JP6085771B2 - Data transfer device, image processing device, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a technique for transferring image data.

  As an image processing apparatus such as a digital copying machine or a multifunction peripheral, for example, there is an image processing apparatus having a scanner which is an image reading unit capable of simultaneously reading both the front surface and the back surface of a document by a single document scan. is there.

  In the case of an image processing apparatus having a scanner, a local memory is provided on the engine unit side which is a processing module in the previous stage for receiving image data obtained by reading an original with the scanner, and the original is temporarily stored in the local memory. The image data for both the front and back surfaces of the image is stored. First, the image data of the front surface is read from the local memory and transferred to the control unit side which is a subsequent processing module. Thereafter, the back side image data is read from the local memory and transferred to the control unit side. As a result, the control unit side obtains the image data of the document transferred from the engine unit side as image data obtained by simultaneously reading both sides of the document, or obtained by reading each side of the document. Regardless of whether it is image data, it is possible to perform the same processing as the image data obtained by reading each side of the document on the image data obtained by simultaneously reading both sides of the document.

  When performing the above processing, it is necessary to transfer the image data from the engine unit side to the control unit side in consideration of the data transfer capability capable of receiving the image data on the control unit side.

  For example, if the engine unit side and the controller unit side are connected via PCI Express, the data from the local memory must not exceed the critical path PCI Express data transfer capability. It is necessary to set the read rate. PCI Express is a serial transfer interface that transfers data between the engine unit side and the controller unit side.

  However, the image data obtained by scanning with the scanner includes images in various data modes having different data amounts per page such as monochrome binary mode image data, gray scale mode image data, and full color mode image data. It becomes data. The data mode is a mode for reading an original with a scanner, and includes a monochrome binary mode, a gray scale mode, a full color mode, and the like. For this reason, the amount of image data obtained by reading with a scanner changes in accordance with the data mode.

  In addition, when electrical scaling is performed on image data read from the local memory, the data amount of the image data changes. Electrical scaling means that image data read from the local memory is converted into arbitrarily reduced and enlarged image data. When the image data is reduced or enlarged by electrical scaling, the data amount of the image data changes.

  When the data amount of the image data changes, the data transfer rate necessary for transferring the image data also changes. For this reason, it is difficult to optimally set the data read rate from local memory so that the data transfer capability of PCI Express, which is a critical path, is not exceeded, and image data cannot be transferred efficiently. Is the current situation.

  For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-55214) discloses a technique for shortening the time for outputting enlarged image data as much as possible when image data stored in a memory is read and enlarged. ing.

  In Patent Document 1, when performing the enlargement process, the same line data is used a plurality of times to carry out the enlargement process. Since the input / output relationship of the enlargement processing unit that performs enlargement processing is not always an integral multiple of the number of input lines, image data for one line is obtained from the local memory at a constant cycle. Even after reading out, the line spacing after enlargement varies. For this reason, the read cycle from the local memory must be determined on the premise that the processing module in the subsequent stage can cope with even the most severe variation in line spacing. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, variation in line spacing after enlargement is suppressed by reading pre-image enlargement data from the local memory at a period in accordance with the input / output characteristics of the enlargement processing unit.

  However, the amount of image data varies depending not only on the enlargement ratio, but also on other factors such as the type of image data (for example, monochrome binary mode, grayscale mode, full color mode, etc.) and resolution. However, this part is not taken into consideration, and adjustment for suppressing variations in line spacing due to factors other than the enlargement ratio is necessary.

  An object of the present disclosure is to provide a data transfer device capable of transferring image data to a processing module via an interface even when the amount of image data changes.

A data transfer apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes:
Transfer means for transferring the image data subjected to image processing by the image processing means for performing image processing in which the data amount of the image data changes, to the processing module via the interface;
Setting means for setting a transfer cycle when transferring the image data for one line;
Basic line cycle setting means for setting a basic line cycle, which is a transfer rate required when transferring image data for one line via the interface,
The setting means sets a data transfer rate of the interface, and elements data amount of the image data when performing image processing is a factor that changes the image processing means, the transfer period corresponding to the Set the basic line period set by the basic line period setting means and the transfer period according to the element,
The transfer means transfers the image data at the transfer period set by the setting means.

  According to one aspect of the present disclosure, even when the amount of image data changes, the image data can be transferred to the processing module via the interface.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a double-sided reading unit. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing unit 150. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image I / F unit 307. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control register 401. FIG. FIG. 6 is a first diagram for explaining the transfer timing of image data. It is a 2nd figure for demonstrating the transfer timing of image data. FIG. 10 is a third diagram for explaining the transfer timing of image data.

