JP4534814B2 - Data processing apparatus, data processing program, and data processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus, a data processing program, and a data processing method for performing data processing on data to be processed using a plurality of data processing modules (data processing means) connected in a pipeline form.

  In recent years, data processing apparatuses in which a plurality of data processing modules are connected in a pipeline form have been widely used. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of data processing modules A1 to A3 are connected in series, and the output of one data processing module becomes the input of the next data processing module. It is connected based on a simple data flow model. For example, in the case of a data processing apparatus that processes image data, an image reading module, an image rotation module, an image sharpening module, an image writing module, and the like are connected in a pipeline form (for example, Patent Document 1). . In this way, if a plurality of data processing modules are connected and used in a pipeline form, development costs can be reduced by preparing several primitive modules without separately preparing highly specialized modules. There is an advantage that a general-purpose data processing function can be provided without increasing it.

JP-A-8-272981

  By the way, in a conventional data processing device, when a plurality of data processing modules are connected in a pipeline form, even if it is desired to interrupt the entire processing in the data processing device, the data processing in a certain data processing module After starting the process, the entire process cannot be interrupted until the data process is completed for all the data to be processed. Therefore, if there is a heavy processing load such as geometric transformation processing or analysis processing in each data processing module, the data processing in that data processing module will take a lot of time. The response to is poor.

  For example, in the data processing apparatus for processing image data shown in FIG. 5, one of the data processing modules A1 to A3 connected in a pipeline form, one of the data processing modules A2 performs image data rotation processing. If so, the image rotation module A2 performs a process of reading all of the image data for one surface into the local memory in the module A2 in advance, and the data reading is the start of an effective command from the subsequent module A3. Since it is performed before, the process cannot be interrupted during the data reading process into the local memory in the image rotation module A2. More specifically, when there is a data request from the control unit of the subsequent module A3, the control unit of the image rotation module A2 prepares image data for one surface in the input buffer in the image rotation module A2, and thus the front module A1. The controller in the image rotation module A2 receives the interruption information even if it is attempted to interrupt the processing from outside during this period by issuing several data requests to the controller. Therefore, the data input process from the output buffer of the preceding module A1 to the input buffer in the image rotation module A2 cannot be interrupted.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a data processing device, a data processing program, and a data processing method that are excellent in responsiveness to a processing interruption request or the like even when a plurality of data processing modules are connected in a pipeline form. For the purpose.

  The present invention is a data processing apparatus devised to achieve the above object, and each of the data processing apparatuses connected to the pipeline form executes predetermined data processing, and the data processing is subject to predetermined processing of data to be processed. A plurality of data processing means for each unit, and at least one is arranged between the plurality of data processing means, and performs an inquiry about data transfer between the data processing means for each predetermined processing unit, Callback means for delivering the data for each predetermined processing unit while following a response instruction to the inquiry, and a control means for receiving an inquiry from the callback means and giving a response instruction to the inquiry to the callback means; It is characterized by providing.

  In addition, the present invention is a data processing program devised to achieve the above object, wherein a computer is connected in a pipeline form and each executes predetermined data processing, and the data processing is processed. A plurality of data processing means for each predetermined processing unit of data, and at least one is arranged between the plurality of data processing means, and inquires about the data transfer between the data processing means And a callback means for delivering the data for each of the predetermined processing units while following a response instruction for the inquiry, and accepting an inquiry from the callback means, and providing a response instruction for the inquiry to the callback means It functions as a control means to give to .

  Further, the present invention is a data processing method devised to achieve the above object, and is a data processing method used in a data processing apparatus having a plurality of data processing means connected in a pipeline form. Each of the data processing means executes predetermined data processing, and performs a data processing step for each predetermined processing unit of the data to be processed, and data processing between the plurality of data processing means An inquiry step for making an inquiry about delivery to the external control unit for each predetermined processing unit, and data for transferring data between the plurality of data processing means for each predetermined processing unit while following a response instruction to the inquiry And a delivery step.

