JP2006350843A - Image processing device, control program for the same, computer-readable storage medium storing control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To carry out proper data processing even when boundaries of at least two modules are different from each other in an image processing device including a plurality of image processing modules. <P>SOLUTION: A control part 50 of this image processing device 10 includes a module selection part 51 selecting an image processing module corresponding to the type of image processing to be operated, a data transfer control part 71 controlling a DMAC for transferring data to the selected image processing module, and a transfer data amount regulation means 60 regulating a transfer data amount per one transfer of the DMAC according to the boundary of the selected image processing module. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that includes a plurality of image processing modules and causes each image processing module to execute image data processing, a control program for the image processing apparatus, and a storage medium that stores the control program.

  Conventionally, in an image processing apparatus that executes a plurality of types of image processing, an image processing module may be provided for each type of image processing. For example, in an image processing apparatus that can perform “rotation processing”, “magnification processing”, and “compression processing”, an image processing module for rotation processing, an image processing module for magnification processing, an image processing module for compression processing, , Is provided. The “image processing module” is a unit that realizes image processing, and includes a DMAC (Direct Memory Access Controller) for inputting / outputting image data, an arithmetic circuit for executing image processing, and the like. It is.

  Next, an image data transfer method in a conventional image processing apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of a conventional image processing apparatus. As shown in FIG. 8, the image processing apparatus 100 is provided with image processing modules IP1, IP2, IP3, and a memory. Further, as shown in the figure, each of the image processing modules IP1, IP2, and IP3 includes an input DMAC and an output DMAC. The input DMAC is for transferring (inputting) image data from the memory 70 to the image processing module, and the output DMAC is for transferring (outputting) image data from the image processing module to the memory 70. .

  In this image processing apparatus 100, only the image processing module corresponding to the type of image processing to be executed executes the image processing, and the image data is transferred from the memory 70 only to the module. For example, when the image processing modules corresponding to the type of image processing for which the execution instruction is issued by the user are IP1 and IP2, the image data on the memory 70 is sequentially transferred to each of the image processing modules IP1 and IP2 that execute the processing. Then, although the image processing is executed, it is output from the image processing apparatus 100 without being transferred to the image processing module IP3. This transfer is performed by the DMAC provided in the image processing modules IP1 and IP2 that execute image processing.

  Next, the flow of image data transfer in the image processing apparatus 100 will be described in more detail by taking as an example the case where all of the image processing modules IP1, IP2, and IP3 shown in FIG. 8 execute image processing.

  First, image data input to the image processing apparatus 100 by a scanner or the like is temporarily expanded in the memory 70. Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the image corresponding to the image data developed in the memory 70 (bitmap image) surrounds the real image region where the image to be processed is developed and the real image region. And the expanded margin area.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the image data written in the memory 70 is transferred in cascade to the image processing modules IP1, IP2, and IP3 by the DMAC included in the image processing modules IP1, IP2, and IP3. The More specifically, the image data is transferred in the order of image processing module IP 1 → memory 70 → image processing module IP 2 → memory 70 → image processing module IP 3 → memory 70.

  In this transfer, as shown in FIG. 7, the image processing apparatus 100 sets an image for one row in the main scanning direction having a predetermined number of pixels (5000 pixels in the figure) as one transfer line. The DMAC included in each of the image processing modules IP1, IP2, and IP3 is set to transfer image data for each transfer line.

  By the way, such boundaries of the image processing modules IP1, IP2, and IP3 are common and fixed values as shown in FIG. Note that the boundary of an image processing module indicates the amount of data serving as a transfer unit in the image processing module (that is, it can also be expressed as the amount of data serving as a transfer unit of DMAC included in the image processing module).

  Therefore, in each of the image processing modules IP1, IP2, and IP3, it is possible to transfer (input or output) image data having a data amount that is a multiple of the boundary per DMAC transfer process, but data that is not a multiple of the boundary. The amount of image data cannot be transferred. For example, when the boundary is 3 bytes, each of the image processing modules IP1, IP2, and IP3 can transfer image data having a data amount that is a multiple of 3 bytes in one transfer process of the DMAC.

  Here, as described above, since the DMAC included in each of the image processing modules IP1, IP2, and IP3 is set to transfer image data for each transfer line, image data for one transfer line is stored. The amount (hereinafter referred to as “transfer data number”) corresponds to the transfer data amount per transfer process. Therefore, this transfer data number must be set to be a multiple of the above boundary. If a data transfer number that is not a multiple of the boundary is set, the DMAC stops the process and performs the transfer process. I can't.

