JP2004215242A - Data processor, image processor, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate the setting of gamma conversion characteristics corresponding to attributes and to reduce the volume of data or the memory capacity prepared for data conversion even when conversion target image data of different attributes coexist. <P>SOLUTION: An element PE (processing element) of an array 144 is equipped with an attribute register R4 in addition to input/output registers R0, R5 and characteristic registers R1 to R3. Computing elements (151 to 155) of the PE select x<SB>i</SB>, y<SB>i</SB>, a<SB>i</SB>addressed to attribute data held in the attribute register among conversion characteristic regulation data addressed to respective attribute data supplied by a processor 148, hold the selected data in the characteristic registers, and, according to a conversion expression imparted by the processor 148 and x<SB>i</SB>, y<SB>i</SB>, a<SB>i</SB>held in the characteristic registers, convert image data (x) in the input registers into output data (y). The processor 148 controls write of raster image data (x) to the PE, successive sending of conversion characteristic regulation data addressed to the respective attribute data, an instruction of the conversion expression and output of the converted data (y). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus, for example, but not limited to, a reading gamma that corrects imaging distortion due to imaging characteristics of an imaging device or changes an imaging data of a document scanner or a digital camera to a desired image expression. Conversion, change of image brightness, contrast or color in CG (Computer Graphics), or conversion of image data or CG data to image data for recording output that matches the image expression characteristics of printer or change to desired image expression Printer gamma conversion.

  For example, in the conventional gamma correction, the output density corresponding to the input density is held in the external memory for the entire density range, and the output density data is read for the input density address. In this case, a large amount of memory data is required. Also, changing the gamma curve lacked flexibility.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-18826 discloses a gamma conversion for correcting a video signal in accordance with a display characteristic (gamma curve) of a display device by using a broken line approximation of a curve instead of a LUT (Look Up Table). And a digital gamma conversion circuit capable of obtaining image data corrected by a polygonal line approximation calculation and changing a gamma characteristic in real time.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 10-145806 discloses a method in which a plurality of sets of gamma conversion data are stored in an LUT, and a read address operation is performed on the LUT to generate a set of gamma conversion data that does not exist in any set of the LUT and write the set to a RAM. Discloses changing or adjusting the gamma conversion by performing the gamma conversion using.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2000-184236 discloses a gamma conversion circuit that approximates the gamma conversion characteristic by a broken line and gamma-converts input video data V0 into output data Vc according to a linear function equation of Vc = a · V0 + b. .

  There are correction of RGB image data (for example, scanner gamma conversion, that is, reading gamma conversion), color conversion from RGB to YMCK, correction of YMCK image data (for example, printer gamma conversion), and switching or adjustment of correction characteristics or conversion characteristics. It is hoped that it can be done. If one of a plurality of processing modes is selected in order to satisfy this, the plurality of processing data must be prepared, which further increases the amount of processing data. For example, in the case of reading gamma conversion, a total of three gamma conversion LUTs, one for each of the RGB colors, are used. For the printer gamma conversion, a total of four gamma conversion LUTs, one for each of the YMCK colors, are used. If a plurality of LUTs are prepared for each color for selection, the data amount of the LUT group becomes 4 × a times.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-33003 detects an attribute indicating whether an image represented by image data is a character or a photograph based on image data obtained by reading an original with a scanner, and converts a character image in accordance with the detected attribute. A filter processing for characters that expresses clearly or a filter processing for photographs that smoothly expresses the gradation of photographs is added, and then gamma conversion is performed using a gamma conversion table for characters or a gamma conversion table for photographs. An image forming apparatus that converts an image signal to a printer output image signal by diffusion processing or photographic pulse width modulation is disclosed.

  In order to reduce the amount of data or memory capacity prepared for gamma conversion, and to facilitate the change of gamma conversion characteristics, the applicant has a DSP capable of parallel processing and having a large number of processing elements (PE). Using a SIMD (Single Instruction Stream Multi-Data stream) processor (Digital Signal Processor), a processing device that simultaneously performs gamma conversion on a large number of image data on the same raster by calculation using linear approximation formulas Presented in 2001-294097. This prior application was filed before the original filing date of the present application, but was published in JP-A-2003-110853 after the original filing date.

  By the way, when preparing several types of data conversion characteristics and performing conversion of the specified data conversion characteristics, it is preferable to add attribute data to the data to be converted and select the data conversion characteristics based on the attribute data (for example, Patent Document 4). For example, in gamma conversion of scanner-read image data (scanner gamma conversion) or printer gamma conversion that matches the image expression characteristics of a printer that prints out, the attributes of images such as characters, line drawings (binary images), and photographs (dot images) are used. Correspondingly, the gamma conversion characteristic for enhancing the contrast is selected for the binary image, and the gamma conversion characteristic for smoothing the density change is selected for the halftone image. If a plurality of types of LUTs for gamma conversion satisfying each characteristic are developed on a memory so as to conform to this, the memory capacity becomes enormous. Therefore, even when the conversion characteristics are switched according to the attribute data, a large number of image data on the same raster are simultaneously gamma-converted by a calculation using a linear approximation formula using a SIMD (Single Instruction Stream Multi-Data stream) processor. It is desirable to use a conversion method to reduce the required data volume.

  The first object of the present invention is to simplify the setting of conversion characteristics corresponding to attributes even when data to be converted having different attributes are mixed, and to reduce the amount of data or memory capacity prepared for data conversion. This is a second object.

(1) a data memory (146) for holding characteristic defining data for defining characteristics of data processing for each attribute of image data;
Each of the plurality of processing units selects characteristic defining data addressed to each attribute of each data of the series of processing target data from the characteristic defining data of the data memory (146), and processes each data according to the selected characteristic defining data. A processing element (PE); and
The processing element (PE) holds processing control data for controlling the data processing of the processing element (PE) and gives an operation instruction based on the processing control data to each processing element (PE) in common. Processing for controlling distribution of a series of processing target data, transmission of processing characteristic definition data addressed to each attribute data on the data memory (146), and output of processed data from each processing element (PE) Control means (148);
A data processing device comprising:

  In addition, in order to facilitate understanding, in the parentheses, reference numerals of corresponding elements or corresponding items of the embodiment shown in the drawings and described below are added for reference as examples. The same applies to the following.

  According to this, the processing control means (148) performs only the control of sequentially transmitting the processing characteristic defining data addressed to each attribute data on the data memory (146) to each processing element (PE) at the same time. However, even when data to be processed that differ from each other is present, data processing corresponding to each attribute is realized. The setting of the attribute-specific processing characteristics by the processing control means (148) and each processing element (PE) is simple. In addition, it is sufficient to prepare characteristic specification data addressed to each attribute data in the data memory (146). Since the data amount is much smaller than that of the LUT, the data amount prepared for data conversion and The memory capacity becomes smaller in each stage than when the LUT is used.

  (2) The processing control means (148) is a global register (149) which holds processing control data for controlling the data processing of the processing element (PE) and gives the control data in common to each processing element (PE); , Distribution of a series of data to be processed to each processing element (PE), transmission of processing characteristic definition data addressed to each attribute data on the data memory (146), and calculation instruction based on the processing control data. The data processing device according to (1), further including a processor (148) for controlling common assignment to the processing elements (PE) and output of processed data from each processing element (PE).

  (3) The data processing device according to (2), further including: a program memory (145) for holding a processing program executed by the processor (148) to perform the control.

  (4) Each processing element (PE) includes an input data register for holding data to be processed, a property register for holding the characteristic defining data, an attribute register for holding attribute data of the data to be processed, An output data register for holding the processed data obtained as a result, and a characteristic definition data addressed to the attribute data held in the attribute register among the characteristic definition data destined for each given attribute data are selected. An arithmetic unit for processing the data to be processed in the input data register in accordance with a calculation instruction based on the processing control data provided by the processor (148) and stored in the characteristic register, and a characteristic definition data stored in the characteristic register; The data processing device according to the above (2).

  (5) The processor writes each series of data to be processed to each input data register of each processing element (PE), sends characteristic specification data addressed to each attribute data on the data memory to each characteristic register, The data processing device according to (4), wherein writing of the processing control data to the global register and output of processed data from each output data register are controlled;

  According to this, when the processor (148) sends out the conversion characteristic defining data addressed to each attribute data on the data memory (146) to each of the characteristic registers (R1 to R3), the operation units (151 to 151) are output. 155) selects the conversion characteristic defining data addressed to the attribute data stored in the attribute register (R4) and stores the selected data in the characteristic registers (R1 to R3). The operation units (151 to 155) convert the conversion target data (x) of the input data register (R0) according to the operation instruction based on the control data for conversion and the conversion characteristic defining data held by the characteristic registers (R1 to R3). It is converted into post-data (y).

  As described above, the processor (148) performs only the control of sequentially transmitting the conversion characteristic defining data addressed to the respective attribute data on the data memory (146) to the respective characteristic registers (R1 to R3) simultaneously, so that the attributes are different. Even when data to be converted is mixed, data conversion corresponding to each attribute is realized. Setting of conversion characteristics corresponding to attributes by the processor (148) and the computing units (151 to 155) is easy. Further, conversion characteristic defining data destined for each attribute data may be prepared on the data memory (146). Since the data amount is much smaller than that of the LUT, the data amount prepared for data conversion is reduced. In addition, the memory capacity becomes smaller in each stage than when an LUT is used.

(6) The processor (148) controls, in response to the data written in the input data register (R0), to sequentially transmit characteristic definition data addressed to each attribute data from the data memory to the characteristic register. After that, an arithmetic instruction based on the control data for processing is given to each of the arithmetic units (151 to 155), and each arithmetic unit outputs the converted data written in each output data register;
Each of the arithmetic units fetches the characteristic definition data into the characteristic register when the processor sends the characteristic specification data addressed to the attribute data held in the attribute register from the data memory, and follows the operation instruction. Performing the data processing using the characteristic definition data taken into the characteristic register; the data processing device according to the above (5).

  According to this, the processor (148) may perform a simple read control of sequentially transmitting the characteristic definition data addressed to each attribute data from the data memory (146) to the characteristic registers (R1 to R3). Each of the operation units (151 to 155) may set the characteristic register addressed to itself to write only at the read timing of the characteristic definition data addressed to the attribute data held in the attribute register addressed to itself. The setting of the processing characteristic defining data for each processing element (PE) that processes each image data can be simplified.

(7) The conversion characteristic defining data addressed to each attribute data includes input data (x _i ) at each division position obtained by dividing the data input range into n, processed data (y _i ), and a processing coefficient (a) of each division section. _i );
The processor (148) transmits the input data (x _i ) at each division position addressed to each attribute data, the processed data (y _i ), and each divided section in the transmission of the characteristic definition data addressed to each attribute data. In order to sequentially transmit the processing coefficients (a _i ) from the data memory (146) to the characteristic registers (R1 to R3) in the order of the divided sections.
Each of the arithmetic units is configured to input the division position input data (x _i ) addressed to the division section to which the data (x) written in the input data register belongs in the characteristic definition data addressed to the attribute data held in the attribute register. ) And the processed data (y _i ) and the processing coefficient (a _i ) are taken into the characteristic register when the processor is sending out from the data memory (146), and the data (x the arithmetic instruction conversion according to _{the) (y = int {a i} (x-x i) + y i}) and divided position input data's ipecac the characteristic register _{(x i)} and the processed data _{(y i} ) And the processing coefficient (a _i ); the data processing device (IPP) described in (6) above.

