JP5245758B2 - Image processing apparatus, image processing method, image processing program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, an image processing program, and a recording medium, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus and image processing that are optimized for high-speed transfer of image data from an image transmission side to an image reception side The present invention relates to a method, an image processing program, and a recording medium.

  In an image processing apparatus that performs predetermined image processing on image data, for example, a copying apparatus including an electrophotographic image forming unit, the image data is transferred from the image processing unit to the electrophotographic image forming unit. The image forming unit forms an image on a sheet or the like based on the image data. In an image forming apparatus including such an electrophotographic image forming unit and an image processing unit, the image processing unit is a main controller including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the entire image forming apparatus and the like. Since it is necessary to frequently send and receive various commands and data, it can be mounted on the main controller board with this main controller, or it can be mounted on a board other than the main controller board with its own board or other circuit components. Located near the main controller board. On the other hand, an electrophotographic image forming unit performs laser diode lighting control on the basis of a laser diode (Laser Diode: LD) that emits a laser beam and image data transferred from the image processing unit. A laser drive unit that emits a laser beam modulated according to the optical unit such as a polygon mirror and a lens that forms an electrostatic latent image by scanning the laser beam from a laser diode onto a uniformly charged photosensitive member. A developing unit that supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member to develop the toner image, a transfer unit that transfers the toner image on the photosensitive member from the paper feeding unit to the paper conveyed by the conveying unit, and a toner image The toner image is transferred by heating and pressurizing the paper to fix the toner image, and then discharged to the paper output tray. -A cleaning / static discharge unit that cleans and neutralizes the photoconductor after image transfer is completed, and a charging unit that charges the cleaned photoconductor uniformly and re-uses it for image formation. Since it is necessary to arrange them as a part, the parts of the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus are arranged at a position relatively distant from the image processing part, and the degree of freedom of the arrangement is required. Particularly, in a wide-width image forming apparatus that forms an image on A0 size paper, an image processing unit and an image forming unit, in particular, an image processing unit and a laser driving unit of an image forming unit to which image data is transferred from the image processing unit. Is, for example, arranged at a distance of 3 m or more, and image data is transferred between the image processing unit and the image forming unit arranged at a predetermined distance.

  In recent years, image forming apparatuses have been demanded to increase the processing speed, and color image data has been processed more and more, and it has become necessary to transfer image data at high speed. . Therefore, in recent years, in an image forming apparatus, in image transfer with a relatively long distance, such as between the image processing unit and the image forming unit, in order to transfer image data at high speed, LVDS (Low Image data has been transferred at high speed using a small-amplitude high-speed differential signal (clock) such as voltage differential signaling.

  However, in data transfer using a high-speed differential signal such as LVDS, there is a possibility that a transfer error may occur although there is very little probability, and a high-speed differential signal such as PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) -Express In a data transfer technique using a connection bus, a recovery system such as data retransmission is mounted when a transfer error occurs. It is said that the probability of occurrence of errors in this LVDS transmission line is a low probability of 10-12 or less. For example, this probability of occurrence is 1 page A3 1200 dpi image (2 bits, 8000 pixels x 10000 line) on 50000 pages, This is the probability of occurrence of an abnormal value at one location.

  Conventionally, when image data is transferred from a hard disk to a RAM (Random Access Memory), and image data is transferred from the RAM to the image forming unit, an estimated transfer time is obtained in advance, and the estimated transfer time Based on this, there is proposed a technique for controlling the start of image data transfer from the RAM to the image forming unit when it is determined that an error has occurred in data transfer from the hard disk to the RAM (see Patent Document 1).

  That is, this conventional technique limits the start of image data transfer from the RAM to the image forming unit when a transfer error occurs when transferring image data from the hard disk to the RAM that transfers the image data to the image forming unit. Thus, an attempt is made to prevent the occurrence of an abnormal image in the printing result.

JP 2008-078725 A

  However, in the above-described prior art, when an error occurs in the transfer of image data, the transfer image data is lost on a line-by-line basis, or it becomes difficult to determine the transfer line, an appropriate action is taken. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the image quality.

  That is, according to the prior art described in the publication, when a transfer error occurs in the data transfer from the hard disk to the RAM, the image quality is improved by controlling the transfer of the image data from the RAM to the image forming unit. As shown, a transfer error that occurs when image data is transferred from the RAM to the image forming unit by high-speed transfer is not dealt with and needs to be improved.

  As described above, the image processing unit provided with such a RAM or the like and the image forming unit are relatively distant from each other as an arrangement distance in the image forming apparatus. When image data is transferred from the image processing unit to the image forming unit by high-speed transfer technology such as the image forming unit, the image forming unit transfers the transferred image in order to increase the overall processing speed of image formation. Image formation is performed sequentially based on the data.

  Therefore, when image data is transferred from the image processing unit to the image forming unit by the high-speed transfer technology, even if an error occurs in the transfer of the image data, the image forming unit sequentially forms an image based on the image data. There is a need for a technique for dealing with transfer errors that occur with respect to image data transmitted from the image processing unit to the image forming unit.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, an image processing program, and an image processing apparatus capable of optimizing a transmission image even when a transmission error occurs in image data transmitted from the image transmission side to the image reception side. The object is to provide a recording medium.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image transmission side unit that performs high-speed transmission of line image data from an image transmission side unit to an image reception side unit and performs predetermined image processing on the image reception side unit. A head code and a rear end code are added to the head and rear end of the line image data and transmitted, and the image receiving unit determines whether the line image data is valid or invalid based on the head code and the rear end code. If it is determined to be invalid, performs invalid notification to the image transmitting side together to discard the invalid line image data, even without the least image transmitting side on the basis of the disable line image data and the next line image data, the invalid line generates an adjustment line image data as the line image data for use as both line image data of the image data and said next transmitted to the image receiving side, the image receiving side Uni DOO is, the adjustment line image data is characterized by performing image processing as the invalid line image data and the next line image data.

  Further, according to the present invention, when image processing is performed on a plurality of plates in a predetermined processing order and invalid line image data is generated in one plate, the processing order is higher than the version in which the invalid line image data is generated. For other positioned versions, the line image data at the line position corresponding to the invalid line image data is discarded as invalid line image data, and an invalid notification that the line image data of the other version is invalidated In response to the invalidity notification, the image transmission side generates the adjustment line image data of the plate, and the image reception side transmits the adjustment line image data transmitted on the image transmission side. Adjustment image processing may be performed in which image processing is performed as line image data and next line image data.

  Further, according to the present invention, the image receiving side sets the processing rank after the invalid line image data depending on which version of the processing rank the version in which the invalid line image data is generated. A selection may be made as to whether or not to perform the invalidation notification and the adjustment image processing for another positioned plate.

  Further, the present invention may be characterized in that two or more of the leading code and the trailing code are added.

Furthermore, the present invention is, in the image receiving side unit, when the leading sign of the line image data is detected two or more together, when the trailing end code of the line image data is detected two or more, the line The image data may be determined to be valid.

  Furthermore, the present invention may be characterized in that the image receiving unit forms an image on an image recording medium based on the line image data as the image processing.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to optimize the transmission image even when a transmission error occurs in the image data transmitted from the image transmission side to the image reception side.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The range of this invention is unduly limited by the following description. However, not all the configurations described in the present embodiment are essential constituent elements of the present invention.

  1 to 8 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, an image processing program, and a recording medium of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, 1 is a schematic front view of a digital composite apparatus 1 to which a first embodiment of an image processing program and a recording medium is applied.

  In FIG. 1, the digital multi-function apparatus 1 has a configuration in which a paper feeding unit 100, a printer unit 200, and a scanner unit 300 are sequentially stacked. On the scanner unit 300, an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF). .) 400 is mounted.

  The printer unit (image forming unit) 200 includes four process cartridges 210C, 210M, 210Y, and 210K for forming images of each color of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). (Hereinafter, referred to as process cartridges 210C to 210K as appropriate), optical writing unit 230, intermediate transfer unit 240, secondary transfer unit 250, registration roller pair 260, belt fixing type fixing unit 270, and A paper reversing unit 280 and the like are provided.

