JP4752690B2 - Print control apparatus and print control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to image processing for printing an image captured by an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera.

  In recent years, image data captured by an imaging device such as a digital camera and stored in a storage medium such as a memory card is directly read into a printer without using a personal computer, and an image represented by the read image data is printed. Printers capable of reading image data directly from an imaging device such as a digital camera or the like and printing the image represented by the read image data are becoming widespread. Hereinafter, an image captured by such an imaging apparatus is also referred to as a “photo image”, and image data representing the photo image is also referred to as “photo image data”. A printer capable of printing a photo image as described above is also referred to as a “photo printer”. Furthermore, a mode in which image data stored in a storage medium is directly read into a printer without using a personal computer and an image represented by the read image data is printed is also referred to as “card printing”.

  The photo printer as described above performs various correction processes on the read photo image data in advance so as to obtain an appropriate print result as one of the image processes executed for printing the photo image. ing. As a correction technique for such photo image data, for example, a technique described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed.

JP 2001-165647 A

  By the way, in the photo printer as described above, as pre-processing for performing correction processing, first, photo image data is read, and pixel data is sampled at a predetermined rate from the read photo image data to create a histogram. The correction parameter is determined by performing statistical processing based on the created histogram and obtaining a feature amount indicating the feature of the image. Then, in the image processing executed for printing the photo image, correction processing is performed on the photo image data based on the determined correction parameter. Further, face recognition processing may be performed to recognize the presence of a human face in a photo image, and correction processing may be performed by determining a correction parameter corresponding to the presence. Furthermore, when the eyes of a person in the photo image are red eyes, a red eye analysis process is performed, and a correction parameter corresponding to the red eye analysis process is determined to perform the correction process.

  Therefore, in the case of printing one photo image, it is necessary to execute preprocessing for obtaining correction parameters before image processing including the correction processing. For this reason, after specifying a photo image to be printed, after instructing the execution of printing, until the actual image processing for the specified photo image data starts, There is a problem that a waiting time until the processing is completed occurs, and as a result, the waiting time until the actual printing process is started becomes long.

  The photo image data is usually compressed in a predetermined compression format, for example, JPEG (Joint Photographic Coding Experts Group) format. For this reason, it is necessary to develop the photo image data compressed in the JPEG format before executing the above image processing and preprocessing, which further increases the waiting time.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and as a result, the time until image processing for printing a print target image designated as an image desired to be printed is shortened. An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of shortening the waiting time until the actual printing process is started.

In order to solve at least a part of the above-described problems, an aspect of the present invention provides:
For a print target image instructed to start printing, preprocessing for determining a correction parameter for correcting the image quality of the print target image, and the print target image based on the correction parameter determined in the preprocessing A printing control apparatus that includes a correction process of print target image data that represents, and performs image processing for executing printing of the print target image,
A pre-processing unit for performing the pre-processing in advance before a print execution instruction indicating the start of printing occurs;
An image processing unit for executing the image processing according to the print execution instruction;
With
The image processing unit
When the image processing is instructed according to the print execution instruction, when the preprocessing for the print target image that is the target of the instructed image processing is being executed in the preceding processing unit,
When the processing amount of the preprocessing being executed in the preceding processing unit reaches a predetermined amount, the processing of the preprocessing executed in the preceding processing unit is waited for completion of the preprocessing executed in the preceding processing unit. Using the result, execute the correction process,
When the processing amount of the preprocessing being executed in the preceding processing unit does not reach the predetermined amount, the preprocessing being executed in the preceding processing unit is stopped, and printing that is the target of the instructed image processing The preprocessing for the target image is executed at a higher speed than the processing in the preceding processing unit, and the correction process is executed by utilizing the processing result of the executed preprocessing.
It is characterized by that.

  According to the print control apparatus, when the amount of preprocessing being executed in the preceding processing unit reaches a predetermined amount, the preceding processing unit waits for the end of the preprocessing being executed in the preceding processing unit, and is executed in the preceding processing unit. The correction processing included in the image processing can be executed by utilizing the processing result of the preprocessing, and when the processing amount of the preprocessing being executed in the preceding processing unit does not reach the predetermined amount, the preceding processing unit The pre-processing executed in step S1 is canceled, and the pre-processing for the print target image that is the target of the instructed image processing is executed at a higher speed than the processing in the preceding processing unit, and the processing result of the executed pre-processing is obtained. Since the correction process included in the image processing can be executed, the result of the preceding process of the pre-processing can be effectively used, and the execution of the preceding process of the pre-processing can be performed to perform the image processing for the image to be printed. Time to start Longer, it is possible to suppress the becomes longer to the actual printing process is started. Therefore, compared to the case where a predetermined pre-process is executed after a print execution instruction as in the prior art, the time until image processing for printing the specified print target image is shortened, and as a result It is possible to reduce the waiting time until the printing process is started.

