JP2003039743A - Image processor, method of processing image, and memory medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently develop intermediate data to image data by reducing frequency of access to a memory when the intermediate data is separately stored in an input data memory means by each color. SOLUTION: Each of image generating sections 206-209 is equipped with a memory for storing a predetermined amount of intermediate data generated from input data stored in a RAM 203. When an image printing mode for holding the intermediate data through each of memories 206M, 207M, 208M, 209M, each of generated intermediate data is stored in the respective memories 206M, 207M, 208M, 209M, and then image data in a predetermined color is generated by each of the image generating sections 206-209 based on the intermediate data read by accessing each of the memories 206M, 207M, 208M, 209M.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to image processing for storing input image information, analyzing the stored image information, and developing the processed image information into color-specific image data through color-specific image generating means. The present invention relates to an apparatus, an image processing method, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image processing apparatus such as a printing apparatus, in order to reduce the amount of image memory required for printing, the print content per page is divided into a plurality of bands and printed on a recording medium. There is known a method (banding) in which an actual printing operation for printing and print data creation processing are performed in band units in parallel.

Conventionally, as an image processing apparatus for printing a multicolor image, recording is performed by using a recording material of a plurality of colors such as yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K). Many form an image on a medium.

Such a printing apparatus includes an apparatus called a tandem system, which independently possesses four CMYK color phenomenon units, and each has an image generator and an image memory for generating the images of the four colors. Some are doing it. In such a device, for multiple image generators,
Source data necessary for image generation such as a processing program and object data is input through the same memory or the same memory bus.

Then, each image generator generates an image of a partial area of the entire image such as a band in the memory connected to each image generator. The images thus generated are sequentially output to the printer engine, and the image of one page is printed out.

[0006]

In this type of image processing apparatus, since the processing program and the object data (display list) are input to each image generator through a common memory or memory bus, it is necessary to When access to the display list by one or more image generators overlaps, the load on the memory bus becomes huge, and one of the image generators can obtain the display list at the timing when the display list is requested. Disappear.

As a result, even if the image (band) memory is accessed for band printing, band drawing may not be completed yet. In this case, it is necessary to wait for data access to output the data from this band to the engine.

As a result, there are problems such as a decrease in printing speed and, in the worst case, a print overrun (a printing error when the image generation processing is too late for the printing speed).

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to store intermediate data generated from input data stored in input data storage means in a predetermined amount. A storage unit is provided for each image generation unit, and when the drawing mode for holding the intermediate data is specified via each intermediate data storage unit, the intermediate data generated by the generation unit corresponds to the intermediate data storage unit. The intermediate data for each color is stored in the input data storage means by generating image data of a predetermined color by one of the image generation means based on the intermediate data read by accessing each intermediate data storage means. The memory access frequency is reduced in the case of holding the data so that the memory bus is congested when the plurality of image generating means access the intermediate data. It can be obtained at a desired timing to the teeth, and an object thereof is to provide an image generating device and image processing method and a storage medium that can provide improved prevention and printing speed of the print overrun.

[0010]