  Therefore, in the image processing apparatus 100, in order to appropriately execute the image data transfer process, it is necessary to switch the number of transfer data depending on whether the image to be processed is color or monochrome. Hereinafter, this switching will be described in detail.

  For example, in the image shown in FIG. 7, the data amount per color / pixel is 1 byte. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, it is assumed that the boundaries of the image processing modules IP1, IP2, and IP3 are fixed at 3 bytes.

  In this example, when the image in FIG. 7 is a color image composed of three color components, the data amount per pixel is 3 bytes. Here, as shown in the figure, when the number of pixels of the one transfer line is set to 5000 pixels, the number of transfer data is set to 15 Kbytes. As a result, the number of transfer data is a multiple of the boundary (3 bytes) of each image processing module IP1, IP2, IP3, and transfer processing by DMAC can be executed appropriately.

  On the other hand, when the image in FIG. 7 is monochrome, the data amount per pixel is 1 byte. As in the case of color, if the number of pixels of one transfer line is set to 5000 pixels, the number of transfer data is set to 5000 bytes, and the boundary (3 bytes) of each image processing module IP1, IP2, IP3. It is not a multiple of.

  Therefore, in the case of monochrome, the number of pixels in the one transfer line is changed to 5001 pixels by adding one extra pixel in the margin area to the one transfer line (see FIG. 7). By doing so, the number of transfer data is set as 5001 bytes, which is a multiple of the boundary (3 bytes) of each image processing module IP1, IP2, IP3, and data transfer can be executed appropriately.

In the conventional image processing apparatus 100, the number of transfer data is thus switched according to the difference between color and monochrome.
JP-A-6-266655 (publication date: September 22, 1994)

  In the image processing apparatus 100 described above, as described above, the boundaries of the image processing modules IP1, IP2, and IP3 are set to have a common value. However, the optimum value of the boundary to be originally set in each of the image processing modules IP1, IP2, and IP3 differs depending on the type of image processing executed in each of the image processing modules. Therefore, in the image processing apparatus 100, the boundaries of the image processing modules IP1, IP2, and IP3 are not common values for all the image processing modules, and are optimal for the processing executed for each image processing module. It is preferable to set a valid boundary.

  However, in the image processing apparatus 100, if the boundaries of the image processing modules IP1, IP2, and IP3 are different, the number of transfer data corresponds to a multiple of the boundary of a certain module, but the boundary of another image processing module. Inconvenience that it does not become a multiple of 1 can occur, and in this case, data transfer between the image processing modules cannot be performed.

  In some image processing, image data may be transferred only to the image processing module IP1, and in another image processing, image data may be transferred only to the image processing module IP2. Here, if the number of transfer data is always constant, there is a problem that data transfer may not be realized in any of image processing when the boundary is different between the image processing module IP1 and the image processing module IP2. .

  Further, if the boundaries of the image processing modules IP1, IP2, and IP3 are not common, the transfer data number is set for each module for each of the selected image processing modules IP1, IP2, and IP3. Therefore, it is necessary to calculate the number of transfer data for each image processing module, which causes a problem that the processing load on the CPU, arithmetic circuit, etc. increases. For example, when the number of transfer data is set as 3 bytes, 6 bytes, and 9 bytes in the selected plurality of image processing modules IP1, IP2, and IP3, the image processing module is calculated by calculating the number of transfer data for each image processing module. For IP1, 5001 bytes, which is a multiple of 3, is calculated as the number of transfer data, for image processing module IP2, 5004 bytes, which is a multiple of 6, is calculated as the number of transfer data, and for image processing module IP3, 9 It is necessary to calculate 5004 bytes which is a multiple of the number as the number of transfer data.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in an image processing apparatus including a plurality of image processing units, even when the boundaries of at least two image processing units are different from each other, An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of realizing data transfer, a control program for the image processing apparatus, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of image processing units and a control unit, and further includes a data transfer unit that executes data transfer to the image processing unit, and the plurality of images At least two image processing units of the processing units have different transfer parameters indicating the data amount of the transfer unit of the data transfer, and the control unit performs image processing corresponding to the type of image processing to be executed. An image processing selection unit for selecting a copy unit, a transfer control unit for controlling the data transfer unit so that image data is transferred in the selected image processing unit, and the transfer parameter of the selected image processing unit. And a transfer data amount adjusting means for adjusting a transfer data amount per transfer of the data transfer unit.

