JP5471466B2 - Image processing device exclusive control apparatus, control method, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to image processing device control in which image processing device access requests compete, and particularly to exclusive control for preventing image processing device access contention for each image processing device.

  With the development of a reading device using a line sensor composed of a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) photoelectric conversion element and a toner writing device by laser irradiation, a digital copying machine that creates a copy with image data digitized from an analog copying machine Appeared.

  Since becoming a digital copier, compatibility with other devices that handle digital image data has increased, and not only functions as a copier, but also functions such as a facsimile function, printer function, scanner function, etc. It has come to be called a digital multifunction peripheral (MFP) instead of a mere digital copier.

  Increase in capacity and cost of memory such as HDD drives, increase and spread of communication technology such as network, improvement of CPU (Central Processing Unit) processing capability, technology related to digital image data (compression technology, etc.), etc. MFP With the evolution of technology related to, the functions installed in MFPs have also been diversified and diversified.

  In addition, the way in which MFPs are used has become diverse and diverse. For example, a small MFP that is installed in pairs next to a PC and allows the operator to easily use the functions of a copier, facsimile, printer, and scanner. A medium-sized MFP that can be shared by multiple people in each department or section and can use functions such as a certain level of productivity and sorting, punching, and stapling. In a company where departments that focus on copying-related work or companies that make copying-related work itself live, high-productivity, high-quality, multifunctional large-sized MFPs are used.

  As described above, MFPs that have been diversified from small to large have functions that can be shared across classes, but there are also functions that are strongly required for each class. For example, large MFPs require post-processing on paper after plotting, such as punching, stapling, and paper folding, and electronic filing at the same time as copying operations. Smaller MFPs include enhancements such as Internet FAX and PC-FAX. As a typical purpose of use, high-quality image printing on dedicated paper is required.

  In the MFP market, which has been diversified and diversified as described above, a system having a set of functions required for each class has been constructed, sold, and provided.

  In addition, the importance of information value in business is already recognized, and it is required not only to convey information quickly, accurately and reliably, but also to convey it in an easy-to-understand and effective manner. And with the speeding up / spreading of communication technology, the increase in memory capacity / cost reduction / downsizing, and the high performance of PCs, new functions for efficiently handling information using digital data have been provided. Also, it has been desired that MFPs that handle digital image data, which is a part of digital data, provide new functions and fuse.

  Furthermore, products have become more multifunctional, and many requests can be set by the operation unit, and an image processing control apparatus that controls many requests has become necessary. Compared with conventional hardware (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP: digital signal processor) can implement various image processing by exchanging programs and data. However, while the variation in image processing has increased, the control device for controlling the DSP becomes complicated. Furthermore, since the specification can be easily changed, the image processing control has to deal with the specification change that is expected to occur frequently and promptly and reliably.

  It is desired that not only an image processing control apparatus that satisfies various requirements from the operation unit but also a specification change can be flexibly handled. However, since DSP is more expensive than ASIC, image processing is realized by ASIC for image processing that does not change much. In this way, a device that realizes image processing is also selected or compatible depending on the application, so that a control device is required.

  Therefore, it is necessary to access the image processing device from a plurality of tasks in the problem area of embedded system software compliant with μITRON (Micro Industrial TRON), and exclusive control is required. However, if exclusive control is applied to existing RTOS (Real-time operating system) semaphores or general applications that run on a PC, the operation of other tasks is stopped or the time allocated for each task is reduced. There is a problem that waiting occurs in a task accessing an image processing device due to an exchange between tasks. Therefore, a task that accesses the image processing device with respect to the time allocated to the task needs an exclusion method that does not wait as much as possible for execution of the minimum unit processing (hereinafter referred to as a thread).

  Embedded software starts multiple tasks and is executed according to the priority assigned to each task in a time-sharing manner. One task is processed for each thread. Since information cannot be shared, it is already known as μITRON specifications that information is exchanged between synchronous and asynchronous tasks.

