JP2009089363A - Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image processing method for attaining various image processing functions at a low cost. <P>SOLUTION: An input control unit 31 receives the input of image data, and a first image-processing unit 25 performs first image processing including correction processing for correcting a defect in image data caused by at least characteristics of a scanner 4, on image data received from the scanner 4. A first output control unit 24 selectively outputs the image data on which the first image processing has been performed, to any of the input control unit 31 and a memory 3. A second image-processing unit 37 performs second image processing including at least color space conversion processing on the image data input to the input control unit 31, and a second output control unit 36 outputs the image data on which the second image processing has been performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an image processing method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image forming apparatuses such as a multifunction printer and a digital multi-function machine having a plurality of functions such as a facsimile function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a copying function are known. Such an image forming apparatus generates image data by reading a document or the like with a scanner function, performs predetermined image processing on the generated image data, and supplies the image data to a printer function (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of such an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 16 includes a scanner unit 901, an image processing unit 902, and a printer unit 903.

  The image processing unit 902 includes a shading processing unit 902a, an interline correction processing unit 902b, a scanner γ processing unit 902c, a character / photo determination processing unit 902d, a color correction processing unit 902e, a scaling processing unit 902f, A movement processing unit 902g, a printer γ processing unit 902h, and a gradation processing unit 902i are included. It should be noted that the shading processing unit 902a to the character photograph determination processing unit 902d perform image processing related to image input (reading), and the color correction processing unit 902e to the gradation processing unit 902i are images related to image output (printing). Process.

  Incidentally, there are various user requests for the image forming apparatus, and functions other than the functions of the image processing unit 902 may be required. Further, for example, regarding the scaling function of the scaling processing unit 902f, there may be a difference for each user in the request for the change range of the scaling ratio.

  However, when the above conventional image forming apparatus tries to meet these various demands, the following problems occur.

  Since the image data flows through one data path from the shading processing unit 902a to the gradation processing unit 902i, an image processing unit that executes a new function is added to the image processing unit 902 when a new function is added. It is necessary to do.

  Further, since the data processing amount of the scaling processing unit 902f increases as the enlargement scaling ratio increases, the processing speed of the scaling processing unit 902f may be slower than the input speed of the scanner unit 901. In this case, the single data path as described above cannot absorb the speed difference between the scaling processing unit 902f and the scanner unit 901, and therefore the processing speed of the scaling processing unit 902f is the input speed of the scanner unit 901. Basically, the scaling process can be performed only at a scaling ratio within a range that is faster than that.

  In other words, if an attempt is made to respond to various requests of the user with a single image processing unit, the image processing unit needs to have the highest functionality, resulting in an increase in cost. By the way, as a method for responding to various requests of users, for example, the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3 can be considered.

JP 2004-104442 A JP-A-2005-323406 JP 2005-64639 A

  However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 merely controls a plurality of units and efficiently controls a scanner data path, a printer data path, and the like, and achieves multiple functions with a single image processing unit. is not. In addition, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 3 is merely for performing image processing by providing a plurality of data paths in parallel in order to reduce the circuit scale, and does not achieve multi-function.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an image processing method capable of realizing various image processing functions at low cost. .

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an image processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes an input control unit that receives input of image data, and at least the image data input from the image reading unit. First image processing means for performing first image processing including correction processing due to the characteristics of the image reading means, and the image data subjected to the first image processing as the input control means or external storage means First output control means for selectively outputting to any one of the above, and second image processing for performing second image processing including at least color space conversion processing on the image data input to the input control means Means and second output control means for outputting the image data subjected to the second image processing.

  An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes an input control unit that receives input of image data, a storage unit that stores image data, and at least the image data input from the image reading unit. First image processing means for performing first image processing including correction processing caused by characteristics of the reading means; control means for instructing an output destination of the image data subjected to the first image processing; According to an instruction from the control means, a first output for selecting either the input control means or the storage means as an output destination and outputting the image data subjected to the first image processing to the selected output destination A control unit, a second image processing unit for performing a second image process including at least a color space conversion process on the image data input to the input control unit, and the second image process. A second output control means for outputting the image data, characterized in that it comprises a.

  An image processing method according to another aspect of the present invention is an image processing method executed by an image processing apparatus, and the image processing apparatus includes an input control unit that receives input of image data, and an image reading unit. A first image processing step for performing first image processing including at least correction processing due to characteristics of the image reading unit on the image data input from the image data; and the image subjected to the first image processing A first output control step for selectively outputting data to either the input control means or the external storage means; and a second output process including at least a color space conversion process for the image data input to the input control means. And a second output control step for outputting the image data that has been subjected to the second image processing.

  According to the present invention, various image processing functions can be realized at low cost.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an image processing method according to the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, a copying machine will be described as an example of an image forming apparatus to which the image processing apparatus is applied. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image processing apparatus can be applied to various image forming apparatuses such as a multi-function machine in which a plurality of functions such as copying, faxing, and printers are housed in one casing.