  In the data processing apparatus, data processing program, and data processing method configured as described above, each data processing unit executes data processing for each predetermined processing unit of data to be processed (for example, for each scan line in the case of image data). In addition, at least one callback means is arranged between the data processing means, and the callback means delivers data for each predetermined processing unit. At that time, the callback means makes an inquiry about the data delivery to the control means for each predetermined processing unit, and delivers the data while following the response instruction from the control means. Therefore, for example, for a certain data, even if the transfer is not completed for all of the predetermined processing units constituting the data, if there is a response instruction from the control means to interrupt the processing, the callback means No data is transferred after the instruction.

  As described above, in the data processing device, the data processing program, and the data processing method of the present invention, the callback means inquires about the data delivery for each predetermined processing unit of the data to be processed, and follows the response instruction to the inquiry. However, since the data is transferred, by giving a response instruction from the control means, it is possible to interrupt the process midway even if the process is not completed for all of the data. In other words, when each data processing means is connected in a pipeline form, after the data processing in a certain data processing means is started, the data processing is not completed for all the data to be processed. The entire processing can be interrupted without waiting for the data processing to be completed for all of the above. Therefore, even when each data processing means is connected in a pipeline form, it has excellent responsiveness to a processing interruption request or the like.

  Hereinafter, a data processing device, a data processing program, and a data processing method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, the present invention is applied to a data processing apparatus and a data processing program for processing image data, such as a copying machine, a printer apparatus, a multi-function apparatus integrating these functions, or a computer apparatus having an image processing function. A case will be described as an example.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a data processing apparatus according to the present invention. The data processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of data processing modules 10a to 10c that are connected and used in a pipeline form, a callback module 20 disposed between the data processing modules 10a and 10b, and the callback module 20. And an external control unit 30 to be connected.

  Each of the data processing modules 10a to 10c executes predetermined data processing. The predetermined data processing includes, for example, image data reading processing, image data color adjustment processing, image data resolution conversion processing, image data scaling processing, image data rotation processing, image data sharpening processing, image data Write (output) processing and the like. However, these data processes are merely examples, and are not limited to these.

  In order to execute these data processing, each of the data processing modules 10a to 10c includes control units 11a to 11c. Each control unit 11a to 11c performs the data processing for each predetermined processing unit of image data to be processed. For example, the predetermined processing unit may be a scan line unit of image data. However, it is not always necessary to use a scan line unit. For example, it may be a band unit composed of 2 to 3 scan lines or a block unit of a predetermined number of pixels × a predetermined number of pixels.

  Further, each of the control units 11a to 11c issues a data request from the subsequent stage side to the front stage side in the pipeline connection for each predetermined processing unit of the image data to be processed when each executes the data processing. At the same time, when the data request is received, data processing is performed on the image data of a predetermined processing unit on the preceding stage, and the processed image data is transferred to the succeeding stage. However, each control unit 11a to 11c does not execute data processing in response to a data request from the subsequent stage, but executes data processing on the image data when receiving processed image data from the previous stage. There may be.

  Since the data processing modules 10a to 10c are connected and used in a pipeline form, each has an input buffer 12a to 12c and an output buffer 13a to 13c. These input buffers 12a to 12c and output buffers 13a to 13c are connected based on a data flow model in which an output buffer of a certain data processing module is connected to an input buffer of the next data processing module. It is assumed that image data is transferred between the input buffers 12a to 12c and the output buffers 13a to 13c for each predetermined processing unit of image data to be processed.

  When the callback module 20 receives a data request from the data processing module 10b on the rear stage side between the data processing modules 10a and 10b, the callback module 20 receives the request at the control unit 21 and transfers the data using the data request as a trigger. The control unit 21 makes an inquiry regarding the external control unit 30. Examples of the inquiry about data transfer include an inquiry about whether or not the transfer is possible, an inquiry about the necessity of monitoring of the transfer, and the like. The callback module 20 inquires of the external control unit 30 about at least one of these. Further, since the inquiry is triggered by a data request from the data processing module 10b on the subsequent stage side, the inquiry is made whenever there is a data request, that is, for each predetermined processing unit of image data to be processed. .

  Further, the callback module 20 transfers image data to be processed for each predetermined processing unit of the image data while following a response instruction from the external control unit 30 in response to an inquiry to the external control unit 30. It has become. For example, when an inquiry about whether or not delivery is possible, if the response instruction to the inquiry is acceptable, the image data is delivered for a predetermined processing unit related to the response instruction, and the response instruction to the inquiry cannot be delivered. For example, the delivery of data for a predetermined processing unit related to the response instruction is stopped. In addition, for example, when an inquiry about necessity of monitoring is performed, if the response instruction to the inquiry is monitoring, the number of the predetermined processing units that have been transferred each time the image data is transferred for each predetermined processing unit. It counts and outputs.

