JP2004334592A - Image processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing device capable of increasing the efficiency of using memory and processing images at high speeds. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing device, which prints in response to drawing data, comprises a memory management part 10 for patterns, fonts and the like, a cache management part 6a thereof, a timer 7, and a cache analyzing part 6c. The frequencies at which the patterns, fonts and the like are used in printing in each time zone are recorded by the cache management part 6a. Based on the frequencies, the cache analyzing part 6c analyzes the cache condition best-suited for each time zone, and operates in conjunction with a timer to hold the best-suited cache in the cache management part 6a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus capable of improving the use efficiency of a memory and performing high-speed image processing.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image processing apparatus such as a printer, when drawing a pattern, a font, a macro, a form, or the like, a frequently used one is secured in a memory as a cache, and the cache is used in the second and subsequent drawing. Image processing to improve the processing speed.
Here, as the image processing apparatus, other than the printer, for example, there are a facsimile, a copier, a scanner, a digital multifunction peripheral, and the like.
[0003]
The cache data such as the pattern is temporarily stored for speeding up. If the memory capacity of the entire image processing apparatus system becomes tight, the data processing of the system is continued. Priority is given to the cache data being discarded (for example, see Patent Literature 1; first conventional technique).
[0004]
Further, in the system of the conventional image processing apparatus, the cache data is weighted and managed, and the cache is deleted in order from the least frequently used cache, thereby performing an efficient operation. Furthermore, in the hit check for checking whether or not the cache already exists, the cache data is managed by weighting so that the hit check is performed at a higher speed.
[0005]
Further, as a conventional image processing apparatus, for example, an image processing apparatus that calculates a time zone in which the operation frequency of the energy saving mode is high and prohibits the operation of the energy saving mode in the time zone obtained by this calculation (for example, proposed). , Patent Document 2, second conventional technology.).
According to this proposal, since the energy saving mode is operated according to the frequency of use, the energy saving efficiency of the energy saving mode can be enhanced.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-8-174964 (page 1-10, FIG. 1-7)
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-350371 A (pages 1-4, FIG. 1-6)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the cache system according to the first prior art, since there is no time element as cache management information, when the print content suddenly changes from a certain time, the use efficiency of the cache data and the cache hit ratio are increased. And the processing speed of the image processing apparatus itself and the use efficiency of the memory have been reduced.
[0008]
Here, "when the print content suddenly changes from a certain time" is, for example, when the image processing apparatus is periodically maintained, a conference is held periodically on a weekly or monthly basis, and the print is performed. A case where a large amount of data is needed, a case where an event is regularly held as a seasonal event or an annual event, and the use frequency of the image processing apparatus is increased, and the like.
[0009]
Further, in the second prior art, the energy saving efficiency can be enhanced by controlling the operation of the energy saving mode based on the frequency of use of the energy saving mode. Therefore, it was not possible to calculate the state of use of the memory.
Therefore, the use efficiency of the memory cannot be improved by the second conventional technique.
[0010]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of increasing the use efficiency of a memory and performing high-speed image processing.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is an image processing apparatus that draws drawing data by using a cache, wherein the cache control means controls the entire cache as a whole, and clocks the time. A cache management unit that manages information about each cache; a cache history data management unit that manages the frequency of use of the cache based on time information obtained from the timer unit; A cache analyzing unit that analyzes a cache that is likely to be used for each set time period based on the data of the cache history data management unit, and the image processing apparatus performs current image processing. The time zone is changed based on the time information obtained from the timer means, and If the cache management is not performed, the cache control unit is provided with a system control unit that notifies the cache control unit of an instruction to update the cache managed by the cache management unit to a cache that is likely to be used in each time slot. There is a further configuration.
[0012]
In this way, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to prepare a cache that is likely to be used for each preset time zone, and to improve the operation speed of the image processing apparatus. it can.
[0013]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the timer means operates in one or two or more operation units of a time unit, a day unit, a week unit, a month unit, and a year unit. The history data management unit, the cache analysis unit, and the system control unit collect cache history data in units of operation of the timer unit, set the update timing of the cache in units of operation of the timer unit, and update the cache at the set update timing. Is performed.
[0014]
In this way, the operation unit of the timer and the timing of updating the cache can be set to timings that each considers to be optimal.
[0015]
The invention according to claim 3 is configured to include an operation unit that designates one or more operation units of the time unit, day unit, week unit, month unit, and year unit as operation units of the timer means. .