This is a form of linear broken line approximation when the relationship between input data and output data, that is, the data processing characteristic is non-linear such as a curve. In this embodiment, the approximation accuracy increases as the number of divisions increases. When the number of divisions increases, the number of data sets of the division position input data (x _i ), the processed data (y _i ), and the processing coefficient (a _i ) increases. Since the number is 3 (xi _{, yi, ai} ), for example, when the conversion data is 8 bits, 256 bytes are required for one LUT simply, so that a division less than 256/3 = 85 (approximately) When the number is set, the data amount and the required memory capacity can be reduced. This reduction effect increases as the number of attributes increases.

(8) Data to be processed is image data;
The global register (149) holds control data for attribute detection that controls the data processing in which the processing element (PE) generates the attribute data of the image data, and issues an operation instruction based on the control data for attribute detection to each processing element. (PE) shared;
The arithmetic unit generates attribute data of the image data of the input data register according to the given operation instruction, the image data of the input data register, and the image data of the pixel adjacent to the pixel to which the image data is addressed, and generates the attribute data in the attribute register. Hold; the data processing apparatus according to the above (4).

  According to this, the attribute of each image data to be processed can be detected and held in the attribute register immediately before the image processing of the image data. Before the image processing, attribute detection can be efficiently performed.

(9) a data memory (146) for holding characteristic definition data for defining data processing characteristics for each data attribute;
A global register (149) for holding a conversion control program;
An input data register (R0) for holding data to be converted, a characteristic register (R1 to R3) for holding conversion characteristic defining data, an attribute register (R4) for holding attribute data of the data to be converted, An output data register (R5) for holding the converted data, and a conversion corresponding to the attribute data held in the attribute register among the conversion characteristic defining data corresponding to each attribute data in the data memory (146). The characteristic defining data is selected and held in the characteristic register, and the conversion target of the input data register is converted in accordance with an operation instruction based on the conversion control program held in the global register (149) and the conversion characteristic defining data held in the characteristic register. A processing element (P) including a computing unit (151 to 155) for converting data; ), The processor array (144 consisting of a plurality of);
A series of conversion target data is written to each input data register of the processor array, conversion characteristic definition data corresponding to each attribute data on the data memory is sent to each characteristic register, and the conversion characteristic defining data is sent to each arithmetic unit of the processor array. A global processor (148) for controlling common assignment of an operation instruction based on a conversion control program of the global register and output of converted data from each output register;
A program memory (145) for holding a global control program for executing the control by the global processor;
A data processing device comprising:

  According to this, when the global processor (148) is sending conversion characteristic definition data addressed to each attribute data on the data memory (146) to each characteristic register (R1 to R3), the arithmetic unit (151) To 155) select the conversion characteristic defining data addressed to the attribute data held in the attribute register (R4) and hold it in the characteristic registers (R1 to R3). The operation units (151 to 155) convert the conversion target data (x) of the input data register (R0) in accordance with the operation instruction based on the conversion control program and the conversion characteristic definition data held in the characteristic registers (R1 to R3). It is converted into post-data (y). The global processor (148) performs only control to simultaneously transmit the conversion characteristic definition data addressed to each attribute data on the data memory (146) to the respective characteristic registers (R1 to R3) simultaneously, so that the conversion target data having different attributes are changed. Even if there is a mixture of data, data conversion corresponding to each attribute is realized. Setting of conversion characteristics corresponding to attributes by the global processor (148) and the operation units (151 to 155) is easy. Further, conversion characteristic defining data destined for each attribute data may be prepared on the data memory (146). Since the data amount is much smaller than that of the LUT, the data amount prepared for data conversion is reduced. In addition, the memory capacity becomes smaller in each stage than when an LUT is used.

(10) a data memory (146) for holding conversion characteristic defining data for defining gamma conversion characteristics of image data for each attribute of image data;
An input data register (R0) for holding image data to be converted, a property register (R1 to R3) for holding conversion characteristic defining data read from the data memory (146), and characteristics of an image represented by the image data Register (R4) for holding attribute data representing the following, output data register (R5) for holding converted converted data (y), image data of input data register (R0) and the image data The attribute data of the image data of the input data register (R0) is generated in accordance with the image data of the pixel in the vicinity of the pixel to which the pixel is addressed, and the attribute data is stored in the attribute register (R4). Gamma conversion of the conversion target data (image data) of the input data register (R0) in accordance with prescribed data Vessel (151-155), processing elements (PE), comprising a plurality of processor array comprising a (144);
The processor array holds attribute control data for controlling the generation of the attribute data of the arithmetic units (151 to 155) and control data for conversion for controlling the gamma conversion of the arithmetic units (151 to 155). 144) a global register (149) to be commonly provided to each arithmetic unit;
Writing of the same raster image data to each input data register (R0) of the processor array (144); writing of the attribute detection control data and the conversion control data to the global register (149); , An operation instruction based on the control data for attribute detection, transmission of conversion characteristic definition data addressed to each attribute data in the data memory to each of the characteristic registers (R1 to R3), and an operation based on the control data for conversion for the arithmetic unit A processor (148) that controls instructions and output of converted data from each output data register (R5); and a program memory (145) that stores a conversion program executed by the processor to perform the above control.
An image data processing device (IPP) comprising:

  According to this, in addition to the operation and effect of the above (5), the attribute of each image data of one raster is detected immediately before the gamma conversion of the image data of one raster. Image data processing can be simplified.

(11) The processor (148) sequentially converts the conversion characteristic defining data addressed to each attribute data from the data memory (146) to the characteristic register (R1) with respect to the data (x) written in the input data register. To R3), and then gives an operation instruction based on the control data for conversion to each of the arithmetic units (151 to 155), and the converted data written to each output data register (R5) by each of the arithmetic units. Output;
Each of the arithmetic units fetches the conversion characteristic defining data into the characteristic register when the processor sends the conversion characteristic defining data addressed to the attribute data held in the attribute register from the data memory (146), The conversion according to the operation instruction is performed using the conversion characteristic definition data taken into the characteristic register;
The image data processing device (IPP) according to the above (10).

  According to this, the processor (148) may perform a simple read control for sequentially transmitting the conversion characteristic defining data addressed to each attribute data from the data memory (146) to the characteristic registers (R1 to R3). Each of the arithmetic units (151 to 155) may set the characteristic register addressed to itself to write only at the read timing of the conversion characteristic defining data addressed to the attribute data held in the attribute register addressed to itself. The setting of the conversion characteristic defining data for each processing element (PE) that converts each data can be simplified.

(12) The conversion characteristic defining data addressed to each attribute data includes input data (x _i ) at each division position obtained by dividing the conversion input range into n, converted data (y _i ), and conversion coefficients (a) of each division section. _i );
The processor (148), when sending the conversion characteristic defining data addressed to each attribute data, inputs the input data (x _i ) of each division position addressed to each attribute data, its converted data (y _i ), and each divided data Controlling to transmit the transform coefficients (a _i ) of the section from the data memory (146) to the characteristic registers (R1 to R3) sequentially in the order of the divided sections;
Each of the arithmetic units is configured to output, from among the conversion characteristic defining data addressed to the attribute data held in the attribute register, the division position input data (x) addressed to the divided section to which the data (x) written to the input data register belongs. _i ) and its converted data (y _i ) and conversion coefficients (a _i ) when the processor is sending out from the data memory (146) into the characteristic register and the data written into the input data register ( the arithmetic instruction conversion according to the _{x) (y = int {a} i (x-x i) + y i}) and divided position input data's ipecac the characteristic register _{(x i)} and the converted data (y _i ) and the conversion coefficient (a _i ); the image data processing device (IPP) according to (11) above.

This is an aspect of the broken line linear approximation when the relationship between the input data and the output data, that is, the conversion characteristic is nonlinear such as a curve. In this embodiment, the approximation accuracy increases as the number of divisions increases. When the number of divisions increases, the number of data sets of the division position input data (x _i ), the converted data (y _i ), and the conversion coefficient (a _i ) increases. Since the number is 3 (xi _{, yi, ai} ), for example, when the conversion data is 8 bits, 256 bytes are required for one LUT simply, so that a division less than 256/3 = 85 (approximately) When the number is set, the data amount and the required memory capacity can be reduced. This reduction effect increases as the number of attributes increases.

(13) a data memory (146) for holding conversion characteristic defining data for defining gamma conversion characteristics of image data for each data attribute;
A global register (149) for holding an attribute detection control program for controlling generation of attribute data representing characteristics of an image represented by image data and a conversion control program for controlling gamma conversion of image data;
An input data register (R0) for holding the conversion target image data, a characteristic register (R1 to R3) for holding the conversion characteristic defining data, and an attribute register (R4) for holding the attribute data of the conversion target image data. An output data register (R5) for holding converted image data after conversion, an operation instruction based on an attribute detection control program held by the global register, image data of the input data register, and the image data. Generate attribute data of the image data of the input data register according to the image data of the pixel in the vicinity of the pixel and hold the attribute data in the attribute register, and hold in the attribute register of the conversion characteristic defining data corresponding to each attribute data of the data memory. Selects the conversion characteristic definition data corresponding to the attribute data to be stored and stores it in the characteristic register A processing unit (151 to 155) for gamma-converting the conversion target data of the input data register in accordance with an operation instruction based on a conversion control program held by the global register and conversion characteristic definition data held by the characteristic register. A processor array (144) comprising a plurality of elements (PE);
Writing of a series of data to be converted into each input data register of the processor array, common assignment of an operation instruction based on a control program for detecting the attribute of the global register to each arithmetic unit of the processor array, and data to each characteristic register Transmission of conversion characteristic defining data corresponding to each attribute data on the memory, common assignment of an operation instruction based on the conversion control program of the global register to each operation unit of the processor array, and transmission of converted data from each output register A global processor (148) for controlling the output; and
A program memory (145) for holding a global control program for executing the control by the global processor;
An image data processing device comprising:

  According to this, in addition to the operation and effect of the above (9), the attribute of each image data of one raster is detected immediately before the gamma conversion of the image data of one raster. Image data processing can be simplified.

  (14) Imaging means (10) for generating captured image data representing a captured image; and imaging gamma conversion (194) for correcting distortion during imaging of the captured image data (1) to (13). An image processing device comprising: an image data processing device (IPP);

  Here, examples of the imaging means include a document scanner and a digital camera. In an application in which the image represented by the captured image data is displayed on a display or printed out by a printer, a data processing device (IPP) faithfully represents an original image in accordance with the display characteristics of the display or the image expression characteristics of the printer. Data processing characteristics. Alternatively, it is assumed that a data processing characteristic according to a user's adjustment or correction operation can be selected. In any case, the functions and effects described in the above (1) to (13) can be obtained.

