JP2003259097A - Image processing apparatus and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the performance of an apparatus by suppressing the occurrence of a bottleneck in accordance with the condition of use of a coding device. <P>SOLUTION: A memory allocation amount of a coding memory 1012 is revised in accordance with the condition of use of a CODEC-2 device 1022. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having an image data encoding function and an image processing method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image processing apparatus such as a copying machine, a method of encoding and compressing an image and storing it in an encoding memory on a RAM, or a method of recording the image from a coding memory to a recording device such as a hard disk is known. Commonly used.

Further, when expanding the PDL function, it is possible to add the PDL function later by an expansion board. In some cases, an encoding device is also provided on the expansion board, and a plurality of encoding devices are used in parallel to distribute the load.

[0004]

However, even if the load is distributed by using the encoding device of the expansion board, on the other hand, the occupied time of the encoding memory may be long, and the encoding memory is bottlenecked. The problem of becoming a neck sometimes occurred.

The present invention is for solving the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to solve the above-mentioned problems depending on the use condition of the extended coding device.
An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method that can suppress the occurrence of a bottleneck according to the usage status of an encoding device by changing the allocation amount of the encoding memory and improve the performance of the apparatus. To do.

Further, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a bottleneck at the time of starting the apparatus by determining whether or not the extended encoding device exists and changing the allocation amount of the encoding memory according to the determination result. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing device and an image processing method in which the performance of the device is improved.

Further, by changing the allocation amount of the encoding memory of the main body board depending on whether or not the encoding function of the function extension board can be used, a bottleneck occurs depending on the usage status of the function extension board. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing device and an image processing method capable of suppressing the above and improving the performance of the device.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus of the present invention comprises a plurality of coding means for coding image data, and an extended coding included in the plurality of coding means. Capacity changing means for changing the allocation amount of the encoding memory according to the usage status of the means.

Further, the image processing apparatus of the present invention comprises a plurality of coding means for coding the image data and a judging means for judging whether or not the extended coding means exists in the plurality of coding means. And capacity changing means for changing the allocation amount of the coding memory according to the judgment result by the judging means.

Further, the image processing apparatus of the present invention is an image processing apparatus for performing image processing by mounting a function expansion boat having an encoding function on a main body board having an encoding function. It is characterized by having a capacity changing means for changing the allocation amount of the encoding memory of the main body board according to whether or not the encoding function can be used.

Further, the image processing method of the present invention is an image processing method using a plurality of coding devices for coding image data, and is adapted to the usage status of extended coding devices included in the plurality of coding devices. Accordingly, the allocation amount of the coding memory is changed accordingly.

Further, the image processing method of the present invention is an image processing method using a plurality of coding devices for coding image data, and whether an extended coding device exists among the plurality of coding devices. It is characterized in that it is determined whether or not, and the allocation amount of the coding memory is changed according to the determination result.

Further, the image processing method of the present invention is an image processing method for performing image processing by mounting a function expansion boat having an encoding function on a main body board having an encoding function. It is characterized in that the allocation amount of the encoding memory of the main body board is changed according to whether or not the encoding function can be used.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image processing system 1 including an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the workstation 11,
Personal computer 12, server computer 13 having a large-capacity storage, fax 15 for transmitting and receiving images, network scanner 16, print server 2
0, multifunction printer 21, printer 2
2. Scanner 100 which is an image input device, printer 120 which is an image output device, scanner 100 and printer 1.
Multi-function controller 20 for controlling 20
0 is LAN10 such as Ethernet (registered trademark)
And the image processing system 1 is configured.

In the image processing system 1, a single device composed of the scanner 100, the multifunction controller, and the block of the printer 120 is an image processing device to which the present invention can be applied.