  According to the above configuration, among the plurality of image processing units, the image data transfer process is executed only in the image processing unit that executes the image processing, and the transfer parameter (boundary) of the image processing unit is set as the transfer parameter (boundary). Accordingly, the transfer data amount per transfer of the data transfer unit can be adjusted. Therefore, the transfer data amount per transfer of the data transfer unit can be adjusted to a value suitable for the transfer parameter regardless of the transfer parameter of the image processing unit to which data transfer is performed. .

  Thus, in the image processing apparatus, even if the image processing unit includes a plurality of image processing units and the transfer parameters of at least two image processing units are different from each other, the data is transferred according to the transfer parameters of the image processing unit to which data transfer is performed. The amount of transfer data per transfer in the transfer unit can be adjusted to a value suitable for the transfer parameter, and data processing can be executed appropriately.

  The above-mentioned patent document 1 discloses a method of converting transfer data via a data buffer in a configuration in which data transfer is performed between two processors having different boundaries. However, in this method, the transfer source and the transfer destination are determined, and a transfer destination processor is selected from a plurality of processors having different boundaries, and the data transfer amount per transfer is selected according to the boundary of the selected processor. There is no disclosure of a configuration that adjusts.

  In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the transfer data amount per transfer in the data transfer unit can be set to be a multiple of the transfer parameter in the image processing unit to which data transfer is performed. Occurrence of a situation where transfer cannot be performed can be avoided.

  Furthermore, in the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the image processing selection unit selects two or more image processing units, and the transfer instruction unit transfers the image data to each of the selected image processing units in order. The data transfer unit may be controlled, and the transfer data amount adjusting unit may adjust the transfer data amount so as to be a common multiple of each of the transfer parameters in the two or more selected image processing units. .

  According to the above configuration, when two or more image processing units are selected and image data is sequentially transferred to each selected image processing unit, the transfer parameters of each image processing unit to which data transfer is performed are different. There is also a possibility.

  Therefore, in the above configuration, the data transfer amount adjusting means adjusts the transfer data amount so as to be a common multiple of each of the transfer parameters in the two or more selected image processing units. Therefore, even if the transfer parameters of the image processing units to which data transfer is performed are different from each other, the data amount that is a multiple of the transfer parameters of the image processing units is selected for each of the selected image processing units. Image data can be transferred in order, and data processing can be performed appropriately.

  The image processing apparatus of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, a control program for the image processing apparatus that causes the computer to operate as each of the above-described means, and a computer-readable recording medium that records the program are also included. Falls within the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of image processing units and a control unit, and further includes a data transfer unit that executes a transfer process of image data in each image processing unit. At least two image processing units of the processing units have different transfer parameters indicating data amounts of transfer units in the transfer processing, and the control unit performs image processing corresponding to the type of image processing to be executed. An image processing selection unit for selecting a copy unit, a transfer control unit for controlling the data transfer unit so that image data is transferred to the selected image processing unit, and the transfer parameter of the selected image processing unit. And a transfer data amount adjusting means for adjusting a transfer data amount per transfer of the data transfer unit.

  Therefore, even if the image processing apparatus includes a plurality of image processing units and the handling data amounts of at least two image processing units are different from each other, appropriate data processing can be realized.

  In the image processing apparatus, the image processing selection unit selects two or more image processing units, and the transfer instruction unit transfers the data so that the image data is sequentially transferred to each selected image processing unit. If the transfer unit is controlled and the transfer data amount adjusting means adjusts the transfer data amount so as to be a common multiple of each of the transfer parameters in the two or more selected image processing units, 1 There is no need to calculate the transfer data amount per transfer for each image processing unit, and it is only necessary to calculate the transfer data amount common to each image processing unit once, and the load of calculation processing of the control unit can be reduced. Occurs. Further, there is an advantage that the number of transfer data to be grasped is reduced (3 → 1) for the developer, and the development becomes easy.

  For example, in the plurality of selected image processing units a, b, and c, when the transfer parameters are 3 bytes, 6 bytes, and 9 bytes, the least common multiple of (3, 6, 9) → 18 to the multiple of 18, 5004 bytes Is calculated as a common transfer data amount for all the selected image processing units a, b, and c, the load of the calculation process can be reduced as compared with the configuration in which the transfer data amount is calculated for each image processing module.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image processing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. Note that an image processing apparatus 10 described below is an image processing means (not shown) provided in an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multi Function Printer).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 10 includes a plurality of image processing modules (M1, M2,..., Mn), a memory 15, a bus 20, an input unit 30, an output unit 40, and a control unit 50. It is.