[0016]
With this configuration, the operation unit of the timer can be set at the operation unit at an optimal timing in consideration of the usage state of the image processing apparatus.
[0017]
The invention according to claim 4 is configured such that the operation unit sets the update timing of the cache according to the operation unit.
[0018]
With this configuration, the update timing of the cache can be set to the optimal timing by the operation unit in consideration of the usage state of the image processing apparatus.
[0019]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the timer means designates one or more operation units of time unit, day unit, week unit, month unit, and year unit, and / or caches in accordance with the operation unit. The update timing is set by an external control command.
[0020]
According to this configuration, the operation unit of the timer and the update timing of the cache can be externally set to the optimal timing in consideration of the usage state of the image processing apparatus by the control command.
[0021]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the cache analysis unit includes a plurality of analysis algorithms, and it is possible to externally designate which of the plurality of analysis algorithms to analyze.
[0022]
This makes it possible to externally select the most suitable algorithm for the cache analysis algorithm according to the state of use of the image processing apparatus.
[0023]
The invention according to claim 7 is configured such that the cache analysis unit includes a plurality of analysis algorithms, and which of the plurality of analysis algorithms can be specified by an external control command.
[0024]
This makes it possible to select an optimal algorithm for the cache analysis from an external control command in accordance with the use condition of the image processing apparatus.
[0025]
Further, in the invention according to claim 8, the cache control means controls the cache based on the time obtained from the timer means, the frequency of the image processing from the cache history data management unit, and the change in the frequency of the cache used. Is determined, and when the image processing is not performed via the system control unit, the cache is updated.
[0026]
With this configuration, it is possible to automatically determine the update timing of the cache in consideration of the usage state of the image processing apparatus and update the cache.
[0027]
The invention according to claim 9 further comprises a memory history data management means for acquiring an amount of memory used for each time zone from the memory management means and the timer means, and recording information relating to the memory amount. At the time of updating, the cache analysis unit prepares a cache with an optimal memory amount in each time zone based on the information of the memory history data management unit and the information of the cache history data management unit.
[0028]
By doing so, it is possible to prepare a cache that operates optimally as an image processing device in each time zone in consideration of the memory capacity of the entire image processing device.
[0029]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First embodiment]
First, a first embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a cache control unit in the image processing apparatus.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus GS1 includes a drawing data analysis unit 1 that analyzes drawing data sent from a host computer or the like, a pattern management unit 2 that manages a pattern in the drawing data, A font management unit 3 for managing fonts in the drawing data, a macro management unit 4 for managing macros in the drawing data, and a form management unit 5 for managing forms in the drawing data.
[0031]
Further, the image processing apparatus GS1 includes a cache control unit 6 for collectively controlling a cache of a pattern, a font, a macro, and a form, a timer 7 for measuring a time of day, and a system for controlling the entire system of the image processing apparatus. The control unit 8 includes a control unit 8, a drawing execution unit 9 that executes drawing using various caches and other drawing objects, and a memory management unit 10 that manages a memory used for drawing processing.
In the present embodiment, the drawing data includes data such as patterns, fonts, macros, and forms.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 2, the cache control unit 6 manages information of various caches and the location of the caches themselves, and also performs a cache hit check. And a cache analysis unit 6c that analyzes a frequently used cache for each time zone based on the data of the cache history data management unit 6b.
[0033]
(1-1) Registration of caches and the like, and setting processing for the drawing execution unit
Next, the processing flow of this embodiment is divided into the registration of the cache and its information and the setting thereof to the drawing execution unit 9 and the update processing of the cache according to the time zone. It will be described with reference to FIG.
3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the flow of processing up to the registration of the cache and its information and their setting to the drawing execution unit 9, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the cache update processing according to the time zone. is there.
[0034]
First, registration of a cache and its information, and setting of the cache and its information in the drawing execution unit 9 will be described. The flow up to this setting is the same for all of the patterns, fonts, macros, and forms, so the case of patterns will be described as an example.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the pattern flow, and FIG. 4 is an example of data managed by the cache history data management unit.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 3, the drawing data is analyzed by the drawing data analysis unit 1 (step S1), the processing of the pattern in the drawing data is performed by the pattern management unit 2, the processing of the font is performed by the font management unit 3, and the processing of the macro is performed. The processing is distributed to the macro management unit 4, and the processing of the form is distributed to the form management unit 5.
[0036]
Based on the information specified by the drawing data analysis unit 1, the pattern management unit 2 first inquires of the cache control unit 6 whether or not the corresponding pattern already exists as a cache. The cache control unit 6 confirms whether or not the pattern specified by the cache management unit 6a exists as a cache (Step S2).