  As will be described later, the optical writing unit 230 converts the laser beam bundle modulated based on the image data of each color into the photoconductors 211C, 211M, 211Y, and 211K (hereinafter, the photoconductor 211C) of the process cartridges 210C to 210K of each color. To 211K) to form electrostatic latent images of images of the respective colors on the photoreceptors 211C to 211K. The process cartridges 210C to 210K include drum-shaped photoconductors 211C to 211K, a charger, a developer, a drum cleaning unit, a static eliminator, and the like. The printer unit 200 uniformly charges the surfaces of the photoconductors 211C to 211K with the chargers of the process cartridges 210C to 210K, and converts the image data of each color from the optical writing unit 230 onto the surfaces of the photoconductors 211C to 211K. The laser beam bundle modulated and deflected based on the laser beam is irradiated to form an electrostatic latent image for each color. The printer unit 200 supplies toner of each color from the developing unit to the photoconductors 211C to 211K of the process cartridges 210C to 210K of each color, develops the electrostatic latent image, and forms a toner image of each color. The printer unit 200 transfers the toner images formed on the photoconductors 211C to 211K of the process cartridges 210C to 210K to the intermediate transfer belt 241 of the intermediate transfer unit 240, and remains on the surfaces of the photoconductors 211C to 211K after the transfer. The transfer residual toner to be cleaned is cleaned by a drum drum cleaning unit, and the cleaned photoconductors 211C to 211K are discharged by a charge eliminator and uniformly charged by a charger to be used for image formation again.

  In the intermediate transfer unit 240, an intermediate transfer belt 241 is stretched around a plurality of rollers, and an intermediate transfer roller is disposed at a position facing each of the photoreceptors 211C to 211K across the intermediate transfer belt 241. Yes. The intermediate transfer belt 241 is formed in an endless belt shape, and is rotated and moved in a clockwise direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. The printer unit 200 applies an intermediate transfer voltage to each intermediate transfer roller to sequentially superimpose and transfer the toner images on the photoconductors 211C to 211K, thereby forming a color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 241. To do. The printer unit 200 transfers the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 241 to a sheet (recording medium) conveyed between the secondary transfer unit 250 and the intermediate transfer belt 241 from the paper feeding unit 100. Then, the sheet is secondarily transferred and the sheet on which the color toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 270.

  In the printer unit 200, a registration roller pair 260 is disposed on the upstream side of the nip portion between the secondary transfer unit 250 and the intermediate transfer belt 241 in the sheet conveyance direction. A sheet is conveyed from the sheet feeding unit 100 into the printer unit 200. The printer unit 200 feeds the sheet with the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 241 while adjusting the timing by the registration roller pair 260, and sends the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 241 to the secondary transfer unit 250 and the intermediate transfer belt 241. Secondary transfer is performed on the paper at the nip portion. The printer unit 200 transports the paper on which the full-color image is formed in this way to the fixing unit 270 by the secondary transfer unit 250, and heats and presses the paper while transporting the paper by the fixing unit 270, so that the color toner Fix the image on the paper.

  The printer unit 200 transports the paper that has passed through the fixing unit 270 by switching the claw 201 to the paper discharge unit outside the apparatus and the paper reversing unit 280, and the paper reversing unit 280 flips the fed paper upside down. After that, the sheet is conveyed again between the intermediate transfer belt 241 of the intermediate transfer unit 240 and the secondary transfer unit 250 through the registration roller pair 260.

  The paper feed unit 100 includes a multi-stage paper feed cassette 101, a paper transport unit 102, and the like. Each paper feed cassette 101 can store a plurality of sheets of different paper sizes and types. The sheet feeding unit 100 separates the sheets in the sheet feeding cassette 101 one by one and sends them to the sheet conveying unit 102, and the sheets fed from the sheet feeding cassette 101 are conveyed to the printer unit 200 by the sheet conveying unit 102.

  The scanner unit 300 includes a contact glass 301 and a document reading unit 302 that reads a document on the contact glass 301. An ADF 400 is disposed on the contact glass 301 so as to be openable and closable. When the ADF 400 is opened, the upper surface of the contact glass 301 is opened so that a document can be set on the contact glass 301. When the document is closed on the contact glass 301, the ADF 400 contacts the document. It functions as a pressing plate that is pressed onto the glass 301. The ADF 400 includes a document table 401, a document conveyance unit 402, and the like. A plurality of documents set on the document table 401 are separated one by one by the document conveyance unit 402 and conveyed onto the contact glass 301. Eject the scanned document. The scanner unit 300 reads an image of a document on the contact glass 301 by the document reading unit 302.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the digital composite apparatus 1 includes a board such as a main controller board (not shown), an image processing controller board (image transmission side unit) 1000, and an LD board (image reception side unit) 1200. The image processing controller board 1000 is arranged near a main controller board (not shown) that controls each part of the digital multifunction peripheral 1, but the LD board 1200 is optically written as shown in FIG. In order to control the operation of the unit 230, it is disposed near the optical writing unit 230. The image processing controller board 1000 and the LD board 1200 are installed at positions distant from each other in the digital composite apparatus 1, and in order to transfer the image data at a high speed, the image processing controller board 1000 and the LD board 1200 communicate with the high-speed differential signal LVDS at high speed. Are connected by a SATA cable (high-speed transmission means) 1300 capable of high-speed transfer. The SATA cable 1300 has a length of about 3 m, and the degree of freedom in arrangement of the image processing controller board 1000 and the LD board 1200 is improved.

  Note that when the main / sub resolution on the LD board 1200 side and the main / sub resolution on the image processing controller board 1000 side are different, the digital multifunction device 1 is configured on the LD board 1200 side to reduce the transfer amount of image data. Perform data conversion. For example, when the main / sub scanning resolution in the optical writing unit 230 on the LD board 1200 side is 4800 dpi and the main / sub scanning resolution on the image processing controller board 1000 side is 1200 dpi, secondary image processing is performed on the LD board 1200 side. 4 times dense data conversion is performed. Also, the digital multi-function apparatus 1 sets the predetermined reference transfer line number m from the image processing controller board 1000 to the LD board 1200 as one scan period (image processing period), and sets the reference transfer line number m during the one scan period. Transfer of "m-1" lines (lines with the minimum number of processing lines), which is one line less than that, transfer of "m + 1" lines (lines with the maximum number of processing lines), which is one line greater than the reference transfer line number m, I do. For example, when the number of simultaneous writing lines (the number of light emitting elements) of the LD array 231 of the optical writing unit 230 is 40 lines and the conversion is performed four times densely on the LD board 1200 side, the reference transfer line number m is 10 lines. On the LD board 1200 side, 40 lines of 4800 dpi line image data are generated from 1200 dpi line image data for 10 lines. On the image processing controller board 1000 side, the write cycle of the LD array 231 is set to 1 line, 10 lines. The image writing process is performed in units of. The LD board 1200 side has a front / back scaling function for finely adjusting the front / back writing image data of the paper according to the shrinkage of the paper. That is, the digital multi-function apparatus 1 requests the image processing controller board 1000 side to transfer 11 lines, which is the maximum processing line, once every several scans from the LD board 1200 side, and the 11 lines on the LD board 1200 side. By generating 40 lines of 4800 dpi line image data from 1,200 dpi line image data, the front / back scaling process for fine reduction is performed, and transfer of 9 lines, which is the minimum processing line, is performed from the LD board 1200 side. By requesting the processing controller board 1000 side, the LD board 1200 side generates 40 lines of 4800 dpi line image data from 1200 dpi line image data for 9 lines, thereby performing front / back scaling processing for fine enlargement. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing controller board 1000 converts the RGB image data of the document read by the scanner unit 300 from C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) image data. An image processing LSI (Large Scale Integrated circuit) (not shown) that performs image processing such as conversion processing, 256-value / quaternary (2-bit) conversion processing, error diffusion processing, and the like is mounted, and a serializer 1100 is mounted. The serializer 1100, which will be described in detail later, has serializers 1100C, 1100M, 1100Y, and 1100K (hereinafter referred to as the serializer 1100C as appropriate) for each color (CMYK color in this embodiment) that is a plate (channel). ~ 1100K)) and serializers 1100C ~ 1100K Is, (in the case of 1 pixel 2bit, are 4 pixels packing.) 8bit data is converted into 10bit, and serial converts the line image data of 10bit, and outputs to the LD board 1200 by LVDS differential signal.