(Outline of Embodiment of Data Transfer Device According to One Aspect of Present Disclosure)
First, an overview of an embodiment of a data transfer apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an image I / F unit 307 that is an embodiment of a data transfer device according to an aspect of the present disclosure, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the data transfer device 307.

  A data transfer device 307 according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes transfer means 405 and 403 and setting means 401, 404, and 308. For example, the image I / F control unit 405 and the PCI controller 403 illustrated in FIG. As the setting means 401, 404, 308, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 308 shown in FIG. 3, a control register 401, and a cycle counter 404 shown in FIG. 4 function. The transfer units 405 and 403 transfer the image data subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 306 that performs image processing in which the amount of image data changes, to the processing module 302 via the interface 310. The setting means 401, 404, and 308 set a transfer cycle when transferring image data for one line. As the image processing unit 306, for example, an image processing unit 306 shown in FIG. 3 functions. As the interface 310, for example, the PCI Express 310 shown in FIG. 3 functions. As the processing module 302, for example, the controller unit 302 functions.

  The data transfer device 307 according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes elements that cause the data transfer rate of the interface 310 and the amount of image data to change when the image processing unit 306 performs image processing. Set the transfer cycle according to. Then, the transfer means 405 and 403 transfer the image data at the transfer cycle set by the setting means 401, 404, and 308.

  The data transfer device 307 according to one aspect of the present disclosure transfers data according to the data transfer rate of the interface 310 and factors that cause the amount of image data to change when the image processing unit 306 performs image processing. Performs setting processing to set the cycle. Then, transfer processing is performed to transfer the image data at the set transfer cycle. Therefore, even when the data amount of the image data changes, the image data can be transferred to the processing module 302 via the interface 310. Hereinafter, embodiments of the data transfer device 307 according to an aspect of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiment, a description will be given by taking as an example a multifunction peripheral 100 equipped with an image I / F unit 307, which is an embodiment of the data transfer apparatus 307.

<Configuration example of MFP 100>
First, a schematic configuration example of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment.

  The multifunction peripheral 100 according to this embodiment includes an automatic document feeder 110, an operation board 120, a scanner 130, a printer 140, an image processing unit 150, and a paper feed bank 160.

  The automatic document feeder 110 guides the document set on the document tray to the conveyance path and causes the scanner 130 to read the document. The operation board 120 displays a screen that prompts the multifunction device 100 to input an instruction, and accepts input from the operator. The scanner 130 reads a document and obtains image data of the document. The printer 140 forms an image on a recording medium. The paper feed bank 160 stores a recording medium on which an image is formed by the printer 140.

  The multifunction device 100 is connected to the personal computer 200. Further, it is connected to a facsimile telephone line via a PBX (Private Branch eXchange) 300.

  Next, a configuration example of the double-sided reading unit will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the double-sided reading unit. The duplex reading unit includes the automatic document feeder 110 and the scanner 130 shown in FIG. Then, before the document set on the document tray passes through the conveyance path once in a predetermined order and is discharged to the discharge tray, both the front and back surfaces of the document are read, and image data on both sides of the document is read. obtain.

  In the configuration example of FIG. 2, there are two image reading units of a contact image sensor 111 and a scan unit 131. The contact image sensor 111 is a back image reading unit and is provided in the automatic document feeder 110, and reads the back side of the document to obtain image data of the back side of the document. The scan unit 131 is a surface image reading unit, and reads the surface side of the document to obtain image data of the surface of the document. The scan unit 131 obtains image data on the surface of the document by reading the reflected light from the light source guided by the mirror m1, the mirror m2, and the mirror m3 with a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). The image data obtained by scanning with the contact image sensor 111 and the scan unit 131 includes images in various data modes such as monochrome binary mode, gray scale mode, full color mode, etc. with different data amounts per page. There is data. The data mode is a mode for reading an original with a scanner, and includes a monochrome binary mode, a gray scale mode, a full color mode, and the like. For this reason, the amount of image data obtained by reading with a scanner changes in accordance with the data mode.

  Next, a configuration example of the image processing unit 150 that functions as an image processing apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the image processing unit 150. For example, the image processing unit 150 is provided in the vicinity of the back side of the main body of the multifunction peripheral 100 shown in FIG. The image processing unit 150 includes image data on the front side of the document obtained by the scan unit 131 serving as the front surface image reading unit, and image data on the back side of the document obtained by the contact image sensor 111 serving as the back surface image reading unit. Accept. Further, image data is output to the printer 140 which is an image forming unit, and an image is formed on a recording medium by the printer 140 based on the image data.