[0037]
If a cache exists (step S2: Yes), the cache control unit 6 inquires the time at that time to the timer 7 and records it in the cache history data management unit 6b together with the information of the pattern designated by the pattern management unit 2. (Step S5). FIG. 4 shows an example of data managed by the cache history data management unit 6b as described above.
[0038]
Then, the address of the existing cache is returned to the pattern management unit 2. The pattern management unit 2 notifies the drawing execution unit 9 of the cache address and pattern information returned from the cache control unit 6, thereby completing the setting of the pattern used for drawing (step S6).
[0039]
If there is no cache for the specified pattern in step S2 (step S2: No), the pattern management unit 2 acquires a memory required for creating a pattern from the memory management unit 10, and specifies the specified memory in the memory. The created pattern is created (step S3). The pattern management unit 2 registers the completed pattern in the cache using the cache control unit 6 (step S4).
[0040]
The cache control unit 6 passes the address of the pattern designated to be registered from the pattern management unit 2 and the information of the pattern to the cache management unit 6a, and manages it as a cache.
Further, the address and information of the pattern are also notified to the cache history data management unit 6b, and the history data of the cache is updated and registered (step S5).
[0041]
When the created pattern is registered in the cache, the pattern management unit 2 notifies the drawing execution unit 9 of the address of the cache and the information of the pattern. With the above processing, the setting of the pattern is completed (step S6).
[0042]
(1-2) Cache update processing
At the time of updating the cache, the time period during which the timer operates can be considered to have a fixed value inside the image processing apparatus or to be able to set it from outside (the latter is the second embodiment). As described later).
[0043]
The "cache update process" is a case where the time period during which the timer operates is held as a fixed value inside the image processing apparatus, and a flowchart thereof is shown in FIG.
[0044]
As shown in FIG. 5, the image processing device GS1 has a time period during which the timer operates as a fixed value in advance (step S11).
The system control unit 8 uses the timer 7 to recognize whether or not the time zone has changed according to a previously fixed time unit (step S12). For example, if the cache is set to be updated on an hourly basis, it is recognized that the time zone has changed from 1:59 pm to 2:00 pm.
[0045]
When recognizing that the time zone has changed (step S12: Yes), the system control unit 8 checks whether or not the drawing process is currently being performed (step S13). This confirmation is for giving the highest priority to the drawing process if the drawing process is currently being performed.
[0046]
If the drawing process has not been performed (step S13: No), the system control unit 8 issues a cache update command to the cache control unit 6 (step S14).
If the drawing process is being performed (step S13: Yes), the process waits for the drawing process to end (step S15: Yes), and then issues a cache update command to the cache control unit 6 (step S14).
[0047]
When receiving the cache update command from the system control unit 8, the cache control unit 6 acquires the current time from the timer 7 (step S16), and notifies the cache analysis unit 6c of the information. The cache analyzing unit 6c obtains a time zone to which the time belongs from the given time information (step S17).
[0048]
Thereafter, the cache analyzing unit 6c inquires of the cache history data managing unit 6b to analyze the cache frequently used in the time zone of the designated time (step S18). When the analysis is completed, the cache analysis unit 6c returns the analysis result to the cache management unit 6a.
[0049]
The cache management unit 6a updates the currently held cache based on the analysis result (Step S19). First, the caches that are not currently included in the analysis result among the currently held caches are deleted. Next, for those which exist in the analysis result but are not currently held as a cache, the cache is used by the pattern management unit 2, the font management unit 3, the macro management unit 4, and the form management unit 5. To create.
[0050]
Finally, the cache information held by the cache management unit 6a is updated in the order of the frequency of the analysis result, so that the processing speed when the cache exists is increased (step S20).
When updating the cache itself, a method may be considered in which all the caches held at that time are erased once and various caches are newly created according to the analysis results.
[0051]
As described above, the time unit in which the timer 7 operates may be a case where the timer has a fixed value inside the image processing apparatus or a case where the timer 7 can be set from the outside (described later as a second embodiment). The operation unit of the timer 7 may be a unit such as a unit of time, a unit of day, a unit of week, a unit of month, or a unit of year. In this operation unit, the cache control unit 6 collects cache history data.
[0052]
For example, when the timer 7 operates in a 24-hour cycle, the cache control unit 6a also operates in a 24-hour cycle, and among the information managed by the cache history data management unit 6b, only the time is related to the cache time.
