JP2010042679A - Printer, and image data processing method in the printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer performing printing by directly reading image data photographed by a digital cameral or the like which processes print data including a plurality of images in the main scanning direction as in the case of index print with a limited memory capacity. <P>SOLUTION: Line data for one line are read from image data obtained by reading an original image data file of one of a plurality of images to be printed by one time main scanning and restoring the read original image data file, subjected to prescribed image processing and copied to a band buffer. This processing is repeated for all of the plurality of images to be printed by one time main scanning and when data of all images for that line are collected in the band buffer, similar processing is repeated for the next line, and when data of the number of lines required for one band are collected for all images, these data are printed. This processing is repeated for each band, thus printing a plurality of images arranged in the main scanning direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer that performs printing by directly reading (without going through a host) image data that has been captured by a digital camera or the like and stored in a memory card or the like, and in particular, an image in the printer when performing so-called index printing or the like. It relates to data processing technology.

  In recent years, digital cameras have become widespread as their performance has improved. Conventionally, when printing image data taken with such a digital camera, image data stored in a PC card or the like is once read into a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a personal computer) and then connected to the personal computer. I was printing with a printer.

  In this way, when image data captured by a digital camera is printed by a printer via a personal computer, there is an advantage that the user can edit more freely than a conventional silver halide photograph. Using dedicated application software on a personal computer, index printing, etc., that prints multiple photos of a large number of images taken with a digital camera on a single sheet of paper (hereinafter simply referred to as paper) Can be done freely.

  In such index printing, for example, a large number of images of about 20 sheets in length and breadth (5 × 4) are printed on a postcard size paper in a reduced form, so that processing such as reduction of image data read into a personal computer is performed. The above-mentioned application software creates a so-called spool file on the personal computer, acquires a part of the required image each time, and performs processing such as reduction. Like to do.

  Hereinafter, a specific example will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 by taking as an example a case where index printing is performed via a normal inkjet printer using application software on a personal computer as described above. This ink jet printer is provided with a band buffer and develops image data for each band to perform printing.

  In the example index printing, as shown in FIG. 8, 20 reduced images A1, A2, A3,... Are printed on a postcard size or A4 size paper 1 in the main scanning direction X in the ink jet printer. Is the horizontal direction, and the paper feed direction (sub-scanning direction) Y is the vertical direction, 4 sheets are printed in the horizontal direction and 5 sheets are printed in the vertical direction. In this way, index printing that prints a large number of images on one sheet requires more processing than normal printing that prints one image on one sheet. Also gets longer.

  The flow of processing in the personal computer and the printer when index printing is performed by application software on the personal computer will be described with reference to FIG. First, among the image data that is taken with a digital camera and stored in a PC card or the like in a file format compressed by the JPEG method or the like, all the image data necessary for the index printing is decompressed (the original uncompressed image) Data is restored) (S1), a spool file of the restored image data is created and stored in the hard disk (S2).

  For each band, after obtaining a part of the image necessary for the band (S3), processing such as reduction is performed (S4). Thereafter, it is copied (developed) in the band buffer (S5). The above processes of S3 to S5 are performed for all the images (A1, A2, A3, A4, that is, A, B, C, D in the example of FIG. 8) (No in S6). If all the image data necessary for the band is available (Yes in S6), the image data developed in the band buffer is printed (S7). Then, the processing of S3 to S7 is repeated for all the bands of the image data necessary for the index printing (No in S8), and when the processing of all the bands is completed (Yes in S8), the first-stage image in the index printing. (Images A1, A2, A3, and A4 in FIG. 8, that is, A, B, C, and D) are printed.

  When multiple images (4 images in the example of FIG. 8) are included in the main scanning direction, such as index printing, the application software on the personal computer generates and processes the print data as described above and transfers it to the printer. Printing.

  Recently, it has an image data processing function that is almost the same as that of a personal computer. The image data captured by a digital camera or the like and stored in a memory card or the like is directly read (without going through a host) and subjected to predetermined image processing. Printers that perform printing (hereinafter referred to as photo printers) have been put into practical use.

