JP5099594B2 - Image processing apparatus, image processing system, and image processing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and an image processing program.

  In general, in order to perform a large amount of printing at high speed, a continuous paper printer (continuous paper printer) that performs printing on continuous printing paper is used.

  When performing high-speed printing with such a continuous paper printer, raster data development processing (rasterization processing) in the RIP (Raster Image Processor) is a bottleneck in processing speed, and the processing speed of the RIP is increased. There is a demand for it.

  In a print job described in a predetermined page description language (PDL), particularly a page-independent PDL job, it can be divided into pages relatively easily. A method of performing parallel processing by a plurality of RIP units has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3).

  According to such a method, a print job consisting of a plurality of pages is divided in units of pages and processed in parallel by a plurality of RIP units. Compared to a case where rasterizing processing of all pages is performed by a single RIP unit. It is possible to process a print job at high speed.

  However, some print jobs use a common drawing object for a plurality of pages.

  When such a print job is divided in units of pages, a drawing object that is commonly referred to in a plurality of pages must be copied to each divided page.

  Copying data such as a common drawing object to each divided page in this way not only takes time for the division processing, but also the overhead of initialization processing etc. increases in each RIP unit, and the division processing is performed in parallel. The merit to do is lost.

  In addition, in the case of a print job in which the page cannot be specified only after receiving the entire print job, the print job is transmitted to each RIP unit unless the entire print job is received. The bad effect that it is not possible also occurs.

  For example, in a PDF (Portable Document Format) job developed by Adobe Systems, the offset index for page extraction is at the end of the job, and even for a PDF job that takes a long time to receive, the transfer is completed. Otherwise, the division process cannot be started, resulting in a throughput delay.

  Further, in such a method, since all pages are distributed at the start of the job, the processing load (load balance) between the pages cannot be adjusted, and the RIP unit having the slowest job processing time. There is a disadvantage that the rate is limited by the processing time.

  Further, the above prior art cannot be applied to a flexible system such as an imposition function that dynamically changes the print page order.

  For a job such as PDF, a job ticket such as JDF (Job Definition Format) is sent to a plurality of RIP units at the start of the job, and the page designated by this JDF is sent to each RIP unit. In this method, parallel processing can be realized without dividing the job file, but this method also has the same problem as described above.

Although it is possible to transmit the job ticket for each page forcibly, it takes time to read the attribute information common to the jobs for each page, and there is a problem that the processing is delayed.
JP 2001-134389 A JP 2004-192507 A Japanese Patent No. 3589255

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and an image processing program that can efficiently distribute the load of processing print data and can increase the speed of image processing.

In order to solve the above problem, an image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention performs in parallel a receiving unit that receives print data having a plurality of pages and an image process of the print data received by the receiving unit. A plurality of image processing means; and for each of the image processing means, an area designation control means for dynamically changing a designation of a page of the print data for executing the image processing, and the area designation control means includes A first distribution unit that distributes common attribute information described to process the total number of pages of print data to each of the image processing units, and a processing request instruction that specifies which page of the print data is to be image-processed Second distribution means for distributing the image processing means to each of the image processing means, wherein the image processing means executes image processing based on the common attribute information; Image processing control means for changing the attribute information for the area designated by the processing request command during execution and continuing the image processing, and the execution means is configured to print the print designated by the common attribute information. Before reading all pages of data, it waits for reception of the processing request command. When the processing request command is received, the partial information specified by the common attribute information is indicated by the processing request command. And the image processing is executed by reading the print data of the page specified by the processing request command .

An image processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein, when an abnormality occurs in the image processing of the print data in any of the image processing means, the image processing based on the common attribute information And a control means for causing the image processing means and the area designation control means to perform processing on the next print data received by the receiving means when the interruption means is interrupted. And further comprising.

An image processing apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the image processing means is constituted by rasterizing means for executing expansion processing for expanding the print data into bitmap data. It is characterized by that.

The image processing apparatus according to the invention of claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the print data is characterized and this is configured in PDF (Portable Document Format) data .

An image processing apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the common attribute information is added to the beginning or end of the entire print data. To do.

An image processing apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the common attribute information is separated from the print data.

An image processing apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the common attribute information is a JDF (Job Definition Format) that is a kind of a job definition format for printing. It is described in a format.

An image processing apparatus according to an invention of claim 8 is the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the processing request command is a command in which a processing form of the print data is defined. And

An image processing apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the common attribute information is generated by the region designation control means.

An image processing apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the common attribute information is generated externally and received by the receiving means. To do.

An image processing apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is a receiving means for receiving print data having a plurality of pages, and common attribute information described so as to process the total number of pages of the print data. A plurality of image processing means for performing image processing of the print data received by the means in parallel, and for each of the image processing means, region designation for dynamically changing the designation of the page of the print data for executing the image processing A second distribution unit that distributes a processing request command that specifies which page of the print data is to be image-processed to each of the image processing units, An image processing unit includes: an execution unit that executes image processing based on the common attribute information; Image processing control means for changing the attribute information to continue the image processing, and the execution means receives the processing request command before reading all pages of the print data specified by the common attribute information. When the processing request command is received, the partial information specified by the common attribute information is changed to the information specified by the processing request command, and specified by the processing request command. The image processing is executed by reading the print data of the page.

