JP2004338410A - Printer and method for processing image data in printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a printer for printing image data read out directly (not through a host) from a digital camera, or the like, in which print data including a plurality of images in the main scanning direction, e.g. index print data, can be processed with a limited memory capacity. <P>SOLUTION: When an image data processing section 112 performs specified image processing by reading out line data of one line from image data restored by reading the original image data file of one of a plurality of images being printed by one time main scanning, an image data control section 118 copies that line data to a band buffer 116. The processing is repeated entirely for the plurality of images being printed by one time main scanning and when the data of all images for that line is collected in the band buffer 116, similar processing is repeated for next line and when the data of a number of lines required for one band is collected for all images, that data is delivered to a print processing section 13 and printed. The processing is repeated for each band thus printing a plurality of images arranged in the main scanning direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

The present invention relates to a printer for directly reading (not via a host) image data captured by a digital camera or the like and stored in a memory card or the like and printing the image data. The present invention relates to data processing technology.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digital cameras have become widespread as their performance has improved. Conventionally, when printing image data shot by such a digital camera, the image data stored in a PC card or the like is once read into a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a personal computer) and then connected to the personal computer. I was printing on a printer.

  Printing image data taken by a digital camera with a printer via a personal computer in this way has the advantage that users can edit more freely than conventional silver halide photographs. With the use of dedicated application software on a personal computer, index printing or the like that prints a plurality of photographs out of a large number of images taken with a digital camera on a single sheet of printing paper (hereinafter simply referred to as paper). It can be done freely.

  In such index printing, for example, a large number of images of about 20 sheets in length and width (5 × 4) are printed on a postcard size sheet in a reduced form, and therefore, processing such as reduction of image data read into a personal computer is performed. Since the work memory requires a large capacity, the above-mentioned application software creates a so-called spool file on a personal computer, acquires a part of the required image each time, and performs processing such as reduction. To do.

  Hereinafter, a specific example will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 by taking an example in which index printing is performed via a normal inkjet printer using application software on a personal computer as described above. This ink jet printer is provided with a band buffer and performs printing by developing image data for each band.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the illustrated index printing is performed by printing 20 reduced images A1, A2, A3,... On 20 sheets of paper 1 of a postcard size or A4 size in the main scanning direction X of the inkjet printer. Is the horizontal direction and the paper feed direction (sub-scanning direction) Y is the vertical direction, and four sheets are printed in the horizontal direction and five sheets are printed in the vertical direction. As described above, the index printing in which a large number of images are printed on one sheet requires more processing than the normal printing in which one image is printed on one sheet. Is also longer.

  With reference to FIG. 9, a flow of processing in the personal computer and the printer when performing index printing by application software on the personal computer will be described. First, of the image data stored in a PC card or the like in a file format compressed by the JPEG method or the like by a digital camera, all image data necessary for the index printing are expanded (the original uncompressed image data). (S1), and a spool file of the restored image data is created and stored in the hard disk (S2).

  Then, for each band, a part of an image necessary for the band is acquired (S3), and then processing such as reduction is performed (S4). Thereafter, the data is copied (developed) to the band buffer (S5). The above processing of S3 to S5 is performed for all images (A1, A2, A3, A4, that is, A, B, C, D in the example of FIG. 8) (No in S6). If all the image data necessary for the band is available (Yes in S6), the image data developed in the band buffer is printed (S7). Then, the processing of S3 to S7 is repeated for all the bands of the image data necessary for the index printing (No in S8), and when the processing of all the bands is completed (Yes in S8), the first-stage image in the index printing is formed. The printing of the images A1, A2, A3, and A4 in FIG. 8, that is, A, B, C, and D is completed.

  When a plurality of images (four images in the example of FIG. 8) are included in the main scanning direction such as index printing, the application software on the personal computer generates and processes the print data as described above, and transfers the print data to the printer. Printing.

Recently, image data processing functions similar to those of a personal computer have been provided, and image data taken by a digital camera or the like and stored in a memory card or the like has been read directly (without a host) to perform predetermined image processing. 2. Description of the Related Art A printer that performs printing (hereinafter, referred to as a photo printer) has been put to practical use.

  The configuration of such a photo printer can be roughly divided into a print processing unit that performs the same operation as a conventional printer, and a photo image processing unit that performs image data processing similar to a personal computer on image data read from a memory card or the like. This photo printer is very convenient because it is possible to print image data taken by a digital camera without using a personal computer. Therefore, if such a photo printer can be provided at low cost, the use of both will be further promoted with the increase in resolution of digital cameras.

