JP2004303156A - Image processor and image processing program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor for facilitating programmable countermeasures to the discharge pattern of ink in image data conversion processing for converting page image data into an image format suitable for ink jet recording. <P>SOLUTION: Scan data inversion by a pixel array designating means 7, data selection for multi-path by an image selection designating means 5, multi-path data packing and overlap processing by a logical arithmetic means 4 are combined with respect to image data read from a memory 20 so that scan data generation for an ink jet head can be quickly and flexibly executed by hardware. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing program executed by the image processing apparatus, and a recording medium, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus that performs a rendering process, an image processing program, and a recording medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a means for ensuring that the rendering processing speed always exceeds the printing speed without deteriorating the image quality of the output image, use of a hardware rendering mechanism can be mentioned. In using this hardware rendering mechanism, it is necessary to efficiently supply the intermediate code image data holding blocks managed for each band and distributed and stored on the memory to the hardware rendering mechanism.
[0003]
As a method of efficiently supplying the intermediate code image data holding block to the hardware rendering mechanism, there is DMA (Direct Memory Access) transfer, and it is possible to transfer a data area distributed and existing on a memory by one start of DMA. There is a chain type DMA control method as a method for performing this.
[0004]
Further, as a technical document prior to the present application, in an image processing apparatus that generates intermediate code image data in band units and performs a rendering process, the intermediate code image data is supplied to a rendering mechanism at high speed, and the use of a memory is performed. There is an image processing apparatus with improved efficiency (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0005]
In addition, the user can use a GUI page layout setting panel, which is provided in the user interface unit of the printer driver and is activated by an instruction of an application, to change a page layout when printing a plurality of documents on one sheet. There is a print control system that can freely set (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-158724 A
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2000-132369 A
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, an image processing apparatus with a higher memory use efficiency has been developed, and the present invention converts image data into an image format suitable for inkjet recording in view of the above-described conventional technology. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing program, and a recording medium that realize scan data generation for an inkjet head by hardware in image data conversion processing, and realize high-speed rendering with a small-capacity memory. I do.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve this object, the present invention has the following features.
The invention according to claim 1 is an image processing apparatus that renders image data expanded in a memory, wherein the buffer unit temporarily stores image data read from the memory, and a pixel array designating unit that designates a pixel array. A pixel array conversion unit for rearranging the data array of the image data temporarily stored in the buffer unit on a pixel basis in accordance with the designation of the pixel array designation unit, a pixel selection designation unit for designating pixel selection, and a designation of pixel selection designation unit Pixel data selecting means for selecting pixel data from the image data temporarily stored in the buffer means, logical operation pattern specifying means for specifying a logical operation pattern, and temporarily storing data in the buffer means in accordance with the specification of the logical operation pattern specifying means. Logical operation means for performing logical operation of logically stored image data and logical operation pattern, A sequence converting section, and wherein the pixel data selection means, and logic operation means, of writing to the memory output data as transformed data in accordance with at least one means.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus of the first aspect, a pixel pattern counting means for counting a pixel pattern of the image data and detecting an ink ejection amount, and a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction of the image data. And an effective image range detecting means for detecting the effective image range.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein a white image insertion number designating means for designating the number of white image insertions, and before and after the converted output data according to the designation of the white image insertion number designating means. And white image insertion means for inserting white image data into the image data.
[0011]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the white mask number specifying means for specifying the number of white masks and the conversion output according to the specification of the white mask number specifying means. And white mask means for white masking data.
[0012]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a memory address calculation designating means for designating a memory address calculation and a memory in accordance with the designation of the memory address calculation designating means. A memory address generating means for generating a memory address to be output, and a DMA transfer means for reading image data from the memory and writing converted output data to the memory are further provided.
[0013]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus of the sixth aspect, DMA transfer information setting means for setting DMA transfer information on a memory, and a chain DMA for reading DMA transfer information from the memory and repeatedly executing DMA transfer And transfer means.
