JP2008140045A - Image processor and image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor and an image processing program capable of suppressing lowering in processing speed resulting from the acquisition and release of a memory area. <P>SOLUTION: The image processor comprises a memory area management means. The memory area management means retains a memory area which is provided according to a request for image information as an image processing object by an image processing means and acquired by the image processing means for storing the image information, and holds the memory area without releasing by the image processing means when the image processing means requests the release of the memory area provided according to the request by the image processing means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing program.

As a method of constructing a desired processing procedure by combining a plurality of image processing modules and performing image processing (see Patent Document 1), each image processing module is similar to the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-164188. A buffer module that temporarily stores image data (image information) is placed between the two, and if the buffer module does not store enough data to meet the output request, the entire image processing module can be processed by performing processing on the previous stage. A method of processing in cooperation has been proposed. In such a system, the memory area temporarily held in the buffer module is released when the data transfer between the image processing modules is completed.
Japanese Patent No. 36178851

  Since acquisition / release of the memory area to / from the buffer memory is repeated for each processing request for each block, processing time is required due to a system call related to acquisition and release of the memory area. In particular, in image processing that repeatedly acquires and releases a memory area for each line, there is a problem that the processing speed decreases.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image processing apparatus and an image processing program that suppress a decrease in processing speed due to acquisition and release of a memory area.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to claim 1 is an image processing unit that performs image processing on image information, and image processing that executes acquisition and release of a memory area for storing the image information. A management unit, and providing the image information to be processed by the image processing unit when requested, and holding a memory area acquired by the image processing management unit to store the image information; A memory area management means for holding the memory area without being released by the image processing management means when the image processing means requests the release of the memory area provided by the request of the image processing means; Have.

  According to the present invention, as in the invention of claim 2, the memory area management means is an unused memory area when the image processing means requests image information to be processed by the image processing means. It is determined whether or not a memory area is held, and when the determination is affirmative, the unused memory area is provided to the image processing means. When the determination is negative, the image processing management is performed. A memory area obtained by causing the means to acquire the memory area may be provided to the image processing means.

  According to the present invention, as in the invention of claim 3, the memory area management means has a size that matches a requested size that is a size of the image information to be processed by the image processing means. When there is no unused memory area and there is an unused memory area having a size larger than the required size, an unused memory area having the smallest size among the unused memory areas having a size larger than the requested size. May be provided to the image processing means.

  According to the present invention, as in the invention of claim 4, the memory area management means assigns the unused memory area to the image processing management means when the image processing management means fails to acquire the memory area. You may make it release.

  According to the present invention, the number of memory areas held by the memory area management means may be less than a predetermined number.

  According to the present invention, the memory area management unit causes the image processing management unit to release the memory area when a predetermined time elapses after the memory area is held.

  According to the present invention, as in the seventh aspect of the invention, the memory area management unit is configured such that the size of the memory area provided to the image processing unit is larger than a predetermined size and the memory area is released. When requested by the means, the image processing management means may release the memory area.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing program according to claim 8 executes an image processing step for executing image processing on image information, and acquisition and release of a memory area for storing the image information. An image processing management step, and providing the image information to be processed by the image processing step upon request, and holding the memory area acquired in the image processing management step to store the image information And a memory area management step for holding the memory area without releasing it in the image processing management step when the image processing step requests the release of the memory area provided by the request in the image processing step. And causing the computer to execute a process including:

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing program that can suppress a decrease in processing speed due to acquisition and release of a memory area.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a computer 10 that can function as an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. The computer 10 is incorporated in any image handling apparatus that needs to perform image processing internally, such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, a multifunction machine having these functions, a scanner, a photographic printer, or the like. Alternatively, it may be an independent computer such as a personal computer (PC), or may be a computer incorporated in a portable device such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or a cellular phone.

  The computer 10 includes a CPU 12, a memory 14, a display unit 16, an operation unit 18, a storage unit 20, an image data supply unit 22 and an image output unit 24, which are connected to each other via a bus 26. When the computer 10 is incorporated in the image handling device as described above, a display panel, a numeric keypad, or the like composed of an LCD or the like provided in the image handling device can be applied as the display unit 16 and the operation unit 18. When the computer 10 is an independent computer, a display, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like connected to the computer can be applied as the display unit 16 or the operation unit 18. The storage unit 20 is preferably an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), but other nonvolatile storage means such as a flash memory can be used instead.

  The image data supply unit 22 only needs to be able to supply image data to be processed. For example, an image reading unit that reads an image recorded on a recording material such as paper or photographic film, and outputs the image data. A receiving unit that receives image data from the outside via a line, an image storage unit (memory 14 or storage unit 20) that stores image data, and the like can be applied.

  The image output unit 24 may be any unit that outputs image data that has undergone image processing or an image represented by the image data. For example, the image recording unit records an image represented by the image data on a recording material such as paper or a photosensitive material. A display unit that displays an image represented by image data on a display, a writing device that writes image data to a recording medium, and a transmission unit that transmits image data via a communication line can be applied. The image output unit 24 may be an image storage unit (memory 14 or storage unit 20) that simply stores image data that has undergone image processing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the storage unit 20 includes various programs executed by the CPU 12, such as management of resources such as the memory 14, management of execution of programs by the CPU 12, and communication between the computer 10 and the outside. A program of the system 30, an image processing program group 34 for causing the computer 10 to function as an image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and a desired image for the image processing apparatus realized by the CPU 12 executing the image processing program group. Programs of various applications 32 to be processed (represented as application program group 32 in FIG. 1) are stored.

  The image processing program group 34 reduces the development load when developing the above-described various image handling devices and portable devices, and reduces the development load when developing an image processing program usable on a PC or the like. The purpose is a program developed so that it can be commonly used in various devices (platforms) such as various image handling devices, portable devices, and PCs, and corresponds to the image processing program according to the present invention.

  The image processing apparatus realized by the image processing program group 34 constructs an image processing unit that performs image processing instructed by the application 32 in accordance with a construction instruction from the application 32, and executes the image processing unit in accordance with an execution instruction from the application 32. To perform image processing (details will be described later). The image processing program group 34 provides an interface for instructing the construction of an image processing unit (an image processing unit having a desired configuration) that performs desired image processing, or for instructing the execution of image processing by the constructed image processing unit. Application 32 is provided.

  For this reason, even when newly developing an arbitrary device that needs to perform image processing internally, regarding the development of a program for performing the image processing, the above-described interface is used to perform the image processing required for the device. It is only necessary to develop the application 32 to be used and executed by the image processing program group 34, and it is not necessary to newly develop a program for actually performing image processing, so that the development load can be reduced.

  Further, as described above, the image processing apparatus realized by the image processing program group 34 constructs an image processing unit that performs image processing instructed by the application 32 according to the construction instruction from the application 32, and constructs the constructed image processing unit. Therefore, for example, when the color space of the image data to be processed and the number of bits per pixel are indefinite or the contents of the image processing to be executed, the procedure / parameter, etc. are indefinite, When the application 32 instructs to reconstruct the image processing unit, the image processing executed by the image processing apparatus (image processing unit) can be flexibly changed according to the image data to be processed.

  Hereinafter, the image processing program group 34 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing program group 34 is roughly divided into a module library 36, a program for the processing construction unit 42, and a processing management unit 46.

  As shown in FIG. 2 as an example, the processing construction unit 42 according to the present embodiment performs one or more image processing modules 38 that perform predetermined image processing and individual image processing modules 38 according to instructions from the application. And a buffer module 40 having a buffer for storing image data arranged in at least one of the preceding stage and the succeeding stage, and connected in a pipeline form or a DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph) form The processing unit 50 is constructed.

  The entity of each image processing module constituting the image processing unit 50 is a first program executed by the CPU 12 and causing the CPU 12 to perform predetermined image processing, or an external unit not shown in FIG. This is a second program for instructing execution of processing for the image processing apparatus (for example, a dedicated image processing board). In the module library 36 described above, predetermined different image processing (for example, input processing, filter processing, color conversion processing, enlargement / reduction processing, skew angle detection processing, image rotation processing, image composition processing, output processing, etc.) A plurality of types of programs of the image processing module 38 are registered. Hereinafter, in order to simplify the description, it is assumed that the individual image processing modules constituting the image processing unit 50 are the first program.

