in the output data transfer (step S10: see FIGS. 11 and 12).
It is an area of bits (C, M, Y, K, sequentially).

Next, the processing contents in each step shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 will be described.

FIG. 11 is a processing flow for pre-processing image data to be synthesized when performing image synthesis.

First, input data transfer for inputting one line of image data (step S1) is performed. That is, for the image signal subjected to shading correction by the shading correction circuit 502, all pixel data for one line / 24 bits (8 bits × 3) are temporarily stored in the DIR,
After that, the contents of the DIR are changed to all the processing elements PE by the program operation of the parallel processing processor 511A (SVP).
Are simultaneously stored in each area dti.

The following processing will be described only for the pixel of interest. Unless otherwise specified, the same processing is performed simultaneously for all pixels in one line, which is a feature of the parallel processing processor 511 (SVP). is there.

In the input masking process (step S3), first, data stored in the area dti is referred to,
A matrix operation for correcting the sensitivity of the color separation filter of the three-line color sensor 210 is performed, and RGB (8 bits each)
Into a normalized signal of The converted data is stored in the second data storage area (in this embodiment, the area tmp1 of the register file 1).

In the spatial filter processing (step S4),
First, the input masking-processed data stored in the area tmp1 is referred to, and from RGB (24 bits) data, luminance data L (8 bits) representing the brightness of the pixel of interest and two hues representing the hue are obtained. Data Ca, Cb (8 each)
Bit) is obtained.

Next, with respect to the luminance data of the past four lines and the luminance data L of the current line stored in the area flt0 as the intermediate data, the data of the target pixel position and the data of two pixel positions on the left and right are simultaneously referred to. Thus, a predetermined Laplacian operation is performed with reference to the luminance data at 25 pixel positions in the filter operation area (5 × 5). On the other hand, the color of the pixel of interest is determined from the hue data Ca and Cb two lines before stored in the area flt1 as intermediate data.

Next, the intensity of the filter is determined from the luminance data, the Laplacian operation result, and the tint data.
The luminance data at the target pixel position is converted. Thereafter, RGB (8-bit each) data of the pixel of interest is obtained using the converted luminance data L and hue data Ca and Cb, and is again stored in the first data storage area (the area of the register file 1 in this embodiment). tmp0). Here, the target pixel position of the output in the spatial filter processing is defined with respect to the data position input two lines before because the operation area is two-dimensional (5 × 5).

Further, the luminance data L of the current line previously obtained
The hue data Ca and Cb are stored as intermediate data over the data stored in the oldest line processing of the area flt0 and the area flt1 as intermediate data in preparation for the processing of the next line. This processing corresponds to a line delay of data, but the parallel processing processor 511 (SVP) has a built-in mechanism for performing such processing at high speed. Delay processing can be performed.

In the logarithmic conversion process (step S5), first, the spatially filtered data stored in the area tmp0 is referred to, and C () representing density information for each of the R, G, and B color components is obtained by a function approximation operation. The data is converted into density data of cyan (C), M (magenta), and Y (yellow). The converted data is stored again in the second data storage area (in this embodiment, the area tmp1 of the register file 1).

In the minimum value extraction processing (step S6), first, the logarithmically converted data stored in the area tmp1 is referred to, and the minimum value Min (C, M, Select Y). Then, using the undercolor signal (K) determined based on the selected minimum value Min (C, M, Y), the image data of C, M, Y is converted to C, M, Y.
The data is converted into the data structure of Y and K. The data converted into the data configuration of C, M, Y, K is stored again in the first data storage area (in this embodiment, the area tmp0 of the register file 1).

In the output masking process (step S7), first, C, M, Y, K stored in the area tmp0
With reference to the data converted to the data configuration of the above, a matrix operation for performing a correction process regarding the color development characteristics of the toner is performed,
The image data is converted into image data of four colors of C, M, Y, and BK (black). The converted data is finally transferred and stored in the area dto.

In the output data transfer for outputting one line of image data (step S10), all the pixel data / 8 bits for one line stored in the area dto are programmed by the parallel operation processor 511 (SVP). And temporarily store it in the DOR. Thereafter, based on an external control signal, the image signal converted and outputted in a series of steps from step S3 to step S7 is output and temporarily stored in the image memory 512.

Here, in the present embodiment, the scanner unit 2
01, one document scan (scan), M,
Since one component data of C, Y, and BK is generated, it is determined in step S30 whether data processing of one component has been completed. If processing is in progress, input data transfer (step S1) And the input and processing of the image data of the next line are repeated. In addition, since four components are sequentially generated by a total of four document scans, it is determined in step S31 whether data processing of one image has been completed. If processing is in progress, input data transfer (step S31) is performed. Returning to S1), input and processing of image data of the next component are repeated. On the other hand, when all data processing is completed, a predetermined M,
The C, Y, and BK image data are stored in the image memory 512, and a series of processing ends.

