JP3135406B2 - Image processing apparatus and image processing method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method for expanding data expressed in a page description language into pixel data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when printing data expressed in a page description language, a printer is provided with a board for developing the page description language into image data, and the image data is printed.

Since a single board requires a lot of development time, it is possible to shorten the total development time by equipping a printer with a plurality of boards and performing parallel processing.

[0004]

However, when parallel processing is performed on a plurality of boards, the time required to develop each page is different, and the board that develops each page has image data after the development is completed. Is output, the output page order is random and printing without consistency is performed.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there are provided a plurality of conversion means for converting input data represented in a page description language of a plurality of pages into pixel data in page units, and A plurality of storage units for storing the converted page-based pixel data; and an output control unit for outputting the pixel data stored in the storage unit to an output unit. An object of the present invention is to solve the above problem by providing an image processing apparatus capable of interpreting a description language and performing conversion processing in parallel.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention is preferably such that the output control means causes an output section to output pixel data stored in a storage means corresponding to the page order of the input data. . Preferably, the plurality of storage units correspond to each of the conversion units and include a plurality of memories each having a capacity capable of storing pixel data of a predetermined paper size. Preferably, the output unit is a recording unit of a printer. Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a determination means for determining a conversion means suitable for the page description language of the input data, and instructing the conversion means determined to be suitable for processing of the input data. Another object of the present invention is to solve the problem by an image forming method for controlling an image forming apparatus.

[0007]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a reader that reads an image of a document and generates digital image data. Reference numeral 2 denotes a printer, which records an image based on image data from the reader 1. Reference numeral 3 denotes a peripheral device control device that connects the reader 1 and the printer 2 to peripheral devices such as a computer, a facsimile, and an electronic file, and controls exchange of image data with each other. Reference numeral 4 denotes a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation.

The peripheral device control device 3 develops a page description language represented by a code from the computer 4 into image data in pixel units corresponding to language information, and expands the developed image data via the reader 1 to the printer 2. Output to Further, the peripheral device control device 3 outputs image data from the reader 1 to the computer 4. In addition, if a facsimile or an electronic file is connected to the peripheral device control device 3,
Mutual data exchange is possible.

Next, the peripheral device control device 3 will be described. A core unit 310 controls the operation of the peripheral device control device 3. Reference numeral 320 denotes a computer interface unit, which is an interface between the computer 4 and the core unit 310. Reference numeral 330 denotes a formatter unit that develops a page description language from the computer 4 into image data. 340 and 350 are formatter units having the same function as the formatter unit 330. As will be described in detail later, the core unit 310 includes a plurality of formatter units 330 and 34.
0 and 350 can be used separately.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the formatter section 330.

The core unit 10 determines whether the data input from the computer interface unit 320 is in a page description language. If the data is page description language code data, the code data of the core unit 10 is transferred to the dual port memory 332. The CPU 331 receives the code data transmitted from the computer 4 via the dual port memory 332. The CPU 331
The code data is sequentially developed into image data corresponding to the code data, and the image data is transferred to the memories 334 and 335 via the memory controller 333. The memory 334 and the memory 335 each have a storage capacity of 1 Mbyte, and can store up to an A4 size image at a resolution of 300 dpi. The memory 334 and the memory 335 are used to store an A3-size image at a resolution of 300 dpi. The control of the memory is performed by the CPU 33
1 is performed by the memory controller 333 based on the instruction from the controller 1.

When the image data has been expanded to the memories 334 and 335, the CPU 331 controls the memory controller 333 to communicate with the core unit 310 via the dual port memory 332, and
A mode for outputting image data from 35 is set. The core unit 310 sets the printer mode for the reader 1.

When the printer mode is set, the core unit 310 activates the timing generation circuit 336.
The timing generation circuit 336 responds to the signal from the core unit 310 to send the memory 33
4. A timing signal for reading image data from the memory 335 is generated. Image information from the memories 334 and 335 is input to the memory controller 333. Image data from the memory controller 333 is transferred to the core unit 310. The core unit 310 outputs image data to the printer 2 via the reader 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the reader 1 and the printer 2.

The originals stacked on the original feeder 101 are sequentially conveyed one by one onto the original platen glass surface 102. When the document is transported to a predetermined position on the glass surface 102,
When the lamp 103 of the scanner is turned on and the scanner 104
Moves and irradiates the original. The reflected light from the original is transmitted through the mirrors 105, 106, 107 and the lens 108 to the CC.
It is input to D109.