  As shown in FIG. 3A as an example, each image processing module 38 includes an image processing engine 38A that performs image processing on image data by a predetermined unit processing data amount, and a front stage and a rear stage of the image processing module 38. The control unit 38B is configured to input / output image data to / from the module and to control the image processing engine 38A.

  The unit processing data amount in each image processing module 38 is the image processing engine 38A from an arbitrary number of bytes including one line of the image, a plurality of lines of the image, one pixel of the image, one surface of the image, and the like. Is selected and set in advance in accordance with the type of image processing performed by. For example, in the image processing module 38 that performs color conversion processing and filter processing, the unit processing data amount is one pixel, and in the image processing module 38 that performs enlargement / reduction processing, the unit processing data amount is one line of an image or a plurality of images. In the image processing module 38 that performs line rotation, the image processing module 38 that performs image rotation processing sets the unit processing data amount to one image, and in the image processing module 38 that performs image compression / decompression processing, the unit processing data amount depends on the execution environment. It is said that.

  The module library 36 also registers image processing modules 38 having the same type of image processing executed by the image processing engine 38A and different contents of the image processing executed (in FIG. 1, this type of image processing is performed). Modules are indicated as “module 1” and “module 2”).

  For example, with respect to the image processing module 38 that performs enlargement / reduction processing, the image processing module 38 that performs reduction processing to reduce the input image data to 50% by thinning out every other pixel is designated for the input image data. A plurality of image processing modules 38 such as an image processing module 38 that performs enlargement / reduction processing at the enlarged / reduced rate are prepared. For example, the image processing module 38 that performs color conversion processing includes an image processing module 38 that converts the RGB color space to the CMY color space, an image processing module 38 that converts the color space to the opposite, and an L * a * b * color space. Image processing modules 38 for performing other color space conversions are prepared.

  In addition, the control unit 38B of the image processing module 38 receives an image from a module (for example, the buffer module 40) in the previous stage of its own module in order to input image data necessary for the image processing engine 38A to process each unit processing data amount. The data is acquired for each unit read data amount, and the image data output from the image processing engine 38A is output to the subsequent module (for example, the buffer module 40) for each unit write data (the amount of data such as compression by the image processing engine 38A). If the image processing with increase / decrease is not performed, the unit writing data amount = the unit processing data amount) or the result of the image processing by the image processing engine 38A is output to the outside of the own module (for example, the image processing engine 38A is skewed). When image analysis processing such as corner detection processing is performed, a scan is performed instead of image data. Image analysis processing results such as corner detection results may be output), but the module library 36 has the same type and content of image processing executed by the image processing engine 38A, and the above unit processing data Image processing modules 38 having different amounts, unit read data amounts, and unit write data amounts are also registered. For example, with respect to the image processing module 38 that performs image rotation processing, the unit processing data amount is equal to one line of the image or the image processing amount other than the program of the image processing module 38 corresponding to one image as described above. A program of the image processing module 38 for a plurality of lines may be registered in the module library 36.

  The program of each image processing module 38 registered in the module library 36 is composed of a program corresponding to the image processing engine 38A and a program corresponding to the control unit 38B, but a program corresponding to the control unit 38B. The image processing module 38 having the same unit read data amount and unit write data amount among the individual image processing modules 38 is concerned with the type and content of image processing executed by the image processing engine 38A. However, the program corresponding to the control unit 38B is shared (the same program is used as the program corresponding to the control unit 38B). Thereby, the development load in developing the program of the image processing module 38 is reduced.

  In the image processing module 38, the unit read data amount and the unit write data amount are not fixed when the input image attribute is unknown, and the input image data attribute is acquired and acquired. There is a module in which the unit read data amount and the unit write data amount are determined by substituting the attribute into a predetermined arithmetic expression. As for this type of image processing module 38, a program corresponding to the control unit 38B is shared by the image processing module 38 in which the unit read data amount and the unit write data amount are derived using the same arithmetic expression. You can do it.

  The image processing program group 34 according to the present embodiment can be mounted on various devices as described above, but the number and types of image processing modules 38 registered in the module library 36 in the image processing program group 34 are described. Needless to say, addition, deletion, replacement, and the like can be appropriately performed in accordance with image processing required by various devices that implement the image processing program group 34.

  Each buffer module 40 constituting the image processing unit 50 includes a buffer 40A and a buffer control unit 40B as shown in FIG. 3B as an example. The buffer 40A is configured by a memory area secured through the operating system 30 from the memory 14 provided in the computer 10. The buffer control unit 40B performs input / output of image data with the upstream and downstream modules of the buffer module 40 and management of the buffer 40A. The buffer control unit 40B of each buffer module 40 is also a program executed by the CPU 12, and the program of the buffer control unit 40B is also registered in the module library 36 (in FIG. 1, the program of the buffer control unit 40B is registered). "Buffer module") The buffer control unit 40B has a memory area management unit described later.

  Further, the processing construction unit 42 that constructs the image processing unit 50 in accordance with an instruction from the application 32 includes a plurality of types of module generation units 44 as shown in FIG. The plural types of module generation units 44 support different image processing, and are activated by the application 32 to generate a module group including an image processing module 38 and a buffer module 40 for realizing the corresponding image processing. Perform the process.

  In FIG. 1, as an example of the module generation unit 44, the module generation unit 44 corresponding to the type of image processing executed by each image processing module 38 registered in the module library 36 is shown. The image processing corresponding to the generation unit 44 may be image processing realized by a plurality of types of image processing modules 38 (for example, skew correction processing including skew angle detection processing and image rotation processing). When the required image processing is processing combining a plurality of types of image processing, the application 32 sequentially activates the module generation unit 44 corresponding to any of the plurality of types of image processing. As a result, an image processing unit 50 that performs necessary image processing is constructed by the module generation unit 44 that is sequentially activated by the application 32.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the process management unit 46 includes a workflow management unit 46 </ b> A that controls execution of image processing in the image processing unit 50, a memory 14 by each module of the image processing unit 50, and various files of the computer 10. A resource management unit 46B that manages the use of resources and an error management unit 46C that manages errors that have occurred in the image processing unit 50 are configured.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

  In a device in which the image processing program group 34 is installed, when a situation where it is necessary to perform some kind of image processing, this situation is detected by a specific application 32.

  In addition, as a situation where it is necessary to perform image processing, for example, an image is read by an image reading unit as the image data supply unit 22, and is recorded as an image on a recording material by an image recording unit as the image output unit 24, or image output Whether the image is displayed on the display unit as the unit 24, the image data is written on the recording medium by the writing device as the image output unit 24, the image data is transmitted by the transmission unit as the image output unit 24, or the image output When the execution of a job to be stored in the image storage unit as the unit 24 is instructed by the user, or received by the reception unit as the image data supply unit 22 or stored in the image storage unit as the image data supply unit 22 For the image data being recorded, recording on the recording material, display on the display unit, writing to the recording medium, transmission, Any execution of a job for the storage of the image storage unit include when instructed by the user.

  In addition, the situation where image processing needs to be performed is not limited to the above. For example, in a state where the names of processes that can be executed by the application 32 in accordance with an instruction from the user are displayed in a list on the display unit 16, For example, the execution target process may be selected by the user.

  First, in step 158, the application 32 recognizes the type of the image data supply unit 22 that supplies image data to be processed. If the recognized type is a buffer area (partial area of the memory 14), the application 32 notifies the operating process management unit 46 of the buffer area designated as the image data supply unit 22, and the image data The process management unit 46 is requested to generate the buffer module 40 that functions as the supply unit 22. In this case, in step 160, the process management unit 46 loads the buffer control unit 40B program into the memory 14 so that the CPU 12 can execute it, and notifies the notified buffer area (the buffer area designated as the image data supply unit 22). ) Is set as a buffer 40A that is already secured, a buffer module 40 that functions as the image data supply unit 22 is generated, and a response is returned to the application 32.

