JP2011148133A - Data processor, data processing method, and recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data processor which can generate continuous image data that suppress formation of an unnecessary clearance between mutually adjoining original images when a continuous image with a plurality of original images continued in a predetermined direction is recorded on a recording medium, and to provide a data processing method and a recording apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: When first pixel group data are inputted to a transfer switch 63, a bit shifter 66 performs bit-shifting of second pixel group data so that second pixel data are set to a less significant position than a position where first pixel data are set in the first pixel group data. An OR circuit 67 combines the first pixel group data with the second pixel group data after the bit-shifting. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus that processes image data transferred from a host computer, a data processing method, and a recording apparatus including the data processing apparatus.

  Conventionally, for example, a recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed as a recording apparatus that records a plurality of small labels (image data) input from a host computer on a recording sheet as a recording medium. In the recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the size of each small label and the interval between adjacent small labels are based on the number of small labels recorded on the recording paper and the size of the drawing area of the recording paper. Adjusted. In accordance with such adjustment results, in the recording apparatus, a recording head, a paper transport device, and the like are driven, and a plurality of small labels are recorded on the recording paper.

  In recent years, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, an image in which strip-shaped images (also referred to as “original images”) are continuously arranged in a predetermined direction (also referred to as “continuous images”). A recording apparatus for recording the image on a recording sheet is known. In such a recording apparatus, when original image data corresponding to the original image shown in FIG. 9A is input from the host computer, continuous image data corresponding to the continuous image shown in FIG. 9B is generated.

  Specifically, each of pixel data corresponding to a plurality of pixels arranged in a predetermined direction (lateral direction) is transferred from the first storage area to the data generation unit by a data transfer unit (for example, DMAC). Then, in the data generation unit, as shown in FIG. 10, N-bit (for example, 32 bits (bit)) pixel group data including each pixel data corresponding to a plurality of pixels continuous in a predetermined direction is sequentially generated. The The data generation unit outputs the generated pixel group data to the second storage area, thereby generating continuous image data. Such continuous image data is transferred from the second storage area to the print processing unit, and a continuous image is recorded on a recording sheet.

JP-A-5-301411

  Incidentally, the total number of pixel data corresponding to all the pixels arranged in a predetermined direction in the original image is not necessarily a multiple of the number of bits N (for example, 32) constituting the pixel group data. In this case, the first pixel data corresponding to the first pixel located on the next original image side is included among the pixel data constituting one original image data corresponding to one original image among the continuous original images. As shown in FIG. 11, pixel data constituting one original image data may not be stored at the lower position of the first pixel group data.

  Therefore, the first pixel group data and the second pixel group data constituting the next original image data corresponding to the next original image adjacent to the one original image in the predetermined direction are arranged and generated. The image data is continuous image data in which an unnecessary blank is formed between one original image and the next original image. When recording processing is performed on recording paper using such continuous image data, there is a problem in that the amount of recording paper used is unnecessarily increased by an interval of an unnecessary gap formed between the original images. there were.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to make adjacent original images adjacent to each other when a continuous image in which a plurality of original images are continuous in a predetermined direction is recorded on a recording medium. It is an object of the present invention to provide a data processing device, a data processing method, and a recording device that can generate continuous image data that suppresses the formation of unnecessary gaps between them.

  To achieve the above object, the data processing apparatus of the present invention generates continuous image data corresponding to a continuous image in which the original image is continuously arranged in a predetermined direction based on the original image data corresponding to the original image. And a data transfer unit that transfers pixel data corresponding to a plurality of pixels constituting the original image to the data generation unit, and the data generation unit includes a plurality of data arranged in the predetermined direction. In the data processing apparatus including a processing unit that processes N-bit pixel group data including each pixel data corresponding to a pixel, the processing unit includes the predetermined pixel among a plurality of pixels constituting one original image. When the first pixel group data including the first pixel data corresponding to the first pixel located on the most downstream side is input, the next element adjacent to the one original image in the predetermined direction is input. Configure image Second pixel group data including second pixel data corresponding to a second pixel located most upstream in the predetermined direction, the second pixel data being the first pixel. The group data is bit-shifted so as to be set lower than the position where the first pixel data is set, and the bit-shifted second pixel group data and the first pixel group data are combined. .

  According to the above configuration, when the first pixel group data is input to the processing unit of the data generation unit, the second pixel group data includes the second pixel data in the first pixel group data. Bit shift is performed so that the data is set at a lower position than the position where the data is set. Then, the second pixel group data after the bit shift and the first pixel group data are combined. Since continuous image data is generated by such processing, an unnecessary gap is not formed between one original image and the next original image that have been recorded based on the continuous image data. Therefore, continuous image data that suppresses the formation of unnecessary gaps between adjacent original images when a continuous image in which a plurality of original images are continuous in a predetermined direction is recorded on a recording medium. Can be generated.

  In the data processing device of the present invention, the processing unit is based on an information storage unit that stores information on the number of times the second pixel group data is bit-shifted to the lower side, and information stored in the information storage unit, A shift unit for bit-shifting the second pixel group data to the lower side.

  According to the above configuration, the processing unit bit-shifts the second pixel group data to the lower side based on the information stored in the information storage unit. Therefore, the second pixel group data can be quickly bit-shifted by the amount that the processing unit does not need to search for the position where the first pixel data is set in the first pixel group data. It can be generated quickly.

  The data processing device according to the present invention provides the first pixel group data based on the number of pixel data corresponding to a plurality of pixels arranged in the predetermined direction in the original image and the number of bits of the pixel group data. A position acquisition unit that acquires a position where one pixel data is set is further included, and the information storage unit stores an acquisition result obtained by the position acquisition unit.

