JP4901705B2 - Image forming apparatus, output image processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine. More specifically, the present invention improves the efficiency of a processing process when processing an input image as image data used for print output in accordance with setting conditions including scaling. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an output image processing method, and a program that can effectively use resources.

  In the image forming apparatus, in order to output under printing conditions requested by the user, for example, in the case of a copying machine, an image input by a scanner is processed as an image used for output by a plotter. In order to perform such image data processing, the processing device installed in the copier is a dedicated machine for data processing in view of the configuration and cost of the entire device including various hardware and software components of the copier. There are cases where a large-scale processing device such as a PC (Personal Computer) cannot be employed.

In this situation, in order to effectively use resources used for data processing, in recent years, the data to be processed is compressed to reduce the amount of data to be processed as much as possible, and a buffer for holding data in the course of processing. The device is designed to make the area as small as possible and to effectively use the storage device (see Patent Document 1 below).
JP 2001-113759 A

  Incidentally, a conventional image forming apparatus such as a copying machine has a scaling function. When the scaling function is used, it is usually possible to set the scaling ratio by specifying the scaling ratio using the paper size or%. If the setting is enlargement / reduction, the image input by the scanner is once compressed, and even if the data amount is reduced, when outputting to the plotter, the compressed data is expanded and then the enlarged image data is generated by setting enlargement / reduction Process. Accordingly, in the image processing means for performing error correction processing depending on the plotter, output processing in accordance with the set printing conditions (including scaling), the data amount of the image to be output at the time of enlargement scaling is the processing method Depending on the input image, the number may be larger than the input image.

By the way, in enlargement / magnification, the problem in processing is when the capacity of the line buffer used in the image processing means for processing the output image is limited corresponding to the paper size such as A3 vertical direction. Because of this limitation, the document may not be processed depending on the size and orientation of the original when the scanner is input, and the magnification setting.
In addition, even if the above restriction can be cleared, any page image that is a processing unit is assumed for any image for which enlargement scaling is set, assuming the maximum scaling ratio in the setting that can clear the restriction. If a buffer area necessary for processing is secured through the data processing process, an area is unnecessarily occupied depending on a page image with a large enlargement / reduction ratio, which impairs effective use of the buffer.

  In view of the above-described problems of the prior art, the present invention is to improve the efficiency of a processing process and make effective use of resources when processing image data in a print output that uses enlargement / magnification as a setting condition. Let it be a solution issue.

The present invention relates to an image input / compression processing means for processing input image data to be processed into compressed and encoded input image data, and a compressed and encoded input image processed by the image input / compression processing means. Code decompression means for decompressing data, image processing means for processing the input image data decompressed by the code decompression means as output image data, and rotating the image decompressed by the code decompression means horizontally and vertically In the process of processing the input image into the output image, the image rotation means, the storage means that functions as a buffer, and the image data directly transferred from the code decompression means to the image processing means An image transfer means for controlling the input image and a control means for operating each means to process the input image according to the set condition and output the image as an output image. In the image forming apparatus, the image processing unit includes a unit that performs scaling processing on the image, and the control unit cannot perform processing by the image processing unit after scaling when performing image processing with scaling set With respect to the image having the main scanning width, the encoded data of the image is expanded by the code expansion unit, and the image processing unit is rotated vertically and horizontally using the image rotation unit via the storage unit. For the first path for performing image processing including zooming in the above, or after the encoded data of the image is expanded by the code decompression unit for the main scanning width image that can be processed by the image processing unit after scaling The second transfer path is directly transferred to the image processing section using the image transfer section, the second path for performing image processing including scaling is selected, and the operation of the selected path is performed.
The present invention is an output image processing method for processing compressed and encoded input image data as output image data in accordance with a setting condition including enlargement / magnification, wherein image processing with enlargement / magnification is set. When performing, it is determined whether or not the image to be processed exceeds the predetermined main scanning width necessary for the image processing unit after enlargement scaling, and the image cannot be processed. The first path or processing for performing image processing including enlargement / magnification in the image processing unit after the encoded data of the image is decompressed and rotated vertically and horizontally through storage means functioning as a buffer For the image determined to be capable of being expanded, the encoded data of the image is expanded and then transferred directly to the image processing unit, and the second path for performing image processing including enlargement / magnification is selected and selected. Perform path actions And features.

  According to the present invention, it is determined whether or not the processing target image for which scaling has been set is an image of a size that cannot be processed by the image processing unit, and the image determined to be unprocessable is subjected to vertical and horizontal image rotation. For the first path for performing image processing including scaling in the image processing unit and the image determined to be processed, the encoded data of the image is decompressed and directly transferred to the image processing unit. By selecting the second path for performing image processing including enlargement / magnification and executing the operation of the selected path, the data processing of the image output can be made efficient, and the effective use of resources can be realized.

An embodiment according to an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described below.
In the following embodiment, an image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied to a copying machine. Therefore, in this embodiment, an example will be described in which data input to generate image data used for plotter output is input by reading a document image with a scanner. Note that the present invention can also be implemented in the same manner when applied to a multi-function device (MFP), receiving a plotter output (printing) request from an external host device, and targeting various types of input data.

In a copying machine, when a scanner input image is processed into a plotter output image, error correction processing depending on the plotter and image processing such as scaling set as printing conditions are performed. In this embodiment, the capacity of the line buffer used for performing this image processing is limited to the size in the A3 vertical direction.
As described above, if the line buffer is limited to the necessary minimum capacity, a problem in processing is that the document is output in the A3 size depending on the size and orientation of the original when the scanner is input and the scaling ratio. However, there are cases where processing cannot be performed.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, if the output is equal to or smaller than the size of A3, it is possible to output regardless of the conditions, and the input image (an image in which enlargement / magnification is expected) is A3 vertical length which is the capacity of the line buffer. If the image has a main scanning width that falls within the range of the size in the direction, it can be processed at high speed simply by securing the minimum necessary capacity in a memory used as a buffer for output image processing (hereinafter also referred to as “buffer memory”). 1 shows a data processing system of a copying machine that is intended to be able to perform the above.
In the following, “embodiment 1” to “embodiment 3” are shown as data processing systems of a copying machine configured with the above intention. “Embodiment 1” is a basic form, and “Embodiment 2” is a form in which processing steps for further matching the size and the vertical and horizontal directions of the output paper are added to Embodiment 1, and “ The “third embodiment” shows a mode in which the capacity of the buffer memory can be checked according to the execution condition.