In the print control apparatus, the image processing unit includes:
When the image processing is instructed according to the print execution instruction, pre-processing for an image that is not the target of the instructed image processing is in the middle of being executed by the preceding processing unit.
The preprocessing being executed in the preceding processing unit is stopped, and the preprocessing for the print target image that is the target of the instructed image processing is executed at a higher speed than the processing in the preceding processing unit, and is executed. Utilizing the processing result of the preprocessing, the correction processing is executed.
It is also preferable.

  According to the print control apparatus, it is possible to start the preprocessing for the print target image that is the target of the instructed image processing without waiting for the end of the preprocessing for the image that is not the target of the instructed image processing. Therefore, it is possible to save time for waiting for the useless preceding process to be completed, and to increase the time until the start of the image processing for the image to be printed and the time until the actual printing process is started. Can be suppressed.

  The present invention can be configured as an image processing apparatus in addition to the configuration as the print control apparatus. Further, the present invention is not limited to the aspects of the device invention, and may be realized by aspects of a method invention such as a print control method and an image processing method. Note that the various additional elements described above can also be applied to the method invention. Furthermore, the present invention can be realized in various modes such as a computer program that implements the method and apparatus, a recording medium that records the program, and a data signal that includes the program and is embodied in a carrier wave. In addition, in each aspect, it is possible to apply the various additional elements shown above.

  When the present invention is configured as a computer program or a recording medium on which the program is recorded, it may be configured as an entire program for controlling the operation of the print control apparatus or the image processing apparatus, and fulfills the functions of the present invention. It is good also as what comprises only a part. The recording medium includes a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, an IC card, a ROM cartridge, a punch card, a printed matter on which a code such as a barcode is printed, a computer internal storage device (RAM or Various types of computer-readable media such as a memory such as a ROM and an external storage device can be used.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. Overview of print control device configuration and operation:
B. Pre-processing operation of pre-processing:
C. Predecessor waiting judgment operation when executing image processing:
D. Variations:

A. Overview of print control device configuration and operation:
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of a print control apparatus 10 as an embodiment of the present invention. The print control apparatus 10 is a microprocessor in which a multiprocessor system including a plurality of processors is integrated on a single semiconductor substrate. Each processor means a unit including peripheral circuits such as a CPU, a memory, and a bus controller. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, one main processor 100 and four sub processors 200A to 200D (indicated as “sub processor 1” to “sub processor 4” in the figure). As an example, a case is provided. The print control apparatus 10 includes a plurality of processors, a mechanism control unit 300 that is a circuit that controls the operation of the printing mechanism unit 20, and an input I / F unit 400 that is a circuit that controls an input operation by the operation unit 30. An LCD controller 500 that controls a display operation by a liquid crystal panel (LCD) 40 that is a display device, a card I / F unit 600 that is a circuit that controls a data reading operation from a memory card 52 mounted in the card slot 50, Various peripheral circuits such as a dedicated memory controller 700 that controls access from the main processor 100 to the dedicated memory 60 and a shared memory controller 800 that controls access from the processors 100 and 200A to 200D to the shared memory 70 are provided. Note that illustration of peripheral circuits not particularly related to the present invention is omitted.

  Each processor constituting the print control apparatus 10 operates as a corresponding functional block by reading and executing a predetermined program for each processor stored in the dedicated memory 60. Specifically, the main processor 100 operates as a functional block described below by reading and executing a program for the main processor 100 stored in the dedicated memory 60. Further, each of the sub processors 200 </ b> A to 200 </ b> D reads the program read from the dedicated memory 60 and stored in the shared memory 70 and executes it when the program for the main processor 100 is read. Accordingly, each operates as a functional block described below.

  The main processor 100 operates as a functional block (hereinafter referred to as a “print control unit”) that controls the print processing operation as a whole. Hereinafter, the main processor 100 is also referred to as a “print control unit 100”.