  Each of the image processing modules M1,..., Mn is a unit that realizes image processing. As shown in FIG. 1, each of the image processing modules M1,..., Mn has an input DMAC that transfers the image data written in the memory 15 to the image processing module, and the transferred image. An arithmetic circuit (not shown) that performs image processing on the data and an output DMAC that transfers the image data subjected to the image processing to the memory 15 are included.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in each of the image processing modules of this embodiment, an input DMAC and an output DMAC are configured separately, and these DMACs are connected to a bus 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the input DMAC transfers (inputs) image data from the memory 70 to the image processing module, and the output DMAC refers to image data from the image processing module to the memory 70. Is transferred (output).

  Each of the image processing modules M1,..., Mn executes different types of image processing. Here, types of image processing to be executed include “rotation processing”, “magnification processing”, “compression processing”, “decompression processing”, and the like.

  In the image processing apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, each of the image processing modules M1,..., Mn is for processing a color image, and although not shown, the image processing modules m1,. .., mn is also provided.

  The memory 15 is a data development area in which image data to be processed in each of the image processing modules M1,..., Mn is written, and is connected to the bus 20.

  The input unit 30 is an interface for inputting image data sent from an external device (for example, a scanner, a PC, etc.) to the image processing device 10, and is connected to the bus 20. The output unit 40 is an interface that outputs image data processed by the image processing apparatus 10 to a printer engine (image forming unit).

  The control unit 50 is a computer that comprehensively controls the operation of various types of hardware (each image processing module, DMAC, memory, input unit, output unit) provided in the image processing apparatus 10. This is realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to be executed, a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory) for storing the program code.

  Next, an outline of image data transfer in the image processing apparatus 10 will be described. First, when image data is input from the input unit 30, the image data is written in the memory 15. When an execution command for an image process is input by the user, the control unit 50 selects and activates an image processing module that executes the image process. The image processing modules selected here may be singular or plural, but in the following, it is assumed that the image processing modules M1, M2, and M3 are selected for convenience of explanation.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image data written in the memory 15 is transferred to the image processing modules M1, M2, and M3 by the DMACs included in the selected image processing modules M1, M2, and M3. And transferred to the cascade. More specifically, the image data is transferred in the order of image processing module M 1 → memory 15 → image processing module M 2 → memory 15 → image processing module M 3 → memory 15.

  Next, the transfer of the image data described above will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 3, the transferred image data is bitmap format data, and an actual image area in which an image to be processed is expanded, and a margin area expanded so as to surround the actual image area, It is included.

  When the image data input from the input unit 30 is written in the memory 15, the image processing apparatus 10 determines the image developed on the memory 15 from a predetermined number of pixels (5000 pixels in the figure) as shown in FIG. 3. An image for one row in the main scanning direction is set as one transfer line, an image composed of 1 transfer line × n columns of pixels is set as one transfer block, and the image developed on the memory 15 is divided and set for each transfer block. .

  After this setting, first, in the image processing module M1, image data for one transfer line is transferred / input by the input DMAC. Further, the image processing module M1 processes the input image data, and then the image data is transferred to the memory 15 by the output DMAC of the image processing module M1. In the image processing module M1, such processing is repeated n times for each transfer line, and the image data of the first transfer block a (see FIG. 3) is processed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, when the image processing module M1 finishes processing and transferring the image data of the first transfer block a, the image processing module M1 completes the processing for the transfer block a with respect to the next-stage image processing module M2. To be notified. In the image processing module M2 that has received this notification, image data transfer / processing corresponding to the transfer block a is performed for each transfer line. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, in parallel with the operation of the image processing module M2, in the image processing module M1, the transfer / processing of image data corresponding to the next transfer block b (see FIG. 3) is performed as described above. This is done for each transfer line.

  Further, when the image processing module M1 finishes processing the image data of the transfer block b and the image processing module M2 finishes processing the image data corresponding to the transfer block a, the image processing module M1 then transfers the transfer block c to the transfer block c. Corresponding image data transfer / processing is performed for each transfer line, and in the image processing module M2, image data transfer / processing for the transfer block b is performed for each transfer line, and the image processing module M3. The transfer / processing of the image data corresponding to the transfer block a is performed for each transfer line. In this way, the image processing modules M1, M2, and M3 proceed with processing.

  That is, in the image processing modules M1, M2, and M3, one transfer line image is transferred (input or output) per transfer process by the DMAC.