For example, in this image processing apparatus called a digital multi-function peripheral (copier), a scanner 100 and a printer 120 are connected to a multifunction controller 200 by a dedicated bus (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the multifunction controller 200 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2, a multifunction controller 200 is a controller that inputs and outputs image information and device information, and is connected to the scanner 100 and the printer 120 on the one hand, and is connected to the LAN 10 and a public line (WAN) 50 on the other hand. It

The CPU 201 is a controller that controls the entire apparatus. The RAM 202 is a system work memory for the CPU 201 to operate and also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. ROM203
Is a boot ROM in which a boot program for the apparatus is stored. The HDD 204 is a hard disk drive and stores system software and image data.

The operation unit I / F 206 is an operation unit (UI) 21.
It is an interface unit for connecting to 0 and outputs image data to the operation unit 210. An image is displayed on the operation unit 210 based on this image data. In addition, the information input by the user of the apparatus from the operation unit 210 is stored in the CPU 20.
Play the role of telling 1.

The network 209 is connected to the LAN 10 and inputs / outputs information. The Modem 220 is connected to the public line 50, and inputs and outputs information through the public line 50. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 207.

The Image Bus I / F 205 is a bus bridge that connects the image bus 208 for transferring image data at high speed and the system bus 207, and converts the data structure. The image bus 208 is composed of a high speed bus such as a PCI bus.

The following various devices are arranged on the image bus 208. Raster image processor (RI
P) 230 expands the PDL code into a bitmap image. Note that the RIP 230 is the image bus 2
It is configured as a function expansion boat that can be detached from 08, and also has an encoding function described later.

The device I / F section 240 connects the multifunction controller 200 to the scanner 100 and the printer 120, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. The scanner image processing unit 250
It corrects, processes, and edits the input image data. The printer image processing unit 260 performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. The image rotation unit 270 rotates image data. The image compression unit 280 performs compression / expansion processing of multi-valued image data on JPEG and compression / expansion processing of binary image data on JBIG, MMR, and MH.

Further, the HDD 204 stores, for each address, information such as an image output speed and an installation position regarding a node connected to the network (LAN 10).

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the outline of the scanner 100 in FIG.

The scanner 100 irradiates the image of the document with light and scans it with a CCD li-sensor (not shown) to read the image information from the document, and converts the read image information into electrical signals as raster image data 30. The document is set on the tray 102 of the document feeder 101. When the user operates the operation unit 210 (see FIG. 2) to give an instruction to start reading, the CPU 201 of the multifunction controller 200 gives the instruction to the scanner 100. Scanner 100 that received the instruction
In order to read the image on the original, the original feeder 101 feeds the original one by one.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an outline of the printer 120 in FIG.

The printer 120 forms the raster image data 40 (see FIG. 2) as an image on recording paper.
This image forming method includes an electrophotographic method using a photoconductor drum and a photoconductor belt (neither of which is shown), an ink jet method for ejecting ink from a minute nozzle array to directly print an image on a recording sheet, or the like. is there.

The activation of the print operation is started by an instruction (raster image data 40) from the CPU 201. Inside the printer 120, a plurality of paper feed stages are provided so that the size of the recording paper and the orientation of the recording paper can be selected, and a plurality of paper feed cassettes 122a corresponding to them are provided.
122b, 122c, 122d are attached. The paper discharge tray 123 receives the recording paper on which printing has been completed. When the finisher 124 is attached to the printer 120, the printed recording paper is conveyed to the finisher 124. A stapler unit 125 (post-processing unit) is attached to the finisher 124. The stapler unit 125 can bind 50 recording sheets or 100 recording sheets.

An inserter unit 126 is mounted on the finisher 124. This inserter unit 1
26 is a paper feed cassette 122a, 122b, 122c, 1
It can be used as one paper feed tray like 22d. Since the inserter unit 126 is mounted on the finisher, the paper fed from the inserter unit 126 does not pass through the image forming unit, the fixing device (not shown), etc. in the printer 120. Therefore, printing (image formation) cannot be performed, but the paper can be inserted (assembled) between the printed recording papers without being affected by heat. Also, if a color-printed document or the like is placed, it is possible to discharge (output) mixed colors in a monochrome printer.