  Subsequently, in step 162, the application 32 recognizes the type of the image output unit 24 as an output destination of the image data subjected to image processing. When the recognized type is a buffer area (partial area of the memory 14), the application 32 notifies the active process management unit 46 of the buffer area designated as the image output unit 24, and the image output unit The process management unit 46 generates a buffer module 40 (buffer module 40 functioning as the image output unit 24) including the buffer area designated as 24. Also in this case, the process management unit 46 generates a buffer module and returns a response to the application 32 in step 164 as described above.

  Next, in step 166, the application 32 recognizes the contents of the image processing to be executed, decomposes the image processing to be executed into a combination of image processing at a level corresponding to each module generation unit 44, and should be executed. The type of image processing necessary for realizing the image processing and the execution order of the individual image processing are determined. In this determination, for example, the type of image processing and the execution order of the individual image processing are registered in advance as information in association with the type of job that can be instructed by the user. Can be realized by reading out information corresponding to the type of job instructed.

  In step 168, the application 32 activates the module generation unit 44 corresponding to the specific image processing based on the type and execution order of the image processing determined above.

  Further, in step 170, the application 32 identifies the input module for inputting image data to the module group as information necessary for generating the module group by the module generation unit 44 to the activated module generation unit 44. Input module identification information, output module identification information for identifying an output module from which the module group outputs image data, input image attribute information representing an attribute of input image data input to the module group, and an image to be executed Processing parameters are notified and the generation of the corresponding module group is instructed.

  In addition, when the required image processing is a combination of a plurality of types of image processing, the application 32 responds to individual image processing when notified of completion of generation of the module group from the instructed module generation unit 44. The process (steps 168 and 170) of starting the other module generation unit 44 and notifying information necessary for generating the module group is repeated in ascending order of the execution order of the individual image processes.

  In the above input module, the image data supply unit 22 is the input module for the module group with the first execution order, and the last module (usually the buffer) for the module group with the second execution order or later. Module 40) is the input module. For the above output modules, the image output unit 24 is designated as the output module in the module group whose execution order is the last, so that the image output unit 24 is designated as the output module. Specification by the application 32 is not performed for confirmation, and it is generated and set by the module generation unit 44 when necessary. The input image attributes and image processing parameters are registered as information in advance in association with, for example, the type of job that the user can instruct execution, and information corresponding to the type of job instructed to execute is read out. Thus, the application 32 may be recognized, or the user may be designated.

  On the other hand, in step 172, the module generation unit 44 performs module generation processing when activated by the application 32. In the module generation process, first, input image attribute information representing an attribute of input image data input to the generation target image processing module 38 is acquired. Note that the processing for acquiring the attributes of the input image data is performed in the case where the buffer module 40 exists in the previous stage of the generation target image processing module 38 and the image processing module in the previous stage that writes image data in the buffer module 40. This can be realized by acquiring the attributes of the output image data from the image data 38.

  Then, based on the attribute of the input image data represented by the acquired information, it is determined whether the generation of the image processing module 38 to be generated is necessary. For example, the module generation unit 44 is a module generation unit that generates a group of modules that perform color conversion processing. When the CMY color space is designated as the color space of the output image data by the image processing parameter from the application 32, the acquired input image When it is determined that the input image data is RGB color space data based on the attribute information, it is necessary to generate an image processing module 38 that performs RGB → CMY color space conversion as an image processing module 38 that performs color space processing. However, when the input image data is data in the CMY color space, the attribute of the input image data and the attribute of the output image data match with respect to the color space, so that the image processing module 38 that performs color space conversion processing generates Judge as unnecessary.

  When it is determined that the generation of the generation target image processing module 38 is necessary, it is determined whether the buffer module 40 is necessary after the generation target image processing module 38. This determination is made when the subsequent stage of the image processing module is the output module (image output unit 24) (see, for example, the last stage image processing module 38 in the image processing unit 50 shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C). As an example, like the image processing module 38 that performs skew angle detection processing in the image processing unit 50 shown in FIG. In the case other than the above, the determination is affirmed, and the determination is affirmed, and the buffer module 40 connected to the subsequent stage of the image processing module 38 with respect to the active processing management unit 46. Request to generate.

  When the generation of the buffer module 40 is requested, in step 172, the process management unit 46 loads the program of the buffer control unit 40B into the memory 14 so that the CPU 12 can execute it, thereby generating the buffer module 40 and generating the module. A response is returned to the unit 44.

  Subsequently, the module generation unit 44 gives the information of the previous module (for example, the buffer module 40), the information of the subsequent buffer module 40, the attribute of the input image data input to the image processing module 38, and the processing parameters, and performs image processing. Module 38 is generated. It should be noted that the image processing module 38 that is determined not to require the subsequent buffer module 40 is not provided with information about the subsequent buffer module 40, and the processing content is fixed and special, for example, 50% reduction processing. If no image processing parameter is required, no processing parameter is given.

  The module generation unit 44 is registered in the module library 36 and should be executed by the image processing module 38 and the attributes of the input image data acquired earlier from among a plurality of candidate modules that can be used as the image processing module 38. The image processing module 38 that matches the processing parameters is selected, the program of the selected image processing module 38 is loaded into the memory 14 so that the CPU 12 can execute it, and the front and rear modules of the image processing module 38 are loaded into the image. The image processing module 38 is generated by setting parameters to be recognized by the control unit 38B of the processing module 38.

  For example, the module generation unit 44 is a module generation unit that generates a group of modules that perform color conversion processing. The CMY color space is designated as the color space of the output image data by the processing parameters, and the input image data is data in the RGB color space. If there is, an image processing module 38 that performs RGB → CMY color space conversion is selected and generated from a plurality of types of image processing modules 38 that perform various color space processing registered in the module library 36. The

  The image processing module 38 is an image processing module 38 that performs enlargement / reduction processing. If the designated enlargement / reduction ratio is other than 50%, the designated enlargement / reduction is performed for the input image data. If the image processing module 38 that performs enlargement / reduction processing at a rate is selected and generated and the designated enlargement / reduction rate is 50%, the enlargement / reduction processing specialized for the enlargement / reduction rate 50%, that is, the input image data An image processing module 38 that performs a reduction process to reduce the image to 50% by thinning out every other pixel is selected and generated.

  The selection of the image processing module 38 is not limited to the above. For example, a plurality of image processing modules 38 having different unit processing data amounts in image processing by the image processing engine 38A are registered in the module library 36, and the image processing unit The image processing module 38 having an appropriate unit processing data amount is selected according to the operating environment such as the size of the memory area that can be allocated to 50 (for example, the image processing module 38 having a smaller unit processing data amount as the size decreases). Or the application 32 or the user may select it.

  When the generation of the image processing module 38 is completed, the module generation unit 44 notifies the active processing management unit 46 of the set of the ID of the subsequent buffer module 40 and the ID of the generated image processing module 38. The ID may be information that can uniquely identify each module, and may be, for example, a number given in the order of generation of each module, an address of an object of the buffer module 40 or the image processing module 38 on a memory, or the like.

  Further, the module generation unit 44 performs image processing realized by a plurality of types of image processing modules 38 (for example, skew correction processing realized by the image processing module 38 that performs skew angle detection processing and the image processing module 38 that performs image rotation processing). When generating a module group for performing the above, the above process is repeated to generate a module group including two or more image processing modules 38. The module generation processing described above is sequentially performed by the individual module generation units 44 that are sequentially activated by the application 32, so that the necessary image processing can be performed as shown in FIGS. An image processing unit 50 to perform is constructed.

  On the other hand, when the construction of the image processing unit 50 that performs the required image processing is completed by the module generation unit 44 that is sequentially started and the module generation unit 44 that has been sequentially started performing the above-described module generation processing being completed, Is instructed to execute image processing by the image processing unit 50.

  When the execution of image processing is instructed from the application 32, the processing management unit 46 loads the program of each module of the image processing unit 50 loaded in the memory 14 in a thread (or process or object) through the operating system 30 in step 176. As shown in FIG.