(First embodiment)
First, functional blocks of the copying machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a copying machine 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the copying machine 10 includes a bus 1, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2, a memory 3, a scanner 4, and a one-chip image processing ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 5. . The CPU 2, the memory 3, the scanner 4, and the image processing ASIC 5 are each connected to the bus 1.

  In FIG. 1, the configuration of the image processing ASIC 5 is mainly shown, and illustration of other configurations provided in the copying machine 10 of the present embodiment, such as a printing unit that prints image data, is omitted.

  The CPU 2 is an example of a control unit or the like, and controls the copying machine 10. The memory 3 is an example of an external storage unit or the like, and is used as a work area for the CPU 2 and a storage area for image data. The scanner 4 is an example of an image reading unit, and converts an image such as a document into an electrical signal by a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) to generate digitized image data.

  The image processing ASIC 5 is an example of an image processing apparatus, and includes a first image processing block 11, a second image processing block 12, an arbiter 13, a bus I / F (interface) 14, and an activation control unit 15. .

  The first image processing block 11 is a block that performs image data processing related to image input, and includes a scanner input control unit 21, a first image processing unit 25, and a first output control unit 24. .

  The scanner input control unit 21 absorbs the speed difference between the input speed of the image data from the scanner 4 and the first image processing unit 25.

  The first image processing unit 25 performs image processing including correction processing due to the characteristics of the scanner 4 on the image data input from the scanner 4. The first image processing unit 25 includes a scanner correction unit 22 and an image area determination unit 23.

  The scanner correction unit 22 performs scanner correction processing such as correction of the gap between lines of the color CCD of the scanner 4 and correction using black and white reference data.

  The image area determination unit 23 extracts the feature amount of the image data, and performs area determination such as chromatic / achromatic color, character part / picture part, etc. in the image data.

The scanner input control unit 21, the scanner correction unit 22, and the image area determination unit 23 are
Each has a register (not shown), and the CPU 2 controls the presence / absence of an operation and the content of processing based on data set in the register.

  The first output control unit 24 includes a register 24a, a selector 24b, and a DMA (Direct Memory Access) controller (not shown). Then, the first output control unit 24 controls the selector 24b based on the data set in the register 24a by the CPU 2, and writes the image data subjected to the image processing by the first image processing unit 25 into the memory 3. Data path control for data output or data path control for output to the second image processing block 12 is performed.

  The second image processing block 12 is a block that performs image data processing related to image output, and includes an input control unit 31, a second image processing unit 37, and a second output control unit 36.

  The input control unit 31 includes a register 31a, a selector 31b, and a DMA controller (not shown). The input control unit 31 controls the selector 31b based on the data set in the register 31a by the CPU 2 and performs data path control for inputting image data read from the memory 3, or the first image processing block. 11 performs data path control for inputting image data.

  The second image processing unit 37 includes an image filter unit 32, a color space conversion unit 33, a scaling unit 34, and an editing unit 35.

  The image filter unit 32 performs image filter processing such as edge enhancement of character portions in image data and smoothing processing of a pattern portion.

  The color space conversion unit 33 performs color correction by hue division masking and color matching processing by a three-dimensional LUT (Look Up Table). Specifically, the color space conversion unit 33 performs color space conversion processing for converting image data into image data for printing, color space conversion processing for converting image data into image data for display, and the like.

  For example, color space conversion processing for converting image data into image data for printing corresponds to processing for converting RGB image data or sRGB (standard RGB) image data into CMYK image data. Further, for example, a color space conversion process for converting image data into image data for display corresponds to a process for converting RGB image data into sRGB image data.

  The scaling unit 34 performs scaling processing such as reduction / enlargement of image data.

  The editing unit 35 performs editing processing such as deletion / addition of image data and mask processing.

  Each of the image filter unit 32, the color space conversion unit 33, the scaling unit 34, and the editing unit 35 includes a register (not shown). Based on the data set in the register by the CPU 2, the presence / absence of an operation, And the contents of the process are controlled.

  The second output control unit 36 includes a register and a DMA controller (both not shown). Then, the second output control unit 36 performs control for outputting the image data subjected to the image processing by the second image processing unit 37 to the memory 3 or the like based on the data set in the register by the CPU 2. .

  The arbiter 13 arbitrates access requests to the memory 3 from the first image processing block 11 and the second image processing block 12.

  The bus I / F 14 is an interface between the image processing ASIC 5 and the bus 1, and transmits and receives data when access control by the CPU 2 and writing / reading (read / write) of image data to / from the memory 3 are performed.

  The activation control unit 15 includes a register (not shown) for setting activation data of individual image processing blocks, and can activate the image processing blocks collectively or individually according to the activation data.