An image processing system according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention includes one or more image processing apparatuses according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, and one or more connected to the image processing apparatus via a communication unit. It is characterized by comprising two or more information processing devices.

An image processing program according to a thirteenth aspect of the invention is a reception process for receiving print data having a plurality of pages, and a plurality of image processing processes for performing image processing of the print data received in the reception process in parallel. For each of the image processing steps, an arithmetic unit is caused to execute a region designation control step for dynamically changing the designation of the page of the print data for executing the image processing. A first distribution process for distributing common attribute information described to process the number of pages to each of the image processing processes, and a process request command for designating which page of the print data is to be processed. A second distribution process that distributes to the processing process, wherein the image processing process includes: an execution process that executes image processing based on the common attribute information; and an image process performed by the execution process An image processing control process for changing the attribute information for the area instructed by the processing request command during the line and continuing the image processing, wherein the execution process includes the printing specified by the common attribute information Before reading all pages of data, it waits for reception of the processing request command. When the processing request command is received, the partial information specified by the common attribute information is indicated by the processing request command. And the image processing is executed by reading the print data of the page specified by the processing request command.

  According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the designation of the page of the print data for executing the image processing is dynamically changed for each image processing unit as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently distribute the load of print data processing, and to increase the speed of image processing.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the attribute information for the area indicated by the processing request command is changed during the execution of the image processing by the execution means, as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. Since the image processing is continued, the load distribution of the print data processing can be performed more efficiently, and the image processing speed can be increased.
Furthermore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the print data is configured in units of pages, the load distribution in the print data development process can be performed more efficiently, and the image processing can be speeded up. Can do.

According to the invention described in claim 2, as compared with the case not having this constitution, the image processing based on common attribute information when an abnormality in the image processing of the print data in any of the image processing unit has occurred Since the next print data received by the receiving means is processed by each image processing means and area designation control means, wasteful image processing when an abnormality occurs is suppressed, and image processing is speeded up. Can be achieved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the image processing means is composed of rasterizing means for executing development processing for developing print data into bitmap data, as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided. Therefore, it is possible to more efficiently distribute the load in the print data development process, and to increase the speed of the rasterization process.

According to the invention described in claim 4, as compared with the case not having this constitution, the print data, which is configured in PDF (Portable Document Format) data, it is possible to increase the versatility .

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, compared to the case where the present configuration is not provided, the common attribute information is added to the beginning or end of the entire print data, so that it is easy to refer to the information, Further speeding up of image processing can be achieved.

According to the invention described in claim 6 , since the common attribute information is separated from the print data as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided, creation, transmission / reception, reference, and the like of the common attribute information. And image processing can be further speeded up.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the common attribute information is described in the format of JDF (Job Definition Format), which is a kind of the job definition format for printing, as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided. Therefore, versatility can be improved and high-speed image processing can be realized at low cost.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the processing request command is a command in which the processing mode of the print data is defined, so that versatility can be improved as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided. And high-speed image processing can be realized at low cost.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the common attribute information is generated by the area designation control means as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided, the common attribute information can be generated quickly. Image processing speed can be increased.

According to the invention described in claim 10 , compared to the case where the present configuration is not provided, the common attribute information is generated externally and received by the receiving means. The processing can be further speeded up.
According to the invention described in claim 11, since the designation of the page of the print data for executing the image processing is dynamically changed for each image processing unit as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. The load distribution of print data processing can be performed efficiently, and the speed of image processing can be increased.
According to the invention described in claim 11, the attribute information for the area instructed by the processing request command is changed during the execution of the image processing by the execution means as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. Since the image processing is continued, the load distribution of the print data processing can be performed more efficiently, and the image processing speed can be increased.
Furthermore, according to the invention described in claim 11, since the common attribute information is generated by each image processing means as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided, the common attribute information is quickly generated. Image processing speed can be increased.
According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, since the print data is configured in units of pages, the load distribution in the print data development process can be performed more efficiently, and the image processing speed can be increased. Can do.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the specification of the page of the print data for executing the image processing is dynamically changed for each image processing unit as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. The load distribution of print data processing can be performed efficiently, and the speed of image processing can be increased.

According to the invention of claim 13 , since the designation of the page of the print data for executing the image processing for each image processing process is dynamically changed as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided. The load distribution of print data processing can be performed efficiently, and the speed of image processing can be increased.
According to the invention described in claim 13, the attribute information corresponding to the area instructed by the processing request command is changed during the execution of the image processing by the execution means as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. Since the image processing is continued, the load distribution of the print data processing can be performed more efficiently, and the image processing speed can be increased.
Furthermore, according to the invention described in claim 13, since the print data is configured in units of pages, the load distribution in the print data development process can be performed more efficiently, and the image processing can be speeded up. Can do.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment as an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same members, and duplicate descriptions are omitted. In addition, since description here is the best form by which this invention is implemented, this invention is not limited to the said form.