  When the program of the image processing module 38 is executed as a thread, the control unit 38B of each image processing module 38 initializes its own module. In the initialization of the image processing module 38, first, the module preceding the own module is determined based on the parameters set by the module generation unit 44. No processing is performed when no module exists in the previous stage of the own module, but if the previous module is other than the buffer module 40, for example, the image data supply unit 22, a specific file, or the like, as necessary. The initialization process is performed. When the buffer module 40 exists in the previous stage of the own module, the data amount (unit read data amount) of the image data acquired by reading the image data from the previous buffer module 40 once is recognized. .

  This unit read data amount is only one if the number of buffer modules 40 in the previous stage of the own module is one, but for example, image processing for performing image composition processing in the image processing unit 50 shown in FIG. As in the case of the module 38, when there are a plurality of buffer modules 40 in the previous stage and the image processing engine 38A performs image processing using image data acquired from the plurality of buffer modules 40, the individual buffer modules in the previous stage The unit read data amount corresponding to 40 is determined according to the type and content of image processing performed by the image processing engine 38A of the own module, the number of buffer modules 40 in the previous stage, and the like. Then, the unit read data amount is set in all the buffer modules 40 existing in the preceding stage by notifying the recognized unit read data amount to all the buffer modules 40 existing in the preceding stage (FIG. 3 ( (See also A) (1)).

  Next, the module following the own module is determined. If the module subsequent to the own module is other than the buffer module 40, such as the image output unit 24 or a specific file, the initialization process is performed as necessary (for example, if the subsequent module is the image output unit 24, the unit For example, processing for notifying output of image data by the amount of data corresponding to the amount of write data). If the subsequent module is the buffer module 40, the amount of image data (unit write data amount) in one image data write is recognized, and the unit write data amount is set in the subsequent buffer module. (See also (2) in FIG. 3A). Then, the process management unit 46 is notified of the completion of initialization of the image processing module 38.

  When the program of the buffer module 40 (the buffer control unit 40B) is executed as a thread, the buffer control unit 40B of each buffer module 40 initializes its own module. When the buffer module 40 is initialized, first, the unit write data amount is notified from the image processing module 38 in the previous stage of the own module or the unit read data amount is notified from the image processing module 38 in the subsequent stage of the own module. The notified unit write data amount or unit read data amount is stored (see also (1) and (2) in FIG. 3B).

  When the unit write data amount or the unit read data amount is notified from all the image processing modules 38 connected to the own module, the unit documents set by the individual image processing modules 38 connected to the own module respectively. The size of the unit buffer area, which is the management unit of the buffer 40A of the own module, is determined based on the embedded data amount and the unit read data amount, and the determined size of the unit buffer area is stored. As the size of the unit buffer area, the maximum value of the unit write data amount and the unit read data amount set in the own module is suitable. However, the unit write data amount may be set or the unit read data amount may be set. The amount of data (the maximum value of the unit read data amount set by each image processing module 38 when a plurality of image processing modules 38 are connected to the subsequent stage of the own module) may be set. The least common multiple of the write data amount and the unit read data amount (the maximum value thereof) may be set. If the least common multiple is less than the predetermined value, the least common multiple is set. A value (for example, any one of the above-mentioned unit write data amount and unit read data amount, the unit write data amount, and the unit read data amount (the maximum value)) may be set.

  If the own module is the buffer module 40 functioning as the image data supply unit 22 or the image output unit 24, the memory area used as the buffer 40A of the own module already exists, so the unit determined previously The size of the buffer area is changed to the size of the existing memory area used as the buffer 40A of the own module. Further, valid data pointers corresponding to the individual image processing modules 38 subsequent to the module are generated, and the generated valid data pointers are initialized. This valid data pointer is the image data (valid data) that has not been read by the corresponding subsequent image processing module 38 among the image data written in the buffer 40A of the own module by the preceding image processing module of the own module. These pointers point to the start position (next read start position) and the end position, respectively. At initialization, specific information indicating that valid data does not exist is usually set, but the own module supplies image data. In the case of the buffer module 40 functioning as the unit 22, image data to be processed may already be written in the memory area used as the buffer 40A of the own module. In this case, the start position and the end of the image data Valid data corresponding to each image processing module 38 at the subsequent stage They are respectively set to the interface. With the above processing, the initialization of the buffer module 40 is completed, and the buffer control unit 40B notifies the processing management unit 46 of the completion of initialization.

  When the completion of initialization is notified from all the modules constituting the image processing unit 50, the processing management unit 46 activates a thread (or process or object) for executing the program of the workflow management unit 46A, and the workflow management unit 46 A is instructed to execute image processing by the image processing unit 50.

  In these processes, a processing request is input to the image processing module 38 constituting the image processing unit 50 to cause the image processing unit 50 to perform image processing. Prior to this, processing performed by the buffer control unit 40B of each buffer module 40 and processing performed by the control unit 38B of each image processing module 38 will be described in order.

  In this embodiment, when the image processing module 38 writes image data to the subsequent buffer module 40, a write request is input from the image processing module 38 to the buffer module 40, and the image processing module 38 receives the previous buffer module 40. When reading image data from the image processing module 38, a read request is input from the image processing module 38 to the buffer module 40.

  In the data writing process, the amount of unit writing data is notified to the resource management unit 46B as the size of the memory area to be secured, and the memory area used for writing (see also the writing buffer area: FIG. 5B) Is acquired via the resource management unit 46B of the active processing management unit 46. Next, a unit buffer area (a unit buffer in which image data of the unit write data amount can be written) has an empty area larger than the unit write data amount in the storage unit buffer area constituting the buffer 40A of the own module. It is determined whether or not (region) exists. In the buffer module 40 generated by the module generation unit 44, a memory area (unit buffer area) used as the buffer 40A is not initially secured, and a unit buffer area is secured as a unit whenever a memory area shortage occurs. Therefore, when a write request is first input to the buffer module 40, there is no memory area (unit buffer area) used as the buffer 40A, and this determination is denied. Further, even after the unit buffer area used as the buffer 40A is secured through the processing described later, the free area in the unit buffer area is less than the unit write data amount as image data is written to the unit buffer area. The above determination is also denied in the case of

  If it is determined that there is no unit buffer area (unit buffer area into which image data of the unit write data amount can be written) that has an empty area greater than the unit write data amount, the size of the memory area to be secured (A size of the unit buffer area) is notified to the resource management unit 46B, and a memory area (unit buffer area used for storing image data) used as the buffer 40A of the own module is acquired via the resource management unit 46B. Then, using the previously obtained write buffer area as a write area, the start address of the write area is notified to the image processing module 38 of the write request source, and the start address that notifies the image data to be written Request to write in order. As a result, the image processing module 38 of the writing request source writes the image data in the writing buffer area notified of the head address (see also FIG. 5B).

  For example, when the size of the unit buffer area is not an integral multiple of the unit write data amount, the writing of the image data of the unit write data amount to the buffer 40A (unit buffer area) is repeated, for example, as shown in FIG. ), The size of the empty area in the unit buffer area with the empty area is smaller than the unit write data amount. In this case, the area in which the image data of the unit write data amount is written extends over a plurality of unit buffer areas, but in this embodiment, the memory area used as the buffer 40A is secured in units of the unit buffer area. It is not guaranteed that the unit buffer areas secured at different timings are continuous areas on the real memory (memory 14). On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the image processing module 38 writes the image data to the writing buffer area secured separately from the unit buffer area for storage, as shown in FIG. The image data once written in the write buffer area is copied to a single unit buffer area or a plurality of unit buffer areas for storage. As described above, the notification of the write area to the image processing module 38 that is the write request source only requires notification of the head address, and the interface with the image processing module 38 is simplified.