  The image processing unit 150 of the present embodiment includes an engine unit 301 that is a front-stage processing module, and a controller unit 302 that is a rear-stage processing module. The image processing unit 150 is configured by connecting an engine unit 301 and a controller unit 302 via a PCI Express 310. The PCI Express 310 is a serial transfer interface that performs data transfer between the engine unit 301 and the controller unit 302. Reference numeral 308 denotes a CPU for controlling the engine unit 301.

  The engine unit 301 receives the image data of the front surface of the document obtained by the scan unit 131 which is the front surface image reading unit and the image data of the back surface of the document obtained by the contact image sensor 111 which is the back surface image reading unit. Part. The engine unit 301 includes a local memory 305, a local memory controller 309, an image processing unit 306, and an image I / F unit 307.

  The local memory 305 temporarily stores the image data of the front surface of the document obtained by the front surface image reading unit 131 and the image data of the back surface of the document obtained by the back surface image reading unit 111. The local memory controller 309 controls the local memory 305, stores image data in the local memory 305, and reads image data from the local memory 305.

  The image processing unit 306 performs image processing such as electrical scaling on the image data read from the local memory 305 by the local memory controller 309. Electric scaling means, for example, converting image data that is two-dimensional digital data into arbitrarily reduced or enlarged image data. When the image data is reduced or enlarged by electrical scaling, the data amount of the image data changes, so that the data transfer rate required when transferring the image data also changes.

  The image I / F unit 307 transfers the image data subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 306 to the controller unit 302 side via the PCI Express 310.

  In the engine unit 301 of the present embodiment, the image data of the front surface of the document obtained by the front surface image reading unit 131 and the image data of the back surface of the document obtained by the back surface image reading unit 111 are stored in the local memory controller 309. Is temporarily stored in the local memory 305. The local memory controller 309 first reads the surface image data from the local memory 305, and the image processing unit 306 performs image processing such as electrical scaling. Then, the image I / F unit 307 transfers the image data subjected to the image processing by the image processing unit 306 to the controller unit 302 via the PCI Express 310. Next, the local memory controller 309 reads back-side image data from the local memory 305, and the image processing unit 306 performs image processing such as electrical scaling. Then, the image I / F unit 307 transfers the image data subjected to the image processing by the image processing unit 306 to the controller unit 302 via the PCI Express 310. As a result, the front side image data and the back side image data are sequentially transferred to the controller unit 302 side. The controller unit 302 receives the image data transferred from the engine unit 301 and stores the image data in the main memory 352.

  The controller unit 302 is a part that stores the image data transferred from the engine unit 301 in the main memory 352. The controller unit 302 includes an image I / F unit 350, a CPU 351, a main memory 352, a memory controller 353, a compression / decompression unit 354, a network controller 355, an editing unit 356, and an operation control unit 357.

  The image I / F unit 350 performs I / F with the engine unit 301 and receives image data transferred from the engine unit 301. The CPU 351 controls the entire controller unit 302, stores image data in the main memory 352, and executes processing on the image data stored in the main memory 352.

  The memory controller 353 stores image data in the main memory 352 and reads an image from the main memory 352. The compression / decompression unit 354 performs compression processing on the image data in order to reduce the data amount of the image data, or performs decompression processing on the compressed image data. The network controller 355 transmits image data to the personal computer 200 via the network line and receives image data from the personal computer 200.

  The editing unit 356 performs editing processing on the image data stored in the main memory 352. The operation control unit 357 controls the operation board 120 that is a user I / F, receives input from the user, and displays a message to the user.

  Next, a configuration example of the image I / F unit 307 of the engine unit 301 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image I / F unit 307 functioning as a data transfer device.

  The image I / F unit 307 is a part that transfers image data that has undergone image processing such as electrical scaling on the engine unit 301 side to the controller unit 302 side via the PCI Express 310, and functions as a data transfer device. The image I / F unit 307 includes a control register 401, an I / F control unit 402, a PCI controller 403, a cycle counter 404, an image I / F control unit 405, and a line transfer monitoring unit 406.

  In the control register 401, a basic line period, a minimum line period, a main scanning resolution, a gradation number, and a plate number are set.