  According to the above configuration, the position where the first pixel data is set in the first pixel group data is acquired by the position acquisition unit provided separately from the data generation unit. Therefore, continuous image data can be generated promptly as long as the position where the first pixel data is set in the first pixel group data need not be searched by the data generation unit.

In the data processing device of the present invention, the processing unit includes an OR circuit for combining the bit-shifted second pixel group data and the first pixel group data.
According to the above configuration, the synthesis processing of the bit-shifted second pixel group data and the first pixel group data is performed by the OR circuit. Therefore, compared with the case of combining by software such as a CPU, the bit-shifted second pixel group data and the first pixel group data can be combined quickly. Therefore, continuous image data can be generated promptly.

The recording apparatus of the present invention includes the above data processing apparatus and recording means for recording the continuous image based on the continuous image data generated by the data processing apparatus on a recording medium.
According to the above configuration, the recording process is performed on the recording medium based on the continuous image data generated by the data processing device. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the formation of unnecessary gaps between the original images adjacent to each other in the predetermined direction. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the amount of the recording medium used for forming the continuous image as much as an unnecessary gap is not formed between the original images or an unnecessary gap can be narrowed.

  On the other hand, according to the data processing method of the present invention, data for generating continuous image data corresponding to a continuous image in which a plurality of original images are continuously arranged in a predetermined direction based on the original image data corresponding to the original image. A processing method, comprising: a transfer step of transferring each pixel data corresponding to a plurality of pixels constituting the original image to a data generation unit; and each pixel data corresponding to a plurality of pixels arranged in the predetermined direction A processing step of causing the data generation unit to perform processing of N-bit pixel group data. In the processing step, the first pixel located on the most downstream side in the predetermined direction is included in one original image. When the data generation unit performs processing of the first pixel group data including the corresponding first pixel data, the predetermined one of the next original images adjacent to the one original image in the predetermined direction. In the second pixel group data including the second pixel data corresponding to the second pixel located on the most upstream side, the second pixel data is set, and the first pixel data is set in the first pixel group data. The bit shift is performed so that the second pixel group data is set to a position lower than the position where the second pixel group data and the first pixel group data are combined.

  According to the said structure, the effect equivalent to the said data processor can be acquired.

1 is a side view schematically showing an ink jet printer according to an embodiment. (A) is a schematic diagram which shows an original image, (b) is a schematic diagram which shows a continuous image. The block diagram which shows the principal part of the electrical structure of a control apparatus. The schematic diagram explaining that the original image has a some pixel. (A) is a schematic diagram illustrating the order of pixel data stored in the first storage area, (b) is a schematic diagram illustrating the order of pixel data stored in the second storage area, and (c) is a third diagram. The schematic diagram explaining the order of the pixel data memorize | stored in a memory area. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating first pixel group data. The schematic diagram explaining a mode that 2nd pixel group data are bit-shifted. The schematic diagram explaining OR processing of each pixel group data. (A) is a schematic diagram which shows an original image, (b) is a schematic diagram which shows a continuous image. The schematic diagram explaining the continuous image recorded using the continuous image data produced | generated conventionally based on the original image data. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating first pixel group data.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a lateral ink jet printer will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description in the specification, the terms “left-right direction”, “up-down direction”, and “front-rear direction” refer to the direction indicated by the arrow in the drawing of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an ink jet printer 11 as a recording apparatus includes a cuboid body case 12. In the main body case 12, a feeding unit 14 that feeds out a continuous continuous paper (recording medium) 13, a printing chamber 15 in which printing is performed on the continuous paper 13 by jetting ink, and ink by the printing is performed. A drying device 16 that performs a drying process on the attached continuous paper 13 and a winding unit 17 that winds the continuous paper 13 that has been subjected to the drying process are provided.

  That is, a flat base 18 that divides the interior of the main body case 12 vertically is provided at a position slightly above the central portion in the vertical direction in the main body case 12, and is located above the base 18. This area is a printing chamber 15 in which a platen 19 having a rectangular plate shape is supported on a base 18. Then, in the area below the base 18, the feeding portion 14 is disposed at the position on the left side that is upstream in the conveyance direction of the continuous paper 13, and the position on the right side that is on the downstream side, A drying device 16 and a winding unit 17 are disposed.

  A winding shaft 20 extending in the front-rear direction is rotatably provided in the feeding portion 14, and the continuous paper 13 is supported on the winding shaft 20 so as to be integrally rotatable with the winding shaft 20 in a state in which the continuous paper 13 is wound in a roll shape in advance. ing. That is, the continuous paper 13 is fed out from the feeding unit 14 and conveyed downstream in the conveying direction by the rotation of the winding shaft 20. Further, on the right side of the feeding unit 14, a first roller 21 that turns the continuous paper 13 fed from the winding shaft 20 from the lower right side to change the conveying direction of the continuous paper 13 vertically upward is wound. It is provided so as to extend in the front-rear direction in a manner parallel to the shaft 20.

  On the other hand, in the printing chamber 15, the second roller 22 extends in the front-rear direction in a manner parallel to the lower first roller 21 at a position corresponding to the first roller 21 in the vertical direction on the left side of the platen 19. It is provided as follows. Then, the continuous paper 13 whose transport direction is converted to the vertically upward direction by the first roller 21 is wound around the second roller 22 from the lower left side, so that the transport direction is converted to the horizontal right direction, and the platen 19 Slidably contact the top surface of

  In the printing chamber 15, on the right side of the platen 19, a third roller 23 that faces the second roller 22 on the left side in the left-right direction across the platen 19 extends in the front-rear direction in a manner parallel to the second roller 22. It is provided as follows. In addition, the position where each 2nd roller 22 and the 3rd roller 23 are installed so that the top part of each surrounding surface may become the same height as the upper surface of the platen 19 is adjusted.