  In this embodiment, a parameter “number of transfer data” is used when expressing the data amount of an image of one transfer line. That is, the “number of transfer data” is the amount of data for one row in the main scanning direction in the image of the one transfer block, and corresponds to the amount of transfer data per DMAC transfer process. For example, when the data amount per pixel is 3 bytes and the number of pixels of the one transfer line is 5000 pixels, the “number of transfer data” is 15 Kbytes.

  Incidentally, in the image processing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the image processing modules M1, M2, M3,..., Mn have different boundaries. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the boundary of the image processing module M1 is 3 bytes, the boundary of the image processing module M2 is 6 bytes, and the boundary of the image processing module M3 is 9 bytes.

  The boundary (transfer parameter) of an image processing module indicates the amount of data that is a transfer unit of data transfer in the image processing module, and more specifically, the input DMAC included in the image processing module. And the amount of data that is a transfer unit of the output DMAC. That is, in each image processing module, image data having a data amount that is a multiple of the boundary can be transferred per transfer, but image data having a data amount that is not a multiple of the boundary cannot be transferred. For example, in an image processing module having a boundary of 3 bytes, image data having a data amount that is a multiple of 3 bytes can be transferred by a single transfer process by the DMAC.

  Then, the control unit 50 realizes a function of adjusting the “number of transfer data” based on the boundary of the image processing module to be selected / activated. Hereinafter, the functions described above in the control unit 50 will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 50 includes a module selection unit 51, a transfer data number adjustment unit 60, and a data transfer control unit 71.

  When an execution command for image processing is input by the user, the module selection unit 51 performs control for selecting and starting an image processing module that executes the image processing. That is, the module selection unit 51 performs control for selecting and starting an image processing module corresponding to the type of image processing to be executed. The module selection unit 51 also has a function of transmitting information indicating the selected image processing module and the boundary of the image processing module to the transfer data number adjusting unit 60 and the data transfer control unit 71.

  The transfer data number adjustment unit 60 adjusts the transfer data number according to the boundary of the image processing module selected by the module selection unit 51. Below, the specific procedure of the control currently performed in the transfer data number adjustment part 60 is demonstrated in detail.

  The transfer data number adjustment unit 60 includes a transfer block initial setting unit 61, a transfer data number calculation unit 62, a transfer data number correction unit 63, and a transfer block resetting unit 64.

  The transfer block initial setting unit 61 accesses the memory 15 to initialize each transfer block (see FIG. 3) described above for an image corresponding to the image data written in the memory 15. As shown in FIG. 3, the transfer block initial setting unit 61 performs the initial setting so that each transfer block always includes both ends of the actual image area in the main scanning direction and margin areas adjacent to both ends. Do.

  The transfer data number calculation unit 62 accesses the memory 15, and from the number of pixels of one transfer line of each transfer block initialized by the transfer block initial setting unit 61, the transfer data number of each transfer block initialized Is calculated. As described above, the number of transfer data corresponds to the amount of image data for one transfer line.

  For example, in the case of image data having a data amount of 3 bytes per pixel (for example, 8-bit 3-color image data), when the number of pixels of one transfer line in each transfer block that is initially set is 5000 pixels, the number of transfer data Becomes 5000 × 3 = 15000 bytes. Further, for example, in the case of image data having a data amount of 1 byte per pixel (for example, 8-bit monochrome image data), when the number of pixels in one transfer line of each initially set transfer block is 5000 pixels, the number of transfer data Becomes 5000 × 1 = 5000 bytes.

  The transfer data number calculation unit 62 transmits the calculated transfer data number to the transfer data number correction unit 63.

  The transfer data number correction unit 63 obtains information indicating the boundary of the image processing module selected by the module selection unit 51 from the module selection unit 51, and calculates the correction value of the transfer data number with reference to this boundary. . This calculation will be described in detail below.

  First, when there is a single image processing module selected by the module selection unit 51, the transfer data number correction unit 63 calculates the transfer data number calculation unit 62, which is a multiple of the boundary of the selected image processing module. The correction value of the transfer data number is calculated so that the value is equal to or greater than the transfer data number and the least difference from the transfer data number.

  Specifically, when the transfer data number calculated by the transfer data number calculation unit 62 is T and the boundary of the selected image processing module is B, the transfer data number correction unit 63 divides T by B, The corrected value is obtained by rounding up the fractional part of the value obtained by division and multiplying the value obtained by rounding up by B.

For example, when the transfer data number calculated by the transfer data number calculation unit 62 is 5000 bytes (in the case of the monochrome image), and the boundary of the image processing module selected by the module selection unit 51 is 3 bytes,
5000 / 3≈1667 (rounded up after the decimal point)
1667 × 3 = 5001
Thus, the correction value of the number of transfer data is 5001 bytes (multiple of 3).