[0014]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus of the first aspect, the pixel array designating means, the pixel selection designating means, and the logical operation pattern designating means are programmable.
[0015]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus of the third aspect, the white image insertion number designating means is programmable.
[0016]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus of the fourth aspect, the white mask number designating means is programmable.
[0017]
The invention according to claim 10 is an image processing program for executing, in an image processing apparatus, rendering of image data expanded in a memory included in the image processing apparatus, wherein the buffer processing temporarily stores the image data read from the memory. A pixel array specifying process for specifying a pixel array, a pixel array converting process for rearranging the data array of the image data temporarily stored by the buffer process on a pixel basis according to the specification of the pixel array specifying process, and specifying a pixel selection. A pixel selection designation process, a pixel data selection process of selecting pixel data from the image data temporarily stored by the buffer process according to the designation of the pixel selection designation process, a logical operation pattern designation process of designating a logical operation pattern, Image temporarily stored by buffer processing according to the calculation pattern specification processing And causing the computer to execute a logical operation process for performing a logical operation of the data and the logical operation pattern, and converts and outputs output data obtained by at least one of a pixel array conversion process, a pixel data selection process, and a logical operation process. It is characterized in that it is written to a memory as data.
[0018]
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image processing program according to the tenth aspect, a pixel pattern counting process for counting a pixel pattern of image data and detecting an ink ejection amount, and a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction of the image data. And an effective image range detecting process for detecting the effective image range.
[0019]
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image processing program according to the tenth or eleventh aspect, wherein before and after the conversion output data, the white image insertion number specifying process for specifying the number of white image insertions and the white image insertion number specifying process are specified. And inserting a white image data into the computer.
[0020]
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing program according to any one of the tenth to twelfth aspects, according to the white mask number designating process for designating the number of white masks and the white mask number designating process, the converted output is performed. And a white mask process for white masking the data.
[0021]
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing program according to any one of the tenth to thirteenth aspects, a memory address calculation designation process for designating a memory address calculation and a memory address calculation designation process for the memory address calculation designation process. The computer is further made to execute a memory address generation process for generating a memory address to be output, and a DMA transfer process for reading image data from the memory and writing converted output data to the memory.
[0022]
According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing program of the fourteenth aspect, a DMA transfer information setting process for setting DMA transfer information on a memory, and a chain DMA for reading the DMA transfer information from the memory and repeatedly executing the DMA transfer And causing the computer to further execute the transfer process.
[0023]
According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the image processing program according to the tenth to fifteenth aspects is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.
[0024]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The image processing apparatus according to the present invention has a feature that it can programmably correspond to an ink ejection pattern in an image data conversion process of converting page image data of a laser printer or the like into an image format suitable for inkjet recording.
[0025]
First, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes at least the rendering control unit 1, the CPU 21, and the memory 20.
The rendering control unit 1 converts the image data developed in the memory 20 into a data format that matches the print format of the inkjet head. In inkjet recording, data that is printed at a time while the head moves in the main scanning direction is referred to as scan data. Rendering refers to generating scan data from image data of a page, and more specifically, “scan inversion, valid data range detection, multi-pass correspondence, multi-pass packing processing, interlace correspondence, overlap processing, A result combining page top processing, page rear processing and the like is generated.
[0026]
Next, the internal configuration of the rendering control unit 1 will be described.
The rendering control unit 1 includes a buffer unit 2, a logical operation pattern specifying unit 3, a logical operation unit 4, a pixel selection specifying unit 5, a pixel data selecting unit 6, a pixel array specifying unit 7, a pixel array converting unit. 8, white image insertion number designating means 9, white image inserting means 10, white mask number designating means 11, white mask means 12, pixel pattern counting means 14, effective image range detecting means 15, DMA ( It includes a direct memory access (DMA) transfer unit 16, a memory address calculation designating unit 17, a memory address generation unit 18, and a chain DMA (Direct Memory Access) transfer unit 19.
[0027]
(Function of each means)
The function of each unit having the above configuration will be described below.
