JP2001260452A - Image data producing device, image outputting device, image output controlling device, image outputting system, image data producing method, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the processing amount in an image superimposing process. SOLUTION: At the time of dividing an image, the shape of each partial image 71-74 of an overlaying image 70 and the shape of each partial image 61-64 of an image to be overlaid 60 are provided the same. Thereby, data for one piece overlaying partial image can be processed with respect to data for one piece partial image to be overlaid in order to produce data for an one piece overlaid partial image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image data generating apparatus, an image output apparatus (for example, a printer), and an image output control apparatus (for example, a print control apparatus) for performing image superimposition processing with a small processing amount. To an image output system, an image output control method, and a recording medium. It should be noted that an image in the present specification is a concept including characters such as characters and numbers, in addition to a so-called narrow image such as a figure, a picture (illustration), and a photograph. And images composed of illustrations.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image output apparatus (for example, a laser printer) using a printer engine which outputs an image at a constant speed, a method for reliably outputting an image based on image data sent from an image output control apparatus. There is a method of preparing a memory having a capacity necessary for storing image data of the entire image. In this method, image data of the entire image is obtained from the image data, stored in a memory, and then output.

However, an image output apparatus using this method needs to prepare a large-capacity memory for storing image data of the entire image, which results in an increase in the price and size of the apparatus.

To avoid this, banding is performed by dividing the entire image into a plurality of bands, sequentially creating image data for each band, storing the image data in a band memory, and sequentially transferring them to a printer engine. There is a method called. Here, the band memory is a memory area for storing image data of one band, and a plurality of band memories are prepared and used sequentially. With banding, after transferring image data to the printer engine, the band memory where the image data was stored can be used to store the image data of the next band, and the amount of memory required for the image output device Can be reduced.

FIG. 1 shows an image in K bands (partial images).
It is a figure showing the example divided into. Image data generation processing (render processing) is performed in order from the first band (first band) of the image 1. Based on the generated image data, the printer engine performs image output processing in parallel with the rendering processing.

[0006]

Here, there is a case where two images are superimposed before the image output processing is performed (for example, form overlay). The number of images to be superimposed may be three or more.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an overlay image, an overlay image, and an overlaid image. The overlay image 10 is an image to be overlaid, the overlay image 20 is an image to be overlaid, and the overlaid image 30 is an image after the overlay image 10 and the overlay image 20 are overlaid. In this example, an overlay image 10 and an overlay image 20
Is superimposed at the stage represented by the image data,
The data (image data) of the overlaid image 30 is generated. The overlay image 10 includes six overlay partial images (bands) 11 to 16 and an overlay image 20.
Represents four overlay partial images (bands) 21 to 24,
The overlaid image 30 is divided into six overlaid partial images (bands) 31 to 36. The printer engine performs an image output process based on the data of the overlaid partial images 31 to 36 of the overlaid image 30.

However, as shown in the example of FIG. 2, the overlay partial images 11 to 16 and the overlay partial images 21 to 24
If the shape (area) is different between and, when generating one piece of overlaid partial image data in the superposition process,
A problem arises in that a plurality of overlay partial image data are processed for one overlay partial image data.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of generating one piece of overlaid partial image data in the example of FIG.
Considering the case where the data of the overlaid partial image 32 is generated, the data of the plurality of overlay partial images 21 and 22 are processed for the data of one overlay partial image 12.

As described above, if image processing is performed on a plurality of overlay partial image data in order to generate one overlay-completed partial image data in the overlay processing, the amount of calculation increases and the processing speed increases. descend.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to reduce the amount of processing in superimposing images by making the shape of the overlay partial image the same as the shape of the overlay partial image.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, an image data generating apparatus according to the present invention comprises an overlay partial image data for generating data of a plurality of overlay partial images obtained by dividing a superimposed image. Generating means;
An overlay partial image data generating means for generating data of a plurality of overlay partial images obtained by dividing the image to be superimposed, wherein the shape of the overlay partial image corresponds to the overlay partial image. It has the same shape as the overlay partial image.

