JP2008213406A - Printing processor, printing processing method, and its program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten the printing time when printing is performed after processing operations such as unpacking, resizing, image-quality corrections, etc. on a compressed image. <P>SOLUTION: Development image data are generated by executing in series a processing in a JPEG processing part 714, a processing in a resizing processing part 715 and a processing in an image correction processing part 716 in a predetermined path order and by executing in parallel these processings while other devices are performing processes with respect to a particular device. Thus, the time for e.g. standby is greatly cut without the need for each device to perform processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a print processing apparatus, a print processing method, and a program therefor.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image processing apparatuses that decompress (decompress), resize, or perform image quality correction on an image compressed in a predetermined format are known. For example, the personal computer described in Patent Document 1 includes information processing means (CPU) that performs overall control. This information processing means performs white balance adjustment, gamma correction, and sharpness correction processing on various images. , Compressing / decompressing images using techniques such as JPEG, changing the compression format, reducing or increasing the number of pixels, gradation phenomenon or increasing processing, frame rate It is possible to automatically perform image quality correction processing such as changing processing or thinning processing of pixels or images.
JP 2003-331274 A

  By the way, in the print processing apparatus that performs the above-described image processing, when a print instruction for a compressed image is issued, printing is performed as follows. In other words, after the decompression process is executed for the first few lines of the compressed image, the resizing process is executed after it is completed, the image quality correction is executed after it is finished, and after this series of processes is completed Then, the procedure of executing the above-described series of processes again for the next several lines is repeated. In this way, image processing is performed on all lines of the compressed image to generate print data, and printing is performed based on the print data.

  However, after a print command is issued, as described above, the decompression process is executed for every several lines of the compressed image, the resizing process is executed after the completion, and the image quality correction is executed after the extension process is completed. However, there is a problem that the printing time becomes long because expansion, resizing, and image quality correction are processed in series. In addition, since such processing is performed after preparation for generating print data is completed, this is also a factor for increasing the printing time.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and a printing processing apparatus capable of shortening a printing time when printing is performed by performing decompression, resizing, and image quality correction processing on a compressed image. An object of the present invention is to provide a print processing method and a program therefor.

  The present invention adopts the following means in order to achieve the above-mentioned object.

The print processing apparatus of the present invention includes:
Expanded image generation means for generating expanded image data from compressed image data in a predetermined format based on a print command;
Layout composition means for laying out the developed image data in a predetermined image arrangement area and generating layout composite image data;
Print data generation means for generating print data based on the layout composite image data;
With
The decompressed image generating means generates a decompressed image data from the compressed image data, a decompression device that divides the compressed image data and sequentially decompresses and outputs decompressed data; The processing in the decompression device, the processing in the resizing device, and the processing in the image quality correction device are serially arranged in a predetermined order. The developed image data is generated by executing the processing in parallel and executing the processing in parallel while other devices are processing each device.

  In this print processing device, when generating decompressed image data from compressed image data in a predetermined format based on a print command, a decompression device that divides the compressed image data, sequentially decompresses and outputs the decompressed data, and changes the image size Then, using the resizing device that outputs the resized data and the image quality correcting device that corrects the image quality and outputs the image quality correction data, the processing in the decompression device, the processing in the resizing device, and the processing in the image quality correcting device are performed in a predetermined order. The developed image data is generated by executing the processing in parallel and executing the processing in parallel while the other devices are processing each device. In this way, the time for each device to stand by without processing is greatly reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to shorten the printing time when printing is performed by performing decompression, resizing, and image quality correction processing on the compressed image.

  In the print processing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, when the resize instruction included in the print command is reduction, the developed image generation unit performs the predetermined order in the decompression device, the resizing device, the image quality, When the resize instruction included in the print command is set in the order of processing in the correction device and the print command is enlarged, the predetermined order is referred to as processing in the decompression device, processing in the image quality correction device, and processing in the resizing device. The order may be set. In this way, when the image size is reduced, the image quality correction is performed after the reduction, and when the image size is enlarged, the image quality correction is performed before the enlargement. Therefore, the processing load for image quality correction is reduced.

  In the print processing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, when the image quality correction instruction included in the print command does not require image quality correction, the developed image generation unit uses the predetermined order as processing in the decompression device and processing in the resizing device. May be set. In this way, the printing time can be further shortened when image quality correction is unnecessary.

  In the print processing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the developed image generation unit may start generating the developed image data from the compressed image data before the print data generation unit completes the print preparation. In this way, it is possible to shorten the printing time as compared to the case where the print data generation means waits for completion of the print preparation and starts generating the decompressed image data from the compressed image data.

  In the print processing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the developed image generation unit is a device that transfers data when the data is transferred between any two of the decompression device, the resizing device, and the image quality correction device. May be stored in a predetermined area of the shared memory, and the data receiving device may receive a pointer indicating the start address of the predetermined area and the length of the data stored in the predetermined area. In this way, the processing time can be shortened compared to the case where data is copied and transferred between the two devices.

