JP2008186299A - Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To change a generated intermediate code for rendering by notifying an environment around an image forming apparatus and a state of image device to an interpreter, to prolong thereby a service life of a battery for driving the image forming apparatus, and to maintain a temperature at a constant value or below by keeping an electric power consumption of the image forming apparatus at a constant value or below and by restraining rise of a temperature of the image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming apparatus 160 for forming an image displayed on a display 140 is provided with an interpreter part 110 for generating an intermediate language 120 from a drawing command 10 written by a graphic language, a renderer part 130 for rendering an image, using the intermediate language 120 generated by the interpreter part 110 as an input, and an environment observing part 150 for observing the environment of the image forming apparatus 160, and the interpreter part 110 changes the generated intermediate language, based on an observation result by the environment observing part 150. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a computer program for displaying a drawing object on a display device such as a display.

  In forming an image, an image forming apparatus that performs drawing by inputting a drawing command, a page description language (PDL), a graphics language, or an intermediate language for describing them is widely used.

  For example, when drawing data described in PDL or SVG such as PostScript or PDF is input to the image forming apparatus, the drawing data is interpreted and image data of each page or each frame is formed.

  Hereinafter, data before drawing formation is referred to as drawing data, and data after drawing formation is referred to as image data. The input drawing data is configured as a set of a plurality of types of objects (drawing objects), and examples of the objects include figures, texts, and other images.

  The formed image data is a one-page raster image, a compressed image, or the like. The image output from the image forming apparatus is temporarily stored in a storage device as necessary, or subjected to image processing such as page composition or rotation, and then output to a display device such as a display.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration diagram of a conventional image forming apparatus. Reference numeral 200 denotes drawing data described in a graphics language. The interpreter unit 210 interprets the drawing data 200 and generates intermediate language data 220 that is input to the rendering unit (renderer unit) 230.

  The rendering unit 230 interprets the intermediate language data 220 and forms image data (not shown). The image data is transferred to the image display device 240 and displayed.

  However, in the conventional image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. 2, for example, image formation and display on the image display device 240 are performed regardless of the remaining capacity of the battery that supplies power to the image forming apparatus. It was not possible to devise ways to extend the usage time of the device.

  In recent years, power consumption regulations for electrical equipment have become stricter from the viewpoint of environmental protection. However, even if the power consumption of a conventional image forming apparatus is restricted to any predetermined power consumption, The power consumption depends on the input graphics language data. For this reason, power consumption could not be controlled.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to suppress power consumption by keeping the power consumption of an image forming apparatus below a certain level.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that forms an image to be displayed on a display device, and includes an interpreter unit that generates an intermediate language from a drawing command written in a graphics language, and an intermediate unit generated by the interpreter unit A renderer unit for drawing an image by inputting a language; and an environment observation unit for observing the environment of the image forming apparatus, wherein the interpreter unit changes an intermediate language generated based on the observation result of the environment observation unit. Features.
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that forms an image to be displayed on a display device, and includes an interpreter unit that generates an intermediate language from a drawing command written in a graphics language, and an intermediate unit generated by the interpreter unit A renderer unit that draws an image by inputting a language and a state observation unit that observes the state of the image forming apparatus, and the interpreter unit changes an intermediate language generated based on the observation result of the state observation unit. Features.
The image forming method of the present invention is an image forming method of an image forming apparatus for forming an image to be displayed on a display device, and includes an observation process for observing the environment of the image forming apparatus, and an environmental observation result of the observation process. And an interpreter step of generating an intermediate language from a drawing command written in a graphics language, and a drawing step of drawing an image using the intermediate language generated in the interpreter step as an input.
A computer program of the present invention is a computer program for executing an image forming process of an image forming apparatus that forms an image to be displayed on a display device, the observation step for observing the environment of the image forming apparatus, and the observation step Based on the environmental observation results, the computer executes an interpreter step that generates an intermediate language from drawing commands written in a graphics language and a drawing step that draws an image using the intermediate language generated in the interpreter step as an input It is characterized by making it.

According to the present invention, the environment observation unit observes, for example, the remaining capacity of the battery that supplies power to the image forming apparatus, and the intermediate language data generated by the interpreter unit according to the remaining capacity is data that consumes less power. Can be controlled.
Further, the power consumption of the image forming apparatus is measured by the state observing unit, for example, and the intermediate language data generated by the interpreter unit according to the power consumption is further reduced so that the power consumption does not exceed any preset power consumption. Control can be made so as to reduce the data.
As a result, the power consumption of the image forming apparatus can be suppressed.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, graphics language drawing data 100 is drawing data that is input to the image forming apparatus 160 according to the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 160 receives the graphics language drawing data 100 (drawing command) and inputs it to the flexible interpreter unit 110. In the present embodiment, the graphics language drawing data 100 is drawing data described in SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics), but is not limited to this.

