JP2021015516A - Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To transfer image data at high-speed while suppressing the increase in the scale of electronic circuits.SOLUTION: An image processing apparatus according to one aspect of the disclosed technology comprises: N-1 or less transfer units that transfer N color image data generated from stored image data to an external apparatus; and a switching control unit that switches the color image data transferred by the transfer units in time series based on the data amount of the color image data transferred by the transfer units.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present application relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program.

Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, there is known a technique of transferring image data stored in a memory at high speed by using an electronic circuit.

Further, when the processing for the color data in the image data is switched to either parallel processing or time division processing according to the required processing speed and the time division processing is performed, the processing other than the processing unit that performs the time division processing is performed. A technique for stopping a section is disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

However, in the prior art, the scale of the electronic circuit may be large.

The disclosed technology has an object of high-speed transfer of image data while suppressing an increase in the scale of electronic circuits.

The image processing device according to one aspect of the disclosed technique is a transfer unit of N-1 or less that transfers N color image data generated from the stored image data to an external device, and is transferred by the transfer unit. A switching control unit for switching the color image data transferred by the transfer unit in a time series based on the amount of the color image data data is provided.

According to the disclosed technology, image data can be transferred at high speed while suppressing an increase in the scale of electronic circuits.

It is a block diagram which shows the hardware configuration example of the MFP which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure example of the MFP which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining an example of the transferred data amount. It is a figure explaining the remaining time in a line cycle. It is a flowchart which shows the processing example by the MFP which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the configuration example for transfer of image data, (a) is the figure explaining the case of the comparative example, and (b) is the figure explaining the case of the first embodiment. It is a figure explaining the transfer period example of an image data, (a) is a figure explaining the case of a comparative example, and (b) is a figure explaining the case of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the transfer period example which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure example of the MFP which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the processing example by the MFP which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the transfer period example which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same components may be designated by the same reference numerals and duplicate description may be omitted.

In the embodiment, N color image data generated from the stored image data are transferred to an external device by N-1 or less transfer units, and of the color image data transferred by each of the transfer units. By switching the color image data transferred by each of the transfer units in time series based on the amount of data, the image data is transferred at high speed while suppressing the increase in the scale of the electronic circuit.

In the embodiment, the MFP (Multifunction Peripheral Product Printer) will be described as an example of the image processing device.

<Hardware configuration of MFP1>
First, the hardware configuration of the MFP 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of MFP1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 1 includes a controller 910, a short-range communication circuit 920, an engine control unit 930, an operation panel 940, and a network I / F 950.

Of these, the controller 910 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 901, which is a main part of a computer, a system memory (MEM-P) 902, a north bridge (NB) 903, a south bridge (SB) 904, and an ASIC. (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 906, a local memory (MEM-C) 907 which is a storage unit, an HDD controller 908, and an HD909 which is a storage unit are provided, and an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) is provided between the NB 903 and the ASIC 906. It is configured to be connected by bus 921.

Of these, the CPU 901 is a control unit that controls the entire MFP 1.

The NB903 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 901, the MEM-P902, the SB904, and the AGP bus 921, and is a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P902, a PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect express) master, and an AGP target. And.

The MEM-P902 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 902a, which is a memory for storing programs and data that realizes each function of the controller 910, and a RAM (RAM) used as a memory for developing programs and data, and a memory for drawing at the time of memory printing. It is equipped with Random Access Memory) 902b. The program stored in the RAM 902b is configured to be provided by recording a file in an installable format or an executable format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD. You may.

The SB904 is a bridge for connecting the NB903 to a PCIe device and peripheral devices.

The ASIC 906 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing applications having hardware elements for image processing, and is a bridge connecting AGP bus 921, PCIe bus 922, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 908 and MEM-C907, respectively. Have a role.

This ASIC906 includes a PCIe target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) which is the core of ASIC906, a memory controller that controls MEM-C907, and a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory) that rotate image data by hardware logic or the like. An Access Controller) and a PCIe unit that transfers data between the scanner unit 931 and the printer unit 932 via the PCIe bus 922.

A USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or an IEEE 1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface may be connected to the ASIC 906.

The MEM-C907 is a local memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer. The HD (Hard Disk) 909 is a storage for accumulating image data, accumulating font data used at the time of printing, and accumulating forms. The HDD controller 908 controls reading or writing of data to the HD909 according to the control of the CPU 901. The AGP bus 921 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed to speed up graphics processing, and the graphics accelerator card can be speeded up by directly accessing the MEM-P902 with high throughput. ..

Further, the short-range communication circuit 920 includes a short-range communication circuit 920a. The short-range communication circuit 920 is a communication circuit such as NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

Further, the engine control unit 930 is composed of a scanner unit 931 and a printer unit 932.

Further, the operation panel 940 displays a current setting value, a selection screen, and the like, and receives a panel display unit 940a such as a touch panel that receives input from an operator, and a setting value of a condition related to image formation such as a density setting condition. It includes an operation panel 940b including a numeric keypad and a start key for receiving a copy start instruction.

The controller 910 controls the entire MFP1 and controls drawing, communication, input from the operation panel 940, and the like. The scanner unit 931 or the printer unit 932 includes an image processing portion such as error diffusion and gamma conversion.

The MFP1 can sequentially switch and select the document box function, the copy function, the printer function, and the facsimile function by the application switching key on the operation panel 940. When the document box function is selected, the document box mode is set, when the copy function is selected, the copy mode is set, when the printer function is selected, the printer mode is set, and when the facsimile mode is selected, the facsimile mode is set.

Further, the network I / F (Interface) 950 is an interface for performing data communication using the communication network 100. The short-range communication circuit 920 and the network I / F 950 are electrically connected to the ASIC 906 via the PCIe bus 922.

<Functional configuration of MFP1>
Next, the functional configuration of the MFP 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the MFP 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 1 includes an image output unit 2, a storage unit 3, a switching control unit 4, a first transfer unit 5, and a second transfer unit 6. Of these, the function of the image output unit 2 is realized by the CPU 901 or the like in FIG. 1, and the function of the storage unit 3 is realized by the MEM-C907 or the like in FIG. Further, the function of the switching control unit 4 is realized by the ASIC906 or the like shown in FIG. 1, and the functions of the first transfer unit 5 and the second transfer unit 6 are realized by the DMAC or the like included in the ASIC906 of FIG.

The image output unit 2 reads out the image data stored in the storage unit 3, and obtains four color image data of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) from the image data. It is generated and output to the switching control unit 4. Here, the four-color color image data is an example of "N color image data". Further, in the following, cyan may be represented as C, magenta as M, yellow as Y, and black as K.

The switching control unit 4 distributes and outputs each of the four color image data input from the image output unit 2 to either the first transfer unit 5 or the second transfer unit 6. At this time, the switching control unit 4 of the first transfer unit 5 or the second transfer unit 6 is based on the amount of color image data transferred by each of the first transfer unit 5 or the second transfer unit 6. The color image data transferred by each is switched in chronological order.

Each of the first transfer unit 5 and the second transfer unit 6 transfers the color image data input from the switching control unit 4 to the engine control unit 930. Here, each of the first transfer unit 5 and the second transfer unit 6 is an example of a "transfer unit", and the first transfer unit 5 and the second transfer unit 6 are "N-1 or less transfers". This is an example of "part".

The engine control unit 930 controls the printer unit 932 of FIG. 1 based on the color image data input from the first transfer unit 5 and the second transfer unit 6, and C, M, Y and C, M, Y and on a recording medium such as paper. A full-color image of K is formed. Here, the engine control unit 930 is an example of an "external device".

The functions of each part will be described in more detail.