The buffer unit 2 temporarily stores the image data read from the memory 20. In FIG. 2 described later, a data amount of 512 bits is held as an example.
The ethical operation pattern designating means 3 designates a logical operation pattern to the logical operation means 4.
The logical operation unit 4 performs a logical operation on the logical operation pattern specified by the logical operation pattern specifying unit 3 and the image data temporarily stored in the buffer unit 2, and performs multi-pass correspondence and overlap processing.
[0028]
The pixel selection designation unit 5 designates pixel data necessary for the scan data to the pixel data selection unit 6.
The pixel data selection unit 6 selects pixel data necessary for the scan data specified by the pixel selection specification unit 5 from the image data temporarily stored in the buffer unit 2, and supports multi-pass packing.
[0029]
The pixel array designating unit 7 designates a pixel array for generating the scan inversion data to the pixel array converting unit 8.
The pixel array conversion unit 8 rearranges the image data on a pixel-by-pixel basis according to the pixel array specified by the pixel array specifying unit 7 to generate scan inversion data.
[0030]
The white image insertion number designation means 9 designates the white image insertion number to the white image insertion means 10.
The white image insertion means 10 inserts a white image into the image data according to the white image insertion number designated by the white image insertion designation means 9. This processing is effective for improving the image quality in the page leading edge processing and the page trailing edge processing.
[0031]
The white mask number designating means 11 designates the number of white masks to the white mask means 12.
The white mask unit 12 performs white masking of image data according to the number of white masks specified by the white mask number specifying unit 11. This processing is used in the page leading edge processing and the page trailing edge processing in multi-pass printing.
The processing up to the white mask means 12 can be through if necessary. For example, the data arrangement is reversed when the head moves on the recording medium from left to right and when it moves from right to left. When moving from left to right, the pixel array conversion means 8 is turned off. When moving from right to left, the pixel array conversion means 8 is turned on.
[0032]
The pixel pattern counting means 14 counts the pixel pattern of the scan data 13 which has been processed up to the white mask means 12, and detects the amount of ink used.
The effective image range detecting means 15 detects an effective image range of the scan data 13 and acquires information for determining a start position of the head and a transport amount of the recording medium. In the case of a color image, an effective image range is detected for each color.
[0033]
The DMA transfer unit 16 transfers the scan data 13 to the memory 20.
The memory address calculation specifying means 17 specifies a memory address calculation for generating an address to be output to the memory 20 to the memory address generation means 18. In the interlace processing, an instruction is sent to the memory address generating means 18 so that the line data read from the memory 20 becomes discontinuous.
[0034]
The memory address generating means 18 generates an address to be output to the memory 20 based on the memory address calculation specified by the memory address calculation specifying means 17.
Prior to the DMA transfer, the chain DMA transfer unit 19 reads the DMA transfer information from the memory 20 and performs the DMA transfer according to the instruction of the read DMA transfer information.
[0035]
Next, the processing operation of the image processing apparatus having the above configuration will be described.
The buffer means 2 temporarily stores the image data read from the memory 20, and performs a logical operation on the logical operation between the image data temporarily stored in the buffer means 2 and the logical operation pattern in accordance with an instruction from the logical operation pattern designating means 3. This is performed by the means 4, and multipath correspondence and overlap processing are performed.
[0036]
Further, pixel data necessary for scan data is selected from the image data temporarily stored in the buffer unit 2 by the pixel data selecting unit 6 in accordance with the designation of the pixel selection designating unit 5 so as to correspond to multi-pass packing. .
[0037]
Further, in accordance with the instruction of the pixel array designating unit 7, the data array of the image data temporarily stored in the buffer unit 2 is rearranged in pixel units by the pixel array converting unit 8, and scan inversion data is generated.
[0038]
Further, in accordance with an instruction from the white image insertion number designating means 9, the white image inserting means 10 inserts a white image into the image data.
[0039]
Further, in accordance with an instruction from the white mask number designating unit 11, the white masking unit 12 masks the image data with white.