  However, in conventional image processing device control in μITRON-compliant embedded software, semaphore management has been performed so that inconsistency does not occur in image processing device access by a plurality of tasks. In this method, while the task that started the access to the image processing device monopolizes the image processing device control and executes that control, the processing is not switched to the other task and the execution of the other task is stopped. Therefore, if the image processing device control is not completed, control of other tasks cannot be executed, and there is a problem that processing execution in a task that needs to be processed immediately is delayed.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an invention of a task exclusive control method and a task exclusive control device.

  However, in the method described in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 1, when task 1 increases the priority, the process continues to be occupied until the priority is restored regardless of the time allocated to task 1. There's a problem. In addition, the processing of the thread 2-1 of the task 2 is greatly shifted. In particular, there is a problem that the time for task 1 to occupy processing increases depending on the amount set in the image processing device access execution.

  FIG. 1 shows an example in which processing of task 2 is delayed by two tasks, but an actual MFP has about 50 to 60 tasks, and the number of tasks and the set amount of image processing device access that control conflicts with other tasks. There is a problem that the thread execution of the next task is delayed in proportion.

  Therefore, thread processing in the task as shown in FIG. 2 is required. An exclusive mechanism management for accessing the image processing device is provided, and a thread completion and generation trigger is managed. The task for accessing the image processing device divides the image processing device access permission, the access after the image processing device access permission and the thread processing. The access permission is notified to the image processing device, and the next thread processing is requested. Accordingly, the thread management of tasks can be simplified because the processes are executed in the order received without priority. Further, since the thread has no concept of priority, the thread management mechanism on the task side for accessing the image processing device can be simplified. Furthermore, the task of managing the image processing device according to the state of the image processing device can switch the contents of messages sent to other tasks including the task of issuing an image processing device access request.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to perform exclusive control that does not cause inconsistency in image processing device control.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the image processing device exclusive control apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing device control in a case where access requests to an image processing device that performs image processing on image data in one or more tasks compete. there are tasks to be performed are accessed from one or more tasks, an image processing device for performing image processing on the digital image data, an image processing device control means for controlling access to the image processing device, a thread When the image processing device access request by the image processing device control unit competes with the CPU that executes a plurality of tasks asynchronously with one or more tasks, the image processing device access contention occurs for each image processing device. It has a exclusive control means for preventing the said exclusion control unit, a main image processing device access If the image processing device access request is completed, the thread is completed. When the image processing device access is enabled, the task that requests the image processing device access is notified of the image processing device access permission. and, a thread of tasks that require the image processing device access by generating, the rewritable executes the image processing device access the contents of the message transmission to be notified to the task that requests the image processing device access, and a write request Switching is performed based on a read request and a competition state of control by a plurality of tasks of the image processing device .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform exclusive control that does not cause inconsistency in image processing device control.

It is the figure which showed the problem by the conventional control method. It is the figure which showed the relationship of the thread process in the task which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the image processing unit (IPU) which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flow of the image data in the image processing unit (IPU) which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the image data path used with the application which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the control apparatus of CPU of the controller part which concerns on embodiment of this invention, a high-order control apparatus, and an image processing control apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of the calling timing of the high-order control apparatus and image processing control apparatus which concern on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the image processing module in a digital signal processor (DSP) and hardware concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the image processing device control task which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and an access management task. It is a figure which shows the example of the control flow of the task which accesses the digital signal processor (DSP) which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the control flow of the access condition management task of the digital signal processor (DSP) which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the access status management task and information I / F which concern on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the processing flow of the access condition update which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the transition of the list element of the digital signal processor (DSP) access request which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and an access condition management task. It is a figure which shows the example of the processing flow of the access condition update which considered the priority of the access which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the control flow of the task which accesses DSP which considers the read / write access which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the access condition management task control flow of DSP which considered the read / write access which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Example 1
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image processing unit (IPU) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In this example, a digital signal processor (DSP) 305, hardware (ASIC) 306, and printer output image correction 309 for checking whether the lamp of the scanner CCD 301 is burned out or performing scanner image correction are applied to the image processing device. is there.