  (15) Parallel bus (Pb) for transferring image data; image memory (MEM); image memory control for writing image data on the parallel bus to the image memory and reading image data from the image memory to the parallel bus Means (IMAC); and image data control means (CDIC) for controlling the exchange of image data between the imaging means (10), the image data processing device (IPP) and the parallel bus (Pb). The image processing apparatus according to (14).

  For example, the image data control means (CDIC) supplies the output RGB image data of the imaging means (10) to the data processing device (IPP), and sends out the processed image data to the parallel bus (Pb). The image data of the parallel bus (Pb) can be written to the image memory (MEM) by (IMAC).

(16) The image data control means (CDIC) performs irreversible compression of the image data from the imaging means (10) and outputs the image data to the parallel bus (Pb), or the image data processing device (CDIC) IPP) and irreversibly compresses the processed image data and outputs it to the parallel bus (Pb), or expands the data of the parallel bus (Pb) and transfers it to the data processing device (15) The image processing apparatus according to (15), wherein

  For example, the output RGB image data of the imaging means (10) is irreversibly compressed 1 for bus transfer by the image data control means (CDIC) and sent to the parallel bus (Pb), and the image data is controlled by the image memory control means (IMAC). The image data of the bus (Pb) can be further reversibly compressed 2 for writing to the memory and written to the image memory (MEM). Then, the RGB image data in the image memory (MEM) is expanded 2 (compression 2 is expanded) by the image memory control means (IMAC) and read out to the parallel bus (Pb), and the parallel bus (Pb) is read by the image data control means (CDIC). ) RGB image data can be output after decompression 1 (decompression of compression 1).

  (17) A printer (100) for forming an image represented by image data for recording output on paper; and converting input image data into image data for recording output suitable for the image formation of the printer (100). An image forming apparatus comprising: the data processing device (IPP) according to any one of (1) to (13), which performs gamma conversion (305).

  Here, the data processing device (IPP) sets data processing characteristics that faithfully represent the original image in accordance with the image expression characteristics of the printer (100). Alternatively, it is assumed that a data processing characteristic according to a user's adjustment or correction operation can be selected. In any case, the functions and effects described in the above (1) to (13) can be obtained.

  (18) a parallel bus (Pb) for transferring image data; an image memory (MEM); an image memory control for writing image data on the parallel bus to the image memory and reading image data from the image memory to the parallel bus. Means (IMAC); and image data control means (CDIC) for controlling the exchange of image data between the data processing device (IPP) and the parallel bus (Pb). apparatus.

  For example, the image data of the image memory (MEM) is read out to the parallel bus (Pb) by the image memory control means (IMAC), and the image data of the parallel bus (Pb) is read by the image data control means (CDIC) to the data processing device (IPP). To output the image data to the printer (100).

  (19) Imaging means (10) for generating captured image data representing a captured image; converting the captured image data into image data for recording output for forming an image on paper by a printer (194, 305). An image forming apparatus comprising: the data processing device (IPP) according to any one of (1) to (13); and a printer (100) that forms an image represented by the image data for recording and output on a sheet.

  Here, examples of the imaging means include a document scanner and a digital camera. These captured image data are made data conversion characteristics that faithfully represent the original image by matching the image expression characteristics of the printer (100). Alternatively, it is assumed that a data conversion characteristic according to the adjustment or correction operation of the user can be selected. In any case, the functions and effects described in the above (1) to (13) can be obtained.

  (20) Parallel bus (Pb) for transferring image data; image memory (MEM); image memory control for writing image data on the parallel bus to the image memory and reading image data from the image memory to the parallel bus Means (IMAC); and image data control means (CDIC) for controlling exchange of image data between the imaging means (10), the data processing device (IPP), and the parallel bus (Pb). The image forming apparatus according to the above (19).

  For example, the image data control means (CDIC) supplies the RGB image data output from the imaging means (10) to the data processing device (IPP), provides its YMCK output to the printer (100), and prints out the output YMCK image data. it can.

  Also, the output RGB image data of the imaging means (10) is processed by the data processing device (IPP), sent out to the parallel bus (Pb) by the image data control means (CDIC), and sent to the parallel bus by the image memory control means (IMAC). The image data of (Pb) can be written to the image memory (MEM). The image memory control means (IMAC) reads the RGB image data of the image memory (MEM) onto the parallel bus (Pb), and the image data control means (CDIC) converts the RGB image data of the parallel bus (Pb) into a data processing device ( The output YMCK image data can be printed out by applying the output YMCK image data to the printer (100).

  (21) The image memory control means (IMAC) stores image data between an external device such as a personal computer and a LAN, a facsimile connected to the parallel bus, and the image data control means (CDIC). The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above (17) to (20), wherein the image is compressed and written or read and expanded.

  According to this method, image data is temporarily stored in an image memory (MEM), so that advanced image processing, processing, or editing can be performed. Image data can be exchanged between an external device, a facsimile connected to the parallel bus, and the image data control means (CDIC). Then, when exchanging image data and printing out, image processing can be performed at high speed by the data processing device (IPP).

  Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

-1st Example-
FIG. 1 shows an appearance of a multifunction full-color digital copying machine A1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The full-color copying machine A1 shown in FIG. 1 generally includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) 30, an operation board 20, a color scanner 10, a color printer 100, and a paper feed bank 35. . A finisher 34 with a tray on which a stapler and an imaged sheet can be stacked, a double-sided drive unit 33, and a large-capacity paper feed tray 36 are mounted on the printer 100.

  A LAN (Local Area Network) to which a personal computer PC is connected is connected to the on-board image data processing device ACP (FIG. 3), and a telephone line PN (facsimile communication line) is connected to the facsimile control unit FCU (FIG. 3). Is connected to the exchange PBX. The printed paper of the color printer 100 is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 108 or the finisher 34.

  FIG. 2 shows a mechanism of the color printer 100. The color printer 100 of this embodiment is a laser printer. In the laser printer 100, four sets of toner image forming units for forming images of each color of magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (black: K) are arranged in a moving direction of the transfer paper. (From the lower right in the figure to the upper left y), they are arranged in this order. That is, it is a four-drum type full-color image forming apparatus.

  These magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (K) toner image forming units include photoconductor units 110M, 110C, 110Y having photoconductor drums 111M, 111C, 111Y, and 111K, respectively. 110K and developing units 120M, 120C, 120Y and 120K. The arrangement of the toner image forming units is such that the rotation axes of the photosensitive drums 111M, 111C, 111Y and 111K in each photosensitive unit are parallel to the horizontal x-axis (main scanning direction), and the transfer paper It is set so as to be arranged at a predetermined pitch in the moving direction y (sub-scanning direction).

  In addition to the toner image forming unit, the laser printer 100 carries a laser exposure unit 102 by laser scanning, paper feed cassettes 103 and 104, a pair of registration rollers 105, and a transfer paper to transfer each toner image forming unit. The image forming apparatus includes a transfer belt unit 106 having a transfer conveyance belt 160 that conveys the sheet so as to pass through the position, a fixing unit 107 of a belt fixing type, a sheet discharge tray 108, a two-sided drive (surface reversal) unit 33, and the like. The laser printer 100 also includes a manual tray, a toner supply container, a waste toner bottle, and the like (not shown).

  The laser exposure unit 102 includes laser light emitters 41M, 41C, 41Y, and 41K, a polygon mirror, an f-θ lens, a reflection mirror, and the like. Based on image data, the surface of each of the photosensitive drums 111M, 111C, 111Y, and 111K is formed. The laser beam is irradiated while being swung and scanned in the main scanning x direction perpendicular to the paper surface.

  The dashed line on FIG. 2 indicates the transfer path of the transfer paper. The transfer paper fed from the paper feed cassettes 103 and 104 is conveyed by conveyance rollers while being guided by a conveyance guide (not shown), and is sent to the registration roller pair 105. The transfer paper sent to the transfer / conveyance belt 160 at a predetermined timing by the registration roller pair 105 is carried by the transfer / conveyance belt 160 and conveyed so as to pass through the transfer position of each toner image forming unit.

  The toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 111M, 111C, 111Y, and 111K of the respective toner image forming units are transferred to transfer paper carried and conveyed by the transfer / conveyance belt 160, and a superimposition of color toner images, that is, a color image is formed. The formed transfer paper is sent to the fixing unit 107. That is, the transfer is a direct transfer system in which a toner image is directly transferred onto a transfer sheet. When passing through the fixing unit 107, the toner image is fixed on the transfer paper. The transfer paper on which the toner image has been fixed is discharged or fed to the discharge tray 108, the finisher 36, or the double-sided drive unit 33.

  The outline of the yellow Y toner image forming unit will be described below. Other toner image forming units have the same configuration as that of yellow Y. The yellow Y toner image forming unit includes the photoconductor unit 110Y and the developing unit 120Y as described above. The photoconductor unit 110Y includes, in addition to the photoconductor drum 111Y, a brush roller that applies a lubricant to the surface of the photoconductor drum, a swingable blade that cleans the surface of the photoconductor drum, and a static elimination lamp that irradiates light to the surface of the photoconductor drum. And a non-contact type charging roller for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum.

  In the photoconductor unit 110Y, the laser beam L modulated based on the print data and deflected by the polygon mirror by the laser exposure unit 102 is applied to the surface of the photoconductor drum 111Y uniformly charged by the charging roller to which the AC voltage is applied. Is irradiated while being scanned, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 111Y. The electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 11IY is developed by the developing unit 20Y to be a yellow Y toner image. At the transfer position where the transfer paper on the transfer conveyance belt 160 passes, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 11IY is transferred to the transfer paper. After the toner image is transferred, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 111Y is coated with a predetermined amount of lubricant by a brush roller, is cleaned by a blade, and is discharged by light emitted from a discharge lamp. It is provided for the formation of an electrostatic latent image.

  The developing unit 120Y contains a two-component developer containing a magnetic carrier and a negatively charged toner. The developing case 120Y includes a developing roller disposed so as to be partially exposed from the opening on the photosensitive drum side, a conveying screw, a doctor blade, a toner concentration sensor, a powder pump, and the like. The developer contained in the developing case is frictionally charged by being agitated and transported by the transport screw. Then, a part of the developer is carried on the surface of the developing roller. The doctor blade uniformly regulates the layer thickness of the developer on the surface of the developing roller, and the toner in the developer on the surface of the developing roller is transferred to the photosensitive drum, thereby forming a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum. Appears on drum 111Y. The toner density of the developer in the developing case is detected by a toner density sensor. When the density is insufficient, the powder pump is driven to supply toner.