  Also, for example, when the transfer data number calculated by the transfer data number calculation unit 62 is 15000 bytes (in the case of the color image) and the module selection unit 51 selects only the image processing module M1, the image Since the boundary of the processing module M1 is 3 bytes (see FIG. 2), the transfer data number correction value calculated by the transfer data number correction unit 63 is also 15000 bytes (a multiple of 3).

  In addition, when there are a plurality of image processing modules selected by the module selection unit 51, the transfer data number correction unit 63 is a common multiple of each boundary in the selected plurality of image processing modules, and the transfer data number calculation unit 62 The correction value for the number of transfer data is calculated so that the value is equal to or greater than the number of transfer data calculated in (1) and has the least difference from the number of transfer data.

  Specifically, when the number of transfer data calculated by the transfer data number calculation unit 62 is T and each boundary of each selected image processing module is E, F, G, the transfer data number correction unit 63 , F, and G are obtained, the fractional part of the value obtained by dividing T by the least common multiple is rounded up, and the value obtained by rounding up is multiplied by the least common multiple to obtain the corrected value. I am going to do that.

For example, the transfer data number calculated by the transfer data number calculation unit 62 is 5000 bytes (in the case of the monochrome image), and each boundary of each image processing module selected by the module selection unit 51 is 3 bytes, 6 bytes, and 9 bytes. If
Least common multiple of (3, 6, 9) → 18
5000/18 ≒ 278 (rounded up after the decimal point)
278 × 18 = 5004
Thus, the correction value of the transfer data number calculated by the transfer data number correction unit 63 is 5004 bytes (the common multiple of 3, 6, 9).

Further, for example, when the transfer data number calculated by the transfer data number calculation unit 62 is 15000 bytes (in the case of the color image) and the module selection unit 51 selects the image processing modules M1, M2, and M3. Since the boundaries of the image processing modules M1, M2, and M3 are 3 bytes, 6 bytes, and 9 bytes, the correction value of the transfer data number calculated by the transfer data number correction unit 63 is
Least common multiple of (3, 6, 9) → 18
15000/18 ≒ 834 (rounded up after the decimal point)
834 × 18 = 15021, and the transfer data number correction value calculated by the transfer data number correction unit 63 is 15012 bytes (a common multiple of 3, 6, 9).

  The transfer data number correcting unit 63 transmits the calculated correction value of the transfer data number to the transfer block resetting unit 64.

  The transfer block resetting unit 64 accesses the memory 15 and resets the one transfer line and each transfer block so that the data amount of one transfer line becomes the correction value of the transfer data number. Note that the correction value of the transfer data number is the same as or increased with the transfer data number of one transfer line of each transfer block that has been initially set. If it increases, the number of pixels in the margin area shown in FIG. 3 is increased. By doing so, the one transfer line and each transfer block are reset.

  When the transfer block resetting unit 64 finishes resetting each transfer block, the number of corrected transfer data and the pixel position at the location where data transfer in the reset transfer block should start (see FIG. 3). An address indicating (see symbol α) is transmitted to the data transfer control unit 71.

  When the address and the number of transfer data are transmitted from the transfer block resetting unit 64, the data transfer control unit 71 controls the DMAC included in each image processing module selected by the module selection unit 51. The data transfer in each image processing module is controlled. Specifically, the data transfer control unit 71 sets the address transmitted from the transfer block resetting unit 64 as a start address in the DMAC, and sets the number of transferred data transmitted to the transfer data amount per one transfer process. Is set in the DMAC.

  Thereby, in each image processing module selected by the module selection unit 51, the image data is transferred in cascade. Even if each of the image processing modules M1, M2, and M3 selected by the module selection unit 51 has a different boundary, the data amount of one transfer line of the image developed in the memory 15 (one time The transfer data amount in the transfer process) can be a multiple of the boundary of each of the image processing modules M1, M2, and M3. Therefore, the amount of data per transfer for the image processing modules M1, M2, and M3 having different boundaries corresponds to a common multiple of the boundaries of the image processing modules.