The basic line cycle is a transfer rate necessary for transferring image data for one line to the controller unit 302 side via the PCI Express 310. The main scanning resolution is 100 dpi, the number of gradations is 1 bit, and the version number is 1. Set one line period of the hour.
The minimum line cycle is set to a minimum cycle which is a minimum transfer rate required for transferring image data for one line.
The setting of the minimum cycle is not particularly limited. For example, a minimum cycle required when transferring image data for one line to the controller unit 302 via the PCI Express 310 is set. Further, when electrical scaling is performed by the image processing unit 306, a cycle corresponding to the processing time required for processing of one pixel is set regardless of the number of gradations and the number of plates due to restrictions on electrical scaling.

  The basic line cycle and the minimum line cycle set in the control register 401 are set by the CPU 308 in FIG. For this reason, the control register 401 and the CPU 308 function as basic line cycle setting means for setting a basic line cycle, which is a transfer rate necessary for transferring image data for one line. Further, it functions as a minimum line cycle setting means for setting a minimum line cycle, which is a minimum transfer rate required when transferring image data for one line. However, since the value set in the control register 401 is uniquely determined by the hardware configuration of each unit configuring the image processing unit 150 shown in FIG. 3, it can be used with the default value set in advance in the control register 401. it can.

The main scanning resolution is a main scanning resolution set in the image processing unit 306.
The number of gradations is the number of gradations per pixel set in the image processing unit 306.
The plate number is the number of color plates set in the image processing unit 306.
The CPU 308 in FIG. 3 sets the main scanning resolution, gradation number, and plate number set in the control register 401.

  In the control register 401 of the present embodiment, the main scanning resolution, the number of gradations, and the plate number set in the image processing unit 306 that performs image processing in which the amount of image data changes, such as electrical scaling, are set. For this reason, the image I / F control unit 405 uses the main scanning resolution, the number of gradations, and the number of plates set in the control register 401 to generate an image for one line on the controller unit 302 side that is a subsequent processing module. Set the transfer cycle when transferring data. Then, one line of image data is transferred to the controller unit 302 side via the PCI Express 310 at the set transfer cycle. The main scanning resolution, the number of gradations, and the plate number are factors that change the data amount of image data when the image processing unit 306 performs image processing.

The I / F control unit 402 controls an interface with the image processing unit 306. The PCI controller 403 controls the PCI Express 310 that performs data transfer with the controller unit 302 side. The cycle counter 404 calculates a transfer cycle for transferring image data for one line. The cycle counter 404 performs a count operation at a transfer cycle determined by the following equation.
Transfer cycle = basic line cycle × (main scanning resolution / 100) × number of gradations × version number However, when the transfer cycle obtained above is smaller than the minimum line cycle, the minimum line cycle is used as the transfer cycle.

  The image I / F control unit 405 controls the entire interface on the engine unit 301 side. The line transfer monitoring unit 406 monitors the count operation of the cycle counter 404 and the data transfer completion status of image data in units of one line in the image I / F control unit 405. Then, in accordance with the monitoring result, an output start pulse is output to the PCI controller 403, the cycle counter 404, and the image I / F control unit 405 to control data transfer of image data for one line.

<Setting example of default value of basic line period>
Next, an example in which the default value of the basic line period is set based on the transfer rate of the PCI Express 310 will be described.

  When the PCI Express 310 is configured with, for example, 4 lanes, serial data is transferred at a transfer rate of 2.5 Gbit / s, and 8b / 10b encoding is performed. In this case, the theoretical value of the transfer rate is 2.5 Gbit / s × 8/10 × 1/8 (Byte / bit) × 4 = 1 GByte / s. A lane means a transmission path with a minimum configuration used in the PCI Express 310. Subtract about 40% of the margin from the above calculated value to make the required transfer rate 600 MByte / s. The margin is a predetermined value and can be set arbitrarily. The 8b / 10b encoding is a technique for converting 8-bit data into 10-bit data with a small number of continuous “0” s and “1” s, and is implemented to facilitate clock reproduction embedded in image data.

The basic line cycle is set to 1 line cycle when main scanning resolution = 100 dpi, number of gradations = 1 bit, version number = 1, so when main scanning length = 297 mm and clock frequency = 100 MHz, Calculate the default setting value.
297 / 25.4 * 100 * 1 * 1/8 / (600 * 1024 * 1024) * 1000 * 1000 * 1000 = 232.3nsec

  In the present embodiment, since one clock cycle is 10 nsec, the decimal value of 24 may be set as the default value as the basic line cycle.