  However, as described above, such a photo printer has the same image data processing function as that of a personal computer and the function of a normal printer, and is therefore incorporated in the photo printer in view of the overall cost and the like. The processing capacity and speed of the CPU and the capacity of the RAM as a work memory are naturally limited. That is, even though image data processing similar to that of a personal computer is performed, the CPU of such a photo printer is limited in terms of processing capacity and speed as compared with the CPU of a personal computer. There is also a limit to the capacity of the buffer memory for temporarily storing. In particular, when it is necessary to temporarily store a large amount of image data in a memory or the like and then perform processing such as reduction, such as in the above-described index printing, the capacity of the buffer memory or the like may not be sufficient. In the case of performing index printing using application software on a personal computer as described above, in particular, a recent personal computer often has a very high-performance CPU, has a sufficient amount of RAM as a work memory, and has a spool file. It didn't matter too much, because it could be stored on the hard disk in a format. However, it is a difficult task for a photo printer to perform operations involving a large amount of image data processing such as index printing without reducing processing throughput in a limited memory resource.

  Heretofore, effective proposals for solving such a problem have hardly been made in terms of the configuration of a photo printer and a control method of image data processing.

  An object of the present invention is limited to a printer that directly reads (without passing through a host) image data captured by a digital camera or the like and stored in a memory card or the like, performs predetermined image processing, and performs printing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer capable of processing print data including a plurality of images in the main scanning direction, such as the above-described index printing, among the memory capacity and the like, and a method of processing the image data.

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, for example, in the case of the above-described index printing or the like, for each image arranged in the main scanning direction, each image data read from the original image data file and restored, n lines each time. (N is 1 or the band height of the image x 1 / the number of lines necessary for the band, which is determined by the reduction ratio) Reads out data, performs reduction processing and the like, holds the data in a band buffer, and performs processing for one band. Upon completion, the band data of the band is sent to the print processing unit for printing.

  Thus, even when a plurality of images are included in the main scanning direction such as index printing, image data can be processed in the printer, and such index printing can be performed without using an application on the host. In particular, since printing is performed by performing buffering in band units, such index printing or the like is possible even if a buffer memory of only several megabytes is secured.

  That is, according to the present invention, the decompression is performed on the compressed original image file data that provides each partial image included in the image data to be printed in one main scan. Image data processing means for performing predetermined image processing including generating image data in a bit image format, and the image data processing means generating image data as needed from the original image file data as needed. And a control unit for performing control so as to read out and use the portion.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. As described above, the printer according to the present embodiment directly reads (not through a host) image data captured by a digital camera or the like and stored in a memory card or the like, performs predetermined image processing, and performs printing. It is a photo printer that performs the printing, and is a serial inkjet printer.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The printer of the present embodiment is roughly divided into a photo image processing unit 11 and a print processing unit 13.

  The print processing unit 13 includes a print engine unit including an inkjet print head, a carriage mechanism, a paper feed mechanism, and the like (not shown), a print control unit that controls the print engine unit, and the like, and is similar to a conventional printer. This is the part that performs the operation.

  The photo image processing unit 11 is, for example, a unit that performs image data processing similar to that of a personal computer on image data read from the memory card 10, and includes an image data processing unit 112, a band buffer 116, an image data control unit 118, Having.

  The image data processing unit 112 performs predetermined image processing including restoration on the original image data file read from the memory card 10 to generate bit image format image data. That is, the image data processing unit 112 reads the original image data file in the memory card 10 storing the image data captured by the digital camera or the like, and reads the original image data file by the original image data file reading unit 112a. A restoration processing unit 112b for restoring (expanding) the JPEG-compressed image data file; a line data reading unit 112c for reading n-th line data from the image data restored by the restoration processing unit 112b; A resizing processor 112d for reducing or enlarging line data read by the reading unit 112c; and a contrast adjustment, a brightness adjustment, a color balance correction, and a contrast adjustment conventionally performed on the personal computer side (for example, an image correction function of a printer driver setting). Saturation adjustment, memory Reproduction, sharpness improvement, noise reduction, and an image correcting unit 112e for performing contour correction, and the like. The image data stored in the memory card 10 is, for example, image data that has been compressed by the JPEG method. Therefore, a decompression processing unit 112b is provided to read (decompress) the compressed image data by the image data reading unit 112a and then perform another predetermined image processing. Further, in the present embodiment, the image correction unit 112e performs the above-described image correction processing according to what size the image after the resize processing by the above-described resize processing unit 112d has become, as described later. This can be performed using either the image after the resize processing or the image before the resize processing.