A first aspect of the present invention is an input data storage means (corresponding to the RAM 203 shown in FIG. 2) for storing input image information, and the input data storage means. An image processing apparatus that analyzes image information according to color and develops it into image data according to color through image generation means for each color (corresponding to the image generation units 206 to 209). And a plurality of intermediate data storage units (memory 206M, 207M, 208M, 2 shown in FIG. 2 for storing intermediate amounts of intermediate data generated by the generating unit).
09M), a designating unit (corresponding to an operation unit (not shown)) for designating a drawing mode for holding the intermediate data via each intermediate data storage unit, and a generating unit when the drawing mode is designated by the designating unit. Based on the intermediate data processing means (corresponding to the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 2) for storing the generated intermediate data in the corresponding intermediate data storage means and the intermediate data read by accessing the intermediate data storage means. It is characterized by having a plurality of control means (corresponding to the renderer controller 303 shown in FIG. 3 provided in the image generation units 206 to 209) for generating image data of a predetermined color by the image generation means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the drawing mode is designated by the designating means, it is judged whether all the intermediate data generated by the generating means can be stored in each intermediate data storage means. Means (CPU shown in FIG. 2
(Corresponding to 201) and the intermediate data generated by the generation means by the determination means is not stored in each intermediate data storage means, the storage object to be stored in each intermediate data storage means from the intermediate data. It is characterized by having a selecting means (corresponding to the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 2) for selecting the intermediate data.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the selection means (corresponding to the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 2) determines that all the intermediate data generated by the generation means by the determination means cannot be stored in each intermediate data storage means. In this case, the intermediate data having a high frequency of use in the drawing area is selected from the intermediate data and is set as the storage target intermediate data to be stored in the intermediate data storage means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the selecting means (corresponding to the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 2) determines that the determining means cannot store all the intermediate data generated by the generating means in the intermediate data storing means. In this case, the intermediate data that is not commonly used in the drawing area is selected from the intermediate data and is set as the storage target intermediate data to be stored in the intermediate data storage means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the generating means is
The image data is analyzed to generate intermediate data for each plane of Y, M, C, and K.

A sixth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the intermediate data is a display list.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the image data generated by the image generating means is output to an image output engine.

An eighth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the image output engine can be incorporated in a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, a multi-function machine or the like.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, an input data storage means for storing input image information and an image generation means for each color by analyzing the image information stored in the input data storage means are provided. A method of processing in an image processing apparatus for developing image data for each color according to a step of generating intermediate data for analyzing image information and developing an image (step STEP2 shown in FIG. 6).
And a designation step (step STEP3 shown in FIG. 6) for designating a drawing mode for holding the intermediate data via each intermediate data storage means, and a generation step if the drawing mode is designated by the designating step. Intermediate data processing step (step ST shown in FIG. 6) of storing the intermediate data in each corresponding intermediate data storage means.
EP7) and a control step (step STEP9 shown in FIG. 6) for generating image data of a predetermined color by any of the image generation means based on the intermediate data read by accessing each intermediate data storage means. Characterize.

In a tenth aspect of the present invention, when the drawing mode is designated in the designating step, it is determined whether all the intermediate data generated in the generating step can be stored in each intermediate data storage means. When it is determined that all the intermediate data generated by the step (step STEP4 shown in FIG. 6) and the determination step cannot be stored in each intermediate data storage unit,
A selection step (step STEP5 shown in FIG. 6) for selecting storage target intermediate data to be stored in each intermediate data storage means from the intermediate data.

In the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the selection step (step STEP5 shown in FIG. 6), it is determined that all the intermediate data generated by the generation step cannot be stored in the intermediate data storage means. In this case, the intermediate data having a high frequency of use in the drawing area is selected from the intermediate data and is set as the intermediate data to be stored in each intermediate data storage means.

In a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the selection step (step STEP5 shown in FIG. 6), it is determined that all the intermediate data generated by the generation step cannot be stored in each intermediate data storage means. In this case, the intermediate data that is not commonly used in the drawing area is selected from the intermediate data and is set as the storage target intermediate data to be stored in each intermediate data storage means.

A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the generating step analyzes the image information and generates intermediate data for each plane of Y, M, C and K.

The fourteenth invention of the present invention is characterized in that the intermediate data is a display list.

A fifteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the image data generated by the image generating means is output to an image output engine.

A sixteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the image output engine can be incorporated in a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, a multi-function peripheral or the like.

A seventeenth aspect of the present invention is directed to an input data storage means for storing input image information, and an image generation means for each color by analyzing the image information stored in the input data storage means. A step of generating intermediate data for analyzing the image information and developing the image into the image processing apparatus for developing the image data for each color (step STEP2 shown in FIG. 6) and each intermediate data storage means. Specifying step (step STEP3 shown in FIG. 6) for holding the intermediate data, and when the drawing mode is specified by the specifying step, the intermediate data generated by the generating step corresponds to each intermediate data. The intermediate data processing step (step STEP7 shown in FIG. 6) to be stored in the storage means and access to each intermediate data storage means Based on the intermediate data Desa seen, control steps to generate image data of a predetermined color by any of the image generating means (step STEP shown in FIG. 6
9) is a computer-readable recording medium for storing a program for executing the above-mentioned 9).