When the main scanning resolution is 100 dpi, the number of gradations is 1 bit, and the version number is 1, the line cycle at which the required transfer rate is 600 MByte / s is (data amount of one line) / (transfer rate = 600 MByte / s ).
Data amount per line: 297 (mm) /25.4 (mm / inch) * 100 (dot / inch) * 1 (bit / dot) * 1/8 (Byte / bit) = 297 / 25.4 * 100 * 1 * 1 / 8 (Byte)
Transfer rate: 600 * 1024 * 1024 (Byte / s)
Line cycle (s) = 297 / 25.4 * 100 * 1 * 1/8 / (600 * 1024 * 1024)
To make the unit of the line cycle nsec, it is multiplied by 1000 * 1000 * 1000.

The minimum line period is set to a minimum one line period that does not cause a problem in the hardware configuration of each part of the image processing unit 150.
For example, if 8000 nsec is required for the data transfer processing of the image data for one line due to the hardware configuration, the decimal number 800 is set as the default value of the minimum line period.

FIG. 5 shows a setting example of the control register 401.
In FIG. 5, the basic line period = 24 CLK and the minimum line period = 800 CLK are set. Also, main scanning resolution = 300 dpi, gradation number = 8 bits, and plate number = 3 are set.

  When the image data is transferred based on the value set in the control register 401 shown in FIG. 5, the image data is transferred at the timing shown in FIG. FIG. 6A shows the transfer timing of image data at the value set in the control register 401 shown in FIG.

The cycle counter 404 performs a count operation at a transfer cycle determined by the following equation.
Transfer cycle = basic line cycle × (main scanning resolution / 100) × number of gradations × version number However, when the transfer cycle obtained above is smaller than the minimum line cycle, the minimum line cycle is used as the transfer cycle.

Therefore, in the case of the set value of the control register 401 shown in FIG.
The transfer cycle is 24 * (300/100) * 8 * 3 = 1728CLK.
In addition, the amount of data per line is
297 (mm) /25.4 (mm / inch) * 300 (dot / inch) * 8 (bit / dot) * 1/8 (Byte / bit) * 3 = 10523.6 Byte.
The transfer rate is
10523.6 / (1728 * 10/1000000000) / (1024 * 1024) = 580.8MByte / s, which is suppressed to 600MByte / s or less.

  Note that when image data is transferred based on a value obtained by changing the main scanning resolution from 300 dpi to 600 dpi in the setting of the control register 401 in FIG. 5, the image data is transferred at the timing shown in FIG. 6B. It will be. FIG. 6B shows image data transfer timing when the main scanning resolution shown in FIG. 5 is changed from 300 dpi to 600 dpi.

If you change the main scanning resolution from 300 dpi to 600 dpi,
The transfer cycle is 24 * (600/100) * 8 * 3 = 3456CLK.
In addition, the amount of data per line is
297 (mm) /25.4 (mm / inch) * 600 (dot / inch) * 8 (bit / dot) * 1/8 (Byte / bit) * 3 = 21047.2 Byte.
The transfer rate is
21047.2 / (3456 * 10/1000000000) / (1024 * 1024) = 580.8MByte / s. For this reason, in FIG. 6B, since the data amount of one line and the cycle of one line are both doubled compared to FIG. 6A, the data transfer amount of image data per unit time is This is the same as FIG.

  Further, when the data transfer of the image data is performed based on the value in which the main scanning resolution is changed to 100 dpi and the plate number is changed to 1 in the setting of the control register 401 shown in FIG. 5, the image data is transferred at the timing shown in FIG. Data transfer will be performed. FIG. 7 shows the transfer timing of image data when the main scanning resolution shown in FIG. 5 is changed from 300 dpi to 100 dpi and the version number is changed from 3 to 1.

If you change the main scanning resolution from 300dpi to 100dpi and the version number from 3 to 1,
The transfer cycle is 24 * (100/100) * 8 * 1 = 192CLK.
Since the minimum line cycle is 800 CLK, the above transfer cycle is smaller than the minimum line cycle, so the transfer cycle is 800 CLK using the minimum line cycle.
Thus, when the determined transfer cycle is smaller than the minimum line cycle, the minimum line cycle is used as the transfer cycle.

  The image I / F control unit 405 controls the PCI controller 403 and transfers image data for one line to the controller unit 302 via the PCI Express 310 in the set transfer cycle. However, if the data transfer of one line of image data is not completed within the set transfer cycle, the next one line of image data is not transferred until the data transfer of that one line of image data is completed. Wait for data transfer. Then, when the data transfer of the image data for one line is completed, the data transfer of the image data for the next line is started.