Of those shown above, the image output unit 2 includes a color image generation unit 21 and an input / output unit 22. The color image generation unit 21 reads out the image data stored in the storage unit 3 via the input / output unit 22, and generates color image data of four colors C, M, Y, and K from the image data. Then, each of the four color image data is output to the switching control unit 4 via the input / output unit 22.

Further, the switching control unit 4 includes a color image distribution unit 41, a first transfer control unit 42, and a second transfer control unit 43.

The color image distribution unit 41 uses the color image data of C and Y among the color image data of the four colors input from the image output unit 2 as the color image data to be transferred by the first transfer unit 5, and M and K. The color image data of the above is distributed as the color image data to be transferred by the second transfer unit 6. Then, the color image distribution unit 41 outputs the color image data of C and Y to the first transfer unit 5 via the first transfer control unit 42, and the colors of M and K via the second transfer control unit 43. The image data is output to the second transfer unit 6. At this time, the color image distribution unit 41 acquires information on the total amount of transfer data in each of the color image data, and outputs this to each of the first transfer control unit 42 and the second transfer control unit 43. Here, the total amount of transferred data means the total amount of transferred data determined by the number of pixels included in the color image data, the number of bits per pixel, and the like. The color combination in the above distribution is an example, and may be another combination.

Further, the first transfer control unit 42 includes a first color image switching unit 421, a first transfer amount monitoring unit 422, and a first time notification unit 423.

The first color image switching unit 421 inputs the color image data distributed to the color image distribution unit 41 and outputs the color image data to the first transfer unit 5. Further, the first color image switching unit 421 is the first based on the data amount of the color image data transferred by the first transfer unit 5 (hereinafter referred to as the transferred data amount) monitored by the first transfer amount monitoring unit 422. 1 The color image data transferred by the transfer unit 5 is switched in chronological order.

More specifically, the first transfer amount monitoring unit 422 acquires information on the total amount of transfer data of the color image data of C and Y from the color image distribution unit 41. Then, the transferred data amount is monitored, and when the transferred data amount reaches the total transferred data amount and the transfer is completed, the first color image switching unit 421 is notified to that effect. The first color image switching unit 421 switches the color image data to be output to the first transfer unit 5 from C to Y at the timing when the notification is received from the first transfer amount monitoring unit 422.

Further, the first time notification unit 423 is based on the amount of transferred data input from the first transfer amount monitoring unit 422, the line period in the predetermined image data, and / or the transfer period information by the PCIe bus 922. The image output unit 2 is notified of the remaining time information in the acquired line cycle.

The image output unit 2 controls the process executed by itself based on the remaining time information notified from the first time notification unit 423. For example, when the remaining time is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the image output unit 2 stops the processes other than the process of outputting the color image data to the switching control unit 4, which has been executed in parallel. By giving priority to the process of outputting the color image data in this way, the transfer of the image data can be completed within the line cycle, and the line isochronism can be satisfied. The image output unit 2 resumes the stopped processing after the transfer of the image data is completed.

Since the function of the second transfer control unit 43 is the same as that of the first transfer control unit 42 except for the color of the color image data to be processed, duplicate description will be omitted here. Each of the first time notification unit 423 and the second time notification unit 433 is an example of the "time notification unit".

<Example of transferred data amount>
Next, FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the transferred data amount, (a) is a diagram for explaining the transferred data amount by the first transfer unit 5, and (b) is a diagram for explaining the transfer by the second transfer unit 6. It is a figure explaining the amount of completed data. Here, FIGS. 3A and 3B show the amount of transferred data at the same time.

In FIG. 3A, the total amount of cyan transfer data 30c indicates the total amount of transfer data of the color image data of C, and the total amount of yellow transfer data 30y indicates the total amount of transfer data of the color image data of Y. In the example of FIG. 3A, the first transfer unit 5 is in a state of transferring the color image data of C. Of the total amount of cyan transfer data 30c, 31 is in the transferred state and 32 is in the untransferred state. On the other hand, in FIG. 3B, the second transfer unit 6 is in a state before transferring the color image data of Y, and the total amount of yellow transfer data 30y is in a state of not being transferred.