  The transfer conveyance belt 160 of the transfer belt unit 106 is hung on four grounded stretching rollers so as to pass through respective transfer positions in contact with and facing the photosensitive drums 111M, 111C, 111Y and 111K of each toner image forming unit. Has been turned. One of the stretching rollers is 109. Of these tension rollers, an electrostatic attraction roller to which a predetermined voltage is applied is disposed so as to face an entrance roller on the upstream side in the transfer sheet moving direction indicated by a two-dot chain line arrow. The transfer paper that has passed between these two rollers is electrostatically attracted onto the transfer / conveying belt 160. The exit roller on the downstream side in the transfer paper moving direction is a drive roller that frictionally drives the transfer conveyance belt, and is connected to a drive source (not shown). In addition, a bias roller to which a predetermined cleaning voltage is applied from a power supply is arranged so as to come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the transfer conveyance belt 160. The bias roller removes foreign matters such as toner adhered to the transfer / conveying belt 160.

  Further, a transfer bias applying member is provided so as to be in contact with the back surface of the transfer conveyance belt 160 forming a contact opposing portion that opposes the photoconductor drums 111M, 111C, 111Y and 111K. These transfer bias applying members are fixed brushes made of Mylar, and a transfer bias is applied from each transfer bias power supply. By the transfer bias applied by the transfer bias applying member, transfer charges are applied to the transfer / conveyance belt 160, and a transfer electric field having a predetermined intensity is formed between the transfer / conveyance belt 160 and the surface of the photosensitive drum at each transfer position. .

  The sheet on which the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 111M, 111C, 111Y, and 111K are transferred by the transfer and transfer belt 160 is sent to the fixing device 107, where the toner image is heated and pressed to form a sheet. Is heat-fixed. After the heat fixing, the sheet is sent to the finisher 34 from a discharge port 34ot to the finisher 34 on the upper portion of the left side plate. Alternatively, the paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray 108 on the upper surface of the printer body.

  Of the four photosensitive drums, the photosensitive drums 111M, 111C, and 111Y for forming a magenta image, a cyan image, and a yellow image are one electric motor (color drum motor; color drum motor) for driving a color drum (not shown). M: not shown), and is driven at a one-step speed reduction via a power transmission system and a speed reducer (not shown). The photosensitive drum 111K for forming a black image is driven by one electric motor (K drum motor: not shown) for driving the black drum at a one-step speed reduction via a power transmission system and a speed reducer (not shown). You. Further, the transfer conveyance belt 160 is rotated by driving a transfer drive roller via a power transmission system by the K drum motor. Accordingly, the K drum motor drives the K photoconductor drum 11K and the transfer / transport belt 60, and the color drum motor drives the M, C, Y photoconductor drums 11M, 11C, 11Y.

  The K developing device 120K is driven by an electric motor (not shown) driving the fixing unit 107 via a power transmission system and a clutch (not shown). The M, C, Y developing units 120M, 120C, 120Y are electric motors (not shown) for driving the registration rollers 105, and are driven via a power transmission system and a clutch (not shown). The developing units 120M, 120C, 120Y, 120K are not always driven, but receive drive transmission by the clutch so that they can be driven at a predetermined timing.

  FIG. 1 is referred to again. The finisher 34 has a stacker tray, that is, a stacking and lowering tray 34hs and a sort tray group 34st. It has a sorter discharge mode.

  The paper fed from the printer 100 to the finisher 34 is conveyed in the upper left direction, passes through an inverted U-shaped conveyance path, switches the conveyance direction downward, and then discharges the paper in the stacker according to the set mode. In the mode, the sheet is discharged from the discharge port to the loading and lowering tray 34hs. In the sorter discharge mode, the sheet currently discharged in the sorter tray group 34st is discharged to the assigned sorter tray.

  When the sorter discharge mode is designated, the discharge controller in the finisher drives the sort tray group 34st placed at the lowermost stacking and retract position to the use position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Increase the interval. In the sorter discharge mode, a single (one) copy or print of the set number of sheets is performed. When the sorter discharge mode is set for the set sort, each transfer sheet on which the same original (image) is printed is sorted by the sort tray group 34st. Sorted and stored in each tray. When the sorter discharge mode is set for page sorting, each tray is assigned to each page (image), and each transfer sheet on which the same page is printed is stacked on one sort tray.

  FIG. 3 shows a system configuration of an image processing system of the copying machine shown in FIG. In this system, a color document scanner 12 including a reading unit 11 and an image data output I / F (Interface) 12 is connected to an image data interface control CDIC (hereinafter simply referred to as CDIC) of an image data processing apparatus ACP. I have. A color printer 100 is also connected to the image data processing device ACP. The color printer 100 receives recording image data from the image data processor IPP (Image Processing Processor; hereinafter simply referred to as IPP) of the image data processing device ACP to the write I / F 134 and prints out the image at the image forming unit 135. . The image forming unit 135 is as shown in FIG.

  The image data processing device ACP (hereinafter simply referred to as ACP) includes a parallel bus Pb, a memory access control IMAC (hereinafter simply referred to as IMAC), a memory module as an image memory (hereinafter simply referred to as MEM), and a nonvolatile memory. A hard disk drive HDD (hereinafter simply referred to as HDD), a system controller 1, a RAM 4, a nonvolatile memory 5, a font ROM 6, a CDIC, an IPP, and the like are provided. The facsimile control unit FCU (hereinafter simply referred to as FCU) is connected to the parallel bus Pb. The operation board 20 is connected to the system controller 1.

  The reading unit 11 of the color document scanner 10 for reading a document optically converts the reflected light of the lamp irradiation on the document by a CCD on a sensor board unit SBU (hereinafter simply referred to as SBU) by CCD, and converts the reflected light into R, G , B image signals are converted to RGB image data by an A / D converter, corrected for shading, and sent to a CDIC via an output I / F 12.

  The CDIC performs image data transfer between the original scanner 10 (output I / F 12), the parallel bus Pb, and the IPP, and communication between the process controller 131 and the system controller 1 that controls the entire ACP. The RAM 132 is used as a work area of the process controller 131, and the ROM 133 stores an operation program of the process controller 131 and the like.

  The memory access control IMAC (hereinafter simply referred to as IMAC) controls writing / reading of image data and control data to / from the MEM and the HDD. The system controller 1 controls the operation of each component connected to the parallel bus Pb. The RAM 4 is used as a work area of the system controller 1, and the nonvolatile memory 5 stores an operation program of the system controller 1 and the like.

  The operation board 20 indicates a process to be performed by the ACP. For example, the type of process (copying, facsimile transmission, image reading, printing, etc.), the number of processes, and the like are input. Thereby, the input of the image data control information can be performed.

  The image data read by the reading unit 11 of the scanner 10 is subjected to shading correction 210 by the SBU of the scanner 10, and then to image processing for correcting reading distortion such as scanner gamma correction and filter processing by IPP. Store in MEM or HDD. When printing out the image data of the MEM or HDD, the IPP performs color conversion of RGB signals to YMCK signals and performs image quality processing such as printer gamma conversion, gradation conversion, and gradation processing such as dither processing or error diffusion processing. Do it. The image data after the image quality processing is transferred from the IPP to the write I / F 134. The write I / F 134 performs laser control on the signal subjected to the gradation processing by pulse width and power modulation. Thereafter, the image data is sent to the image forming unit 135, and the image forming unit 135 forms a reproduced image on transfer paper.

  The IMAC controls access to image data and MEM or HDD based on the control of the system controller 1, expands print data of a personal computer PC (hereinafter simply referred to as PC) connected on a LAN, and effectively utilizes MEM and HDD. Compression / decompression of image data for

  The image data sent to the IMAC is stored in the MEM or HDD after data compression, and the stored image data is read out as needed. The read image data is expanded, returned to the original image data, and returned from the IMAC to the CDIC via the parallel bus Pb. After the transfer from the CDIC to the IPP, the image is processed and output to the write I / F 134, and the image forming unit 135 forms a reproduced image on transfer paper.

  In the flow of image data, the function of the digital multifunction peripheral is realized by the bus control by the parallel bus Pb and the CDIC. Facsimile transmission is performed by performing image processing on read image data by IPP and transferring the data to the FCU via the CDIC and the parallel bus Pb. The FCU converts the data into a communication network and transmits it to the public line PN as facsimile data. Facsimile reception is performed by converting line data from the public line PN into image data by the FCU and transferring it to the IPP via the parallel bus Pb and CDIC. In this case, the image is output from the writing I / F 134 without performing any special image quality processing, and the image forming unit 135 forms a reproduced image on transfer paper.

  In a situation where a plurality of jobs, for example, a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and a printer output function operate in parallel, the right to use the reading unit 11, the imaging unit 135, and the parallel bus Pb is assigned to the job by the system controller 1 and the process. Control is performed by the controller 131. The process controller 131 controls the flow of image data, the system controller 1 controls the entire system, and manages the activation of each resource. The function selection of the digital multi-function peripheral is performed on the operation board 20, and the processing contents such as the copy function and the facsimile function are set by the selection input of the operation board 20.

  The system controller 1 and the process controller 131 communicate with each other via the parallel bus Pb, the CDIC, and the serial bus Sb. Specifically, communication between the system controller 1 and the process controller 131 is performed by performing data format conversion for data and interface between the parallel bus Pb and the serial bus Sb in the CDIC.

  Various bus interfaces, for example, a parallel bus I / F 7, a serial bus I / F 9, a local bus I / F 3, and a network I / F 8, are connected to the IMAC. The controller unit 1 is connected to related units via a plurality of types of buses in order to maintain independence in the entire ACP.

  The system controller 1 controls other functional units via the parallel bus Pb. The parallel bus Pb is used for transferring image data. The system controller 1 issues an operation control command to the IMAC to store the image data in the MEM and the HDD. This operation control command is sent via the IMAC, the parallel bus I / F 7, and the parallel bus Pb.

  In response to this operation control command, the image data is sent from the CDIC to the IMAC via the parallel bus Pb and the parallel bus I / F7. Then, the image data is stored in the MEM or the HDD under the control of the IMAC.

  On the other hand, the system controller 1 of the ACP functions as a printer controller, a network controller, and a serial bus controller in the case of calling from a PC as a printer function. In the case of passing through the network B, the IMAC receives print output request data or accumulation (save) request data via the network B via the network I / F 8. The request data (external command) via the network B is notified to the system controller 1, and the IMAC transfers or receives and stores the stored data via the network B according to a command from the system controller 1 responding to the request data.

  In the case of a general-purpose serial bus connection, the IMAC receives print output request data via the serial bus I / F 9. The general-purpose serial bus I / F 9 corresponds to a plurality of types of standards, for example, an interface of a standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), 1284, or 1394.

  Print output request data from the PC is developed into image data by the system controller 1. The deployment destination is an area in the MEM. Font data necessary for development can be obtained by referring to the font ROM 6 via the local bus I / F 3 and the local bus Rb. The local bus Rb connects the controller 1 to the nonvolatile memory 5 and the RAM 4.