  Note that the control targets of the image control apparatus 703, which is control software for accessing the image processing device in this embodiment, are the digital signal processors (DSP) 305 and 309 and the hardware (ASIC) 306, and the power supply unit (PSU) ) A higher-level control device (described later) incorporated in the MFP system manages the timing of image transfer to 303 and the primary storage device 308 and the timing of input / output of image data to the image processing devices 305, 306, and 309. 602.

  The higher-level control device 602 and the image processing control device 603 indicate software incorporated in an image processing device of the engine unit (IPU) 304, a CPU 310 that controls the scanner CCD 301, the printer 302, and the PSU 303.

  The host control device 602 and the image processing control device 603 are tasks activated in the CPU 310 that activates a plurality of tasks and switches the processing for the time allocated by dispatch, and is assigned to another task.

  The image control apparatus 603 sends image data to the digital signal processors (DSPs) 305 and 309 and the hardware (ASIC) 306 and performs optimum image processing before the image processing is started. The image processing parameters are set so as to be able to be performed within the network.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of image data in an image processing unit (IPU) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the MFP system according to the present embodiment, there are four types of applications that can be used: copy, scanner, FAX (transmission, reception), and printing, and the flow of each image data is shown.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an image data path used with each application according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the copy is corrected from the scanner CCD 301 by the digital signal processor (DSP) 305, which is an image processing device, and the hardware 306, and sent to the controller unit 307.

  Thereafter, the image data is sent again from the controller unit 307 to the IPU 304, the digital signal processor 309, which is an image processing device, performs a correction process on the printer output image, and the image data is sent to the printer 302 and output on paper.

  The scanner and FAX (transmission) basically become an image data path of copy A, and the image data processed by the digital signal processor (DSP) 305 and the hardware 306 is sent to the controller unit 307, and the local area network The data is transmitted to a client PC or printer connected via a network such as a LAN.

  In the printer and FAX (reception), the B controller unit 307 performs correction processing on the printer output image by the digital signal processor (DSP) 309, and the image data is sent to the printer 302 to be output on paper.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship among the CPU control device, the host control device, and the image processing control device of the controller unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The relationship between the control device of the CPU 311 of the controller unit 307, the upper control device 602, and the image processing control device 603 is shown. The image processing control device 603 sends information specified by the user of the operation screen unit (user interface) in the controller unit 307 via the upper control device 602.

  A program or data is received by the digital signal processor (DSP) 305 or 309 of the image processing device that receives the information (original mode, scaling ratio, darkness setting, etc.) designated by the user sent from the host control device 602 and receives control. By downloading data to the hardware (ASIC) 306, the setting of image processing parameters is controlled so as to output an optimum image for the user.

  The host control device 602 sends user information set from the operation screen, and controls the read timing for the image processing control device 603 to implement processing.

  The image processing control device 603 switches processing according to the called request with the read-out as a trigger.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of call timings of the host control device and the image processing control device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The example of the call timing of the high-order control apparatus 602 and the image processing control apparatus 603 is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the upper control device 602 is divided for each task, and the image processing control device 603 performs settings that require image processing for scanner input and plotter output. There are two processes: a scanning process and a plotter process.

  In the IPU configuration of the MFP in the present embodiment, processing is performed by different image processing devices for scanning and plotter, so that the request timing may overlap as shown in FIG.

  The image processing control apparatus 603 manages one image processing unit as a process, and the control operation in one process is completed by a calculation request, a setting request, and an end setting request.

  The calculation request holds image processing parameters to be calculated and set in the image processing device. In response to the setting request, the contents of the image processing parameters calculated and held in advance are set in the image processing device.

  In the end setting request, post-processing is performed so that a memory leak such as release of the held calculation result does not occur.

  The scan process sends a calculation request and a setting request before the image processing device starts image processing so that the image processing device can execute image processing, sends image data to the image processing device, and executes image processing. A setting request is sent to complete one-process control of the image processing control apparatus 603.