  (First embodiment)

  With reference to FIGS. 1 to 13, an image processing system S1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image processing system S1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image processing system S1 includes an information processing apparatus (terminal device) including a printing apparatus PR1 as a kind of image processing apparatus and a personal computer via a network N such as a LAN or a USB connection. 20) are connected via a controller 10A (also serving as an area designation control means) as an image processing apparatus.

  In the present embodiment, the printing apparatus PR1 and the information processing apparatus 20 are connected one by one. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two or more printing apparatuses may be connected.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the printing apparatus PR1 is a full-color continuous paper printer (continuous book printer). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any printing apparatus such as a laser printer or an inkjet printer can be applied. is there.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming system S1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system S1 includes a preprocessing device 3, a buffer device 4, a printing device PR1 that performs printing on the continuous paper P1, a buffer device 5, and a post processing device 6. The controller 10A and the terminal device 20 are configured.

  The preprocessing device 3 performs preprocessing such as sending out printing paper 501 that has not been printed.

  The post-processing device 6 performs post-processing such as winding the printing paper 502 after printing.

  The buffer devices 4 and 5 are provided for holding the tension of the printing paper between the pre-processing device 3 and the printing device PR1 and between the printing device PR1 and the post-processing device 6.

  The terminal device 20 generates print data such as a print job and transmits it to the controller 10A via the network.

  The controller 10A functions as an image processing device that controls the printing operation of the printing device PR1 based on the print data transmitted from the terminal device 20.

  The printing apparatus PR1 outputs an image corresponding to the print data on the continuous paper P1 based on control by the controller 10A.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the controller 10A in the image forming system S1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 10 </ b> A according to the present embodiment transmits and receives data to and from the terminal device 20 via the CPU 11, the memory 12, the storage device 13 such as a hard disk drive (HDD), and the network N. A communication interface (IF) unit 24 for performing, a user interface (UI) device 15 constituted by a touch panel and a liquid crystal display, and an engine IF unit 16 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the printing device PR1. These components are connected to each other via a control bus 17.

  The CPU 11 executes predetermined processing based on a print control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 13 and controls the operation of the controller 10A.

  Here, the function of the controller 10 </ b> A realized by executing the print control program will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG. 3.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 10A includes a RIP controller (image processing control means) 100 that performs print job distribution processing, and an image processing unit (RIP modules RIP1 to RIP1) that performs image processing on print data (PDF data) D1. RIP4), a job attribute information storage unit 101 that stores common attribute information extracted from the print data D1, and a user interface setting information storage unit 102 that stores setting information from a user interface such as a keyboard.

  In the present embodiment, the distribution process of the RIP controller 100 is based on the RIP1 and the pages 1 and 5 of the PDF data D1, the RIP2 the pages 2, 6, and 9, the RIP3 the pages 3 and 7 and the RIP4 4 Pages, 8 pages and 10 pages are processed.

  Each of the RIP modules RIP1 to RIP4 has a function of performing independent rasterization processing.

  The function preceding the RIP controller 100 has a function of inputting a job (print data D1) from a client (terminal device 20), and a plurality of PDLs (page description language: for example, the above-mentioned PDF, Postscript (Adobe Systems Inc.), Interpress (Xerox Corporation, etc.) are supported, and control is performed according to the job attributes assigned to the job queue.

  For example, when a PDF job (in this embodiment, PDF data D1 consisting of all 10 pages P1 to P10) that is a PDL that can be divided independently of pages is scheduled, a resource server ( (Not shown) stores the entire input PDF job D1 in a designated location before starting the job.

  Upon receiving a job instruction from the job manager, the PDF analyzer (not shown) counts the number of pages of the PDF data D1, and outputs empty page data for the number of pages.

  Thereafter, the page transmission order is determined based on the page arrangement information set by the imposor module, and a processing request command (processing request command) is created by assigning page attributes (page information; region instruction) (FIG. 4). reference).

  In the processing after the RIP controller in the present embodiment, job tickets J1 to J4 as common attribute information for the entire print data D1 are generated in the RIP modules RIP1 to RIP4.

  An example of a job ticket is JDF (Job Definition Format).

  Here, JDF is an XML (Extensible Language) XML technology based on technology such as PPF (Print Production Format), which is an information transmission format of CIP3 (International Co-operation for Integration, Press and Postpress). File format.

  JDF internally has JMF (Job Messaging Format) that supports message commands such as Query (inquiry), Command (command), Response (response), Acknowledge (result notification), Signal (signal), etc. Information transmission is possible.

  5 and 6 show specific examples of job tickets and JDF.

  As shown in FIG. 5, examples of job ticket information include “print data storage location information”, “page number information of print data”, “page size information common to jobs”, and the like.

  Further, as shown in (1) to (4) of FIG. 6, a PDF page can be arbitrarily designated by JDF description, and various page controls are possible.

  Based on these pieces of information, the printing apparatus PR1 executes processing.

  FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show examples of rasterization designation by a job ticket.

  FIG. 7 shows processing when a job ticket is described so as to rasterize pages 1, 5, and 10 of PDF data D1 of 10 pages, for example.

  In this case, when RIP1 (RIP2-4) receives the job ticket, it outputs the rasterized results of pages 1, 5, and 10 in order.