An eighteenth invention according to the present invention is a judging step for judging whether all the intermediate data generated by the generating step can be stored in the intermediate data storing means when the drawing mode is designated by the specifying step. (Fig. 6
If the intermediate data storage means cannot store all of the intermediate data generated by the generation step in step 4) and the determination step, the storage to be stored in each intermediate data storage means from the intermediate data. And a step of selecting the target intermediate data (step STEP5 shown in FIG. 6).

In the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the selection step (step STEP5 shown in FIG. 6), it is determined that all the intermediate data generated by the generation step cannot be stored in each intermediate data storage means. In this case, the intermediate data having a high frequency of use in the drawing area is selected from the intermediate data and is set as the storage target intermediate data to be stored in each intermediate data storage means.

In the twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the selection step (step STEP5 shown in FIG. 6), it is determined that all the intermediate data generated by the generation step cannot be stored in each intermediate data storage means. In this case, the intermediate data that is not commonly used in the drawing area is selected from the intermediate data and is set as the storage target intermediate data to be stored in each intermediate data storage means.

The twenty-first invention of the present invention is characterized in that each generation step analyzes the image information to generate intermediate data for each plane of Y, M, C and K.

The twenty-second invention of the present invention is characterized in that the intermediate data is a display list.

The twenty-third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the image data generated by the image generating means is output to the image output engine.

The twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the image output engine can be incorporated in a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, a multi-function peripheral or the like.

[0034]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] First, a laser beam printer will be described as an output device to which an image processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied. It is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the laser beam printer as long as the light beam scanning device is provided, and may be an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a FAX.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view for explaining the internal structure of an output device to which the image processing device according to the present invention can be applied. For example, the internal structure of a laser beam printer (hereinafter abbreviated as LBP) corresponds to the LBP. Is configured so that a character pattern and a fixed form (form data) can be registered from a data source (not shown).

In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes an LBP, which inputs and stores character information (character code) supplied from an externally connected host computer (not shown), form information, or a macro command. A corresponding character pattern, form pattern, or the like is created according to the information, and an image is formed on a recording paper, which is a recording medium.

An operation panel 112 is provided with switches for operation and an LED display. A printer control unit 101 controls the entire LBP 100 and analyzes character information supplied from a host computer. The printer control unit 101 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and outputs it to the laser driver 102.

The laser driver 102 is the semiconductor laser 10.
3 is a circuit for driving the laser beam 3, and the laser beam 1 emitted from the semiconductor laser 103 according to the input video signal.
04 is switched on and off. The laser 104 is swung in the left-right direction by the rotary polygon mirror 105 and scans the electrostatic drum 106.

As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 106. This latent image is developed by the developing unit 107 around the electrostatic drum 106 and then transferred to the recording paper. A cut sheet is used as the recording sheet, and the cut sheet recording sheet is stored in a sheet cassette 108 mounted on the LBP 100, taken into the apparatus by a sheet feeding roller 109 and conveying rollers 110 and 111, and then is stored on the electrostatic drum 106. Supplied.

The image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. Here, a laser beam printer will be described as an example of the printer.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the control configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to the schematic configuration of the full-color page printer.

In the figure, 20 is a controller section, 22
Indicates an engine section, and the controller section 20 is connected to a host computer 21 which is an external device.

In the controller section 201, 201 is C
The PU centrally controls the entire image processing apparatus. 202
Is a ROM that holds programs and the like executed by the CPU 201. A RAM 203 serves as a work area of the CPU 201 and holds a work area of the system and a display list.

Reference numeral 204 is a DMA controller, which is a RAM 2
03, read the display list from the
To the image generation unit. Reference numeral 205 denotes a host interface (HOST I / F), which is a host computer 2
Control data transfer with 1.