The first transfer amount monitoring unit 422 in FIG. 2 monitors the transferred data amount as shown in FIG. 3, and at the timing when all of the total cyan transfer data amount 30c has been transferred and the transfer ends. Is notified to the first color image switching unit 421.

The first color image switching unit 421 of FIG. 2 may switch the color image data output to the first transfer unit 5 of FIG. 2 from C to Y at the timing when the notification is received from the first transfer amount monitoring unit 422. it can.

<Example of remaining time information>
Next, FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the remaining time in the line cycle. 51 indicates the line period, and 52 indicates the remaining time. Further, 53 indicates a time corresponding to the threshold value of the remaining time.

The first time notification unit 423 of FIG. 2 acquires the remaining time information as shown in FIG. 4 and notifies the image output unit 2. The image output unit 2 of FIG. 2 can control the processing executed by itself as described above based on the remaining time information notified from the first time notification unit 423.

<Processing by MFP1>
Next, an example of processing by the MFP 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing by the MFP 1. In FIG. 5, an example in which the color image data of C and Y are distributed to the first transfer unit 5, the first transfer unit 5 transfers the color image data of C, and then the color image data of Y is transferred. , Will be described with reference to FIG. 2 as appropriate.

First, in step S51, the color image generation unit 21 reads out the image data stored in the storage unit 3 via the input / output unit 22, and the four colors of C, M, Y, and K are read from the image data. Generate image data. Then, each of the four color image data is output to the switching control unit 4 via the input / output unit 22.

Subsequently, in step S52, the color image distribution unit 41 in the switching control unit 4 transfers the color image data of C and Y among the four color image data input from the image output unit 2 to the first transfer unit 5. It is distributed as color image data to be transferred, and these are output to the first transfer unit 5 via the first transfer control unit 42. At this time, the color image distribution unit 41 acquires information on the total amount of transfer data in each of the color image data of C and Y, and outputs this to the first transfer control unit 42.

Subsequently, in step S53, the first transfer unit 5 transfers the color image data of C input via the first color image switching unit 421 to the engine control unit 930.

Subsequently, in step S54, the first transfer amount monitoring unit 422 acquires the total transfer data amount of the color image data of C and Y from the color image distribution unit 41, and monitors the transferred data amount.

Subsequently, in step S55, the first transfer amount monitoring unit 422 compares the transferred data amount with the total transfer data amount, and determines whether or not the transfer of the color image data of C is completed.

When it is determined in step S55 that the transfer of the color image data of C is completed (step S55, Yes), in step S56, the first transfer amount monitoring unit 422 timings when the transfer of the color image data of C is completed. Notifies the first color image switching unit 421 to that effect. The first color image switching unit 421 switches the color image data to be output to the first transfer unit 5 from C to Y at the timing when the notification is received from the first transfer amount monitoring unit 422.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S55 that the transfer of the color image data of C is not completed (steps S55, No), the process proceeds to step S57.

Subsequently, in step S57, the first time notification unit 423 transfers the transferred data amount input from the first transfer amount monitoring unit 422, the line period in the predetermined image data, and / or the transfer period by the PCIe bus 922. The image output unit 2 is notified of the remaining time information in the line cycle acquired based on the information.

Subsequently, in step S58, the image output unit 2 determines whether or not the remaining time is equal to or less than the threshold value based on the remaining time information notified from the first time notification unit 423.

If it is determined in step S58 that the remaining time is equal to or less than the threshold value (step S58, Yes), in step S59, the image output unit 2 switches the color image data, which was executed in parallel, to the color image data switching control unit 4. Stop the processing other than the processing to be output to. The stopped processing is restarted after the transfer of the color image data by the first transfer unit 5 is completed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S58 that the remaining time is not equal to or less than the threshold value (step S58, No), the process proceeds to step S60.