“Embodiment 1”
“Outline of Copying Machine According to Embodiment 1”
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the copying machine according to the present embodiment.
A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21 in FIG. 1 constitutes a controller that integrates and controls the entire copying machine under the control of a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a memory 22 that store a program (not shown). Therefore, the CPU 21 processes the image input / compression processing means 12 that receives an image input from the scanner 11 that performs color reading on the document, the image expansion means 23 that expands the compressed image, and the output image including the magnification change. An image processing unit 25, an image rotation unit 26 that performs image rotation processing, and an image output unit 31 that outputs an image to a plotter 32 that performs printing on paper are connected via a bus 41. The image transfer unit 24 is a unit for directly transferring an image from the image expansion unit 23 to the image processing unit 25 via the bus 42. Note that each of the above-mentioned means for processing data under the CPU 21 can be configured by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), but can also be configured by software.

The data processing system of the copying machine shown in FIG. 1 performs processing from image input by the scanner 11 to print output on a sheet by the plotter 32 by a controller (control means) when processing a job requesting copying. Is managed.
When a copy request is made, basically, a copy output process is performed through the following process. That is, in the input process, the image input by reading the document by the scanner 11 is subjected to various corrections and adjustments by the image input / compression processing means 12, and the normalized and high-quality image data is subjected to compression processing. , Once stored in the memory 22 which is a storage means that functions as a buffer. In the output process, the compressed data held in the memory 22 is decompressed by the image decompressing means 23 and restored to the data before compression. The obtained data is subjected to error correction processing depending on the plotter 32 by the image processing means 25 or the like. A normal image output process is performed, and the processed image data is sent to the image output means 31 that outputs to the plotter 32. The image transfer means 24 is used to transfer data directly between the means without using the memory 22 when the data restored by the image decompression means 23 can be immediately processed by the image processing means 25. .

When scaling is set in the copy request, the image processing means 25 that performs image processing for plotter output performs not only normal image output processing such as error correction processing depending on the plotter 32 but also the set scaling and the like. Perform image processing.
In this embodiment, the print output is specified to be output on a sheet of A3 size, and in order to perform this output process, the capacity of the line buffer used in the image processing means 25 is the minimum for outputting to A3 sheet. The required capacity is determined in the A3 vertical direction. For this reason, even if the A3 horizontal size is input to the image processing means 25 as the main scanning width, processing cannot be performed.
Therefore, when outputting to a sheet of A3 size, if the input direction is A3 landscape, the image processing unit 25 is rotated in front of the image processing means 25 to determine the image in a direction in which the A3 vertical direction that can be processed is main scanning. The processing is performed by the image rotation means 26.

“Select processing path”
Whether the image rotation process described above is necessary or not depends on the input image. That is, this image rotation is performed only when the input image has a main scanning width that exceeds the A3 vertical direction determined as the capacity of the line buffer of the image processing means 25. Note that the main scanning width of the input image is the length in the main scanning direction after zooming when zooming is set.
Accordingly, the main scanning width of the input image is obtained from the length of the document set on the document table in the main scanning direction and the magnification set by the user, and the obtained main scanning width corresponds to the A3 vertical direction. It is determined whether or not the main scanning width is exceeded. If it exceeds, the image rotation is required, and if not, the rotation is not required.
This determination is performed until the plotter output process is executed, and the processing path of the plotter output data is selected according to each determination. Here, an image rotation process is required, a path through the image rotation means 26 is a first path, an image rotation process is not required, and a path that does not pass through the image rotation means 26 is a second path. The data processing is described below.

“First route”
The first path is a path in which the main scanning width of the input image after scaling exceeds the capacity of the line buffer of the image processing unit 25, requires image rotation processing, and performs data processing through the image rotation unit 26.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a data processing path (first path) accompanied by image rotation with arrows in the configuration of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of data processing performed in the first route.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, data processing performed in the first route will be described. In the following, processing is performed in the order of paths (1) to (10) in FIG. 2 by taking as an example a case where enlargement / magnification is set with the scanner input image as the A4 size document and the plotter output as the A3 size paper. Will be explained.
Route (1): The scanner 11 reads a document placed the A4 longitudinal in the main scanning direction, and sends the input image D ₁ shown in FIG. 3 which is input to the image input / compression processing unit 12.
Pathway (2): normalized and high image quality of the input image D ₁ by the image input / compression processing unit 12, further multiplied by the data compression to the image data after compression in the memory 22 as the code data D ₂ shown in FIG. 3 send.
Route (3): code data D ₂ once held in the memory 22, since the processing as an image for output at a later stage, and sends the image decompression unit 23 to recover the encoded data D ₂ to the input image.
Route (4): the code data _{D 2} is extended by the image extension unit 23, and sends to the memory 22 as a post elongation image _{D 3} shown in FIG.

Route (5): elongation after image D ₃ temporarily held in the memory 22 is processed as an image for output at a later stage, here it is set the larger magnification to A3 size paper, shown in FIG. 3 without directly changing the main scanning direction an image D ₃ after stretching, when the expansion magnification, becomes a A3 laterally, it exceeds the A3 longitudinal capacity of the line buffer of the image processing unit 25. Thus, sending a post elongation image D ₃ to the image rotation unit 26 to vertical and horizontal rotation.
Route (6): elongation after image D ₃ by the image rotation unit 26 vertically and horizontally rotated, and sends to the memory 22 as vertical and horizontal image after rotation D ₄ shown in FIG.
Route (7): Aspect image after rotation D ₄ once held in the memory 22 and sends it to the image processing unit 25 for processing as an image for output.

Route (8): In addition the aspect image after rotation D ₄ by the image processing unit 25 in the normal image output processing performed in the error correction processing and the like which depend on the plotter 32, performs enlargement scaling to A3 paper size set and it sends it to the memory 22 as the image processed image _{D 5} shown in FIG. Here, since the main scanning direction of the image processed image D ₅ vertical and horizontal rotation processing by the preceding image rotation means 26 has a A3 longitudinally exceed A3 longitudinal capacity of the line buffer of the image processing unit 25 There is no image processing. Here, since the input image is color, the image processing means 25 converts the input RGB (8 bits each) into CMYK for output (1 bit each).
Path (9): The post-image processed image D ₅ once held in the memory 22 is sent to the image output means 31 that outputs the output image D ₆ used in the plotter 32.
Route (10): via the image output unit 31 outputs the output image _{D 6} to the plotter 32.