  Therefore, the continuous paper 13 whose transport direction is changed to the horizontal right direction by the second roller 22 on the left side in the printing chamber 15 is transported to the right side which is the downstream side while being in sliding contact with the upper surface of the platen 19. By being wound on the roller 23 from the upper right side, the conveying direction is changed to the vertically downward direction and conveyed toward the drying device 16 below the base 18. Then, the continuous paper 13 that has been dried by passing through the drying device 16 is further conveyed vertically downward.

  Below the drying device 16, a continuous paper 13 that passes through the drying device 16 and is conveyed vertically downward is wound from above on the left side, so that the conveyance direction of the continuous paper 13 is converted into a horizontal right direction. Four rollers 24 are provided so as to extend in the front-rear direction, and a winding portion 17 is disposed on the right side of the fourth roller 24. The winding unit 17 is provided with a winding shaft 25 extending in the front-rear direction in a manner parallel to the fourth roller 24 so as to rotate based on the driving force of the transport motor 17A (see FIG. 3). A leading end serving as a downstream end in the conveyance direction of the continuous paper 13 is wound around the take-up shaft 25.

  Guide rails 26 (indicated by two-dot chain lines in FIG. 1) extending in the left-right direction are provided on both the front and rear sides of the platen 19 in the printing chamber 15 so as to form a pair. The upper surface of the guide rail 26 is higher than the upper surface of the platen 19, and a rectangular carriage 27 is formed on the upper surface of both guide rails 26 along the both guide rails 26 based on the driving of the carriage motor 27 </ b> A (see FIG. 3). Thus, it is supported in a state in which it can reciprocate in the left-right direction. A plurality of (only two are shown in FIG. 1) recording heads (recording means) 29 are supported on the lower surface side of the carriage 27 via a support plate 28.

  In the printing chamber 15, a certain range from the left end to the right end of the platen 19 is a printing area, and the continuous paper 13 is intermittently conveyed in units of the printing area. Then, ink is ejected from the recording head 29 along with the reciprocating movement of the carriage 27 to the continuous paper 13 which is stopped on the platen 19 by the intermittent conveyance in units of the printing area, and thereby the continuous paper 13 is ejected. Printing is performed. In the printing chamber 15, a maintenance mechanism 30 for performing maintenance of the recording head 29 at the time of non-printing is provided in a non-printing area on the right side of the third roller 23.

  In the inkjet printer 11 of the present embodiment, when original image data corresponding to the original image shown in FIG. 2A is input from a host computer (not shown), M (three in FIGS. 2A and 2B) ) Is generated continuously corresponding to the continuous image shown in FIG. 2B in which the original image is continuously arranged in a predetermined direction (left-right direction in FIG. 2). Then, a recording process based on the continuous image data is performed. That is, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the inkjet printer 11 records a continuous image on the continuous paper 13 by receiving original image data corresponding to the original image from the host computer side.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the original image includes n pixel columns each including m pixels (m is a natural number larger than N (for example, 32)) continuous in the horizontal direction (predetermined direction). (N is a natural number of 1 or more) are arranged side by side. That is, the original image is composed of a plurality of (that is, m × n) pixels arranged two-dimensionally. And each pixel which comprises the pixel row located in the highest rank in FIG. 4 is shown as pixel A11, A12, ..., A1m sequentially from the left. Also, each pixel constituting the pixel column located second from the top in FIG. 4 is indicated as pixels A21, A22,..., A2m in order from the left. In addition, in FIG. 4, each pixel constituting the nth pixel row from the top is indicated as pixels An1, An2,. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the pixels A1m, A2m,..., Anm located on the rightmost side in FIG. 4 are the first pixels, and the pixels A11, A21,. Is the second pixel.

  The plurality of pixel data corresponding to each of the pixels A11 to Anm includes color information of the corresponding pixel. That is, each pixel data is expressed by “0 (zero)” or “1” in the case of binary display. Further, the original image data corresponding to the original image is composed of a plurality of pixel data corresponding to the respective pixels A11 to Anm, and is data in which “0 (zero)” and “1” are combined. Further, “continuous image data corresponding to continuous images” is composed of M original image data.

  Next, of the electrical configuration of the ink jet printer 11 according to the present embodiment, an electrical configuration necessary for recording a continuous image on the continuous paper 13 based on the original image data received from the host computer will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control device (data processing device) 40 of the ink jet printer 11 includes an interface 41, a first storage area 42, a DMAC (Direct Memory Access Controller) 43, a second storage area 44, and a vertical / horizontal conversion circuit 45. , A third storage area 46, an ASIC (Application Specific IC) 47, a CPU 48, and a data generation circuit 49 (a portion surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 2). The control device 40 is provided with a head driver 50, a carriage driver 51, and a transport driver 52.

  The first storage area 42 includes a RAM or a nonvolatile memory (an EEPROM as an example). In the first storage area 42, original image data received from the host computer via the interface 41 is stored. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5A, the first storage area 42 corresponds to the pixels A11, A12,..., A1m, A21,. Each pixel data is stored in the order of addresses. In other words, each pixel data corresponding to each pixel (for example, pixels A11 to A1m) is stored in the first storage area 42 for each pixel column.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the DMAC 43 transfers each pixel data stored in the first storage area 42 to the data generation circuit 49 in accordance with a transfer instruction from the CPU 48 described later, and outputs the data output from the data generation circuit 49 to the data generation circuit 49. 2 is stored in the storage area 44. The DMAC 43 has information input from the CPU 48, that is, a head address that is a transfer start position from the first storage area 42, and the number of pixel data to be transferred to the data generation circuit 49 (also referred to as “transfer data length”). And a storage unit (not shown) (for example, a register). Then, when information is set in the storage unit, the DMAC 43 stores a plurality of pieces of pixel data starting with pixel data stored in the top address (for example, pixel data corresponding to the pixel A11) in the first storage area 42. To the data generation circuit 49 sequentially. Therefore, in this embodiment, the DMAC 43 functions as a data transfer unit.