  If the own module is the buffer module 40 generated by the application 32, that is, if the memory area used as the buffer 40A is already secured, the address of the already secured memory area is written to the image processing module 38. This is notified as the address of the embedded area, and the image data is written to the memory area. When the writing of the image data to the writing area by the image processing module 38 in the previous stage is completed, the attribute information is added to the image data written in the writing buffer area, and then written in the storage buffer area as it is. When the size of the empty area in the unit buffer area with the empty area is smaller than the unit write data amount, the image data written in the write buffer area is stored for storage as shown in FIG. Are written separately in a plurality of unit buffer areas.

  Then, the pointer indicating the end position of the valid data among the valid data pointers corresponding to the individual image processing modules 38 subsequent to the own module is moved backward by the unit write data amount by the end position of the valid data indicated by the pointer. Update to move (see also FIG. 5C).

  Next, a data reading process executed by the buffer control unit 40B of the buffer module 40 will be described.

  First, read request information registered at the head is extracted from the read queue, the image processing module 38 of the read request source is recognized based on the request source identification information included in the read request information, and the read request source The unit read data amount set by the image processing module 38 is recognized, and the valid data corresponding to the read request source image processing module 38 is determined based on the valid data pointer corresponding to the read request source image processing module 38. The head position and end position on the buffer 40A are recognized. Next, based on the recognized start position and end position of valid data, valid data corresponding to the read request source image processing module 38 (image data that can be read by the read request source image processing module 38) is unit read data. Judge whether there is more than the amount.

  If the valid data corresponding to the image processing module 38 of the read request source is less than the unit read data amount, whether or not the end of the valid data that can be read by the image processing module 38 of the read request source is the end of the image data to be processed judge. Valid data corresponding to the image processing module 38 of the read request source is stored in the buffer 40A at a unit read data amount or more, or valid data corresponding to the image processing module 38 of the read request source stored in the buffer 40A is stored. When the end of the valid data is the end of the image data to be processed although it is less than the unit read data amount, the unit read corresponding to the read request source image processing module 38 is set as the size of the memory area to be secured. Not only the resource management unit 46B is notified of the amount of data, but also requests the resource management unit 46B to secure a memory area used for reading (see also the buffer area for reading: FIG. 6B), and reads through the resource management unit 46B. Get the buffer area.

  Next, the effective data to be read is read from the buffer 40A by the amount of the unit read data and written to the read buffer area, and the head address of the read buffer area is used as the read area start address to the read request source image processing module 38. Along with the notification, the image data is requested to be read sequentially from the notified head address. As a result, the image processing module 38 as the read request source reads the image data from the read area (read buffer area) to which the head address is notified. When the effective data to be read is data corresponding to the end of the image data to be processed, the size of the image data to be read is requested at the end of the image data to be processed when the image data is requested to be read. This is also notified to the image processing module 38 of the reading request source. When the own module is the buffer module 40 generated by the application 32, the memory area (collection of unit buffer areas) used as the buffer 40A is a continuous area. The writing of the target image data to the reading buffer area may be omitted, and the subsequent image processing module 38 may read the image data directly from the unit buffer area.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the amount of valid data stored in the unit buffer area in which the image data of the head portion of the valid data is stored is less than the unit read data amount. When the target valid data extends over a plurality of unit buffer areas, the valid data to be read this time is not necessarily stored in a continuous area on the real memory (memory 14). In the data reading process, as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, even in such a case, the image data to be read is once written in the reading buffer area, and then the image data is read from the reading buffer area. Therefore, regardless of whether or not the image data to be read is stored across a plurality of unit buffer areas, the notification of the read area to the image processing module 38 of the read request is made as described above. It is only necessary to notify the start address, and the interface with the image processing module 38 is simplified.

  Further, by moving the pointer indicating the start position of the valid data among the valid data pointers corresponding to the image processing module 38 that is the read request source, the start position of the valid data indicated by the pointer is moved backward by the unit read data amount. Update (see also FIG. 6C).

  Next, the effective data pointers corresponding to the individual image processing modules 38 in the subsequent stage are respectively referred to, and each of the subsequent stages of the stored image data is stored in the unit buffer area constituting the buffer 40A by updating the previous pointer. It is determined whether or not a unit buffer area that has been completely read by the image processing module 38, that is, a unit buffer area that does not store valid data, has appeared. If the determination is negative, the data reading process is completed through the above-described reading queue check process (determination of whether or not the read request information is registered in the reading queue), but the valid data When a unit buffer area that does not store is appeared, the data reading process is terminated after checking the reading queue.

  On the other hand, the amount of valid data stored in the buffer 40A and readable by the image processing module 38 that is the read request source is less than the unit read data amount, and the end of the readable valid data is the image data to be processed. If it is not the end (when no valid data that can be read is detected in (4) of FIG. 3B), a data request for requesting new image data is output to the workflow management unit 46A (FIG. 3 ( (See also (5) of B)) Read request information retrieved from the read queue is re-registered in the original queue (at the beginning or end), and then the data is read through the check process of the read queue The process ends. In this case, the workflow management unit 46A inputs a processing request to the image processing module 38 in the previous stage of the own module. As a result, until the amount of valid data that can be read exceeds the unit read data amount or until the end of the valid data that can be read is detected to be the end of the image data to be processed, the corresponding readout is performed. The request information is stored in a read queue and is periodically retrieved to repeatedly execute the requested process.

  Although details will be described later, when a data request is input from the buffer module 40, the workflow management unit 46A inputs the processing request to the image processing module 38 in the preceding stage of the buffer module 40 that is the data request source (see FIG. 3B). (See also (6)). When the processing performed by the control unit 38B of the preceding image processing module 38 using the input of the processing request as a trigger causes the preceding image processing module 38 to be able to write image data into the buffer module 40, the preceding image processing is performed. When the writing request is input from the module 38, the above-described data writing process is performed, and the image data is written from the preceding image processing module 38 to the buffer 40A of the buffer module 40 ((7) in FIG. 3B). ), See also (8)). As a result, the image data is read from the buffer 40A by the image processing module 38 in the subsequent stage (see also (9) in FIG. 3B).

  The data reading process described above is a data reading process performed by the buffer control unit 40B of the buffer module 40 with the exclusive control function incorporated in the image processing unit 50 for parallel processing. The data reading process performed by the buffer control unit 40B of the buffer module 40 without the exclusive control function incorporated in the image processing unit 50 determines a process corresponding to the exclusive control, that is, whether or not the buffer 40A is already being accessed. When access is being performed and read request information is registered in the queue, the timer is started. When the timer times out, it is determined again whether the buffer 40A is being accessed and the processing for a single read request is completed. Other than not performing processing to check if there is any remaining read request information in the queue Is the same as the data reading process described above. The data reading process in the buffer module 40 without the exclusive control function can improve the processing efficiency because the process corresponding to the exclusive control unnecessary in the sequential process is omitted.

  Subsequently, each time a processing request is input from the workflow management unit 46A to the individual image processing modules 38 constituting the image processing unit 50, the image processing modules respectively performed by the control unit 38B of the individual image processing module 38. The control process (FIG. 7) will be described.

  In the image processing module control process, first in step 218, the size of the memory used by the own module and the presence / absence of other resources used by the own module based on the type and contents of the image processing performed by the image processing engine 38A of the own module. Recognize Note that the memory used by the image processing module 38 is mainly a memory necessary for the image processing engine 38A to perform image processing. However, when the former module is the image data supply unit 22 or the latter module is an image. In the case of the output unit 24, a buffer memory for temporarily storing the image data may be required when the image data is transmitted to or received from the preceding or succeeding module. Further, when information such as a table is included in the processing parameter, a memory area for holding it may be required. Then, the resource management unit 46B is requested to secure a memory area of the recognized size, and the memory area secured by the resource management unit 46B is acquired from the resource management unit 46B. If the own module (the image processing engine 38A) recognizes that it needs other resources other than the memory, it requests the resource management unit 46B to secure the other resources and allocates the other resources to the resource. Obtained from the management unit 46B.