The print processing method of the present invention includes:
A printing method using computer software,
(A) In generating decompressed image data from compressed image data in a predetermined format based on a print command, a decompression device that divides the compressed image data, sequentially decompresses and outputs decompressed data, and changes the image size Using a resizing device that outputs resizing data and an image quality correcting device that corrects image quality and outputs image quality correction data, the processing in the decompressing device, the processing in the resizing device, and the processing in the image quality correcting device are performed in a predetermined order. And generating the developed image data by causing the processing to be executed in parallel while other devices are processing for each device,
(B) laying out the developed image data in a predetermined image arrangement area to generate layout composite image data;
(C) generating print data based on the layout composite image data;
Is included.

  In this print processing method, when generating decompressed image data from compressed image data in a predetermined format based on a print command, a decompression device that divides the compressed image data, sequentially decompresses and outputs the decompressed data, and changes the image size Then, using the resizing device that outputs the resized data and the image quality correcting device that corrects the image quality and outputs the image quality correction data, the processing in the decompression device, the processing in the resizing device, and the processing in the image quality correcting device are performed in a predetermined order. The developed image data is generated by executing the processing in parallel and executing the processing in parallel while the other devices are processing each device. In this way, the time for each device to stand by without processing is greatly reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to shorten the printing time when printing is performed by performing decompression, resizing, and image quality correction processing on the compressed image. In this print processing method, any of the above-described aspects of the print processing apparatus may be adopted, or a step for realizing the function of any of the above-described print processing apparatuses may be added.

  The program of the present invention is a program for causing one or a plurality of computers to execute each step of the print processing method of the present invention. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (for example, hard disk, ROM, FD, CD, DVD, etc.), or from a computer via a transmission medium (communication network such as the Internet or LAN). It may be distributed to another computer, or may be exchanged in any other form. If this program is executed by one computer, or if each step is shared and executed by a plurality of computers, the same effect as the above-described printing processing method of the present invention can be obtained.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a photo printer 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention with a front door 14 and a cover 30 opened. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of an electrical configuration of the photo printer 10. FIG.

  The photo printer 10 according to the present embodiment includes an operation panel 20 provided on the upper surface of the printer main body 12, a cover 30 that is attached to an inner side of the upper surface of the printer main body 12 so as to be freely opened and closed, and covers the operation panel 20 in a closed state. A printing mechanism 50 (see FIG. 2) built in the printer main body 12, a front door 14 that can open and close the front surface of the printer main body 12, a controller 70 (see FIG. 2) that controls the entire photo printer 10, and JPEG And a hardware device group 80 (see FIG. 2) for generating developed image data from the image data.

  The operation panel 20 includes a display 22 that displays characters, graphics, symbols, and the like, and a button group 24 arranged around the display 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the button group 24 includes a power button 24a for turning on / off the power, a menu button 24b for calling a main menu screen (see FIG. 2) on which a plurality of options relating to the printing function are arranged, and an operation. Cancel button 24c for canceling halfway or interrupting printing on paper, print button 24d for instructing execution of printing on paper, and editing image on memory card M inserted in memory card slot 16 The save button 24e for saving the image, etc., and the up, down, left, and right buttons operated when selecting a desired option from among a plurality of options displayed on the display 22, moving the cursor, or changing the size of the image frame Each arrow button 24f-24i is arranged at the center of each of the up / down / left / right arrow buttons 24f-24i. It is constructed like an OK button 24j for instructing the determined choices selected by the 4i.

  The cover 30 is a resin plate formed in a size that can cover the upper surface of the printer main body 12, and exposes the surface of the operation panel 20 to the outside in the open state (see FIG. 1), and the operation panel 20 in the closed state. Cover. The cover 30 includes a window 32 having the same size as the display 22. When the cover 30 is in a closed state, the user can check the display content of the display 22 through the window 32. Furthermore, the cover 30 is held in a state of being inclined obliquely rearward with respect to the operation panel 20 in the open state. For this reason, the back surface of the cover 30 in the opened state can be used as a tray for supplying paper to the printing mechanism 50. Further, a paper feed port 58 of the printing mechanism 50 is provided at the back of the operation panel 20, and a pair of papers that are slid in the left-right direction so that the guide width matches the width of the paper are provided in the paper feed port 58. Guides 59, 59 are provided.

  The printing mechanism 50 is disposed inside the printer main body 12. This printing mechanism 50 moves the paper 56 in the sub-scanning direction (front-rear direction in FIG. 2) while reciprocating the carriage 56 on which the print head 54 for discharging ink toward the paper is reciprocated in the main scanning direction (left-right direction in FIG. 2). ) Is a well-known ink jet printing mechanism that executes printing by conveying it to the head. Here, an on-carriage type in which the ink cartridge 52 for supplying ink to the print head 54 is mounted on the carriage 56 is illustrated, but an off-carriage type in which the ink cartridge is disposed at a place other than the carriage 56 may be used. Further, the print head 54 may adopt a method of applying pressure to the piezoelectric element by applying a voltage to the piezoelectric element to pressurize the ink, or applying a voltage to a heating resistor (for example, a heater) to apply the ink. You may employ | adopt the system which pressurizes ink with the bubble generated by heating.