  In the present embodiment, the scanner image processing task that is called from the scan task, the scan task, and the plotter task, and the plotter image processing task that is called from the plotter task for processing performs access control to the image processing device, and the image Processing device exclusive control becomes a task of sending an image processing device access permission to an operating task. The image processing device exclusive control apparatus performs processing in a separate task.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a digital signal processor (DSP) and an image processing module in hardware according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  An example of an image processing module in digital signal processors (DSPs) 305 and 309 and hardware (ASIC) 306 is shown. 2 is a diagram showing image processing contents in digital signal processors (DSPs) 305 and 309 and hardware (ASIC) 306 which are image processing devices mounted on the IPU of the MFP system in the present embodiment. FIG.

  A digital signal processor (DSP) 305 and hardware (ASIC) 309 are mounted with a shading correction 801, a filter process 802, and a color conversion process 803 to correct image data input to the scanner CCD 301.

  A digital signal processor (DSP) 309 is an image process for the printer 302 and performs gradation conversion because the number of gradations required for input and output is different by the γ process 804 and the gradation process 805 according to the printer characteristics. .

  In the present embodiment, the target modules controlled by the image processing control apparatus are the five image processing modules. Further, the shading correction processing 801 in the digital signal processor (DSP) 305 is accessed by the lamp task detection confirmation in the scan task, and the scanner image processing task sets image processing parameters for the image correction of the scanner input. It is assumed that image processing for which control competes with a task.

  Details of this embodiment will be described. When controlling a plurality of tasks such as a scan task and a plotter task to access the image processing device, the following features are provided.

  In this embodiment, a task for managing exclusive control of permission of image processing device access is used. When an image processing device access request is received from a request source that controls access to the image processing device, the task for managing the image processing device access completes the thread together with the reception of the request.

  When the access order reaches the task that has issued the image processing device access request, a message to be executed asynchronously is sent from the task that manages the image processing device access as a trigger for the requester to generate a thread.

  A feature is that when an image processing device access release request is received from a request source, the thread is completed and the request from the request source is deleted.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a relationship between an image processing device control task and an access management task according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  A scan task 901 for accessing the image processing device 305, a scan image processing task 902, driver management 904 and 905 for managing the access status of the image processing device, drivers 906 and 907 for accessing the image processing device 305, and an image processing device ( DSP) 305.

  The direction of the arrow indicates the relationship and information exchange.

  The management for managing the image processing device access is assigned to the task A having a sufficient processing time. The image processing device access status management of task A is for every image processing device including image processing devices that do not compete for control.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control flow of a task accessing the digital signal processor (DSP) according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  2 shows an example of a control flow of a task that accesses a digital signal processor (DSP) 305. The processing flow of a scan task and a scan image processing task is shown.

  The message confirmation processing 1001 of the message BOX managed by the own task, which is common to each task, is performed, and processing is executed in order from the first message (request) in the message BOX.

  If all the messages are scheduled during the processing time of the processing of the own task, the processing is shifted to the next task and the processing of the own task is completed. Whenever a message is received, the task performs thread generation 1002. The process assigned to the specific task is executed in the generated thread. The processing for the message received at thread completion 1008 is completed, and the processing shifts to the processing of the next received message.

  A process 1003 that requires access permission to the DSP 305 is determined with the generated thread, and if the thread is to perform access permission, the access management is notified of the access permission with a message 1004 to the task that manages the access status, and the thread is completed. 1008.

  In the case of the processing 1005 for accessing the DSP 305, information necessary for accessing the DSP 305 (to be described later) is received together with a message from the task for managing the access status, and the driver notified from the driver management using the information is received. Use DSP 305 access execution 1006 to perform read or write access to DSP 305.

  If the process is not related to the DSP 305 control, a process that does not access the DSP 305 is executed 1007. If the process is a scan task, for example, a process such as carriage movement of the scanner is performed.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the control flow of the access status management task of the digital signal processor (DSP) according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  2 shows an example of a control flow of an access status management task of a digital signal processor (DSP) 305.

  Processes 1001, 1002, and 1008 that are common to each task described in FIG. 10 are processes that are performed in common in all tasks, and thus description thereof is omitted. The task generates a thread based on the message in the message BOX managed by its own task, executes the process, completes the thread, and executes the process corresponding to the next message. The message is notified as a message from its own task or from another task and is managed by the message BOX.