Here, based on the overlay partial image data and the overlay partial image data, an overlaid portion for generating data of an overlaid partial image obtained by superimposing the overlay partial image and the overlay partial image. An image data generating means can be further provided.

Further, the overlay partial image generating means outputs identification information for the overlay partial image, and the overlay partial image generating means outputs identification information for the overlay partial image, and outputs the identification information for the overlay partial image. Is the same as the identification information of the overlay partial image corresponding to the overlay partial image, the overlaying partial image data generating means,
The correspondence between the overlay partial image and the overlay partial image may be checked using the identification information of the overlay partial image and the identification information of the overlay partial image.

An image output device according to the present invention includes the above image data generation device.

An image output control device according to the present invention includes the above-described image data generation device.

An image output system according to the present invention includes an image output control device and an image output device, wherein the image output control device generates data of a plurality of overlay partial images obtained by dividing an image to be superimposed. An overlay partial image data generating unit, and an overlay partial image data generating unit configured to generate data of a plurality of overlay partial images obtained by dividing the superimposed image, wherein the shape of the overlay partial image is The shape of the overlay partial image corresponding to the overlay partial image is the same, the image output device, based on the overlay partial image data and the overlay partial image data, the overlay partial image and the overlay partial image, To generate data of the overlaid partial image obtained by superimposing It requires comprises a partial image data generating means.

An image data generating method according to the present invention includes an overlay partial image generating step of generating data of a plurality of overlay partial images obtained by dividing an image to be overlaid, and a plurality of overlay partial images obtained by dividing an overlaid image. And generating an overlay partial image data generating step of generating data of the overlay partial image, wherein the shape of the overlay partial image is the same as the shape of the overlay partial image corresponding to the overlay partial image.

A computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention stores a program for causing a computer to execute the above-described image data generating method.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the processing amount in the image superimposing process.

[0021]

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

(First Embodiment) FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image output apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The image output device 102 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU
121, a memory 122, a printer engine 117, a printer engine controller 123, and an interface 125. The CPU 121 can take the form of a microprocessor and performs various controls. Memory 1
22 stores a program for performing the processing of the interpreter 113. The printer engine 117 is
Under the control of the printer engine control device 123, an image is output based on the image data. Image output control device 10
1 is input via the interface 125.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing each function and data flow of the image output apparatus according to the present embodiment.

The interpreter 113 includes a parser 131,
It comprises a render 133 and an overlay section 134. In the present embodiment, the parser 131, the render 133, and the overlay unit 134 are realized by software, and are stored in the memory 122 in the form of a program code. However, all or a part thereof may be realized by hardware.

The parser 131 includes the image output control device 10
The PDL (Page Description Language) command, which is image data transmitted from the PDL 1, is analyzed, classified for each display object, and a display list is generated. The display list describes the objects to be displayed and their attributes (coordinates, colors, etc.).

In this embodiment, the image is divided by the parser 131.

The render 133 generates image data based on the display list of the band.

Focusing on the flow of overlay image data and overlay image data, both image data are converted from PDL commands into image data via a parser 131 and a render 133. In the present embodiment, after the overlay image data (image data) is generated, the overlay image data (image data) is generated.
Is generated, but may be reversed.

In the present embodiment, the parser 131 divides an image to generate a partial image. At this time, the shape of the overlay partial image is the same as the shape of the overlay partial image.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an overlay image, an overlay image, and an overlaid image in the present embodiment.

Referring to the example of FIG. 6, first, the overlay image 70 is divided by the parser 131 into four overlay partial images 71 to 74, and a display list of those partial images is generated. These display lists are converted into image data by the render 133. This image data is held in the overlay unit 134 for the subsequent superposition processing. Next, the overlay image 60 is divided by the parser 131. At this time, the overlay image 60 is divided into the same shape as the partial image of the overlay image 70.
That is, the image is divided into four overlay partial images 61 to 64, and each of the shapes is divided into overlay partial images 71 to 7
It is the same as the shape of No. 4. Overlaid partial images 61 to 6
The display list of No. 4 is converted into image data by the render 133.