  The front door 14 is a lid for opening and closing the front surface of the printer main body 12. When the front door 14 is open, the front door 14 functions as a paper discharge tray for receiving paper discharged from the front surface of the printer main body 12. The various memory card slots 16 provided on the front surface of the user can be used by the user. A memory card M is inserted into the memory card slot 16. The memory card M stores a plurality of JPEG image files.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 70 is configured as a microprocessor centered on a CPU 71, and includes a ROM 72 that stores various processing programs and various data, and a RAM 73 that temporarily stores data. Are connected to each other via a bus 74 so that signals can be exchanged with each other. In addition to the operation panel 20, the printing mechanism 50, and the reader / writer 18, a hardware device group 80 used when generating expanded image data from JPEG image data is also connected to the bus 74. The hardware device group 80 includes a JPEG processing device 81 that decompresses a JPEG image to generate RGB data and performs thinning, clipping, rotation, etc., a resizing device 82 that enlarges / reduces the image size of RGB data, and RGB data Is provided according to image quality correction parameters (for example, parameters relating to contrast, brightness, saturation, etc.), and a hardware copy device 84 that performs copying. The controller 70 inputs the JPEG image file of the memory card M inserted into the memory card slot 16 via the reader / writer 18, and also detects a detection signal from each part of the printing mechanism 50 and a command signal from the button group 24 of the operation panel 20. A signal indicating the processing status from each of the devices 81 to 84 constituting the hardware device group 80 is input. Further, the controller 70 stores the edited image in the memory card M via the reader / writer 18, the control signal to the print head 54 of the printing mechanism 50, the control signal to the display 22 of the operation panel 20, and the hardware device. Command signals to the devices 81 to 84 constituting the group 80 are output.

  The hardware configuration of the photo printer 10 of the present embodiment is as shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3 shows the CPU 71 of the controller 70 as a functional block. The CPU 71 includes, as functional blocks, a drawing object generation processing unit 710, a layout composition processing unit 711, a print data generation processing unit 712, a path management processing unit 713, a JPEG processing unit 714, a resizing processing unit 715, an image quality correction processing unit 716, and a sharing. It can be expressed as including a memory management processing unit 717.

  The drawing object generation processing unit 710 selects an image file (JPEG image) that the user wants to print from the main menu screen shown in FIG. 2 and sets the size and layout of the print paper (for example, a plurality of image placement areas on one paper) When the print button 24d is turned on after selecting the layout to be performed), object information is generated and an image development condition including the object information is output to the layout composition processing unit 711. Note that the object information is information including, for example, the size, rotation angle, and coordinate position of the image arrangement area, as well as which area of the image to cut out. Image development conditions include object information, file name and file size, presence / absence of image quality correction, contrast parameters, brightness parameters, saturation parameters, and clipping conditions such as which area of the image to clip. including.

  The layout composition processing unit 711 requests the developed image data from the path management processing unit 713, and then arranges the developed image data obtained from the path management processing unit 713 according to the layout selected by the user using the hardware copying apparatus 84. As a result, layout composite image data is generated, and the layout composite image data is output to the print data generation processing unit 712. When the layout composition processing unit 711 requests the developed image data from the path management processing unit 713, conditions necessary for generating the expanded image data among the image expansion conditions (for example, file name, file size, presence / absence of image quality correction) In addition to the contrast parameter, the brightness parameter, and the saturation parameter, a clip condition indicating which area of the image is clipped) is output to the path management processing unit 713. Here, the developed image data refers to data obtained by subjecting JPEG image data stored in the memory card M to JPEG processing (including decompression), resizing processing, and image quality correction processing. For this reason, the path management processing unit 713 performs JPEG processing, resizing processing, and image quality correction processing according to the conditions necessary for generating the developed image data.

  The print data generation processing unit 712 receives print data that can be printed from the layout composite image data by receiving the designation of the color conversion table, the designation of the output resolution, and the designation of the paper size from the layout synthesis processing unit 711. Generate. The printing mechanism 50 is controlled based on this print data.

  The path management processing unit 713 determines the processing order (pass) of the JPEG processing unit 714, the resizing processing unit 715, and the image quality correction processing unit 716 when generating expanded image data from JPEG image data. The path management processing unit 713 receives data requests from the units 714, 715, and 716, outputs the data requests to an appropriate request destination, receives a response to the data request from the request destination, and sends the response to the request source. Notice. By doing so, the units 714, 715, and 716 can execute processing in parallel. Here, each unit 714, 715, 716 stores the generated data in a predetermined area of the RAM 73 which is a shared memory, a pointer indicating the start address of the predetermined area, and the length (line) of the data stored in the predetermined area. Number) to the path management processing unit 713.

  Upon receiving a decompression start command from the path management processing unit 713, the JPEG processing unit 714 decompresses JPEG image data into RGB data for each line using the JPEG processing device 81, which is hardware, and performs thinning, clipping, and rotation. (This series of processing is referred to as JPEG processing), and the RGB data after JPEG processing is stored in the RAM 73 via the shared memory management processing unit 717 as output data. After saving the JPEG processed RGB data in this way, the JPEG processing unit 714 notifies the path management processing unit 713 of the pointer indicating the head address of the area where the data is stored and the number of lines of data.