[0040]
Next, the pixel pattern is counted by the pixel pattern counting means 14 with respect to the scan data 13 which has been processed up to the white mask means 12, and the amount of ink used is detected. The effective image range detecting means 15 detects an effective image range of the scan data 13 and determines information for determining a start position of the head and a transport amount of the recording medium.
[0041]
Next, the scan data 13 generated by the above processing is transferred to the memory 20 by the DMA transfer means 16. At this time, prior to the DMA transfer, the chain DMA transfer unit 19 reads the DMA transfer information from the memory 20 and performs the DMA transfer according to the instruction of the DMA transfer information. The address to be output to the memory 20 is generated by the memory address generation means 18 according to the instruction of the memory address calculation specification means 17.
[0042]
In the interlacing process, an instruction is sent by the memory address operation specifying means 17 so that the line data read from the memory 20 becomes discontinuous.
[0043]
As described above, the image processing apparatus having the above-described configuration performs scan data inversion by the pixel array designating unit 7, multi-pass data selection by the pixel selection designating unit 5, and multi-pass data packing for the image data read from the memory 20. The scan data generation for the ink jet head is realized by hardware by combining the overlap processing by the logical operation pattern designating means 3, and it is possible to realize the high-speed rendering with a small-capacity band memory.
[0044]
Further, the recording medium and the head movement amount information for performing the calculation of the ink ejection amount by the pixel pattern counting unit 14 and printing in the effective image range using the processing result of the image effective range detection by the effective image range detection unit 15. Can be obtained, the management of the remaining amount of ink and the clogging of the ink head become easy, and the improvement of the throughput by recording only the effective image range can be obtained.
[0045]
In addition, by moving the image data, not the recording medium, in the sub-scanning direction by the white image insertion number designating means 9, stable printing is performed by increasing the overlapping portion of the head and the recording medium at the leading edge and trailing edge of the page. This means that the image quality can be improved.
[0046]
In addition, the white mask number designating means 11 masks the outside of the image area with respect to the page leading edge data and the page trailing edge data, so that multi-pass and interlace printing can be supported.
[0047]
Further, the memory address operation designating unit 17 and the DMA transfer unit 16 can perform the operation with minimum intervention of the CPU 21.
[0048]
In addition, the chain DMA transfer unit 19 can minimize the intervention of the CPU 21 and continuously perform high-speed data conversion processing on monochrome / color image information regardless of the number of nozzle rows. Multi-color (C, M, Y, K) can be operated continuously by one DMA channel.
[0049]
Further, since the pixel array designating unit 7, the pixel selection designating unit 5, the logical operation pattern designating unit 3, the white image insertion number designating unit 9 and the white mask number designating unit 11 are programmable, the head nozzle With respect to the change of the number and the ink ejection method, it is possible to make the multi-pass, data mask, data packing, page leading end processing, and page trailing end processing programmable to have versatility.
[0050]
Next, a first data conversion process using the image processing apparatus of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
The first data conversion processing shown in FIG. 2 is an example of the data conversion processing. The read data 30 indicates the buffer unit 2 shown in FIG. (2 bits / 1 pixel) is designated to be inverted by the pixel array designating means 7. The inversion 31 is a state where the read data 30 is inverted in the main scanning direction. The multi-pass 32 is a state in which the multi-pass 32 is designated as 4 passes by the pixel selection designation means 5, the necessary pixels are selected by the pixel data selection means 6, and the multi-pass packing is performed to 128 bits. The multipass + inversion 33 is realized by a combination of these.
[0051]
Next, a second data conversion process using the image processing apparatus of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
The second data conversion process shown in FIG. 3 is an example of a data conversion process, and performs an overlap process. This is the case where the print head indicated by 40 dares and superimposes only the portion of 41 and performs printing. As a result, the connection of the printing areas is improved, which is effective in improving the image quality.