Reference numerals 206, 207, 208, and 209 denote image generators, each of which is Y based on the display list.
Drawing of M, C and K is performed.

Hereinafter, they will be referred to as a C renderer 206, an M renderer 207, a Y renderer 208, and a K renderer 209, respectively.

Image memories 210 to 213 store the image data generated by the image generators 206 to 209 so that the image data is output to the print engine 22. The internal bus 214 stores the application list of the RAM 203, which is the main memory, and image object data in the image generation units 206 to 206.
It is a bus for transferring to 209.

The memories 206M, 207M, 208
M and 209M are memories for storing intermediate data (display list) generated from image information input to the RAM 203 as described later, and the capacity thereof is assumed to be several tens k to several hundreds kbyte.

In the engine unit 22, 221 to 224
Is a developing device for developing image data for each color using a recording material. A transfer belt 225 superimposes the developed images for each color to complete a multi-color image for one page. A transfer roller 226 transfers the multicolor image formed on the transfer belt 225 to the recording medium 227. The four-color color component images superposed and transferred onto the recording medium 227 are fixed by a thermal fixing device (not shown), and the recording paper 118 is ejected outside the apparatus.

The print engine in this embodiment is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the so-called tandem color printer has independent developing devices for C, M, Y, and K colors and enables high-speed printing by simultaneously printing four-color component images. Each developing device irradiates a photosensitive drum configured in the developing device with a laser beam or the like modulated in accordance with input image data to form a latent image by charging or discharging the surface of the photosensitive drum, Develop the latent image with toner and transfer belt 2
Transfer to No. 25.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, the C renderer 206, the M renderer 207, the Y renderer 208 shown in FIG.
The configuration of the K renderer 209 will be described. It should be noted that the C renderer 206 will be described as an example because the same applies to each color.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the image generation unit 206 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a FIFO memory, which is accessed by the DMAC 204 shown in FIG. An outline generator 304 generates outline data indicating the outline shape of the image. Reference numeral 305 is a color register.

Image data to be newly written (hereinafter referred to as write data) is obtained by taking a logical product of the outline data generated by the outline generator 304 and the color specified by the color register 305. ) Is generated.

A drawing logic register 306 holds the drawing logic of the bitmap data and the write data which is held in the device in advance. Reference numeral 307 is a coefficient register, which holds a synthesis ratio of bitmap data and write data. The bitmap data is stored in the C image memory 210 shown in FIG. The contents of these registers are set based on the display list input from the host computer.

Reference numeral 309 denotes a BPU (bit processing unit) that actually performs a logical operation between the bitmap data and the write data. First, the color specified by the color register 305 for the contour data generated by the contour generator 304 is designated. Write data is generated by taking the logical product of
And the bit map data are logically operated according to the parameters held in the coefficient register 307 and the operation result is held in the BPU 309 as new bit map data.

A renderer controller 303 controls the C renderer 206 as a whole. Input display list such as application list and object data, process application list parameters sequentially,
Outline generator 3 with object data at the right time
Output to each block in 04.

Reference numeral 302 is a selector, and 308 is a small capacity memory for storing a display list.

The image data in this embodiment is created by the host computer 21 and input to the host interface 205 in a predetermined format. The image data in the predetermined format is interpreted by the CPU 201 to be expanded in the display list and stored in the RAM 203 or the memory 308.

The display list in this embodiment will be described in detail below.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the display list stored in the memory 308 shown in FIG.

In the configuration example of the display list shown in FIG. 4, one element of the display list is created for each character in the image data.

A drawing coordinate 400 indicates at which position an image unit (character or the like) to be drawn is drawn with the starting point serving as the band reference being the origin. 401 is a drawing outline number,
A number indicating the outer shape of the image to be drawn is set. 40
A drawing logic 2 indicates what kind of logical operation is applied to the bitmap and the image data to be drawn.