  When the resizing processing unit 715 receives an instruction to start expansion from the path management processing unit 713, the resizing processing unit 715 requests the data to be subjected to resizing processing from the path management processing unit 713. Thereafter, when a notification of the number of pointers and data lines is received as an answer to the request from the path management processing unit 713, the data to be resized is read from the RAM 73 based on the number of pointers and data lines, and the hardware A resize device 82 is used to resize the data. Then, the RGB data after the resizing process is stored as output data in the RAM 73 via the shared memory management processing unit 717. After storing the resized RGB data in this way, the resize processing unit 715 notifies the path management processing unit 713 of the pointer indicating the start address of the area where the data is stored and the number of data lines. Here, the data to be subjected to the resizing process is determined by the path management processing unit 713, but it is RGB data after JPEG processing generated by the JPEG processing unit 714 or image quality correction generated by the image quality correction processing unit 716. One of the RGB data after processing.

  When the image quality correction processing unit 716 receives a development start command from the path management processing unit 713, the image quality correction processing unit 716 requests data to be subjected to image quality correction processing to the path management processing unit 713. After that, when a notification of the number of pointers and data lines is received as an answer to the request from the path management processing unit 713, data subject to image quality processing is read from the RAM 73 based on the pointers and the number of data lines, and the hardware An image quality correction device 83 is used to correct the image quality of the data. Then, the RGB data after the image quality correction processing is stored as output data in the RAM 73 via the shared memory management processing unit 717. After storing the RGB data after the image quality correction processing in this way, the image quality correction processing unit 716 notifies the path management processing unit 713 of the pointer indicating the head address of the area storing the data and the number of data lines. Here, the data to be subjected to the image quality correction processing is determined by the path management processing unit 713, but the JPEG-processed RGB data generated by the JPEG processing unit 714 or the resizing processing generated by the resizing processing unit 715 Any of the later RGB data.

  Next, the operation of the photo printer 10 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. In the following, the CPU 71 of the controller 70 is divided into five components: a layout composition processing unit 711, a path management processing unit 713, a JPEG processing unit 714, a resizing processing unit 715, and an image quality correction processing unit 716. A description will be given assuming that the operation is performed as a main body.

  The layout composition processing unit 711 starts a layout composition processing routine triggered by the notification of the image development condition from the drawing object generation processing unit 710. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a layout synthesis processing routine. When this routine is started, the layout composition processing unit 711 first sets conditions necessary for generating expanded image data from JPEG image data among the image expansion conditions, and notifies the path management processing unit 713 of the conditions. At the same time, the path management processing unit 713 is instructed to start expansion (step S102). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the print data generation processing unit 712 is ready for printing (step S104). If the print preparation is not completed, a layout (not shown) of the maximum output buffer that can be acquired at that time is determined. (Step S106). In the present embodiment, the maximum amount that can be acquired is assumed to be a value assigned in advance as a resource. Then, when the print preparation of the print data generation processing unit 712 is completed in step S104, or after securing the maximum output buffer that can be acquired in step S106, the developed image data is acquired from the path management processing unit 713. (Step S108). Here, the path management processing unit 713 receives each expansion start command from the layout composition processing unit 711, and then manages each processing unit 714 while managing the paths of the JPEG processing unit 714, the resizing processing unit 715, and the image quality correction processing unit 716. , 715, 716 execute processing to generate expanded image data from the JPEG image data, and pass the expanded image data to the layout composition processing unit 711. This point will be described in detail later.

  The layout composition processing unit 711 determines whether the print data generation processing unit 712 is ready for printing after acquiring the developed image data from the path management processing unit 713 in step S108 (step S110). When the print preparation is not completed, the layout composition process is executed using the hardware copying apparatus 84 based on the acquired developed image data (step S112). The layout composition process refers to a process of pasting developed image data on one or a plurality of image arrangement areas on a print sheet based on, for example, the size and layout of the print sheet selected by the user. The hardware copy device 84 is used at this time in order to increase processing speed and reduce farm resources. Then, after executing the layout synthesis process, it is determined whether or not there is a space in the secured output buffer (step S114). If there is a space, the process returns to step S108 again to the path management processing unit 713 for the next developed image. The process waits until data is requested and the developed image data corresponding to the request is acquired, and then the processing from step S110 is executed. On the other hand, when there is no space in the secured output buffer, it is determined whether or not the print data generation processing unit 712 is ready for printing (step S116). If the print preparation is not completed, the process returns to step S116 again. . When the print data generation processing unit 712 is ready for printing in step S110, output buffers for the number of lines acquired from the path management processing unit 713 are secured in a layout memory (not shown) (step S118). A synthesis process is executed (step S120). Then, after the layout synthesis process is executed in step S120 or when the print preparation of the print data generation processing unit 712 is completed in step S116, the data after the layout synthesis process is output to the print data generation processing unit 712 (step S116). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the output of all the predetermined lines for the current JPEG image data has been completed (step S124). If the output of all the lines has not been completed yet, the process returns to step S108 again to request the next developed image data from the path management processing unit 713 and wait until obtaining the developed image data corresponding to the request. Execute the process. On the other hand, if the output of all lines has been completed in step S124, the path management processing unit 713 is notified of the end of development (step S126), and this routine ends.