  As for the serial bus Sb, besides the external serial port 2 for connection with the PC, there is also an interface for transfer with the operation board 20 which is the operation unit of the ACP. It communicates with the system controller 1 via IMAC instead of print development data, accepts processing procedures, displays system status, and the like.

  Data transmission / reception between the system controller 1 and the MEM, HDD, and various buses is performed via the IMAC. Jobs that use the MEM and HDD are centrally managed in the entire ACP.

  FIG. 4 shows an outline of a functional configuration of the CDIC. The image data input / output control 161 receives the image data output by the color document scanner 10 (SBU) and outputs it to the IPP. The IPP performs “scanner image processing” 190 (FIG. 6) and sends the image data to the CDIC image data input control 162. The data received by the image data input control 162 is subjected to primary compression of the image data in the data compression section 163 in order to increase the transfer efficiency on the parallel bus Pb. The compressed image data is converted into parallel data by the data conversion unit 164 and sent to the parallel bus Pb via the parallel data I / F 165. Image data input from the parallel data bus Pb via the parallel data I / F 165 is serially converted by the data converter 164. This data is primarily compressed for bus transfer, and is expanded by the data expansion unit 166. The decompressed image data is transferred to the IPP by the image data output control 167. In the IPP, the RGB image data is converted into YMCK image data by “image quality processing” 300 (FIG. 6), converted into image data YpMpCpKp for image output of the printer 100, and output to the color printer 100.

  The CDIC has a function of converting parallel data transferred on the parallel bus Pb and serial data transferred on the serial bus Sb. The system controller 1 transfers data to the parallel bus Pb, and the process controller 131 transfers data to the serial bus Sb. For communication between the two controllers 1 and 131, the data conversion unit 164 and the serial data I / F 169 perform parallel / serial data conversion. The serial data I / F 168 is for the IPP, and performs serial data transfer with the IPP.

  FIG. 5 shows an outline of the configuration of the IMAC. IMAC includes access control 172, memory control 173, secondary compression / decompression module 176, image editing module 177, system I / F 179, local bus control 180, parallel bus control 171, serial port control 175, serial port 174, and network. Control 178 is provided. The secondary compression / decompression module 176, the image editing module 177, the parallel bus control 171, the serial port control 175, and the network control 178 are connected to the access control 172 via DMAC (direct memory access control).

  The system I / F 179 sends and receives commands or data to and from the system controller 1. Basically, the system controller 1 controls the entire ACP. The system controller 1 manages the resource allocation of the MEM and the HDD, and controls other units via the system I / F 179, the parallel bus control 171 and the parallel bus Pb.

  Each unit of the ACP is basically connected to the parallel bus Pb. Therefore, the parallel bus control 171 controls transmission and reception of data to and from the system controller 1 and the MEM and HDD by controlling the bus occupation.

  The network control 178 controls connection with the LAN. The network control 178 manages transmission and reception of data to and from an external extension device connected to the network. Here, the system controller 1 does not participate in the operation management of the connected devices on the network, but controls the IMAC interface. Although not particularly limited, in the present embodiment, control for 100BASE-T is added.

  The serial port 174 connected to the serial bus has a plurality of ports. The serial port control 175 has a number of port control mechanisms corresponding to the types of buses provided. Although not particularly limited, in the present embodiment, port control for USB and 1284 is performed. In addition to the external serial port, it controls transmission / reception of data related to command reception or display with the operation unit.

  The local bus control 180 interfaces with a local serial bus Rb to which a RAM 4 and a nonvolatile memory 5 necessary for activating the system controller 1 and a font ROM 6 for developing printer code data are connected.

  The operation control executes command control by the system controller 1 from the system I / F 179. Data control manages MEM and HDD accesses from external units, centering on the MEM and HDD. The image data is transferred from the CDIC to the IMAC via the parallel bus Pb. Then, the image data is taken into the IMAC by the parallel bus control 171.

  The memory access of the fetched image data is separated from the management of the system controller 1. That is, the memory access is performed by direct memory access control (DMAC) independently of system control. Regarding access to the MEM and HDD, the access control 172 arbitrates access requests from a plurality of units. Then, the memory control 173 controls the access operation of the MEM and the HDD or the reading / writing of data.

  When accessing the MEM and HDD from the network, the data taken into the IMAC from the network via the network control 178 is transferred to the MEM and HDD by the direct memory access control DMAC. The access control 172 arbitrates access to the MEM and HDD in a plurality of jobs. The memory control 173 reads / writes data from / to the MEM and HDD.

  When accessing the MEM and the HDD from the serial bus, the data fetched into the IMAC through the serial port 174 by the serial port control 175 is transferred to the MEM and the HDD by the direct memory access control DMAC. The access control 172 arbitrates access to the MEM and HDD in a plurality of jobs. The memory control 173 reads / writes data from / to the MEM and HDD.

  Print output data from a PC connected to a network or a serial bus is developed by the system controller 1 in a memory area in the MEM or HDD using font data on the local bus.

  The system controller 1 manages the interface with each external unit. For the data transfer after being taken into the IMAC, each DMAC shown in FIG. 5 manages the memory access. In this case, since the DMACs execute data transfer independently of each other, the access control 172 performs a job collision regarding access to the MEM and the HDD, or prioritizes each access request.

  Here, the access to the MEM and the HDD includes an access from the system controller 1 via the system I / F 179 for bitmap expansion of the stored data, in addition to the access by each DMAC. In the access control 172, DMAC data permitted to access the MEM and the HDD or data from the system I / F 179 is directly transferred to the MEM and the HDD by the memory control 173.

  IMAC has a secondary compression / decompression module 176 and an image editing module 177 for data processing therein. The secondary compression / decompression module 176 compresses and decompresses data so that image data or code data can be effectively stored in the MEM or HDD. The secondary compression / expansion module 176 controls the interface with the MEM and HDD by the DMAC.

  The image data once stored in the MEM and HDD is called by the secondary compression / decompression module 176 from the MEM and HDD via the memory control 173 and the access control 172 by the direct memory access control DMAC. Then, the converted image data is returned to the MEM or HDD or output to an external bus by the direct memory access control DMAC.

  The image editing module 177 controls the MEM and the HDD by the DMAC, and performs data processing in the MEM and the HDD. Specifically, the image editing module 177 performs not only the clearing of the memory area, but also the rotation processing of the image data and the synthesis of different images as data processing. The image editing module 177 reads the secondary compressed data from the MEM and HDD, and decompresses the primary compressed data by the secondary compression / decompression module 176. In the module 177, the image is decompressed by the same decoding logic as the data decompression 163 of CDIC. The next compressed data is decompressed into image data, expanded into a memory in the module 177, and processed. The processed image data is primarily compressed by the same encoding logic as the CDIC primary compression logic, and further secondary-compressed by the secondary compression / expansion module 176, and written to the MEM and HDD.

  FIG. 6 shows an outline of image processing of IPP. The read image is transmitted from the input I / F (interface) of the IPP to “scanner image processing” 190 via SBU and CDIC. The purpose of this “scanner image processing” 190 is to correct the reading degradation of the read image signal. After performing shading correction and then performing scanner gamma conversion and the like, the data is transferred to the CDIC and stored in the MEM. The image data stored in the MEM and read out is transferred to the IPP again via the CDIC. Here, “background removal correction processing” is performed. Then, “image quality processing” 300 is performed.

  FIG. 7 shows an outline of the image processing function of the IPP. IPP is a separation generation (determination of whether an image is a text area or a photograph area: image area separation) 192, background removal 193, scanner gamma conversion 194, filter 195, color correction 302, scaling 303, image processing 304, printer gamma conversion 305 And a gradation process 606 is performed. IPP is a programmable arithmetic processing unit that performs image processing. Image data input to the CDIC from the output I / F 12 of the scanner 10 is transferred to the IPP via the CDIC, and the IPP performs signal degradation due to quantization into optical systems and digital signals (signal degradation of the scanner system). Is corrected and output (transmitted) to the CDIC again. In the IPP, “image quality processing” 300 is performed on the image data returned from the CDIC to the IPP. In the “image quality processing” 300, the RGB signal is color-converted into a YMCK signal by a color correction 302, and a scaling 303, image processing 304, printer gamma conversion 305, and gradation processing such as gradation conversion, dither processing, or error diffusion processing are performed. 306 and so on.

  FIG. 8 shows an outline of the internal configuration of the IPP. The IPP accepts image data from the output I / F of the scanner SCR via the CDIC and inputs / outputs image data to / from the CDIC through an input / output port 141. The input / output image data is temporarily stored in a data buffer or input / output data register 142 including a bus switch and a buffer memory, and then input to the processor array 144 via the memory control of the SIMD type processor 143 or output to the CDIC. You. The data for controlling the IPP and the image processing program (programs and processing parameters) of the IPP are stored in the HDD, given to the host buffer 147 by the transfer control of the system controller 1, the CDIC or the process controller 131, and stored in the data RAM 146 and the program RAM 145. Written.

  FIG. 9 shows a configuration of a part of the inside of the processor array 144. In this embodiment, the processor array 144 is a group of single instruction stream multiple data stream (SIMD) type processing elements (PE), and executes a single instruction for a plurality of data in parallel. The PEs (PE1, PE2, PE3,...) Process each data. Each processing element PE (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as PE) includes an input / output register 150 for storing data addressed to itself, and a multiplexer (hereinafter referred to as MUX) 151 for accessing a register of another PE. , A logical operation unit (hereinafter referred to as ALU) 153, an accumulator register (hereinafter simply referred to as an accumulator) 154 for storing a logical result, and a temporary register 155 for temporarily saving the contents of the accumulator 154.

  Each input / output register 150 is connected to an address bus and a data bus (a read line and a word line), and stores an instruction code defining a process, data to be processed, and the like. The contents of the input / output register 150 are input to the ALU 153, and the operation processing result is stored in the accumulator 154. In order to take the result out of the PE, the result is temporarily saved in the temporary register 155, written into the input / output register 150 (the one assigned to the output register R5), and the result data of each PE is sequentially (serially) output. The processing result for the target data is obtained in a raster (serial transfer) format.

  The instruction code is given to each PE with the same contents, different processing target data is given to each PE, and the contents of the input / output register 150 of the adjacent PE are referred to in the MUX 151, whereby each PE is held by another PE. Calculations involving data to be processed can also be performed. The calculation result is output to accumulator 154. All PEs simultaneously perform the same operation according to the same instruction code. That is, they are processed in parallel.

  For example, if the contents of one line of image data are arranged in the PE for each pixel and arithmetic processing is performed using the same instruction code, a processing result for one line can be obtained in a shorter time than when processing is performed sequentially for each pixel. In particular, in the spatial filter processing, the shading correction processing, and the attribute detection processing, the instruction code for each PE is the operation expression itself, and the processing can be performed in common for all PEs.