  Next, the operation of the copying machine 10 of this embodiment and the flow of image data will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the operation of the copying machine 10 and the flow of image data when performing normal printing processing will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the flow of image data when the copying machine 10 performs normal printing processing. The image data when the data path from the first output control unit 24 to the input control unit 31 is set. Shows the flow. An arrow 41 indicates the flow of image data.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the copying machine 10 when normal printing processing is performed. In FIG. 2, the operation of the copying machine 10 when the color space conversion unit 33 converts image data into printing image data in FIG. Show.

  First, the CPU 2 sets data for setting the operations of the image area determination unit 23 and the scaling unit 34 to be invalid, data for setting the operations of the image filter unit 32 and the editing unit 35 to be valid, and RGB image data by the color space conversion unit 33. Data for effectively setting the color space conversion function from CMYK to CMYK image data is written to each register (step S1).

  Next, the CPU 2 writes data for setting a data path from the first output control unit 24 to the input control unit 31 in the register 24a and the register 31a (step S2).

  Next, the CPU 2 writes data for setting a data path from the second output control unit 36 to the memory 3 in the register of the second output control unit 36 (step S3).

  Next, the CPU 2 activates the scanner 4, and the activation control unit 15 activates the first image processing block 11 and the second image processing block 12 (step S4).

  Next, the scanner correction unit 22 performs scanner correction processing on the image data read by the scanner 4 and sent to the scanner correction unit 22 via the scanner input control unit 21 (step S5).

  Next, the first output control unit 24 outputs the image data (RGB image data) sent from the scanner correction unit 22 via the image region determination unit 23 to the input control unit 31 according to the setting of the register 24a ( Step S6).

  Next, the image filter unit 32 performs image filter processing on the image data sent from the input control unit 31 (step S7).

  Next, the color space conversion unit 33 performs color space conversion processing for converting the image data into image data for printing, that is, color for converting RGB image data into CMYK image data. A space conversion process is performed (step S8).

  Next, the editing unit 35 performs editing processing on the image data sent from the color space conversion unit 33 via the scaling unit 34 (step S9).

  Next, the second output control unit 36 DMA-transfers the image data (CMYK image data) sent from the editing unit 35 to the memory 3 via the arbiter 13, the bus I / F 14, and the bus 1 according to the register setting. (Step S10). The copier 10 performs printing using the image data transferred to the memory 3.

  As described above, the copying machine 10 according to the present embodiment performs a normal printing process by setting a data path from the first output control unit 24 to the input control unit 31.

  By the way, when performing a printing process with a scaling process, the data processing amount of the scaling unit 34 increases as the scaling ratio increases, so that the processing speed of the scaling unit 34 is slower than the input speed of the scanner 4. Cases can arise. In this case, since the speed difference between the zoom unit 34 and the scanner 4 cannot be absorbed in the above data path, the zoom factor within a range where the processing speed of the zoom unit 34 is faster than the input speed of the scanner 4. Basically, scaling processing can only be performed.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, a data path from the first output control unit 24 to the memory 3 and a data path from the memory 3 to the input control unit 31 are provided. If the processing speed of the scaling unit 34 is slower than the input speed of the scanner 4, the image data is temporarily output from the first output control unit 24 to the memory 3 before performing the scaling process, and the scanner 4. After the completion of reading, image data is input from the memory 3 to the input control unit 31 to perform a printing process with a scaling process. Thereby, the speed difference between the scaling unit 34 and the scanner 4 can be absorbed, and the scaling process when the processing speed of the scaling unit 34 becomes slower than the input speed of the scanner 4 can be realized.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 5, the printing process in which the processing speed of the scaling process is slower than the input speed of the scanner 4 is performed from the data path from the first output control unit 24 to the memory 3 and from the memory 3. The operation of the copying machine 10 and the flow of image data when using a data path to the input control unit 31 will be described.

  FIG. 4 illustrates a printing process in which the copying machine 10 performs a scaling process at a processing speed slower than the input speed of the scanner 4, a data path from the first output control unit 24 to the memory 3, and an input control unit from the memory 3. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a flow of image data when performing using a data path to 31. An arrow 42 indicates the flow of image data. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the copying machine 10 in FIG.

  Whether the processing speed of the scaling process is slower than the input speed of the scanner 4 can be determined by the CPU 2 from the setting of the scaling ratio included in the print setting information stored in the memory 3, for example. it can. For example, when the pixel clock of the scanner 4 is 30 MHz and the scaling processing clock of the scaling unit 34 is 120 MHz, the CPU 2 sets the processing speed of the scaling processing to the scanner 4 if a scaling ratio exceeding 400% is set. It is determined that the input speed is slower than the input speed.

  The memory 3 includes a page memory for image data output from the first output control unit 24 to the memory 3 and a page memory for image data output from the second output control unit 36 to the memory 3. It shall be secured.

  First, the CPU 2 changes data for setting the operation of the image area determination unit 23 to invalid, data for setting the operation of the image filter unit 32 and the editing unit 35 to be valid, and RGB image data by the color space conversion unit 33 from CMYK image data. The data for effectively setting the color space conversion function and the data for setting the scaling factor of the scaling process by the scaling unit 34 are written in the respective registers (step S11).