The CCD 109 outputs image data corresponding to the reflected light.

The image data input to the printer 2 is converted into an optical signal modulated by the exposure control unit 201.
This light irradiates the photoconductor 202. The latent image formed on the photoconductor 202 by the irradiated light is developed by the developing device 203. The recording paper is conveyed from the recording paper stacking unit 204 or 205 in synchronization with the leading end of the developed image, and the developed image is transferred in the transfer unit 206. After the transferred image is fixed on the recording paper by the fixing unit 207, the image is discharged from the paper discharge unit 208 to the outside of the apparatus. The recording paper discharged from the paper discharge unit 208 is discharged to each bin when the sort function is working in the sorter 220, or to the uppermost bin of the sorter when the sort function is not working. .

Next, a method of recording sequentially read images on both sides of one recording sheet will be described.

After the recording paper fixed by the fixing unit 207 is once conveyed to the paper discharge unit 208, the conveyance direction of the recording paper is reversed, and the recording paper is loaded by the deflecting member 209 into the stacking unit 21.
Transport to 0. When the next original is prepared, the original image is read and recorded on the recording paper fed from the stacking unit 210. Thereby, two original images can be recorded on the front and back surfaces of the same recording paper.

FIG. 4 is a control flowchart of the core unit 310.

The core unit 310 divides the input page description language into information in units of pages, monitors the use state of the formatter unit, and executes processing for expanding the page description language for one page to the available formatter unit. An output instruction is given to the pages that have been executed and completed the expansion processing so that the page order consistency is maintained.

The page description language information composed of a plurality of pages input from the computer 4 connected to the computer interface 320 is output to the formatter units 330 and 34.
An example in which the data is developed by 0 and 350 and output to the printer 2 will be described.

When the page description language information is input from the computer 4, the output instruction page counter A and the development instruction page counter B are each initialized to 1 (S1). Next, while dividing the page description language information into pages,
The total number of pages is calculated, the value is set in the counter N, and stored in the memory in the core unit 310 (S2). The usage status of all the image formatter units 330, 340, and 350 is checked (S3), and if there is an empty image formatter unit, the contents of the counter B are transferred to the empty formatter unit in the page description language indicated by the counter B. (S4).

The value of the counter B is incremented by one so that the next page is processed (S5). If the development of page A has been completed, that is, if the page information C transferred from the formatter unit is equal to A (S6), the formatter unit is instructed to output image data of page A (S6).
7). Then, the counter A is counted up (S
8), N is reduced by one (S9). If the development of page A has not been completed in S6, the process returns to S3. S3 to S9
The above process is repeated until it is determined that the development of all the page description language information has been completed (S10), and the pages are printed in the order of the pages maintaining the consistency.

FIG. 5 shows the formatters 330, 340 and 35.
FIG.

The page description language (S11) of page C (corresponding to page B in the core section 310) is expanded (S12), and when the expansion processing is completed, the fact is notified to the core section 310. Is transferred to page information C (S1).
3).

When there is an instruction to output the developed image data from the core unit 310 (S14), the image data is output to the printer unit 2 (S15).

FIG. 6A is a time chart in each formatter section when a page description language consisting of five pages is developed and output by the above-described configuration and control.

First, the development of the first page is performed by the formatter section 330.
Then, the formatter unit 340 starts developing the second page and the formatter unit 350 starts developing the third page. When the formatter unit 330 completes the expansion of the first page, the image data of the first page is output. After the formatter unit 330 outputs the image data of the first page, it causes the formatter unit 330 to start developing the fourth page. Next, the formatter unit 350 completes the development of the third page, but does not yet output the image data of the third page because the image data of the second page has not been output yet. Formatter section 34
When 0 completes the development of the second page, the image data of the second page is output, and the formatter unit 350 outputs the image data of the third page.

After the formatter section 340 outputs the image data of the second page, the development of the fifth page is started. When the formatter unit finishes outputting the image data of the third page, since the formatter unit 330 has completed the development of the fourth page,
The image data of the fourth page is output. Then, when the formatter unit 340 completes the development of the fifth page, the image data of the fifth page is output.