When the timer 7 operates in a one-year cycle, the cache control unit 6a also operates in a one-year cycle. In the information managed by the cache history data management unit 6b, in addition to the time related to the cache time, Day of the week information is required. The conditions under which the cache management unit 6a performs a cache hit check are also affected in the same way as the cache history data.
[0053]
In addition, the cache update timing can be set within the operation unit of the timer 7. For example, a setting such as every hour or every hour and thirty minutes can be considered as the setting in units of time. It is also conceivable that the time can be set so that it is set every hour from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm every day.
[0054]
It is also possible to set a specific time as the cache update timing. For example, the cache can be set to be updated every day at 10 am and 2 pm. When the timer 7 operates in a one-year cycle, it can be set so that the cache is updated at 8:00 am on the first day of every month.
[0055]
[Second embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In the present embodiment, the operation unit of the timer 7 and the timing of updating the cache can be externally set.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the present embodiment. The parts already described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.
[0056]
As shown in FIG. 6, the image processing device GS2 includes an operation unit 11 and a command analysis unit 12.
The operation unit 11 includes, for example, a control panel or the like, and a user sets an operation unit of the timer 7 and a cache update timing.
[0057]
In addition, a control command for setting the operation unit of the timer 7 and the cache update timing is provided, and the control command is sent to the image processing apparatus GS2 to set the operation unit of the timer 7 and the cache update timing.
The command analysis unit 12 analyzes a control command (described later).
[0058]
First, when the operation unit 11 is provided, the operation unit of the timer 7 set by the operation unit 11 and the timing of the cache update are notified to the system control unit 8, and the system control unit 8 executes the timer according to the notified setting. 7. Control the cache control unit 6.
[0059]
When the operation unit of the timer 7 and the timing of the cache update are set by the control command, the command analysis unit 12 analyzes the control command, and notifies the system control unit 8 of the specified operation unit of the timer 7 and the timing of the cache update. The system control unit 8 controls the timer 7 and the cache control unit 6 according to the notified setting.
[0060]
Several methods can be considered for the algorithm used when the cache analyzing unit 6c analyzes the cache for each time zone. For example, it is possible to simply determine the cache to be prepared in the order of the frequency of the cache used in the time zone.
[0061]
It is also conceivable to analyze the frequency of each type of cache for patterns, fonts, macros, and forms and prepare the caches in accordance with a predetermined cache type ratio.
As another method, it is conceivable to use a neural network that considers the time element and the type of cache.
[0062]
Such an analysis algorithm of the cache is prepared in advance in the image processing apparatus, in addition to a method of pre-fixing the analysis algorithm inside the image processing apparatus, and it is not possible to determine which of the analysis algorithms to use. It is conceivable to make setting possible from outside.
[0063]
As the setting method, as in the case of the cache update timing and the like, a method of providing the operation unit 11 for setting as described above, and a control command for setting a cache analysis algorithm are provided, and the control command is provided. A method of setting by sending to the image processing apparatus is conceivable.
The configuration for realizing these methods is the same as the case of setting the operation unit of the timer 7 and the timing of updating the cache, as shown in FIG.
[0064]
The analysis algorithm notified from the operation unit 11 or the command analysis unit 12 to the cache control unit 6 via the system control unit 8 is notified to the cache analysis unit 6c, and the cache analysis unit 6c is prepared in advance when analyzing the cache. The cache is analyzed using a designated analysis algorithm from among the plurality of cache analysis algorithms that have been set.
[0065]
The cache history data management unit 6b can record the time when an inquiry is made as to whether a cache exists. By analyzing the time data, it is possible to determine a time zone in which the use frequency of the cache is high and a time zone in which the cache frequency is low. Further, since the cache for which an inquiry has been made can be determined, it is also possible to determine the time period during which the frequently used cache is replaced.
[0066]
By combining these two time zones, an efficient cache update timing can be determined. The cache control unit 6 can automatically determine the update timing of the cache by using the data of the cache history data management unit 6b in the manner described above, and update the cache.
[0067]
[Third embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, in the image processing apparatus GS3 of the present embodiment, the memory history data management unit 13 is connected to the memory management unit 10 and the timer 7, and the acquisition request and the release request of the memory management unit 10 are issued. At that time, the information is notified from the memory management unit 10 to the memory history data management unit 13.
[0068]
When notified of the information from the memory management unit 10, the memory history data management unit 13 acquires the time at that time from the timer 7, and records the information in the memory together with the time at which the information was obtained.