  The configuration of such a photo printer can be broadly divided into a print processing unit that performs the same operation as a conventional printer, and a photo image processing unit that performs image data processing similar to a personal computer for image data read from a memory card or the like. If this photo printer is used, it is possible to print image data taken with a digital camera without requiring a personal computer, which is very convenient. Therefore, if such a photo printer can be provided at a low cost, it is considered that the use of both of them will further advance as the resolution of the digital camera becomes higher.

  However, as described above, such a photo printer has an image data processing function similar to that of a personal computer integrated with a normal printer function. Therefore, considering the overall cost, the photo printer is built in the photo printer. The processing capacity and speed of the CPU and the capacity of the RAM as a work memory are naturally limited. That is, even if image data processing similar to that of a personal computer is performed, the CPU provided in such a photo printer is limited in terms of processing capability and speed compared to the CPU provided in the personal computer. There is a limit to the capacity of the buffer memory that is temporarily stored. In particular, when it is necessary to perform processing such as reduction after temporarily storing a large amount of image data in a memory or the like, such as the above-described index printing, there may be a situation where the capacity of the buffer memory or the like is not in time. When index printing is performed using the above-described application software on a personal computer, a recent personal computer often has a very high-performance CPU and a sufficient amount of RAM as a work memory. Since it was possible to save it in the hard disk in the format, it was not a problem. However, in a photo printer, it is a difficult task to perform a lot of image data processing such as index printing without slowing down the processing throughput in a limited memory resource.

  Conventionally, there have been few effective proposals for solving such problems from the viewpoint of the configuration of the photo printer and the control method of image data processing.

  An object of the present invention is limited in a printer that performs printing after directly reading image data captured by a digital camera or the like and stored in a memory card or the like (without going through a host) and performing predetermined image processing. An object of the present invention is to provide a printer capable of processing print data including a plurality of images in the main scanning direction, such as the above-described index printing, and a method for processing the image data.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, for example, in the case of the index printing described above, for each image arranged in the main scanning direction, n lines are read from each image data read and restored from the original image data file. (N is 1 or the band height of the image × 1 / the number of lines necessary for the band, which is determined by the reduction ratio) Data is read out, reduced, etc., held in the band buffer and processed for one band. When finished, the band data of the band is sent to the print processing unit for printing.

  Accordingly, even when a plurality of images are included in the main scanning direction such as index printing, the image data can be processed in the printer, and the index printing can be performed without depending on the application on the host. In particular, since buffering is performed for each band and printing is performed, such index printing or the like is possible only by securing a capacity of several megabytes as a buffer memory.

  That is, according to the present invention, as described in claim 1, decompression is performed on compressed original image file data that provides each partial image included in image data to be printed in one main scan. Image data processing means for generating predetermined image processing to generate image data in bit image format, and the image data processing means generates image data from the original image file data as needed, and related A printer having control means for performing control so as to read and use the portion is obtained.

As described above, according to the present invention, an image obtained by photographing with a digital camera or the like can be directly printed by a printer without using application software on the host, and a plurality of images can be printed in the main scanning direction, for example. Even when printing sheets side by side, it is possible to process image data.
Accordingly, since it is possible to print a large number of sheets without unnecessarily increasing the capacity of the memory or the like, it is possible to provide a user-friendly printer at a lower cost.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the printer which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the index printing with a rotation process which becomes a normal position when a paper is put sideways. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of a printer according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating index printing without rotation processing that is in a normal position when a sheet is placed vertically. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the case of performing the index printing shown in FIG. 8 using the application on the conventional personal computer.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. As described above, the printer according to the present embodiment reads image data captured by a digital camera or the like and stored in a memory card or the like directly (without passing through a host), performs predetermined image processing, and performs printing. The photo printer is a serial ink jet printer.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The printer of this embodiment is roughly composed of a photo image processing unit 11 and a print processing unit 13.