  The LD board 1200 includes LD boards 1200C, 1200M, 1200Y, and 1200K (hereinafter referred to as LD boards 1200C to 1200K as appropriate) for the number of channels, that is, CMYK. The LD controllers 1210C, 1210M, 1210Y, and 1210K (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as LD controllers 1210C to 1210K) for each channel (each color) are mounted, and the LD arrays 231C, 231M, 231Y, and 231K (hereinafter, appropriately). , LD arrays 231C to 231K).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the LD board 1200 is disposed near the optical writing unit 230, and the LD boards 1200C to 1200K of each color (each channel) are modulated based on the image data of each color. LD arrays 231C to 231K for emitting a laser beam are mounted. 3 shows the LD board 1200C for cyan (C) and the optical writing unit 230C for cyan (C), the other colors (channels) have the same configuration.

  As shown for cyan (C) in FIG. 3, the optical writing unit 230 emits laser diodes 231C to 231K and collimating lenses 232C and 232M that emit laser beams modulated according to image data. 232Y, 232K (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as collimating lenses 232C to 232K), apertures 233C, 233M, 233Y, 233K (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as apertures 233C to 233K), cylindrical lenses 234C, 234M, 234Y, 234K (hereinafter, referred to as “aperture lenses”). As appropriate, the cylindrical lenses 234C to 234K), the polygon mirrors 235C, 235M, 235Y, 235K (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as the polygon mirrors 235C to 235K) and the polygon mirrors 235C to 235K are tilted. WTL (barrel toroidal lens: lens for tilting correction) 236C, 236M, 236Y, 236K (hereinafter referred to as WTL 236C-236K as appropriate), folding mirrors 237C, 237M, 237Y, 237K (hereinafter referred to as folding mirror 237C as appropriate) ~ 237K), dust-proof glass 238C, 238M, 238Y, 238K (hereinafter referred to as dust-proof glass 238C-238K as appropriate) and synchronization detection sensors 239C, 239M, 239Y, 239K (hereinafter referred to as synchronization detection sensors 239C-239K as appropriate). YMCK LD arrays 231C to 231K correspond to photoconductors 211C, 211M, 211Y, 211K (hereinafter referred to as 211C as appropriate) corresponding to laser bundles modulated based on the image data of each color. It is called ~ 211K. ). In the LD arrays 231C to 231K, a large number of light emitting elements are arranged in a row (array form) in the sub-scanning direction, and each light emitting element is lit and blinked under the control of the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K, and image data A laser beam modulated corresponding to is emitted. In the LD arrays 231C to 231K, for example, 40 light emitting elements are arranged in a row in the sub-scanning direction, and 40 lines are simultaneously optically written.

  The laser beams emitted from the LD arrays 231C to 231K pass through the collimating lenses 232C to 232K, the apertures 233C to 233K, and the cylindrical lenses 234C to 234K, are shaped into laser beams having a predetermined shape, and are formed on the polygon mirrors 235C to 235K. Irradiated. The polygon mirrors 235C to 235K continuously rotate at a predetermined high speed, reflect (deflect) the incident laser beam in the direction of the folding mirrors 237C to 237K, and are in the main scanning direction (the axial direction of the photoconductors 211C to 211K). ) Is repeatedly moved and scanned. The laser beams reflected by the polygon mirrors 235C to 235K are subjected to surface tilt correction by the WTLs 236C to 236K, then incident on the folding mirrors 237C to 237K, and the angles thereof are changed by the folding mirrors 237C to 237K. Images are formed in a spot shape with a predetermined beam diameter on the surfaces 211C to 211K.

  The laser beam reflected by the polygon mirror 235 and immediately before main scanning on the photoconductors 211C to 211K is a laser beam outside the main scanning writing area (outside a predetermined main scanning width) on the surface of the photoconductors 211C to 211K. Are incident on synchronization detection sensors 239C to 239K provided on the scanning of the laser beam, and the synchronization detection sensors 239C to 239K detect the incident laser beam, generate a synchronization detection signal, and output them to the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K. .

  As described above, the serializer 1100 and the LD controller 1210 are provided with CMYK channels (colors), and the serializers 1100C to 1100K and the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K of each channel are cyan (C). 4, the serializer 1100C and the LD controller 1210C are shown in FIG. 4, but the same applies to the serializers 1100M to 1100K and LD controllers 1210M to 1210K of other colors (channels). It has a configuration. Therefore, in the description of FIG. 4 below, description will be made assuming that the serializers 1100C to 1100K and the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K are drawn.

  As shown in FIG. 4, serializers 1100C to 1100K mounted on the image processing controller board 1000 include line memories 1101C, 1101M, 1101Y, and 1101K (hereinafter referred to as line memories 1101C to 1101K as appropriate) and an image output control unit. 1102C, 1102M, 1102Y, 1102K (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as image output control units 1102C to 1102K), STP / END code adding units 1103C, 1103M, 1103Y, 1103K (hereinafter, appropriately, STP / END code adding units 1103C to 1103K) 8b / 10b converters 1104C, 1104M, 1104Y, 1104K (hereinafter referred to as 8b / 10b converters 1104C-1104K as appropriate), serial converters 1105C, 1105M, 1105Y. 1105K (hereinafter referred to as serial conversion units 1105C to 1105K as appropriate), LVDS I / O 1106C, 1106M, 1106Y, 1106K (hereinafter referred to as LVDS I / O 1106C to 1106K as appropriate) and the like. The mounted LD controllers 1210C to 1210K include LVDS I / O 1211C, 1211M, 1211Y, and 1211K (hereinafter referred to as LVDS I / O 1211C to 1211K as appropriate), parallel conversion units 1212C, 1212M, 1212Y, and 1212K (hereinafter referred to as parallel as appropriate). Converters 1212C to 1212K), 10b / 8b converters 1213C, 1213M, 1213Y, and 1213K (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as 10b / 8b converters 1213C to 1213K), STP · E. ND code interpretation units 1214C, 1214M, 1214Y, 1214K (hereinafter referred to as STP / END code interpretation units 1214C-1214K as appropriate), synchronization detection units 1215C, 1215M, 1215Y, 1215K (hereinafter referred to as synchronization detection units 1215C-1215K as appropriate) Image input control units 1216C, 1216M, 1216Y, 1216K (hereinafter referred to as image input control units 1216C-1216K as appropriate), line memories 1217C, 1217M, 1217Y, 1217K (hereinafter referred to as line memories 1217C-1217K as appropriate). Image processing units 1218C, 1218M, 1218Y, 1218K (hereinafter referred to as image processing units 1218C-1218K as appropriate) and PWM (Pulse Wide modulation) modulation units 1219C, 1219M, 1219Y. 1219K (hereinafter referred to as PWM modulation unit 1219C～1219K. ) Etc.

  The serializers 1100C to 1100K convert RGB image data read by the scanner unit 300 into CMYK image data by an image processing LSI on the image processing controller board 1000, and 256-value / 4-value (2 bit) conversion. Image data of 1 pixel and 2 bits subjected to image processing such as processing and error diffusion processing is input to the line memories 1101C to 1101K from an 8 bit × 75 MHz bus.

  The line memories (data storage means) 1101C to 1101K are, for example, a line memory in which one line is 8 bits × 2000 words (words), and at least two sets, i.e., 2m Line memories for lines are provided, and the serializers 1100C to 1100K toggle the line memories 1101C to 1101K for each set, so that the image data for m lines input from the image processing LSI is sent to each set of line memories 1101C. Accumulate at ~ 1101K. When the line image data is accumulated in one set of line memories 1101C to 1101K, the serializers 1100C to 1100K receive the next-stage image output control units 1102C to 1102K from the line memories 1101C to 1101K in which the line image data is accumulated. The image data is sequentially output to the image data, and the next line image data from the image processing LSI is stored in another set of line memories 1101C to 1101K, and input and output of the line image data are performed in parallel with the toggle.

  Image output control units (data reading means) 1102C to 1101K receive a sub-scanning transfer start signal (FSYNC) and a main-scanning transfer start signal (LSYNC) that are data transfer start signals input from LD controllers 1210C to 1210K described later. Thus, the image data stored in the line memories 1101C to 1101K is read line by line and transferred to the STP / END code adding units 1103C to 1103K in the subsequent stage.