  FIG. 8 shows processing when the job ticket is described so as to rasterize all pages of the PDF data D1.

  In this case, RIP1 (RIP2-4) rasterizes pages 1-10 in order. As described above, even page designation using a job ticket can be distributed to a plurality of RIPs 1 to 4, or can be rasterized all with one RIP.

  However, all of this information needs to be determined when a job ticket is created at the start of the job.

  Next, based on the block diagram of FIG. 9 and the flowcharts of FIGS. 11 and 12, the control processing of the RIP controller shown in FIG. 3 (illustrated as an example using RIP2) will be described.

  The internal configuration of the RIP module (shown as an example for RIP2) is as shown in FIG. 10, for example.

  That is, the RIP 2 has a rasterizer control unit 200 and a rasterizer 201.

  The rasterizer control unit 200 performs information communication processing with the RIP controller 100, control processing such as transmission of a processing request command C1 to the rasterizer 201, reception of rasterization results, job attribute information acquisition, user interface setting information acquisition, job ticket creation, A setting process (setting the total page number information of the print data) is performed.

  Also, the rasterizer 201 executes information rasterization processing by changing information such as the page and page size according to the information communication processing with the RIP module control unit, the processing request command C1, and transmits the rasterization result to the rasterizer control unit 200.

  A processing procedure of control processing of the RIP controller 100 will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 11 and 12.

  In step S100, first, the RIP controller 100 is activated and the process proceeds to step S101.

  In step S101, it is determined whether or not the print data D1 has been received. If “No”, the process waits, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S102.

  In step S102, it is determined whether or not the RIP module (RIP2) has been started. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S104. If “No”, the RIP module (RIP2) is started in step S103. Then, the process proceeds to step S104.

  In step S104, it is determined whether or not the job is being processed. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S106, and if “No”, the process proceeds to step S105 to transmit a job start command and then step S106. Migrate to

  In step S106, it is determined whether or not page attribute information has been received. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to the subroutine (a), and if “No”, the process proceeds to step S107.

  In step S107, it is determined whether or not an error has occurred. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S110, the error occurrence is notified to the host, and the termination process of the RIP module (RIP2) is performed. If “No”, the process proceeds to step S108.

  In step S108, it is determined whether or not the job is completed. If “No”, the process returns to step S106. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S109 to change the job processing status to job end. To step S101.

  Here, the processing procedure of the subroutine (a) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S201, RIP modules that are not being processed are searched, and it is determined whether or not there are RIP modules that are not being processed in step S202.

  If “No”, the process returns to step S201. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S203.

  In step S203, a page processing thread is created, and a processing request command C1 is transmitted (hereinafter, requests to the plurality of RIP modules are executed by individual threads), and the process proceeds to step S204.

  In step S204, it is determined whether or not a normal response from the RIP module (RIP2) has been received. If “No”, the subroutine (a) is terminated and the process proceeds to step S106 in FIG.

  In the case of “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S205, and after receiving the rasterization result from the RIP module (RIP2), the process proceeds to step S106 in FIG.

  The above processing procedure will be described with reference to FIG. 9. When the RIP controller 100 receives the job start information, it transmits a job start command to the RIP 2.

  In RIP2, after receiving a job start command, a job ticket is created based on job attribute information and user interface setting information acquired in advance by the printing apparatus PR1.

  At this time, the page number information of the print data D1 of the job ticket is described so as to process the total number of pages of PDF data.

  The RIP 2 starts rasterization according to the job ticket.

  The RIP 2 tries to perform the rasterizing process for pages 1 to 10 specified by the job ticket, but receives the processing request command C1 as shown in FIG. 4 before reading the PDF data to be rasterized.

  The job ticket creation process is performed by the rasterizer controller 200 shown in FIG. 10, and a processing request command C 1 is transmitted to the rasterizer 201 based on the rasterized page information received from the RIP controller 100.

  The rasterizer 201 side waits for the reception of the processing request command C1 before reading the PDF data D1 specified by the job ticket. If the processing request command C1 is received, the partial information specified by the job ticket is received. The data is changed to the information instructed by the processing request command C1, and the PDF data is read and rasterized.

  Thereafter, the rasterization result is passed to the rasterizer control unit 200, and the rasterizer control unit 200 notifies the RIP controller 100 of the completion of rasterization.

  Since pages processed by RIP1 to RIP4 have different data processing speeds depending on the rasterization load for each page, the RIP controller 100 preferentially transmits the processing request command C1 to the RIP modules RIP1 to RIP4 that have been processed. Thus, the rasterization process can be performed without delay, and the image processing speed can be increased.

  Next, a processing procedure of control processing of the RIP module (RIP2) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S299, the RIP module (RIP2) is activated, and the process proceeds to step S300 to determine whether a job start is received.

  If “No”, the process waits. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S301.

  In step S301, job attribute information and user interface setting information are acquired and the process proceeds to step S302. A job ticket J2 describing the total page number information of the print data acquired from the job attribute information is created, and the process proceeds to step S303. .

  In step S303, the rasterization process is performed according to the page information specified by the job ticket J2, but the process waits for reception of the process request command C1 in a state before acquiring the PDF information of the actually specified page.