  The second storage area 44 is a storage area for storing continuous image data, and has a RAM or a nonvolatile memory. In the second storage area 44, the data output from the data generation circuit 49 is stored in order. That is, in the second storage area 44, as shown in FIG. 5B, each pixel data constituting the continuous image data is stored in order for each pixel column. Pixel data corresponding to the pixel A11 is stored at the start address of the second storage area 44, and pixel data corresponding to the pixel A12 is stored at the next address. In addition, the pixel data corresponding to the pixel A11 is stored at the address next to the address where the pixel data corresponding to the pixel A1m is stored. Also, the pixel data corresponding to the most upstream pixel A21 in the horizontal direction in the second pixel column is the next address after the address where the pixel data corresponding to the downstreammost pixel A1m in the horizontal direction of the continuous image is stored. Is memorized. The last address of the second storage area 44 stores pixel data corresponding to the pixel Anm on the most downstream side (lower right in FIG. 2B) in the horizontal and vertical directions of the continuous image. In the present embodiment, the continuous image data stored in the second storage area 44 is also referred to as “continuous image data continuous in the horizontal direction”.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the vertical / horizontal conversion circuit 45 performs conversion processing for converting the continuous image data in the horizontal direction stored in the second storage area 44 into continuous image data in the vertical direction. Continuous image data is stored in the third storage area 46. The “continuous image data continuous in the vertical direction” indicates data in which a collection of data composed of n pieces of pixel data continuous in the vertical direction is arranged in order.

  The third storage area 46 has a RAM or a nonvolatile memory. In the third storage area 46, continuous image data continuous in the vertical direction is stored. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5C, pixel data corresponding to the pixel A11 is stored at the start address of the third storage area 46, and pixel data corresponding to the pixel A21 is stored at the next address. Is done. Further, the pixel data corresponding to the pixel A12 is stored at the address next to the address where the pixel data corresponding to the pixel An1 is stored, and the pixel data corresponding to the pixel A22 is stored at the next address. . The last address stores pixel data corresponding to the pixel Anm on the most downstream side (lower right in FIG. 2B) in the horizontal and vertical directions of the continuous image.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the ASIC 47 converts the continuous image data stored in the third storage area 46 into bitmap data having a predetermined gradation value that becomes an ejection signal when ejecting ink droplets from the nozzles of the recording head 29. Perform image processing. A head driver 50 is connected to the ASIC 47. The ASIC 47 controls the recording head 29 via the head driver 50 to eject ink droplets from the nozzles.

  A conveyance driver 52 and a carriage driver 51 are connected to the CPU 48. Then, the CPU 48 drives the winding unit 17 by controlling the driving of the transport motor 17 </ b> A via the transport driver 52. Further, the CPU 48 controls the drive of the carriage motor 27A via the carriage driver 51 to move the carriage 27 in the left-right direction (or the front-rear direction (the direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. 1)).

  Further, when the original image data is stored in the first storage area 42, the CPU 48 acquires the number of data of each pixel data corresponding to each pixel (for example, the pixels A11 to A1m) arranged in the horizontal direction of the original image. In addition, when the CPU 48 causes the DMAC 43 to transfer a plurality of pixel data from the first storage area 42 to the data generation circuit 49, the CPU 48 selects the pixel data to be transferred first and stores the pixel data in the first storage area. The head address of 42 and the number of data of pixel data to be continuously transferred (that is, the transfer data length) are set. Then, the CPU 48 outputs information including a head address and transfer data length and a transfer instruction to the DMAC 43 and outputs a signal related to the transfer data length to a main control unit 68 described later. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the CPU 48 serves as an information output unit that outputs, to the DMAC 43, information that specifies the pixel data that is first read out of each pixel data that is read from the first storage area 42 and the number of pixel data to be read. Also works.

  Further, the CPU 48 divides the number of pixel data to be transferred to the DMAC 43 by the number of bits N (32 as an example) of pixel group data, which will be described later, and obtains the remainder α (see FIG. 2). Then, the CPU 48 stores a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the remainder α from the bit number N as a predetermined value (N−α) in a register 65 of the data generation circuit 49 described later. This predetermined value (N−α) specifies the number of times to shift the second pixel group data described later to the lower side. Therefore, in this embodiment, the CPU 48 also functions as a position acquisition unit.

  Further, when all the pixel data constituting the continuous image data is stored in the second storage area 44, the CPU 48 outputs a conversion instruction to the effect that the vertical / horizontal conversion circuit 45 executes the conversion process. In addition, when the continuous image data after the conversion process is stored in the third storage area 46, the CPU 48 outputs a control command for causing the ASIC 47 to execute the image process, and cooperates with the ASIC 47 to output the continuous paper. 13 is recorded.

  Next, the data generation circuit 49 will be described. 6 to 8 show N-bit (32-bit) pixel group data including at least one pixel data. A hatched portion such as a hatched line or a dot indicates a portion where pixel data is set, while a portion where hatching is not performed indicates a portion where pixel data is not set.

  The data generation circuit 49 includes an input buffer 60 in which pixel data input from the first storage area 42 is temporarily stored, and a processing unit 61 that processes data output from the input buffer 60 (in FIG. 3, an alternate long and short dash line). And an output buffer 62 in which data processed by the processing unit 61 is temporarily stored.

