JP2006229505A - Image processor and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor which has an inexpensive constitution and is small in circuit scale. <P>SOLUTION: The image processor 100 is equipped with a data input means 140 of transferring at least one of image processing parameters and control data through a video interface 180 transferring image data, an image processing means 150, 160, and 170 of discriminating data inputted from the video interface 180 and performs designated image processing by using at least one of image processing parameter and control data, and storage means 151 and 152, 161 and 162, and 171 and 172 which are provided corresponding to the image processing means 150, 160, and 170 and each of which stores at least either of image processing parameters and control data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method for processing and outputting image data.

  In general, an image processing system that processes image data and outputs it to a recording medium has been proposed. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a conventional image processing system. As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional image processing apparatus system 10 includes a CPU 1, a system memory 2, and an image processing apparatus 3. The image processing apparatus 3 includes an image input unit 4, a plurality of image processing units 5, 6 and 7, LUTs (Look Up Tables) 51, 61 and 71 corresponding to the image processing units 5, 6 and 7, and each image processing unit. Registers 52, 62, 72 corresponding to 5, 6, 7 are provided.

  The CPU 1 is connected to each image processing means 5, 6, 7 via the bus 8. Each of the image processing means 5, 6, 7 receives a CPU (Central Processing Unit) / I / F, a main scanning synchronization signal (LineSync signal: LSYNC signal), and a sub-scanning synchronization signal (PSYNC signal) that is a synchronization signal for each page. Including input video interface and output video interface, setting operation mode or various tables by CPU / I / F, processing data transferred through input video interface, and subsequent image processing through output video interface Transfer to means. Here, it is necessary to set the LUT data in the LUTs 51, 61, 71 and the registers 52, 62, 72 until the processing on the video interface ends and the operation of the next page starts.

The video interface between the image processing means 5, 6 and 7 has a larger bandwidth to obtain a high-speed and high-quality image output. However, the CPU / I / F with a small bandwidth sets the operation mode. Therefore, it is impossible to set all the large-scale LUT data used for color conversion / density conversion / screen generation between pages of an image processing apparatus that operates at high speed. For this reason, each of the image processing means 5, 6, and 7 includes internal registers 52, 62, and 72 for a plurality of pages and LUTs 51, 61, and 71 for a plurality of surfaces, and rewrite of the LUTs 51, 61, and 71 in a series of jobs. Productivity is ensured by reducing the number of resets without performing the process.
JP 2002-166602 A

  However, the conventional configuration has a problem that the circuit scale is increased by the registers 52, 62, 72 / LUTs 51, 61, 71 for a plurality of pages, and an inexpensive product cannot be configured. In addition, there is a problem that productivity is lowered due to rewriting of the LUTs 51, 61, 71 every time image processing contents are changed. In order to solve this problem, it may be possible to secure the productivity by increasing the bandwidth of the CPU / I / F. However, by providing the CPU / I / F with a large bandwidth, the terminal There is a problem that the number / wiring area or the circuit scale becomes large and the manufacturing cost becomes high.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method having an inexpensive configuration and a small circuit scale.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention identifies data input means for transferring at least one of image processing parameters and control data via a video interface for transferring image data, and data input from the video interface. And an image processing unit that performs predetermined image processing using at least one of the image processing parameter and the control data. According to the present invention, it is possible to configure the image processing means with the minimum resources by transferring the image processing parameters and the control data through the video interface in which real-time property is guaranteed. Further, the CPU I / F for the image processing means connected to the video interface becomes unnecessary, and the LSI cost, board mounting cost, and local CPU cost can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus having an inexpensive configuration and a small circuit scale.

  The present invention further includes storage means provided corresponding to the image processing means and storing at least one of the image processing parameters and the control data. According to the present invention, there is no need to provide a plurality of storage means for storing image processing parameters and control data. When the image processing means determines that the input data includes an image processing parameter for the self-processing means, the image processing means changes an image processing parameter to be used based on the input image processing parameter. . According to the present invention, since the image processing parameters are changed, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of image processing parameters.

  When the image processing means determines that the input data includes control data for the self-processing means, the image processing means changes control data to be used based on the input control data. According to the present invention, since the control data is changed, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of control data. The data input means transfers at least one of the image processing parameter and the control data during an invalid period of the image data. According to the present invention, it is possible to perform image processing / output by an optimum LUT without reducing productivity.