The drawing logic 402 is, for example,
"OR" indicating a logical sum operation and "instructing image inversion"
“EXOR” or the like is set in accordance with a drawing instruction from the host computer 21.

Reference numeral 403 is color data indicating color information to be added to the drawing outline, and the color information is designated in RGB format or Y, M, C, K format.

Reference numeral 404 indicates a drawing height, 405 indicates a writing line, and sets which line and how many lines are to be drawn in the outer shape specified by the drawing outer shape 401.

For example, when drawing a character across two bands, the drawing height 404 and the writing line 405.
Indicates the starting line of the outer shape of the character in the upper band, and the drawing height 404 indicates the height from the starting line to the final line of the band.

In the lower band, the writing line 405 indicates the start line of the writing line 405 and the writing height 4
Reference numeral 04 indicates the height from the start line to the final line of the image outline.

Reference numeral 406 is a transmissivity (that is, a composition ratio), which is required when composing the bitmap and the image data based on the logical operation represented by the drawing logic 402.

Each element of the above display list will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an image processing state in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

First, consider the bands 501 and 502 for the character image shown in FIG. 5 as an example.

The character images shown in FIG. 5 are bands 501 and 50.
It consists of 2 bands. As shown in FIG. 5A, one element of the display list is created, for example, in a character unit in the band 501 as shown by element numbers (a) to (e), and an example thereof is shown in FIG. It is assumed that the display list 503 is shown in B).

For example, it is assumed that in the band 501, the coordinates of the characters indicated by the element number (a) and the element number (b) are the coordinate information 504 shown in (C) of FIG. 5 in the band 501.

In this case, in the display list 503, the element with the element number (a) is first drawn coordinate 400.
Is indicated by "(X1, Y1)". And drawing outline 4
For 01, for example, based on the outline list (object data) 505 shown in FIG.
Is set to "F1". For the element number (b), “F2” is designated based on the outline list 505.

Next, regarding the drawing logic 402, write data (Dist) and bitmap data (obj)
"OR" operation with and is set. The color data 403 shown in FIG. 4 is set for each color component of Y, M, C, and K formats.

In the display list 503, the setting contents of the drawing height 404 and the writing line 405 are omitted, and finally the transmittance is 100%.
Is set to.

The items constituting the display list shown in FIG. 4 are held in the registers in the renderer as follows. That is, the drawing coordinate 400, the drawing outline 40
1, drawing height 404 and writing line 405 to outline generator 304, color data 403 to color register 305,
The drawing logic 402 sends to the drawing logic register 306 a transparency of 4
06 is held in the coefficient register 307.

The print data for one page is divided into band units and converted into a display list.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of a data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.
Note that STEP1 to STEP10 indicate each step.

First, in step STEP1, a printer control code or image data is input from an external device such as the host computer 21, and RA shown in FIG.
Store in M203.

Then, the CPU 201 determines from the data that
The display list having the configuration shown in FIG. 4 and the display list of object data (outer shape information) for one character and one figure shown in the outer shape list 505 shown in FIG. 5 are created (STEP 2).

Next, in step STEP3, the CPU2
It is determined whether 01 is the conventional drawing process or the drawing process of the present invention. This selection may be instructed on the data transmission side such as the host computer 21 or may be designated by the user on an operation panel (not shown) on the image processing apparatus side, for example.

When the conventional normal drawing is determined in step STEP3, the display list created in step STEP2 is stored in the RAM 203 of the system memory, and in step STEP8, the image generating units (renderers) 206 to 209 are activated.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step STEP3 that the drawing process of the present invention is selected, step ST
In step EP4, the CPU 201 determines whether all the display list created in step 2 can be stored in the memory 308.

In the present embodiment, the memory 308
Is an arbitrary small capacity memory of several tens k to several hundreds kbytes as described above, and is provided in each renderer 206 to 209, respectively. The memory information is stored in the ROM 202.