  The print processing unit 13 includes a print engine unit including an inkjet print head (not shown), a carriage mechanism, a paper feed mechanism, and the like, a print control unit for controlling the print engine unit, and the like. This is the part that performs the operation.

  The photo image processing unit 11 is a part that performs image data processing similar to that of a personal computer, for example, on image data read from the memory card 10, and includes an image data processing unit 112, a band buffer 116, an image data control unit 118, and the like. Have

  The image data processing unit 112 performs predetermined image processing including restoration on the original image data file read from the memory card 10 to generate bit image format image data. That is, the image data processing unit 112 reads an original image data file reading unit 112a that reads an original image data file in the memory card 10 that stores image data captured by a digital camera or the like, and the original image data file reading unit 112a reads the original image data file. A restoration processing unit 112b that restores (decompresses) the image data file that has been JPEG compressed, a line data reading unit 112c that reads the nth line data from the image data restored by the restoration processing unit 112b, and line data A resizing processing unit 112d that reduces or enlarges line data read by the reading unit 112c, and contrast adjustment, brightness adjustment, color balance correction, and the like conventionally performed on the personal computer side (for example, an image correction function set in a printer driver) Saturation adjustment, memory Reproduction, sharpness improvement, noise reduction, and an image correcting unit 112e for performing contour correction, and the like. Note that the image data stored in the memory card 10 is image data compressed by the JPEG method, for example. Accordingly, the compressed image data is read by the image data reading unit 112a and then restored (expanded), and then a restoration processing unit 112b is provided for performing other predetermined image processing. Further, in the present embodiment, the image correction unit 112e performs the above-described image correction process depending on the size of the image after the resize process performed by the above-described resize process unit 112d, as described later. This can be performed using either the image after the resizing process or the image before the resizing process.

  The band buffer 116 holds image data for one band prior to printing.

  The image data control unit 118 causes the image data processing unit 112 to generate image data in the bit image format, and performs control for reading out and using related portions of the image data as necessary.

  FIG. 2 shows the external configuration of the printer according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the external configuration is not significantly different from a conventional inkjet printer or the like, but the card into which the memory card 10 is inserted. An insertion portion 21 is provided. In addition, an operation panel unit 23 for performing various operational settings, a paper feed unit 25, a discharge unit 27, and the like are provided.

  The operation of the printer of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, a case will be described in which index printing as shown in FIG. 8 is performed in relation to the conventional example, and therefore reduction processing as image resizing processing is required. In the present embodiment, when a plurality of images (four images in the example of FIG. 8) are included in the main scanning direction, such as index printing, image data is generated and processed in units of lines, and printing processing is performed in units of bands. It is characterized by performing.

  First, the user inserts the memory card 10 into the card insertion unit 21 of the printer of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and performs various instruction settings for printing by the operation panel unit 23. Here, it is assumed that the A4 sheet is used in portrait orientation and the index printing setting as shown in FIG. 8 is also set.

  The subsequent operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the original image data file reading unit 112a reads the original image data file corresponding to the image A1 in FIG. 8 stored in the memory card 10 among the images to be index printed (step S30). Since the original image data file stored in the memory card 10 is compressed image data by a method such as JPEG, the restoration processing unit 112b restores (decompresses) it (step S31). The line data reading unit 112c reads the first line data from the restored image data (step S32), the resize processing unit 112d performs a reduction process as a resize process, and the image correction unit 112e performs a necessary correction process. (Step S33). The line data subjected to the reduction process is copied to the band buffer 116 (step S34). Then, the above processing of the first line data is performed on all remaining images (images A2, A3, and A4 in FIG. 8) existing in the main scanning direction (No in step S35), and all the images are processed. If completed (Yes in step S35), the second line data is processed (No in step S36 and step S37). That is, again, the original image data file corresponding to the image A1 in FIG. 8 is read and restored, then the second line data is read, the reduction process is performed, and then the reduction line data is processed. Is copied to the band buffer 116 (steps S30 to S34), and similarly, the second line data of each of the images A2, A3, and A4 is also performed (No in step S35). The above processing is repeated until the image data of the number of lines necessary for one band is obtained (No in step S37), and all the image data of the number of lines necessary for one band is copied to the band buffer 116 (Yes in step S37). ), Band data print processing is performed (step S38). This process is performed for all the bands necessary to print the image (images A1, A2, A3, A4 in FIG. 8) existing in the first row in the main scanning direction (No in step S39), and all the bands are printed. When the band processing is completed (Yes in step S39), the printing of the first-stage image (images A1, A2, A3, A4 in FIG. 8) is completed.