  Specifically, the print control unit 100 includes a file access unit 110, a user interface unit (also referred to as “UI unit”) 120, a preceding process management unit 130, a preceding process execution unit 140, a card print control unit 150, an image process, and the like. The functional block is divided into a management unit 160, an image processing unit 170, a print image processing unit 180, and a print processing unit 190.

  The file access unit 110 controls reading of photo image data stored in the memory card 52.

  The UI unit 120 displays on the LCD 40 a selection screen for selecting a photo image desired to be printed as a print target image.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a selection screen displayed on the LCD 40. As shown in FIG. 2, a selection screen 500M for selecting a photo image (photograph) to be printed is displayed on the LCD 40, and the preview display field 502 in the selection screen 500M has undergone preview processing. A print candidate image represented by the print candidate image data is previewed. The change of the print candidate image displayed in the preview corresponds to the selection buttons 506P and 506N (predetermined buttons on the operation unit 30 shown in FIG. 2. The selection button 506P corresponds to the selection on the front side, and the selection button 506N. Corresponds to the selection on the rear side), and is executed by selecting a photo image before or after the photo image as the currently displayed print candidate image. At this time, the UI unit 120 precedes a request (hereinafter, also referred to as “pre-processing pre-processing request” or “pre-processing request”) for performing pre-processing on the photo image selected as the print candidate image in advance. The process management unit 130 is instructed. In addition, the UI unit 120 instructs the image processing management unit 160 to perform an image processing request for displaying a photo image stored in the memory card 52 as photo image data as a print candidate image on the selection screen of the LCD 40, and Displayed on the selection screen of the LCD 40.

  Next, the UI unit 120 is designated as a print target image by setting the number of printed photo images displayed on the selection screen by the user operating the operation unit 30, and the print candidate image is set as the print target image. The advance processing management unit 130 is notified of the setting. Specifically, the designation as an image to be printed is specifically the number designation buttons 508U and 508D shown in FIG. 2 (corresponding to predetermined buttons on the operation unit 30, the number designation button 508U is a number increment designation button, The designation button 508D is a number reduction designation button), and is executed by operating the number designation button 508D to set the number of prints from 0 to 1 or more.

  Then, when the user instructs execution of printing by operating the operation unit 30, specifically, when the user instructs the start of printing by operating the print start button illustrated in FIG. 2, the UI unit 120 performs printing. Is executed to the card print control unit 150.

  As will be described later, the preceding process management unit 130 receives a preprocessing preceding process request from the UI unit 120, instructs the preceding process execution unit 140 to execute the preprocessing, and manages the preceding process result of the preprocessing. .

  The preceding process execution unit 140 executes preprocessing for obtaining correction parameters used in correction processing in image processing, which will be described later, in accordance with a preprocessing execution instruction from the preceding process management unit 130. The pre-processing includes statistical processing for determining the maximum luminance, minimum luminance, average luminance, central luminance, etc. as feature quantities indicating the characteristics of the image to be printed, face recognition processing for examining the presence of a face, and red-eye correction. Includes at least one of red-eye analysis processing and the like. In this example, all of statistical processing, face recognition processing, and red-eye analysis processing are performed. Further, in normal preprocessing, statistical processing and face recognition processing are executed based on a histogram created by sampling print target image data at a predetermined rate. It will be described as including.

  Upon receiving a print execution instruction from the UI unit 120, the card print control unit 150 performs image processing by the image processing unit 170 executed under the management of the image processing management unit 160, and print image data by the print image processing unit 170. Generation processing and print processing by the print processing unit 190 are controlled, and printing is executed.

  The image processing management unit 160 instructs the image processing unit 170 to execute image processing, and controls the image processing operation performed by the image processing unit 170.

  If the image processing unit 170 does not wait for the preceding process, the image processing unit 170 cancels the preceding process being executed in the preceding process execution unit 140 and executes the pre-process. (Also called “main processing”). On the other hand, when waiting for the preceding process, the process is executed after waiting for the preceding process end notification from the preceding process executing unit 140.

  The photo image data stored in the memory card 52 is, for example, compressed data in JPEG format. Therefore, as one of the processes, the image processing unit 170 executes a decoding process for expanding the print target image data read from the memory card 52 into RGB format image data.