[0052]
In the scan data generation of the portion 41, an overlap process is added to the overlap region (upper end) 42 and the overlap region (lower end) 43, and the other scan data image region 44 Does not perform overlap processing. Reference numeral 46 denotes the number of nozzles of the print head 40. When the print head 40 moves in the main scanning direction and performs printing, the ink droplets of a maximum of “the number of nozzles × the number of main scanning pixels” are ejected.
[0053]
Since the previous data and the current data area overlap in the overlap area, both the overlap area (upper end) 42 and the overlap area (lower end) 43 are printed in the overlap area so that writing is not performed twice. Mask processing is performed on the scan data using different overlap patterns in the overlap area (upper end) 42 and the overlap area (lower end) 43 so that printing is sometimes completed for the first time. In order to create an overlap area, an address to be output to the memory 20 shown in FIG. 1 is instructed by the memory address calculation designating means 17 to overlap by the overlap area, and is generated by the memory address generation means 18.
[0054]
The overlap processing is performed by calculating the data of the buffer unit 2 and the logical operation pattern (overlap pattern) in the logical operation unit 4 according to the operation specification of the logical operation pattern specifying unit 3.
[0055]
Next, a third data conversion process using the image processing apparatus of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 shows an example of the third data conversion process, in which a page leading edge process and a page trailing edge process are performed. The page leading edge processing and the page trailing edge processing are intended to improve the image quality by reducing the conveyance amount of the recording medium, increasing the overlapping portion between the recording medium and the head, and performing stable recording.
[0056]
Reference numeral 50 denotes a print data area of the head in the page leading edge processing, and reference numeral 51 denotes a print data area of the head in the page trailing edge processing. 52 is the number of nozzles of the head, 53 and 54 are white image insertion areas by the white image insertion means 10 shown in FIG. 1, 55 is a white mask area of the image by the white mask means 12 shown in FIG. The starting image area is white masked. As a result, at the leading edge of the page and the trailing edge of the page, the transport amount of the recording medium per scan is reduced, and the image area is shifted accordingly. In the out-of-page area, white is inserted so as not to eject ink.
[0057]
Next, a processing operation in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the CPU 21 sets the DMA transfer information (the transfer address, the number of transfers, the next DMA information address, the DMA control information such as the interrupt) in the memory 20 shown in FIG. 1 by the number of times of the DMA activation (step S1). For example, in the case of a DMA that generates scan data for a head of two nozzle rows for each of four colors of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), DMA transfer information for a total of eight times Is set in the memory 20.
[0058]
Next, the CPU 21 causes the logical operation pattern designating unit 3, the pixel selection designating unit 5, the pixel array designating unit 7, the white image insertion number designating unit 9, the white mask number designating unit 11 shown in FIG. The pattern counting means 14, the effective image range detecting means 15, and the memory address calculation specifying means 17 are set (step S2). Thereafter, the CPU 21 instructs the start address of the DMA transfer information and starts the DMA (step S3).
[0059]
As a result, the DMA transfer information is read by a predetermined number of bytes from the start address of the DMA transfer information (step S4), and the contents of the DMA transfer information are analyzed to determine the operation of the DMA (step S5). As a result of the analysis, the designated address is generated by the memory address generating means 18 and the image data is read from the memory 20 (step S6). After the end of the read access, the next memory address is generated by the memory address generation means 18 (step S7), and the read data is temporarily stored in the buffer means 2 (step S8).
[0060]
Next, the logical operation pattern specifying means 3 determines whether or not the logical operation is ON (step S9), and if the logical operation pattern specifying means 3 determines that the logical operation is ON (step S9 / YES), the logical operation unit 4 performs a logical operation on the image data of the buffer unit 2 and the logical operation pattern in accordance with the instruction of the logical operation pattern designating unit 3, and performs a multipath compatible and overlap processing (step S10). .
[0061]
Next, the pixel selection specifying means 5 determines whether or not the pixel data selection is ON (step S11). If the pixel selection selection means 5 determines that the pixel data selection is ON (step 11 / YES), pixel data selecting means 6 selects data necessary for scan data to be generated from the data read into the buffer means 2 or the data which has been subjected to the upstream processing, to cope with multi-pass packing. (Step S12).