When printing on both sides of the recording paper, the recording paper is reversed inside the printer 120 after the image is printed on one side. Then, according to the instruction 40 from the CPU 201, an image is printed on the surface that has not been printed yet.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing processing at the time of image input / output. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 1000 is a board on the multifunction controller side, and 230 is a board on the RIP side.

Image data input from the scanner 100 or MODEM 220 is stored in the page memory 1010 secured in the RAM 202. And CODEC-
The data is encoded through one device 1011 (corresponding to the image compression unit 280 and the like) and stored in the encoding memory 1012 secured in the RAM 202. The encoded data is stored in the HDD 204.

When a PDL image is input, the PDL interpreter program interprets the PDL data, creates display list data for drawing, and passes the display list data to the RIP 230. The RIP 230 displays the passed display list data in the display list 1
It is stored in 020. The display list data on the display list 1020 is the sipper 1021 for each page.
Is drawn. The data subjected to the drawing processing is the page memory 1010 or the CODEC-2 device 102.
2 is output. When it is output to the CODEC-2 device 1022, it is encoded by the CODEC-2 device 1022 and stored in the encoding memory 1012 secured in the RAM 202.

When printing out the input image, the image is read from the HDD 204 to the encoding memory 1012, decoded through the CODEC-1 device 1011 and stored in the page memory 1010.
The printer 120 receives this data and prints it out.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the process up to the end of RIP when a PDL image is input. This flowchart is executed every time the display list data for each page is RIP-processed.

Note that each processing of this flowchart is performed by CP
It is controlled by U201. That is, the program related to each process of this flowchart is stored in advance in the ROM 203.
Stored in the HDD 204 and the CPU 201,
This program is read and each process is controlled by using the RAM 202 as a work memory for executing the program.

In FIG. 6, first, in step 6001, it is checked whether the CODEC-2 device 1022 is usable. That is, the CPU 201 uses the RIP 230
The CPU of the RIP 230 constantly transmits and receives device information to and from the CPU (not shown) included in the RIP 230.
When an abnormal state such as a failure is detected, the fact is notified to the CPU 201.

If it cannot be used due to a failure or the like, CO
The processing proceeds to step 6002 in order to replace the image path processing that does not use the DEC-2 device 1022. If it is available, go to step 6010.

In step 6002, the output of the shipper 1021 is set in the page memory 1010. Next, proceeding to step 6003, the page memory 1010 for the image size of the relevant page is acquired. Next, proceeding to step 6004, the shipper 1021 starts shipping and draws display list data. The data sequentially drawn in step 6005 is transferred to the page memory 1010. When the transfer is completed, the process proceeds to step 6019.

On the other hand, if the process proceeds to step 6010, the output of the sipper 1021 is changed to the CODEC-2 device 102.
Set to 2. Next, in step 6011, the COD
Obtain the EC-2 device 1022, step 6012
Proceed to. At step 6012, since it is unknown at this point how much compression is applied, the coding memory 1012 for the image size of the corresponding page is acquired for the time being.

In this case, the page memory 1010 may not be buffered compared to the case where the processing proceeds to step 6002, and the occupied time of the encoding memory 1012 may be longer. Therefore, there may be a case where an image input from another scanner 100 or MODEM 220 competes with the acquisition of the encoding memory 1012. In order to prevent a bottleneck due to a competition for acquisition of the encoding memory 1012, the encoding memory acquired in step 6012 is temporarily rented and used from the system heap 9002 described later in FIG.

The CODEC-2 device 102
Since the page memory 1010 is not used in the image path using 2, the page memory has a margin. Therefore, the coding memory acquired in step 6012 may be temporarily rented from the page memory 1010 and used.