Here, for example, the overlayed partial image 61
And the shape of the overlay partial image 62 need not be the same. That is, the shape of the overlay partial image 61 and the shape of the overlay partial image 71 are the same, and the shape of the overlay partial image 62 and the overlay partial image 7
It is sufficient that the shape is the same as that of the second shape.

In the present embodiment, the parser 131
Information (here, an identification number) for identifying the overlay partial images 71 to 74 and the overlay partial images 61 to 64 is output. When outputting the identification number for the overlay partial image, the same identification number as the corresponding overlay partial image is output (for example, the overlay partial image 61 corresponds to the overlay partial image 7).
1).

More specifically, when generating the overlay partial image data (display list), the parser 131 holds information on its shape (for example, upper left coordinates and lower right coordinates) and an identification number. deep. Thereafter, when generating the overlay partial image data (display list), the overlay partial image having the same shape is generated with reference to the information on the shape of the corresponding overlay partial image,
The same identification number is output for the overlaid partial image with reference to the identification number of the corresponding overlay partial image.

The overlay partial images 71 to 74 (data of) and the overlay partial images 61 to 64 (data of), which have been converted into image data, are output to the overlay section 134.
And the overlaid partial images 81 to 84
Is generated.

Since the shape of each of the overlay partial images 71 to 74 and the shape of each of the overlay partial images 61 to 64 are the same, one overlay target image is generated in order to generate one overlay partial image data. One overlay partial image data may be processed for the partial image data.

The overlay section 134 generates the overlay partial image data (image data), and searches for the corresponding overlay partial image data (image data) generated earlier when performing the overlay. At the time of retrieval, the identification number of the overlay partial image is used. This is because the identification number of the overlay partial image is the same as the identification number of the corresponding overlay partial image. That is, the overlay unit 134 checks the correspondence between the overlay partial image and the overlay partial image using the identification number.
By doing so, the search can be easily performed.

The printer engine 117 outputs an image based on the generated data of the overlaid partial images 81 to 84.

In this embodiment, the image is divided by the parser 131, but may be divided by the render 133.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image output control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Image output control device 201 according to the present embodiment
Is a CPU 221, a memory 222, an interface 2
25, an input means 226 and a display 227, and can take the form of, for example, a personal computer. The memory 222 stores programs for processing the interpreter 213, the application software 211, and the printer driver 212. These programs are stored in the memory 222,
The information may be stored in a hard disk or the like, or may be stored in a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a CD-ROM, or the like, and may be read into the memory 222 or the hard disk before execution. Image output device 202
Is output via the interface 225. The input means 226 is, for example, a keyboard and a mouse. The display 227 is for displaying information related to image output and the like.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing each function and data flow of the image output control device according to this embodiment.

The application software 211 is
A computer program (for example, a word processor) designed to assist the user in performing some work, such as processing text and graphics. When a print request is issued, drawing such as "draw a straight line" or "draw a character" Command (for example, Microsoft Windows GDI
Command).

The printer driver 212 converts a drawing command into a PDL command. PDL is an interpreted programming language for integrally describing data such as text and graphics in page units. P
Examples of the DL include WPL of Tokyo Denki Sekkei, Post Script of Adobe Systems, and PCL of Hewlett-Packard.

The interpreter 213 includes a parser 231,
It comprises a render 233 and an overlay unit 234. In the present embodiment, the parser 231, the render 233, and the overlay unit 234 are realized by software, and are stored in the memory 222 in the form of a program code. However, all or a part thereof may be realized by hardware.

Also in this embodiment, the image is divided by the parser 231 so that the overlay partial image and the corresponding overlay partial image have the same shape. Further, the identification numbers of the overlay partial image and the corresponding overlay partial image are the same.