  The path management processing unit 713 starts a path management processing routine in response to an instruction to start development from the layout synthesis processing unit 711. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a path management processing routine. When this routine is started, the path management processing unit 713 first sets a JPEG processing condition necessary for performing JPEG processing on JPEG image data in the JPEG processing unit 714 (step S202). This JPEG processing condition forms part of the image development condition passed from the layout composition processing unit 711 to the path management processing unit 713, and includes, for example, a file name and a clip condition. Subsequently, the path management processing unit 713 sets resize processing conditions for converting the RGB data to the specified size in the resize processing unit 715 (step S204). This resizing processing condition also forms part of the image development conditions passed from the layout composition processing unit 711 to the path management processing unit 713, and includes, for example, the input size and output size of the file. Subsequently, it is determined whether image quality correction is necessary (step S206). Whether image quality correction is necessary or not is determined based on whether or not image quality correction is included in the image development conditions passed from the layout composition processing unit 711 to the path management processing unit 713. When image quality correction is unnecessary (that is, no image quality correction) in step S206, the first JPEG processing unit 714 and the second resize processing unit 715 are set as the pass order, and the expansion starts to both processing units 714 and 715. Command (step S208). On the other hand, when image quality correction is necessary (that is, with image quality correction) in step S206, image quality correction processing conditions for correcting the image quality of RGB data are set in the image quality correction processing unit 716 (step S210). The image quality correction processing conditions form part of the image development conditions passed from the layout synthesis processing unit 711 to the path management processing unit 713, and include parameters relating to contrast, brightness, saturation, and the like, for example. Subsequently, it is determined whether the resize processing condition is reduction or enlargement (including equal magnification) (step S212). If the resize processing condition is reduction, the first JPEG processing unit 714 and the second resize are in the pass order. The processing unit 715, the third image quality correction processing unit 716, and commands the processing unit 714, 715, 716 to start development (step S214), when the resize processing condition is expanded, the pass order is the first The JPEG processing unit 714, the second image quality correction processing unit 716, the third the resizing processing unit 715, and the processing unit 714, 715, 716 are instructed to start development (step S216).

  Then, after steps S208, S214, and S216, when data is requested from any of the processing units, the path management processing unit 713 sends the data to the processing unit that performs the process immediately preceding the requesting processing unit. A request is made, and a pointer indicating the start address of the data storage area generated by the processing unit and the number of data lines are input from the processing unit (step S218). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not there is a notification of expansion completion from the layout composition processing unit 711 (step S220). If there is no notification of expansion completion, the process returns to step S218 again. On the other hand, when there is a notice of completion of expansion, this routine ends.

  The JPEG processing unit 714 starts a JPEG processing routine in response to receiving a decompression start command from the path management processing unit 713. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a JPEG processing routine. When this routine is started, the JPEG processing unit 714 first secures an output buffer for the JPEG processing device 81 in the RAM 73 via the shared memory management processing unit 717 (step S302), and sets the size of the secured output buffer. Accordingly, the number of lines of JPEG image data to be processed is determined (step S304). Subsequently, the determined number of lines in the JPEG image data is read via the reader / writer 18, the JPEG processing device 81 is controlled and decompressed to RGB data, and thinning, clipping, and rotation processing are executed based on JPEG processing conditions After that, the RGB data after the JPEG processing is stored in the output buffer (step S306). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a data request is received from the path management processing unit 713 (step S308), and when the request is not received, the process returns to step S308 again. On the other hand, when a data request is received, a pointer indicating the head address of the RGB data after JPEG processing stored in the output buffer and the number of lines of the data are notified to the path management processing unit 713 (step S310). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the processing of all lines of the JPEG image data has been completed (step S312). If not yet completed, the process returns to step S302 again. On the other hand, when the processing of all lines of JPEG image data is completed, this routine is terminated.

  The resize processing unit 715 starts a resize processing routine triggered by receiving a command to start expansion from the path management processing unit 713. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the resizing process routine. When this routine is started, the resizing processing unit 715 first secures an input / output buffer for the resizing device 82 in the RAM 73 via the shared memory management processing unit 717 (step S402), and initializes the resizing device 82. This is performed (step S404). Here, the initial setting means setting the size of data to be resized, that is, the input size, the size of data after the resize processing, that is, the output size, and the like. Note that the input / output buffer has a size corresponding to the input size and the output size. Subsequently, the resizing processing unit 715 requests data to be subjected to resizing processing from the path management processing unit 713 (step S406). Here, the data to be subjected to resizing processing refers to data generated by a processing unit that performs processing immediately before the resizing processing. The path management processing unit 713 performs RGB data after JPEG processing or after image quality correction processing. It is determined as one of RGB data. After that, the resizing processing unit 715 determines whether or not the path management processing unit 713 has notified the pointer of the data to be resized and the number of data lines (step S408), and when not notified, the step S408 is performed again. Return to. On the other hand, when the number of lines of the pointer and data is notified, the data to be resized is copied to the input buffer (step S410), and then the copy source buffer is released (step S412). Subsequently, the data to be subjected to the resizing process copied to the input buffer is enlarged or reduced by controlling the resizing device 82 to obtain the RGB data after the resizing process, and the RGB data after the resizing process is stored in the output buffer. (Step S414). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the output buffer is clogged with the resized RGB data (step S416). When the output buffer is not clogged, it cannot be output to the path management processing unit 713, so the process returns to step S406 again. On the other hand, when the output buffer is clogged with RGB data after resizing processing, that is, when output is possible, an output buffer for the resizing device 82 is secured in the RAM 73 via the shared memory management processing unit 717 in preparation for the next resizing processing. (Step S418). Since the input buffer is used by overwriting, it is not necessary to secure it here. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a request for RGB data after the resizing process is received from the path management processing unit 713 (step S420). If no data request has been received, the process returns to step S420 again. On the other hand, when a data request is received, a pointer indicating the head address of the RGB data after the resizing process and the number of lines of the data are notified to the path management processing unit 713 (step S422). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the processing of all lines has been completed (step S424), and if not yet completed, the process returns to step S406 again. On the other hand, when the processing of all lines is finished, this routine is finished.