  Next, the CPU 2 writes data for setting a data path from the first output control unit 24 to the memory 3 in the register 24 a and writes data for setting a data path from the memory 3 to the input control unit 31 in the register 31 a. (Step S12).

  Next, the process from the data path setting to the scanner correction process (step S13 to step S15) of the second output control unit 36 is the same as the process from step S3 to step S5 shown in FIG.

  Next, the first output control unit 24 converts the image data (RGB image data) sent from the scanner correction unit 22 via the image area determination unit 23 from the selector 24b to the arbiter 13 and the bus I according to the setting of the register 24a. / F14 and DMA transfer to the memory 3 via the bus 1 (step S16).

  Next, the CPU 2 reads out the image data (RGB image data) from the memory 3 and sends it to the input control unit 31 via the bus 1, the bus I / F 14, and the arbiter 13 (step S17).

  Next, the process from the image filter process to the color space conversion process (step S18 to step S19) is the same as the process from step S7 to step S8 shown in FIG.

  Next, the scaling unit 34 performs scaling processing on the image data that has been subjected to the color space conversion processing in step S19, according to the scaling factor set in the register (step S20).

  Hereinafter, the process from the editing process to the transfer of the image data to the memory 3 (step S21 to step S22) is the same as the process from step S9 to step S10 shown in FIG.

  In this way, the difference in speed between the zoom unit 34 and the scanner 4 can be absorbed, and the zooming process of the zooming magnification that makes the processing speed of the zooming process slower than the input speed of the scanner 4 can also be achieved. Can respond.

  In particular, when a data path from the first output control unit 24 to the memory 3 is set, image data can be temporarily output to the memory 3 without going through the second image processing block 12, and printing processing can be performed. It is possible to reduce the time required for

  By the way, the image data output to the memory 3 can be used for purposes other than printing. However, when image data is output from the first output control unit 24 to the memory 3, the image data is RGB image data. For example, the display on the display or the like is not optimal.

  Therefore, in order to improve the applicability of the image data temporarily output to the memory 3, a data path from the first output control unit 24 to the input control unit 31 is set, and the second image processing unit 37 Only the process of converting the image data into display image data is performed, and the image data is temporarily output from the second output control unit 36 to the memory 3. Thereafter, a data path from the memory 3 to the input control unit 31 is set, and image data is input from the memory 3 to the input control unit 31 to perform a printing process involving a scaling process. As a result, it is possible to realize a scaling process when the processing speed of the scaling unit 34 is slower than the input speed of the scanner 4 while improving the applicability of the image data temporarily output to the memory 3.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 7, a printing process in which the processing speed of the scaling process is slower than the input speed of the scanner 4 is performed from the data path from the second output control unit 36 to the memory 3 and from the memory 3. The operation of the copying machine 10 and the flow of image data when using a data path to the input control unit 31 will be described.

  In FIG. 6, the copying machine 10 performs a printing process in which the processing speed of the scaling process is slower than the input speed of the scanner 4, and the data path from the second output control unit 36 to the memory 3 and the input control unit from the memory 3. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a flow of image data when performing using a data path to 31. An arrow 43 indicates the flow of image data. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the copying machine 10 in FIG.

  A method for determining whether or not the processing speed of the scaling process is slower than the input speed of the scanner 4 is the same as in the case of FIGS. The memory 3 also includes a page memory for image data output from the second output control unit 36 to the memory 3 when the data path is set from the first output control unit 24 to the input control unit 31, and an input from the memory 3. It is assumed that a page memory for image data output from the second output control unit 36 to the memory 3 when a data path is set to the control unit 31 is secured.

  First, the CPU 2 sets data for invalidating the operations of the image region determination unit 23, the image filter unit 32, the scaling unit 34, and the editing unit 35, and the color space from RGB image data to sRGB image data by the color space conversion unit 33. Data for enabling the conversion function is written to each register (step S31).

  Next, the process from the setting of the data path of the first output control unit 24 to the output of the image data to the input control unit 31 (steps S32 to S36) is the same as the processing from step S2 to step S6 shown in FIG. Therefore, the description is omitted.

  Next, the color space conversion unit 33 converts the image data from the input control unit 31 via the image filter unit 32 into image data for display, that is, RGB image data. Is subjected to color space conversion processing for converting the image data into sRGB image data (step S37).

  Next, the second output control unit 36 converts the image data (sRGB image data) sent from the color space conversion unit 33 through the scaling unit 34 and the editing unit 35 into the arbiter 13 and the bus according to the register settings. DMA transfer to the memory 3 via the I / F 14 and the bus 1 (step S38).

  Next, the CPU 2 sets data for effectively setting the operation of the image filter unit 32 and the editing unit 35, data for setting the color space conversion function from sRGB image data to CMYK image data by the color space conversion unit 33, and scaling. Data for setting the scaling ratio of the scaling process by the unit 34 is written to each register (step S39).