“Second path”
In the second path, since the main scanning width of the input image after scaling does not exceed the capacity of the line buffer of the image processing means 25 and image rotation processing is unnecessary, data processing without passing through the image rotation means 26 is performed. It is a route to do.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing, by arrows, data processing paths (second paths) that do not require image rotation in the configuration of FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of data processing performed in the first route.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, data processing performed in the second route will be described. Note that, in the following description, an example in which enlargement / magnification is set in which the scanner input image is set to an A4 size original and the plotter output is set to A3 size paper in the same manner as in the first path described above will be described. Processing will be described in the order of 1) to (7). The first path is different from the case of setting the same A4 document even in the same A4 document in the second path when the A4 landscape is the main scanning direction and the A4 landscape.
Route (1): The scanner 11 reads a document placed A4 landscape in the main scanning direction, and sends the input image D ₁ shown in FIG. 5 which is input to the image input / compression processing unit 12.
Pathway (2): normalized and high image quality of the input image D ₁ by the image input / compression processing unit 12, further multiplied by the data compression to the image data after compression in the memory 22 as the code data D ₂ shown in FIG. 3 send.
Route (3): code data D ₂ once held in the memory 22, since the processing as an image for output at a later stage, and sends the image decompression unit 23 to recover the encoded data D ₂ to the input image.

Route (4): extends in the image expanding means 23 the code data D _2, restored image processes as an image for output at a later stage, scaling in accordance with the setting of the enlargement magnification to that time A3 size paper Even if the restored post-decompression image D ₃ (input image D ₁ ) is directly scaled to A3, the capacity of the line buffer of the image processing means 25 in the A3 vertical direction is not exceeded. Therefore, as in the first path described above, without going through the route to perform image rotation, it transfers the decompressed image after D ₃ directly image processing unit 25 by the image transfer unit 24.
Route (5): In addition elongation after image D ₃ by the image processing unit 25 in the normal image output processing performed in the error correction processing and the like which depend on the plotter 32, performs enlargement scaling to A3 paper size set, send to the memory 22 as the image processed image D ₅ shown in FIG. Here, since the input image is color, the image processing means 25 converts the input RGB (8 bits each) into CMYK for output (1 bit each).
Route (6): image processing after image D ₅ once held in the memory 22 and sends it to the image output unit 31 for outputting an output image D ₆ used in the plotter 32.
Route (7): via the image output unit 31 outputs the output image _{D 6} to the plotter 32.
In the above description of “first path” and “second path”, an example in which the A4 original scanner input is output as a plotter on A3 paper is shown. As described above, the selection depends on whether or not the main scanning width after scaling exceeds the main scanning width corresponding to the A3 vertical direction.

“Control flow of output data processing”
Next, a control flow of data processing executed by selecting and executing the first route and the second route described above at the time of plotter output will be described with reference to FIG. The control flow shown in FIG. 6 is executed by driving a program stored in a ROM (not shown) by the CPU 21 that functions as a controller for controlling the entire copying machine.
Upon receiving a request for copying or the like that requires plotter output, the controller activates the control flow shown in FIG. 6, and first acquires the input image size and orientation, and scaling information (step S101). The controller manages various types of information attached to a job requesting copying and the like, and uses the management information to control each processing unit related to the copy processing. The management information includes setting conditions at the time of a copy request input by the user through the operation unit, detection information of a sensor that detects a change in state related to the operation of the copying machine, and the like. The controller includes first control information acquisition means for acquiring scanner information and second control information acquisition means for acquiring plotter information in order to acquire control information necessary for executing the control flow of FIG. In step S101, the management information stored in the memory 22 is stored by the first control information acquisition means using the first control information acquisition means for the size and orientation of the document set at the reading position of the scanner 11 and the magnification information set by the user through the operation unit. Get from the area to be.

  Next, the main scanning width (main scanning length) of the input image after scaling is calculated based on the input image size and orientation acquired in step S101 and the scaling ratio (step S102). The main scanning width of the input image after scaling varies depending on whether the original or horizontal direction of the document set in the scanner is in the main scanning direction, so information indicating which of the original or horizontal direction of the document is set in the main scanning direction Further, since the main scanning width to be processed also changes depending on the magnification, the length necessary for the processing is calculated from these pieces of information.

Next, in order to check whether or not the input image to the image processing unit 25 can be processed, the main scanning width of the input image after the scaling calculated in step S102 is the line buffer of the image processing unit 25. It is determined whether or not the main scanning width is exceeded (step S103).
If it is determined that the main scanning width of the input image after scaling exceeds the main scanning width of the line buffer and processing is not possible (YES in step S104), the first path is selected (step S105). ). Since this first path performs an image output operation in the process described in the above “first path”, the operation of each means related to this process is managed according to the process flow shown below.

  Prior to execution of data processing for image output, a memory area necessary for handling an image in the first path is secured in the memory 22 used as a buffer (step S106). At this time, the required size of the memory area is obtained from the scanner information obtained by the first control information obtaining unit and the plotter information obtained by the second control information obtaining unit. That is, the size and main scanning width of the read document can be known from the scanner information, and a memory area necessary for holding input data for lines and pages can be obtained. Further, the paper size and main scanning width can be known from the plotter information, and a memory area necessary for holding output data for lines and pages can be obtained.

Next, in order to handle the image in the first path and perform data processing, in the means related to this processing process, necessary control data is set in a register, and DMA (Direct Memory Access) for transferring the image A descriptor used for transfer is set (step S107). In the first path, the above register setting is performed by the image output data process in the process described in the above “first path”. Therefore, the image decompression unit 23, the data path switching unit, the image rotation unit 26, and the image This is performed for the processing means 25.
The data path switching means is provided inside the image expansion means 23 and the image processing means 25, respectively, and switches the transfer path in accordance with the selection of the first path and the second path. In the case of the first route, the data path switching means transfers via the bus 41 and enters a switching operation state in which no transfer between the image decompression means 23 and the image processing means 25 is performed. In this embodiment, the DMA transfer is used as a path for writing the image stored in the memory 22 back to the memory 22 through the processing in the image decompression means 23, the image rotation means 26, and the image processing means 25. A descriptor (see Patent Document 1 above) necessary for this transfer operation is set.

When steps S106 and S107 are completed, preparation for executing data processing for image output is completed, and the image expansion means 23, the data path switching means, the image rotation means 26, and the image processing means 25 are sequentially operated according to the first route. Data processing is then executed (step S108).
After performing image output data processing in step S108, the control flow ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S104 that the main scanning width of the input image after scaling does not exceed the main scanning width of the line buffer of the image processing means 25 and processing is possible (step S104-NO), A second route is selected (step S111). Since the second path performs an image output operation in the process described in the above “second path”, the operation of each unit related to this process is managed according to the process flow shown below.