  The input / output register 150 includes a plurality of registers each having an 8-bit configuration that can receive input data from the outside and output the data to the outside. The ALU 153 is a 16-bit ALU capable of loading data from the input / output register 150 and performing calculations and storing the calculation result in the input / output register 150. The accumulator 154 and the temporary register 155 also have a 16-bit configuration. Also, each ALU has a 1-bit T register and independently selects whether or not each ALU executes a program process according to its value.

  A plurality of PEs having the above configuration are arranged in parallel, and operate in parallel according to a single program. In the following, it is assumed that image data of one pixel is converted by one PE, and data conversion for simultaneously gamma-converting a group of image data of one block on one raster will be described. This gamma conversion is performed by the scanner gamma conversion 194 (FIG. 7) and the printer gamma conversion 305 (FIG. 7). A specified data set is used. These conversion characteristic defining data sets and a data conversion control program which is image processing control data using the data sets are registered in the HDD.

  When a document image is read by the scanner 10, a control program and reference data for the scanner image processing 190 including the scanner gamma conversion 194 are read out from the HDD and written into the program RAM 146 of the IPP and the external data RAM 145. The global processor 148 performs scanner image processing 190 (FIG. 7) based on the data in the program RAM 146 and the external data RAM 145.

  When an image is printed out by the printer 100, a control program and reference data for the printer image quality processing 300 (FIG. 7) including the printer gamma conversion 305 are read out from the HDD and written into the program RAM 146 of the IPP and the external data RAM 145. Be included. The global processor 148 performs the printer image quality processing 300 based on the data in the program RAM 146 and the external data RAM 145.

  Hereinafter, a gamma conversion process common to the scanner gamma conversion 194 and the printer gamma conversion 305 will be described.

  FIG. 10 shows the length (number) of the global processor 148 shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 based on the gamma conversion program written in the program RAM 145, on one line of the image plane, in which the processor array 144 can perform simultaneous and parallel processing. The outline of gamma conversion processing control of the image data group of one minute (one block) will be described.

  At the beginning of the gamma conversion control for one block of image data, the processor 148 writes each image data of one block of image data to the input image data register R0 of each PE of the processor array 144 (step s1). In the following, the word “step” is omitted in parentheses, and only the step identification code is described.

  Next, the processor 148 calculates the attribute data of the image data in each register R0 (attribute detection control) for each PE of the processor array 144 (s21).

-Calculation of attribute data (s21)-
In the calculation of the attribute data (s21), the density difference between the image data to be converted (image data of interest) and the image data (peripheral image data) addressed to the peripheral pixels of the pixel of interest to which the image data is addressed Is calculated with emphasis. FIG. 15D shows an example of the weighting coefficient of the spatial filter used for the calculation. The spatial filter to be used refers to the image data L1 to L3 and U1 to U3 on the left and right of the target image data CC and performs a convolution operation in which each has a weight coefficient. The coefficients are assigned as follows, as shown in the squares in FIG.
Left 3 image data (L3): -3
Left 2 image data (L2): -1
Left image data (L1): 2
Featured image data (CC): 4
Right 1 image data (U1): 2
Right 2 image data (U2): -1
Right 3 image data (U3): -3,
The sum of these coefficients is zero.

Based on the above coefficients,
Attribute index value = L3 × (−3) + L2 × (−1) + L1 × (2) + CC × (4)
+ U1 × (2) + U2 × (−1) + U3 × (−2)
Is calculated. Since the sum of the coefficients is 0, if all the pixels L3 to L1, CC, and U1 to U3 have the same density, the calculated value, that is, the attribute index value is 0. The attribute index value indicates whether or not the image data of interest is a sharp change with respect to the peripheral image data. This value is quantized (binarized) by, for example, a threshold value 128 to obtain attribute data. The number of quantization levels (2) is defined as the number m of attribute levels.

In this example,
Attribute index value> 128: Attribute data = “1”,
Attribute index value ≦ 128: Attribute data = “0”
And For example, for image data near the edge of a character portion in an image data group in which characters and photographs are mixed, the attribute index value becomes a large value, and the attribute data = “1”. In the smooth gradation change portion of the photograph portion, the attribute index value becomes a small value, and the attribute data = "0". Generally, a gamma conversion characteristic that emphasizes (clearens) edges is used for a character portion, and a gamma conversion characteristic that suppresses a rapid change in density is used for a photograph portion.

  In the calculation of the attribute data (s21), the global processor 148 can select one of the L3, L2, L1, CC, U1, U2, and U3 for all PEs after clearing the attribute register R4 of all PEs. Using the MUX 151, the ALU 153, the accumulator 154, and the temporary register 155, calculating the first term “L3 × (−2)” and calculating the second term “L2 × (−1)” of the attribute index value calculation formula And the first term “L3 × (−2)” calculated previously, the third term “L1 × (2)” calculated and the previously added value “L3 × (−2) + L2 × (−1)” ,..., Calculation of the seventh item “U3 × (−2)” and the preceding added value “L3 × (−2) + L2 × (−1) + L1 × (2) + CC × (4) + U1 × (2) + U2 × (−1) ”are sequentially performed, thereby obtaining Addition value = by the attribute index value from 128 is subtracted, the "1" and the value obtained is positive by subtraction, thereby written into the attribute register R4.

  Next, the processor 148 sets the data transmission from the external data RAM 146 to all the PEs in the RAM 146. Then, all the PEs are instructed to write the attribute level number m = 2 and the section number n = 8 in the external data RAM 146 to the attribute number register RM and the section number register RN (s22). As a result, the attribute level number m = 2 and the section number n = 8 are written in the attribute number register RM and the section number register RN of all PEs.

  Next, the processor 148 causes all PEs to decrement the value of the attribute number register RM by 1 (subtract 1 to update the result value) (s23). The data of the attribute number register RM is used as data for specifying a conversion characteristic defining data set addressed to the attribute data on the external data RAM 146. By sequentially decrementing the data, the conversion characteristic defining data sets addressed to each attribute data are sequentially switched and designated.

  Next, each PE performs a comparison operation to determine whether or not the attribute data of the attribute register R4 is equal to a value 1 obtained by subtracting 1 from the attribute level m = 2 of the attribute number register RM according to a comparison instruction from the processor 148. If the values are equal, "1" designating response to the conversion characteristic definition data read command is written to the T register, and if different, "0" designating conversion characteristic specification data read inhibition is written to the T register (s24).

  Next, in steps s25 and s2 to s9, the processor 148 sends the conversion characteristic defining data set addressed to the attribute data set in step s23 to the section to which the image data in the input image data register R0 belongs. The calculation parameters for writing the conversion characteristic defining data into the characteristic registers R1 to R3 are set. In response to this, only the PE for which the data of the T register is “1” is used to set the operation parameters. The ALU 153 has one bit for the T register, and only the ALU 153 whose T register value is 1 can execute the process specified by the instruction data of the global register 149.

−Gamma conversion formula−
In this embodiment, the input / output characteristic curve of the gamma conversion is represented by, for example, FIG. 15A by a broken line approximation, and the conversion equation is a linear equation. In the example shown in FIG. 15A, the range of input and output data is 0 to 255, which can be represented by 8-bit data, and this range is defined as the first divided section (P _{0 to} P ₁ ) to the eighth. It is divided into sections _(P 7 ~P _8). The x and y coordinate values of the division boundary and the transformation coefficient representing the gradient of the straight line in the division section are represented as shown in FIG. Here, the x coordinate axis is the input data axis, and the y coordinate axis is the output data axis.

FIG. 15B shows a conversion characteristic defining data set addressed to one attribute data (for example, attribute data = 1), one for attribute data = 1 and one for attribute data = 0. In addition, two sets in total are written in the external data RAM 146. A set of data {(x _i , y _i ), a _i }, for example, {P ₇ (x ₇ , y ₇ ), a ₇ }, in the conversion property defining data set, is assigned to one section. This is prescribed data.

Here, the conversion formula will be generalized and described. In this embodiment, a gamma curve of a commonly used curve is approximated by a linear expression of a straight line for each of n = 8 sections of the input density range. Here interval coordinates _{P n (x n, y n} ), the coefficients of the approximate straight line in the interval to _{a n.} However coefficient a is determined by from the coordinates of two points _{(y n + 1 -y n)} / (x n + 1 -x n). Therefore,
Output density = _{a n} (input density _{-x n)} + _y n
But it is stopped. However, when the output density must be quantized to 256 gradations, that is, when the output density is represented by 8-bit data,
Output density = int _{{a n} (input density _-x n) _{+ y} n}
Is required. int}... means only the integer part of the value in {. The “output density” is represented by converted data (y), and the “input density” is represented by conversion target data (x). In order to perform conversion using the above expression, it is necessary to determine section coordinates and coefficients of a section to which the input density (input image data) belongs. That is, it is necessary to determine which section the input density corresponds to.

−Setting of calculation parameters−
The processor 148 instructs all PEs to read the section number data n = 8, and only the PE with T = “1” writes the section number data n = 8 of the external data RAM 146 to the section number register RN (s25, s2).

Next, the processor 148 gives an instruction to decrement the value of the section number register RN by 1 to all PEs (s3). The section number register RN is loaded with the section number n = 8 as an initial value, and by sequentially decrementing this,
Designation of conversion characteristic defining data {P ₇ (x ₇ , y ₇ ), a ₇ } for the eighth section,
Designation of conversion characteristic defining data {P ₆ (x ₆ , y ₆ ), a ₆ } for the seventh section,
Designation of conversion characteristic defining data {P ₅ (x ₅ , y ₅ ), a ₅ } for the sixth section,
・
・
・
Designation of conversion characteristic defining data {P ₀ (x ₀ , y ₀ ), a ₀ } for the first section;
Then, the designation of the conversion characteristic defining data is switched.

Following step 3, the processor 148 instructs all PEs to write the data of the external data RAM 146 into the characteristic registers R1 to R3, and among the PEs, only the PE of the data 1 in the T register has s23 and s3. Write the conversion characteristic definition data ( _xn-1 , yn _-1 , an _-1 ) addressed to the attribute number and the section number set in the attribute number register RM and the section number register in the characteristic registers R1 to R3 and input them. The x-coordinate value _xn-1 in the conversion characteristic defining data is subtracted from the image data value (input density) of the image data register. If the calculated value is 0 or a positive value, "0" is given; , "1" is written to the T register (s4 to s8), and this process is repeated until the result of 1 decrement at step s3 = 0.

In this process, each ALU, first at step s3 (-1) coordinate data _x n-1 corresponds to the subtraction after the number section _{n, y n-1,} the coefficient data _{a n-1,} the external data RAM146 The coordinate registers R1 and R2, which are characteristic registers used by each ALU via the G register 149 in the global processor 148, from the conversion characteristic defining data set corresponding to (-1) the number m of attributes after subtraction in step s23, The data is transferred to the register R3 (s5). The G register 149 can be commonly accessed by all ALUs. Thereafter, the ALU 153 subtracts the x coordinate value _xn-1 of the coordinate register R1 from the density value of the input image data register (s6). The used x coordinate value x _n-1 and coefficient an _-1 are written back to the coordinate register and coefficient register again (s7). Thereafter, the sign bit of the subtraction result is stored in the T register (s8). This operation is repeated until n = 0 (s9).