  In the next step 220, when a module (buffer module 40, image data supply unit 22, image processing module 38, etc.) exists in the previous stage of its own module, data (image data or analysis) is sent to the preceding module. Image processing result). In the next step 222, it is determined whether data can be acquired from the previous module. If the determination in step 222 is negative, it is determined in step 224 whether the end of the entire process has been notified. If the determination in step 224 is negative, the process returns to step 222, and steps 222 and 224 are repeated until data can be acquired from the preceding module. If the determination in step 222 is affirmative, data acquisition processing for acquiring data from the previous module in step 226 and writing the acquired data in the memory area for temporary storage of data in the memory area acquired in step 218 I do.

  Here, if the previous module of the own module is the buffer module 40, when data is requested in the previous step 220 (read request), the readable valid data is transferred to the buffer 40A of the buffer module 40 in the unit read data amount. As long as the end of the valid data that has been stored or readable matches the end of the image data to be processed, the image processing module 38 in the previous stage of the buffer module 40 immediately returns to the state of the image data to be processed. After the image data is written in the buffer 40A of the buffer module 40, the state is changed to the above state, and then the start address of the reading area is notified from the buffer module 40 and the reading of the image data is requested. As a result, the determination at step 222 is affirmed and the routine proceeds to step 226, where image data of a unit read data amount (or a data amount less than that) is read from the read area in which the head address is notified from the preceding buffer module 40, Data acquisition processing to be written in the temporary storage memory area is performed (see also (3) in FIG. 3A).

  If the previous module of the own module is the image data supply unit 22, when the data request is output in the previous step 220, it is immediately notified from the previous image data supply unit 22 that the image data can be acquired. As a result, the determination in step 222 is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 226. Image data acquisition processing for acquiring image data of a unit read data amount from the preceding image data supply unit 22 and writing it to the temporary storage memory area is performed. Do. If the previous module of the own module is the image processing module 38, a data request (processing request) is output in the previous step 220. If the previous image processing module 38 is ready to perform image processing, the data request is written. Since it is notified that the data (image processing result) can be acquired by inputting the load request, the determination in step 222 is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 226. The data acquisition process for writing the data output from the image processing module 38 in the previous stage to the temporary storage memory area is performed by notifying the address of the temporary storage memory area where the data is written and requesting the writing.

  In the next step 228, it is determined whether or not a plurality of modules are connected to the previous stage of the own module. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 232 without performing any processing. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 230, and whether or not data has been acquired from all modules connected in the previous stage. To determine. If the determination in step 230 is negative, the process returns to step 220, and steps 220 to 230 are repeated until the determination in step 230 is positive. When all the data to be acquired from the previous module is obtained, the determination in step 228 is denied or the determination in step 230 is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 232.

  In the next step 232, an area for data output is requested to the module subsequent to the module, and the determination is repeated until the data output area can be acquired in step 232 (until the start address of the data output area is notified). . If the subsequent module is the buffer module 40, the request for the data output area is made by outputting a write request to the buffer module 40. Once the data output area (the write area in which the start address is notified from the buffer module 40 if the subsequent module is the buffer module 40) can be obtained (see also (4) in FIG. 3A), the next step In 236, the memory area for image processing by the image processing engine among the data acquired in the previous data acquisition process, the data output area acquired from the subsequent module (first address), and the memory area acquired in the previous step 218 ( Is input to the image processing engine 38A, and the input data is subjected to predetermined image processing using a memory area for image processing (see also (5) in FIG. 3A). At the same time, the processed data is written in the data output area (see also (6) in FIG. 3A). When the input of the unit read data amount to the image processing engine 38A is completed and all the data output from the image processing engine 38A is written in the data output area, the subsequent step 238 indicates that the output has been completed. Notify the module.

  The processing (unit processing) for the data of the unit processing data amount in the image processing module 38 is completed by the above steps 220 to 238. However, in the processing request input from the workflow management unit 46A to the image processing module 38, the workflow management unit The number of executions of unit processing may be specified by 46A. Therefore, in step 240, it is determined whether the number of executions of the unit process has reached the number of executions instructed by the input processing request. If the number of executions of the instructed unit process is 1, this determination is unconditionally affirmed. However, if the number of executions of the instructed unit process is 2 or more, the process returns to Step 220, and the determination in Step 240 is performed. Steps 220 to 240 are repeated until affirmative. If the determination in step 240 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step 242 to output a processing completion notification to the workflow management unit 46A, thereby notifying the workflow management unit 46A that the processing corresponding to the input processing request has been completed. Then, the image processing module control process ends.

  Further, when the processing image data is processed to the end by repeating the above-described processing every time a processing request is input from the workflow management unit 46A, the end of the processing target image data is notified from the preceding module. Thus, the determination in step 224 is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 244. The image data to be processed (note that the image data to be processed is often image data for one page, but is image data for a plurality of pages. An overall process end notification that means that the process for (which may be present) has ended is output to the workflow management unit 46A and the subsequent module. In the next step 246, the process of deleting the own module is performed, and the image processing module control process is terminated.

  When the execution of image processing is instructed, the workflow management unit 46A performs the block unit control processing 1 shown in FIG. 8A, and each time a data request is input from the buffer module 40, the workflow management unit 46A shown in FIG. When the block unit control process 2 is performed and a process completion notification is input from the image processing module 38, the block unit control process 3 shown in FIG. 8C is performed, and the entire process end notification is input from the image processing module 38. A block unit control process 4 shown in FIG. 8D is performed every time.

  As described above, in the block unit control process 1, the number of executions of the unit process can be specified by inputting a process request to each image processing module 38 of the image processing unit 50 by the workflow management unit 46A. However, in step 500, the number of executions of the unit process designated by one processing request is determined for each image processing module 38. The number of executions of unit processing per processing request can be determined so that, for example, the number of processing requests input to individual image processing modules 38 during the processing of the entire image data to be processed is averaged. However, it may be determined according to other criteria. In the next step 502, a processing request is input to the last image processing module 38 in the image processing unit 50 (see also (1) in FIG. 9), and the block unit control processing 1 is terminated.

Here, in the image processing unit 50 shown in FIG. 9, when the process from the workflow management unit 46A to the image processing module 38 ₄ of the last stage request is input, the control unit 38B of the image processing module 38 ₄ preceding buffer module 40 _A read request is input to ₃ (see (2) in FIG. 9). At this time, since the image processing module 38 ₄ readable valid data in the buffer 40A of the buffer module 40 ₃ (image data) is not stored, the buffer controller 40B of the buffer module 40 ₃ data in the workflow management unit 46A A request is input (see (3) in FIG. 9).

The workflow management unit 46A performs the block unit control processing 2 shown in FIG. 8B every time a data request is input from the buffer module 40. In this block unit control processing 2, in step 504, the image processing module 38 (here, the image processing module 38 ₃ ) of the preceding stage of the buffer module 40 (here, the buffer module 40 ₃ ) of the data request input is recognized and recognized. A processing request is input to the preceding image processing module 38 (see (4) in FIG. 9), and the processing ends.

Image control unit 38B of the processing modules 38 _3, the processing request is input to the input read request preceding the buffer module 40 ₂ (see (5) in FIG. 9), read in the buffer 40A of the buffer module 40 ₂ since possible image data is not stored, the buffer controller 40B of the buffer module 40 ₂ inputs the data request to the workflow management unit 46A (see (6) in FIG. 9). Workflow management unit 46A, even if the data request is input from the buffer module 40 _2, by performing the block unit control processing 2 described above again, enter the processing request to the image processing module 38 ₂ of the previous stage (FIG. 9 (7)), the control unit 38B of the image processing module 38 ₃ inputs the read request to the buffer module 40 ₁ of the front reference ((8) in FIG. 9). Further, since the readable image data to the buffer 40A of the buffer module 40 ₁ is not stored, the buffer controller 40B of the buffer module 40 ₁ also inputs the data request to the workflow management unit 46A (in FIG. 9 (9) reference). Even when a data request is input from the buffer module 40 ₁ , the workflow management unit 46A inputs the processing request to the preceding image processing module 38 ₁ by performing the block unit control process 2 again (FIG. 9). (See (10)).