  In this embodiment, the DSP 305 access status determination is assigned to a process of a task having a relatively large processing time, and thus is divided into a process originally assigned to the task and a DSP 305 access status determination.

  In the case of the access status determination thread 1101 of the DSP 305, an access status update 1102 is performed. A detailed flow of the access status update 1102 will be described with reference to FIG.

  If it is not the access status determination thread of the DSP 305, processing for not updating the access status is executed 1103, and processing of the next thread is performed.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an access status management task and information I / F according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  From a task that accesses the DSP 305 to a task that manages the access status of the DSP 305, a task ID, request ID, R / W access, priority, and access data amount are set, and an access permission message is sent to the access right driver management. A notification 1004 is sent.

  In this embodiment, the task ID is set to scan task: 0 and scanner image processing task 1.

  The request ID is set to any value as long as it is the same value for access acquisition and release. For R / W access, 0 is specified for read access, and 1 is specified for write access. The priority is set to high: 0 for a request to be immediately accessed as in the lamp burnout detection confirmation, and set to medium: 1 for normal access for other requests.

  The access data amount is set to an upper limit value (0xFFFF) when accessing a large amount of data for which the exact numerical value is not known depending on the size of the data to be accessed. Based on these pieces of information, the task for managing the access status of the DSP 305 determines the task to send the access right next.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an access status update processing flow according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  9 shows an example of a processing flow of access status update 1102. (A) is a case where access conflicts among a plurality of tasks, and (b) is a case where there is no conflict, which is determined when the system is initialized.

  In this embodiment, the access is managed by the DSP 305 (a), and the other image processing devices are (b).

  (A) is a process for receiving an access request message 1301. When an access permission request message is received, a list status determination 1302 is performed. If there is no request in the list, the access permission is immediately sent out to the task that requested the notification 1303 as a message, and the process is completed.

  If there is a request in the list, there is a possibility that the DSP 305 is being accessed. When the access release request message is received, the access to the request is completed, and deletion 1305 is performed from the list.

  In the deleted state, the status of the list 1302 is determined. If there is still a request in the list, an access permission message 1306 is notified to the request waiting for access to the task waiting for access. Execute and send a message to complete the process.

  In (b), when an access request is received, access is not competing among a plurality of tasks, so the access permission is immediately sent to the task that requested the notification 1303 and the processing is completed.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of transition of a list element of a digital signal processor (DSP) access request and an access status management task according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  6 shows an example of a transition of a list element of a digital signal processor (DSP) 305 access request and an access status management task.

  FIG. 14 shows the relationship between the elements in the list held by the driver management layer that performs access management when the scan task and the scanner image processing task make an access request and an access release request.

  When the access request 1α is received from the scan task, since there is no request yet, an access permission message is sent to the scan task immediately after saving in the list. In this state, when a request 2β is sent from the scanner image processing task, it is saved in the list and no message is sent. When an access right release request is received, the request 1α is deleted from the list, and an access permission message is sent to the scanner image processing task that is sending the request 2β. The DSP 305 is accessed, an access right release request is made, the request 2β is deleted from the list, and the state returns to the state where no initial request has been made.

(Example 2)
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an access status update processing flow in consideration of the access priority according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  9 shows an example of a processing flow of access status update 1102 in consideration of access priority. The task that accesses the DSP 305 in the priority order in the information I / F with the access status management task in FIG. 12 sends a DSP 305 access request with a task that manages the access status by specifying high and medium.

  The detailed flow of the access status update 1102 of the access status management task is almost the same as in FIG. 13. When an access release request is received and a request element exists in the list, an access permission message is given in consideration of the order and priority of the list. In the notification 1501, a request with a high priority is searched from the top element of the list, and an access permission message is sent to the request that first satisfies the condition.

  If there is no request for high priority until the end of the element, the process returns to the top of the list and this time searches the access data amount. An access permission message is sent in response to a request that is at the top of the list and whose access data amount is equal to or smaller than a threshold value. For an access request that requires a large amount of access data and takes a long time, priority is given to processing with a small amount of access data by delaying the timing of granting access permission.