  The flexible interpreter unit 110 translates the graphics language drawing data 100 and generates intermediate language data 120 for the renderer unit 130.

  The renderer unit 130 receives the intermediate language data 120 and draws an image according to the intermediate language data 120. The drawn data is output to the display device 140.

  Here, the display device 140 is directly connected to the subsequent stage of the renderer unit 130, but an intermediate buffer may exist between them.

  Further, although the intermediate language data 120 is directly passed from the flexible interpreter unit 110 to the renderer unit 130, an intermediate buffer may exist between them.

  The image forming apparatus 160 further includes an environment observation unit 150. The environment observation unit 150 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S210, the environment observation unit 150 measures (monitors) the remaining capacity of a battery (not shown) that supplies power to the image forming apparatus 160, for example. The level indicating the remaining capacity of the battery is divided into several levels in advance, for example.

  Next, in step S220, if the level is changed as a result of the measurement, the process proceeds to step S230, and the environment observation unit 150 notifies the flexible interpreter unit 110 of the level.

  The flexible interpreter unit 110 is implemented with rules for translating the input graphics language drawing data 100 according to the level in advance.

  For example, if the numerical value representing the level is higher, the remaining battery capacity is higher, and if the level is changed from “2” to “1”, the gradation command written in the graphics language drawing data 100 is ignored. Rules are implemented.

  An example of the graphics language drawing data 100 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the underline part 41 in the third line and the underline part 42 in the eleventh line are instructions related to gradation.

  At level 2, the flexible interpreter 110 translates the gradation command and generates intermediate language data 120 for the renderer corresponding thereto.

  However, at level 1, even if the same graphics language drawing data 100 is input, the portion corresponding to the gradation command is ignored and translated.

  For example, as described above, in step S240, the flexible interpreter unit 110 changes the processing content based on the information (observation result) obtained from the environment observation unit 150.

  As a result, the renderer unit 130 performs image rendering by performing gradation processing when the battery remaining capacity level is 2, and performs image rendering without performing gradation processing when the battery remaining capacity level is 1.

  That is, when the battery remaining capacity level is 1, the renderer unit 130 can be rested. Here, the flexible interpreter unit 110 may be realized by software or hardware.

  For example, when implemented by software, the environment observation unit 150 may write the remaining battery level in a register that can be referred to by the CPU on which the software operates, and notify the CPU of an interrupt.

  The CPU can notify the software of the remaining battery level by referring to the register. Here, the information transmission trigger to the CPU is an interrupt signal, but the register in which the remaining battery level is written may be polled.

  For example, when the flexible interpreter unit 110 is implemented by hardware, the environment observation unit 150 can transmit the battery remaining capacity level through a signal line.

  FIG. 5 shows an image drawn by the image forming apparatus 160 when the battery remaining capacity level is 2, and FIG. 6 shows an image drawn by the image forming apparatus 160 when the battery remaining capacity level is 1. By comparing FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, it can be seen that FIG. 6 is a simpler picture.

  For example, the image after drawing shown here is a menu button, both of which play a role.

  In this embodiment, the translation rule implemented in the flexible interpreter unit 110 determines whether or not to translate the gradation command written in the graphics language drawing data based on the information given from the environment observation unit 150. The order may be.

  Also, instead of deciding whether or not to translate, when translating a command written in a graphics language, the image quality after rendering deteriorates, but the intermediate language data can further reduce the power consumption of the renderer unit 130. The same effect can be obtained even if it is changed.

(Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment, the environment observation unit of the image forming apparatus included in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention in the first embodiment is replaced with a state observation unit that observes the state of the image forming apparatus. Will be described. FIG. 7 shows a configuration diagram of the second embodiment.

  In FIG. 7, graphics language drawing data 700 is drawing data that is input to the image forming apparatus 760 according to the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 760 receives the graphics language drawing data 700 and inputs it to the flexible interpreter unit 710.

  The flexible interpreter unit 710 translates the graphics language drawing data 700 and generates intermediate language data 720 for the renderer unit 730.

  The renderer unit 730 receives the intermediate language data 720 and draws an image according to the intermediate language data 720. The drawn data is output to the display device 740.

  The image forming apparatus 760 further includes a state observation unit 750. The state observation unit 750 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S810, the state observation unit 750 observes the temperature of the image forming apparatus 760, for example. The state observation unit 750 has a temperature threshold set in advance.

  In step S820, if the temperature crosses the threshold value as a result of the observation, the process proceeds to step S830, and the state observation unit 750 notifies the flexible interpreter unit 710 that the threshold value has been crossed.