  STP / END code adding units (code adding means) 1103C to 1103K add a START symbol (four 8-bit symbols) to the head of the line image data received from the image output control units 1102C to 1101K as the head code. In addition, an END symbol (four symbols of 8 bits) is added to the rear end of the line image data as a rear end code, and is output to the 8b / 10b conversion units 1104C to 1104K. In this embodiment, the START symbol (first code) and the END symbol (rear code) are composed of four different types of symbols (codes), and a line to which the START symbol and the END symbol are added. When the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K, which are image data receiving partners, detect at least two of four START symbols and END symbols added to one line of image data (line image data). Assuming that the start position and the end position of the line image data are detected, the line image data is processed to increase the error resistance of the START symbol and the END symbol. Although the number of symbols constituting the START symbol and the END symbol is four in the above description, it is not limited to four, and appropriate error resistance of the START symbol and the END symbol can be ensured. Any number may be used.

  The 8b / 10b converters 1104C to 1104K convert the 8-bit line image data to 10 bits and output the serial data to the serial converters 1105C to 1105K. The serial converters 1105C to 1105K serially convert the 10-bit line image data. , LVDS I / O 1106C to 1106K. The LVDS I / O 1106C to 1106K outputs serial line image data to the LVDS I / O 1211C to 1211K of the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K as a 750 MHz differential signal through the SATA cable 1300.

  The LD controllers 1210C to 1210K receive serial (1 bit × 750 MHZ) line image data transferred by the SATA cable 1300 at the LVDS I / O 1211C to 1211K, and the parallel conversion units 1212C to 1212K receive the 10 bit × 75 MHZ parallel signal. Is converted to the line image data and passed to the 10b / 8b converters 1213C to 1213K.

  The LVDS I / O 1106C to 1106K, the SATA cable 1300, and the LVDS I / O 1211C to 1211K function as high-speed transmission means as a whole.

  The 10b / 8b converters 1213C to 1213K convert the 10-bit line image data into 8-bit line image data, and pass the converted data to the STP / END code interpreters 1214C to 1214K.

  The STP / END code interpretation units (code detection means) 1214C to 1214K interpret the START symbol added to the head of the 8-bit line image data and the END symbol added to the rear end of the line image data. The head and rear end of the main scan are detected. In the interpretation of the START symbol and the END symbol, as described above, if at least two START symbols can be interpreted, the head of the line image data can be detected, and if at least two END symbols can be interpreted, This means that the trailing edge of the line image data has been detected. The STP / END code interpreting units 1214C to 1214K pass the detection result of the START symbol and the END symbol and the image data to the image input control units 1216C to 1216K, and further to the image input control units 1216C to 1216K, the synchronization detection units 1215C to 1215K. A main scanning transfer start signal (LSYNC) is input from 1215K.

  The synchronization detection units 1215C to 1215K generate and issue a sub-scan transfer start signal (FSYNC) based on the sheet transfer start timing on the photoconductors 211C to 211K, and issue the image transfer start timing of one page as serializers 1100C to 1100K. Notify The synchronization detection units 1215C to 1215K also detect synchronization input from the synchronization detection sensors 239C to 239K based on the rotation speeds of the polygon mirrors 235C to 235K that control the irradiation of the photoconductors 211C to 211K of the LD arrays 231C to 231K. By generating and issuing a main scan transfer start signal (LSYNC) from the signal, the serializers 1100C to 1100K are notified of the image data transfer start timing of one line, and output to the image input control units 1216C to 1216K.

  The main scan transfer start signal (LSYNC) is periodically issued, and during the transfer of one page of image data, the serializers 1100C to 1100K transfer image data for one line during the main scan transfer start signal (LSYNC). If this is not possible, a timing error will occur and cause an abnormal image. Therefore, in the digital multifunction peripheral 1, the serializers 1100C to 1100K output one line of image data between the main scan transfer start signal (LSYNC) and the main scan transfer start signal (LSYNC), and the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K. Is designed to complete image formation of one line of image data by the LD arrays 231C to 231K. The main scanning transfer start signal (LSYNC) issued from the synchronization detection units 1215C to 1215K is also notified to the image input control units 1216C to 1216K of the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K, and the image input control units 1216C to 1216K By receiving this main scanning transfer start signal (LSYNC), it is possible to grasp the transfer start timing of the next line.

  Image input control units (valid / invalid control means, image processing execution means) 1216C to 1216K are line image data, START symbol and END symbol detection results from the STP / END code interpretation units 1214C to 1214K, and synchronization detection units 1215C to 1215C. Based on the main scanning transfer start signal (LSYNC) from 1215K, it is determined whether the line image data has been normally received from the serializers 1100C to 1100K (determination of validity / invalidity of the line image data), and the received line image Control of writing data to the line memories 1217C to 1217K and output control of transfer error notification signals (invalidity notification signals) to the image output control units 1102C to 1102K of the serializers 1100C to 1100K via the synchronization detection units 1215C to 1215K I doThat is, when the image input control units 1216C to 1216K determine that the line image data transfer error is invalid, the image input control units 1216C to 1216K stop writing the invalid line image data to the line memories 1217C to 1217K, and a transfer error occurs. Only the valid line image data determined to be valid is written in the line memories 1217C to 1217K. Further, as will be described later, the image input control units 1216C to 1216K send a transfer error notification (invalid notification) to the serializers 1100C to 1100K, and the transfer error has occurred from the serializers 1100C to 1100K. When the adjustment line image data is transmitted as the line image data of the line positioned next to the line image data (invalid line image data) (hereinafter referred to as the next line image data as appropriate), the adjustment line image data is Then, adjustment image processing is performed in which error line image data (invalid line image data) is written to the line memories 1217C to 1217k to be written, and the next line image data is written to the line memories 1217C to 1217k to be written.

  When the serializers 1100C to 1100K receive a transfer error notification from the image input control units 1216C to 1216K of the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K, the image output control units 1102C to 1102K send at least the transfer error notification to the next line image data. The target line image data (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as error line image data) and the next line image data are created as adjustment line image data, and the adjustment line image data is transmitted to the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K1. The image output control units 1102C to 1102K are two-line reference creation methods for creating adjustment line image data from the error line image data and the next line image data, the error line image data, the next line image data, and the error line. It is created by a three-line reference creation method that averages the line image data of the previous line of image data, a three-dimensional convolution method centered on the error line image data, and the like.

  Further, when the image input control units 1216C to 1216K determine that a transfer error has occurred in one color of CMYK, as described above, the writing of the error line image data to the line memories 1217C to 1217K is stopped and discarded. At the same time, a transfer error notification is sent to the image output control units 1102C to 1102K of the serializers 1100C to 1100K, and the adjustment line image data transferred from the serializers 1100C to 1100K is used as the transfer error occurrence line and the line image data of the next line. In addition to performing adjustment image processing to be written in the line memories 1217C to 1217K, the position of the transfer error occurrence line is stored in, for example, an internal error history memory or the like, and other colors are also stored in the error history memory. Line drawing of memorized line position Discarding data may be performed error handling processing regarded executes transfer error notification and adjusting the image processing. For example, when a transfer error occurs in cyan (C) line image data, the same line position as cyan (C) for magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) is as follows. Even if no transfer error has occurred, it is assumed that a transfer error has occurred. Whether or not to perform error handling processing for other colors is also determined based on the color of the line image data in which the transfer error has occurred and whether or not to perform error handling processing for other colors. You may make it do. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, in the digital multifunction apparatus 1, the image formation order (processing order) in the printer unit 200 is the order of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). When a transfer error occurs in cyan (C) or magenta (M), there are a plurality of remaining color processes, and the error handling process is executed with regard to the remaining colors. Is generated in yellow (Y) or black (K), the remaining colors are small or absent, so that the error handling process may not be performed for the remaining colors. Further, when a transfer error occurs in line image data of one color, whether or not to perform error handling processing with regard to other colors is selected by operating the operation display unit of the digital composite apparatus 1 or the like It may be possible.