  In this embodiment, in this way, for each image to be processed, the original image data file in the memory card 10 is read each time, one line of data is read from the restored image data, and processing such as reduction is performed. When the processing for the number of lines for one band is completed, the band data of that band is sent to the print processing unit 13 for printing. With this method, even when a plurality of images are included in the main scanning direction such as index printing, the image data can be processed in the printer, and such index printing can be performed without depending on the application on the host. . In particular, since buffering is performed for each band and printing is performed, such index printing or the like is possible only by securing a capacity of several megabytes as a buffer memory.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the schematic configuration of the printer according to this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, description thereof will be omitted with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  In the first embodiment, after processing all of the first-stage images (images A1, A2, A3, and A4 in FIG. 8) for the line, the next line is similarly converted to the first-stage image. This second implementation is for processing all the images (images A1, A2, A3, A4 in FIG. 8), that is, processing all the images for that line before proceeding to the next line. In the embodiment, after processing the image A1 in the first stage image for the line, the next line of the image A1 is processed next, so that the same image is first processed by the number of lines for one band. It is characterized by proceeding to the next image.

  The operation after the user sets index printing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the original image data file reading unit 112a reads the original image data file corresponding to the image A1 in FIG. 8 stored in the memory card 10 among the images to be index printed (step S40). Since the image data stored in the memory card 10 is compressed image data by a method such as JPEG, the restoration processing unit 112b restores (decompresses) it (step S41). The line data reading unit 112c reads data for one line from the restored image data (step S42), the resize processing unit 112d performs a reduction process as a resize process, and the image correction unit 112e performs a necessary correction process. (Step S43). The line data subjected to the reduction process is copied to the band buffer 116 (step S44). Then, the above line data processing is performed for the number of lines for one band of the image (image A1 in FIG. 8) (No in step S45), and when the number of lines for one band is completed (Yes in step S45). This time, the original image data file corresponding to the image A2 in FIG. 8 is read, the data for one line is read from the restored image data, and the data is reduced and copied to the band buffer 116 (steps S40 to S44). Similarly, all the images A1, A2, A3, A4 arranged in the main scanning direction are performed as many times as the number of lines for one band of the image (image A2 in FIG. 8) (No in step S45). Until the processing for one band is completed (No in step S46), and when the processing for one band of images A1 to A4 is completed (Y in step S46) s), it performs a printing process of the band data (step S47). The above processing is repeated for the required number of bands of each image (No in step S48), and when all the bands are processed (Yes in step S48), the first-stage image (images A1 and A2 in FIG. 8). , A3, A4) is completed.

  Also in this embodiment, in this way, for each image to be processed, the original image data file in the memory card 10 is read each time, the data is read for each line from the restored image data, and processing such as reduction is performed. When the processing of the number of lines for one band is completed, the band data of that band is sent to the print processing unit 13 for printing. With this method, even when a plurality of images are included in the main scanning direction such as index printing, the image data can be processed in the printer, and such index printing can be performed without depending on the application on the host. . In particular, since buffering is performed in units of bands, such index printing is possible only by securing a capacity of several megabytes as a buffer memory.

  Next, a printer according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The basic configuration of the printer of this embodiment is also substantially the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and the same reference numerals are given to the same parts, and detailed description thereof is omitted. That is, the printer according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a photo image processing unit 41 and a print processing unit 13 as shown in FIG. The print processing unit 13 is exactly the same as that of the first embodiment described above.