  The band buffer 116 holds one band of image data prior to printing.

  The image data control unit 118 causes the image data processing unit 112 to generate image data in a bit image format, and performs control for reading and using a related portion of the image data as needed.

  FIG. 2 shows the external configuration of the printer according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the external configuration is not greatly different from that of a conventional ink jet printer or the like, but a card into which the memory card 10 is inserted. An insertion portion 21 is provided. In addition, an operation panel unit 23 for performing various operational settings and the like, a paper feeding unit 25 and a paper discharging unit 27, and the like are provided.

  The operation of the printer having the above configuration according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, it is assumed that the index printing as shown in FIG. 8 is performed in relation to the conventional example, and a case in which a reduction process as an image resizing process is required will be described. In the present embodiment, when a plurality of images (four images in the example of FIG. 8) are included in the main scanning direction such as index printing, image data is generated and processed in units of lines, and printing processing is performed in units of bands. It is characterized by performing.

  First, the user inserts the memory card 10 into the card insertion unit 21 of the printer according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and performs various instruction settings for printing using the operation panel unit 23. Here, it is assumed that index printing is set as shown in FIG. 8 using A4 paper in portrait orientation.

  The subsequent operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the original image data file reading unit 112a reads an original image data file corresponding to the image A1 in FIG. 8 stored in the memory card 10 from among the images to be index-printed (step S30). Since the original image data file stored in the memory card 10 is compressed image data according to a method such as JPEG, the restoration processing unit 112b performs restoration (expansion) processing (step S31). The line data reading unit 112c reads the first line data from the restored image data (step S32), the resize processing unit 112d performs reduction processing as resize processing, and the image correction unit 112e performs necessary correction processing. (Step S33). The line data subjected to the processing such as the reduction is copied to the band buffer 116 (step S34). The above-described processing of the first line data is also performed for all the remaining images (images A2, A3, and A4 in FIG. 8) existing in the main scanning direction (No in step S35), and for all the images. When the processing is completed (Yes in step S35), the processing of the second line data is performed (No in step S36 and step S37). That is, the original image data file corresponding to the image A1 in FIG. 8 is read again, and after restoring, the second line data is read, the processing such as reduction is performed, and then the line data subjected to processing such as reduction is processed. Is copied to the band buffer 116 (steps S30 to S34), and similarly, the second line data of each of the images A2, A3, and A4 is performed (No in step S35). The above processing is repeated until the image data of the number of lines required for one band is obtained (No in step S37). When all the image data of the number of lines required for one band are copied to the band buffer 116 (Yes in step S37). ), The band data is printed (step S38). Such processing is performed for all bands necessary to print the images (images A1, A2, A3, and A4 in FIG. 8) existing in the first row in the main scanning direction (No in step S39), and When the band processing is completed (Yes in step S39), the printing of the first-stage image (images A1, A2, A3, and A4 in FIG. 8) is completed.

  As described above, the present embodiment reads the original image data file in the memory card 10 for each image to be processed, reads one line of data from the restored image data, and performs processing such as reduction. Is carried out, and when the processing of the number of lines for one band is completed, the band data of the band is sent to the print processing unit 13 for printing. With this method, even when a plurality of images are included in the main scanning direction such as index printing, image data can be processed in the printer, and such index printing can be performed without depending on an application on the host. . In particular, since printing is performed by performing buffering in band units, such index printing or the like is possible even if a buffer memory of only several megabytes is secured.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The schematic configuration of the printer according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the above-described first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted with reference to FIGS.

  In the first embodiment, after processing all of the first-stage images (images A1, A2, A3, and A4 in FIG. 8) for the line, the next line is similarly processed in the first-stage. While processing all of the images (images A1, A2, A3, and A4 in FIG. 8), that is, after processing all the images for that line, the process proceeds to the next line. In this embodiment, after processing the image A1 of the first-stage image for the line, the next line of the image A1 is processed, and so on, for the same image, the number of lines for one band is first processed. It is characterized by proceeding to the next image.