  In this embodiment, the line memories 1217C to 1217K (line memory means) use a line memory of 2 bits × 8000 words as a set of the number of lines (m + 1) obtained by adding one line to the number m of lines in the standard transfer unit. Two sets are provided, and the image input control units 1216C to 1216K use the two sets of line memories 1217C to 1217K to toggle and write line image data. Note that the line memories 1217C to 1217K have two lines (m + 1) as one set because the line image data of (m + 1) lines as the maximum number of processed lines from the serializers 1100C to 1100K at the time of front / back scaling processing. This is because the line image data of this (m + 1) number of lines can be stored in the line memories 1217C to 1217K. At this time, the image input control units 1216C to 1216K divide the 8-bit line image data (2-bit × 4-pixel packing) into 2 bits and store them in one of the two sets of line memories 1217C to 1217K with a toggle.

  The digital multifunction device 1 has a front / back magnification function as a processing function on the LD board 1200C to 1200K side. In order to realize this magnification function, according to a request from the LD board 1200C to 1200K side. When the reference transfer line number is “m”, the predetermined transfer line number is one scan cycle (image processing cycle), and the “m−1” line (minimum) is one line less than the reference transfer line number m. Transfer of (the number of processing lines) and transfer of “m + 1” lines (lines of the maximum number of processing lines), which is one line greater than the reference transfer line number m. For example, if the number of simultaneous writing lines (number of light emitting elements) of the LD array 231 of the optical writing unit 230 is 40 lines, the reference transfer line number m is 10 lines, and the LD board 1200 side has 10 lines worth. Forty lines of 4800 dpi line image data are generated from the 1200 dpi line image data. Therefore, on the image processing controller board 1000 side, image processing is performed in units of 10 lines, which is the number of simultaneous writing lines of the LD array 231. Furthermore, since the LD board 1200 performs fine adjustment of the image data written on the front and back sides of the paper according to the shrinkage of the paper by the front and back scaling process, the scaling in the sub-scanning direction is performed once every several scans. , 11 line transfer, 9 line transfer is requested to the image processing controller board 1000 side, and 4800 dpi line image data is generated for 40 lines from 1200 dpi line image data for 11 lines. By generating 40 lines of 4800 dpi line image data from 1200 lines of 9 dpi line image data, a front / back scaling process for fine enlargement is performed.

  If the digital multifunction peripheral 1 determines that a transfer error has occurred in the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K of the LD boards 100C to 1200K, the digital controller 1 sends a transfer error notification from the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K to the serializers 1100C to 1100K of the image processing controller board 1000. The image output control units 1102C to 1102K of the serializers 1100C to 1100K reflect the line image data of the line next to the error occurrence line to at least the line image data of the error occurrence line and the line next to the error occurrence line. The adjusted line image data is generated, and the generated adjusted line image data is transmitted to the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K.

  The digital multi-function apparatus 1 utilizes the fact that the main scanning transfer start signal (LSYNC) and the sub-scanning transfer start signal (FSYNC) are output from the synchronization detection units 1215C to 1215K to the image output control units 1102C to 1102K. The transfer error notification from the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K to the serializers 1100C to 1100K is performed by changing the main scanning transfer start signal (LSYNC). That is, in the normal line image data request, the synchronization detection units 1215C to 1215K use, for example, a main scanning transfer start signal (LSYNC) that becomes three times low as shown in FIG. In the first scan line image data request for requesting the number (m + 1), as shown in FIG. 5B, the main scan transfer start signal (LSYNC) that becomes low twice is used, and the transfer of the line image data is also performed. At the time of error notification, as shown in FIG. 5C, a main scanning transfer start signal (LSYNC) that goes low once is used.

  The image processing units 1218C to 1218K read line image data from the line memories 1217C to 1217K in which the line image data to be read of the processing target group is stored out of the two sets of line memories 1217C to 1217K, and perform PWM in the next stage. The data is output to conversion units 1219C to 1219K. Further, the image processing units 1218C to 1218K add one line to the reference transfer line number (for example, 10 lines in the above example) once every several scans in order to perform the front / back scaling process according to the shrinkage of the paper. When (m + 1) lines (11 lines in the above example) are transferred, image data corresponding to the number m of reference transfer lines is generated from the line image data of the (m + 1) lines, and the PWM modulation unit 1219C at the next stage is generated. Output to ~ 1219K.

  The PWM modulation units 1219C to 1219K generate LD drive signals that are PWM-modulated based on the image data input from the image processing units 1218C to 1218K, and PWM drive the LD arrays 231C to 231K.

  The optical writing units 230C to 230K form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductors 211C to 211K by PWM driving the LD arrays 231C to 231K with an LD drive signal modulated based on image data, thereby forming an image. I do.

  The image input control units 1216C to 1216K function as valid / invalid determination means, and the image input control units 1216C to 1216K, line memories 1217C to 1217K, image processing units 1218C to 1218K, PWM modulation units 1219C to 1219K, and optical writing The units 230C to 230K function as image processing means as a whole.

  The digital composite apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM, a flash memory, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a CD. The image processing method of the present invention recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as RW (Compact Disc Rewritable), DVD (Digital Video Disk), SD (Secure Digital) card, MO (Magneto-Optical Disc), etc. Image processing that appropriately improves the image quality of a transmission image when a transfer error occurs in high-speed transfer of image data, which will be described later, by loading an image processing program to be executed and introducing it into a ROM or hard disk of a main controller (not shown) Constructed as an image processing device (image forming device) for executing the method . This image processing program is a computer-executable program written in a legacy programming language such as assembler, C, C ++, C #, Java (registered trademark) or an object-oriented programming language, and is stored in the recording medium. Can be distributed.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The digital composite apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a serializer 1100C to 1100K on the image processing controller board 1000 and a LD controller 1210C to 1210K on the LD boards 1200C to 1200K that are arranged at separate positions and connected by a SATA cable 1300. Data quality of line image data in high-speed differential transfer is ensured appropriately.

  That is, the digital multi-function apparatus 1 sends image data obtained by reading an image of a document by the scanner unit 300 to the image processing controller board 1000, performs the above-described various image processing by the image processing LSI on the image processing controller board 1000, and performs 8-bit processing. Image data is sequentially stored in the line memories 1101C to 1101K in one of the two sets of serializers 1100C to 1100K. As shown in FIG. 6, the serializers 1100 </ b> C to 1100 </ b> K output images based on sub-scanning transfer start signals (FSYNC) and main-scanning transfer start signals (LSYNC) from the synchronization detection units 1215 </ b> C to 1215 </ b> K of the LD controllers 1210 </ b> C to 1210 </ b> K. The control units 1102C to 1102K sequentially read out the line image data for each line from the other set of line memories 1101C to 1101K, transfer them to the subsequent STP / END code adding units 1103C to 1103K, and the STP / END code adding unit 1103C. At ˜1103K, four types of START symbols are added to the beginning of the line image data, and four types of END symbols are added to the rear end of the line image data, and output to the 8b / 10b converters 1104C to 1104K. .

  The serializers 1100C to 1100K convert the 8-bit line image data to 10 bits with the 8b / 10b conversion units 1104C to 1104K, serially convert the 10-bit line image data with the serial conversion units 1105C to 1105K, and the LVDS I / O 1106C LVDS transfer from ˜1106K to LVDS I / O 1211C to 1211K of LD controllers 1210C to 1210K through a SATA cable 1300 as a differential signal of 750 MHz.

  The LD controllers 1210C to 1210K of the LD board 1200 receive serial (1 bit × 750 MHz) line image data transferred by the SATA cable 1300 by the LVDS I / O 1211C to 1211K, and the parallel conversion units 1212C to 1212K receive 10 bits. Converted to parallel line image data of x75 MHZ and passed to 10b / 8b converters 1213C to 1213K. The 10b / 8b conversion units 1213C to 1213K convert the 10-bit line image data into 8-bit line image data, and the STP / END code interpretation units 1214C to 1214K are added to the head of the 8-bit line image data. The start symbol and the end of the main scan of the line image data are detected by interpreting the START symbol and the END symbol added to the end. If the STP / END code interpretation units 1214C to 1214K can interpret at least two START symbols as described above in the interpretation of the START symbol and the END symbol, the head of the line image data can be detected. If the END symbols can be interpreted, the detection result of the START symbol and the END symbol and the line image data are passed to the image input control units 1216C to 1216K, assuming that the rear end of the line image data can be detected.