  The photo image processing unit 41 is a part that performs image data processing similar to that of a personal computer, for example, on image data read from the memory card 10, as in the photo image processing unit 11 of the first embodiment. A processing unit 412, a band buffer 416, and an image data control unit 418 are included. In the present embodiment, a title selection unit 420 is further included.

  Similar to the image data processing unit 112 in the first embodiment, the image data processing unit 412 in the photo image processing unit 41 is an original image data file reading unit 412a, a restoration processing unit 412b, a line data reading unit 412c, and a resizing process. In this embodiment, the rotation is further performed when the image data needs to be rotated, such as index printing in which each image described later is rotated 90 degrees, in this embodiment. A processing unit 412d is provided.

  Similar to the band buffer 116 of the first embodiment, the band buffer 416 holds image data for one band prior to printing.

  The image data control unit 418 causes the image data processing unit 412 to generate image data in the bit image format, and performs control for reading out and using related portions of the image data as necessary.

  By the way, when performing index printing, a title as shown in FIG. 8 (in this case, “INDEX BANNER”), which is different from an image taken by a digital camera, is often printed at the same time. In such a case, the printer according to the present embodiment also has a title selection unit 420 that prepares a plurality of title formats to be printed in advance and can select which title to add. Details of the function and the like of the title selection unit 420 will be described later.

  Here, the operation of the printer of this embodiment described above will be described.

  FIG. 6 shows another example of index printing, which is a case where an image is arranged and printed so as to be in a normal position when the paper 2 is placed sideways. As indicated by the symbols A, B, C,..., T shown in the figure, the original images are printed in a state where they are rotated by 90 degrees.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the printer of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7 taking the case of performing such index printing as an example. The user first inserts the memory card 10 into the card insertion unit 21 shown in FIG. 2 and performs various instruction settings for printing using the operation panel unit 23. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the index printing is set so that the paper is positioned in the normal position when the sheet is placed in the landscape orientation.

  First, the original image data file reading unit 412a reads the original image data file for one image (referred to as image B1) stored in the memory card 10 (step S70). Since the image data stored in the memory card 10 is compressed data by JPEG or the like, the restoration processing unit 412b performs restoration (decompression) processing on this (step S71). Then, from this restored image data, the line data reading unit 412c has an image of the number of lines necessary for one band (which is known in advance since it is determined by the image band height × 1 / reduction ratio). Line) data is read (step S72). The rotation processing unit 412d performs a rotation process for rotating the image by 90 degrees with respect to the read image (line) data (step S73), and the resize processing unit 412e performs a reduction process as an image resize process. The image correction unit 412f performs necessary correction processing (step S74).

  Then, the image data of the first band is obtained from the image data subjected to the reduction process in step S74, and the band data is copied to the band buffer (step S75).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the processing has been completed for all the images necessary for generating one band (in this case, the first band) (step S76), and if not completed (step S76). No), the process returns to step S70, and the process from step S70 to S75 is performed on the next image (image B2) as described above. That is, after reading and restoring the original image data file, the image (line) data of the necessary number of lines is read, and each process such as rotation and reduction is performed, and one band (first band) is obtained from the reduced image data. ) Image data is obtained, and the band data is copied to the band buffer.

  In this way, all images necessary for generating band data for one band (in this case, for the first band) (in this case, index printing as shown in FIG. With respect to the images B1 to B4, the processes from step S70 to S75 are repeated, whereby band data for one band (for the first band) to be printed in the band buffer (in the image data of the images B1 to B4, respectively) (Consisting of first band data) is generated (Yes in step S76), and the band data is sent to the print processing unit 13 (step S77).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the processing for all the bands has been completed (step S78). If the processing has not been completed (No in step S78), the processing returns to step S70. At this time, in order to create band data of the next band (second band), the processing from steps S70 to S75 described above is performed for each of the images B1 to B4, and then the second band data is obtained. After the second band data is sent to the print processing unit, the third band data is created. At this time, the processes from step S70 to S75 are performed for the images B1 to B4, respectively. Obtain third band data. The above processing is repeated until the processing of all the bands is completed. When the processing of all the bands is completed (Yes in step S78), the printing of the images B1 to B4 aligned in the main scanning direction X of the paper 2 is completed. .