  The operation after setting the index printing by the user will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the original image data file reading unit 112a reads an original image data file corresponding to the image A1 in FIG. 8 stored in the memory card 10 from among the images to be index-printed (step S40). Since the image data stored in the memory card 10 is compressed image data according to a method such as JPEG, the restoration processing unit 112b performs a restoration (expansion) process (step S41). The line data reading unit 112c reads one line of data from the restored image data (step S42), the resize processing unit 112d performs reduction processing as resize processing, and the image correction unit 112e performs necessary correction processing. (Step S43). The line data subjected to the processing such as the reduction is copied to the band buffer 116 (step S44). Then, the above line data processing is performed for the number of lines for one band of the image (image A1 in FIG. 8) (No in step S45), and when the processing is completed for the number of lines for one band (Yes in step S45). This time, the original image data file corresponding to the image A2 in FIG. 8 is read, the data of one line is read from the restored image data, the processing such as reduction is performed, and the data is copied to the band buffer 116 (steps S40 to S44). Similarly, all the images A1, A2, A3, and A4 in the main scanning direction are performed in such a manner that the number of lines for one band of the image (the image A2 in FIG. 8) is performed (No in step S45). Are performed until the processing for one band is completed (No in step S46), and when the processing for one band of the images A1 to A4 is completed (Y in step S46). s), performs a printing process of the band data (step S47). The above processing is repeated by the required number of bands of each image (No in step S48), and when the processing of all the bands is completed (Yes in step S48), the first-stage image (images A1 and A2 in FIG. 8) , A3, A4) are completed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment as well, for each image to be processed, each time, the original image data file in the memory card 10 is read, the data is read line by line from the restored image data, and processing such as reduction is performed. When the processing of the number of lines for one band is completed, the band data of the band is sent to the print processing unit 13 for printing. With this method, even when a plurality of images are included in the main scanning direction such as index printing, image data can be processed in the printer, and such index printing can be performed without depending on an application on the host. . In particular, since printing is performed by performing buffering in band units, such index printing is possible even if a buffer memory of only several megabytes is secured.

  Next, a printer according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The basic configuration of the printer of the present embodiment is also substantially the same as that of the above-described first embodiment, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. That is, the printer according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a photo image processing unit 41 and a print processing unit 13 as shown in FIG. The print processing unit 13 is completely the same as that of the above-described first embodiment.

  The photo image processing unit 41 is, for example, a unit that performs image data processing similar to that of a personal computer on image data read from the memory card 10 in substantially the same manner as the photo image processing unit 11 of the first embodiment. The processing unit 412, the band buffer 416, and the image data control unit 418 are provided. In the present embodiment, a title selection unit 420 is further provided.

  The image data processing unit 412 in the photo image processing unit 41 includes an original image data file reading unit 412a, a restoration processing unit 412b, a line data reading unit 412c, and a resizing process, similarly to the image data processing unit 112 of the first embodiment. The image processing unit includes a unit 412e and an image correction unit 412f. In the present embodiment, when image data needs to be rotated, such as index printing in which each image is rotated by 90 degrees, which will be described later, rotation is performed. The processing unit 412d is provided.

  The band buffer 416 holds image data for one band prior to printing, similarly to the band buffer 116 of the first embodiment.

  The image data control unit 418 controls the image data processing unit 412 to generate image data in a bit image format, and reads and uses a related portion of the image data as needed.

By the way, in the case of performing index printing or the like, a title (in this case, “INDEX BANNER”) shown in FIG. 8 that is different from the image captured by the digital camera is often printed at the same time. In such a case, the printer according to the present embodiment also has a title selection unit 420 that prepares a plurality of title formats to be printed in advance and selects which title to add. Details of the function and the like of the title selection unit 420 will be described later.
Here, the operation of the printer of the present embodiment described above will be described.

  FIG. 6 shows another example of index printing, in which an image is arranged and printed so that the paper 2 is in a correct position when the paper 2 is placed sideways and viewed. As shown by the symbols A, B, C,..., T shown in the figure, the original image is printed in a state rotated by 90 degrees.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the printer of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the user inserts the memory card 10 into the card insertion unit 21 shown in FIG. 2 and performs various instruction settings for printing using the operation panel unit 23. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the index printing is set so that the paper is positioned at the right position when the paper is placed sideways and viewed.