  The input buffer 60 has a register (not shown) of N bits (for example, 32 bits), and each pixel data transferred to the input buffer 60 is set in the register in order from the upper bit. When pixel data is set in the least significant bit of the register, pixel group data composed of N pieces of pixel data set in the register is input from the input buffer 60 to a selector switch 63 (to be described later) of the processing unit 61. Transferred. In addition, among the pixel group data generated in the input buffer 60, the second pixel group data in which the second pixel data corresponding to the pixels A11, A21 to An1 is set to the top is not only the changeover switch 63, It is also transferred to the memory 64 and overwritten and stored.

  The register of the input buffer 60 may be set with first pixel data corresponding to the pixels (first pixels) A1m to Anm. Such first pixel data is not set in the least significant bit of the register when the remainder α is not “0 (zero)”. In this case, data is not set to bits lower than the bit for which the first pixel data is set in the register, that is, “0 (zero)” is set (see FIG. 11). When the first pixel data is set in the register, the switching signal Sgn is input to the input buffer 60 from the main control unit 68 (described later) of the processing unit 61. Then, the N-bit first pixel group data including the first pixel data is output from the input buffer 60 to the changeover switch 63. In the first pixel group data, the pixel data is set at a predetermined position where the first pixel data is set and the upper side of the predetermined position, while the pixel data is set below the predetermined position. It has not been.

  The output buffer 62 has an N-bit (for example, 32-bit) register (not shown), and pixel group data output from a selector switch 63 or an OR circuit 67 described later is set in the register. Then, the pixel group data set in the register is transferred from the output buffer 62 to the second storage area 44 from the upper bits.

The processing unit 61 includes a changeover switch 63, a memory 64, a register 65, a bit shifter 66, an OR circuit 67, and a main control unit 68.
The changeover switch 63 includes a switching element that switches the data output destination to the output buffer 62 or the OR circuit 67 based on the switching signal Sgn from the main control unit 68. Specifically, the changeover switch 63 outputs pixel group data to the output buffer 62 when the changeover signal Sgn is not input from the main control unit 68. On the other hand, when the switching signal Sgn is input from the main control unit 68, the changeover switch 63 outputs the pixel group data to the OR circuit 67 and the signal indicating that the pixel group data is output to the OR circuit 67 ( (Also referred to as “output signal”) is output to the main control unit 68.

  The memory 64 stores the second pixel group data input from the input buffer 60. The register 65 stores information indicating the predetermined value (N−α) input from the CPU 48, that is, information regarding the number of times to shift the second pixel group data stored in the memory 64. Therefore, in this embodiment, the register 65 functions as an information storage unit. When the switching signal Sgn is input from the main control unit 68, the memory 64 and the register 65 output the second pixel group data and the information to the bit shifter 66, respectively.

  The bit shifter 66 has a register (not shown) that stores the second pixel group data input from the memory 64. The bit shifter 66 bit-shifts the second pixel group data to the lower side based on the information input from the register 65. As an example, when the bit number N of the pixel group data is “32” and the remainder α input from the register 65 is “3”, the bit shifter 66 is set in the register as shown in FIG. The second pixel group data is shifted to the lower side 29 times (that is, N-α times). As a result, “0 (zero)” is set in each of the top 29 (ie, (N−α)) positions of the second pixel group data after the bit shift. Therefore, in this embodiment, the bit shifter 66 functions as a shift unit.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the OR circuit 67 stores a first register (not shown) that stores the first pixel group data input from the changeover switch 63 and a second pixel group data that is input from the bit shifter 66. A second register that does not. Then, the OR circuit 67 combines the pixel group data set in the registers to generate N-bit combined pixel group data. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the OR circuit 67 ORs each pixel group data to generate synthesized pixel group data, and outputs the synthesized pixel group data to the output buffer 62.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the main control unit 68 includes a counter (not shown) for counting the number of pixel data transferred to the input buffer 60, and information input from the CPU 48 (that is, pixel data to be transferred to the data generation circuit 49). And a register (not shown) for storing the information indicating the number of data. The main control unit 68 outputs the switching signal Sgn to the input buffer 60, the changeover switch 63, the memory 64, and the register 65 when the count result by the counter reaches the number of data stored in the register. The main control unit 68 stops outputting the switching signal Sgn to the input buffer 60, the switching switch 63, the memory 64, and the register 65 when the output signal is output from the switching switch 63.

Next, a data processing method for generating continuous image data based on original image data will be described.
When the original image data is input to the first storage area 42, the CPU 48 acquires the data number of each pixel data corresponding to each pixel constituting one pixel column of the original image. Subsequently, the CPU 48 sets a head address where pixel data corresponding to the pixel A11 is stored in the first storage area 42, and a transfer data length from the pixel data corresponding to the pixel A11 to the pixel data corresponding to the pixel A1m. To do. Further, the CPU 48 acquires the remainder α and a predetermined value (N−α) based on the set transfer data length. Then, the CPU 48 outputs information including the head address and the transfer data length to the DMAC 43, outputs information related to the transfer data length to the main control unit 68, and further outputs a predetermined value (N−α) of the data generation circuit 49. Store in register 65. Then, information input from the CPU 48 is stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the DMAC 43, and the DMAC 43 sequentially transfers the pixel data corresponding to the pixels A11 to A1m to the data generation circuit 49 in the order of addresses (transfer step).

  In the data generation circuit 49, each pixel data transferred by the DMAC 43 is sequentially stored in a register (not shown) of the input buffer 60. That is, pixel data corresponding to the pixel A11 is stored in the most significant bit of the register, and pixel data corresponding to the pixel A12 is stored in the next bit. When pixel data is stored in each bit of the register, second pixel group data including each pixel data stored in the register is output from the input buffer 60 to the memory 64 and the changeover switch 63. The memory 64 stores the second pixel group data. At this stage, since the switching signal Sgn is not input from the main control unit 68 to the changeover switch 63, the second pixel group data input from the input buffer 60 is output from the changeover switch 63 to the output buffer 62. The Then, the second pixel group data is transferred from the output buffer 62 to the second storage area 44, and each pixel data constituting the second pixel group data is stored in the second storage area 44.