Next, the CPU 201 reads the information of the memory 308 mounted on the renderers 206 to 209 from the ROM 202, and all the created Y, M, C, K display lists (application list and object data) are stored in the memory. If it is determined that all can be stored in the CPU 201 (STEP 6) and the CPU 201 determines that all can be stored, the process proceeds to step STEP 7 and the display list is stored in the memory 308 via the renderer controller 303.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step STEP 4 that the display list has a huge amount of data and cannot be stored in the memory 308, the CPU 201 frequently uses each plane based on the contents of the display list (a plurality of them appear in one band). Extract object data (characters and figures) or object data that is used only in a certain plane.

Then, the process proceeds to step STEP6, and it is determined whether the list extracted in step STEP5 can be stored in the memory 308. If it is determined that the list cannot be stored, the process returns to step STEP5 again and the priority order from the selected list is low ( Data which is less frequently used) is omitted, and the determination is made in step STEP6.

This process is repeated until the selected display list can be stored in the memory 308.

When it is determined in step 6 that the data can be stored in this way, the CPU 201 stores the selected display list in the memory 308 (STE).
P7).

Next, in step STEP8, when all the data is stored in the memory 308 or the RAM 203, the CPU 201 activates the renderers 206 to 209 to start drawing.

Then, in step STEP9, the renderers 206 to 209 generate image data.

First, when all the display lists are stored in the memory 308, the renderer controller 303 of FIG. 3 sequentially fetches the application list from the memory 308 via the selector 302, and registers each register 30.
Desired data is written to 5 to 307, object data (outer shape information) is sent to the outer shape generator 304, and data expansion is performed. Then, the BPU generates a bit image of the band.

In this case, each of the renderers 206 to 209 draws data from the RAM 2 via the DMAC 204 or the bus 214 during drawing.
Since data is not read from 03, bus 214
Each renderer will not be kept waiting because one renderer is processing another renderer without congestion.
Each of 6 to 209 can realize high-speed drawing.

Here, the display list is stored in the memory 30.
8 and RAM 203, if present, memory 30
Data requests to RAM 8 and RAM 203 are alternately performed, and during DMA (direct memory access) from RAM 203, DMAC 204 arbitrates permission to use bus 214.

Any renderer licensed to use is FIF
The data is received by the O 301, selected by the selector 302, and input to the renderer controller 303.

In this case, although the conventional DMA data reading process occurs to some extent, data access with the memory 308 is shared, and bus congestion that causes print weights and print overruns does not occur.

As described above, the image data generated in step STEP9 is stored in the image memories 210 to 213,
A latent image is generated by irradiating a photosensitive drum configured in the developing device with a laser beam or the like that is sent to the developing devices 221 to 224 and modulated in accordance with the input image data to charge or remove the surface of the photosensitive drum. Is formed, the latent image is developed with toner, the data is transferred to the transfer belt 225 and printing is performed (STEP 10), and the process is ended.

[Second Embodiment] In the above-described embodiment,
Although the data input from the host computer was described in the print commands and print data written in the character code, printer control language, and other formats, the configuration is such that a display list is created on the host computer and output to the printer. The present invention can also be applied to.

In the above-described embodiment, C, M,
A tandem color printer that has four Y, K color developing devices and prints four-color component images simultaneously is used.
Needless to say, this is possible even in a configuration in which a drum engine printer has a plurality of image generators.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention, including combinations of the above embodiments, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. Not a thing.

According to the above embodiment, when a plurality of image generators for each color access the display list required for drawing, a small amount of memory is installed and the display list is displayed at a desired timing without bus congestion. Can be obtained, which brings effects such as prevention of print overrun and improvement of printing speed.

The configuration of the data processing program that can be read by the image processing system to which the image processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by an image processing system to which the image processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.

Although not particularly shown, information for managing the program group stored in the storage medium, such as version information, creator information, and the like, and information depending on the OS or the like on the program reading side, such as the program, are stored. In some cases, an icon or the like for identification and display is also stored.

Further, the data dependent on various programs are also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in a computer, or a program for decompressing the program to be installed when it is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIG. 6 in this embodiment may be performed by the host computer by a program installed from the outside. In that case, the present invention is applied even when the information group including the program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. It is a thing.