  As a result, unnecessary unnecessary rasterization processing can be omitted, and the speed of image processing can be increased.

  Next, in step S304, it is determined whether or not the processing request command C1 (page designation) has been received. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S307 to change the page information to be rasterized and the page size information. Then, the PDF information (PDF data D1) is acquired, the rasterizing process is executed, the rasterized result is output, and the process returns to step S303.

  On the other hand, if “No” in step S304, the process proceeds to step S305 to determine whether or not a job end has been received. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S306.

  In step S306, the rasterization process using the job ticket J2 is terminated, various resources are released, and the process returns to step S300.

  As a result, unnecessary unnecessary rasterization processing can be omitted, and the speed of image processing can be increased.

  If “No” in step S305, the process proceeds to step S308, and it is determined whether or not an error has occurred. If “No”, the process returns to step S304. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S309. Then, after performing error notification processing and the like, the RIP module (RIP2) is stopped and the processing is terminated.

  It goes without saying that the same processing is performed for RIP1, RIP3, and RIP4 of the RIP module.

  (Second Embodiment)

  With reference to FIGS. 14 to 18, an image processing system S2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  Since the overall configuration of the image processing system S2 and the configuration of the controller 10B are the same as the configuration of the image processing system S1 according to the first embodiment (FIG. 1) and the configuration of the controller 10A (FIG. 2), description thereof will be omitted. .

  The function of the controller 10B realized by executing the print control program will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the controller 10B includes an RIP controller (image processing control means) 100 that performs print job distribution processing and an image processing unit (RIP modules RIP1 to RIP1) that performs image processing on print data (PDF data) D1. RIP4), a job attribute information storage unit 101 that stores common attribute information extracted from the print data D1, and a user interface setting information storage unit 102 that stores setting information from a user interface such as a keyboard.

  In the present embodiment, the distribution process of the RIP controller 100 is based on the RIP1 and the pages 1 and 5 of the PDF data D1, the RIP2 the pages 2, 6, and 9, the RIP3 the pages 3 and 7 and the RIP4 4 Pages, 8 pages and 10 pages are processed.

  Each of the RIP modules RIP1 to RIP4 has a function of performing independent rasterization processing.

  In the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the RIP controller 100 generates a job ticket J5 as common attribute information for the entire print data D1, and distributes it to the RIP modules RIP1 to RIP4. It is like that.

  The contents of the job ticket J5 are the same as those illustrated in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment.

  It also has a function of inputting a job (print data D1) from a client (terminal device 20), supports a plurality of PDLs, and performs control according to job attributes assigned to a job queue. It has become.

  Upon receiving a job instruction from the job manager, the PDF analyzer (not shown) counts the number of pages of the PDF data D1, outputs empty page data for the number of pages, and then the page arrangement information in which the importer module is set. Based on the above, the page transmission order is determined, and a page attribute (page information; area instruction) is given to create a processing request command C1 (processing request command) (see FIG. 4 described in the first embodiment). .

  Next, control processing of the RIP controller 100 shown in FIG. 14 will be described based on the block diagram of FIG. 15 and the flowcharts of FIGS. 16 and 17.

  Note that the internal configuration of the RIP modules (RIP1 to RIP4) is basically the same as that illustrated in FIG. 10 in the first embodiment, but in this embodiment, in FIG. “Job ticket creation and setting processing” is omitted.

  A processing procedure of control processing of the RIP controller 100 will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 16 and 17.

  In step S400, first, the RIP controller 100 is activated and the process proceeds to step S401.

  In step S401, it is determined whether or not the print data D1 has been received. If “No”, the process waits, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S402.

  In step S402, it is determined whether or not the RIP modules (RIP1 to RIP4) have been activated. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S404. If “No”, the RIP modules (RIP1 to RIP4) are determined in step S403. ) And the process proceeds to step S404.

  In step S404, it is determined whether or not the job is being processed. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S406. If “No”, the process proceeds to step S405 and a job start command is transmitted. Migrate to

  In step S406, the subroutine (b) is executed.

  Here, the processing procedure of the subroutine (b) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S500, job attribute information and user interface setting information are acquired, and the process proceeds to step S501.

  In step S501, a job ticket J5 describing the total number of pages of print data acquired from the job attribute information is created, and the process proceeds to step S502.

  In step S502, the job ticket J5 is distributed to each RIP module (RIP1 to RIP4), and the process returns to the main process in FIG.

  With this processing, the job ticket J5 can be created by the RIP controller 100 and distributed to each RIP module (RIP1 to RIP4), the processing load on each RIP module (RIP1 to RIP4) can be reduced, and image processing can be performed. Further speedup can be achieved.

  Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S407 in FIG. 16 to determine whether or not page attribute information has been received. If “No”, the process proceeds to step S408, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S412. Then, the subroutine (a) (see the flowchart of FIG. 12 of the first embodiment) is executed.

  In step S408, it is determined whether or not an error has occurred. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S411, the error occurrence is notified to the host and the RIP modules (RIP1 to RIP4) are terminated, and then the process proceeds to step S401. Return.