FIG. 12 shows a processing flow for printing out an actually read image.

First, input data transfer for inputting one line of image data (step S1) is performed. This is because pixel data subjected to shading correction by the shading correction circuit 502/24 bits (8 bits × 3) and FIG.
The pixel data / 8 bits stored in the image memory 512 by the processing shown in FIG. 1 are temporarily stored in the DIR as all the pixel data for one line, and then the program operation of the parallel processing processor 511 (SVP) is performed. And DI
In this process, the contents of R are simultaneously stored in each area dti and area dmi for all processing elements PE.

The pixel data subjected to the shading correction is stored in the same area dti of FIG.
On the other hand, the pixel data read from the image memory 512 is stored in the area dmi. Here, in the case of simply printing out the read image, the image memory 51 is used.
The input of the pixel data stored in the area 2 and the storage in the area dmi are not performed.

In the present embodiment, the pixel data input from the memory is 8 bits, but pixel data of a plurality of different images may be input simultaneously. When the parallel processing processor 511 (SVP) used in the present embodiment is used, it is possible to input a maximum of three types of pixel data / 8 bits each from the image memory. / If each is 1 bit, a maximum of 24 types of pixel data can be input simultaneously.

Hereinafter, the input masking process (step S
The processing from 3) to the minimum value extraction processing (step S6) is omitted because it is the same as the above description.

Next, output masking processing (step S
7), first, C, M, and C stored in the area tmp0
By referring to the data converted to the data configuration of Y and K, a matrix operation for performing a correction process regarding the color development characteristics of the toner is performed, and the data is converted into image data of four colors of C, M, Y, and BK (black). . The converted data of one color is stored again in the second data storage area (in this embodiment, the area tmp1 of the register file 1).

In the image synthesizing process (step S40), first, the output masked data stored in the area tmp1 and the pixel data read from the image memory 512 stored in the area dmi are referred to. The two data are area-synthesized. The converted data is stored again in the first data storage area (in this embodiment, the area tmp0 of the register file 1). On the other hand, when the area synthesis is not performed, the data that has been subjected to the output masking processing is simply stored in the first data storage area (in this embodiment, the area tmp0 of the register file 1).

Note that the region synthesis performed in the present embodiment can be realized by a known technique, and the difference in the region shape and the synthesis method does not limit the gist of the present invention.

In the gamma conversion processing (step S8), first, the area-combined data stored in the area tmp0 is referred to, and a function approximation operation is performed so that the density and color balance set by the user in advance are obtained. The conversion of the γ characteristic is performed. The converted data is finally stored in the area dt.
o and stored.

In the output data transfer for outputting one line of image data (step S10), all the pixel data / 8 bits for one line stored in the area dto are programmed by the parallel operation processor 511 (SVP). And temporarily store it in the DOR. Thereafter, based on an external control signal, the image signal converted and outputted in a series of steps from step S3 to step S8 is output and supplied to the laser driver 212.

Thus, the data processing for one line in FIG. 12 is completed. Thereafter, by repeating the above-described line-by-line processing to the last line of the input image, a good output image can be reproduced and formed on the recording medium by the printer unit 200.

In the present embodiment, FIGS.
Has been described using the same processing from step S1 to step S7, but it is only necessary to realize each processing flow using the same parallel processing type processor, and it depends on the processing contents. Not something.

Next, a copy sequence according to the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the copy sequence according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 14, when the user instructs to start copying, first, in a decision step S110, it is determined whether the operation mode is set to the normal copy mode or the combination mode. Here, if the combination mode is set, the processing step S11
In step 1, the combination mode flag is set. On the other hand, when the normal copy mode is set, the process proceeds to the determination step S112 by passing the processing step S111.

In the determination step S112, it is determined whether or not to print out based on the combination mode flag and the number of images to be combined.

If the normal copy mode is set, a program for performing a normal sequence for performing printout is selected in the next processing step S113, and the program loader 102 (see FIG. 10) is selected. The program is downloaded from the program memory 101 to the instruction memory 103 of the parallel processing processor 511 (SVP) via the program memory 101.

In the processing step S114, the parallel processing processor 511 (SVP) operates according to the downloaded program, processes the input image data according to the procedure shown in FIG. Then, printout of a desired image is performed, and it is determined whether or not the specified copy output has been performed in the determination step S115, and the copy operation ends.