In this embodiment, the image is divided by the parser 231, but may be divided by the printer driver 212 or the render 233.

(Others) Various embodiments other than the above-described embodiment are conceivable. For example, the image data transmitted from the image output control device to the image output device need not be at the stage of the PDL command or the image data, but can be at the stage of the display list, for example.

It is conceivable that the image is divided by the image output control device and the superposition process is performed by the image output device. More specifically, for example, after dividing an image by a printer driver of the image output control device, a PDL command is transmitted to the image output device, and parser processing, rendering processing, and superimposition processing are performed.
Further, after the image is divided by the parser of the image output control device, the display list is transmitted to the image output device,
It is also conceivable to perform a rendering process and an overlay process.

Further, the present invention can be applied to a case where the number of images to be superimposed is three or more. Even in that case, the shape of the partial image of each image may be the same.

The image may be divided not only in the horizontal direction as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, but also in the vertical direction or in both the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to reduce the processing amount in the image superimposition processing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example in which an image is divided into K bands (partial images).

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overlay image, an overlay image, and an overlaid image.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of generating one piece of overlaid partial image data in the example of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image output device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating functions and data flows of the image output apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overlay image, an overlay image, and an overlaid image according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image output control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating functions and data flows of an image output control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 image 10, 60 overlay image 11-16, 61-64 overlay partial image 20, 70 overlay image 21-24, 71-74 overlay partial image 30, 80 overlayed image 31-36, 81-84 overlayed part Image 101, 201 Image output control device 102, 202 Image output device 113, 213 Interpreter 117 Printer engine 121, 221 CPU 122, 222 Memory 123 Printer engine control device 125, 225 Interface 131, 231 Parser 133, 233 Render 134, 234 Overlay Section 211 application software 212 printer driver 226 input means 227 display

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. Overlay partial image data generating means for generating data of a plurality of overlay partial images obtained by dividing an image to be overlaid, and data of a plurality of overlay partial images obtained by dividing an image to be overlaid Wherein the shape of the overlay partial image is the same as the shape of the overlay partial image corresponding to the overlay partial image. . 2. An overlaid partial image for generating data of an overlaid partial image obtained by superimposing the overlay partial image and the overlay partial image based on the overlay partial image data and the overlay partial image data. The image data generating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a data generating unit. 3. The overlay partial image generating means outputs identification information for the overlay partial image, the overlay partial image generating means outputs identification information for the overlay partial image, and the overlay partial image The identification information of the overlay partial image is the same as the identification information of the overlay partial image corresponding to the overlay partial image, and the overlayed partial image data generating means includes the identification information of the overlay partial image, and the identification information of the overlay partial image. 3. The image data generating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the correspondence between the overlay partial image and the overlay partial image is checked using identification information. 4. An image output device comprising the image data generation device according to claim 1. 5. An image output control device comprising the image data generation device according to claim 1. Description: 6. An image output system comprising an image output control device and an image output device, wherein the image output control device generates data of a plurality of overlay partial images obtained by dividing an image to be superimposed. Overlay partial image data generating means, and overlay partial image data generating means for generating data of a plurality of overlay partial images obtained by dividing the superimposed image, wherein the shape of the overlay partial image is The shape of the overlay partial image corresponding to the overlay partial image is the same, the image output device, based on the overlay partial image data and the overlay partial image data, the overlay partial image and the overlay partial image, To generate data of an overlayed partial image obtained by superimposing Image output system characterized by comprising only partial image data generating means. 7. An overlay partial image generating step of generating data of a plurality of overlay partial images obtained by dividing an image to be overlaid, and data of a plurality of overlay partial images obtained by dividing the image to be overlaid. Generating an overlay partial image data, wherein the shape of the overlay partial image is the same as the shape of the overlay partial image corresponding to the overlay partial image. 8. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute the image data generating method according to claim 7 is recorded.