(Example 3)
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a control flow of a task for accessing a DSP in consideration of read / write access according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  2 shows an example of a control flow of a task that accesses a digital signal processor (DSP) 305 in consideration of read / write access.

  A control flow of a task that accesses the DSP 305 is shown and is basically the same as the flow described in FIG.

  When the process 1005 for accessing the DSP 305 is received, it is determined whether it is direct access 0 or descriptor access 1 based on the driver identifier in the information I / F with the access status management task shown in FIG.

  In the case of direct access, the DSP 305 access execution 1602 is performed using a direct access driver, and only the difference that needs to be set this time is directly set to an address indicating a DSP register mapped to an address on the memory so that the CPU can directly access.

  In the case of DSP305 access execution 1603 using a descriptor access driver, since the pointer indicating the address of the specified memory is set as the pointer to the driver shown in FIG. 12, all settings for operating the DSP305 are specified. Set it on the memory address.

  Since the access method to the DSP 305 using the descriptor is a conventional technique, the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a DSP access status management task control flow considering read / write access according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  6 shows an example of a control flow of an access status management task of the digital signal processor (DSP) 305 in consideration of read / write access.

  When control conflicts among a plurality of tasks in the DSP 305 in (a), a read ride access determination 1701 is performed when a message is sent to a task whose access permission has been turned, and the driver identifier and driver shown in FIG. A pointer to a driver that directly accesses the pointer to the pointer or a pointer to the driver for the descriptor is set, and a notification 1702 of access permission for direct access or a notification 1703 of access permission for descriptor access is executed by a message.

  The same applies when an access release request message is received in the message reception 1301 and there is a request element in the list. The read ride access determination 1701 is performed, and the driver identifier shown in FIG. 12 and the driver that directly accesses the driver pointer are accessed. And a pointer to the driver for the descriptor are set, and the access permission for direct access is notified by a message to the request at the head of the list 1704 or the access permission for descriptor access is notified by a message to the request at the head of the list 1705 Execute.

  In the case (b) where the DSP access does not compete with a plurality of tasks, the driver for direct access is sent by the notification 1702 of the access permission for direct access regardless of the read / write request.

  According to the above-described embodiment, the time allocated for each task in the image processing device access by a plurality of tasks to the control software implemented by the μITRON-compliant embedded system software is processed in the thread. Can be performed efficiently, and exclusive control can be performed in a plurality of tasks so that inconsistency does not occur in image processing device control.

  In addition, according to the above-described embodiment, priority is given to the image processing device access of the process of acquiring the result from the image processing device and feeding back to the subsequent process, and depending on the content of the result, the result must be stopped immediately. Such a process can be prioritized and executed, and the user can be notified of an abnormal condition such as a lamp burnout.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, priority is given to image processing device access according to the set amount to the image processing device, thereby delaying image processing parameter setting that needs to be set before sending image data to the image processing device, and It is possible to prioritize and execute processing for judging abnormality of an image processing device by accessing several registers such as processing device abnormality detection, and to notify the user of an abnormal state such as an image processing device abnormality promptly.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, when the access control of the image processing device is competing, the DMA transfer using the descriptor information is performed for the write request, and the read request is directly accessed. If there is no conflict, control the image processing device with multiple tasks by using different access control methods for the image processing device control conflict status and write / read request requests so that the write and read requests are accessed directly. Exclusive control that does not cause inconsistency can be performed. This is because the image processing device is accessed directly from the control CPU, the parameters set in the image processing device are stored in the memory as register images, and descriptor information for the parameters is generated from the addresses of the stored register images. This is because there is a descriptor access set by DMA transfer.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, when an access request is requested in exclusive control in which contention does not occur in a plurality of tasks in image processing device access control, an access request is made by sending an access permission immediately. The control software image processing device can be shared without being aware of the competition state with other tasks, and the exclusion mechanism can be simplified.