  The image input control units 1216C to 1216K are based on the main scan transfer start signal (LSYNC) from the synchronization detection units 1215C to 1215K and the line image data, START symbol, and END symbol detection results from the STP / END code interpretation units 1214C to 1214K. Then, it determines whether or not the line image data has been normally received from the serializers 1100C to 1100K (valid / invalid determination), controls the writing of the received image data to the line memories 1217C to 1217K, and also detects the synchronization detection unit 1215C. The transfer error notification control is performed on the serializers 1100C to 1100K through ˜1215K.

  The image processing units 1218C to 1218K read line image data from the line memories 1217C to 1217K in which the line image data to be read is stored among the line memories 1217C to 1217K, and output the line image data to the PWM conversion units 1219C to 1219K. The modulation units 1219C to 1219K generate an LD drive signal that is PWM-modulated based on the line image data input from the image processing units 1218C to 1218K, and perform PWM drive on the LD arrays 231C to 231K, whereby the optical writing unit 230C. Image formation is performed on a sheet by ~ 230K.

  Then, the image input control units 1216C to 1216K determine the validity / invalidity of the line image data based on the detection result of the START symbol and the END symbol by the STP / END code interpretation units 1214C to 1214K. The image data is written to the two sets of line memories 1217C to 1217K by toggle. If the image input control units 1216C to 1216K determine that the line image data is invalid, the image input control units 1216C to 1216K stop writing the line image data to the line memories 1217C to 1217K (discard the error occurrence line image data) and also detect the synchronization detection unit 1215C. The transfer error notification is sent to the image output control units 1102C to 1102K of the serializers 1100C to 1100K via ~ 1215K.

  The image output control units 1102C to 1102K create line image data of a line positioned next to the line image data targeted for transfer error notification as adjusted line image data considering the line image data targeted for transfer error notification. The adjustment line image data is transmitted to the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K1 by a creation method such as the above-described two-line reference creation method, three-line reference creation method, and three-dimensional convolution method.

  Further, the image output control units 1102C to 1102K may generate the adjustment line even if the adjustment line image data is generated if the transfer error occurrence line is the last line of the page or the last line of the reference transfer line. There is no opportunity to transmit the image data to the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K, that is, since there is no next line, adjustment line image data is not created and transmitted. In this case, the image input control units 1216C to 1216K cancel the notification of the transfer error, adopt line image data of the previous line of the error occurrence line as line image data of the error occurrence line, and use the line memories 1217C to 1217C A method of writing to 1217K or a method of writing a white line (or not writing) corresponds.

  Then, the image input control units 1210C to 1210K of the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K determine the validity / invalidity of the line image data based on the detection result of the START symbol and the END symbol of the STP / END code interpretation units 1214C to 1214K, If it is determined to be invalid, a transfer error notification is sent to the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K as described above. This transfer error notification is sent to the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K by the serializers 1100C to 1100K at the beginning and the end of the line image data. This is a time when the STP / END code interpretation units 1214C to 1214K cannot detect either the START symbol or the END symbol added to the end. That is, a transfer error occurs in the line image data that is transferred at high speed from the serializers 1100C to 1100K of the image processing controller board 1000 to the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K of the LD board 1200 through the SATA cable 1300 via the SATA cable 1300. As shown in the lower part of the enlarged main scanning transfer start signal (LSYNC) and LDVS transfer data shown in the upper part of FIG. 6, the timing Ta, which is the timing of the START symbol added to the head of the line image data for one line, The timing is one of timing Tb, which is any timing of the line image data, and timing Tc, which is the timing of the END symbol added to the rear end of the line image data. Of these error occurrence timings Ta, Tb, and Tc, the error at the timing Tb of the line image data is only a loss of 8 bits (2 bits × 4 pixels) of image data due to one error. In the case of A3 size 1200 dpi image data, one line is 8000 pixels, and even if four pixels are missing, the effect on the image quality due to line image data transfer errors is ignored for one line image. be able to. Therefore, in the digital composite apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, only transfer errors at timing Ta and timing Tc are detected based on the detection results of the STP / END code interpreters 1214C to 1214K of the START symbol and the END symbol, and Processing for handling a transfer error.

  First, a case where a transfer error occurs at timing Tc will be described. When a transfer error occurs at timing Tc, one line of the END symbol is lost. Therefore, when line image data of the corresponding line is transferred from the serializers 1100C to 1100K to the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K, the receiving side LD controllers 1210C to 1210K The STP / END code interpretation units 1214C to 1214K cannot correctly detect the end of the line image data. That is, the image input control units 1216C to 1216K of the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K perform the START symbol processing on the line image data transferred from the STP / END code interpretation units 1214C to 1214K by using the STP / END code interpretation units 1214C to 1214K. Is detected, the head position of the line image data can be grasped, and the storage of the line image data in the line memories 1217C to 1217K can be started. However, when a transfer error occurs at the timing Tc, the STP / END code interpretation units 1214C to 1214K cannot detect the END symbol, and cannot normally detect the end of the line image data. Therefore, the image input control units 1216C to 1216K do not know the end position of the line image data, and continue the operation of writing the line image data to the line memories 1217C to 1217K after the end position of the line image data. If it continues, the line image data cannot be properly written to the line memories 1217C to 1217K, and appropriate image formation cannot be performed.

  Therefore, the digital multi-function apparatus 1 of the present embodiment also inputs the main scanning transfer start signal (LSYNC) output from the synchronization detection units 1215C to 1215K to the image input control units 1216C to 1216K, and the next main scanning transfer start signal ( When the main scanning transfer start signal (LSYNC) issues the synchronization detection units 1215C to 1215K at the output timing of (LSYNC), the image input control units 1216C to 1216K cause the main scanning transfer start signal (LSYNC) to It is understood that the transfer timing of line image data has come. The image input control units 1216C to 1216K wait for an end error that is set in advance as a waiting time until the END symbol is detected by the STP / END code interpretation units 1214C to 1214K without being detected by the STP / END code interpretation units 1214C to 1214K. When time elapses or the main scanning transfer start signal (LSYNC) is input from the synchronization detection units 1215C to 1215K, it is determined that the transfer of the line image data of the previous line is completed, and the END symbol The writing of the line image data of the previous line not detected to the line memories 1217C to 1217K is forcibly stopped, and the transfer error notification is performed.

  Next, a case where a transfer error occurs at timing Ta will be described. When a transfer error occurs at timing Ta, the START symbol of the LD controller 1210C to 1210K is lost even if the data transfer of the line image data starts because the START symbol of one line of line image data is lost. The heads of the line image data cannot be detected correctly, and the image input control units 1216C to 1216K do not write the line image data to the line memories 1217C to 1217K, and the STP / END code interpretation units 1214C to 1214K Will wait for a notification that the START symbol at the head of the line has been detected. The image input control units 1216C to 1216K remain in this waiting state, either when a start error waiting time set in advance as a waiting time until determining as a START symbol detection error elapses, or when the transfer cycle of one line is When the main scanning transfer start signal (LSYNC) for the next line is input from the synchronization detection units 1215C to 1215K, all the next line image data cannot be written to the line memories 1217C to 1217K. It is determined that one line of line image data has been lost, and the transfer error notification is performed.

  Then, when the image input control units 1216C to 1216K stop (destroy) writing the line image data for which the transfer error notification has been performed in the line memories 1217C to 1217K as described above, the line for which the transfer error notification has been performed. After the adjustment line image data, which is the next line image data of the image data, is transferred from the serializers 1100C to 1100K, the adjustment line image data is transferred and the detection results of the STP / END code interpretation units 1214C to 1214K If the line image data is determined to be valid line image data, the adjusted line image data is written in the line memories 1217C to 1217K as the line image data in which the error has occurred and the line image data of the next line. That is, when a transfer error (transfer failure) occurs, the image output control units 1102C to 1102K write the line image data in which the transfer error has occurred into the line memories 1217C to 1217K, as shown in FIG. The image output control units 1102C to 1102K are notified of the transfer error, and the image output control units 1102C to 1102K adjust, for example, the averaged line image data obtained by averaging the line in which the transfer error has occurred and the next line. Generated as image data and transferred to the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K. Then, as shown in FIG. 7B, the image input control units 1216C to 1216K of the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K convert the adjusted line image data that is the averaged line image data to the line image data in which a transfer error has occurred. The line memory 1217C to 1217K is written as line image data of the next line.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 8A, the image input control units 1216C to 1216K of the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K send a transfer error notification via the synchronization detection units 1215C to 1215K when a transfer error occurs (step S101). The image output control units 1102C to 1102K of the serializers 1100C to 1100K are performed (step S102), and the line image data in which the transfer error has occurred is discarded without being written to the line memories 1217C to 1217K (step S103).