The order of the processes in steps S54 to S59 may be changed as appropriate. Further, the process of setting steps S54 to S56 as one set and the process of setting steps S57 to S59 as one set may be executed in parallel.

Subsequently, in step S60, the image output unit 2 determines whether or not the transfer of the color image data is completed. For example, the image output unit 2 inputs the information of the transferred data amount from the first transfer amount monitoring unit 422 and the second transfer amount monitoring unit 432 via the input / output unit 22, and the transfer of the color image data is completed. It can be determined whether or not it has been done.

If it is determined in step S60 that the transfer of the color image data is completed (step S60, Yes), the MFP1 ends the process. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S60 that the transfer of the color image data has not been completed (step S60, No), the process returns to step S53, and the processes after step S53 are executed again.

Note that FIG. 5 shows an example in which the first transfer unit 5 transfers the color image data of C and Y, but the same applies when the second transfer unit 6 transfers the color image data of M and K. Processing can be applied. Further, the color combinations in the color image data transferred by each of the first transfer unit 5 and the second transfer unit 6 are also examples, and may be different combinations.

In this way, the MFP 1 can transfer the image data stored in the storage unit 3 to the engine control unit 930.

<Action and effect of MFP1>
Next, the action and effect of MFP1 will be described.

Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as MFP1, there is known a technique of transferring image data stored in a memory at high speed by using an electronic circuit.

Further, in the conventional MFP1, at the design stage of an electronic circuit such as an ASIC, the performance of image data transfer is evaluated by simulation or the like, and it is determined whether or not the line isochronism is satisfied under the strictest conditions. .. Here, the line isochronism means transferring image data to an external device such as an engine control unit 930 within a predetermined line cycle.

Further, when the processing for the color data in the image data is switched to either parallel processing or time division processing according to the required processing speed and the time division processing is performed, the processing other than the processing unit that performs the time division processing is performed. A technique for stopping a part is disclosed.

However, in the prior art, if it is determined that the line isochronism cannot be satisfied, the cost of the MFP 1 may increase by adding a memory to the ASIC used for transferring image data.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the four color image data (N color image data) generated from the stored image data are transferred to the first transfer unit 5 and the second transfer unit 6 (N-1). The first transfer unit 5 and the first transfer unit 5 and the first transfer unit 5 are transferred to the engine control unit 930 by the following transfer unit), and based on the amount of color image data transferred by each of the first transfer unit 5 and the second transfer unit 6. 2 The color image data transferred by each of the transfer units 6 is switched in chronological order. As a result, the number of transfer units for transferring color image data can be reduced, and it is possible to eliminate the need for additional memory. Then, the image data can be transferred at high speed while suppressing the increase in the scale of the electronic circuit and the cost increase of the MFP1.

Here, the above effects will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 7.

6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining a configuration example for transferring image data, FIG. 6A is a diagram for explaining a comparative example, and FIG. 6B is a diagram for explaining the case of the present embodiment.

In FIG. 6A, the ASIC 906'includes DMAC 61'-64', PCIe 65-66, and local memory 67'. The image data stored in the MEM-C907 is transferred from the ASIC 906'to the engine control unit 930 via the CPU 901. Further, image data for four colors is input to DMAC61'to 64' through PCIe66, and color image data for each of DMAC61' to 64' is transferred.

If it is determined that the line isochronism cannot be satisfied at the design stage of the ASIC 906', the local memory 67'and / or the external memory 68' is added to provide a route through which the image data is input to the DMAC 61' to 64'. Compensation measures were taken, the circuit scale increased by the amount of expansion, and the cost of the MFP 1 may increase.

On the other hand, in FIG. 6B, the ASIC 906 includes DMAC 61-62 and PCIe 65-66. The image data stored in the MEM-C907 is transferred from the ASIC 906 to the engine control unit 930 via the CPU 901. Further, each of the DMACs 61 to 62 transfers the color image data of two colors by switching in time series. Here, the DMAC 61 is an example of the "first transfer unit", and the DMAC 62 is an example of the "second transfer unit".