Prior to execution of data processing for image output, a memory area necessary for handling images in the second path is secured in the memory 22 used as a buffer (step S112). At this time, the necessary memory area size is obtained from the scanner information and the plotter information. The necessary memory area can be obtained in the same manner as in step S106.
Next, in order to handle the image in the second path and perform data processing, in the means relating to this processing process, necessary control data is set in a register, and a descriptor used for DMA transfer for transferring the image is set. Setting is made (step S113). In the second path, the above register setting is performed in the process described in the above “second path”, so that the image output data is processed. Therefore, the image decompression unit 23, the data path switching unit, the image transfer unit 24, and the image This is performed for the processing means 25.

In the case of the second route, the data path switching unit is in a switching operation state in which transfer is performed via the bus 42 and direct transfer is performed between the image expansion unit 23 and the image processing unit 25. That is, no transfer is performed via the memory 22. Further, in this embodiment, the DMA transfer is used for a path in which an image stored in the memory 22 is processed in the image decompression unit 23 and the image processing unit 25 and written back to the memory 22. Set the descriptor.
When steps S112 and S113 are completed, preparation for execution of data processing for image output is completed. Accordingly, the image decompression unit 23, the data path switching unit, the image transfer unit 24, and the image processing unit 25 are sequentially operated according to the second path. Data processing is then executed (step S114).
After performing image output data processing in step S114, the control flow ends.

According to this embodiment, since the longer one of the images with different aspect ratios is input as the main scanning direction, even if the main scanning width of the line buffer of the image processing means 25 is exceeded after scaling, data processing for image output becomes impossible. , By rotating the image by the image rotation means 26 in advance and limiting to the same width as the main scanning width of the line buffer, and enabling the selection of the first path that enables processing, prevents an increase in circuit scale, Processing with a low-cost hardware configuration can be realized. In addition, when processing an image within the range that can be processed by the image processing means 25 without image rotation, the memory 22 is stored from the image expansion means 23 to the image processing means 25 for expanding the data-compressed image. By enabling the image transfer unit 24 to select the second route for directly transferring data without using the intermediary, it is possible to improve the first copy speed and avoid data path congestion due to an increase in the access amount to the memory 22. Can improve processing efficiency and effectively use resources.
In addition, the software stores the size of the image data before compression in the main scanning and sub-scanning directions, and can be processed by the image processing unit 25 when processing such as enlargement / magnification is performed by the image processing unit 25. It can be determined whether or not the main scanning width can be accommodated, and according to the determination, the first or second path can be correctly selected as the data path of the image output processing.

“Embodiment 2”
This embodiment shows a form in which processing for matching the size and the vertical and horizontal directions of the output paper is added to the data processing process of image output in the first embodiment.
“Outline of Copying Machine According to Second Embodiment”
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the copying machine according to the present embodiment.
The CPU 21 in FIG. 7 constitutes a controller that integrates and controls the entire copier under the control of a ROM and a memory 22 that store programs (not shown). Therefore, the CPU 21 includes an image input / compression processing unit 12 that receives an image input from the scanner 11 that reads a document, an image expansion unit 23 that expands a compressed image, and an image processing unit that processes an output image including scaling. 25, an image rotation means (1) 26 that performs image rotation processing, an image rotation means (2) 28 that performs image rotation processing, and an image output means 31 that outputs an image to a plotter 32 that performs printing on paper. Are connected via the bus 41. The CPU 21 includes a scanner input information acquisition unit 15 connected to the scanner 11, an image processing information acquisition unit 55 connected to the operation unit 51, and an output sheet acquisition unit 35 connected to the plotter 32. Connected through. The image transfer unit 24 is a unit for directly transferring an image from the image expansion unit 23 to the image processing unit 25 via the bus 42. Note that each of the above-mentioned means for processing data under the CPU 21 can be configured by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), but can also be configured by software.

The data processing system of the copying machine shown in FIG. 7 performs processing from image input by the scanner 11 to print output on paper by the plotter 32 in units of pages by a controller (control means) when processing a job requesting copying. Is managed.
When a copy request is made, basically, a copy output process is performed through the following process. That is, in the input process, the image input by reading the document by the scanner 11 is subjected to various corrections and adjustments by the image input / compression processing means 12, and the normalized and high-quality image data is subjected to compression processing. , Once stored in the memory 22. In the output process, the compressed data held in the memory 22 is decompressed by the image decompressing means 23 and restored to the data before compression. The obtained data is subjected to error correction processing depending on the plotter 32 by the image processing means 25 or the like. A normal image output process is performed, and the processed image data is sent to the image output means 31 that outputs to the plotter 32. The image transfer means 24 is used to transfer data directly between the means without using the memory 22 when the data restored by the image decompression means 23 can be immediately processed by the image processing means 25. .

When scaling is set in the copy request, the image processing means 25 that performs image processing for plotter output performs not only normal image output processing such as error correction processing depending on the plotter 32 but also the set scaling and the like. Perform image processing.
In the second embodiment, the print output is specified to be output on a sheet of A3 size. In order to perform this output process, the capacity of the line buffer used in the image processing means 25 is set to the minimum for outputting to A3 sheet. The required capacity is determined in the A3 vertical direction, which is the limit size. For this reason, even if the A3 horizontal size is input to the image processing means 25 as the main scanning width, processing cannot be performed.
Therefore, when outputting to a sheet of A3 size, if the input direction is A3 landscape, the image processing unit 25 is rotated in front of the image processing means 25 to determine the image in a direction in which the A3 vertical direction that can be processed is main scanning. The processing is performed by the image rotation means (1) 26.

  Paper of any size may be used, but after an input image of a size that can be processed by the image processing means 25 is processed, it is used for plotter output via the image output means 31. May not align with direction. In this case, plotting can be performed by matching. For this reason, the image after being processed by the image processing means 25 is rotated by the image rotating means (2) 28, thereby enabling output. Note that the image processed by the image rotation means (2) 28 is an image of a size that can be processed by the image processing means 25, so that it is processed by the image rotation means (1) 26 used in the preceding stage of the image processing means 25. Is not an image.