Next, in step 6013, the shipper 1021
Starts shipping and draws display list data. The shipped data is sequentially encoded by the CODEC-2 device 1022 in step 6014, and is encoded memory 1012 in step 6015.
Transferred to. At this time, when the encoded data becomes larger than the original data due to the encoding, the transfer data is counted because it does not fit in the encoding memory 1012. If the data does not fit in the coding memory 1012, the process returns to the acquired start address of the coding memory 1012 and overwrites the transfer data. When the transfer is completed, the process proceeds to step 6016.

In step 6016, it is determined whether the encoding process has been completed normally. That is, R
The CPU of the IP 230 monitors whether the CODEC-2 encoding process is properly performed, and when an error occurs in the encoding process, the CPU 201 transmits error information to the CPU 201, and the CPU 201 is notified. The determination in step 6016 is made based on the error information.

If an error is detected in the encoding process, the process proceeds to step 6040. If the encoding process is completed normally, the process proceeds to step 6017.

In step 6017, it is judged whether or not the transfer data is stored in the acquired encoding memory 1012. If it fits in the encoding memory, step 60
18, the process proceeds to step 6030 if they do not fit. In step 6030, the coding memory 1012 acquired in step 6012 is released, and step 6 is executed again.
Encoding memory 10 with the data size counted in 015
Get 12

In the case of re-acquisition, as in the case of step 6012, the system memory is temporarily rented from the system heap 9002 or the page memory 1010 and the encoding memory 1012 is used.
To use as.

The second data transfer always succeeds because the correct data size is known by once encoding. When the processing of step 6030 is completed, step 60
Returning to step 13, the shipping process is performed again.

At step 6018, the CODEC-2 device 1022 is released, and the routine proceeds to step 6019.

In step 6019, the unnecessary display list data is released, and the flow chart of the RIP process is exited. If the processing has passed through step 6002, the encoding processing has not been executed yet, so the flowchart of FIG. When the processing of step 6010 is completed, the flowchart of FIG. 8 is executed.

On the other hand, in step 6040, since the image path is switched, the coding memory 1012 acquired in step 6012 which is no longer needed is released. Then step 604
Go to 1 and get CODEC-2 in step 6011
Release the device 1022 and proceed to step 6002,
The process is switched to the image path using the CODEC-1 device 1011.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing from the page memory at the time of image input to the end of the encoding processing. This flow chart processing is performed on the input image that has entered the page memory 1010, such as a scanner image, a FAX image, or a PDL image. Note that each processing of this flowchart is controlled by the CPU 201, similar to the processing shown in FIG.

First, in step 7001, CODEC-1
Acquire the device 1011. Next, Step 7002
So, it is unknown at this time how much compression will be applied, so
The encoding memory 1012 for the image size of the corresponding page is acquired for the time being. Next, in step 7003, the input image data on the page memory 1010 is sequentially encoded by the CODEC-1 device 1011.
In 004, it is transferred to the encoding memory 1012. At this time, when the encoded data becomes larger than the original data due to the encoding, the transfer data is counted because it does not fit in the encoding memory 1012. If the data does not fit in the coding memory 1012, the process returns to the acquired start address of the coding memory 1012 and overwrites the transfer data. When the transfer is completed, the process proceeds to step 7005.

In step 7005, it is judged whether or not the transfer data is stored in the acquired encoding memory 1012. If it fits in the encoding memory, step 70
07, if not, go to step 7006. In step 7006, the coding memory 1012 acquired in step 7002 is released, and step 7 is executed again.
Encoding memory 10 with the data size counted in 004
Get 12 Since the correct data size is known by performing the encoding once, the second data transfer always succeeds. When the processing of step 7006 is completed, step 7
Returning to 004, the encoding process is performed again.

In step 7007, the C which has been used
Release the ODEC-1 device 1011 and step 70
Go to 08. In step 7008, the used page memory 1010 is released. Then, the process exits this flowchart. After this, the flowchart of FIG. 8 is executed.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the processing for storing the encoded data in the hard disk. Note that each processing of this flowchart is controlled by the CPU 201, similar to the processing shown in FIG.