  The data input means transfers at least one of the image processing parameter and the control data using an invalid period of image data between pages. According to the present invention, by controlling the data transfer with the image processing block through the same interface as the image data, the inter-page gap can be used at the maximum efficiency, and the optimum LUT can be obtained without reducing the productivity. Image processing / output can be performed.

  The data input means transfers at least one of the image processing parameter and the control data using an invalid period of image data between lines. According to the present invention, it is possible to perform image processing / output by an optimum LUT without reducing productivity. The data input means starts transfer of at least one of the image processing parameters and control data of the next page with the end of image data input to the image processing means as a trigger.

  A plurality of the image processing means are provided, and the plurality of image processing means are pipeline-connected. A plurality of the image processing means are provided, and the plurality of image processing means are selectively pipeline-connected. A plurality of the image processing means are provided, and a first image processing means of the plurality of image processing means determines other image processing means to be connected based on the input control data. To do. A plurality of the image processing means are provided, and the data input means transfers at least one of image processing parameters and control data set in common to the plurality of image processing means as common data.

  A plurality of the image processing means are provided, and the first image processing means among the plurality of image processing means generates at least one of image processing parameters and control data used in the subsequent image processing means based on the image processing result. And at least one of the generated image processing parameters and control data is transferred via the video interface. The video interface is a single video interface.

  The present invention includes a step of transferring at least one of image processing parameters and control data through an invalid period of the image data via a video interface for transferring the image data, and data input from the video interface. Identifying and performing predetermined image processing using at least one of the image processing parameter and the control data. Therefore, an image processing method having an inexpensive configuration and a small circuit scale can be provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method having an inexpensive configuration and a small circuit scale.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining data transferred to a single video interface. As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing system 100 includes a memory 2 and an image processing device 103. The image processing apparatus 103 includes data input means 140, image processing means 150, 160, 170, LUTs 151, 161, 171, and registers 152, 162, 172. The data input means 140 and the image processing means 150, 160, 170 are connected via a single video interface 180.

  The data input means 140 transfers at least one of image processing parameters and control data via a video interface 180 that transfers image data. Specifically, the data input unit 140 takes in the image processing parameters of the next processing page stored in the system memory 2, control data and input image data set to operate the image processing units 150, 160, and 170 in a predetermined operation. These are converted into video interface signals with guaranteed real-time characteristics and output to the image processing means 150.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the data input unit 140 transfers image processing parameters and control data using an invalid period of image data. More specifically, the data input unit 140 transfers image processing parameters and control data using invalid periods T11 and T12 that occur between pages, or invalid periods T21 to T26 that occur between lines. That is, the data input means 140 transfers image processing parameters and control data (1) including LUT data for processing the next page between pages T11 and T12, and changes in the density within the page, or in units of one line or a plurality of lines. The control data (2) for correcting the main scanning length (full magnification correction) is transferred between lines T21 to T26.

  The data input unit 140 starts transfer of at least one of the image processing parameters and the control data of the next page with the end of image data input to the image processing unit 150 as a trigger. The data input unit 140 transfers at least one of image processing parameters and control data set in common to the plurality of image processing units 150, 160, and 170 as common data.

  The image processing unit 150 generates at least one of image processing parameters and control data used in the subsequent image processing units 160 and 170 based on the image processing result, and outputs at least one of the generated image processing parameters and control data to the video interface. You may make it transfer via 180. FIG. For example, when information obtained by image processing by an image processing unit, for example, density accumulation information, is transferred as an image processing parameter to the subsequent image processing unit, the information is also transferred via the video interface 180. The LUTs 151, 161, and 171 store image processing parameters, and hold LUT data used for color conversion, density conversion, screen generation, and the like. The registers 152, 162, and 172 store control data, and hold control data for setting an operation mode.

  Each of the image processing means 150, 160, 170 identifies data input from the integrated video interface 180, and performs predetermined image processing using at least one of image processing parameters and control data. Specifically, when each of the image processing units 150, 160, and 170 determines that the input data includes an image processing parameter for the own processing unit, the input image processing parameter is stored in the LUTs 151, 161, and 171. To change the image processing parameter to be used. Further, when each of the image processing means 150, 160, 170 determines that the input data includes control data for the self-processing means, the input control data is stored in the registers 152, 162, 172 and used. Change control data.