  The external control unit 30 receives an inquiry from the callback module 20 and gives a response instruction to the inquiry to the callback module 20. The response instruction may be specified based on an external input. As an external input, for example, information input from a user interface (hereinafter abbreviated as “UI”) can be considered. In addition, it is conceivable to use a detection result obtained by an abnormality detection means (for example, a paper jam detection sensor) provided in the data processing apparatus.

  The data processing modules 10a to 10c, the callback module 20, and the external control unit 30 described above can be realized by causing a function as a computer to execute a predetermined program. For example, the callback module 20 is realized by executing a callback function. In this case, it is conceivable that the predetermined program is installed in advance in a data processing apparatus having a computer function, but it is not installed in advance but is stored in a computer-readable storage medium. It may be provided or distributed via wired or wireless communication means. That is, the data processing apparatus having the above-described configuration can also be realized by a data processing program that causes a computer to function as a data processing apparatus.

  Next, an example of a processing operation in the data processing apparatus configured as described above (including a case where the data processing apparatus is also realized by a teaching material processing program), that is, a data processing method according to the present invention will be described. 2 to 4 are data flow diagrams showing examples of processing operations of the data processing apparatus according to the present invention.

[For continued operation]
For example, when the data processing module 10b performs rotation processing of image data, the control unit 11b of the data processing module 10b is a predetermined processing unit 1 as shown in FIG. A data request for image data for the scan line is requested to the control unit 21 of the callback module 20 located in the preceding stage of the data processing module 10b (step 101, step is hereinafter abbreviated as “S”). When there is a data request from the control unit 11b of the data processing module 10b, the control unit 21 of the callback module 20 makes an inquiry about the data transfer to the external control unit 30 using the data request as a trigger (S102). ), The control subject is shifted from the control unit 21 to the external control unit 30. When the external control unit 30 receives an inquiry from the callback module 20, the external control unit 30 gives a response instruction to the inquiry to the callback module 20 (S103).

  At this time, the external control unit 30 specifies the instruction content based on an external input. Specifically, if there is no information input for interrupting the process from the UI and no abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means, the external control unit 30 determines that the process should be continued, and the process continuation signal Is output to the callback module 20, and the processing continuation signal is used as a response instruction to the inquiry (S104).

  When the processing continuation signal is acquired from the external control unit 30, the control unit 21 of the callback module 20 sends a data request from the control unit 11b of the data processing module 10b to continue the processing. To the control unit 11a of the data processing module 10a located in the previous stage. That is, the control unit 21 of the callback module 20 requests a data request for image data for one scan line, which is a predetermined processing unit, to the control unit 11a of the data processing module 10a (S105).

  Upon receiving a data request from the control unit 21 of the callback module 20, the data processing module 10a transfers the requested image data for one scan line to the callback module 20 located at the subsequent stage of the data processing module 10a. (S106). Further, the callback module 20 transfers the image data for one scan line transferred from the data processing module 10a to the data processing module 10b located at the subsequent stage of the callback module 20 (S107). After acquiring the image data for one scan line in this way, the control unit 11b of the data processing module 10b performs a rotation process on the image data for the one scan line.

  The data processing modules 10a to 10c, the callback module 20, and the external control unit 30 repeat the above-described series of processing until the processing for one side of image data (for example, one page of image data output paper) is completed. Is done.

[When operation is interrupted]
By the way, in the series of processes described above, when the callback module 20 shifts the control subject from the control unit 21 to the external control unit 30, an information input for interrupting the process from the UI to the external control unit 30 is received. If there is an abnormality detected by the abnormality detection means, the external control unit 30 determines that the processing should be interrupted, and sends a processing interruption signal to the callback module 20 as shown in FIG. The process interruption signal is used as a response instruction to the inquiry (S201).