As described above, the storage medium recording the program code of the software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP of the system or apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by U) 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.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, C
A D-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM, an EEPROM or the like can be used.

Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that this also includes the case where the above) performs a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

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

[0114]

As described above, the first aspect of the present invention
According to the twenty-fourth invention, each image generating means is provided with an intermediate data storage means for storing a predetermined amount of intermediate data generated from the input data stored in the input data storage means,
When the drawing mode for holding the intermediate data through each intermediate data storage means is designated, each intermediate data generated by the generation means is stored in the corresponding intermediate data storage means, and each intermediate data storage means is stored. Since the image data of a predetermined color is generated by any of the image generating means based on the intermediate data read by accessing
To reduce the memory access frequency in the case of storing the intermediate data for each color in the input data storage means, and to obtain the intermediate data by a plurality of image generation means at desired timing without congestion of the memory bus when accessing the intermediate data. As a result, it is possible to prevent print overrun and improve print speed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal configuration of an output device to which an image processing device according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image generation unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of a display list stored in the memory shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an image processing state in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the image processing system to which the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is applicable.

[Explanation of symbols]

20 Image processing device 21 Host computer 22 Printer engine 201 CPU 202 ROM 203 RAM 204 DMAC 205 HOST I / F 206 Image generator C 207 Image generator M 208 Image generator Y 209 Image generator K 210 image memory C 211 Image memory M 212 Image memory Y 213 Image memory K 221 Phenomenon C 222 Phenomenon M 223 Phenomenon Y 224 Phenomenon K 225 Transfer belt 226 Transfer roller 227 recording medium 301 FIFO memory 302 selector 303 Renderer controller 304 outline generator 305 color register 306 Drawing logic register 307 coefficient register 308 memory 309 BPU