  As described above, in the present embodiment, for each of the images B1 to B4 arranged in the main scanning direction, the image band height × 1/1 / from the image data read and restored from the original image data file in the memory card 10. The image (line) data corresponding to the number of lines necessary for the band, which is determined by the reduction ratio, is read, rotated / reduced, etc., held in the band buffer, and processed for one band of the images B1 to B4. When finished, the band data of the band is sent to the print processing unit 13 for printing, and thereafter, the same processing is repeated for each band to print the images B1 to B4. With this method, even when a plurality of images are included in the main scanning direction such as index printing, the image data can be processed in the printer, and such index printing can be performed without depending on the application on the host. . In particular, since buffering is performed in units of bands, such index printing is possible only by securing a capacity of several megabytes as a buffer memory.

  By the way, when the image photographed with the digital camera is rotated by 90 degrees, the same rotation process is performed on the title “INDEX BANNER” as shown in FIG. On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, there is a case where the index printing is performed in the original state without rotating the image. In this case, when the paper feed direction Y of the paper 1 is set to the vertical direction, the title is printed along the main scanning direction X of the paper 1 so that the paper 1 is positioned in the vertical direction and becomes the normal position. The

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, when the original image is rotated by 90 degrees and printed, the title is also rotated by 90 degrees and the paper feed direction Y of the paper 2 is set to the vertical direction. The title is printed along the paper feed direction Y of the paper 2 so that the position 2 becomes the normal position when viewed in the horizontal direction.

  As described above, when the image is rotated, it is necessary to print the title while being rotated. In this embodiment, as described above, the title selection unit 420 has the title before the rotation process and the title rotated by 90 degrees in order to improve the processing efficiency. Both titles are prepared, and either the title before the rotation process or the title rotated by 90 degrees is selected and sent to the print processing unit 13 in accordance with the presence or absence of the rotation process related to the printing of the original image. . That is, the title selection unit 420 receives information indicating whether or not the rotation processing has been performed by the rotation processing unit 412d, selects a title corresponding to the information, and sends the result to the print processing unit 13.

  In this way, if two kinds of titles are prepared, it is only necessary to select a title corresponding to the case where rotation processing is performed, and the case where rotation processing is performed. There is no need to do so, and the process is simplified.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when performing image correction processing on image data, the image correction unit 412f performs resizing processing depending on what size the image after the resizing processing is, as described above. Image correction processing is performed using either a subsequent image or an image before resizing processing. That is, in order to reduce the amount of image correction processing, the smaller image, that is, the image with the smaller number of pixels is used. Therefore, when the original image is enlarged and printed, image correction is performed using the original image. Conversely, when the original image is reduced and printed, image correction is performed on the reduced image. Apply. Specifically, the image correction unit 412f receives the resize processing information from the resize processing unit 412e, performs an image correction process using the image data before the resize process in the case of the enlargement process, and in the case of the reduction process, Image correction processing is performed using the image data after the resizing processing by the resizing processing unit 412e. Thus, by performing image correction using an image with a small number of pixels, the amount of data processing in the case of image correction can be reduced.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Memory card, 11 ... Photo image processing part, 41 ... Photo image processing part, 13 ... Print processing part, 112 ... Image data processing part, 412 ... Image data processing part, 116 ... Band buffer, 416 ... Band buffer, 118 Image data control unit 418 Image data control unit 112a Original image data file reading unit 412a Original image data file reading unit 112b Restoration processing unit 412b Restoration processing unit 112c Line data reading unit 412c ... Line data reading unit, 112d ... Resize processing unit, 412d ... Rotation processing unit, 112e ... Image correction unit, 412e ... Resize processing unit, 412f ... Image correction unit, 21 ... Card insertion unit, 23 ... Operation panel unit, 25 ... sheet feeding section, 27 ... sheet ejection section, 420 ... title selection section.