However, when the sign bit from the subtraction result of (input density-x _n ) is 0, that is, in the ALU in which the section of the input density is confirmed, the subsequent processes of s6, s7, and s8 are skipped by step s4 (executed). Instead, all PEs (ALUs) to which each of the input image data of one block is allocated independently store necessary coordinate data and coefficient data in the characteristic registers R1 to R3.

After repeating the loop of s3 to s9 several times, and determining the section of the value (input density) of the input image data for which all the ALUs are in charge of processing, the processor 148 sets the value decremented in s23 to 0 (external data). If it is all conversion characteristics specified data set from RAM146 has completed delivery control (two sets in this embodiment)), the processor 148 calculates the int _{{a n} (input density _{-x n)} + _y n} To all the PEs (s10), and outputs the image data (output density) of one block after gamma conversion to the outside (s11).

-Calculation parameter setting example-
Control of setting of operation parameters by s1 to s9 for each image data of one block of input image data group when the input image data has an 8-bit configuration and the density range 0 to 255 of the input image data is divided into eight equal parts Will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. In this case, the number of attributes m, the number of sections n, the section coordinates and the coefficient data are set in the external data RAM 146 as shown in FIGS.

If the input image data given to the processing elements PE1, PE2, and PE3 are 240, 200, and 50 as shown in the frame of the register R0 in FIG. 11, the ALUs of all PEs have their own input image data. The operation coefficient a ₇ = 35/32, which is the gradient of a straight line between the register R0 and n = 7, x ₇ = 233, y ₇ = 220 and P ₇ / P ₈ on the external data RAM 146, is loaded via the G register. Then, x ₇ = 233 is subtracted from the input image data. In this case, since the subtraction result is positive, PE1 sets 0 in the T register (see FIG. 12), and does not perform the operation after n = 6.

Since the subtraction result of PE2 and PE3 is negative, the processing of the next n = 6 section is performed to set 1 in the T register. Here, n = 6, x ₆ = 191, y ₆ = 200, and a ₆ = 20/32 in the external data RAM 146 are loaded via the G register 149 and subtracted. Since the result of subtraction of x ₆ = 191 from the input image data 200 in the ALU of the PE is positive, 0 is set in the T register (FIG. 13). 1 is set in the T register of the ALU of PE3.

Thereafter, since the A register of PE2 has 0 in the T register, the processing after n = 5 is not performed, and the characteristic registers R1, R2, and R3 are not rewritten and the section coordinate data x ₆ = 191, y ₆ = 200, the coefficient data a ₆ = 20/32 is retained.

Until ALU only n = 1 cycle of PE3 continued subtraction _processing, so that the _{R1 = x 1, R2 = y} 1, R3 = a 1 is set in the characteristic register R1~R3 of PE3 (Figure 14).

After repeating this cycle until n = 0, each ALU
int {R3 × (R0-R1) + R2}
And the result is stored in the output image data register R5.

-Selection of conversion characteristics corresponding to attribute data-
When the section to which the density of the input image data belongs is inspected and the section coordinates x and y and the coefficient data a are selected by the setting of the calculation parameters described above, when the input density is the corresponding section, the ALU is set in the T register = Under the condition of 1, the section coordinates x _i , y _i and coefficient data a _i corresponding to the input density are set in the characteristic registers R1, R2, R3 from the external data RAM.

A method of selecting a conversion characteristic (conversion characteristic defining data set) corresponding to the attribute of the input image data also uses the data of the T register. That is, in step s23, the designation of the conversion characteristic defining data set is sequentially switched, and in step s24, only the PE holding the attribute data to which the specified conversion characteristic defining data set is applied in the attribute register R4 is stored in the T register. 1 ", and in steps s25 and s2 to s9, only the PEs for which" 1 "is set in the T register are addressed to the section of the specified conversion characteristic defining data set to which the input image data belongs. The conversion characteristic defining data ( _xn-1 , yn _-1 , an _-1 ), that is, the operation parameters are set in the characteristic registers R1 to R5.

  In this embodiment, there are two types of attribute data 0 and 1 (the number of attributes m = 2). First, the conversion characteristic defining data set addressed to the attribute data 1 is specified in step s23, all ALUs check the attribute data held in their own attribute register R4, and if the attribute data is 1, set 1 to the T register. If the attribute data is other than 1, 0 is set in the T register. Thereafter, the above-described calculation parameters are set (s3 to s9). As a result, only the PE having the attribute data = 1 sets the operation parameter (conversion characteristic definition data) of the section to which the input image data belongs in the conversion characteristic definition data set addressed to the attribute data 1 to itself.

  Next, returning from step s26 to s23, the conversion characteristic defining data set addressed to the attribute data 0 is specified in s23, all ALUs confirm the attribute data held in their own attribute register R4, and if the attribute data is 0, Only 1 is set in the T register, and 0 is set in the T register when the attribute data is other than 1. Thereafter, the above-described calculation parameters are set (s3 to s9). As a result, only the PE having the attribute data = 0 sets the operation parameter of the section to which the input image data belongs in the conversion characteristic defining data set addressed to the attribute data 0 to itself.

  Finally, the common conversion operation program is simultaneously executed in all the ALUs (s10), and all the image data of the input image data group of one block are simultaneously gamma-converted with the conversion characteristics corresponding to each attribute data. .

-2nd Example-
In the above-described first embodiment, an array 144 of processing elements PE estimates and calculates an image characteristic of a character or a photograph of an image represented by input image data, and attribute data representing the image characteristic is expressed by each PE in each input image data. The address is calculated and written to the attribute register R4. However, in general, there is also an image processing mode in which the attribute of the input image data is detected before the gamma conversion, and the attribute data is transferred together with the input image data.

  The second embodiment of the present invention is adapted to a mode in which attribute data is transferred together with input image data. The hardware of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and is written in the external data RAM 146. The data to be inserted (conversion characteristic defining data set, continuous integer m, number of sections n) are also the same as in the first embodiment. However, the gamma conversion program written in the program RAM 145 is slightly different, and there is no “calculation of attribute data” s21 executed in the first embodiment, and instead there is reading of attribute data (s21v).

  FIG. 16 shows an outline of gamma conversion control of the global processor 145 of the second embodiment. In this case, “calculation of attribute data” s21 of the first embodiment is replaced with “attribute data IN” s21v. In the second embodiment, at the beginning of the gamma conversion control for one block of image data, the processor 148 writes each image data of one block of image data to the input image data register R0 of each PE of the processor array 144. (S1). Then, similarly to the data writing, each attribute data of the attribute data group of one block is written to the attribute register R4 (s21v). The one-block attribute data group is composed of the attribute data of each image data of the one-block image data group, is transferred to the IPP together with the input image data, and is written into the local memory 142 of the IPP together with the input image data block. It is a thing. At step s1, one block of image data is transferred from the local memory 142 to the register R0 of the processor array 144. At step s21v, the attribute data group of the attribute data block addressed to the image data block is stored in the register of the processor array 144. Transferred to R4.

  The processing after writing the attribute data in the attribute register R4 in this way is the same as the processing (s22 and thereafter) of the first embodiment.

  In each of the above embodiments, the number of attributes is m = 2. For example, not only character / photo detection but also fine characteristic detection such as chromatic / achromatic, image edge portion / edge inside / edge outside, etc. The above-described first and second embodiments can be applied to a case where the characteristics of an image are represented by attribute data having a data configuration of 3 bits or more (m is 3 or more).

  In any of the embodiments, the processor 148 performs only control for sequentially transmitting the conversion characteristic defining data addressed to each attribute data on the data memory 146 to each of the characteristic registers R1 to R3 at the same time. Even if data is mixed, data conversion corresponding to each attribute is realized. Setting of conversion characteristics corresponding to attributes by the processor 148 and the computing units 151 to 155 is simple. Further, conversion characteristic defining data destined for each attribute data may be prepared on the data memory 146. Since the amount of these data is much smaller than that of the LUT, the data amount and the memory to be prepared for data conversion are prepared. The capacity becomes smaller in each stage than when the LUT is used.

1 is a front view showing the appearance of a multifunction full-color copying machine A1 equipped with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view illustrating an outline of an image forming mechanism of the printer 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of an image processing system of the multifunction full-color copying machine A1 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of an image data interface control CDIC illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of an image memory access control IMAC illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of an image data processor IPP illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a functional configuration of an image data processor IPP illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a little more detailed configuration of an image data processor IPP shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of a processor array 144 illustrated in FIG. 8. Based on the gamma conversion program written in the program RAM 145 of the global processor 148 shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, an image of one line (length) (one block) on one line, which can be processed simultaneously by the processor array 144 9 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of gamma conversion processing control of a data group. When the attribute data detection for one block of image data is completed and the conversion characteristic defining data addressed to the eighth divided section in the conversion characteristic defining data addressed to the attribute data = 1 is sent to the processor array 144, the processor FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating data set in an array 144. FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically showing data set in the processor array 144 when the conversion characteristic definition data addressed to the seventh divided section in the conversion characteristic definition data addressed to the attribute data = 1 is transmitted to the processor array 144; It is. FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically showing data set in the processor array 144 when the conversion characteristic definition data addressed to the sixth divided section in the conversion characteristic definition data addressed to the attribute data = 1 is transmitted to the processor array 144; It is. In the conversion characteristic definition data addressed to the attribute data = 1, the data set in the processor array 144 immediately after sending the conversion characteristic definition data addressed to the first divided section to the processor array 144 are schematically shown. It is a block diagram. (A) is a graph showing a gamma conversion characteristic approximated by a linear expression, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing conversion characteristic definition data of the gamma conversion characteristic, and (c) is a graph showing input data (input density) of the gamma conversion. FIG. 4D is an explanatory diagram showing a conversion formula in a fourth divided section for converting into output data (output density). FIG. 4D shows seven adjacent pixels on the same raster referred to for calculating an attribute determination value in attribute data detection. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing weighting factors (numerical values in squares) assigned to each pixel. 15 is a flowchart showing an outline of gamma conversion processing control of one block of image data group based on a gamma conversion program written in a program RAM 145 by a global processor 148 used in the second embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

10: color document scanner 20: operation board 30: automatic document feeder 34: finisher 34hs: loading / lowering tray 34ud: elevating table 34st: sort tray group
41M, 41C, 41Y, 41K: Laser emitter 100: Color printer PC: Personal computer PBX: Exchanger PN: Communication line 102: Optical writing unit 103, 104: Paper cassette 105: Registration roller pair 106: Transfer belt unit 107: Fixing unit 108: paper discharge trays 110M, 110C, 110Y, 110K: photoconductor units 111M, 111C, 111Y, 111K: photoconductor drums 120M, 120C, 120Y, 120K: developing unit 160: transfer and conveyance belt ACP: image data processing device CDIC: Image data interface control IMAC: Image memory access control IPP: Image data processor HDD: Hard disk device