“Select processing path”
Whether the image rotation process by the image rotation means (1) 26 is necessary or not is determined by the input image. That is, this image rotation is performed only when the input image has a main scanning width that exceeds the A3 vertical direction determined as the capacity of the line buffer of the image processing means 25. Note that the main scanning width of the input image is the length in the main scanning direction after zooming when zooming is set.
Accordingly, the main scanning width of the input image is obtained from the length of the document set on the document table in the main scanning direction and the magnification set by the user, and the obtained main scanning width corresponds to the A3 vertical direction. It is determined whether or not the main scanning width is exceeded. If it exceeds, the image rotation is required, and if not, the rotation is not required.
Whether the image rotation processing by the image rotation means (2) 28 is necessary or not is determined by the relationship between the image processed by the image processing means 25 and the output paper. When there is a mismatch between them, that is, when the vertical / horizontal relationship does not match, this image rotation is performed to achieve the matching.
This determination is performed until the plotter output process is executed, and the processing path of the plotter output data is selected according to each determination. Here, the image rotation process by the image rotation means (1) 26 is required, the path through which this process passes is the first path, and the image rotation process by the image rotation means (1) 26 is not required. The route that does not exist is set as the second route. Further, after passing through the second route, a route requiring image rotation processing by the image rotation means (2) 28 is further added. Below, the data processing of each path | route is demonstrated.

“First route”
The first path is a path in which the main scanning width of the input image after scaling exceeds the capacity of the line buffer of the image processing means 25, requires image rotation processing, and performs data processing through the image rotation means (1) 26. It is.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a data processing path (first path) accompanied by image rotation by the image rotation means (1) 26 with arrows in the configuration of FIG.
The data processing path (first path) shown in FIG. 8 is the same as the “first path” described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 in the above-described “embodiment 1”. Therefore, the description of the “first route” in the “embodiment 1” is referred to and the description is omitted here. However, the image rotation means 26 in the description of the “first path” is replaced with the image rotation means (1) 26.

“Second path”
In the second path, the main scanning width of the input image after scaling does not exceed the capacity of the line buffer of the image processing means 25, and no image rotation processing is required. Therefore, the image rotation means (1) 26 is not passed. This is a route for data processing. In this route, the image processed by the image processing unit 25 is rotated by passing the image rotation unit (2) 28 when necessary, so that the image is aligned with the vertical and horizontal directions of the paper and output. Is possible.
FIG. 9 shows a data processing path (second path) when image rotation by the image rotation means (1) 26 is unnecessary and image rotation by the image rotation means (2) 28 is necessary in the configuration of FIG. It is a figure shown by the arrow. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of data processing performed in the second route.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, data processing performed in the second route will be described. In the following, processing is performed in the order of paths (1) to (9) in FIG. 4 by taking as an example a case where the scanner input image is an A4 size original and the plotter output is set to A4 size paper. Will be explained.
Route (1): The scanner 11 reads a document placed the A4 longitudinal in the main scanning direction, and sends the input image D ₁ shown in FIG. 10 that is input to the image input / compression processing unit 12.
Pathway (2): an input image D ₁ by the image input / compression processing unit 12 normalizes and high image quality, further multiplied by the data compression to the image data after compression in the memory 22 as the code data D ₂ shown in FIG. 10 send.
Route (3): code data D ₂ once held in the memory 22, since the processing as an image for output at a later stage, and sends the image decompression unit 23 to recover the encoded data D ₂ to the input image.

Path (4): The main scanning width of the decompressed image D ₃ (input image D ₁ ) obtained by decompressing the code data D ₂ by the image decompressing means 23 and restoring the capacity is the capacity of the line buffer of the image processing means 25 in the A3 vertical direction. Not exceed. Therefore, as in the first path described above, without going through the route to perform image rotation, it transfers the decompressed image after D ₃ directly image processing unit 25 by the image transfer unit 24.
Route (5): elongation after image D ₃ by the image processing unit 25 performs a normal image output processing performed such as conversion from the input RGB to the error correction processing and color images that depend on the plotter 32 to CMYK for output, Figure 10 send to the memory 22 as the image processed image D ₇ shown.
Route (6): image processed image D ₇ which is once held in the memory 22, if not aligned with the set direction of the output paper used in plotter 32, can not be output. If not matched, in order to match the image processed image D ₇ sets the direction of the output sheet, and sends the image rotating unit (2) 28.
Route (7): The image processing after image D ₇ by the image rotating means (2) 28 to vertical and horizontal rotation, is aligned with the set direction of the output sheet, sent to the memory 22 as vertical and horizontal image after rotation D ₈ shown in FIG. 10.
Route (8): Aspect image after rotation _{D 8} which is written back to memory 22 and sends it to the image output unit 31 for outputting an output image _{D 9} used in the plotter 32.
Path (9): through the image output unit 31 outputs the output image _{D 9} to the plotter 32.

“Control flow of output data processing”
Next, a control flow of data processing to be executed by selecting the first route and the second route at the time of plotter output will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the control flow shown in FIG. 11 is executed by the CPU 21 serving as a controller for controlling the entire copying machine driving a program stored in a ROM (not shown).
Upon receiving a request for copying or the like that requires plotter output, the controller activates the control flow shown in FIG. 11, and first acquires scanner information such as the input image size and orientation (step S201). Image processing information is acquired (step S202).
The controller manages various types of information attached to a job requesting copying and the like, and uses the management information to control each processing unit related to the copy processing. This management information includes setting conditions at the time of a copy request input by the user through the operation unit 51, detection information of a sensor that detects a change in state related to the operation of the copying machine, and the like. As a means for acquiring control information necessary for executing the control flow of FIG. 11, the scanner has an input information acquisition means 15, an image processing information acquisition means 55, and an output paper acquisition means 35. In step S201, the controller The size and orientation of the document set at the reading position of the scanner 11 are acquired by the scanner input information acquisition unit 15, and the scaling information set by the user through the operation unit is acquired from the area for storing the management information in the memory 22. To do.

Next, the main scanning width (main scanning length) of the input image after scaling is calculated based on the input image size and orientation acquired in steps S201 and S202 and the scaling ratio (step S203). The main scanning width of the input image after scaling varies depending on whether the original or horizontal direction of the document set in the scanner is in the main scanning direction, so information indicating which of the original or horizontal direction of the document is set in the main scanning direction Further, since the main scanning width to be processed also changes depending on the magnification, the length necessary for the processing is calculated from these pieces of information.
Further, the controller acquires plotter information such as the size and setting direction of the paper prepared in the tray in which the paper used in the plotter 32 is placed by the output paper acquisition means 35 (step S204), and the acquired plotter information and the user Based on the request, an optimum tray, that is, a paper size and a setting direction are selected (step S205). However, even if the set directions do not match, if there is a paper feed tray that matches the size, the optimum tray is selected.