  The image quality correction processing unit 716 starts an image quality correction processing routine in response to receiving an instruction to start development from the path management processing unit 713. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the image quality correction processing routine. When this routine is started, the image quality correction processing unit 716 first secures an output buffer for the image quality correction device 83 in the RAM 73 via the shared memory management processing unit 717 (step S502), and then proceeds to the path management processing unit 713. A request is made for data to be subjected to image quality correction processing (step S504). Here, the data to be subjected to image quality correction processing refers to data generated by a processing unit that performs processing immediately before the image quality correction processing, and the RGB data after JPEG processing or after resizing processing by the path management processing unit 713. RGB data is determined. Thereafter, the image quality correction processing unit 716 determines whether or not the path management processing unit 713 has notified the pointer of the data to be subjected to the image quality correction processing and the number of data lines (step S506). The process returns to step S504. On the other hand, when the number of pointers and data lines is notified, data to be subjected to image quality correction processing is read from the RAM 73 based on the number of pointers and data lines, and the image quality correction device 83 is controlled to follow the image quality correction parameters. By executing the image quality correction process, the RGB data after the image quality correction process is obtained, and the RGB data after the image quality correction process is stored in the output buffer (step S508). Thereafter, the image quality correction processing unit 716 releases the output buffer storing the data to be used for the image quality correction processing used this time (step S510), and requests the RGB data after the image quality correction processing from the path management processing unit 713. Is determined (step S512). If no data request has been received, it is determined whether there is still room in the output buffer (step S514). If there is still room, the process returns to step S504 again. On the other hand, when there is no room in the output buffer, the process returns to step S512 again and waits until a data request is received. When a data request is received in step S512, a pointer indicating the leading address of the RGB data after the image quality correction processing stored in the output buffer and the number of lines of the data are notified to the path management processing unit 713 (step S516). . Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the processing of all lines has been completed (step S518), and if not yet completed, the process returns to step S504 again. On the other hand, when the processing of all lines is finished, this routine is finished.

  Next, a time chart when each routine is executed by each of the processing units 711, 713 to 716 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a time chart when the layout composite image data is generated from the JPEG image data by the photo printer 10. In FIG. 9, for the sake of convenience, a plurality of path management processing units 713 are depicted as dotted rectangles. Further, it is assumed that the size of the RGB data is reduced in the resizing process, and the path management processing unit 713 sets the pass order as JPEG processing unit 714, resizing processing unit 715, and image quality correction processing unit 716. Further, it is assumed that the print data generation processing unit 712 has not yet completed the print preparation.

  First, the layout composition processing unit 711 outputs to the path management processing unit 713 a condition and a development start command necessary for generating developed image data in the path management processing unit 713. Then, the path management processing unit 713 instructs the JPEG processing unit 714, the resizing processing unit 715, and the image quality correction processing unit 716 to start development. When receiving the instruction to start development, the JPEG processing unit 714 executes JPEG processing for a plurality of lines of JPEG image data to generate RGB data after JPEG processing. On the other hand, when the resizing processing unit 715 or the image quality correction processing unit 716 receives a development start command, it requests the path management processing unit 713 for data to be processed. Then, the path management processing unit 713 requests data from each of the JPEG processing unit 714, the resizing processing unit 715, and the image quality correction processing unit 716. The JPEG processing unit 714 notifies the path management processing unit 713 of the pointer and the number of data lines related to the RGB data after JPEG processing generated this time when a request for data has been received when the first JPEG processing is completed. Then, the path management processing unit 713 notifies the resizing processing unit 715 of the pointer and the number of data lines based on the set path order. Upon receiving this notification, the resizing processing unit 715 reads out the RGB data after JPEG processing from the output buffer based on the pointer and the number of data lines, and generates the RGB data after resizing processing by reducing the size of the data. When a request for data has been received, the path management processing unit 713 is notified of the pointer and the number of data lines relating to the RGB data after the resize process generated this time. Then, the path management processing unit 713 notifies the image quality correction processing unit 716 of the pointer and the number of data lines based on the set path order. Receiving this notification, the image quality correction processing unit 716 reads out the resized RGB data from the output buffer based on the pointer and the number of data lines, and generates the RGB data after the image quality correction processing by performing the image quality correction processing. After that, when a data request is received, the path management processing unit 713 is notified of the pointer and the number of data lines related to the RGB data after the image quality correction processing generated this time. Then, the path management processing unit 713 notifies the layout composition processing unit 711 of the pointer and the number of data lines as related to the developed image data. The layout composition processing unit 711 reads out the developed image data from the output buffer based on the pointer and the number of data lines, executes the layout composition processing using the hardware copy device 84, and performs the layout composition processing after the obtained layout composition processing. RGB data is accumulated in a layout memory (not shown).