  If “No”, the process proceeds to step S409 to determine whether or not the job is finished. If “No”, the process returns to step S407. If “No”, the process proceeds to step S410. After changing the job processing status to job end, the process returns to step S401.

  Next, the processing procedure of the control processing of the RIP modules (RIP1 to RIP4) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S600, the RIP modules (RIP1 to RIP4) are activated, the process proceeds to step S301, and it is determined whether a job start is received.

  If “No”, the process waits, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S602.

  In step S602, it is determined whether or not the job ticket J5 has been received. If “No”, the process waits, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S603.

  In step S603, the rasterization process is performed according to the page information specified by the job ticket J5, but the process request command C1 is received in a state before the PDF information of the actually specified page is acquired.

  As a result, unnecessary unnecessary rasterization processing can be omitted, and the speed of image processing can be increased.

  Next, in step S604, it is determined whether or not the processing request command C1 (page designation) has been received. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S609 to change the page information to be rasterized and the page size information. Then, the PDF information (PDF data D1) is acquired, the rasterization process is executed, the rasterization result is output, and then the process returns to step S603.

  On the other hand, if “No” in step S604, the process proceeds to step S605 to determine whether or not a job end has been received. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S606.

  In step S606, the rasterization process by the job ticket J5 is terminated, various resources are released, and the process returns to step S601.

  As a result, unnecessary unnecessary rasterization processing can be omitted, and the speed of image processing can be increased.

  If “No” in step S605, the process proceeds to step S607, and it is determined whether or not an error has occurred. If “No”, the process returns to step S604, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S608. Then, after performing error notification processing and the like, the RIP modules (RIP1 to RIP4) are stopped and the processing ends.

  (Third embodiment)

  With reference to FIGS. 19 to 24, an image processing system S3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  Since the overall configuration of the image processing system S3 and the configuration of the controller 10C are the same as the configuration of the image processing system S1 (FIG. 1) and the configuration of the controller 10A (FIG. 2) according to the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. .

  The function of the controller 10C realized by executing the print control program will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the controller 10C includes an RIP controller (image processing control means) 100 that performs print job distribution processing, and an image processing unit (RIP modules RIP1 to RIP1) that performs image processing on print data (PDF data) D1. RIP4), a job attribute information storage unit 101 that stores common attribute information extracted from the print data D1, and a user interface setting information storage unit 102 that stores setting information from a user interface such as a keyboard.

  In the present embodiment, the distribution process of the RIP controller 100 is based on the RIP1 and the pages 1 and 5 of the PDF data D1, the RIP2 the pages 2, 6, and 9, the RIP3 the pages 3 and 7 and the RIP4 4 Pages, 8 pages and 10 pages are processed.

  Each of the RIP modules RIP1 to RIP4 has a function of performing independent rasterization processing.

  In the present embodiment, unlike the first and second embodiments, a job ticket J6 is generated as common attribute information for the entire print data D1 by an external device such as the terminal device 20. The job ticket J6 is sent to the RIP controller 100 via the network N, and the job ticket J6 is distributed to the RIP modules RIP1 to RIP4 by the RIP controller 100.

  Thereby, the processing load of the RIP controller 100 and each of the RIP modules RIP1 to RIP4 can be reduced, and the image processing can be further speeded up.

  Note that the contents of the job ticket J6 are the same as those illustrated in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment.

  It also has a function of inputting a job (print data D1) from a client (terminal device 20), supports a plurality of PDLs, and performs control according to job attributes assigned to a job queue. It has become.

  Upon receiving a job instruction from the job manager, the PDF analyzer (not shown) counts the number of pages of the PDF data D1, outputs empty page data for the number of pages, and then the page arrangement information in which the importer module is set. Based on the above, the page transmission order is determined, and a page attribute (page information; area instruction) is given to create a processing request command C1 (processing request command) (see FIG. 4 described in the first embodiment). .

  Next, control processing of the RIP controller 100 shown in FIG. 19 will be described based on the block diagram of FIG. 20 and the flowchart of FIG.

  Note that the internal configuration of the RIP modules (RIP1 to RIP4) is basically the same as that illustrated in FIG. 10 in the first embodiment, but in this embodiment, in FIG. “Job ticket creation / setting process” is changed to “job ticket change / setting process”.

  Based on the flowchart of FIG. 21, the processing procedure of the control processing of the RIP controller 100 will be described.

  In step S700, first, the RIP controller 100 is activated and the process proceeds to step S701.

  In step S701, it is determined whether or not the job ticket J6 has been received. If “No”, the process waits, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S702.

  In step S702, it is determined whether or not the RIP modules (RIP1 to RIP4) have been activated. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S704. If “No”, the RIP modules (RIP1 to RIP4) are determined in step S703. ) And the process proceeds to step S704.

  In step S704, it is determined whether or not a job is being processed. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S706. If “No”, the process proceeds to step S705 to transmit a job start command, and then step S706. Migrate to

  In step S706, the job ticket J6 is distributed to each RIP module (RIP1 to RIP4), and the process proceeds to step S707.

  As a result, the processing load on each of the RIP modules RIP1 to RIP4 can be reduced, and the image processing can be further speeded up.