  Next, the flow of processing of each unit included in the control unit 50 described above will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the image data input from the input unit 30 is written in the memory 15 and an execution command for image processing is input by the user, the module selection unit 51 executes an image processing for executing the image processing according to the execution command. A processing module is selected and activated (S1). Further, the transfer block initial setting unit 61 initializes each transfer block (see FIG. 3) described above for the image corresponding to the image data written in the memory 15 (S2). Thereafter, the transfer data number calculation unit 62 calculates the transfer data number from the number of pixels of one transfer line in one transfer block initialized in S2 (S3). Next, the transfer data number correction unit 63 calculates the correction value of the transfer data number based on the boundary of each image processing module selected by the module selection unit 51 (S4). Further, the transfer block resetting unit 64 resets each transfer block so that the data amount of one transfer line of the transfer block becomes the correction value of the transfer data number (S5).

  Here, the data amount for one transfer line of each transfer block that has been reset corresponds to the transfer data amount per transfer process in the DMAC that performs data transfer to the image processing module. Therefore, the transfer data number adjusting unit 60 transfers the amount of transfer data per transfer process (1) in the DMAC that transfers data to the image processing module according to the boundary of the image processing module selected by the module selecting unit 51. The data amount of transfer lines and the number of transfer data) are adjusted (corrected).

  As described above, the image processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of image processing modules (image processing units). Among the plurality of image processing modules, at least the image processing modules M1, M2, and M3 are Boundaries are different from each other. Further, each of the plurality of image processing modules is provided with a DMAC (data transfer unit) that transfers image data to each image processing module. Further, the image processing apparatus 10 includes a control unit 50 that controls the operations of the plurality of image processing modules and the DMAC. Further, the control unit 50 includes a module selection unit 51, a transfer data number adjustment unit 60, and a data transfer control unit 71.

  As described above, the module selection unit (image processing selection means) 51 selects and activates an image processing module corresponding to the type of image processing to be executed. Then, the data transfer control unit (transfer control unit) 71 controls the DMAC included in the image processing module so that the image data is transferred in the selected / activated image processing module. Also, the transfer data number adjusting unit (transfer data amount adjusting means) 60 transfers transfer data per transfer process in the DMAC included in the image processing module according to the boundary of the image processing module selected by the module selecting unit 51. The amount will be adjusted.

  As a result, in the image processing apparatus 100, the image processing apparatus 100 includes a plurality of image processing modules, and even when the boundaries of the image processing modules are different from each other, the DMAC that performs data transfer according to the boundary of the image processing module to which data transfer is performed. The amount of transfer data per transfer can be adjusted to a value suitable for the boundary, and data processing can be executed appropriately.

  In this embodiment, the transfer data amount per transfer in the DMAC can be set to be a multiple of the boundary in the image processing module to which data transfer is performed, and data transfer cannot be performed. Can be avoided.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when two or more image processing modules are selected by the module selection unit (image processing selection means) 51 and image data is sequentially transferred to each selected image processing module, the above-described selection is performed. The transfer data amount is adjusted so as to be a common multiple of each boundary in two or more image processing units. Therefore, even if the boundary of each image processing module to which data is transferred is different, an image having a data amount that is a common multiple of the above-mentioned boundary of these image processing modules for each of the selected image processing modules. Data can be transferred in order, and data processing can be performed appropriately.

  Further, according to the above configuration, it is not necessary to calculate the transfer data amount per transfer for each image processing module, and it is possible to reduce the calculation processing load of the control unit 50. For example, in the plurality of image processing modules IP1, IP2, and IP3 selected by the module selection unit 51, when each boundary is 3 bytes, 6 bytes, and 9 bytes as shown in FIG. When the transfer data amount is calculated, 5001 bytes which is a multiple of 3 is calculated as the transfer data amount for the image processing unit IP1, and 5004 bytes which is a multiple of 6 is calculated as the transfer data amount for the image processing unit IP2. For the image processing unit IP3, it is necessary to calculate 5004 bytes which is a multiple of 9 as the transfer data amount. On the other hand, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, it is not necessary to calculate the transfer data amount per transfer for each image processing module, and only to calculate the transfer data amount common to each image processing module once. Well, the load on the control unit can be reduced. Further, there is an advantage that the number of transfer data to be grasped is reduced (3 → 1) for the developer, and the development becomes easy.

  In the above embodiment, each of the image processing modules M1, M2, and M3 has a different boundary from each other. However, any configuration may be used as long as at least two image processing modules have different boundaries from each other. It is not necessary for the image processing modules to have different boundaries.

  In the above embodiment, the boundary of an image processing module is the amount of data serving as a transfer unit in the image processing module, and more specifically, the input DMAC and output output included in the image processing module. The amount of data was a DMAC transfer unit. That is, in the above embodiment, in each image processing module, the data amount that is the transfer unit of the input DMAC and the data amount that is the transfer unit of the output DMAC are set to be the same. Become.