On the other hand, if the combination mode is set, a program for performing a memory write sequence for taking image data into the image memory 512 is selected in processing step S116, and the program loader 1
The program is downloaded from the program memory 101 to the instruction memory 103 of the parallel processing processor 511 (SVP) via the program memory 02.

In the processing step S117, the parallel processing processor 511 (SVP) operates according to the downloaded program, processes the input image data according to the procedure shown in FIG.
2 is written.

In the determination step S115, the processing of the determination step S112 and thereafter is repeatedly performed based on the combination mode flag and the number of images to be combined until the predetermined number of image data are completely stored in the memory.

When a plurality of image data are successively taken in, a program to be downloaded in processing step S116 is arbitrarily set so that the conversion process specified by the user can be performed on each image area. It is configured so that it can be changed.

Further, in the judgment step S112, a processing step S113 is executed in order to print out when a predetermined number of image data have been stored in the memory. In processing step S113, a program for performing a normal sequence for performing printout is selected, and the parallel arithmetic processing processor 511 (SV) is transmitted from the program memory 101 via the program loader 102.
The program is downloaded to the instruction memory 103 of P).

In the processing step S114, the parallel processing processor 511 (SVP) operates according to the downloaded program, and processes the input image data according to the procedure shown in FIG. Since the flag is set, a combining process of the read image data and the combining image data read from the image memory 512 is performed. In addition, after performing the series of processes shown in FIG. 12, the desired image is printed out by reproducing the image by the laser driver 212, and it is determined whether or not the copy output specified in the determination step S115 has been performed. To end the copy operation.

It should be noted that various printers other than those described above can be used. For example, in the case of a laser beam printer, since the recording operation is basically performed in units of one line, the time required for processing one line by the parallel processing processor is the same as the one-scan exposure speed of the laser beam in the laser beam printer. Or, if early,
What is necessary is just to output via a buffer for one line. Generally, laser beam printers are getting higher resolution,
Further, since the recording speed itself is high, it is desirable to mount the circuit of the present embodiment to an electrophotographic printer typified by a laser beam printer so that the operation and effect can be maximized.

In the present embodiment, the description has been made using the simplest configuration for processing image data. However, even if the processing content is changed without departing from the configuration and spirit of the present invention. I do not care.

As is apparent from the above description, in the present embodiment, at least two or more data processing programs are switched for each original image and supplied to the parallel processing type processor, so that the user In addition to being able to output an image that has been subjected to image processing, a plurality of images that have been subjected to different image processing can be synthesized. That is, input means for inputting pixel row data of a pixel line of interest, parallel processing means for simultaneously processing input pixel row data for each pixel, and details of the processing performed by the parallel processing means The set/
It has processing control means for changing, and output means for outputting the image data which has been subjected to the arithmetic processing in the parallel arithmetic processing means.

According to the present invention, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus is provided. 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 novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, CD-ROM, and C-ROM.
A DR, a magnetic tape nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

The functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented when the computer executes the readout program code. In addition, the OS or the like running on the computer is executed based on the instructions of the program code. Some or all of the processing is performed, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by the processing.

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 instructions of the program code, The CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by the processing.

The present invention is also applicable to a case where the program is delivered from a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a requester via a communication line such as personal computer communication. It goes without saying that you can do it.

[0136]

As described above, according to the present invention, multi-valued image data is converted into predetermined output image data corresponding to an output device while providing flexibility comparable to software and a high-speed processing function comparable to hardware. Suitable for
An image processing device and an image processing method can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a color copying machine to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a CCD used in a scanner section of a color copying machine to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a CCD used in a scanner unit of a color copying machine to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a CCD used in a scanner unit of a color copying machine to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is a waveform diagram illustrating a method of controlling density reproduction in a printer unit of a color copying machine to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an image signal processing unit in a color copying machine to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 7 is an internal structural diagram of a parallel processing processor according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an internal structural diagram of a processing element PE of the parallel processing processor according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an input / output operation of image data to / from a parallel processing processor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a mechanism for loading a control program into a parallel processing processor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for loading image data into a memory in a parallel operation processor according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for printing out image data in a parallel processing processor according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an allocation diagram of an area in a registration file in the parallel processor according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a copy sequence according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 program memory (RAM) 102 program loader 103 instruction memory (RAM) 200 printer unit 201 scanner unit 209 image signal processing unit 210 CCD 501 A / D conversion circuit 502 shading correction circuit 510 image area discrimination circuit 511 parallel processing processor 512 image memory

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B013 DD01 5B057 AA11 BA02 BA13 BA26 CA01 CA08 CA12 CA16 CB01 CB08 CB12 CB16 CE08 CE11 CE17 CE18 CH02 CH04 CH09 CH11 DA08 DA17 DB02 DB06 DB09 5C077 LL18 MP08 PP03 PP16 PP23 PP28 PP33 PP65 PP68 PQ08 PQ12 RR10