  Next, the CPU 2 writes data for setting a data path from the memory 3 to the input control unit 31 in the register 31a (step S40).

  Hereinafter, from the transmission of the image data to the input control unit 31 to the transfer of the image data to the memory 3 (steps S41 to S46), except that the sRGB image data is converted into CMYK image data in step S43, FIG. Since it is the same as the process from step S17 to step S22 shown in FIG.

  Even in this case, the speed difference between the zoom unit 34 and the scanner 4 can be absorbed, and the zooming process of the enlargement / reduction ratio is performed so that the processing speed of the scaling process is slower than the input speed of the scanner 4. Can also respond.

  In particular, when a data path from the second output control unit 36 to the memory 3 is set, the image data can be output as sRGB image data that is optimal for display. Therefore, the image data temporarily output to the memory 3 can be output. Applicability can be improved. For example, if this sRGB image data is used, a preview image of image data that has undergone a printing process involving a scaling process can be displayed on a display or the like.

  Note that when the processing speed of the scaling process is faster than the input speed of the scanner 4, a printing process involving the scaling process may be performed using the data path shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, in order to realize the scaling process when the processing speed of the scaling unit 34 is slower than the input speed of the scanner 4, the first output control unit 24 to the memory 3. And a data path from the memory 3 to the input control unit 31 are provided.

  However, the application of these data paths is not limited to the scaling process, and can be used for various applications. Therefore, other applications of these data paths will be described below.

  First, the operation of the copying machine 10 and the flow of image data when image data subjected to scanner correction processing is output to the memory 3 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flow of image data when the copying machine 10 outputs the image data subjected to the scanner correction process to the memory 3. A data path from the first output control unit 24 to the memory 3 is shown in FIG. The flow of image data when set is shown. An arrow 44 indicates the flow of image data.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the copying machine 10 when the image data subjected to the scanner correction process is output to the memory 3, and the operation of the copying machine 10 when the image area determination unit 23 is not operated in FIG. Is shown.

  First, the CPU 2 writes data for setting the operation of the image area determination unit 23 to invalid in the register of the image area determination unit 23 (step S51).

  Next, the CPU 2 writes data for setting a data path from the first output control unit 24 to the memory 3 in the register 24a (step S52).

  Next, the CPU 2 activates the scanner 4, and the activation control unit 15 activates the first image processing block 11 (step S53).

  Hereinafter, the process from the scanner correction process to the transfer of the image data to the memory 3 (step S54 to step S55) is the same as the process from step S15 to step S16 shown in FIG.

  As described above, when the data path from the first output control unit 24 to the memory 3 is set, the image data subjected to the scanner correction process, that is, the image data before being converted into image data for printing (CMYK image data). Image data (RGB image data) can be output to the memory 3. Therefore, the image data subjected to the scanner correction process can be used for purposes other than printing.

  If the image data subjected to the scanner correction process is compressed, for example, by JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), the data amount can be reduced and the versatility can be improved. Accordingly, the image data subjected to the scanner correction process can be taken out of the copying machine 10 by a portable storage medium such as a memory card and used in an external terminal device or the like.

  Note that the JPEG compression may be performed by the CPU 2 or may be performed by separately providing a JPEG compression chip in the copying machine 10. Further, the CPU 2 or the chip for JPEG compression may perform JPEG expansion / contraction as well as JPEG compression.

  In addition, when the image region determination unit 23 performs region determination, the region determination result data is output to the memory 3 together with the image data. In this case, the CPU 2 can perform various software processes on the image data written to the memory 3 by using the data of the area determination result written to the memory 3. For example, the CPU 2 can convert the image data into a highly compressed PDF (Portable Document Format) by using the data of the region determination result. As a result, even if JPEG compression is performed, it is possible to maintain a high compression rate while keeping the character portion clear. When the image area determination unit 23 is operated, the CPU 2 may write data for effectively setting the operation of the image area determination unit 23 in the register of the image area determination unit 23.

  Next, the operation of the copying machine 10 and the flow of image data when the image data converted into display image data is output to the memory 3 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the copying machine 10 when the image data converted into the display image data is output to the memory 3. The flow of image data when the copying machine 10 outputs the image data converted into display image data to the memory 3 is the same as the arrow 41 shown in FIG.

  First, the CPU 2 sets data for invalidating the operations of the image region determination unit 23, the image filter unit 32, the scaling unit 34, and the editing unit 35, and the color space from RGB image data to sRGB image data by the color space conversion unit 33. Data for enabling the conversion function is written to each register (step S61).

  Hereinafter, the process from the data path setting of the first output control unit 24 to the transfer of the image data to the memory 3 (step S62 to step S68) is the same as the process from step S32 to step S38 shown in FIG. Description is omitted.

  As described above, when the data path from the first output control unit 24 to the input control unit 31 is set and the color space conversion process for converting the image data into the display image data is performed, the display on the display or the like is performed. Suitable image data (sRGB image data) can be output to the memory 3. Therefore, an image based on the image data output to the memory 3 is displayed on a display provided in the copying machine 10 or is taken out of the copying machine 10 by a memory card or the like, and displayed on a display of an external terminal device. be able to.