Claims (11)

Bit image format image data is generated by performing predetermined image processing including restoration on compressed original image file data that provides each partial image included in image data to be printed in one main scan. Image data processing means,
A printer comprising: control means for controlling the image data processing means to generate image data each time from the original image file data as needed, and to read out and use related portions.   2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the original image file data is JPEG compressed.   3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein the original image file data includes a plurality of images, and the plurality of images are arranged and printed in a predetermined arrangement on one printing paper, and the control means The image data processing means restores image data from the original image file data each time, reads n (n is an integer of 1 or more) lines of data from the restored image data, Image processing is performed to generate image data in the bit image format for the n (n is an integer of 1 or more) lines, the image data for the n (n is an integer of 1 or more) lines is held in a band buffer, A printer that controls to print band data of a band when processing for one band is completed.   4. The printer according to claim 3, wherein the n is 1.   4. The printer according to claim 3, wherein n is the number of lines necessary for the band, which is determined by the band height of the image × 1 / the reduction ratio.   6. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the image data processing means can further execute a rotation process for rotating the original image and changing the orientation of the image by a predetermined angle when printing, as the predetermined image processing. A printer comprising: a rotation processing unit; and a resizing processing unit capable of executing a resizing process for enlarging or reducing an original image.   7. The printer according to claim 6, wherein a title different from the original image can be printed, and the title is rotated at least with the title before the rotation process and the title before the rotation process. Two titles are prepared, and depending on whether or not the rotation processing is executed as the predetermined image processing, either the title before the rotation processing or the rotated title is selected and printed. A printer comprising means for performing   7. The printer according to claim 6, wherein the image data processing means further includes an image correction unit that applies a predetermined correction process to the original image as the predetermined image process, and when the resizing process is executed, The printer according to claim 1, wherein the image correction unit selects an image having a smaller number of pixels among the image before resizing and the image after resizing, and adds the predetermined correction processing to the selected image. An image processing device that reads compressed original image file data, generates bit image format image data, and sends the image data to a print processing device, wherein the image data is printed in one main scan by the print processing device. An image data processing unit that performs predetermined image processing including restoration on the compressed original image file data that provides each partial image included in the image data to generate bit image format image data;
An image having a main control unit that controls the image data processing unit to generate image data each time from the original image file data as needed, and to read and use related portions. Processing equipment. A method for processing image data in a printer that reads a plurality of images each stored as file data in a predetermined storage medium, and prints the images arranged in a predetermined arrangement on a single print sheet,
For each image to be printed side by side in the main scanning direction, an original image reading step for reading compressed original image file data;
A restoration step for restoring the read original image data;
An image processing step of reading out data for n (n is an integer of 1 or more) lines from the restored original image data, and performing predetermined image processing on the data of the n (n is an integer of 1 or more) lines;
A buffering step of holding data for n (n is an integer of 1 or more) lines subjected to the predetermined image processing in a band buffer;
The original image reading step, restoration step, image processing step, and buffering step are repeatedly executed until at least one band of band data is stored in the band buffer for all images to be printed side by side in the main scanning direction. A method of processing image data in a printer. In a printer capable of reading and printing compressed original image file data, the printer obtains band data by dividing image data to be processed into a plurality of bands, and performs print processing using the band data A recording medium on which a program for controlling the printer is recorded.
For each image to be printed side by side in the main scanning direction, a process of reading the compressed original image file data,
Processing for restoring the read original image data;
Predetermined image processing to read out data of n (n is an integer of 1 or more) lines from the restored original image data, and to perform processing on the data of the n (n is an integer of 1 or more) lines;
A process of holding data for n (n is an integer of 1 or more) lines subjected to the predetermined image processing in a band buffer,
The original image is read, restored, image processed, and buffered repeatedly until at least one band of data is stored in the band buffer for all images printed side by side in the main scanning direction. A recording medium on which the program is recorded.

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