  Next, the alignment of the paper orientation of the tray selected in step S205 is checked against the orientation of the input image acquired in step S201, and it is determined whether vertical or horizontal image rotation is necessary (step S206). In this step, for example, in the case of a copying machine with the maximum size of normal A3 size paper, plotter output can be performed with A3 portrait as the main scanning width, but A3 landscape cannot be output, so image rotation is performed to enable output. Determine whether it is necessary. In the example of A3 output, when the user sets the original on the scanner 11 in A4 landscape and inputs an image and instructs enlargement / magnification to A3, neither the paper tray nor the plotter corresponds to A3 landscape. If you do not rotate and make it A3 vertical, you cannot output. In addition to the enlargement / magnification to A3 shown as an example, after matching the size between the input image and the output paper, the alignment of the vertical / horizontal relationship is checked at this step to determine whether image rotation is necessary. Make a decision.

Here, when it is determined that image rotation is necessary (YES in step S207), in order to check whether or not the input image to the image processing means 25 can be processed, after the scaling calculated in step S203 It is determined whether the main scanning width of the input image exceeds the main scanning width of the line buffer of the image processing means 25 (step S208).
As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the main scanning width of the input image after scaling exceeds the main scanning width of the line buffer and processing is not possible (step S209-YES), the first path is selected (step S209). Step S210). Since this first path performs an image output operation in the process described in the above “first path”, the operation of each means related to this process is managed according to the process flow shown below.

  Prior to execution of data processing for image output, a memory area necessary for handling an image in the first path is secured in the memory 22 used as a buffer (step S211). At this time, the necessary memory area size is obtained from the scanner information and the plotter information. That is, the size and main scanning width of the read document can be known from the scanner information, and a memory area necessary for holding input data for lines and pages can be obtained. Further, the paper size and main scanning width can be known from the plotter information, and a memory area necessary for holding output data for lines and pages can be obtained.

Next, in order to handle the image in the first path and perform data processing, in the means related to this processing process, necessary control data is set in a register, and a descriptor used for DMA transfer for transferring the image is set. It sets (step S212). In the register setting, since the data processing of the image output is performed in the process described in the “first path” in the first path, the image expansion means 23, the data path switching means, and the image rotation means (1) 26 and the image processing means 25.
The data path switching means is provided inside the image expansion means 23 and the image processing means 25, respectively, and switches the transfer path in accordance with the selection of the first path and the second path. In the case of the first route, the data path switching unit transfers an image to the memory 22 via the bus 41, and enters a switching operation state in which no image transfer is performed directly between the image expansion unit 23 and the image processing unit 25. In this embodiment, the DMA transfer is a path in which the image stored in the memory 22 is written back to the memory 22 through the processing in the image decompressing means 23, the image rotating means (1) 26, and the image processing means 25, respectively. Since it is used, a descriptor (see Patent Document 1 above) necessary for this transfer operation is set.

When steps S211 and S212 are completed, preparation for execution of data processing for image output is completed, and the image decompression means 23, data path switching means, image rotation means (1) 26, and image processing means 25 are set in accordance with the first path. Data processing is executed by operating in order (step S213).
After performing image output data processing in step S213, the control flow ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S209 that the main scanning width of the input image after scaling does not exceed the main scanning width of the line buffer of the image processing means 25 and processing is possible (step S209-NO), A second route is selected (step S231). In the second path, an image output operation is performed in the process with image rotation described in the above “second path”. That is, the image processing means 25 performs an image rotation operation by passing the image rotation means (2) 28 through the image processed by the image processing means 25. Therefore, the operation of each means related to this process is managed according to the process flow shown below.

Prior to execution of data processing for image output, a memory area necessary for handling an image in the second path is secured in the memory 22 used as a buffer (step S232). At this time, the necessary memory area size is obtained from the scanner information and the plotter information. The necessary memory area can be obtained in the same manner as in step S211.
Next, in order to handle the image in the second path and perform data processing, in the means relating to this processing process, necessary control data is set in a register, and a descriptor used for DMA transfer for transferring the image is set. Setting is made (step S233). In the second path, the above register setting is performed by the image output data process in the process described in the “second path”, so that the image decompression unit 23, the data path switching unit, the image transfer unit 24, the image This is performed for the processing means 25 and the image rotation means (2) 28.

In the case of the second route, the data path switching unit is in a switching operation state in which transfer is performed via the bus 42 and direct transfer is performed between the image expansion unit 23 and the image processing unit 25. That is, no transfer is performed via the memory 22. In this embodiment, the DMA transfer is used as a path for writing the image stored in the memory 22 back to the memory 22 through the processing in the image expansion means 23, the image processing means 25, and the image rotation means (2) 28. Therefore, a descriptor necessary for this transfer operation is set.
When steps S232 and S233 are completed, preparation for execution of data processing for image output is completed, so that the image expansion means 23, data path switching means, image transfer means 24, image processing means 25, and image rotation means follow the second path. (2) Data processing is executed by sequentially operating 28 (step S234).
After performing image output data processing in step S234, the control flow ends.

If it is determined in step S206 that image rotation is not necessary (step S207-NO), the second route is selected (step S221). The second path performs an image output operation in the process described in the “second path”. However, in this case, since the image rotation by the image rotation means (2) 28 is unnecessary, this operation is not performed.
Therefore, the operation of each means related to this process is managed according to the process flow shown below.

Prior to execution of data processing for image output, a memory area necessary for handling an image in the second path is secured in the memory 22 used as a buffer (step S222). At this time, the necessary memory area size is obtained from the scanner information and the plotter information. The necessary memory area can be obtained in the same manner as in step S211.
Next, in order to handle the image in the second path and perform data processing, in the means relating to this processing process, necessary control data is set in a register, and a descriptor used for DMA transfer for transferring the image is set. Set (step S223). In the register setting described above, image output data processing is performed in the process described in the “second path” except for the image rotation by the image rotation means (2) 28. Therefore, the image expansion means 23, the data path switching means The image transfer unit 24 and the image processing unit 25 are performed.

In the case of the second route, the data path switching unit is in a switching operation state in which transfer is performed via the bus 42 and direct transfer is performed between the image expansion unit 23 and the image processing unit 25. That is, no transfer is performed via the memory 22. Further, in this embodiment, the DMA transfer is used for a path in which an image stored in the memory 22 is processed in the image decompression unit 23 and the image processing unit 25 and written back to the memory 22. Set the descriptor.
When steps S222 and S223 are completed, preparation for execution of data processing for image output is completed, so that the image expansion means 23, the data path switching means, the image transfer means 24, and the image processing means 25 are operated in order according to the second path. Data processing is then executed (step S224).
After performing image output data processing in step S224, the control flow is terminated.