  On the other hand, in the register of the input buffer 60 that outputs the second pixel group data to the memory 64 and the changeover switch 63, the next pixel data of each pixel data constituting the second pixel group data is sequentially stored. Then, in the input buffer 60, the next pixel group data following the second pixel group data is generated, and the pixel group data is output from the input buffer 60 to the changeover switch 63. Then, the pixel group data is output from the changeover switch 63 to the output buffer 62, and the pixel group data is transferred from the output buffer 62 to the second storage area 44. As described above, in the data generation circuit 49, pixel group data including each pixel data transferred to the input buffer 60 is output to the output buffer 62 via the changeover switch 63, and the second storage area 44 is output from the output buffer 62. (Processing step).

  Then, at the timing when the DMAC 43 transfers the pixel data corresponding to the pixel A1m to the input buffer 60, the main control unit 68 outputs the switching signal Sgn to the input buffer 60, the changeover switch 63, the memory 64, and the register 65. The Then, even if no pixel data is stored in the least significant bit of the register, first pixel group data having pixel data corresponding to the pixel A1m is output from the input buffer 60 to the changeover switch 63 (see FIG. 6). Then, the changeover switch 63 outputs the first pixel group data to the OR circuit 67 in accordance with the switching signal Sgn from the main control unit 68, and the first pixel group data is stored in the first register of the OR circuit 67. Is done.

  In addition, the second pixel group data is output from the memory 64 to the bit shifter 66 by the switching signal Sgn from the main control unit 68, and the information input from the CPU 48 is input to the bit shifter 66 from the register 65. Is output. Then, the second pixel group data stored in the register of the bit shifter 66 is the lower side of the position where the pixel data corresponding to the pixel A11 is set to the pixel data corresponding to the pixel A1m in the first pixel group data. Is bit-shifted to be located at (see FIG. 7). As an example, when the pixel data corresponding to the pixel A1m in the first pixel group data is set at the third position from the upper side, the second pixel group data is the pixel data located at the highest position (ie, pixel The pixel data corresponding to A11) is bit-shifted so as to be set at the fourth position. Thereafter, the second pixel group data after the bit shift is output from the bit shifter 66 to the OR circuit 67 and stored in the second register of the OR circuit 67.

  Thereafter, the OR circuit 67 performs an OR process on the first pixel group data stored in the first register and the second pixel group data after bit shift stored in the second register (see FIG. 8). Then, the pixel data included in the first pixel group data is set in the upper part, and the synthesized pixel group data is generated in which the pixel data included in the second pixel group data after the bit shift is set in the lower part. The As a result, in the combined pixel group data, the pixel data corresponding to the pixel A11 is arranged at a position next to the pixel data corresponding to the pixel A1m. The synthesized pixel group data is output to the output buffer 62 and transferred from the output buffer 62 to the second storage area 44 (generation step).

  On the other hand, the CPU 48 outputs information related to each pixel data to be transferred to the data generation circuit 49 to the DMAC 43 at the timing when the transfer processing of each pixel data by the DMAC 43 is completed. Specifically, the CPU 48 sets the head address so that the pixel data stored at the lower address by α more than the pixel data corresponding to the pixel A11 in the first storage area 42 becomes the head, Set the transfer data length. As an example, when the remainder α is “3”, the head address is set to the address where the pixel data corresponding to the pixel A14 is stored, and the transfer data length is equal to each pixel data corresponding to the pixels A14 to A1m. Set to the length of Then, the CPU 48 outputs information including the newly set head address and transfer data length to the DMAC 43.

  Further, the CPU 48 divides the newly set transfer data length by the number of bits N of the pixel group data, and newly acquires the remainder α and a predetermined value (N−α) at this time. Then, the CPU 48 stores the newly acquired predetermined value (N−α) in the register 65 of the data generation circuit 49 and outputs a signal related to the newly set transfer data length to the main control unit 68. Then, in the data generation circuit 49, a plurality of pixel group data is generated and transferred to the second storage area 44 by a method equivalent to the data processing method described above (transfer step).

  When each pixel data corresponding to the uppermost pixel column in the continuous image is stored in the second storage area 44, the control device 40 performs processing on each pixel data corresponding to the second upper pixel column. The When each pixel data corresponding to the lowest pixel column in the continuous image is stored in the second storage area 44, the data processing by the data generation circuit 49 is completed (generation step).

  Thereafter, the continuous image data stored in the second storage area 44 is subjected to conversion processing by the vertical / horizontal conversion circuit 45, and the continuous image data after the conversion processing is stored in the third storage area 46. Subsequently, the recording head 29, the carriage 27, and the winding unit 17 are driven by the cooperation of the CPU 48 and the ASIC 47, whereby a continuous image is stored on the continuous paper 13.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When the first pixel group data is input to the changeover switch 63, the second pixel group data stored in the memory 64 is the first pixel data in the first pixel group data. Is bit-shifted so that it is set lower than the position where is set. Then, synthesized pixel group data obtained by synthesizing the second pixel group data after the bit shift and the first pixel group data is generated. Continuous image data is generated using such synthesized pixel group data. Therefore, in the second storage area 44, the second pixel data is stored at the address next to the address where the first pixel data is stored. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unnecessary gaps from being formed between one original image constituting a continuous image recorded on the continuous paper 13 based on such continuous image data and the next original image adjacent in the horizontal direction. it can. Therefore, the use amount of the continuous paper 13 on which the continuous image is formed can be reduced by the amount that unnecessary gaps are not formed between the original images constituting the continuous image.