  In this manner, the JPEG processing unit 714, the resizing processing unit 715, the image quality correction processing unit 716, and the layout composition processing unit 711 have been described as performing processing in series, but each of the processing units 714 to 716 includes other processing units. While executing the process, the user also performs the process in parallel. That is, the JPEG processing unit 714 notifies the path management processing unit 713 of the pointer and the number of data lines related to the RGB data after JPEG processing, and immediately executes JPEG processing for the next plurality of lines of JPEG image data. When the data request is received when the JPEG processing is finished, the path management processing unit 713 is notified of the pointer and the number of data lines related to the generated RGB data after JPEG processing. As described above, after executing the JPEG processing, the JPEG processing unit 714 executes the next JPEG processing without waiting for the resizing processing, the image quality correction processing, and the layout synthesis processing to be performed in series. The resize processing unit 715 notifies the path management processing unit 713 of the pointer and the number of data lines regarding the RGB data after the resize processing, and immediately requests the path management processing unit 713 for data to be processed. On the other hand, when the pointer of the data to be newly processed and the number of data lines are notified, the data to be processed is read from the output buffer using the pointer and the number of data lines, and the resizing process is executed. If a data request is received when the resizing process is completed, the path management processing unit 713 is notified of the pointer and the number of data lines related to the generated RGB data after the resizing process. As described above, the resizing processing unit 715 executes the next resizing process without waiting for the end of the image quality correction process and the layout synthesis process performed in series after executing the resizing process. The image quality correction processing unit 716 notifies the path management processing unit 713 of the pointer and the number of data lines related to the RGB data after the image quality correction processing, and immediately requests the path management processing unit 713 for data to be processed. When a pointer to the new data to be processed and the number of data lines are notified in response to the request, the data to be processed is read from the output buffer using the pointer and the number of data lines, and the image quality correction processing is performed. Execute. If the data request is received when the image quality correction processing is completed, the pointer and the number of data lines related to the generated RGB data after the image quality correction processing are notified to the path management processing unit 713. As described above, after executing the image quality correction process, the image quality correction processing unit 716 executes the next image quality correction process without waiting for the layout composition process performed in series to end.

  9 illustrates the case where the resizing processing condition reduces the size of the RGB data, the pass order is set to JPEG processing unit 714, resizing processing unit 715, and image quality correction processing unit 716. When the size of RGB data is enlarged, the pass order is set as JPEG processing unit 714, image quality correction processing unit 716, and resizing processing unit 715. Also in this case, as in FIG. 9, the processing units 714 to 716 execute processing in parallel. When image quality correction is unnecessary, the pass order is set in the JPEG processing unit 714 and the resizing processing unit 715. Also in this case, as in FIG. 9, the processing units 714 and 715 execute processing in parallel.

  Here, the correspondence between the components of the present embodiment and the components of the present invention will be clarified. The photo printer 10 of this embodiment corresponds to the print processing apparatus of the present invention, and a path management processing unit 713, a JPEG processing unit 714, a resizing processing unit 715, an image quality correction processing unit 716, and a shared memory management processing unit 717 generate a developed image. The layout composition processing unit 711 corresponds to a layout composition unit, and the print data generation processing unit 712 corresponds to a print data generation unit. The JPEG processing device 81 corresponds to a decompression device. In this embodiment, an example of the print processing method of the present invention is also clarified by describing the operation of the photo printer 10.

  According to the photo printer 10 of the present embodiment described in detail above, the processing in the JPEG device 81, the processing in the resizing device 82, and the processing in the image quality correction device 83 are executed in series in a predetermined pass order, and other processing is performed for each device. The developed image data is generated by executing the processing in parallel while the apparatus is processing. In this way, the time for each device to stand by without processing is greatly reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to shorten the printing time when printing is performed by performing decompression, resizing, and image quality correction processing on the compressed image.

  Also, when the RGB data is enlarged in the resizing process, the image quality correction process is performed before the enlargement, and when the RGB data is reduced in the resizing process, the image quality correction process is performed after the reduction. Since the data amount is small, the burden on the image quality correction processing unit is reduced.

  Furthermore, since only JPEG processing and resizing processing are executed when image quality correction is unnecessary, the printing time can be further shortened.

  Furthermore, since the process of generating the developed image data from the JPEG image data is started before the print data generation processing unit 712 completes the print preparation, the print data generation processing unit 712 waits for the print preparation to be completed before the JPEG image data is processed. The printing time can be shortened as compared with the case where the generation of the developed image data is started from the image data.

  Then, when data is transferred between two of the JPEG device 81, the resizing device 82, and the image quality correction device 83, the device on the data passing side stores the data generated by itself in the output buffer, and Since the receiving device receives the pointer indicating the head address of the output buffer and the notification of the number of lines of the data, the processing time can be shortened compared with the case where data is copied and transferred between the two devices. .