  In this embodiment, a plurality of image processing means 150, 160, and 170 are connected in a pipeline. The plurality of image processing means 150, 160, and 170 may be selectively pipeline-connected based on control data from the data input means 140. The image processing means may determine another image processing means to be connected based on the input control data.

  Next, the operation of the image processing system 100 will be described. FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of the image processing system. In step S <b> 1, the data input unit 140 takes in the image processing parameters of the next processing page stored in the system memory 2, control data and image data set for the predetermined operation of the image processing units 150, 160, and 170. In step S <b> 2, the data input unit 140 converts the image processing parameter, control data, and image data into a video interface signal that is guaranteed to be real-time and outputs the video interface signal to the image processing unit 150.

  In step S3, each of the image processing means 150, 160, 170 determines whether or not the image processing parameters and control data transferred from the integrated video interface 180 during the invalid period of the image data are corresponding data for the own image processing means. If the data is identified, the image processing parameter is stored in the LUTs 151 to 171 and the control data is stored in the registers 152, 162, and 172 in synchronization with the video interface signal. In step S4, each of the image processing means 150, 160, 170 performs color conversion, density conversion, screen generation, etc. based on the LUT data stored in the LUTs 151, 161, 171 and the control data in the registers 152, 162, 172. Perform image processing.

  With the above configuration, unlike the conventional configuration, it is not necessary to have registers / LUTs for a plurality of pages, so that the circuit scale can be reduced and an inexpensive product can be configured. In addition, the problem of reducing productivity for rewriting the LUT every time image processing contents are changed is also solved. Since there is no need to provide a CPU / I / F with a large bandwidth, the number of terminals / wiring area or circuit scale does not increase, and the problem of increased manufacturing costs is eliminated. Furthermore, the time until the setting is completed is not affected by the CPU processing status or the bus status connected to the image processing block. The LUTs 151, 161, and 171 and the registers 152, 162, and 172 correspond to storage means.

  Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and various modifications, within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims, It can be changed.

It is a figure for demonstrating the conventional image processing system. It is a figure for demonstrating the image processing system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the data transferred to a single video interface. It is an operation | movement flowchart of an image processing system.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image processing system 2 System memory 103 Image processing apparatus 140 Data input means 150, 160, 170 Image processing means 151, 161, 162 LUT
152, 162, 172 registers

Claims (15)

Data input means for transferring at least one of image processing parameters and control data via a video interface for transferring image data;
An image processing apparatus comprising: an image processing unit that identifies data input from the video interface and performs predetermined image processing using at least one of the image processing parameter and the control data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that is provided corresponding to the image processing unit and stores at least one of the image processing parameter and the control data. When the image processing means determines that the input data includes an image processing parameter for the self-processing means, the image processing means changes an image processing parameter to be used based on the input image processing parameter. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. 2. The image processing unit, when determining that the input data includes control data for the self-processing unit, changes the control data to be used based on the input control data. An image processing apparatus according to 1. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data input unit transfers at least one of the image processing parameter and the control data during an invalid period of the image data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data input unit transfers at least one of the image processing parameter and the control data using an invalid period of image data between pages. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data input unit transfers at least one of the image processing parameter and the control data using an invalid period of image data between lines. 2. The image processing according to claim 1, wherein the data input unit starts transfer of at least one of an image processing parameter and control data of a next page, triggered by the end of image data input to the image processing unit. apparatus. A plurality of the image processing means are provided,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of image processing units are connected in a pipeline. A plurality of the image processing means are provided,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of image processing units are selectively pipeline-connected. A plurality of the image processing means are provided,
2. The image processing according to claim 1, wherein a first image processing unit of the plurality of image processing units determines another image processing unit to be connected based on the input control data. apparatus. A plurality of the image processing means are provided,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data input unit transfers at least one of an image processing parameter and control data set in common to the plurality of image processing units as common data. A plurality of the image processing means are provided,
The first image processing means among the plurality of image processing means generates at least one of image processing parameters and control data used in the subsequent image processing means based on the image processing result, and generates the generated image processing parameters and control. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the data is transferred via the video interface. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the video interface is a single video interface. Transferring at least one of the image processing parameter and the control data by using an invalid period of the image data via a video interface for transferring the image data;
An image processing method comprising: identifying data input from the video interface and performing predetermined image processing using at least one of the image processing parameter and the control data.

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