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. Input data storage means for storing input image information, and image data stored in the input data storage means are analyzed and developed into color-specific image data via color-specific image generation means. An image processing device for processing, comprising: generating means for analyzing the image information to generate intermediate data for developing an image; and a plurality of intermediate data storing means for storing a predetermined amount of intermediate data generated by the generating means. And specifying means for specifying a drawing mode for holding the intermediate data via each intermediate data storage means, and corresponding intermediate data generated by the generating means when the drawing mode is specified by the specifying means. Intermediate data processing means to be stored in each intermediate data storage means, and based on the intermediate data read by accessing each intermediate data storage means, A plurality of control means for generating image data of a predetermined color by the image generating means Zureka,
An image processing apparatus comprising: 2. Judgment means for judging whether all the intermediate data generated by the generation means can be stored in each intermediate data storage means when the drawing mode is specified by the specification means, When it is determined by the means that all the intermediate data generated by the generating means cannot be stored in each intermediate data storage means, the intermediate data to be stored to be stored in each intermediate data storage means is selected from the intermediate data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a selection unit. 3. The selecting means determines, in the drawing area, from the intermediate data if the determining means determines that all the intermediate data generated by the generating means cannot be stored in each intermediate data storage means. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the intermediate data having a high frequency of use is selected and used as the storage target intermediate data to be stored in each intermediate data storage means. 4. The selecting means determines whether the intermediate data generated by the generating means cannot be stored in each intermediate data storage means by the determining means, and the selecting means selects from the intermediate data in the drawing area. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the intermediate data that is not commonly used is selected and used as the intermediate data to be stored in each intermediate data storage means. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit analyzes the image information and generates intermediate data for each plane of Y, M, C, and K. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate data is a display list. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data generated by the image generating means is output to an image output engine. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image output engine can be incorporated in a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, a multi-function peripheral, or the like. 9. Input data storage means for storing input image information, and image information stored in the input data storage means is analyzed and developed into color-specific image data via color-specific image generation means. An image processing method in an image processing apparatus for processing, comprising a generating step of analyzing the image information to generate intermediate data for image expansion, and a drawing mode for holding the intermediate data via each intermediate data storage means. A designating step of designating, an intermediate data processing step of storing the intermediate data generated by the generating step in the corresponding intermediate data storing means when the drawing mode is designated by the designating step, and each intermediate data Based on the intermediate data read out by accessing the storage means, one of the image generating means outputs an image of a predetermined color. Image processing method characterized by and a control step of generating data. 10. A determination step of determining whether or not all the intermediate data generated by the generation step can be stored in each intermediate data storage means when the drawing mode is specified by the designation step, and each determination When it is determined by the step that all the intermediate data generated by the generating step cannot be stored in the intermediate data storage unit, the intermediate data to be stored to be stored in each intermediate data storage unit is selected from the intermediate data. The image processing method according to claim 9, further comprising a selecting step. 11. The selecting step determines, in the drawing area, from among the intermediate data when the determining step determines that all of the intermediate data generated by the generating step cannot be stored in each intermediate data storage means. 11. The image processing method according to claim 10, wherein the intermediate data having a high frequency of use is selected and used as the storage target intermediate data to be stored in each intermediate data storage means. 12. The selecting step determines whether the intermediate data generated by the generating step cannot be stored in each of the intermediate data storage means by the determining step, and the intermediate data is stored in the drawing area. 11. The image processing method according to claim 10, wherein intermediate data that is not commonly used is selected and used as intermediate data to be stored in each intermediate data storage means. 13. The image processing method according to claim 9, wherein the generating step analyzes the image information to generate intermediate data for each plane of Y, M, C, and K. 14. The image processing method according to claim 9, wherein the intermediate data is a display list. 15. The image processing method according to claim 9, wherein the image data generated by the image generating means is output to an image output engine. 16. The image output engine is a printer,
16. The image processing method according to claim 15, wherein the image processing method can be incorporated in a copying machine, a facsimile, a multi-function machine or the like. 17. Input data storage means for storing input image information, and image information stored in the input data storage means is analyzed and developed into color-specific image data via color-specific image generation means. In the image processing apparatus for processing, a generation step of generating intermediate data for analyzing the image information and developing the image, a designation step of designating a drawing mode for holding the intermediate data via each intermediate data storage means, When the drawing mode is designated by the designation step, an intermediate data processing step of storing the intermediate data generated by the generation step in each corresponding intermediate data storage means, and accessing each intermediate data storage means Control for generating image data of a predetermined color by any of the image generating means based on the read intermediate data Recorded computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing the step. 18. A determination step of determining whether or not all the intermediate data generated by the generation step can be stored in each intermediate data storage unit when the drawing mode is specified by the designation step, If it is determined by the step that all the intermediate data generated by the generating step cannot be stored in each intermediate data storage unit, the intermediate data to be stored to be stored in each intermediate data storage unit is selected from the intermediate data. The storage medium according to claim 17, further comprising a selecting step. 19. The selecting step, in the drawing area from the intermediate data, when the determining step determines that not all the intermediate data generated by the generating step can be stored in each intermediate data storage means. 19. The storage medium according to claim 18, wherein the intermediate data having a high frequency of use is selected and set as the storage target intermediate data to be stored in each intermediate data storage means. 20. In the selecting step, if it is determined by the determining step that all of the intermediate data generated by the generating step cannot be stored in each intermediate data storage means, the intermediate data in the drawing area is selected from the intermediate data. 19. The storage medium according to claim 18, wherein intermediate data that is not commonly used is selected and used as storage target intermediate data to be stored in each intermediate data storage means. 21. The storage medium according to claim 17, wherein the generating step analyzes the image information to generate intermediate data for each plane of Y, M, C, and K. 22. The storage medium according to claim 17, wherein the intermediate data is a display list. 23. The storage medium according to claim 17, wherein the image data generated by the image generating means is output to an image output engine. 24. The image output engine is a printer,
24. The storage medium according to claim 23, which can be incorporated in a copying machine, a facsimile, a multi-function peripheral, or the like.