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, JPEG image data is exemplified as compressed image data in a predetermined format. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this. For example, decompressed image data is generated using GIF image data, PNG image data, or the like. You may do that.

  In the above-described embodiment, the process of generating the developed image data from the JPEG image data is started before the print data generation processing unit 712 completes the print preparation. However, the print data generation processing unit 712 is ready for printing. It is also possible to start processing for generating developed image data from JPEG image data after waiting. In this case, although the printing time is increased by waiting for completion of the printing preparation, the processing of each device 81, 82, 83 is executed in parallel, so that the effect of shortening the printing time can be sufficiently obtained. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the pointer and the number of data lines are notified when data is transferred between the two devices 81, 82, and 83, but the data is transferred by copying the data. May be. In this case, although the printing time becomes longer due to the time required to copy the data, the processing of each of the devices 81, 82, 83 is executed in parallel, so that the effect of shortening the printing time can be sufficiently obtained.

  In the above-described embodiment, the inkjet photo printer 10 is exemplified as the print processing apparatus. However, the present invention may be applied to a multifunction printer or a fax provided with a scanner in addition to the inkjet printing mechanism.

  In the above-described embodiment, the JPEG image file stored in the memory card M is used. However, the external device (for example, a digital camera, a mobile phone, a CD / DVD drive device, etc.) connected to the photo printer 10 is used. The stored JPEG image file may be used, or the JPEG image file distributed via the network may be stored in the photo printer 10 and used.

The perspective view of the state which opened the front door and cover of the photo printer. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of an electrical configuration of a photo printer. Explanatory drawing when CPU of a controller is represented with a functional block diagram. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a layout synthesis processing routine. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a path management processing routine. The flowchart which shows an example of a JPEG processing routine. The flowchart which shows an example of a resizing process routine. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an image quality correction processing routine. A time chart when generating layout composite image data.

Explanation of symbols

10 Photo Printer, 12 Printer Body, 14 Front Door, 16 Memory Card Slot, 18 Reader / Writer, 20 Operation Panel, 22, Display 24 Button Group, 24a Power Button, 24b Menu Button, 24c Cancel Button, 24d Print Button, 24e Save Button, 24f to i arrow button, 24j OK button, 30 cover, 32 window, 50 printing mechanism, 52 ink cartridge, 54 print head, 56 carriage, 58 paper feed port, 59 paper guide, 70 controller, 71 CPU, 72 ROM 73 RAM, 74 bus, 80 hardware device group, 81 JPEG processing device, 82 resizing device, 83 image quality correction device, 84 hardware copy device, 710 drawing object generation processing unit, 711 layer Outcome processing unit, 712 print data generation processing unit, 713 path management processing unit, 714 JPEG processing unit, 715 resize processing unit, 716 image quality correction processing unit, 717 shared memory management processing unit.

Claims (7)

Expanded image generation means for generating expanded image data from compressed image data in a predetermined format based on a print command;
Layout composition means for laying out the developed image data in a predetermined image arrangement area and generating layout composite image data;
Print data generation means for generating print data based on the layout composite image data;
With
The decompressed image generating means generates a decompressed image data from the compressed image data, a decompression device that divides the compressed image data and sequentially decompresses and outputs decompressed data; The processing in the decompression device, the processing in the resizing device, and the processing in the image quality correction device are serially arranged in a predetermined order. Generating the developed image data by executing the processing in parallel and executing the processing in parallel while other devices are processing for each device.
Print processing device. When the resize instruction included in the print command is reduction, the developed image generation unit sets the predetermined order in the order of processing in the decompression device, processing in the resizing device, and processing in the image quality correction device. When the resizing instruction included in the print command is enlargement, the predetermined order is set in the order of processing in the decompression device, processing in the image quality correction device, processing in the resizing device,
The print processing apparatus according to claim 1. The developed image generation means sets the predetermined order to processing in the decompression device and processing in the resizing device when an image quality correction instruction included in the print command does not require image quality correction.
The print processing apparatus according to claim 1. The expanded image generating means starts generating the expanded image data from the compressed image data before the print data generating means completes the print preparation.
The print processing apparatus according to claim 1. When the expanded image generation means transfers data between any two of the decompression device, the resizing device, and the image quality correction device, the device on the side of passing data transmits the data generated by itself to the shared memory. The data receiving device stores the data in a predetermined area, and receives a notification of the pointer indicating the head address of the predetermined area and the length of the data stored in the predetermined area.
The print processing apparatus according to claim 1. A printing method using computer software,
(A) In generating decompressed image data from compressed image data in a predetermined format based on a print command, a decompression device that divides the compressed image data, sequentially decompresses and outputs decompressed data, and changes the image size Using a resizing device that outputs resizing data and an image quality correcting device that corrects image quality and outputs image quality correction data, the processing in the decompressing device, the processing in the resizing device, and the processing in the image quality correcting device are performed in a predetermined order. And generating the developed image data by causing the processing to be executed in parallel while other devices are processing for each device,
(B) laying out the developed image data in a predetermined image arrangement area to generate layout composite image data;
(C) generating print data based on the layout composite image data;
A printing processing method including:   A program for causing one or more computers to execute each step of the print processing method according to claim 6.