  (2) The bit shifter 66 bit-shifts the second pixel group data to the lower side based on the information stored in the register 65 (predetermined value (N−α)). Therefore, each time the first pixel group data is input to the changeover switch 63, it is not necessary to search the data generation circuit 49 for the position where the first pixel data is set in the first pixel group data. Therefore, the load on the data generation circuit 49 can be reduced by the amount that the second pixel group data has to be bit-shifted based on the information already stored in the register 65 before performing the bit shift process, and as a result, continuous image data. Can contribute to the prompt generation of

  (3) The position where the first pixel data is set in the first pixel group data is acquired by the CPU 48 provided separately from the data generation circuit. Therefore, the processing load of the data generation circuit 49 can be reduced as compared with the case where the data generation circuit 49 acquires the position where the first pixel data is set in the first pixel group data. Therefore, the complexity of the data generation circuit 49 can be suppressed.

  (4) The synthesis process of the bit-shifted second pixel group data and the first pixel group data is performed by an OR circuit. Therefore, the second pixel group data and the first pixel group data that have been bit-shifted can be quickly synthesized as compared with the case where the synthesis is performed by software such as the CPU 48 that is not good at the synthesis process. Therefore, continuous image data can be generated promptly.

  (5) Further, continuous image data is generated based on the original image data by processing of hardware such as the DMAC 43 and the data generation circuit 49. Therefore, compared to the case where continuous image data is generated by software processing, continuous image data can be generated quickly, and as a result, the continuous image can be quickly recorded on the continuous paper 13.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
In the embodiment, the original image data may be data having a plurality (for example, four) of pixel data corresponding to one pixel. That is, the pixel is composed of a combination of a plurality of colors (for example, four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). Therefore, for one pixel, pixel data for cyan, pixel data for magenta, pixel data for yellow, and pixel data for black are set.

  In the embodiment, the bit shifter 66 sets the second pixel group data as a predetermined number lower than the position where the second pixel data is set in the first pixel group data. The bit shift may be performed as described above. If comprised in this way, the clearance gap according to the said predetermined number will be formed between each image which comprises a continuous image. However, such a gap is set as necessary, and the interval does not change depending on the number of pixels of the original image.

In the embodiment, the processing method of the pixel group data after the OR process between the first pixel group data and the second pixel group data after the bit shift may be performed by the following method.
That is, the data generation circuit 49 transfers the third pixel group data in which the pixel data corresponding to the pixel A11 is set at the highest level. Then, the third pixel group data is adjacent to the pixel (for example, pixel A12) in which the pixel data set at the highest level is based on the pixel data set at the lowest level of the second pixel group data after the bit shift. A bit shift is performed to the upper side so that pixel data corresponding to the pixel to be processed (in this case, pixel A13) is obtained. Subsequently, the data generation circuit 49 receives pixel data (“fourth pixel”) next to pixel data (also referred to as “third pixel data”) set at the lowest position of the third pixel group data before the bit shift. The fourth pixel group data set to the top is also transferred. Then, the fourth pixel group data is set on the lower side so that the fourth pixel data is set on the lower side of the position where the third pixel data is set in the third pixel group data after the bit shift. Bit shift. Thereafter, the third pixel group data after the bit shift and the fourth pixel group data after the bit shift are combined.

In order to perform such processing, it is desirable that the pixel group data can be output from the changeover switch 63 to the bit shifter 66 by a signal from the main control unit 68.
In the embodiment, when the pixel data is transferred from the first storage area 42 to the data generation circuit 49, the pixel data may be transferred in units of a plurality (for example, N).

  In the embodiment, when pixel data is transferred from the first storage area 42 to the data generation circuit 49, burst transfer designating the number of data and the number of transfers at one transfer may be performed. In this case, in the first storage area 42, dummy data (that is, “0 (”) is stored in the address next to the address where the pixel data corresponding to the pixels A1m, A2m,. Zero) ”) is preferably stored.

  In the embodiment, pixel data corresponding to the pixels A1m, A2m,..., Anm, which is the first image among the pixels constituting one original image, is transferred from the first storage area 42 to the data generation circuit 49. In this case, not the pixel data for the next original image that is adjacent to the one original image in the horizontal direction, but the pixel data corresponding to the pixels in the next pixel column among the pixels constituting the one original image are transferred. Also good. If comprised in this way, since the part regarding one original image is rapidly produced | generated among continuous image data, the throughput of the inkjet printer 11 can be improved.

  In the embodiment, the bit number N of the pixel group data may be a bit number smaller than 32 bits (for example, 16 bits) or a bit number larger than 32 bits (for example, 64 bits). . In this case, each register in the data generation circuit 49 preferably has a bit number equivalent to the bit number N of the pixel group data.

In the embodiment, the data generation unit may be configured by software such as the CPU 48.
In the embodiment, the continuous image may have a configuration in which a plurality of original images having different aspects are arranged in the horizontal direction. In this case, before the first pixel group data including the first pixel data corresponding to the first pixel among the pixels constituting one original image is input to the changeover switch 63, the memory 64 stores the first pixel data. Second pixel group data including second pixel data corresponding to the second pixel located on the most original image side among the pixels constituting the next original image adjacent to the original image is stored. It is desirable to keep it.

In the embodiment, the recording medium may be a long plastic film or cloth.
In the embodiment, the recording apparatus may be a printer in which the recording head 29 does not move during recording processing on the recording medium, or a printer in which the recording head 29 moves in a scanning direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium. There may be.