  As shown in FIG. 8B, the image output control units 1102C to 1102K of the serializers 1100C to 1100K, when there is a transfer error notification (step S201), averages the line where the transfer error has occurred and the next line Line image data is generated as adjustment line image data and transferred to the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K (step S202).

  When the adjustment line image data that is the averaged line image data is transferred from the serializers 1100C to 1100K, the image input control units 1216C to 1216K of the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K perform the adjustment as illustrated in FIG. The line image data is received as the line image data in which the transfer error has occurred and the line image data of the next line, and written into the line memories 1217C to 1217K (step S104).

  In addition, when a transfer error continuously occurs in a plurality of lines, the image input control units 1216C to 1216K stop writing the continuous line image data in which the transfer error has occurred in the line memories 1217C to 1217K as described above. At the same time, a transfer error notification is sent to the image output control units 1102C to 1102K of the serializers 1100C to 1100K for the lines in which the transfer error has occurred continuously, and the image output control units 1102C to 1102K of the serializers 1100C to 1100K are continuously connected. When there is a transfer error notification, the line image data of the line next to the continuous transfer error line and the line image data of the continuous line of the transfer error notification and the peripheral lines (next line, etc.) are reflected. Adjustment line image data is created and LD control To send to the roller 1210C~1210K.

  In the above description, when a transfer error occurs, the image input control units 1216C to 1216K of the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K discard the line image data of the transfer error occurrence line and notify the serializers 1100C to 1100K of the transfer error. When the adjustment line image data is transferred from the serializers 1100C to 1100K, the adjustment line image data is transferred to the line memories 1217C to 1217K as line image data for two lines of the line where the transfer error has occurred and the next line. Although the line image data in which the transfer error has occurred is optimized by writing, the optimization of the line image data in which the transfer error has occurred is not limited to the above method. For example, when a transfer error occurs, the image input control units 1216C to 1216K of the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K discard the line image data of the transfer error occurrence line, and then notify the serializers 1100C to 1100K of the transfer error, When the adjustment line image data is transferred from 1100C to 1100K, the adjustment line image data is written as it is into the line memories 1217C to 1217K as one line image data, and the image processing units 1218C to 1218K store the line memory 1217C to By optimizing the line image data of the number of lines with the number of lines with a transfer error smaller than the standard transfer line number m of 1217K to the reference transfer line number m, the line image data of the transfer error occurrence line is optimized. It may be carried out. Specifically, in the digital composite apparatus 1, when the reference transfer line number m is 10 lines and the transfer error occurrence line is 1 line, the image input control units 1216C to 1216K have 8 lines other than the error occurrence lines. 9 line image data of image data and adjustment line image data is written to the line memories 1217C to 1217K, and the image processing units 1218C to 1218K use the line image data of 9 lines in the line memories 1217C to 1217K as 10 line images. Enlarge the data. As this enlargement process, a method of performing an enlargement process by dispersing line image data that has been discarded due to a transfer error by an average enlargement method or a three-dimensional convolution method can be used.

  As described above, the digital multi-function apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment transmits line image data at high speed from the serializers 1100C to 1100K of the image processing controller board 1000 to the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K of the LD boards 1200C to 1200K, and the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K. When performing image forming processing (image processing) in the serializers 1100C to 1100K, a START symbol (head code) and an END symbol (back end code) are added to the head and rear end of the line image data and transmitted. The LD controllers 1210C to 1210K determine the validity / invalidity of the line image data based on the START symbol and the END symbol. If the LD controller 1210C to 1210K determines that the line image data is invalid, the error line image data (invalid line image data) is discarded and serialized. Transfer error notification to the riser 1100C~1100K the (disabled notification) is carried out. In the digital composite apparatus 1, the serializers 1100C to 1100K generate adjustment line image data reflecting at least the error line image data and the next line image data as the next line image data, and transmit the adjustment line image data to the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K. The LD controllers 1210C to 1210K perform image processing on the adjustment line image data as the error line image data and the next line image data.

  Therefore, an error line image that cannot be properly transmitted due to an abnormality in the high-speed transfer of line image data from the image processing controller board 1000 arranged at a distant position in the digital composite apparatus 1 to the LD boards 1200C to 1200K. Even if data is generated, the error line image data is discarded on the LD board 1200C to 1200K side, the adjustment line image data is transmitted from the image processing controller board 1000 side, and the adjustment line image data is transmitted on the LD board 1200C to 1200K. Can be processed as error line image data and next line image data, and image processing, that is, image formation can be appropriately performed on the LD boards 1200C to 1200K side.

  The digital composite apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment performs image processing on a plurality of colors (plates) in the CMYK processing order, and generates error line image data for one color (plate). For other colors (plates) located in the processing order after the color (plate) in which the data is generated, the line image data at the line position corresponding to the error line image data is discarded as error line image data, A transfer error notification to the effect that the line image data of the other color (plate) has been invalidated is sent to the image transmission side, and the color (plate) of the color (plate) is sent according to the transfer error notification on the image processing controller board 1000 side. The adjustment line image data is generated, and the LD controller 1210C to 1210K converts the transmitted adjustment line image data into the error line image data of the color (plate) and the next label. And make adjustments image processing for image processing as emission image data.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of extreme image quality deterioration only in a specific color (for example, cyan) in which a transfer error has occurred, and to affect the image processing for each color (plate) (for example, the image of the formed image of each color). (Impact on quality) can be made similar, and the image quality of the processed image can be improved.

  Further, in the digital multi-function apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the image processing controller board 1000 side determines whether the error (line) in which the error line image data is generated is the error in the processing order. It may be selected whether or not to perform transfer error notification and adjustment image processing for another plate positioned in the processing order after the line image data.

  In this way, while improving the processing speed, the influence on the image processing for each color (plate) (for example, the influence on the image quality of the formed image of each color) can be made comparable, and the processed image Image quality can be improved appropriately. For example, when a transfer error occurs in yellow (Y), the effect on the image quality is negligible, so that transfer error notification and adjustment image processing are not performed for black (K) as the subsequent color (plate). select. In this way, it is possible to improve the image quality while improving the processing speed.

  Also, in the digital composite apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the STP / END code adding units 1103C to 1103K each have two or more, more specifically four, START symbols (first code) and END symbols (rear code). It is added.

  Therefore, it is possible to improve tolerance when an error occurs in a code (symbol) during transfer of line image data, and it is possible to more appropriately confirm the occurrence of an error during high-speed transfer.

  Furthermore, when the STP / END code interpretation units 1214C to 1214K detect two or more START symbols (leading codes), the image input control units 1216C to 1216K detect the line image data. When the STP / END code interpretation units 1214C to 1214K detect two or more END symbols (rear end codes), the line image data is determined to be valid.

  Accordingly, it is possible to more appropriately prevent erroneous START symbols and END symbols that are garbled during image data transfer, and to more appropriately confirm the occurrence of errors during high-speed transfer. .

  Further, the digital composite apparatus 1 of the present embodiment forms an image on a sheet as an image recording medium based on line image data as image processing.

  Therefore, the line image data can be appropriately and quickly transferred from the serializers 1100C to 1100K on the main controller side to the LD controllers 1210C to 1210K on the printer unit 200 side, and a high-quality image can be formed at a high speed.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to that described in the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method such as a copying apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, and a composite apparatus that perform image processing such as image formation by transferring image data from an image transmitting side to an image receiving side by high-speed differential transfer. It can be used for an image processing program and a recording medium.