[0062]
Next, the pixel array designating unit 7 determines whether or not the pixel array conversion is ON (step S13). If the pixel array designating unit 7 determines that the pixel array conversion is ON (step S13 / ON), in accordance with the instruction of the pixel array designating means 7, the pixel array converting means 8 generates scan inversion data (step S14).
[0063]
Next, the white image insertion number specifying means 9 determines whether or not white image insertion is ON (step S15). If the white image insertion number specifying means 9 determines that white image insertion is ON. (Step S15 / YES), the white image is inserted into the image data by the white image insertion means 10 according to the instruction of the white image insertion number designation means 9 (Step S16).
[0064]
Next, the white mask number specifying means 11 determines whether or not the white mask is ON (step S17). If the white mask number specifying means 11 determines that the white mask is ON (step S17). (S17 / YES), the designated image data is white-masked by the white mask means 12 according to the instruction of the white mask number designating means 11 (step S18).
[0065]
Next, the pixel pattern is counted by the pixel pattern counting means 14 with respect to the scan data subjected to the processing up to step S18 (step S19), and the amount of ink used is detected. Further, the effective image area of the scan data is detected by the effective image area detecting means 15 (step S20), and is used as information for determining the start position of the head and the transport amount of the recording medium. In the case of a color image, an effective image range is detected for each color.
[0066]
The DMA transfer means 16 latches the scan data generated up to Step S20 (Step S21) and transfers the scan data to the memory 20 (Step S22). Then, it is determined whether or not the DMA has been completed (step S23). If it is determined that the DMA has not been completed (step S23 / NO), the processing from step S6 is repeated again. When it is determined that the DMA has been completed (step S23 / YES), it is determined whether the DMA chain has been completed (step S24). If it is determined that the DMA chain has ended (step S24 / YES), the process ends. If it is determined that the DMA chain has not been completed (step S24 / NO), the processing from step S4 is repeated again.
[0067]
It is sufficient that the data before conversion read from the memory 20 has data of at least the main scanning width x the number of nozzle rows. When the generation of one scan data by the present image data conversion method is completed, the data which becomes an empty area is obtained. Replenish. Specifically, by supplementing the pre-conversion data corresponding to the recording medium transport amount per scan, it is possible to continuously generate scan data throughout one page and print.
[0068]
As described above, the scan data generation function is realized by combining the functions, and the scan data is generated at high speed regardless of the color or monochrome by the transfer using the chain DMA without the intervention of the CPU. In addition, a flexible hardware configuration can be provided for a specification change such as a change in a print pattern.
[0069]
The above-described embodiment is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, a software program for realizing the above-described processing may be supplied to an image processing apparatus, and the image processing apparatus may read and execute the program.
[0070]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, the present invention has the following effects.