Here, since the previous module of the image processing module 38 ₁ is the image data supply unit 22, the control unit 38 B of the image processing module 38 ₁ inputs a data request to the image data supply unit 22, and thereby the image data supply unit 22. The image data of the unit read data amount is acquired from the image data 22 (see (11) in FIG. 9), and the image data obtained by the image processing engine 38A performing image processing on the acquired image data is stored in the subsequent buffer. write module 40 _first buffer 40A (see (12) in FIG. 9).

Further, the buffer control unit 40B of the buffer module 40 ₁ requests the image processing module 38 ₂ to read when valid data exceeding the unit read data amount that can be read by the subsequent image processing module 38 ₂ is written. the image processing module 38 _{and second} control unit 38B with the reads image data of the unit read data amount from the buffer module 40 ₁ of buffer 40A (see (13) in FIG. 9), the image processing engine on the acquired image data 38A is an image data obtained by performing image processing, written in the following buffer module 40 _second buffer 40A (see (14) in FIG. 9). The buffer control unit 40B of the buffer module 40 ₂ requests the image processing module 38 ₃ to read when valid data exceeding the unit read data amount that can be read by the subsequent image processing module 38 ₃ is written, and the image processing module 38 _3. the control unit 38B of the (see (15) in FIG. 9) reads out the image data of the unit read data amount from the buffer module 40 ₂ of the buffer 40A, the image processing engine 38A on the acquired image data to perform image processing the image data obtained by, written to the subsequent buffer module 40 _third buffer 40A (see (16) in FIG. 9).

Furthermore, the buffer controller 40B of the buffer module 40 ₃ may request a read to the image processing module 38 ₄ When the subsequent image processing module 38 ₄ readable unit read data amount or more valid data is written, which control unit 38B of the image processing module 38 ₄ with the reads the image data of the unit read data amount from the buffer module 40 _third buffer 40A (see (17) in FIG. 9), the image processing engine on the acquired image data The image data obtained by the image processing by 38A is output to the image output unit 24, which is a subsequent module (see (18) in FIG. 9).

  In addition, when the control unit 38B of each image processing module 38 completes the writing of the image data to the buffer 40A of the subsequent buffer module 40, the control unit 38B inputs a processing completion notification to the workflow management unit 46A. The workflow management unit 46A performs block unit control processing 3 shown in FIG. 8C every time a processing completion notification is input from the image processing module 38. In this block unit control process 3, first, in step 506, it is determined whether or not the process completion notification source image processing module 38 is the last stage image processing module 38. If the determination is negative, the block unit control process 3 is terminated without performing any process. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 508, where the processing request is input again to the image processing module 38 that is the processing completion notification source, and the processing ends.

  The workflow management unit 46A performs the block unit control process 4 shown in FIG. 10D every time an overall process end notification is input from the image processing module 38. In this block unit control process 4, in step 510, it is determined whether or not the image processing module 38 that is the input source of the overall process end notification is the last stage image processing module 38. If the determination is negative, the process ends without performing any process, but all the image data that has undergone the necessary image processing on the image data to be processed is output to the image output unit 24. When an overall processing end notification is input from the last-stage image processing module 38, the determination in step 510 is affirmed and the processing proceeds to step 512 to notify the application 32 of completion of the image processing (FIG. 5). Also refer to step 178), and the block unit control process is terminated. Then, the application 32 notified of the completion of the image processing notifies the user of the completion of the image processing (see also step 180 in FIG. 5).

  As described above, in the block unit processing, when the processing request input to the last-stage image processing module 38 goes back to the preceding-stage image processing module 38 and reaches the foremost-stage image processing module 38, the foremost-stage image processing module 38 At 38, image processing is performed and data is written into the subsequent buffer module 40. If the data is sufficient, a series of image processing is performed in such a manner that the processing proceeds to the subsequent module.

  In the above description, the individual image processing modules 38 of the image processing unit operate so as to perform image processing while transferring image data to the subsequent stage in units of data amount smaller than one image surface. Although the aspect in which the workflow management unit 46A controls to perform block unit processing as a whole has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the individual image processing modules 38 of the image processing unit are replaced by the previous image processing module 38. After the image processing for the image data for one image is completed, the image processing module 38 in the subsequent stage is operated so as to perform image processing for the image data for one image, so that the image processing unit as a whole performs surface unit processing. The workflow management unit 46A may be configured so that the above can be performed.

  Further, while the workflow management unit 46A performs control as described above, the error management unit 46C of the process management unit 46 also operates. When an error occurs while the image processing unit 50 is executing image processing, the error management unit 46C acquires error information such as the type and location of the error that has occurred, and the image processing program group 34 is installed. The device environment information representing the type or configuration of the device in which the computer 10 is incorporated is acquired from the storage unit 20 or the like, and an error notification method according to the device environment represented by the acquired device environment information is determined and determined. Performs processing to notify the occurrence of an error using the error notification method.

  The above is the overall configuration and processing in the present embodiment. Next, processing related to memory area management will be described. Here, an example will be described using the configuration shown in FIG. 10 (configuration with three image processing modules). The processing management section (image processing management means) 46, image processing modules (image processing means) 38a, 38b, 38c, buffer modules 40a, 40b, and the processing flow shown in FIG. To do.

  Memory area management units (memory area management means) 60a and 60b are provided in each buffer module, provide image data to be processed by each corresponding image processing module, and store image data. Therefore, the memory area acquired by the process management unit 46 is held, and when the image processing module requests release of the memory area provided by the request of each image processing module, the memory area is Holds without releasing.

  Each memory area management unit has an unused memory area management table and a used memory area management table shown in FIG. 11 as an example.

  The unused memory area management table is a table for managing the top addresses (pointers) of unused memory areas, as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the used memory area management table is a table for managing the head address (pointer) of the used memory area, as shown in FIG.

  “Index” included in any table indicates a management number given to the memory area.

  Processing related to acquisition and release of the memory area executed in the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step 101, the image processing module 38c requests image data from the buffer module 40b. In the next step 102, the buffer module 40b determines whether or not an unused memory area is held. This determination is made using the unused memory area management table.

  If the buffer module 40b makes a positive determination in step 102, the unused memory area information is deleted from the unused memory area management table in step 104. Here, the unused memory area information is memory area information indicating “index” and “address” of the memory area, and indicates “index” and “address” registered in the unused memory area management table.

  On the other hand, if the buffer module 40b makes a negative determination in step 102, the memory area is acquired by requesting the memory area from the process management unit 46 in step 103. At this time, since the address of the memory area is acquired and “index” is assigned to the memory area, the memory area information of the acquired memory area is obtained.

  In the next step 105, the memory area information is registered in the used memory area management table. This memory area information is the memory area information deleted in step 104 or the memory area information obtained in step 103.

  In the next step 106, the process management unit 46 is requested to record the image data in the memory area. In response to this request, the image data processed by the image processing module 38b in step 107 is recorded in the memory area.

  In step 108, the image processing module 38c acquires image data from the buffer module 40b, and in the next step 109, requests the buffer module 40b to release the memory area.

  The buffer module 40b requested to be released deletes the memory area information from the used memory area management table in step 110, and executes post-memory processing described later in step 111.

  Two types of memory post-processing are prepared in the present embodiment, and will be described below. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing memory post-processing (part 1). As shown in this flowchart, in the post-memory processing, in step 201, the buffer module 40b registers the memory area information in the unused memory area management table. Therefore, this memory area is held without being released. Thereby, it is possible to suppress a decrease in processing speed due to acquisition and release of the memory area.

  Next, memory post-processing (part 2) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step 301, the buffer module 40b determines whether or not the number of unused memory areas registered in the unused memory area management table is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. If the buffer module 40b makes a positive determination in step 301, the process management unit 46 releases the memory area indicated by the memory area information in step 303. On the other hand, if the buffer module 40b makes a negative determination in step 301, the memory area information is registered in the unused memory area management table in step 302.

  In this way, the number of memory areas to be held is less than a predetermined number. This is because if the memory area is not released, the memory area of the entire image processing apparatus is reduced, which may hinder the execution of other processes. The predetermined number may be appropriately determined based on the size of the memory mounted on the image processing apparatus and the size used in other processing.