In step 8001, the coding memory 1012
The encoded data above is written to the HDD 204. When the processing is completed, the process proceeds to step 8002. In step 8002, the coding memory 1012 that has been used is released, and this flowchart is exited.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an outline of a memory map on the RAM 202. The program area 9001 is the HDD 2
The system software read from 04 is stored and booted from the boot ROM of the ROM 203. The system heap 9002 is an area used by the system software of the program area 9001 and is used as a recording area necessary for executing the program. Page memory 90
Reference numeral 03 is an area for temporarily recording the uncompressed raw image and corresponds to the page memory 1010 in FIG. The encoding memory 9004 is an area for temporarily recording the encoded image, and corresponds to the encoding memory 1012 in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing details of the page memory 9003. The page memory 9003 is divided into eight block areas and managed in this system.
One block 10001 has a size enough to store an A4 raw image. Therefore, the page memory 900
In No. 3, an A4 size image can be temporarily recorded for eight pages at the same time. In the case of an image size larger than A4, for example, A3 or B4, two blocks, in this example, block 10001 and block 10002 are used at the same time.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing details of the encoding memory 9004. The encoding memory 9004 has 256 Kbytes.
It is managed as a set of each coding memory block 11001. In FIG. 11, a part of the encoding memory 9004 is described. At the time of encoding or decoding, a required number of encoded memory blocks 11001 are acquired and used. Encoding memory blocks 11 as many as necessary at one time
If 001 cannot be acquired, it is registered in the queue for acquisition and waits for the encoded memory block 11001 to be released.

Up to now, the dynamic acquisition of the coding memory at the time of executing the job has been described. However, in a system having a sufficient RAM 202, a method of eliminating the bottleneck can be taken by increasing the coding memory at the time of starting. Figure 1
2 is a flowchart showing the processing of the coding device check at startup. This flowchart is executed when the program is started, and first, in step 12001, CODEC-
2 Check whether the device 1022 exists.
If so, the encoding memory 1012 is likely to become a bottleneck at the time of contention because there are a plurality of image paths.
Therefore, the process proceeds to step 12002. If not, exit the flowchart. In step 12002, the coding memory 1012 is additionally acquired from the system heap 9002 and the coding memory block 11001 is increased.

As described above, according to this embodiment, by changing the allocation amount of the coding memory according to the usage status of the CODEC-2, the bottleneck of the bottleneck can be changed according to the usage status of the CODEC device. Occurrence can be suppressed.

Further, it is determined in advance whether or not CODEC-2 is present at the time of startup, and the allocation amount of the coding memory is changed according to the determination result, so that a bottleneck occurs at the time of startup of the device. Can be suppressed.

Further, when the RIP (PDL) board having the encoding function is mounted on the controller board having the encoding function to perform the RIP processing, it is determined whether the encoding function of the RIP board can be used or not. By changing the allocation amount of the encoding memory of the main body board, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a bottleneck according to the usage status of the RIP board.

By providing the image processing apparatus with the above configuration, the performance of the apparatus can be improved.

(Other Embodiments) Although the above processing is described as being executed in the multifunction controller, a control unit (not shown) of the image output device (printer 120 or the like) may execute the above processing. .

Further, an arbitrary storage medium storing the above processing method supplies a program for executing the above processing method to the control unit of the multifunction controller or the image output device, and the CPU of the multifunction controller or the MPU (not shown) Any one may execute the above program. Alternatively, the storage medium may supply the program to the control unit of the image output apparatus, and either the CPU or the MPU (not shown) of the image output apparatus may execute the program. Examples of the storage medium include a hard disk, a ROM, and a CD-R.
There are OM etc.

Further, instead of one of the CPU and MPU of the multi-function controller, a circuit (not shown) that operates similarly to these may realize the above-described embodiment. Alternatively, instead of one of the CPU and the MPU of the control unit of the image output apparatus, a circuit (not shown) that performs the same operation as these may implement the above-described embodiment.