  In addition to the decoding process, the image processing unit 170 performs preprocessing on image data (also referred to as “original image data” or “development image data”) obtained by developing the print target image data. Based on the correction parameters obtained by the above, an image correction process is performed that applies at least one of various correction processes such as color correction, brightness correction, contrast correction, saturation correction, noise removal, smoothing, and contour correction. To do. Furthermore, the image processing unit 170 also performs resolution conversion processing for converting the resolution of the print target image data, image data in which an image represented by the print target image data is arranged at an actual print position on the print medium (“layout image data”). (Also referred to as a layout process).

  Note that the image processing unit 170 does not actually execute the image processing, but instructs the first sub-processor 200A operating as the image processing control unit to perform specific processing, as will be described later. The first sub processor 200A to the third sub processor 200C that operate as functional blocks corresponding to the instructed process execute the process.

  The print image processing unit 180 generates print image data based on the image data subjected to image processing (main processing) in the image processing unit 170 under the control of the card print control unit 150. The print image data is data used to actually print an image on a print medium. For example, in the case of an ink jet type printing apparatus, it means binary data representing the arrangement of dots on the print medium. is doing. However, as with the image processing unit 170, the print image processing unit 180 does not actually generate print image data, but instead performs the fourth sub-processor 200D that operates as a print image processing execution unit. The fourth sub-processor 200D generates print image data by instructing print image data generation processing.

  The print processing unit 190 actually controls the print mechanism unit 20 via the mechanism control unit 300 based on the print image data generated by the print image processing unit 180 under the control of the card print control unit 150. Execute printing.

  The first sub-processor 200A operates as a functional block (image processing control unit) that controls an image processing operation in accordance with an instruction from the image processing unit 170. Hereinafter, the first sub-processor 200A is also referred to as “image processing control unit 200A”.

  The second sub-processor 200B executes a functional block (hereinafter referred to as “decode processing execution unit”) that executes JPEG format image data decoding processing (also referred to as “image development processing”) in accordance with an instruction from the image processing control unit 200A. Alternatively, it is called an “image development unit”). Hereinafter, the second sub-processor 200B may be referred to as a “decoding process execution unit 200B”.

  The decoding process execution unit 200B actually executes the image decoding process when the decoding process is instructed from the image processing unit 170 via the image processing control unit 200A.

  As will be described later, the third sub-processor 200C operates as a functional block that executes image correction processing (hereinafter referred to as “correction processing execution unit”) in accordance with an instruction from the image processing control unit 200A. Hereinafter, the third sub-processor 200C is also referred to as a “correction processing execution unit 200C”.

  As described above, the fourth sub-processor 200D serves as a functional block (print image processing execution unit) that executes processing for generating print image data based on the image data subjected to the image processing in the image processing unit 170. Operate. Hereinafter, the fourth sub processor 200D is also referred to as a “print image processing execution unit 200D”.

  By the way, when the execution of printing is instructed, the feature of the present invention is that when the preceding process is executed in the preceding process executing unit 140, the preprocessing being executed is sent to the image processing unit 170. In the case of pre-processing for an image to be printed for which an instruction has been given, the image processing unit 170 newly waits for the pre-processing being executed to end or cancels the preceding processing and starts a new process. Whether pre-processing is executed or not is determined according to the processed amount of the preceding processing, and processing according to the determination result is executed. Therefore, in the following, the preceding processing preceding processing operation in the preceding processing execution unit 140 and the preceding processing waiting determination operation in the image processing unit 170 related to the processing waiting determination operation in the preceding processing will be described.

B. Pre-processing operation of pre-processing:
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the pre-processing operation of the pre-processing executed by the pre-processing execution unit 140. When a preceding process request for preprocessing is made from the preceding process management unit 130, the preceding process execution unit 140 executes the following process.

  First, a work memory area for preprocessing is secured in the dedicated memory 60 (step S110).

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to cancel the preceding process from the image processing unit 170 (step S120). If there is no instruction to stop the preceding process (step S120: NO), the process of the next step S180 is not started (step S170: YES) by the determination process in step S170 described later, but the process of step S120. If the process returns to step S10 to step S160 (step S170: NO), the process from step S130 to step S160 is repeated. On the other hand, when there is an instruction to cancel the preceding process (step S120: YES), the preceding process operation is terminated.

  In step S130, an image decoding process is executed for the print candidate image for which an instruction for the preceding process has been issued. In step S140, the print candidate image data obtained by the image decoding process is sampled at a predetermined rate to create a histogram.