Claims (32)

[Claims] 1. A parallel operation processing means for inputting multi-valued image data and processing data for each pixel in parallel, and a processing content control means for setting or changing the content of an operation performed by the parallel operation processing means An image processing apparatus comprising: 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the parallel processing unit is a parallel processing type processor controlled by a program. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said parallel processing type processor has a predetermined number of logical operation units for processing data on a bit-by-bit basis, and all the logical operation units are simultaneously the same data. An image processing apparatus for performing processing. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the parallel processing type processor includes a data register having a predetermined size, and holds intermediate data generated during processing of the image data. Characteristic image processing device. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing content control unit supplies an operation control program to the parallel operation processing unit. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the arithmetic control program for controlling the parallel arithmetic processing means is a first data processing program for processing first multi-valued image data. And a second data processing program for processing multi-valued image data different from the first multi-valued image data. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first data processing program and the second data processing program are switched and supplied for each document image. . 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first data processing program includes multi-valued image data processed by the second data processing program and the first multi-valued image data being processed. An image processing apparatus comprising a data processing program for performing a synthesis process with value image data. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the multi-valued image data is pixel row data in units of one line. 10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an output unit for supplying an operation output of said parallel operation processing unit to an external device. Image processing device. 11. A parallel operation processing step of inputting multi-value image data and processing data for each pixel in parallel, a processing content control step of setting or changing the operation processing content executed by the parallel operation processing means. An image processing method, comprising: 12. The image processing method according to claim 11, wherein the parallel operation processing step is executed using a parallel processing type processor controlled by a program. 13. The image processing method according to claim 12, wherein the parallel processing type processor has a predetermined number of logical operation units for processing data bit by bit, and all the logical operation units are simultaneously the same data. An image processing method comprising performing processing. 14. The image processing method according to claim 12, wherein the parallel processing type processor includes a data register having a predetermined size, and holds intermediate data generated during processing of the image data. Characteristic image processing method. 15. The image processing method according to claim 11, wherein the processing content control step supplies an operation control program when executing the parallel operation processing step. 16. The image processing method according to claim 15, wherein the arithmetic control program includes a first data processing program for processing first multi-valued image data, and the first multi-valued image data. And a second data processing program for processing multivalued image data different from the above. 17. The image processing method according to claim 16, wherein the first data processing program and the second data processing program are switched and supplied for each document image. . 18. The image processing method according to claim 16, wherein the first data processing program includes multi-valued image data processed by the second data processing program, and the first multi-level image data being processed. An image processing method including a data processing program for performing a synthesis process with value image data. 19. The image processing method according to claim 11, wherein the multi-valued image data is pixel line data in units of one line. 20. The image processing method according to claim 11, further comprising an output step for supplying an operation output of said parallel operation processing means to an external device. Image processing method. 21. A parallel operation processing step of inputting multi-valued image data and processing data for each pixel in parallel;
A processing content control step of setting or changing the content of the arithmetic processing executed by the parallel arithmetic processing means, in the form of a readable program. 22. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein said parallel operation processing step is executed using a parallel processing type processor controlled by a program. 23. The storage medium according to claim 22, wherein said parallel processing type processor has a predetermined number of logical operation units for processing data on a bit-by-bit basis, and all of the logical operation units simultaneously execute the same data processing. Storage medium characterized by performing the following. 24. The storage medium according to claim 22, wherein the parallel processing type processor includes a data register having a predetermined size, and holds intermediate data generated during the processing of the image data. Storage medium. 25. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein the processing content control step supplies an operation control program when the parallel operation processing step is executed. 26. The storage medium according to claim 25, wherein the arithmetic and control program comprises: a first data processing program for processing first multi-valued image data; And a second data processing program for processing different multi-valued image data. 27. The storage medium according to claim 26, wherein said first data processing program and said second data processing program are switched and supplied for each document image. 28. The storage medium according to claim 26, wherein the first data processing program comprises: multi-valued image data processed by the second data processing program; and the first multi-valued data being processed. A storage medium characterized by including a data processing program for synthesizing image data. 29. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein said multi-valued image data is pixel line data in units of one line. 30. The storage medium according to claim 21, further comprising an output step for supplying an operation output of said parallel operation processing means to an external device. Medium. 31. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein the storage medium includes a floppy (registered trademark) disk storing a program readable by a server computer and a client computer. Hard disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, CD-ROM,
CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
A storage medium characterized by using M. 32. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein said storage medium is detachable from a server computer and a client computer.