  First, the original image data file reading unit 412a reads the original image data file for one image (image B1) stored in the memory card 10 (step S70). Since the image data stored in the memory card 10 is compressed data such as JPEG, the decompression processing unit 412b performs a decompression (decompression) process (step S71). Then, from the restored image data, the line data reading unit 412c generates an image of the number of lines required for one band (which is determined in advance by the band height of the image × 1 / the reduction ratio, which is known in advance). Line) data is read (step S72). The read image (line) data is subjected to rotation processing for rotating the image by 90 degrees by the rotation processing unit 412d (step S73), and further, the resizing processing unit 412e performs reduction processing as image resizing processing. The image correction unit 412f performs necessary correction processing (step S74).

  Then, image data of the first band is obtained from the image data subjected to the processing such as reduction in step S74, and the band data is copied to the band buffer (step S75).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the processing has been completed for all the images necessary to generate one band (in this case, the first band) (step S76), and if not completed (step S76). No), the process returns to step S70, and the processes of steps S70 to S75 are performed on the next image (image B2) in the same manner as described above. That is, after reading and restoring the original image data file, image (line) data of a required number of lines is read, and various processes such as rotation and reduction are performed. One band (first band) is obtained from the reduced image data. ) Image data is obtained, and the band data is copied to a band buffer.

  In this manner, all the images necessary to generate the band data for one band (in this case, the first band) (in this case, index printing as shown in FIG. The processes from steps S70 to S75 are repeated for the images B1 to B4, whereby the band data of one band (the first band) to be printed is stored in the band buffer (the image data of the images B1 to B4, respectively). The first band data is generated (Yes in step S76), and the band data is sent to the print processing unit 13 (step S77).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the processing has been completed for all the bands (step S78). If the processing has not been completed (No in step S78), the processing proceeds to step S70. At this time, in order to create band data of the next band (second band), the above-described processes of steps S70 to S75 are performed on the images B1 to B4, respectively, and then the second band data is obtained. After sending the second band data to the print processing unit, the process for creating the third band data is started. In this case also, the processes from steps S70 to S75 are performed for the images B1 to B4, respectively. Obtain the third band data. The above processing is repeated until the processing of all bands is completed, and when the processing of all bands is completed (Yes in step S78), printing of the images B1 to B4 of the paper 2 arranged in a line in the main scanning direction X is completed. .

  As described above, in the present embodiment, for each of the images B1 to B4 arranged in the main scanning direction, the original image data file in the memory card 10 is read and restored, and the image band height × 1/4 is used. Image (line) data corresponding to the number of lines required for the band, which is determined by the reduction ratio, is read, and processing such as rotation and reduction is performed and held in a band buffer. Processing for one band of images B1 to B4 is performed. When the processing is completed, the band data of the band is sent to the print processing unit 13 for printing, and thereafter, the same processing is repeated for each band to print the images B1 to B4. With this method, even when a plurality of images are included in the main scanning direction such as index printing, image data can be processed in the printer, and such index printing can be performed without depending on an application on the host. . In particular, since printing is performed by performing buffering in band units, such index printing is possible even if a buffer memory of only several megabytes is secured.

  By the way, when an image captured by a digital camera is rotated by 90 degrees, a similar rotation process is performed on the title "INDEX BANNER" as shown in FIG. On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the index printing may be performed in the original state without rotating the image. In this case, when the paper feed direction Y of the paper 1 is set to the vertical direction, the title is printed along the main scanning direction X of the paper 1 so that the paper 1 is placed in the vertical direction so that the paper 1 is in the correct position when viewed. You.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, when the original image is rotated by 90 degrees and printed, the title is also rotated by 90 degrees, and when the paper feed direction Y of the paper 2 is set to the vertical direction, The title is printed in the paper feed direction Y of the paper 2 so that the title is located at the correct position when the paper 2 is placed sideways.

  As described above, when the image is rotated, it is necessary to print the title in a rotated state. In the present embodiment, as described above, the title selection unit 420 has a title selection unit 420. In order to increase the efficiency of the processing, the title before rotation processing and the title in a state where the title is rotated by 90 degrees are used. Both titles are prepared, and either the title before the rotation processing or the title rotated by 90 degrees is selected and sent to the print processing unit 13 according to the presence or absence of the rotation processing related to the printing of the original image. . That is, the title selection unit 420 receives information indicating whether or not the rotation processing has been performed by the rotation processing unit 412d, selects a title according to the information, and sends the result to the print processing unit 13.

  As described above, if two types of titles are prepared, a title corresponding to the case may be selected depending on whether or not to perform the rotation processing. There is no need to perform this, and the process is simplified.