  In step S150, it is determined whether or not the sampling process has been completed for ½ or more of the entire print candidate image data. If the sampling process has been completed for ½ or more (step S150: YES), it is determined in step S160 that the preceding process should be completed, a process waiting flag is set, and the process of step S170 is executed. To do. On the other hand, if the sampling process for 1/2 or more has not been completed (step S150: NO), the process of step S170 is executed as it is.

  In step S170, it is determined whether the decoding process and the sampling process have been completed for the entire print candidate image data. If the decoding process and the sampling process are not completed for the entire print candidate image data (step S170: NO), the process returns to step S120, and the decoding process and the sampling process are completed for the entire print candidate image data (step S170). Steps S120 to S160 are repeated until S170: YES). On the other hand, when the decoding process and the sampling process are completed for the entire print candidate image data (step S170: YES), the process of step S180 is executed.

  In step S180, correction parameter determination processing is executed. As described above, the correction parameter determination processing includes statistical processing for obtaining the maximum luminance, the minimum luminance, the average luminance, the central luminance, and the like as the feature amount indicating the characteristics of the print target image based on the created histogram. Then, face recognition processing for examining the presence of a face, red-eye analysis processing for correcting red eyes, and the like are executed.

  After executing the correction parameter determination process, in step S190, the preceding process management unit 130 is notified of the completion of the preceding process of the print candidate image, and if the print candidate image is a print target image, the image processing unit 170 is notified. Also notifies the end of the preceding process. In step S200, the secured work memory area is released, and the preceding process is terminated.

C. Predecessor waiting judgment operation when executing image processing:
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an image processing operation executed by the image processing unit 170. When the image processing management unit 160 instructs execution of image processing on the print target image, the image processing unit 170 performs the following processing.

  First, in step S310, it is determined whether or not preprocessing for a print target image for which execution has been instructed is being performed in advance by the preceding process execution unit 140. In step S320, for the print target image for which execution has been instructed. It is determined whether or not the preprocessing has been performed in advance.

  First, when the preprocessing for the instructed print target image is in the preceding process (step S310: YES), the process waiting flag set by the preceding process execution unit 140 is referred to (step S330), and the flag is set. It is determined whether it is set (step S330). At this time, if the flag is set (step S330: YES), in order to wait for the end of the preceding process, the process waits until a notice of the end of the preceding process is received from the preceding process execution unit 140 (step S350: NO). ). When there is a notice of completion of the preceding process (step S350: YES), this process is executed (step S380). On the other hand, when the flag is not set (step S330: NO), the preceding process execution unit 140 is instructed to stop the preceding process (step S360), and after executing the preprocess (step S370), This process is executed (step S380).

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the preprocessing executed in step S370. When preprocessing is started, first, a work memory area for preprocessing is secured in the dedicated memory 60 (step S410).

  Next, the processing in steps S420 and S430 is repeatedly executed until the processing in step S450 is started (step S440: YES) by the determination processing in step S440 described later.

  In step S420, an image decoding process is executed for the print target image, and in step S430, the print target image data obtained by the image decoding process is sampled at a predetermined rate to create a histogram. Note that the image decoding process in step S420 is not actually executed by the image processing unit 170, but is executed by the decoding process execution unit 200B under the control of the image processing control unit 200A.

  In step S440, it is determined whether the decoding process and the sampling process are performed on the entire print target image and the process is completed. If the process has not been completed (step S440: NO), the process returns to step S420, and the processes of steps S420 and S430 are repeated. On the other hand, when the process is completed (step S440: YES), a correction parameter determination process is executed in step S450. After execution of the correction parameter determination process, in step S460, the secured work memory area is released, and the preprocess is terminated.

  Note that the processes in steps S410 to S460 are the same as steps S110, S130, S140, S160, S180, and S200 in FIG.

  Next, when the pre-processing for the instructed print target image is not the preceding process (step S310: NO) and has not been executed yet (step S320: NO), the above-described step S360 is performed. Then, the preceding process execution unit 140 is instructed to cancel the preceding process, and after executing the preprocess in step S370, the process is executed in step S380.

  If the preprocessing for the instructed print target image is not the preceding process and has already been executed and processed (step S320: YES), the main process of 0 in step S380 described above is performed as it is. Execute.