With this configuration, the number of DMACs can be reduced to N-1 or less by switching the data transferred by each of the DMACs 61 and 62 in chronological order. Further, even when it is determined at the design stage of the ASIC 906 that the line isochronism cannot be satisfied, the image data can pass through the PCIe 66 even if the local memory or the external memory 68 is added and the route is not compensated.

Next, FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of a transfer period of image data, (a) is a diagram for explaining the case of a comparative example, and (b) is a diagram for explaining the case of the first embodiment. ..

In FIG. 7A, each of the DMACs 61'to 64' transfers image data of one color in parallel. On the other hand, in FIG. 7B, each of the DMACs 61 to 62 transfers the image data of two colors by switching in time series.

By switching the image data to be transferred in time series in this way, the number of DMACs can be reduced, and the line isochronism can be satisfied without adding a local memory or an external memory 68 to compensate for the route.

It is necessary to increase the number of electronic circuits corresponding to the switching control unit 4 in FIG. 2, but the decrease in local memory and external memory and the decrease in DMAC are larger, and the overall scale of the electronic circuit is large. And the cost increase of MFP1 is suppressed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the remaining time information in the predetermined line cycle acquired based on the data amount of the color image data transferred by each of the first transfer unit 5 and the second transfer unit 6 and the predetermined line cycle. Is notified to the image output unit 2. Then, the image output unit 2 controls the processing to be executed based on the remaining time information.

The remaining time in the line cycle is monitored, and if the remaining time is short, the image output unit 2 is given priority in the process of outputting the color image data to the switching control unit, so that the line isochronism is ensured. Can be satisfied.

Further, in the present embodiment, the color image data transferred by the first transfer unit 5 is switched from C to Y in chronological order based on the amount of data of the color image data of C transferred by the first transfer unit 5. , The color image data to be transferred can be switched to Y at the timing when the transfer of the color image data of C is completed. This eliminates the time loss in switching the color image data from C to Y, and the image data can be transferred within a shorter period of time within the line cycle.

Here, FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transfer period by the first transfer unit 5 and the second transfer unit 6. The first transfer unit 5 switches the image data to be transferred from the color image data of C to the color image data of Y without a time interval, and the second transfer unit 6 transfers the image data without a time interval. The image data to be processed is switched from the color image data of M to the color image data of K. As a result, the image data can be transferred in a short period of time, and as shown in the figure, a time allowance can be provided within the line cycle.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the MFP1a according to the second embodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, the color image data transferred by the transfer unit is transferred to N-1 or less transfer units based on the information on the total amount of transfer data of each of the N color image data and the model information of the external device. Allocate to each. The transfer efficiency is improved by combining the color data with a large amount of data to be transferred and the color data with a small amount of data to be transferred and transferring them to one transfer unit.

<Functional configuration of MFP1a>
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the MFP 1a. As shown in FIG. 9, the MFP 1a includes a switching control unit 4a. Further, the switching control unit 4a includes a total transfer amount information acquisition unit 44, a model information acquisition unit 45, and a color image distribution unit 41a.

The total transfer amount information acquisition unit 44 inputs color image data of four colors C, M, Y, and K from the color image generation unit 21 via the input / output unit 22, and the number of pixels included in the color image data and one pixel. Information on the total amount of transfer data for each color is acquired based on the number of bits per hit. Then, the acquired information is output to the color image distribution unit 41a.

Further, the model information acquisition unit 45 acquires the model information of the engine control unit 930 by referring to the model information stored in the HD909 or the like in FIG. 1, and outputs the acquired information to the color image distribution unit 41a.

Here, in the MFP, the model of the engine (image forming unit) differs depending on the model of the MFP, and the image specifications such as the image size, the color tone, and the number of pixel bits differ depending on the model of the engine. Then, the amount of transfer data for each color differs depending on the image specifications.