According to this embodiment, the image processed by the image processing unit 25 is subjected to an image rotation process for matching with the output paper, so that the image processing cannot be performed by the image processing unit 25 such as enlargement / magnification. Except for a special case where the scanning width is reached, it is possible to perform image rotation processing according to the orientation of the output paper at high speed without congesting access to the memory 22.
In addition, the software correctly selects the first or second path, and in the second path, it operates by separating the necessity and necessity of image rotation processing according to the orientation of the output paper. Can be done.

“Embodiment 3”
This embodiment shows an embodiment in which a function for checking the capacity of the buffer memory necessary for passing through the first path is added to the first or second embodiment.
When a common platform is used for models with different performances, a method of selecting the capacity of the main memory (corresponding to the memory 22 in the above embodiment) according to the cost of the model is adopted. If the memory 22 is kept to a minimum capacity with a low-cost model, there is a possibility that the memory capacity used for the image rotation processing performed in the preceding stage of the image processing means 25 in the first path may be insufficient in each of the above embodiments. .

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a memory amount of data using the memory 22 in (A) the first path and (B) the second path. In addition, the (A) 1st path | route of FIG. 12 shows the path | route similar to FIG. 8, and the (B) 2nd path | route of FIG. 12 has shown the path | route similar to FIG.
As shown in the example of the numerical values of the image data and the required memory amount in the memory 22 of FIG. 12, when data processing is performed in the second path in FIG. Since image rotation is performed by the image rotation means (2) 28, only a memory area for handling CMYK (1 bit) page image data is required, and there is little possibility of insufficient memory capacity. On the other hand, when data processing is performed using the first path in FIG. 12A, image rotation is performed by the image rotation unit (1) 26 before the image processing unit 25, so that RGB (8 bits) Since page image data is handled, a large memory area must be taken, so there is a high possibility that the memory capacity will be insufficient.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the function of checking the existence of a memory area capable of data processing of the first path and the function of showing the execution conditions that can secure the memory area to the user are appropriately added to the capacity shortage of the memory 22. Perform the corresponding action.
Here, a method of adapting by a function of checking whether or not there is a memory area capable of data processing of the first path in software processing is adopted. Specifically, in the control flow shown in each of the above embodiments, when data processing by the first path is selected, it is checked whether or not the memory 22 for securing data processing can be secured in the memory 22. If this is not possible, processing is interrupted to prevent inappropriate output.

FIG. 13 is a control flowchart of data processing in this embodiment.
The control flow shown in FIG. 13 is a data processing control flow for selecting and executing the first route and the second route at the time of plotter output. The basic processing route selection processing is shown in the second embodiment. Same as the control flow (FIG. 11), a step for checking whether or not the memory capacity for executing the data processing can be secured in the memory 22 when the data processing by the first route is selected is added. Only different.
Steps for checking the memory amount are steps S310 and S341 in FIG. 13, and the other steps are the same as the control flow in FIG. Therefore, the steps other than those added in this embodiment are referred to the above description, and the description is omitted here.

In the control flow of FIG. 13, it is determined in step 308 whether or not the main scanning width of the input image after scaling exceeds the main scanning width of the line buffer of the image processing unit 25. If the main scanning width exceeds the main scanning width of the line buffer and it is determined that processing is not possible (YES in step S309), data processing by the first path is selected, but processing of the first path is executed. Before doing so, it is checked whether a memory area capable of selecting the first path can be secured in the memory 22 and the execution condition is satisfied (step S310). The execution condition is that the memory area that can be selected by the first path is the code data D ₂ , the decompressed image D ₃ restored from the input image, the image rotation shown in the first path of FIG. The maximum memory capacity required to store the image D ₄ after vertical and horizontal rotation and the image processed image D ₅ is calculated, and it is determined whether or not the obtained memory capacity can be secured in the memory 22.

Here, if the calculated maximum memory capacity can be secured in the memory 22 (step S310-YES), the first path is selected, and the process proceeds to step S311 and subsequent steps in which processing by this path is executed. Note that the steps after step S311 are the same as the steps after step S210 in FIG.
On the other hand, if the calculated maximum memory capacity cannot be secured in the memory 22 (step S310—NO), the process is interrupted (step S341), and this control flow is terminated.
When the process is interrupted, for example, a warning to the effect that the user cannot wait for the process by instructing the job through the operation unit 51, “The enlargement / reduction function of the image read horizontally in A4 to A3” cannot be used. Performed as a process associated with the interruption.
As described above, the function of checking the capacity of the memory 22 necessary for passing through the first path according to the execution condition is provided, so that the minimum memory can be obtained in a low-priced model with a common hardware configuration. By mounting, the function of outputting the image of the main scanning width that cannot be processed by the image processing means 25 is cut down to realize low cost, and by installing a memory having a necessary and sufficient capacity for a high-functional model, By rotating the input image through the memory before the processing unit 25, it is possible to output an image having a main scanning width that cannot be processed by the image processing unit 25 as it is, thereby realizing high functionality.

By the way, according to the control flow of FIG. 13 described above, when the capacity of the memory 22 is insufficient, when the corresponding control is performed by interrupting the data processing, the processing is interrupted without considering the setting change. Even if the magnification is changed, the service cannot be provided for the user who wants to output.
Therefore, when the user sets copy processing conditions in the operation unit 51, or when an interruption warning is issued from the operation unit 51 when data processing is interrupted in the control flow of FIG. Support the operation so that the user's request can be met.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart relating to the control of the operation unit 51 that supports the operation of setting the scaling ratio.
The controller activates the control flow shown in FIG. 14 during a period in which the user can set the copy processing conditions via the operation unit 51, and first acquires scanner information such as the input image size and orientation ( Step S401).
Next, a scaling factor that can be processed by the image processing unit 25 is calculated from the relationship between the main scanning width of the input image obtained from the acquired scanner information and the length of the line buffer used by the image processing unit 25 (step S402). At this time, a plurality of variable magnifications that can be processed are taken from the maximum value at appropriate numerical intervals that can be handled by the operation unit 51.