  In step S707, it is determined whether or not page attribute information has been received. If “No”, the process proceeds to step S708. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S711. (See the flowchart of FIG. 12 of the first embodiment).

  In step S708, it is determined whether or not an error has occurred. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S712, the error occurrence is notified to the host and the RIP modules (RIP1 to RIP4) are terminated, and then the process proceeds to step S701. Return.

  If “No”, the process proceeds to step S709 to determine whether the job is finished. If “No”, the process returns to step S707. If “No”, the process proceeds to step S710. After changing the job processing status to job end, the process returns to step S701.

    Next, the processing procedure of the control processing of the RIP modules (RIP1 to RIP4) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S800, the RIP modules (RIP1 to RIP4) are activated, and the process proceeds to step S801, where it is determined whether a job start is received.

  If “No”, the process waits, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S802.

  In step S802, it is determined whether or not the job ticket J6 has been received. If “No”, the process waits, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S803.

  In step S803, job attribute information and user interface setting information are acquired, information on the job ticket J6 is changed (referred to as job ticket J6 '), and the process proceeds to step S804.

  In step S804, rasterization processing is performed according to the page information specified by the job ticket J6 ', but the reception of the processing request command C1 is awaited in a state before acquiring the PDF information of the actually specified page.

  As a result, unnecessary unnecessary rasterization processing can be omitted, and the speed of image processing can be increased.

  In step S805, it is determined whether or not the processing request command C1 (page designation) has been received. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S810 to change the page information to be rasterized and the page size information. Then, the PDF information (PDF data D1) is acquired, the rasterization process is executed, the rasterization result is output, and then the process returns to step S804.

  On the other hand, if “No” in step S805, the process proceeds to step S806 to determine whether or not a job end has been received. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S809.

  In step S809, the rasterizing process using the job ticket J6 'is terminated, various resources are released, and the process returns to step S801.

  As a result, unnecessary unnecessary rasterization processing can be omitted, and the speed of image processing can be increased.

  If “No” in step S806, the process proceeds to step S807, and it is determined whether or not an error has occurred. If “No”, the process returns to step S805, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S808. Then, after performing error notification processing and the like, the RIP modules (RIP1 to RIP4) are stopped and the processing ends.

  Here, another example of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 23, unlike the block diagram of FIG. 20, the job ticket J6 received by the RIP controller 100 is delivered to the RIP modules (RIP1 to RIP4) as they are, and job attribute information in each RIP module (RIP1 to RIP4), User interface setting information is acquired, and the information of the job ticket J6 is changed (referred to as job ticket J6 ′).

  As a result, the processing load on the RIP controller 100 can be reduced, and the speed of image processing can be increased.

  In addition, the block diagram of FIG. 24 shows a state in which processing is interrupted when an error occurs in any of the RIP modules (RIP1 to RIP4).

  In the example shown in FIG. 24, the RIP2 performs the rasterizing process on pages 2, 6, and 9 for the PDF data D1 based on the processing request command C1 (page designation) controlled by the RIP controller 100. If any error occurs during the rasterization process, the process is interrupted and the error occurrence status is notified to the RIP controller 100.

  As a result, the rasterizing process of 9 pages can be performed by another RIP module (RIP1, RIP3, RIP4), or the PDF data received next can be processed by RIP2 or the like, so that the entire image can be processed. Processing speed can be increased.

  As described above, by using the job ticket and the processing request command C1, the job ticket created at the start of the job is utilized, and the efficient rasterization parallel processing by the processing of the RIP modules (RIP1 to RIP4) with less loss Is possible.

  Further, by controlling the basic operation of the RIP modules (RIP1 to RIP4) using the job ticket, the location where the job information is recognized may be the RIP controller 100, the RIP modules (RIP1 to RIP4), or other functions. Therefore, there is a merit that the system design becomes more flexible, and it becomes easy to cope with the input of PDF data and JDF that are expected to expand in the future.

  Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not limited to the disclosed technology. Should not be considered. That is, the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed restrictively based on the description in the above embodiment, but should be construed according to the description of the scope of claims. All modifications that fall within the scope of the claims and the equivalent technology are included.

  For example, the RIP controller 100 and the RIP modules (RIP1 to RIP4) according to the present embodiment may be configured by hardware, or may be configured by software by a predetermined program.

  The job tickets J1 to J6 and J7 are not limited to the JDF format shown in the present embodiment, and may be described in any format.

  The processing request command (processing request command) C1 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 4, and may include a command for controlling the overall image processing.