The image data read from the memory is combined with scan data inversion by the pixel array designating unit, multi-pass data selection by the pixel selection designating unit, multi-pass data packing, and overlap processing by the logical operation unit to combine the image data read from the memory. Scan data can be generated at high speed and flexibly by hardware.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first data conversion process using the image processing device shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a second data conversion process using the image processing device shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a third data conversion process using the image processing device shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a first flowchart illustrating a data conversion process in the image processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a second flowchart illustrating a data conversion process in the image processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Rendering control unit
2 Buffer means
3 Logical operation pattern designating means
4 Logical operation means
5 Pixel selection designation means
6. Pixel data selection means
7 Pixel array designating means
8 Pixel array conversion means
9 White image insertion number designation means
10 White image insertion means
11 White finger several finger means
12 White mask means
13 Scan data
14. Pixel pattern counting means
15 Effective image range detecting means
16 DMA transfer means
17 Memory address operation designation means
18. Memory address generation means
19 Chain DMA transfer means
20 memories
21 CPU

Claims (16)

An image processing device that renders image data expanded in a memory,
Buffer means for temporarily storing image data read from the memory;
A pixel array specifying means for specifying a pixel array;
A pixel array conversion unit that rearranges the data array of the image data temporarily stored in the buffer unit in units of pixels according to the designation of the pixel array designation unit;
Pixel selection designating means for designating pixel selection;
Pixel data selection means for selecting pixel data from the image data temporarily stored in the buffer means, according to the designation of the pixel selection designation means,
Logical operation pattern specifying means for specifying a logical operation pattern;
According to the specification of the logical operation pattern specifying means, a logical operation means for performing a logical operation of a logical operation pattern and image data temporarily stored in the buffer means,
An image processing apparatus, wherein output data from at least one of the pixel array conversion unit, the pixel data selection unit, and the logical operation unit is written to the memory as converted output data. A pixel pattern counting unit that counts a pixel pattern of the image data and detects an ink ejection amount;
Effective image range detection means for detecting an effective image range of the image data in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A white image insertion number specifying means for specifying a white image insertion number;
According to the designation of the white image insertion number designation means, white image insertion means for inserting white image data before and after the conversion output data,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A white mask number specifying means for specifying the white mask number;
White mask means for white masking the converted output data according to the designation of the white mask number designating means,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A memory address calculation specifying means for specifying a memory address calculation;
Memory address generating means for generating a memory address to be output to the memory according to the specification of the memory address calculation specifying means;
5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a DMA transfer unit configured to read image data from the memory and write the converted output data to the memory. 6. DMA transfer information setting means for setting DMA transfer information on the memory;
7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a chain DMA transfer unit that reads the DMA transfer information from the memory and repeatedly executes the DMA transfer. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pixel array designating unit, the pixel selection designating unit, and the logical operation pattern designating unit are programmable. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said white image insertion number designating means is programmable. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said white mask number designating means is programmable. An image processing program that executes, in the image processing device, rendering of image data expanded in a memory included in the image processing device,
Buffer processing for temporarily storing the image data read from the memory,
A pixel array specifying process for specifying a pixel array;
A pixel array conversion process of rearranging the data array of the image data temporarily stored by the buffer process in units of pixels according to the designation of the pixel array designation process;
Pixel selection designation processing for designating pixel selection;
According to the designation of the pixel selection designation process, a pixel data selection process of selecting pixel data from the image data temporarily stored by the buffer process,
A logical operation pattern specifying process for specifying a logical operation pattern;
According to the specification of the logical operation pattern specification processing, the computer executes the logical operation processing of performing the logical operation of the logical operation pattern and the image data temporarily stored by the buffer processing,
An image processing program, wherein output data obtained by at least one of the pixel array conversion process, the pixel data selection process, and the logical operation process is written to the memory as converted output data. A pixel pattern counting process of counting the pixel pattern of the image data and detecting an ink ejection amount;
Effective image range detection processing for detecting an effective image range of the image data in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction,
11. The image processing program according to claim 10, further causing a computer to execute the following. A white image insertion number specifying process for specifying the white image insertion number;
According to the designation of the white image insertion number designation process, a white image insertion process of inserting white image data before and after the converted output data,
12. The image processing program according to claim 10, further causing a computer to execute the following. A white mask number specifying process for specifying the white mask number;
According to the specification of the white mask number specifying process, a white mask process for white masking the converted output data,
The image processing program according to any one of claims 10 to 12, further causing a computer to execute: A memory address calculation specifying process for specifying a memory address calculation;
Memory address generation processing for generating a memory address to be output to the memory according to the specification of the memory address calculation specification processing;
14. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 10, further comprising: causing a computer to execute a DMA transfer process of reading image data from the memory and writing the converted output data to the memory. DMA transfer information setting processing for setting DMA transfer information on the memory;
15. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 14, further comprising causing a computer to execute a chain DMA transfer process of reading the DMA transfer information from the memory and repeatedly performing the DMA transfer. A computer-readable recording medium on which the image processing program according to claim 10 is recorded.

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