  When the processing interruption signal is acquired from the external control unit 30, the control unit 21 of the callback module 20 controls the data processing module 10a in response to a data request from the control unit 11b of the data processing module 10b in order to interrupt the processing. Without passing to the unit 11a, a data transfer interruption signal is sent to the control unit 11b of the data processing module 10b (S202). When receiving the data transfer interruption signal, the control unit 11b of the data processing module 10b thereafter ends the processing on the image data without executing the rotation processing on the image data being processed. That is, even if the processing for one surface of the image data is not completed, the processing is interrupted.

  When the processing interruption signal is acquired from the external control unit 30, the control unit 21 of the callback module 20 sends the data transfer interruption signal to the control unit 11b of the data processing module 10b as shown in FIG. Alternatively, it may be transmitted to the system management module 40 that manages the entire data processing apparatus or the entire system constructed including the data processing apparatus (S301). When a data transfer interruption signal is transmitted to the system management module 40, the signal transmission may be realized by an exception notification function. The exception notification function is a function that is provided to inform the host when it is determined that the process cannot be continued for some reason (exception state). In a general program that runs on a computer, Is also a widely used function.

  In this way, if the data transfer interruption signal is transmitted to the system management module 40, not only the processing in each of the data processing modules 10a to 10c constituting the data processing device but also the entire data processing device or the data processing device is included. Therefore, the present invention is very effective when applied to a case where processing is interrupted in response to an abnormality detected by the abnormality detecting means.

[For monitoring operation]
In the series of processes described above, when the callback module 20 shifts the control subject from the control unit 21 to the external control unit 30, the information input for interrupting the process from the UI to the external control unit 30 is performed. Although there is no information input indicating that monitoring of data transfer is necessary, the external control unit 30 should continue to perform the process and recognize and output the progress of the process. The processing continuation signal and the monitoring execution signal are output to the callback module 20, and these signals are used as a response instruction to the inquiry.

  Then, the control unit 21 of the callback module 20 passes the data request between the data processing module 10b and the data processing module 10a and responds to the data request so as to continue the processing according to the processing continuation signal. The image data for one scan line is transferred. Further, the control unit 21 of the callback module 20 increments the counter of the control unit 21 or the counter accessible by the control unit 21 each time image data for one scan line is transferred. Counts and outputs the number of scan lines that have passed data.

  For example, the counting result may be output by displaying a GUI (Graphical User Interface) image such as a progress bar on a display in the UI, for example. If a GUI image based on the counting result of the number of scan lines is displayed and output, it is possible to easily and accurately grasp the progress of processing of image data in the data processing apparatus by referring to the GUI image. Therefore, it becomes very convenient for the user of the data processing apparatus.

  If no information indicating that monitoring is necessary (including the case where information indicating that it is not necessary) is entered, count the number of scan lines to which data has been transferred and the count result. Does not output.

  As described above, in the data processing apparatus, the data processing program, and the data processing method according to the present embodiment, each data processing module 10a to 10c executes data processing for each scan line unit of image data, and data processing. A callback module 20 is disposed between the modules 10a and 10b, and the callback module 20 delivers image data for each scan line unit. At that time, the callback module 20 makes an inquiry to the external control unit 30 for each scan line unit, and transfers the image data while following the response instruction from the external control unit 30. To do. That is, for example, when there is a response instruction from the external control unit 30 to interrupt the process even if the transfer of all the image data for one image is not completed for the callback module 20, The image data after the response instruction is not transferred.

  Therefore, according to the data processing device, the data processing program, and the data processing method in the present embodiment, the callback module 20 makes an inquiry about the image data delivery for each scan line unit of the image data to be processed, and the inquiry Since the image data is transferred while following the response instruction for the image data, a response instruction from the external control unit 30 is given, so that the processing is interrupted in the middle even if the processing is not completed for all one surface of the image data. It becomes possible. That is, when each of the data processing modules 10a to 10c is connected in a pipeline form, after the data processing in a certain data processing module is started, the data processing may not be completed for all the data to be processed. The entire processing can be interrupted without waiting for the data processing to be completed for all of the data. Therefore, even if each of the data processing modules 10a to 10c is connected in a pipeline form, the response to a processing interruption request or the like is excellent.