  Further, when the display image data is JPEG-compressed, or the display image data is converted into a high-compression PDF using the data of the region determination result, or the operation of the image region determination unit 23 is enabled, the above-described operation is performed. An effect can be obtained.

  Next, the operation of the copying machine 10 and the flow of image data when performing print processing using image data stored in the memory 3 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a flow of image data when the copying machine 10 performs print processing using image data stored in the memory 3, and a data path from the memory 3 to the input control unit 31 is set. The flow of image data in the case of An arrow 45 indicates the flow of image data.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the copying machine 10 when printing processing is performed using image data stored in the memory 3. In FIG. 8, the color space conversion unit 33 converts the image data into printing image data. The operation of the copying machine 10 in the case of conversion is shown.

  First, the CPU 2 sets data for effectively setting the operations of the image filter unit 32 and the editing unit 35, data for setting the color space conversion function from RGB image data to CMYK image data by the color space conversion unit 33, and scaling. Data for setting the operation of the unit 34 to be invalid is written to each register (step S71).

  Next, the CPU 2 writes data for setting a data path from the memory 3 to the input control unit 31 in the register 31a (step S72).

  Next, the CPU 2 writes data for setting a data path from the second output control unit 36 to the memory 3 in the register of the second output control unit 36 (step S73).

  Next, the activation control unit 15 activates the second image processing block 12 (step S74).

  Next, the CPU 2 reads out image data (RGB image data) from the memory 3 and sends it to the input control unit 31 via the bus 1, the bus I / F 14, and the arbiter 13 (step S75).

  Hereinafter, the process from the image filter process to the transfer of the image data to the memory 3 (step S76 to step S79) is the same as the process from step S7 to step S10 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 12, the case where RGB image data is converted into CMYK image data has been described as an example. However, sRGB image data can also be converted into CMYK image data. In this case, the CPU 2 may write data for effectively setting the color space conversion function from the sRGB image data to the CMYK image data by the color space conversion unit 33 in the register of the color space conversion unit 33.

  As described above, when the data path from the memory 3 to the input control unit 31 is set, the image data written in the memory 3 in FIGS. 9 and 10 is converted into print image data (CMYK image data) and stored in the memory 3. Can be output. Therefore, the image data written in the memory 3 in FIGS. 9 and 10 can be used for printing.

  9 and 10, when the image data written to the memory 3 is JPEG compressed and taken out of the copying machine 10, the image data is again taken into the copying machine 10, and the CPU 2 or the JPEG compression chip is set to JPEG. By expanding and contracting, it can be used for the processing shown in FIG.

  Further, image data other than the image data written in the memory 3 in FIGS. 9 and 10 is taken into the copying machine 10 by a network interface or a memory card (not shown) and used for the processing shown in FIG. May be.

  In the present embodiment, the activation control unit 15 can individually activate the first image processing block 11 and the second image processing block 12. For example, the processing illustrated in FIG. 9 and the processing illustrated in FIG. Can be performed not only independently but also in parallel. In this case, each image processing block is individually activated based on the register setting data of the activation control unit 15. Thereby, parallel processing of different image data becomes possible.

  As described above, according to the copying machine 10 of the present embodiment, various image processing can be performed by selecting various data paths according to the processing to be executed by the image processing ASIC 5 which is a single image processing unit. Can be realized.

  In the above description, each function unit such as the first output control unit 24 individually incorporates a register. However, the registers for each function unit are centrally arranged at one place in the image processing ASIC 5. May be.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment described above, the example in which the image data read by the scanner is subjected to the image processing by the single image processing ASIC has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Therefore, in the second embodiment, an example in which image processing by image processing ASIC for function expansion is applied to image data in addition to image processing ASIC will be described. Note that the image processing ASIC for function expansion is executed by adding functions that are not in the normal image processing ASIC, such as performing image processing with higher added value.

  FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of the copying machine 110 according to the second embodiment. The copying machine 110 is different from the copying machine 10 of the first embodiment in that an expansion image processing ASIC 105 which is an image processing ASIC for function expansion is newly provided. Therefore, in the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and components having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. The same names and symbols are attached, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The expansion image processing ASIC 105 is connected to the bus 1 and includes an image processing block 112, an arbiter 113, and a bus I / F 114.

  The image processing block 112 is a block that performs image data processing related to image output, and includes an input control unit 131, an image processing unit 137, and an output control unit 136.

  The input control unit 131 includes a register and a DMA controller (both not shown). The input control unit 131 performs control for inputting image data transferred from the image processing ASIC 5 or image data read from the memory 3 based on data set in the register by the CPU 2.

  The image processing unit 137 performs, on the image data, image processing related to image output having higher added value than the image processing performed by the second image processing unit 37 of the image processing ASIC 5. The image processing unit 137 includes a register (not shown), and the presence / absence of an operation and the content of the process are controlled based on data set in the register by the CPU 2.