  As described above, in the print control apparatus 10 of the above-described embodiment, when the image processing unit 170 is instructed to execute image processing on the print target image, the preprocessing for the instructed print target image is performed. It is determined whether or not the preceding process is being performed by the preceding process execution unit 140, and if the preprocessing for the instructed print target image is in the preceding process, the sampling process that is being performed in the preceding process Can be executed by using the result of the preceding process after waiting for the preceding process to end. Also, if the sampling process has finished less than half of the whole, the preceding process being executed is stopped, and a new preprocessing is performed by the image processing unit 170 faster than the preceding process executing unit 140. To execute this processing.

  If the preprocessing for the instructed print target image is not in the preceding process and has not been processed, the preceding process being executed is stopped and the image processing unit 170 causes the previous processing for the print target image to be performed. The process can be executed at a higher speed than the preceding process execution unit 140 to execute this process.

  By the way, for example, when the execution of printing is instructed and the preceding process is being executed, if the next process is waited until the preceding process is terminated, for example, If the preceding process is for an image that is not related to the print target image, the preprocessing for the print target image is executed by the image processing unit 170 after the preceding process ends. The time waiting for the end of the processing becomes a useless waiting time, and the time until image processing for printing the print target image instructed to print is delayed.

  Further, when the execution of printing is instructed, the preceding process in the middle of execution is stopped, and the image processing unit 170 executes the preprocessing for the print target image. However, since the preceding process is canceled, the time for the preceding process is wasted, and as a result, the time until the image process for printing the print target image instructed for printing is started is delayed. turn into.

  However, as described above, in the print control apparatus 10 according to the embodiment, when the execution of printing is instructed, the preceding process in the middle of execution is a preprocess for an image that is not related to the print target image. Since the preceding process is canceled and the image processing unit 170 can execute the pre-processing for the print target image at high speed, the pre-processing for the image that is not related to the print target image for which execution has been instructed. It is possible to save useless time due to waiting for processing. As a result, the time until image processing for printing the image to be printed designated as the image desired to be printed is shortened, and as a result, the waiting time until actual printing processing is started is shortened. It becomes possible.

  In the printing control apparatus 10 according to the embodiment, when the preceding process in the middle of execution when printing is instructed is the preceding process of the preprocess for the print target image, the sampling process during the preprocess is performed. Is finished at a half or more of the whole, waits for the completion of the preceding process, and when not finished at a half or more, the preceding process is stopped and the image processing unit 170 In addition, since the pre-processing can be newly executed, it is possible to prevent the time for the pre-processing from being wasted. That is, when it is more effective to wait for the end of the preceding process than to newly perform the preprocessing by the image processing unit 170, the image processing unit waits for the end of the preceding process and waits for the end of the preceding process. When it is more effective to execute the preprocessing at 170 at a high speed, the preceding process can be stopped and the preprocessing can be executed by the image processing unit 170. As a result, the time until image processing for printing a print target image designated as an image desired to be printed is shortened, and as a result, the waiting time until actual printing processing is started is shortened. It becomes possible.

  As described above, the print control apparatus 10 according to the embodiment effectively uses the result of the preceding process of the preprocessing and performs the image processing (main process) on the print target image by performing the preceding process of the preprocessing. It is possible to suppress an increase in the time until the start and an increase in the time until the actual printing process is started.

D. Variations:
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to such embodiment at all, In the range which does not deviate from the summary, it is possible to implement in various aspects. For example, the following modifications are possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described as an example in which it is determined whether or not to set the processing wait flag based on whether or not the processing amount of the sampling processing (sampling processing amount) has been finished by more than half of the whole. This sampling processing amount is not limited to this, and can be determined from the following viewpoints. In other words, waiting for the end of the preceding process executed in the preceding process execution unit 140 is more time to start this process than stopping the preceding process and newly executing the preprocess by the image processing unit 170. A shortenable value may be determined from the time required for the preprocessing by the image processing unit 170 and the time required for the preprocessing by the preceding process execution unit 140.

  Further, instead of the sampling processing amount, the determination may be made based on the processing amount of decoding processing, statistical processing included in the parameter determination processing, processing amount of face recognition processing, red-eye analysis processing, processing time, and the like.

  In the above-described embodiment, the print control apparatus 10 includes the image processing control unit 200A, the decode processing execution unit 200B, the correction processing execution unit 200C, and the print image processing execution unit 200D, respectively, a CPU, a memory, and a bus controller. In the above description, an example has been described in which each is realized by reading and executing a program (software) for a corresponding processor, but each is configured by hardware. May be.