Claims (21)

A data memory for holding characteristic definition data for defining data processing characteristics for each data attribute;
A plurality of processing elements each for selecting characteristic specification data addressed to each attribute of each data of the series of processing target data from the characteristic specification data of the data memory, and processing each data according to the selected characteristic specification data; and,
Holding processing control data for controlling the data processing of the processing element, giving an arithmetic instruction based on the processing control data to each processing element in common, and distributing a series of processing target data to each processing element; Processing control means for controlling transmission of processing characteristic defining data addressed to each attribute data on the data memory, and output of processed data from each processing element;
A data processing device comprising:   The processing control means includes: a global register that holds processing control data for controlling the data processing of the processing element and commonly applies the processing control data to each processing element; and writes the processing control data to the global register, and performs each processing. Distributing a series of processed image data to the elements, transmitting processing characteristic defining data addressed to each attribute data in the data memory, commonly assigning an operation instruction based on the processing control data to each processing element, and The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a processor that controls output of processed data from each processing element.   3. The data processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a program memory for storing a processing program executed by the processor to perform the control.   Each processing element includes an input data register for holding data to be processed, a property register for holding the characteristic defining data, an attribute register for holding attribute data of the data to be processed, An output data register for holding data, and, among the characteristic definition data addressed to each attribute data provided, select the characteristic definition data addressed to the attribute data held in the attribute register and hold in the characteristic register; 3. The data processing device according to claim 2, further comprising: a computing unit that processes data to be processed in the input data register in accordance with a computation instruction given by the processor based on the processing control data and characteristic definition data held in the characteristic register. .   The processor writes a series of data to be processed to each input data register of each processing element, sends characteristic definition data addressed to each attribute data on the data memory to each characteristic register, and performs the processing for the global register. 5. The data processing device according to claim 4, wherein writing of the control data for use and output of the processed data from each output data register are controlled; The processor controls the data written to the input data register to sequentially transmit characteristic definition data addressed to each attribute data from the data memory to the characteristic register, and then performs processing based on the processing control data. Giving an operation instruction to each operation unit, and outputting the converted data written in each output data register by each operation unit;
Each of the arithmetic units fetches the characteristic definition data into the characteristic register when the processor sends the characteristic specification data addressed to the attribute data held in the attribute register from the data memory, and follows the operation instruction. The data processing device according to claim 5, wherein the image data processing is performed using the characteristic definition data taken into the characteristic register. Each characteristic defining data addressed to each attribute data includes input data at each division position obtained by dividing the data input range into n, processed data thereof, and processing coefficients of each division section;
In transmitting the characteristic definition data addressed to each attribute data, the processor sequentially inputs the input image data of each division position addressed to each attribute data, the processed data thereof, and the processing coefficient of each division section in the order of the division sections. Controlling the transmission from the data memory to the characteristic register;
Each of the arithmetic units includes, among the characteristic defining data addressed to the attribute data held in the attribute register, the division position input image data addressed to the division section to which the data written to the input data register belongs, and the processed data thereof. And when the processor sends the processing coefficient from the data memory, fetches the data into the characteristic register, and performs the data processing according to the operation instruction on the data written in the input data register according to the division position. The data processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the processing is performed using the input data, the processed data thereof, and the processing coefficient. The data to be processed is image data;
The global register holds attribute detection control data for controlling the data processing in which the processing element generates the attribute data of the image data, and gives an arithmetic instruction based on the attribute detection control data to each processing element in common;
The arithmetic unit generates attribute data of the image data of the input data register according to the given operation instruction, the image data of the input data register, and the image data of the pixel adjacent to the pixel to which the image data is addressed, and generates the attribute data in the attribute register. The data processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the data processing apparatus holds the data. A data memory for holding characteristic definition data for defining data processing characteristics for each data attribute;
A global register for holding the conversion control program;
Input data register for holding data to be converted, characteristic register for holding conversion characteristic definition data, attribute register for holding attribute data of data to be converted, output data for holding converted data after conversion A register and conversion characteristic defining data corresponding to the attribute data held in the attribute register among the conversion characteristic defining data corresponding to the respective attribute data in the data memory, and holding the selected characteristic in the characteristic register; A processor element including: a processing element including: an operation unit that converts data to be converted of the input data register in accordance with an operation instruction based on a conversion control program held by the CPU and conversion characteristic definition data held by the characteristic register;
A series of conversion target data is written to each input data register of the processor array, conversion characteristic definition data corresponding to each attribute data on the data memory is sent to each characteristic register, and the conversion characteristic defining data is sent to each arithmetic unit of the processor array. A global processor that controls the common assignment of operation instructions based on the conversion control program of the global registers and the output of converted data from each output register; and
A program memory for holding a global control program for executing the control by the global processor;
A data processing device comprising: A data memory for holding conversion characteristic defining data for defining gamma conversion characteristics of image data for each attribute of image data;
An input data register for holding image data to be converted, a property register for holding conversion characteristic defining data read from the data memory, and an attribute register for holding attribute data representing characteristics of an image represented by the image data Generating the attribute data of the image data of the input data register according to the output data register for holding the converted data, and the image data of the input data register and the image data of the pixel adjacent to the pixel to which the image data is addressed A processing element including: an arithmetic unit for performing gamma conversion on the conversion target image data of the input data register in accordance with the conversion characteristic defining data held by the characteristic register;
A global register for holding attribute detection control data for controlling generation of the attribute data of the arithmetic unit and conversion control data for controlling the gamma conversion of the arithmetic unit;
Based on the writing of the same raster image data to each input data register of the processor array, the writing of the attribute detection control data and the conversion control data to the global register, and the attribute detection control data to the arithmetic unit. An operation instruction, transmission of conversion characteristic definition data addressed to each attribute data on the data memory to each characteristic register, an operation instruction based on the conversion control data to the arithmetic unit, and conversion of the converted data from each output data register. An image data processing apparatus comprising: a processor that controls output; and a program memory that stores a conversion program executed by the processor to perform the control. The processor performs control to sequentially transmit conversion characteristic defining data addressed to each attribute data from the data memory to the characteristic register with respect to the data written in the input data register, and then converts the data into conversion control data. Giving a calculation instruction based on each calculation unit, and outputting the converted data written in each output data register by each calculation unit;
Each of the arithmetic units fetches the conversion characteristic defining data into the characteristic register when the processor sends out the conversion characteristic defining data addressed to the attribute data held in the attribute register from the data memory, and executes the operation instruction. 11. The image data processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the conversion according to the above is performed using the conversion characteristic definition data taken into the characteristic register. Each conversion characteristic defining data addressed to each attribute data includes input data at each division position obtained by dividing the conversion input range into n, converted data thereof, and conversion coefficients of each division section;
In transmitting the conversion characteristic defining data addressed to each attribute data, the processor sequentially inputs the input data of each division position addressed to each attribute data, its converted data, and the conversion coefficient of each division section in the order of the division sections. Controlling the transmission from the data memory to the characteristic register;
Each of the arithmetic units includes, among the conversion characteristic defining data addressed to the attribute data held in the attribute register, divided position input data addressed to the divided section to which the data written to the input data register belongs, and the converted data thereof. And when the conversion coefficient is output from the data memory by the processor, the data is written into the characteristic register, and the conversion of the data written in the input data register in accordance with the operation instruction is performed by the division position input into the characteristic register. The image data processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the processing is performed using the data, the converted data, and the conversion coefficient. A data memory for holding conversion characteristic defining data for defining gamma conversion characteristics of image data for each data attribute;
A global register for holding an attribute detection control program for controlling generation of attribute data representing characteristics of an image represented by the image data and a conversion control program for controlling gamma conversion of the image data;
An input data register for holding the image data to be converted, a characteristic register for holding the conversion characteristic defining data, an attribute register for holding the attribute data of the image data to be converted, and for holding the converted image data after conversion. The output data register, and the image of the input data register according to the operation instruction based on the control program for attribute detection held by the global register, the image data of the input data register, and the image data of the pixel adjacent to the pixel to which the image data is addressed. Data attribute data is generated and held in an attribute register, and conversion characteristic definition data corresponding to the attribute data held in the attribute register is selected from conversion characteristic definition data corresponding to each attribute data in the data memory. The characteristics held by the characteristics register and the changes held by the global register In accordance with the conversion characteristic defining data arithmetic instructions and the characteristic register based on the control program held, the processor array processing element comprises a plurality of containing calculator, for gamma conversion the converted data of the input data register;
Writing of a series of data to be converted into each input data register of the processor array, common assignment of an operation instruction based on a control program for detecting the attribute of the global register to each arithmetic unit of the processor array, and data to each characteristic register Transmission of conversion characteristic defining data corresponding to each attribute data on the memory, common assignment of an operation instruction based on the conversion control program of the global register to each operation unit of the processor array, and transmission of converted data from each output register A global processor for controlling the output; and
A program memory for holding a global control program for executing the control by the global processor;
An image data processing device comprising:   The imaging unit according to any one of (1) to (13), wherein the imaging unit generates captured image data representing a captured image, and performs imaging gamma conversion for correcting distortion during imaging of the captured image data. An image data processing device;   A parallel bus for transferring image data; an image memory; image memory control means for writing image data on the parallel bus to the image memory and reading image data from the image memory to the parallel bus; 15. The image processing device according to claim 14, further comprising: an image data control unit that controls exchange of image data between the image data processing device and the parallel bus.   The image data control means performs irreversible compression of the image data from the imaging means and outputs the image data to the parallel bus, or transfers the image data processed by the image data processing apparatus to the irreversible image data. 16. The image processing device according to claim 15, wherein the image processing device controls whether to compress and output the data to the parallel bus or to expand and transfer the data of the parallel bus to the image data processing device.   14. A printer for forming an image represented by image data for recording output on paper; and performing gamma conversion for converting input image data into image data for recording output suitable for the image formation of the printer. An image data processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims.   An image memory; image memory control means for writing image data on the parallel bus to the image memory and reading image data from the image memory to the parallel bus; and the image data processing device. 18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising: image data control means for controlling exchange of image data between the image forming apparatus and the parallel bus.   Imaging means for generating captured image data representing a captured image; any of the above (1) to (13) for converting the captured image data into image data for recording output for forming an image on paper by a printer An image forming apparatus comprising: the image data processing device according to claim 1; and a printer that forms an image represented by the image data for recording and output on a sheet.   A parallel bus for transferring image data; an image memory; image memory control means for writing image data on the parallel bus to the image memory and reading image data from the image memory to the parallel bus; 20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising: image data control means for controlling exchange of image data between the image data processing device and the parallel bus. The image memory control means compresses image data between an external device such as a personal computer and a LAN or a facsimile connected to the parallel bus and the image data control means to write or read or decompress image data in the image memory. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 20.

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