  The output control unit 136 includes a register and a DMA controller (both not shown). The output control unit 136 performs control for outputting the image data subjected to the image processing by the image processing unit 137 to the memory 3 based on the data set in the register by the CPU 2.

  The arbiter 113 arbitrates an access request from the image processing block 112 to the memory 3.

  The bus I / F 114 is an interface between the expansion image processing ASIC 105 and the bus 1, and transmits and receives data when access control by the CPU 2 and image data writing / reading (read / write) with respect to the memory 3 are performed.

  Next, the operation of the copier 110 and the flow of image data when the processing speed of the scaling process by the image processing unit 137 is slower than the input speed of the scanner 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. .

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the flow of image data when the copying machine 110 performs a printing process in which the processing speed of the scaling process is slower than the input speed of the scanner 4, and the input control is performed from the first output control unit 24. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flow of image data when a data path to a unit 31 and a data path from a second output control unit to an expansion image processing ASIC 105 are set. FIG. An arrow 141 indicates the flow of image data. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the copying machine 110 in FIG.

  Note that a method for determining whether or not the processing speed of the scaling process is slower than the input speed of the scanner 4 is the same as in the first embodiment. The memory 3 has a page memory for image data that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing ASIC 5 and a page memory for image data that has been subjected to image processing by the expansion image processing ASIC 105. To do.

  First, the setting from the setting of the operation of each unit to the setting of the data path to the input control unit 31 (step S101 to step S102) is the same as the processing from step S31 to step S32 shown in FIG. To do.

  Next, the CPU 2 writes data for setting a data path from the second output control unit 36 to the image processing ASIC 105 for extension into the register of the second output control unit 36 (step S103).

  Next, the CPU 2 writes data for setting the operation of the image processing unit 137 of the image processing ASIC 105 for extension to invalid (step S104).

  Next, the process from the start of the scanner 4 etc. to the color space conversion process to sRGB image data (step S105 to step S108) is the same as the process from step S34 to step S37 shown in FIG.

  Next, the second output control unit 36 processes the image data (sRGB image data) sent from the color space conversion unit 33 via the scaling unit 34 and the editing unit 35 according to the setting of the register. The data is transferred to the input control unit 131 of the ASIC 105 (step S109).

  Next, the output control unit 136 of the image processing ASIC 105 for expansion uses the arbiter 113 and the bus I / F 114 as the image data (sRGB image data) sent from the input control unit 131 via the image processing unit 137 according to the register settings. And DMA transfer to the memory 3 via the bus 1 (step S110).

  Next, the CPU 2 writes, in the register, data for setting a scaling factor for scaling processing by the image processing unit 137, data for effectively setting a color space conversion function from sRGB image data to CMYK image data, and the like (step S111).

  Next, the CPU 2 reads out the image data (sRGB image data) from the memory 3 and sends it to the input control unit 131 via the bus 1, the bus I / F 114, and the arbiter 113 (step S112).

  Next, the image processing unit 137 adds CMYK image data from sRGB image data having higher added value to the image data sent from the input control unit 131 than the image processing performed by the second image processing unit 37 of the image processing ASIC 5. A color space conversion process is performed, and a scaling process according to a scaling ratio set in the register is performed (step S113).

  Next, the output control unit 136 transfers the image data (CMYK image data) subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 137 to the memory 3 via the arbiter 113, the bus I / F 114, and the bus 1 according to the register setting. Transfer (step S114).

  As described above, the image processing ASIC according to the present embodiment can select various data paths according to the processing to be executed. Therefore, the image processing ASIC can be applied to various image forming apparatuses such as models equipped with the image processing ASIC for function expansion. You can also.

1 is a functional block diagram of a copying machine 10 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a flow of image data when the copying machine performs normal printing processing. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the copying machine 10 when performing normal printing processing. The flow of image data when the copying machine 10 performs a printing process in which the processing speed of the scaling process is slower than the input speed of the scanner 4 using the data path from the first output control unit 24 to the memory 3. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the copying machine 10 in FIG. The flow of image data when the copying machine 10 performs a printing process in which the processing speed of the scaling process is slower than the input speed of the scanner 4 using the data path from the second output control unit 36 to the memory 3. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the copying machine 10 in FIG. 6. 3 is a diagram illustrating a flow of image data when the copying machine 10 outputs image data subjected to scanner correction processing to the memory 3. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the copying machine 10 when image data subjected to scanner correction processing is output to the memory 3. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the copying machine 10 when outputting image data converted into display image data to the memory 3. 3 is a diagram illustrating a flow of image data when the copying machine performs print processing using image data stored in a memory. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the copying machine 10 when printing processing is performed using image data stored in a memory 3. 3 is a functional block diagram of a copying machine 110 according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flow of image data when the copying machine 110 performs a printing process in which a processing speed of a scaling process is slower than an input speed of a scanner 4. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the copying machine 110 in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the conventional image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 bus 2 CPU
3 Memory 4 Scanner 5 Image processing ASIC
10, 110 Copier 11 First image processing block 12 Second image processing block 13, 113 Arbiter 14, 114 Bus I / F
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Start-up control part 21 Scanner input control part 22 Scanner correction | amendment part 23 Image area determination part 24 1st output control part 24a, 31a Register 24b, 31b Selector 25 1st image processing part 31 Input control part 32 Image filter part 33 Color Spatial conversion unit 34 Scaling unit 35 Editing unit 36 Second output control unit 37 Second image processing unit 105 Image processing ASIC for expansion
112 Image Processing Block 131 Input Control Unit 136 Output Control Unit 137 Image Processing Unit