1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a print control apparatus 10 as an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a selection screen displayed on an LCD 40. FIG. It is explanatory drawing shown about the predecessor operation | movement of the preprocess performed by the predecessor process execution part 140. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an image processing operation executed by an image processing unit 170. It is explanatory drawing which shows the pre-processing performed by step S370.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Print control apparatus 20 ... Printing mechanism part 30 ... Operation part 40 ... Liquid crystal panel (LCD)
50 ... Card slot 52 ... Memory card 60 ... Dedicated memory 70 ... Shared memory 100 ... Main processor (printing control unit)
110: File access unit 120 ... User interface unit (UI unit)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 130 ... Advance process management part 140 ... Advance process execution part 150 ... Card print control part 160 ... Image process management part 170 ... Image process part 180 ... Print image process part 190 ... Print process part 200A ... 1st sub processor (image process) Control part)
200B 2nd sub-processor (decoding processing execution unit)
200C ... Third sub-processor (correction processing execution unit)
200D: Fourth sub-processor (print image processing execution unit)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 300 ... Mechanism control part 500M ... Selection screen 502 ... Preview display column 504 ... Print number display part 506N ... Selection button 506P ... Selection button 508D ... Number specification button 508U ... Number specification button 510 ... Print start button 400 ... Input I / F part 600: Card I / F unit 700: Dedicated memory controller 800 ... Shared memory controller

Claims (3)

For a print target image instructed to start printing, preprocessing for determining a correction parameter for correcting the image quality of the print target image, and the print target image based on the correction parameter determined in the preprocessing A printing control apparatus that includes a correction process of print target image data that represents, and performs image processing for executing printing of the print target image,
A pre-processing execution unit for executing the pre-processing in advance before a print execution instruction indicating the start of printing occurs;
An image processing unit for executing the image processing according to the print execution instruction;
With
The image processing unit
When the image processing is instructed according to the print execution instruction, the preprocessing for the print target image that is the target of the instructed image processing is in the middle of being executed by the preceding process execution unit.
When the processing amount of the preprocessing being executed in the preceding processing unit reaches a predetermined amount, the processing of the preprocessing executed in the preceding processing unit is waited for completion of the preprocessing executed in the preceding processing unit. Using the result, execute the correction process,
When the processing amount of the preprocessing being executed in the preceding processing unit does not reach the predetermined amount, the preprocessing being executed in the preceding processing unit is stopped, and printing that is the target of the instructed image processing The preprocessing for the target image is executed at a higher speed than the processing in the preceding processing unit, and the correction process is executed by utilizing the processing result of the executed preprocessing.
A printing control apparatus characterized by that. The print control apparatus according to claim 1,
The image processing unit
When the image processing is instructed according to the print execution instruction, pre-processing for an image that is not the target of the instructed image processing is in the middle of being executed by the preceding processing unit.
The preprocessing being executed in the preceding processing unit is stopped, and the preprocessing for the print target image that is the target of the instructed image processing is executed at a higher speed than the processing in the preceding processing unit, and is executed. Utilizing the processing result of the preprocessing, the correction processing is executed.
A printing control apparatus characterized by that. For a print target image instructed to start printing, preprocessing for determining a correction parameter for correcting the image quality of the print target image, and the print target image based on the correction parameter determined in the preprocessing A print control method for performing printing of the print target image, including correction processing of print target image data to be represented,
Before a print execution instruction indicating the start of printing occurs, a preceding process step for executing the pre-process in advance,
An image processing step for executing the image processing in accordance with the print execution instruction;
With
The image processing step includes
When the image processing is instructed according to the print execution instruction, when the preprocessing for the print target image that is the target of the instructed image processing is being executed in the preceding processing step,
When the processing amount of the preprocessing being executed in the preceding processing step reaches a predetermined amount, the processing of the preprocessing executed in the preceding processing step is waited for completion of the preprocessing executed in the preceding processing unit. Using the result, execute the correction process,
When the processing amount of the preprocessing being executed in the preceding processing step does not reach the predetermined amount, the preprocessing being executed in the preceding processing step is stopped, and printing that is the target of the instructed image processing The preprocessing for the target image is executed at a higher speed than the processing in the preceding processing step, and the correction processing is executed by utilizing the processing result of the executed preprocessing.
And a printing control method.

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