Next, whether or not the memory area capable of selecting the first path can be secured in the memory 22 is confirmed for each of the variable magnifications that can be processed in step S402 (step S403).
As a result of the confirmation, if the scaling factor is such that the memory area cannot be secured in the memory 22 (step S403-NO), a scaling factor equal to or greater than the scaling factor is limited so that it cannot be set by the operation unit 51 (step S405). As a method of restricting the setting so that it cannot be set, a method of disabling the button operation such as stopping the display of the selection button of the scaling factor that cannot be set or graying out the selection button is adopted. By doing so, it is possible to recognize that the setting is prohibited and the state is prohibited.
On the other hand, if the memory area has a scaling factor that can be secured in the memory 22 (YES in step S403), the range of scaling factor below the scaling factor is not limited and can be set by the operation unit 51 (step S403). S404).
As described above, by providing a function to support the setting operation of the scaling factor that does not interrupt the processing, it becomes easy to perform an input operation by indicating the range of scaling factors that can be processed, and processing is not possible It is possible to prevent the user from being confused by displaying the variable magnification on the operation unit.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a copier according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the configuration of the data processing system in FIG. 1, a processing path (first path) with image rotation is indicated by arrows. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the data processing performed by a 1st path | route (FIG. 2). In the configuration of the data processing system in FIG. 1, a processing path (second path) that does not involve image rotation is indicated by an arrow. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the data processing performed by the 2nd path | route (FIG. 4). FIG. 10 is a control flow diagram of data processing for selecting and executing a first route and a second route at the time of plotter output (first embodiment). It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the copying machine which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. In the configuration of the data processing system of FIG. 7, a processing path (first path) with image rotation is indicated by arrows. In the configuration of the data processing system of FIG. 7, a processing path (second path) that does not involve image rotation is indicated by an arrow. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the data processing performed by the 2nd path | route (FIG. 9). FIG. 12 is a control flow diagram of data processing for selecting and executing a first route and a second route at the time of plotter output (second embodiment). It is a figure which shows the data amount which uses the memory in the 1st path | route (A) and the 2nd path | route (B) which are the process paths of plotter output data. FIG. 11 is a control flow diagram of data processing for selecting and executing a first route and a second route at the time of plotter output (third embodiment). It is a flowchart which concerns on control of the operation part corresponding to the memory capacity shortage which interrupts a process.

Explanation of symbols

11..Scanner, 12..Image input / compression processing means, 21..CPU (Central Processing Unit), 22..Memory, 23..Image decompression means, 24..Image transfer means, 25..Image processing means 26. Image rotating means, image rotating means (1), 28. Image rotating means (2), 31 Image output means, 32 Plotter.

Claims (11)

Image input / compression processing means for processing an input image to be processed into compressed and encoded input image data;
Code decompression means for decompressing the compressed and encoded input image data processed by the image input / compression processing means ;
Image processing means for processing the input image data expanded by the code expansion means as output image data;
Image rotation means for rotating the image after being decompressed by the code decompression means vertically and horizontally;
Storage means that functions as a buffer for image data to be processed in a process in which an input image is processed into an output image;
Image transfer means for directly transferring image data from the code decompression means to the image processing means;
An image forming apparatus having a control unit that operates each unit to process an input image according to setting conditions and output the input image as an output image.
The image processing means includes means for scaling the image,
When performing image processing with scaling set, the control means performs data encoding the image by the code decompression means for an image having a main scanning width that cannot be processed by the image processing means after scaling. A first path in which image processing including image scaling is performed by the image processing means after the image is rotated and the image processing means performs image processing including scaling, or the image processing means after scaling For the image of the main scanning width that can be processed by the above, after the encoded data of the image is expanded by the code expansion unit, the image is transferred directly to the image processing unit by using the image transfer unit, and the image includes scaling. An image forming apparatus, wherein a second path for processing is selected and an operation of the selected path is performed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
As the information used for control in the process of processing the input image and outputting it as the output image, there is a first control information acquisition means for acquiring the length of the input image in the main scanning direction and the set image magnification. ,
The control means sets and sets the length of the input image acquired by the first control information acquisition means in the main scanning direction to select either the first path or the second path. An image forming apparatus that determines whether or not an image has a main scanning width that cannot be processed by the image processing unit after image scaling, based on an image scaling ratio. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
A second control information acquisition means for acquiring the size of the output paper and each of the vertical and horizontal directions as information used for control in the process of processing the input image and outputting it as an output image;
A post-processing image rotation unit that performs vertical and horizontal rotation processing on the image processed by the image processing unit;
The control means is the image data processed by the image processing means based on the size and vertical / horizontal direction of the output paper obtained by the second control information obtaining means for the image for which the second route is selected. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the post-processing image rotation means is applied to a processing path so as to align with the output paper. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When the control unit selects the first path, the control unit checks the capacity of the storage unit used for performing the operation of the path as an execution condition, and stops execution when the execution condition is not satisfied. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.
Having an operation means having a display unit under the control of the control means;
The image forming apparatus, wherein when the execution condition is not satisfied, the control unit notifies the display unit that the execution is impossible and invalidates the operation of the execution key. An output image processing method for processing compressed and encoded input image data as output image data in accordance with setting conditions including enlargement / magnification scaling,
When performing image processing with enlargement / reduction set, it is determined whether the processing target image is an image that exceeds a predetermined main scanning width necessary for the image processing unit after enlargement / reduction and cannot be processed,
For an image that is determined to be unprocessable, the encoded data of the image is expanded, rotated vertically and horizontally through storage means that functions as a buffer, and then the image processing unit includes enlargement / magnification A first path for image processing, or
For the image determined to be able to be processed, the encoded data of the image is expanded and then directly transferred to the image processing unit, and the second path for performing image processing including enlargement / reduction is selected and selected. An output image processing method characterized in that the operation of the route is executed. The output image processing method according to claim 6, wherein
As the information used for controlling the operation in the process of processing the input image as output image data, the length of the input image in the main scanning direction and the set image magnification are acquired,
In order to select either the first path or the second path, the image processing unit performs processing after image scaling based on the length of the acquired input image in the main scanning direction and the set image scaling ratio. An output image processing method characterized by determining whether or not an image has a main scanning width that cannot be performed. In the output image processing method according to claim 6 or 7,
As the information used for controlling the operation in the process of processing the input image as output image data, the size of the output paper and each information in the vertical and horizontal directions are acquired,
Applying vertical / horizontal rotation processing to the image data processed by the image processing unit in order to match the size and vertical / horizontal direction of the acquired output paper for the image selected for the second path, Output image processing method. The output image processing method according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
When the first path is selected, the capacity of the storage means used for performing the operation of the path is confirmed as an execution condition, and execution is stopped when the execution condition is not satisfied. Output image processing method.   A program for causing a computer to function as the control unit in the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A recording medium on which the program according to claim 10 is recorded so as to be readable by a computer.

Images