  In addition, according to the above-described embodiment, the exclusive control for preventing the competition of the image processing devices is assigned to relatively few tasks in the occupation time in which the tasks execute processing, thereby equalizing the processing for each task and ending the entire processing. It can be completed quickly and speeded up.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the image processing device can perform exclusive control that does not cause inconsistency for a DSP that needs to be controlled in accordance with a protocol determined in read / write access by a digital signal processor (DSP).

  The above-described embodiment is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment alone, and various modifications are made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Implementation is possible.

  Then, the computer (CPU or MPU) of the image processing apparatus or the image forming apparatus stores the storage medium via the computer-readable recording medium that records the program code of the software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, that is, the storage medium. The object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the programmed program code.

  Further, the program can be loaded and executed directly on a computer through a communication line without going through a recording medium, and the object of the present invention can be achieved similarly.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium or loaded and executed through the communication line realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment. And the storage medium which memorize | stored the program code comprises this invention.

  Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, and a magnetic tape. Can be used.

  In addition, the exclusive control unit of the image processing device exclusive control apparatus according to the present invention sends an access request to the image processing device with the content and priority of message transmission to be notified to the task requesting the image processing device access. The message transmission content and the priority order are determined based on the requested status information and the image processing content of the access request.

  In addition, the exclusive control unit of the image processing device exclusive control apparatus according to the present invention sends an access request to the image processing device with the content and priority of message transmission to be notified to the task requesting the image processing device access. The message transmission content and the priority order are determined based on the requested status information and the access amount of the access request.

  In addition, the exclusive control unit of the image processing device exclusive control apparatus according to the present invention may include a plurality of write requests, read requests, and image processing devices for the content of the message to be notified to the task that requests the image processing device access. It is characterized in that switching is performed based on the control competition state by the task.

  The exclusive control unit of the image processing device exclusive control apparatus according to the present invention requests the image processing device access when the image processing device access is assigned to an image processing device that does not compete in processing of one or more tasks. The content of the message notified to the task is not based on the request status information requesting access to the image processing device, and the access permission is notified unconditionally.

  The exclusive control means of the image processing device exclusive control apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that when the image processing device access is executed, the task is preferentially assigned to a task having a small occupation time for executing the process. .

  The image processing device of the image processing device exclusive control apparatus according to the present invention is a digital signal processor (DSP).

  Further, the exclusive control step of the image processing device exclusive control method according to the present invention includes a request for access to the image processing device, and a message transmission content and priority order notified to a task requesting the image processing device access. The message transmission content and the priority order are determined based on the requested status information and the image processing content of the access request.

  Further, the exclusive control step of the image processing device exclusive control method according to the present invention includes a request for access to the image processing device, and a message transmission content and priority order notified to a task requesting the image processing device access. The message transmission content and the priority order are determined based on the requested status information and the access amount of the access request.

  Further, the exclusive control step of the image processing device exclusive control method according to the present invention includes a plurality of write requests, read requests, and image processing devices for the content of the message to be notified to the task that requests the image processing device access. It is characterized in that switching is performed based on the control competition state by the task.

  The exclusive control step of the image processing device exclusive control method according to the present invention requests the image processing device access when the image processing device access is assigned to an image processing device that does not compete in processing of one or more tasks. The content of the message notified to the task is not based on the request status information requesting access to the image processing device, and the access permission is notified unconditionally.

  The exclusive control step of the image processing device exclusive control method according to the present invention is characterized in that when the image processing device access is executed, the task is preferentially assigned to a task having a small occupation time for executing the process. .

  The present invention can be applied to uses such as a digital multifunction peripheral (MFP), an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, a processor control method and control program, and an image processing device control method and control program.