As described above, even if there is a difference in the development time of the page description language of each page, high-speed output is performed in a state where consistency is maintained, that is, in the order of pages 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Can be.

FIG. 6B is a time chart when the development is performed by only one formatter unit. As shown in the figure, the page order is maintained, but it takes time to develop the page.

FIG. 6C shows three formatter sections A,
6 is a time chart when pages are developed without page management in B and C. As shown in the figure, the pages are output in the order of pages 1, 3, 4, 5, and 2.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, there is no inconvenience as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, and high-speed operation is performed while maintaining consistency as shown in FIG. Can output.

The formatter section 330 of the embodiment described above,
Although 340 and 350 can expand the same page description language, for example, the formatter sections 330 and 340 are for the first page description language, and the formatter section 350 is for the second page description language.
May be used for the page description language. In such a case, the core unit 310 determines a formatter unit suitable for the page description language input in S3 of FIG. 4 and instructs a vacant formatter unit among the suitable formatter units in S4 to perform processing. good.

By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to perform high-speed page development while supporting various page description languages.

Further, a black-and-white recording section and a color recording section are provided in the recording section, and when a recording request of a page description language in which black-and-white pages and color pages are mixed is received from the computer 4, each page is developed by the formatter section. In order to maintain page alignment, an instruction to output image data may be issued at a timing that takes into account the respective recording times of the monochrome recording unit and the color recording unit. For example, in the configuration in which color printing takes longer than black-and-white printing, and when the first page is a color page and the second page is a black-and-white page, the first page is output and then the first page is printed. If the output instruction for the second page is issued at a timing slightly later than when the black-and-white recording of the second page is completed than when it is completed, page consistency is maintained.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention, there are provided a plurality of conversion means for converting input data expressed in a page description language into pixel data, which are converted in parallel. Therefore, the pixel data can be converted from the page description language in a short time, and the printing throughput is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a peripheral device control device according to an embodiment of the present invention and a print system including a reader, a printer, and a computer.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a formatter unit.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a reader 1 and a printer 2.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the core unit 310.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the formatter units 330, 340, and 350.

FIG. 6 is a time chart of processing in a formatter unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Printer 4 Computer 3 Peripheral Device Control Device 310 Core Unit 330, 340, 350 Formatter Unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masato Ishida 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Masanori Miyata 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon (72) Inventor Hiroshi Omura 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Takao Kinoshita 3-30-2, Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. ( 72) Inventor Masaki Sakai 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within Canon Inc. (56) References JP-A-5-201077 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷⁾ , DB name) G06F 3/12

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of conversion means for converting input data expressed in a page description language of a plurality of pages into pixel data in page units, and the pixel data in page units converted by the plurality of conversion means, respectively. A plurality of storage units, and an output control unit for outputting the pixel data stored in the storage unit to an output unit, wherein the plurality of conversion units can interpret different page description languages, An image processing apparatus characterized in that conversion processing is performed in parallel with each other. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said output control means causes an output unit to output pixel data stored in a storage means corresponding to a page order of said input data. 3. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of storage units correspond to each of the conversion units and include a plurality of memories each having a capacity capable of storing pixel data of a predetermined paper size. 3. The image processing device according to 2. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit is a recording unit of a printer. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that determines a conversion unit suitable for a page description language of the input data, and instructs the conversion unit determined to be suitable to process the input data. Item 5. The image processing device according to any one of Items 1 to 4. 6. A conversion step of converting input data expressed in a page description language of a plurality of pages into pixel data on a page-by-page basis using a plurality of conversion means; A storage step of storing pixel data of each page in a plurality of storage units; and an output control step of outputting the pixel data stored in the storage unit to an output unit. An image processing method capable of interpreting languages and performing conversion processing in parallel. 7. The image processing method according to claim 6, wherein in the output control step, the pixel data stored in the storage unit corresponding to the page order of the input data is output to an output unit. 8. The storage device according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of storage units correspond to each of the conversion units, and include a plurality of memories each having a capacity capable of storing pixel data of a predetermined paper size. 8. The image processing method according to 7. 9. The image processing method according to claim 6, wherein in the output control step, the image data is output to a recording unit of a printer. 10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of determining conversion means suitable for a page description language of the input data, and instructing the conversion means determined to be suitable as processing of the input data. Item 10. The image processing method according to any one of Items 6 to 9.