The color image distribution unit 41a inputs information on the total amount of transfer data for each color from the total amount of transfer information acquisition unit 44, and refers to a predetermined table based on the model information input from the model information acquisition unit 45. Acquire the amount of transfer data for each color.

Based on these, the color image distribution unit 41a specifies the order in which the amount of data to be transferred is large for each color, and combines the color data with a large amount of data to be transferred and the color data with a small amount of data to be transferred to be the first. Output to the first transfer unit 5 and the second transfer unit 6 via the transfer control unit 42 and the second transfer control unit 43.

<Processing by MFP1a>
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing by the MFP 1a. In FIG. 10, as in the case of FIG. 5, the color image data of C and Y are distributed to the first transfer unit 5, the first transfer unit 5 transfers the color image data of C, and then Y. An example of transferring color image data will be described. Moreover, it will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step S101, the color image generation unit 21 reads out the image data stored in the storage unit 3 via the input / output unit 22, and the four colors of C, M, Y, and K are read from the image data. Generate image data. Then, each of the four color image data is output to the switching control unit 4 via the input / output unit 22.

Subsequently, in step S102, the total transfer amount information acquisition unit 44 inputs color image data of four colors C, M, Y, and K from the color image generation unit 21 via the input / output unit 22, and the color image data. The total amount of transfer data information for each color is acquired based on the number of pixels included in the image, the number of bits per pixel, and the like. Then, the acquired information is output to the color image distribution unit 41a.

Subsequently, in step S103, the model information acquisition unit 45 acquires the model information of the engine control unit 930 with reference to the model information stored in the HD909 or the like in FIG. 1, and uses the acquired information as the color image distribution unit. Output to 41a.

Subsequently, in step S104, the color image distribution unit 41a inputs information on the total amount of transfer data for each color from the total transfer amount information acquisition unit 44, and determines in advance based on the model information input from the model information acquisition unit 45. The amount of transfer data for each color is acquired by referring to the created table. Based on these, the color image distribution unit 41a specifies the order in which the amount of data to be transferred is large for each color, and combines the color data with a large amount of data to be transferred and the color data with a small amount of data to be transferred to be the first. Two colors of color image data are output to each of the transfer control unit 42 and the second transfer control unit 43.

Since the processing of steps S105 to S112 is the same as the processing of steps S53 to S60, duplicate description will be omitted here.

<Action and effect of MFP1a>
When transferring color image data to each of the first transfer unit 5 and the second transfer unit 6, a combination of colors having a large total amount of transfer data is transferred to either the first transfer unit 5 or the second transfer unit 6. If the data is transferred, there may be no time to transfer the image data within the line cycle, or the image data may not be transferred within the line cycle.

In the present embodiment, the color image data transferred by the transfer unit is transferred to N-1 or less transfer units based on the information on the total amount of transfer data of each of the N color image data and the model information of the external device. Allocate to each. As a result, the color data having a large amount of data to be transferred and the color data having a small amount of data to be transferred can be combined and transferred to one transfer unit, and the transfer efficiency can be improved.

Here, FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transfer period by the first transfer unit 5 and the second transfer unit 6 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 shows an example in which the amount of data of the color image data of C and the color image data of K is relatively large, and the amount of data of the color image data of Y and the color image data of M is relatively small.

The color image distribution unit 41a outputs color image data to each of the first transfer control unit 42 and the second transfer control unit 43 based on the total amount of transfer data information and the model information of each color, and outputs the color image data to the first transfer unit 5. The color image data of C and Y is transferred, and the color image data of M and K is transferred to the second transfer unit 6.

As a result, the transfer efficiency can be improved, and a margin for the period as shown in FIG. 11 can be provided.

The effects other than those described above are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments specifically disclosed, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of claims. is there.