1 is a schematic front view of a digital composite apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a main part of the digital composite apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a principal block configuration and an optical writing unit of the digital composite apparatus of FIG. 1. The block diagram of a serializer and LD controller. Explanatory drawing of the main scanning transfer start signal including the transfer error notification of line image data. The figure which shows the transfer timing of image data. Explanatory drawing of the production | generation of adjustment line image data, and the write-in process to a line memory. 5 is a flowchart showing image data transfer processing.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital compound apparatus 100 Paper feed part 200 Printer part 211C, 211M, 211Y, 211K Photoconductor 230 Optical writing part 231C, 231M, 231Y, 231K LD array 300 Scanner part 1000 Image processing controller board 1100C, 1100M, 1100Y, 1100K Serializer 1101C 1101M, 1101Y, 1101K Line memory 1102C, 1102M, 1102Y, 1102K Image output control unit 1103C, 1103M, 1103Y, 1103K STP / END code addition unit 1104C, 1104M, 1104Y, 1104K 8b / 10b conversion unit 1105C, 1105M, 1105Y, 1105K serial conversion unit 1106C, 1106M, 1106Y, 1106K LVDS I / O
1200 LD board 1210C, 1210M, 1210Y, 1210K LD controller 1211C, 1211M, 1211Y, 1211K LVDS I / O
1212C, 1212M, 1212Y, 1212K Parallel conversion unit 1213C, 1213M, 1213Y, 1213K 10b / 8b conversion unit 1214C, 1214M, 1214Y, 1214K STP / END code interpretation unit 1215C, 1215M, 1215Y, 1215K Synchronization detection unit 1216C, 1216M , 1216K Image input control unit 1217C, 1217M, 1217Y, 1217K Line memory 1218C, 1218M, 1218Y, 1218K Image processing unit 1219C, 1219M, 1219Y, 1219K PWM modulation unit

Claims (11)

In an image processing apparatus in which an image transmission side unit and an image reception side unit are connected by a high-speed transmission means, the image transmission side unit stores data of a predetermined line and stores line image data for image data. Means for reading line image data from the data storage means, and adjustment for complementing the line image data determined to be invalid in the image receiving unit based on the line image data read by the data reading means Adjustment data generation means for generating line image data, and a head code and a rear end code are assigned to the beginning and rear end of the line image data read by the data reading means or the adjustment line image data generated by the adjustment data generation means, respectively. Code giving means for passing to the high-speed transmission means, and An image receiving side unit detects a head code and a rear end code from line image data transmitted through the high-speed transmission means, and detects the line image data based on a detection result of the code detection means. Validity / invalidity determining means for determining whether the data is valid line image data or invalid line image data, predetermined image processing is performed on the valid line image data, and the invalid line image data is discarded and invalidated. It includes an image processing execution means for performing the invalid notification to the adjustment data generating means, and the adjustment data generating means, when there is the invalid notification, even without less of said next line image data and the invalid notifications there was on the basis of the line image data, the line image for use as both line image data for which the line image data and the invalid notification said next Wherein generating an adjustment line image data as the chromatography data, the image processing execution means, when the said adjustment line image data is invalid line the enable / disable determination means for determining, said the adjustment line image data invalid line image An image processing apparatus that performs adjustment image processing for image processing as data and the next line image data.   The image processing apparatus performs image processing on a plurality of plates in a predetermined processing order. When the invalid line image data is generated in one plate, the image processing execution unit generates the invalid line image data. For other plates positioned in the processing order after the plate, the line image data at the line position corresponding to the invalid line image data is discarded as invalid line image data, and the line image data of the other plate is invalidated. The adjustment data generating means is notified of the invalidity to the effect, the image data generating means generates the adjustment line image data of the plate in response to the invalidity notification, and the image processing execution means is transmitted. 2. The adjustment image processing is performed, wherein the adjustment line image data is processed as the invalid line image data of the plate and the next line image data. An image processing device.   The image processing execution means may be located at a later processing order than the invalid line image data depending on which of the processing orders the version in which the invalid line image data is generated. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein whether or not to perform the invalidation notification and the adjustment image processing for a version of the image is selected.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the code adding unit adds two or more of the head code and the rear end code. The enable / disable determination unit, both when the code detecting means detects the head code of two or more of the line image data, when the rear end code of the line image data to detect two or more, the line image data The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image processing apparatus is determined to be valid.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit forms an image on an image recording medium based on the line image data as the image processing. An image processing method executed on an image processing apparatus in which an image transmission side unit and an image reception side unit are connected by a high-speed transmission means, wherein image data is processed in line units as processing steps in the image transmission side unit. and data read processing steps written reading the line image data from the data storage means for storing the image data of the predetermined lines, based on the line image data read by the data read processing step, to be invalid in the image receiving side unit Adjustment data generation processing step for generating adjustment line image data for complementing the line image data, line image data read in the data read processing step, or adjustment line image generated in the adjustment data generation processing step The leading code and the leading sign A code addition processing step for giving an end code and passing it to the high-speed transmission means, and as a processing step in the image receiving side unit, from the line image data transmitted through the high-speed transmission means, the head code and A code detection processing step for detecting the trailing end code, and valid / invalid for determining whether the line image data is valid line image data or invalid line image data based on a detection result in the code detection processing step A determination processing step, and image processing for performing predetermined image processing on the effective line image data, discarding the invalid line image data, and notifying the adjustment data generation processing step that the invalid line image data is invalid has an execution process step, and the adjustment data generation processing step in response to the disable notification, even without least the Based on a line image data of the line image data and the invalid notification, generates the adjustment line image data as the line image data for use as both line image data for which the line image data and the invalid notification said next In the image processing execution processing step, when it is determined in the valid / invalid determination processing step that the transmitted adjustment line image data is an invalid line, the adjustment line image data is converted into the invalid line image data. An image processing method comprising performing adjustment image processing for image processing as the next line image data.   The image processing method performs image processing on a plurality of plates in a predetermined processing order, and the image processing execution processing step generates the invalid line image data when the invalid line image data is generated in one plate. For other plates positioned in the processing order after the processed plate, the line image data at the line position corresponding to the invalid line image data is discarded as invalid line image data, and the line image data of the other plate is also deleted. An invalidity notification to the effect of invalidation is sent to the adjustment data generation processing step, and the adjustment data generation processing step generates the adjustment line image data of the plate in response to the invalidity notification, and the image processing execution processing step Performs the adjustment image processing for processing the received adjustment line image data as the invalid line image data of the plate and the next line image data. The image processing method according to claim 7, wherein a.   In the image processing execution processing step, the invalid line image data is generated at a later processing order than the invalid line image data, depending on which of the processing orders the version of the invalid line image data is generated. 9. The image processing method according to claim 8, further comprising: selecting whether or not to perform the invalidation notification and the adjustment image processing for the current version. An image processing program installed in an image processing apparatus in which an image transmission side unit and an image reception side unit are connected by high-speed transmission means, and image data is processed in units of lines in the computer as processing in the image transmission side unit Based on the data read process for reading the line image data from the data storage means for storing the image data for a predetermined line written in the line, and the line image data read by the data read process, the image receiving unit is determined to be invalid Adjustment data generation processing for generating adjustment line image data for complementing line image data or generating new adjustment line image data from a predetermined number of line image data read in the data reading processing, and the data reading Line image data read by processing or the adjustment A code adding process for giving a head code and a rear end code to the beginning and the rear end of the adjustment line image data generated by the data generation process and passing them to the high-speed transmission means, respectively, In this processing, a code detection process for detecting the head code and the rear end code from the line image data transmitted through the high-speed transmission means, and the line image data is effective based on a detection result in the code detection process. Valid / invalid determination processing for determining whether the image data is line image data or invalid line image data, predetermined image processing is performed on the valid line image data, the invalid line image data is discarded and the invalid line image An image processing execution process for performing an invalid notification to the effect of the adjustment data generation process, and the invalidation notification is performed in the adjustment data generation process. Correspondingly, even without least on the basis of the line image data for which the line image data and the invalid notification said next line image data for use as both line image data for which the line image data and the invalid notification said next If the validity / invalidity determination process determines that the transmitted adjustment line image data is an invalid line, the image processing execution process converts the adjustment line image data into the adjustment line image data. An image processing program for performing adjustment image processing for image processing as the invalid line image data and the next line image data.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the image processing program according to claim 10 is recorded.

Images