The program supplied by the storage medium is a function expansion board (not shown) inserted in the multifunction controller (expansion board constituting the RIP 230) or a function expansion unit (not shown) connected to the multifunction controller. After being written in a memory (not shown) provided in the computer, a CPU (not shown) provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit may execute part or all of the program. Alternatively, after the program supplied by the storage medium is written in a memory (not shown) provided in a function expansion board (not shown) inserted in the image output device or a function expansion unit (not shown) connected to the image output device, A CPU (not shown) or the like included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit may execute part or all of the program.

[0074]

As described above, according to the present invention, the allocation amount of the coding memory is changed according to the usage status of the extended coding device, so that the usage status of the coding device can be changed. The occurrence of bottlenecks can be suppressed,
There is an effect that the performance of the device can be improved.

Further, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a bottleneck at the time of starting the apparatus by determining whether or not the extended encoding device exists and changing the allocation amount of the encoding memory according to the determination result. There is an effect that the performance of the device can be improved.

Further, by changing the allocation amount of the encoding memory of the main board depending on whether or not the encoding function of the function expansion board can be used, a bottleneck may occur depending on the usage status of the function expansion board. It is possible to suppress the above, and it is possible to improve the performance of the device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a multifunction controller 200 in FIG.

3 is a schematic perspective view showing an outline of the monochrome scanner 100 in FIG.

4 is a schematic perspective view showing an outline of a low-speed monochrome printer 120 in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing processing at the time of image input / output.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing up to the end of RIP when a PDL image is input.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing from a page memory at the time of image input to the end of encoding processing.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process of storing encoded data in a hard disk.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an outline of a memory map on a RAM.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a page memory on a RAM.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a part of an encoding memory on a RAM.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a process of checking an encoding device at the time of activation.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Image processing device 10 Ethernet (network) 100 scanner 120 printer (image output device) 124 Finisher 125 stapler unit (post-processing unit) 200 multifunction controller 210 Operation unit

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A capacity changing means for changing the allocation amount of a coding memory according to the usage status of a plurality of coding means for coding image data and an extended coding means included in the plurality of coding means. An image processing apparatus comprising: 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the capacity changing unit increases the allocation amount of the coding memory by acquiring the page memory. 3. A plurality of encoding means for encoding image data, a determining means for determining whether or not an extended encoding means exists in the plurality of encoding means, and a determination result by the determining means. An image processing apparatus, comprising: a capacity changing unit that changes the allocation amount of the encoding memory according to the above. 4. An image processing apparatus for performing image processing by mounting a function expansion board having a coding function on a main body board having a coding function, wherein whether or not the coding function of the function expansion board can be used. An image processing apparatus comprising: a capacity changing unit that changes an allocation amount of a coding memory of a main body board according to the situation. 5. The function expansion board is a board for performing RIP processing, and the capacity changing unit, when encoding image data after RIP processing by an encoding function of the function expansion board, The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the allocation amount of the encoding memory is increased. 6. An image processing method using a plurality of encoding devices for encoding image data, wherein an encoding memory is allocated according to a usage state of an extended encoding device included in the plurality of encoding devices. An image processing method characterized by changing an amount. 7. The image processing method according to claim 6, wherein the allocation amount of the coding memory is increased by acquiring the page memory. 8. An image processing method using a plurality of encoding devices for encoding image data, wherein it is determined whether or not an extended encoding device exists among the plurality of encoding devices, and a determination result An image processing method, characterized in that the allocation amount of the coding memory is changed in accordance with the above. 9. An image processing method for performing image processing by mounting a function expansion board having a coding function on a main body board having a coding function, wherein whether or not the coding function of the function expansion board can be used. An image processing method, characterized in that the allocation amount of the encoding memory of the main body board is changed according to whether or not. 10. The function expansion board is a board for performing RIP processing, and when the image data after RIP processing is encoded by an encoding function of the function extension board, allocation of the encoding memory is performed. The image processing method according to claim 9, wherein the amount is increased.