  The flexible interpreter unit 110 is implemented with a rule for changing the translation method of the input graphics language drawing data 100 according to the temperature.

  For example, a translation rule that ignores gradation commands written in the graphics language drawing data 100 when the observed temperature exceeds a threshold is implemented.

  An example of the graphics language drawing data 700 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the underline part 41 in the third line and the underline part 42 in the eleventh line are instructions related to gradation.

  If the observed temperature is lower than the threshold value, the flexible interpreter unit 710 translates the gradation command and generates intermediate language data 720 for the renderer corresponding to this.

  On the other hand, if the observed temperature is higher than the threshold value, even if the same graphics language drawing data 700 is input, the portion corresponding to the gradation command is ignored and translation is performed.

  For example, as described above, in step S240, the flexible interpreter unit 710 changes the processing content according to information obtained from the state observation unit 750.

  As a result, the renderer 730 performs gradation processing by performing gradation processing when the temperature of the image forming apparatus 760 is lower than a predetermined threshold, and performs image rendering without performing gradation processing when the temperature is high.

  That is, when the temperature of the image forming apparatus 760 is high, the renderer unit 130 can be rested.

  FIG. 5 shows an image drawn by the image forming apparatus 760 when the temperature of the image forming apparatus 760 is higher than the threshold. FIG. 6 shows an image drawn by the image forming apparatus 760 when the temperature of the image forming apparatus 760 is lower than the threshold. The rendered image is shown.

  By comparing FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, it can be seen that FIG. 6 is a simpler picture. For example, the image after drawing shown here is a menu button, both of which play a role.

  In this embodiment, the translation rule implemented in the flexible interpreter unit 710 determines whether or not to translate the gradation command written in the graphics language drawing data based on the information given from the state observation unit 750. The order may be.

  In addition, when translating an instruction written in a graphics language, rather than deciding whether or not to translate, the image quality after rendering deteriorates, but the renderer unit 730 does not operate more, that is, the temperature does not increase. The same effect can be obtained by changing to language data.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the state observation unit 750 measures the temperature of the image forming apparatus 760 has been described. However, the same effect can be obtained even if the present invention is applied for the purpose of measuring power consumption and keeping the power consumption below a certain threshold. Is obtained.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the interpreter unit is notified of the environment in which the image forming apparatus is placed and the state of the image apparatus, the intermediate code for rendering to be generated is changed, and image formation is performed. The life of the battery driving the device can be extended. Further, the power consumption of the image forming apparatus can be kept below a certain level. In addition, the temperature can be kept below a certain level by suppressing the temperature rise of the image forming apparatus.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the conventional image forming apparatus. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an image forming process of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the graphics language drawing data input into the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image formed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image formed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining image forming processing of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Graphics language drawing data 110 Flexible interpreter part 120 Intermediate language data 130 Renderer part 140 Display apparatus part 150 Environment observation part 160 Image forming apparatus 700 Graphics language drawing data 710 Flexible interpreter part 720 Intermediate language data 730 Renderer part 740 Display apparatus part 750 State observation unit 760 Image forming apparatus

Claims (8)

An image forming apparatus for forming an image to be displayed on a display device,
An interpreter for generating an intermediate language from drawing instructions written in a graphics language;
A renderer unit that draws an image using the intermediate language generated by the interpreter unit as an input;
An environment observation unit for observing the environment of the image forming apparatus,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the interpreter unit changes an intermediate language generated based on an observation result of the environment observation unit. An image forming apparatus for forming an image to be displayed on a display device,
An interpreter for generating an intermediate language from drawing instructions written in a graphics language;
A renderer unit that draws an image using the intermediate language generated by the interpreter unit as an input;
A state observation unit for observing the state of the image forming apparatus,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the interpreter unit changes an intermediate language generated based on an observation result of the state observation unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the environment observation unit monitors a remaining capacity of a battery that supplies power to the image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the state observation unit observes power consumption of the image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the state observation unit measures a temperature of the image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the graphic language is SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics). An image forming method of an image forming apparatus for forming an image to be displayed on a display device, comprising:
An observation process for observing the environment of the image forming apparatus;
An interpreter step of generating an intermediate language from a drawing command written in a graphics language based on the observation result of the observation step;
An image forming method comprising: a drawing step of drawing an image using the intermediate language generated in the interpreter step as an input. A computer program for executing an image forming process of an image forming apparatus for forming an image to be displayed on a display device,
An observation step of observing the environment of the image forming apparatus;
An interpreter step for generating an intermediate language from a drawing command written in a graphics language based on the observation result of the observation step;
A computer program for causing a computer to execute a drawing step of drawing an image using the intermediate language generated in the interpreter step as an input.

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