  In addition, since a memory area that has passed a predetermined time or more after being registered in the unused memory area management table is unlikely to be used, it may be released. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, the buffer module 40 b determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the registration in step 401. This determination is executed for each memory area registered in the unused memory area management table. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the processing is terminated as it is. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the buffer module 40b causes the process management unit 46 to release the memory area indicated by the memory area information in step 402, and the unused area is unused. Delete from the memory area management table.

  Next, FIG. 16 shows an example of each table when the size of the memory area is added to the above-described unused memory area management table and used memory area management table.

  By adding the size of the memory area to each table in this way, processing that considers the size is also possible.

  This will be specifically described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step 501, the image processing module 38c requests image data of a predetermined size (hereinafter referred to as a requested size) from the buffer module 40b. In the next step 502, the buffer module 40b determines whether or not an unused memory area is held. This determination is made using an unused memory area management table to which the above size is added.

  If the buffer module 40b makes a negative determination in step 502, it requests the memory area of the requested size from the process management unit 46 in step 503, and acquires the memory area. At this time, since the address of the memory area is acquired and “index” is assigned to the memory area, the memory area information of the acquired memory area is obtained. Thereafter, the processing from Step 105 to Step 110 described in FIG. 12 is executed, and the post-memory processing is executed at Step 508.

  On the other hand, if the buffer module 40b makes a positive determination in step 502, it is determined in step 504 whether or not an unused memory area having a size that matches the requested size is held. If the buffer module 40b makes an affirmative determination in step 504, an unused memory area having a matching size is provided in step 506. If the buffer module 40b makes a negative determination in step 504, in step 505, the unused memory area having the smallest size among the unused memory areas having a size larger than the requested size is provided.

  In the next step 507, the unused memory area information of the unused memory area to be provided is deleted from the unused memory area management table. Thereafter, the processing from Step 105 to Step 110 described in FIG. 12 is executed, and the post-memory processing is executed at Step 508.

  This memory post-processing (part 3) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step 601, the buffer module 40b determines whether the size of the memory area is equal to or larger than a predetermined size. The predetermined size in this flowchart may be appropriately determined based on the size of the memory mounted on the image processing apparatus and the size used in other processing.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step 601, the process management unit 46 releases the memory area in step 603. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 601, memory area information is registered in the unused memory area management table in step 602.

  By releasing the memory area having a predetermined size or more in this way, it is possible to suppress a reduction in the memory area of the entire image processing apparatus, and thus it is possible to reduce the possibility of hindering the execution of other processes.

  In addition, since the memory area of the entire image processing apparatus is limited, acquisition of the memory area by the process management unit 46 may fail. In this case, there is a high possibility that part or the whole of the image processing apparatus will not function. For this reason, when acquisition of the memory area by the process management unit 46 fails, the held memory area may be released. This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. This process is executed in step 103 (FIG. 12) or step 503 (FIG. 17).

  First, in step 701, the buffer module 40b determines whether acquisition of the memory area has failed. If a negative determination is made, the processing from step 103 and 503 described above is executed. If an affirmative determination is made, the memory area indicated by the memory area information registered in the unused memory area management table is determined in step 702. In step 703, the memory management information of the released memory area is deleted from the unused memory area management table.

  By doing so, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a part or the whole of the image processing apparatus will not function.

  In the embodiment described above, the case where each buffer module has a memory area management unit has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 20, a memory area management unit 46 a may be provided in the process management unit 46.

  By doing so, it is possible to reduce the amount of memory used for executing the memory area management unit as compared with the case where the memory area management unit is provided in each buffer module.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the program of the process management unit 46 is fixedly stored in the storage unit 20 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A program of a new processing management unit (parallel processing management unit or sequential processing management unit) may be added or an already registered processing management unit program may be overwritten and updated via an external storage device or a communication line. Depending on the adoption of a new architecture of the CPU 12 and the like, the optimal parallelization method may change, and it may be difficult to provide the optimal processing management program from the beginning. There is a possibility that a more efficient algorithm will be newly developed in the future. In consideration of such a case, it is desirable that the process management unit library 47 of the storage unit 20 is configured to be capable of newly adding a program of the process management unit and overwriting update. The above matter corresponds to the invention described in claim 10.

  In the above description, the image processing program group 34 corresponding to the image processing program according to the present invention is stored (installed) in the storage unit 20 in advance. However, the image processing program according to the present invention is a CD-ROM. It is also possible to provide the information in a form recorded on a recording medium such as DVD-ROM.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the computer (image processing apparatus) which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of an image process part. (A) is an image processing module, and (B) is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a buffer module and processing to be executed. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating a series of processes from construction of an image processing part to execution of image processing. It is the schematic explaining the case where the image data to be written straddles a plurality of storage unit buffer areas. It is the schematic explaining the case where the image data to be read straddles a plurality of storage unit buffer areas. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the image processing module control process performed by the control part of an image processing module. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the block unit control process performed by the workflow management part of a process management part. It is the schematic explaining the flow of the image processing in an image process part. It is a figure which shows the structural example for demonstrating the process regarding management of a memory area. It is a figure which shows an example of an unused memory area management table and a used memory area management table (the 1). It is a flowchart which shows the process regarding acquisition and release of a memory area. It is a flowchart which shows a memory post-process (the 1). It is a flowchart which shows a memory post-process (the 2). It is a flowchart which shows the process which releases the memory area which passed for the predetermined time since it was registered into the unused memory area management table. It is a figure which shows an example of an unused memory area management table and a used memory area management table (the 2). It is a flowchart which shows the process regarding acquisition and release of a memory area in consideration of size. It is a flowchart which shows a memory post-process (the 3). It is a flowchart which shows a process when acquisition of a memory area fails. It is a figure which shows the other structural example for demonstrating the process regarding management of a memory area.

Explanation of symbols

10 Computer 12 CPU
20 Storage Unit 22 Image Data Supply Unit 24 Image Output Unit 34 Image Processing Program Group 38 Image Processing Module 40 Buffer Module 46 Process Management Units 46a, 60a, 60b Memory Area Management Unit

Claims (8)

Image processing means for performing image processing on the image information;
Image processing management means for acquiring and releasing a memory area for storing the image information;
The image processing means provides the image information to be processed by the image request, and holds the memory area acquired by the image processing management means for storing the image information, and the image processing means A memory area management unit that holds the memory area without being released by the image processing management unit when the image processing unit requests the release of the memory area provided by the request;
An image processing apparatus.   When the image processing unit requests image information to be processed by the image processing unit, the memory region management unit determines whether or not an unused memory region that is an unused memory region is held. When an affirmative determination is made, the unused memory area is provided to the image processing unit. When a negative determination is made based on the determination, a memory area obtained by causing the image processing management unit to acquire a memory area is used. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is provided to the image processing unit.   The memory area management means does not include the unused memory area having a size that matches the requested size that is the size of the image information to be processed by the image processing means, and is larger than the requested size. 3. The image according to claim 2, wherein, when an unused memory area having a size exists, an unused memory area having a smallest size among unused memory areas having a size larger than the requested size is provided to the image processing means. Processing equipment.   4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the memory area management unit causes the image processing management unit to release the unused memory area when the image processing management unit fails to acquire the memory area. .   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of memory areas held by the memory area management unit is less than a predetermined number.   6. The image processing according to claim 1, wherein the memory area management unit causes the image processing management unit to release the memory area when a predetermined time has elapsed since the memory area was held. apparatus.   When the size of the memory area provided to the image processing unit is larger than a predetermined size and the release of the memory area is requested by the image processing unit, the memory area management unit The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the memory area is released. An image processing step for performing image processing on the image information;
An image processing management step for performing acquisition and release of a memory area for storing the image information;
The image processing step provides the image information to be processed by being requested, and holds the memory area acquired in the image processing management step for storing the image information, and the image processing step A memory area management step for holding the memory area without being released in the image processing management step when the image processing step requests the release of the memory area provided by the request in
An image processing program for causing a computer to execute a process including:

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