  In the above embodiment, the recording apparatus is embodied as an ink jet printer. However, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects or ejects liquid other than ink may be employed, and a minute amount of liquid droplets is ejected. The present invention can be used for various liquid ejecting apparatuses including a liquid ejecting head. In addition, a droplet means the state of the liquid discharged from the said liquid ejecting apparatus, and shall also include what pulls a tail in granular shape, tear shape, and thread shape. The liquid here may be any material that can be ejected by the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, it may be in the state when the substance is in a liquid phase, such as a liquid state with high or low viscosity, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (metal melts ) And a liquid as one state of a substance, as well as a material in which particles of a functional material made of a solid such as a pigment or metal particles are dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent. Further, representative examples of the liquid include ink and liquid crystal as described in the above embodiment. Here, the ink includes general water-based inks and oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot melt inks. As a specific example of the liquid ejecting apparatus, for example, a liquid containing a material such as an electrode material or a color material used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, a surface emitting display, a color filter, or the like in a dispersed or dissolved state. It may be a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting, a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a bio-organic material used for biochip manufacturing, a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a liquid as a sample used as a precision pipette, a textile printing apparatus, a microdispenser, or the like. In addition, transparent resin liquids such as UV curable resin to form liquid injection devices that pinpoint lubricant oil onto precision machines such as watches and cameras, and micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements. A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid onto the substrate or a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects an etching solution such as an acid or an alkali to etch the substrate may be employed. The present invention can be applied to any one of these injection devices.

  In the embodiment, the recording apparatus may be a non-impact printer such as a laser printer (single drum method or tandem method), an LED printer, a thermal transfer printer (including a sublimation printer), or an impact such as a dot impact printer. An expression printer may be used.

Next, the technical idea that can be grasped from the above embodiment and another embodiment will be added below.
(A) a storage area in which each pixel data constituting the original image data is stored in the order of pixels arranged in the predetermined direction;
In a case where a plurality of pixel data is transferred to the data transfer unit, information specifying the pixel data read first and the number of pixel data to be read out among the pixel data read from the storage area is stored in the data transfer unit. And an information output unit for outputting to
The data transfer unit reads a plurality of pixel data from the storage area based on the information output from the information output unit and transfers the read pixel data to the data generation unit.

(B) The information output unit
After the first pixel data is transferred to the data generation unit,
Pixels corresponding to pixels adjacent to the downstream side in the predetermined direction with respect to the pixels based on the pixel data located at the lowest position among the pixel data included in the second pixel group data bit-shifted by the processing unit Information that allows data to be read from the storage area is output to the data transfer unit.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Inkjet printer as recording device, 13 ... Continuous paper as recording medium, 29 ... Recording head as recording means, 40 ... Control device as data processing device, 42 ... First storage area, 43 ... Data transfer unit As a DMAC, 48: a position acquisition unit, a CPU as an information output unit, 49: a data generation circuit as a data generation unit, 61: a processing unit, 65: a register as an information storage unit, 66: a bit shifter as a shift unit 67, OR circuit, A11-Anm, pixel.

Claims (6)

A data generation unit that generates continuous image data corresponding to a continuous image in which the original image is continuously arranged in a predetermined direction based on the original image data corresponding to the original image;
A data transfer unit that transfers each pixel data corresponding to a plurality of pixels constituting the original image to the data generation unit;
In the data processing apparatus, the data generation unit includes a processing unit that processes N-bit pixel group data including pixel data corresponding to a plurality of pixels arranged in the predetermined direction.
The processor is
When the first pixel group data including the first pixel data corresponding to the first pixel located on the most downstream side in the predetermined direction among the plurality of pixels constituting one original image is input,
Second pixel data corresponding to a second pixel located on the most upstream side in the predetermined direction among a plurality of pixels constituting the next original image adjacent to the one original image in the predetermined direction. The second pixel data is bit-shifted so that the second pixel data is set on the lower side of the position where the first pixel data is set in the first pixel group data;
A data processing apparatus characterized by combining the bit-shifted second pixel group data and the first pixel group data. The processing unit stores an information storage unit that stores information on the number of times the second pixel group data is bit-shifted to the lower side;
The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a shift unit that bit-shifts the second pixel group data to the lower side based on information stored in the information storage unit. Position where the first pixel data is set in the first pixel group data based on the number of pixel data corresponding to a plurality of pixels arranged in the predetermined direction in the original image and the number of bits of the pixel group data A position acquisition unit for acquiring
The data processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information storage unit stores an acquisition result obtained by the position acquisition unit. The said processing part has an OR circuit for synthesize | combining the said 2nd pixel group data by which the bit shift was carried out, and the said 1st pixel group data, The any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The data processing device according to one item. A data processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A recording apparatus comprising: recording means for recording the continuous image based on the continuous image data generated by the data processing apparatus on a recording medium. A data processing method for generating continuous image data corresponding to a continuous image in which a plurality of original images are continuously arranged in a predetermined direction based on original image data corresponding to the original image,
A transfer step of transferring each pixel data corresponding to a plurality of pixels constituting the original image to a data generation unit;
A processing step of causing the data generation unit to perform processing of N-bit pixel group data including pixel data corresponding to a plurality of pixels arranged in the predetermined direction,
In the processing step,
When the data generation unit performs processing of first pixel group data including first pixel data corresponding to a first pixel located on the most downstream side in the predetermined direction in one original image,
Second pixel group data including second pixel data corresponding to the second pixel located on the most upstream side in the predetermined direction among the next original images adjacent to the one original image in the predetermined direction. The second pixel data is bit-shifted so that the second pixel data is set to a lower side than the position where the first pixel data is set in the first pixel group data,
A data processing method comprising combining the bit-shifted second pixel group data and the first pixel group data.

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