By recording the data of the used memory together with the time in this way, it is possible to estimate how much memory is likely to be used in a specific time zone.
[0069]
The memory that can be used in the image processing device is predetermined, so if it is possible to estimate the amount of memory to be used in a certain time period, the image processing device itself can use a cache suitable for performing image processing at the highest speed. It is possible to determine both memories to be used.
As described above, the memory history data analysis unit 14 analyzes the data of the memory history data management unit 13 and determines the amount of cache memory to be used in the designated time zone.
[0070]
When it is time to update the cache, the cache analyzing unit 6c analyzes the cache and determines what kind of cache should be prepared in the next time zone. Information on the amount of memory used for the cache is obtained from the history data analysis unit 14.
[0071]
Accordingly, the cache analysis unit 6c also considers the amount of memory used for the cache when analyzing the cache, so that the cache management unit 6a can prepare an optimal amount of cache for the operation of the entire image processing apparatus. .
[0072]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to prepare a cache that is likely to be used for each preset time zone, and it is possible to improve the operation speed of the image processing apparatus.
[0073]
In addition, the operation unit of the timer and the timing of updating the cache can be set to timings that each considers to be optimal.
Further, the operation unit of the timer and the update timing of the cache can be externally set to the optimal timing in consideration of the usage state of the image processing apparatus.
[0074]
In addition, an optimal algorithm for the cache analysis can be selected from the outside according to the usage of the image processing apparatus.
Further, it is possible to automatically determine the update timing of the cache in consideration of the usage state of the image processing apparatus and update the cache.
[0075]
Also, in consideration of the memory capacity of the entire image processing apparatus, a cache that can operate optimally as the image processing apparatus can be prepared in each time zone.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a cache control unit in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating registration of a cache and its information and setting of the cache and its information in a drawing execution unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of data managed by a cache history data management unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a cache update process according to a time zone in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
GS1 to GS3 image processing device
1 Drawing data analyzer
2 Pattern management unit
3 Font management unit
4 Macro management unit
5 Form Management Department
6 Cache control unit
6a Cache management unit
6b Cache history data management unit
6c Cache analysis unit
7 Timer
8 System control unit
9 Drawing execution unit
10 Memory management unit
11 Operation unit
12 Command analysis unit
13 Memory history data management unit
14 Memory history data analyzer

Claims (9)

An image processing device that draws drawing data using a cache,
A cache control means for comprehensively controlling the entire cache;
Timer means for measuring the time,
The cache control means,
A cache management unit that manages information on each of the caches;
A cache history data management unit that manages the frequency of use of the cache based on time information obtained from the timer unit;
A cache analysis unit that analyzes a cache that is likely to be used for each set time zone based on the data of the cache history data management unit,
The image processing apparatus recognizes whether or not image processing is currently performed, and based on time information obtained from the timer means, when a preset time zone changes and when image processing is not performed. And a system control unit for notifying the cache control unit of an instruction to update a cache managed by the cache management unit to a cache likely to be used in each time slot. Image processing apparatus. The timer means operates in one or more operation units of hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly units,
The cache control unit, the cache management unit, the cache history data management unit, the cache analysis unit, and the system control unit collect the cache history data in the operation unit of the timer unit, and collect the history data in the operation unit of the timer unit. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an update timing of the cache is set, and the cache is updated at the set update timing. 3. The operation unit according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unit that designates one or more operation units of a time unit, a day unit, a week unit, a month unit, and a year unit as operation units of the timer unit. Image processing device. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the operation unit sets the update timing of the cache according to the operation unit. The timer means may specify one or more operation units among hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly units, and / or set the update timing of the cache according to the operation units. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the image processing is performed by an external control command. The image processing according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cache analysis unit includes a plurality of analysis algorithms, and which of the plurality of analysis algorithms can be specified externally. apparatus. 5. The cache analysis unit according to claim 1, wherein the cache analysis unit includes a plurality of analysis algorithms, and which of the plurality of analysis algorithms can be specified by an external control command. 6. Image processing device. The cache control unit determines a cache update timing based on a time obtained from the timer unit, a change in the frequency of image processing from the cache history data management unit, and a change in the frequency of the cache used, The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cache is updated when the image processing is not performed via the system control unit. A memory history data management unit that acquires a memory amount used for each time period from the memory management unit and the timer unit and records information on the memory amount;
When updating a cache, the cache analysis unit prepares a cache having an optimal memory amount in each time zone based on the information of the memory history data management unit and the information of the cache history data management unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

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