Further, in the present embodiment, when performing image correction processing on image data, the image correction unit 412f determines the size of the image after the resize processing, as described above. Image correction processing is performed using either the image after resizing or the image before resizing. That is, in order to reduce the processing amount of the image correction processing, the processing is performed using the smaller image, that is, the image having the smaller number of pixels. Therefore, when the original image is enlarged and printed, the image is corrected using the original image. Conversely, when the original image is reduced and printed, the image correction is performed on the reduced image. Is applied. Specifically, the image correction unit 412f receives the resize processing information from the resize processing unit 412e, performs an image correction process using the image data before the resize process in the case of the enlargement process, and performs the image correction process in the case of the reduction process. An image correction process is performed using the image data after the resize processing by the resize processing unit 412e. As described above, by performing image correction using an image having a small number of pixels, the amount of data processing in the case of image correction can be reduced.
As described above, according to the present invention, an image obtained by photographing with a digital camera or the like can be directly printed by a printer without using application software on the host, and for example, a plurality of images can be printed in the main scanning direction. Processing of image data is possible even when printing is performed side by side.

  Therefore, it is possible to print a large number of indexes without unnecessarily increasing the capacity of a memory or the like, and it is possible to provide a user-friendly printer at a lower cost.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of the printer according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating index printing with a rotation process, which is in a correct position when a sheet is placed in a landscape orientation. 13 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of the printer according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating index printing without rotation processing, which is in a correct position when a sheet is placed in a portrait orientation. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the index printing shown in FIG. 8 is performed using a conventional application on a personal computer.

Explanation of reference numerals

Reference Signs List 10 memory card 11 photo image processing unit 41 photo image processing unit 13 print processing unit 112 image data processing unit 412 image data processing unit 116 band buffer 416 band buffer 118 image data control unit 418 image data control unit 112a original image data file reading unit 412a Original image data file reading unit 112b Restoration processing unit 412b Restoration processing unit 112c Line data reading unit 412c Line data reading unit 112d Resize processing unit 412d Rotation processing unit 112e Image correction unit 412e Resize processing unit 412f Image correction unit 21 Card insertion unit 23 Operation panel section 25 Paper feed section 27 Paper discharge section 420 Title selection section

Claims (4)

Performs predetermined image processing including decompression on compressed original image file data providing each partial image included in image data to be printed in one main scan to generate bit image image data Image data processing means, and control means for controlling the image data processing means to generate image data as needed from the original image file data each time, and to read and use related parts. In the printer,
The original image file data includes a plurality of JPEG-compressed images, and the plurality of images are printed on a single sheet of printing paper in a predetermined arrangement.
The control means restores image data from the original image file data each time by the image data processing means, reads n (n is an integer of 1 or more) lines of data from the restored image data, To generate bit image data for the n (n is an integer of 1 or more) line image data, and store the n (n is an integer of 1 or more) line image data in the band buffer. A printer which holds the data and, when processing for one band is completed, controls to print band data of the band. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein n is the number of lines required for the band, which is determined by the band height of the image ×× 1/1 / reduction ratio. A method of processing image data in a printer that reads a plurality of images stored as file data in a predetermined storage medium and prints the images in a predetermined array on a single print sheet, and prints the images in the main scanning direction. For each image, an original image reading step of reading compressed original image file data, a restoration step of restoring the read original image data, and n (n is an integer of 1 or more) from the restored original image data An image processing step of reading data of the line and performing predetermined image processing on the data of the n (n is an integer of 1 or more); and n (n is an integer of 1 or more) performing the predetermined image processing And a buffering step of storing the data for the lines in the band buffer. Serial to one band of the band data in the band buffer are aligned, reading step of the original image, the restoration step, the image processing step, and the processing method of the image data in the printer, characterized in that repeatedly performs buffering step. In a printer capable of reading compressed original image file data and printing, the printer divides image data to be processed into a plurality of bands, obtains band data, and performs a printing process using the band data. A program for controlling the printer, wherein the program reads compressed original image file data for each image to be printed side by side in the main scanning direction; and A process of restoring original image data, reading data of n (n is an integer of 1 or more) lines from the restored original image data, and performing the process on the data of n (n is an integer of 1 or more) lines The image processing apparatus includes a predetermined image processing, and a processing of holding data of n (n is an integer of 1 or more) lines for which the predetermined image processing has been performed in a band buffer. Reading, restoring, image processing, and buffering of the original image are repeated until at least one band of data is stored in the band buffer for all images to be printed side by side in the inspection direction. A recording medium on which a program to be recorded is recorded.

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