Claims (15)

Input control means for receiving input of image data;
First image processing means for performing first image processing including correction processing due to at least characteristics of the image reading means on the image data input from the image reading means;
First output control means for selectively outputting the image data subjected to the first image processing to either the input control means or the external storage means;
Second image processing means for performing second image processing including at least color space conversion processing on the image data input to the input control means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: second output control means for outputting the image data subjected to the second image processing. The second image processing further includes scaling processing,
The first output control means outputs the image data subjected to the first image processing to the input control means when the processing speed of the scaling process is faster than the input speed of the image reading means. When the processing speed of the scaling process is slower than the input speed of the image reading means, the image data subjected to the first image processing is output to the external storage means,
The input control means accepts an input of either the image data output by the first output control means or the image data sent from the external storage means,
The second image processing means outputs the image data to the image data subjected to the first image processing input to the input control means from the first output control means or the external storage means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a first color space conversion process for converting to print image data and the scaling process are performed.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second output control unit outputs the image data subjected to the second image processing to the external storage unit.   4. The input control unit according to claim 3, wherein the input control unit receives an input of either the image data output by the first output control unit or the image data transmitted from the external storage unit. Image processing device. The second image processing further includes scaling processing,
The first output control means outputs the image data subjected to the first image processing to the input control means,
When the processing speed of the scaling process is faster than the input speed of the image reading means, the second image processing means applies the image data input from the first output control means to the input control means. On the other hand, when the first color space conversion process for converting the image data into print image data and the scaling process are performed, and the processing speed of the scaling process is slower than the input speed of the image reading unit, The image data input from the first output control means to the input control means is subjected to a second color space conversion process for converting the image data into display image data, and the input from the external storage means A third color space conversion process for converting the image data into image data for printing and a scaling process are performed on the image data subjected to the second color space conversion process input to the control means. Specially The image processing apparatus according to claim 3,. The image data subjected to the first image processing input to the input control means from the first output control means or the external storage means is RGB image data,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second image processing unit performs a process of converting RGB image data into CMYK image data as the first color space conversion process. The image data input to the input control means from the first output control means is RGB image data,
The second image processing means performs processing for converting RGB image data into CMYK image data as the first color space conversion processing, and converts RGB image data into sRGB image data as the second color space conversion processing. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a process of converting the sRGB image data into CMYK image data is performed as the third color space conversion process. The first image processing means further performs image region determination processing,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first output control unit outputs a processing result of the image area determination process in addition to the image data subjected to the first image processing. .   The first output control means selects either the input control means or the external storage means as an output destination in accordance with an instruction from the control means, and the first image processing is performed on the selected output destination. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data is output.   A first image processing block comprising the first image processing means and the first output control means; and a first image processing block comprising the input control means, the second image processing means and the second output control means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising activation means capable of individually activating the two image processing blocks. Input control means for receiving input of image data;
Storage means for storing image data;
First image processing means for performing first image processing including correction processing due to at least characteristics of the image reading means on the image data input from the image reading means;
Control means for instructing an output destination of the image data subjected to the first image processing;
In accordance with an instruction from the control means, either the input control means or the storage means is selected as an output destination, and the image data subjected to the first image processing is output to the selected output destination. Output control means;
Second image processing means for performing second image processing including at least color space conversion processing on the image data input to the input control means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a second output control unit that outputs the image data subjected to the second image processing.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the second output control unit outputs the image data subjected to the second image processing to the storage unit. Further comprising sending means for reading the image data from the storage means and sending it to the input control means;
13. The image according to claim 12, wherein the input control unit receives an input of either the image data output from the first output control unit or the image data transmitted from the storage unit. Forming equipment.   12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a compression / decompression unit that compresses / decompresses the image data stored in the storage unit. An image processing method executed by an image processing apparatus,
The image processing apparatus includes:
An input control means for receiving input of image data;
A first image processing step of performing first image processing including at least correction processing caused by characteristics of the image reading unit on the image data input from the image reading unit;
A first output control step of selectively outputting the image data subjected to the first image processing to either the input control means or the external storage means;
A second image processing step of performing second image processing including at least color space conversion processing on the image data input to the input control means;
And a second output control step for outputting the image data subjected to the second image processing.

Images