  In the present embodiment, the preferred specific examples of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the contents, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the case where one callback module 20 is arranged between the data processing modules 10a and 10b has been described as an example, but the callback module 20 may be any of the data processing modules 10a to 10c. It is sufficient that at least one of them is provided. Therefore, it is possible to arrange them between all of them. However, if a large number are provided, the configuration of the apparatus may be complicated. Therefore, it is desirable that the apparatus is arranged in the preceding stage or the subsequent stage in accordance with a data processing module that performs data processing with a heavy processing load.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as an inquiry regarding data transfer, an example is given in which the external control unit 30 is inquired about both the availability of the delivery and the necessity of monitoring of the delivery. However, only one of these is requested. You may make an inquiry. Furthermore, the example of specifying the response content of the response instruction to the inquiry about whether or not delivery is performed based on both the information input from the UI and the detection result in the abnormality detection means is given as an example. You may make it carry out based only on.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a data processing apparatus, a data processing program, and a data processing method for processing image data has been described as an example, but a plurality of data processing modules ( As long as data processing is performed using data processing means), it is possible to apply the same in the same manner even if data processing is performed on other data.

It is a block diagram which shows the example of schematic structure of the data processor which concerns on this invention. It is a data flow figure (the 1) which shows an example of processing operation of a data processor concerning the present invention, and is a figure showing an example of operation in case of operation continuation. It is a data flow figure (the 2) which shows the example of processing operation of the data processor concerning the present invention, and is a figure showing an example of operation in the case of operation interruption. It is a data flow figure (the 3) which shows the example of processing operation of the data processor concerning the present invention, and is a figure showing other examples of operation in the case of operation interruption. It is a block diagram which shows the example of schematic structure of the conventional data processor.

Explanation of symbols

  10a to 10c ... data processing module, 11a to 11c ... control unit, 12a to 12c ... input buffer, 13a to 13c ... output buffer, 20 ... callback module, 21 ... control unit, 30 ... external control unit, 40 ... system management module

Claims (7)

A plurality of data processing means connected to each other in a pipeline form to execute predetermined data processing and perform the data processing for each predetermined processing unit of data to be processed;
At least one is arranged between the plurality of data processing means, and inquiries about data delivery between the data processing means are performed for each predetermined processing unit, and the data delivery is performed according to a response instruction to the inquiry. Callback means for performing each predetermined processing unit;
A data processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that receives an inquiry from the callback unit and that gives a response instruction to the inquiry to the callback unit. The callback means inquires to the control means as to whether or not the delivery is possible as an inquiry about the delivery of data. If the response instruction to the inquiry is acceptable, the callback means delivers the data for a predetermined processing unit related to the response instruction. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if a response instruction to the inquiry is not delivered, data delivery is stopped for a predetermined processing unit related to the response instruction. The callback means notifies the system management module that manages the entire data processing apparatus or the entire system constructed including the data processing apparatus, to the effect that the data transfer is stopped. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data processing apparatus is provided. The callback means inquires of the control means whether or not monitoring of the delivery is necessary as an inquiry regarding the delivery of data, and if the response instruction to the inquiry requires monitoring, the data is delivered for each predetermined processing unit. The data processing device according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the data processing device counts and outputs the number of the predetermined processing units that have been delivered each time. Computer
A plurality of data processing means connected to each other in a pipeline form to execute predetermined data processing and perform the data processing for each predetermined processing unit of data to be processed;
At least one is arranged between the plurality of data processing means, and inquiries about data transfer between the data processing means are performed for each predetermined processing unit, and the data is transferred while following a response instruction to the inquiry Callback means for performing each predetermined processing unit;
A data processing program that receives an inquiry from the callback unit and functions as a control unit that gives a response instruction to the inquiry to the callback unit. The computer,
A system management module that manages the entire computer or the entire system constructed by including the computer and that functions as a system management module that receives information indicating that the data transfer from the callback unit is stopped. Item 6. A data processing program according to Item 5. A data processing method used in a data processing apparatus including a plurality of data processing means connected in a pipeline form,
A data processing step in which each of the data processing means executes predetermined data processing and performs the data processing for each predetermined processing unit of data to be processed;
An inquiry step for inquiring an external control unit for each predetermined processing unit for an inquiry about data transfer among the plurality of data processing means;
A data transfer method comprising: a data transfer step of transferring data between the plurality of data processing means for each of the predetermined processing units while following a response instruction to the inquiry.

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