  When using a program, it can be provided via a network or stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

  The image processing apparatus, the image processing system, and the image processing program according to the present invention can be applied to a full-color continuous paper printer (continuous book printer), a laser printer, an ink jet printer, a multifunction peripheral, a facsimile machine, and the like.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of image processing system S1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a controller. It is a functional block showing processing of controller 10A. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of information of the process request command C1. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of information of a job ticket. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a description of a job ticket (JDF). It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the rasterize designation | designated by a job ticket. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the rasterize designation | designated by a job ticket. It is a functional block explaining the control processing of a RIP controller. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a RIP module (RIP1-RIP4). It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the control process of a RIP controller. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the subroutine of (a) in the control process of a RIP controller. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the control process of a RIP module. It is a functional block which shows the process of the controller 10B in image processing system S2 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a functional block explaining the control processing of a RIP controller. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the control process of a RIP controller. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the subroutine of (b) in the control processing of a RIP controller. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the control process of a RIP module. It is a functional block which shows processing of controller 10C in image processing system S3 concerning a 3rd embodiment. It is a functional block explaining the control processing of a RIP controller. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the control process of a RIP controller. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the control process of a RIP module. It is a functional block explaining other examples of control processing of a RIP controller. It is a functional block explaining the error processing of a RIP module.

Explanation of symbols

S1 to S3 Image processing system PR1 Printing device (image processing device)
20 Terminal device (information processing device)
N network 4, 5 buffer device 6 post-processing device 10A to 10C controller (image processing device, control means)
12 Memory 13 Storage Device 14 Communication I / F Unit (Reception Unit)
17 Control bus (first distribution means, second distribution means)
100 RIP controller (area designation control means, image processing control means, interruption means)
101 Job attribute information storage unit 102 User interface setting information storage unit RIP1 to RIP4 RIP module (image processing means, execution means)
200 Rasterizer Control Unit 201 Rasterizer (rasterization means)
501 Printing paper 502 Printing paper J1-J6, J6 'Common attribute information (job ticket)
C1 processing request command (processing request command)
D1 Print data (PDF data)

Claims (13)

Receiving means for receiving print data having a plurality of pages ;
A plurality of image processing means for performing image processing of the print data received by the receiving means in parallel;
For each of the image processing means, an area designation control means for dynamically changing the designation of a page of the print data for executing the image processing ,
The region designation control means includes
First distribution means for distributing common attribute information described to process the total number of pages of the print data to each image processing means;
A second distribution unit that distributes to each of the image processing units a processing request command that specifies which page of the print data is to be image-processed;
The image processing means includes
Execution means for executing image processing based on the common attribute information;
Image processing control means for changing the attribute information for the area designated by the processing request command and continuing the image processing during execution of the image processing by the execution means;
The execution unit waits for reception of the processing request command before reading all pages of the print data specified by the common attribute information. When the processing request command is received, the execution unit Changing the partial information specified in the information to the information instructed by the processing request command, and reading the print data of the page specified in the processing request command to execute image processing,
An image processing apparatus. Interrupting means for interrupting image processing based on the common attribute information when an abnormality occurs in image processing of the print data in any of the image processing means;
Control means for performing processing by each of the image processing means and the area designation control means for the next print data received by the receiving means when the interruption by the interruption means is performed;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit includes a rasterizing unit that executes a developing process for developing the print data into bitmap data . The print data is composed of PDF (Portable Document Format) data.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the image processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the common attribute information is added to a head or an end of the entire print data . The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the common attribute information is separated from the print data . 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the common attribute information is described in a JDF (Job Definition Format) which is a kind of a job definition format for printing . The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing request command is a command in which a processing form of the print data is defined . The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the common attribute information is generated by the region designation control unit . The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the common attribute information is generated externally and received by the receiving unit . Receiving means for receiving print data having a plurality of pages;
A plurality of image processing means for generating common attribute information described so as to process the total number of pages of the print data, and performing image processing of the print data received by the receiving means in parallel ;
For each of the image processing means, an area designation control means for dynamically changing the designation of a page of the print data for executing the image processing,
The region designation control means includes
A second distribution unit that distributes to each of the image processing units a processing request command that specifies which page of the print data is to be image-processed;
The image processing means includes
Execution means for executing image processing based on the common attribute information;
Image processing control means for changing the attribute information for the area designated by the processing request command and continuing the image processing during execution of the image processing by the execution means;
The execution unit waits for reception of the processing request command before reading all pages of the print data specified by the common attribute information. When the processing request command is received, the execution unit Changing the partial information specified in the information to the information instructed by the processing request command, and reading the print data of the page specified in the processing request command to execute image processing,
An image processing apparatus. One or more image processing apparatuses according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and
One or more information processing devices connected to the image processing device via communication means;
An image processing system comprising: A receiving process for receiving print data having a plurality of pages;
A plurality of image processing steps for performing image processing of the print data received in the reception step in parallel;
For each of the image processing steps, the calculation means is caused to execute a region designation control step of dynamically changing the designation of the page of the print data for executing the image processing,
The region designation control process includes:
A first distribution process for distributing common attribute information described to process the total number of pages of the print data to each of the image processing processes;
A second distribution process that distributes a processing request command that specifies which page of the print data is to be image-processed to each of the image processing processes;
The image processing process includes:
An execution process of performing image processing based on the common attribute information;
An image processing control step for changing the attribute information for the area designated by the processing request command and continuing the image processing during execution of the image processing by the execution step;
The execution process waits for reception of the processing request command before reading all pages of the print data specified by the common attribute information. When the processing request command is received, the common attribute information Changing the partial information specified in the information to the information instructed by the processing request command, and reading the print data of the page specified in the processing request command to execute image processing,
An image processing program characterized by that.