In the embodiment, the MFP as an image processing device is illustrated, but the image processing device according to the embodiment is not limited to the MFP. If the image processing device has a color image data transfer function, for example, a PJ (Projector: projector), an IWB (Interactive White Board: a white board having an electronic whiteboard function capable of intercommunication), and a digital signage. Output devices such as HUD (Head Up Display) devices, industrial machines, imaging devices, sound collectors, medical devices, network home appliances, automobiles (Connected Cars), notebook PCs (Personal Computers), mobile phones, smartphones, tablet terminals, etc. It may be a game machine, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, a wearable PC, a desktop PC, or the like.

The embodiment also includes an image processing method. For example, the image processing method includes a transfer step of N-1 or less for transferring N color image data generated from the stored image data to an external device, and the color image transferred by each of the transfer units. A step of switching the color image data transferred in each of the transfer steps in time series based on the amount of data of the data is included. By such an image processing method, the same effect as that of the above-mentioned image processing apparatus can be obtained.

In addition, embodiments also include programs. For example, the program transfers N color image data generated from the stored image data to N-1 or less transfer units that are transferred to an external device, and the colors transferred by each of the transfer units. Based on the amount of image data, the computer is made to execute a process of switching the color image data transferred by each of the transfer units in time series. With such a program, the same effect as that of the image processing apparatus described above can be obtained.

Further, each function of the embodiment described above can be realized by one or a plurality of processing circuits. Here, the "processing circuit" in the present specification is a processor programmed to execute each function by software such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, or a processor designed to execute each function described above. It shall include devices such as ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), DSP (digital signal processor), FPGA (field programmable gate array) and conventional circuit modules.

1 MFP (an example of an image processing device)
2 Image output unit 21 Color image generation unit 22 Input / output unit 3 Storage unit 4 Switching control unit 41 Color image distribution unit 42 1st transfer control unit 421 1st color image switching unit 422 1st transfer amount monitoring unit 423 1st time Notification unit (an example of time notification unit)
43 Second transfer control unit 431 Second color image switching unit 432 Second transfer amount monitoring unit 433 Second time notification unit (an example of time notification unit)
44 Total amount of forwarding information acquisition unit 45 Model information acquisition unit 5 First transfer unit (an example of transfer unit)
52 Remaining time 53 Threshold 6 Second transfer unit (example of transfer unit)
61 DMAC (an example of the first transfer unit)
62 DMAC (an example of the second transfer unit)
901 CPU
906 ASIC
907 MEM-C
922 PCIe Bus 930 Engine Control Unit (Example of External Device)
932 Printer section

JP-A-2005-096343

Claims (7)

N-1 or less transfer units that transfer N color image data generated from the stored image data to an external device, and
An image processing device including a switching control unit that switches the color image data transferred by each of the transfer units in time series based on the amount of data of the color image data transferred by each of the transfer units. An image output unit that outputs the color image data to the switching control unit,
A time notification unit that notifies the image output unit of the remaining time information within the predetermined line cycle acquired based on the data amount of the color image data transferred by each of the transfer units and the predetermined line cycle. With,
The image output unit
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing to be executed is controlled based on the remaining time information. The image output unit
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the remaining time is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, processing other than processing for outputting the color image data to the switching control unit is stopped. The switching control unit
Any of claims 1 to 3 for switching the color image data transferred by the predetermined transfer unit in time series based on the amount of the color image data transferred by the predetermined transfer unit included in the transfer unit. The image processing apparatus according to item 1. The transfer unit transfers the color image data transferred by the transfer unit based on the total amount information of each transfer data in the N color image data and the model information acquisition unit that acquires the model information of the external device. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a color image distribution unit for distributing to each of the above. N-1 or less transfer steps for transferring N color image data generated from the stored image data to an external device, and
An image processing method including a step of switching the color image data transferred in each of the transfer steps in time series based on the amount of data of the color image data transferred by each of the transfer steps. N color image data generated from the stored image data is transferred to N-1 or less transfer units to be transferred to an external device.
A program that causes a computer to execute a process of switching the color image data transferred by each of the transfer units in time series based on the amount of data of the color image data transferred by each of the transfer units.

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