  However, in each image processing module, the data amount serving as the transfer unit of the input DMAC may be set to be different from the data amount serving as the transfer unit of the output DMAC. In this case, the boundary of the image processing module refers to the input boundary that is the amount of data serving as a transfer unit of the input DMAC included in the image processing module, and the transfer of the output DMAC included in the image processing module. It means both the output boundary which is the data amount as a unit. Further, in this case, the transfer data number correcting unit 63 is a common multiple of the input boundary and the output boundary of all the image processing modules selected by the module selecting unit 51, and is the transfer data number calculated by the transfer data number calculating unit 62. The correction value of the transfer data number is calculated so that the value is the least difference from the transfer data number.

  In the control unit 50 of the above-described embodiment, a calculation unit such as a CPU executes a program stored in a storage unit such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM, and an input unit such as a keyboard or an output unit such as a display. Alternatively, it can be realized by controlling communication means such as an interface circuit. Therefore, the computer having these means can realize various functions and various processes of the control unit 50 of the present embodiment simply by reading the recording medium storing the program and executing the program. In addition, by recording the program on a removable recording medium, the various functions and various processes described above can be realized on an arbitrary computer.

  As the recording medium, a program medium such as a memory (not shown) such as a ROM may be used for processing by the microcomputer, and a program reading device is provided as an external storage device (not shown). It may be a program medium that can be read by inserting a recording medium there.

  In any case, the stored program is preferably configured to be accessed and executed by the microprocessor. Furthermore, it is preferable that the program is read out, and the read program is downloaded to the program storage area of the microcomputer and the program is executed. It is assumed that the download program is stored in the main device in advance.

  The program medium is a recording medium configured to be separable from the main body, such as a tape system such as a magnetic tape or a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a flexible disk or a hard disk, or a disk such as a CD / MO / MD / DVD. Fixed disk system, card system such as IC card (including memory card), or semiconductor memory such as mask ROM, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), flash ROM, etc. In particular, there are recording media that carry programs.

  In addition, if the system configuration is capable of connecting to a communication network including the Internet, the recording medium is preferably a recording medium that fluidly carries the program so as to download the program from the communication network.

  Further, when the program is downloaded from the communication network as described above, it is preferable that the download program is stored in the main device in advance or installed from another recording medium.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and the embodiments can be obtained by appropriately combining the respective technical means disclosed in the above-described embodiments. The form is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The image processing apparatus of the present invention is suitable as an image processing means included in a copying machine, an ink jet printer, an MFP (Multi Function Printer), etc., but is not limited to this, and can be configured as a single image processing apparatus. It is.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a flow of image data transfer between image processing modules in the image processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image corresponding to image data handled by the image processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the control part contained in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of a control unit included in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. 2 is a chart showing the timing of image data processing by each image processing module in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. It is the schematic diagram which showed the image corresponding to the image data handled in the conventional image processing apparatus. It is the model which showed the flow of the transfer of the image data between each image processing module in the conventional image processing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image processing apparatus 15 Memory 20 Bus 50 Control part 51 Module selection part (Image processing selection means)
60 Transfer data number adjustment unit (transfer data amount adjustment means)
61 Transfer block initial setting unit 62 Transfer data number calculation unit 63 Transfer data number correction unit 64 Transfer block resetting unit 70 Memory 71 Data transfer control unit (data transfer control means)
M1, M2, M3 Image processing module (image processing unit)
DMAC (data transfer unit)

Claims (5)

A plurality of image processing units and a control unit;
And a data transfer unit that executes data transfer to the image processing unit,
In at least two image processing units of the plurality of image processing units, transfer parameters indicating data amounts of transfer units of the data transfer are different from each other,
The control unit
Image processing selection means for selecting an image processing unit corresponding to the type of image processing to be executed;
Transfer control means for controlling the data transfer unit so that image data is transferred in the selected image processing unit;
Transfer data amount adjusting means for adjusting the transfer data amount per transfer of the data transfer unit according to the transfer parameters of the selected image processing unit;
An image processing apparatus comprising: The image processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The transfer data amount adjusting unit adjusts the transfer data amount so as to be a multiple of the transfer parameter of the selected image processing unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The image processing selection means selects two or more image processing units,
The transfer control means controls the data transfer unit so that image data is sequentially transferred to each selected image processing unit,
The transfer data amount adjusting means adjusts the transfer data amount so as to be a common multiple of the transfer parameters of each of the two or more selected image processing units.   An image processing apparatus control program for causing a computer to function as each unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the control program of Claim 4.

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