301 Scanner CCD
302 Printer 303 Power supply unit (PSU)
304 Engine part: Image processing unit (IPU)
305 Digital Signal Processor (DSP)
306 Hardware (ASIC)
307 Controller 308 Primary storage device 309 Printer output image correction: Digital signal processor (DSP)
310 CPU
311 CPU
602 High-level control device 603 Image processing control device 801 Shading correction 802 Filter correction 803 Color conversion processing 804 γ processing 805 Gradation processing 901 Scan task 902 Scan image processing task 904, 905 Driver management 906, 907 Driver of access means

JP 2004-127039 A

Claims (13)

Image processing device control when there are conflicting access requests to an image processing device that performs image processing on image data in one or more tasks,
An image processing device for performing image processing on digital image data, accessed from one or more tasks;
Image processing device control means for controlling access to the image processing device;
A CPU that executes a plurality of tasks asynchronously in units of tasks that execute one thread;
Exclusive control means for preventing image processing device access contention for each image processing device when image processing device access requests by the image processing device control means compete in one or more tasks;
Have
The exclusive control means manages a thread of a task that requests image processing device access, completes the thread when the image processing device access is requested, and requests image processing device access when image processing device access becomes possible notifies the image processing device access permissions to the task of, by generating a thread of tasks requiring the image processing device access, the rewritable executes the image processing device access, to tasks that requests the image processing device access An image processing device exclusive control apparatus characterized in that the content of message transmission to be notified is switched based on a write request, a read request, and a competition state of control by a plurality of tasks of the image processing device. The exclusive control means includes request status information for requesting access to the image processing device, contents of message transmission to be notified to a task requesting image processing device access, and priority, and an image of the access request. as the processing, the image processing device exclusive control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the judgment on the basis of. The exclusive control means includes request status information for requesting access to the image processing device, contents of message transmission to be notified to a task requesting access to the image processing device, and priority, and access of the access request. the amount and the image processing device exclusive control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the judgment on the basis of. When the image processing device access is assigned to an image processing device that does not compete in processing of one or more tasks, the exclusive control unit displays the content of a message to be notified to the task requesting the image processing device access, The image processing device exclusive control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein an access permission is notified unconditionally without being based on request status information requesting access to a processing device. The exclusion control unit, the case of executing the image processing device access, according to claims 1, wherein the assigning with priority the task is less occupied time the task executes the process in any one of 4 Image processing device exclusive control device. The image processing device, image processing device exclusive control device according to claim 1, wherein in any one of the four that is a digital signal processor (DSP). A control method for controlling an image processing device when access requests to an image processing device that performs image processing on image data in one or more tasks compete,
An image processing device control step for controlling access to an image processing device that performs image processing on digital image data, accessed from one or more tasks;
A CPU process that asynchronously executes a plurality of tasks in units of tasks that execute one thread;
An exclusive control step for preventing an image processing device access conflict for each image processing device when image processing device access requests by the image processing device control step conflict in one or more tasks;
Have
The exclusive control step includes a step of managing a thread of a task that requests access to an image processing device, a step of completing the thread when an image processing device access request is made, and image processing when image processing device access is enabled Notifying the image processing device access permission to the task requesting device access, generating a thread of the task requesting image processing device access, executing the image processing device access and the exclusive control step includes: Switching contents of message transmission to be notified to the task requesting the image processing device access based on a write request, a read request, and a competition state of control by a plurality of tasks of the image processing device. An image processing device exclusive control method characterized by the above. The exclusive control step includes request status information for requesting access to the image processing device, contents of message transmission to be notified to a task requesting image processing device access, and priority, and an image of the access request. as the processing, the image processing device exclusive control method according to claim 7, characterized in that the judgment on the basis of. The exclusive control step includes request status information for requesting access to the image processing device, contents of message transmission to be notified to a task requesting access to the image processing device, and priority, and access of the access request. the amount and the image processing device exclusive control method according to claim 7, characterized in that the judgment on the basis of. In the exclusive control step, when the image processing device access is assigned to an image processing device that does not compete in the processing of one or more tasks, the exclusive control step displays the content of a message to be notified to the task requesting the image processing device access, the image processing device exclusive control method according to any one of claims 7 9, characterized in that notifies the permission to unconditionally without being based on the request status information that the access request to the processing device. The exclusive control process, the case of executing the image processing device access, according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that allocated in preference to the task occupancy time less the task executes processing Image processing device exclusive control method. Program for executing the image processing device exclusive control method according to the computer in any one of claims 7 11. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 12 is recorded.

Images