  The line transfer monitoring unit 406 of this embodiment monitors the count operation of the cycle counter 404 and the data transfer completion status of image data in units of one line in the image I / F control unit 405. The line transfer monitoring unit 406 outputs an output start pulse when the count operation of the cycle counter 404 is completed and the image I / F control unit 405 detects that the data transfer of one line of image data is completed. Output. The output start pulse is input to the PCI controller 403, the cycle counter 404, and the image I / F control unit 405. Thereby, the data transfer of the image data for the next one line can be started. This state is shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 8, the first one line of image data shows a state in which data transfer is not completed within the count operation range of the cycle counter 404. Although the cycle counter 404 has completed the counting operation, the image I / F control unit 405 has not completed data transfer of image data for one line. In this case, the line transfer monitoring unit 406 does not output an output start pulse until the data transfer of the image data for one line is completed. As a result, when the data transfer of the image data for one line is not completed within the range of the transfer cycle, the data transfer of the next one line of image data is completed until the data transfer of the image data for the one line is completed. Will wait. When the image transfer control unit 405 detects that the data transfer of one line of image data has been completed, the line transfer monitoring unit 406 notifies the PCI controller 403, the cycle counter 404, and the image I / F control unit 405. Output start pulse. Thereby, data transfer of the next one line of image data is started.

  The next one line of image data indicates a state in which data transfer is completed within the range of the count operation of the cycle counter 404. Data transfer of image data for one line is completed in the image I / F control unit 405, but the count operation of the cycle counter 404 is not completed. In this case, the line transfer monitoring unit 406 does not output an output start pulse until the count operation of the cycle counter 404 is completed. As a result, if the counting operation of the cycle counter 404 is not completed, the next one line of image data transfer is waited until the counting operation of the cycle counter 404 is completed. When the line transfer monitoring unit 406 detects that the counting operation of the cycle counter 4041 is completed, the line transfer monitoring unit 406 outputs an output start pulse to the PCI controller 403, the cycle counter 404, and the image I / F control unit 405. Thereby, data transfer of the image data for the next one line is started.

<Operation / Effect of MFP 100 of this Embodiment>
The multi-function device 100 of the present embodiment sets the basic line cycle and the minimum line cycle in the control register 401. The basic line period is a transfer rate required when transferring image data for one line via the PCI Express 310. The minimum line period is a minimum transfer rate required for transferring image data for one line. In addition, the main scanning resolution, the number of gradations, and the plate number, which are factors that change the amount of image data when the image processing unit 306 performs image processing, are set in the control register 401. The counter 404 first determines the transfer cycle when transferring image data for one line to the controller unit 302 using the basic line cycle, main scanning resolution, number of gradations, and plate number set in the control register 401. calculate. When the calculated transfer cycle is larger than the minimum line cycle, image data for one line is transferred to the controller unit 302 side via the PCI Express 310 in the calculated transfer cycle. If the calculated transfer cycle is smaller than the minimum line cycle, the minimum line cycle is set as the transfer cycle, and image data for one line is transferred to the controller unit 302 side via the PCI Express 310 in the transfer cycle.

  By performing the above-described processing, the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment can perform data transfer to the controller unit 302 via the PCI Express 310 while maintaining a constant data amount per unit time. As a result, variations in the transfer rate with respect to the controller unit 302 can be suppressed, so that the hardware performance of the image processing unit 150 can be used to the maximum.

  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.

  The control operation in each device constituting the image processing unit 150 of the above embodiment can be executed using hardware, software, or a combined configuration of both.

  In the case of executing processing using software, it is possible to install and execute a program in which a processing sequence is recorded in a memory in a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware. Alternatively, it can be installed in a memory in a general-purpose computer capable of executing various processes and executed.

  For example, the program can be recorded in advance on a hard disk or ROM (Read Only Memory) as a recording medium. Alternatively, the program can be stored (recorded) temporarily or permanently in a removable recording medium. Such a removable recording medium can be provided as so-called package software. Examples of the removable recording medium include various recording media such as a magnetic disk and a semiconductor memory.

  The program is installed in the computer from the removable recording medium as described above. In addition, it is wirelessly transferred from the download site to the computer. In addition, it is transferred to a computer via a network by wire.

  In addition, the image processing unit 150 of the above embodiment not only performs processing in time series according to the processing operation described in the above embodiment, but also the processing capability of the apparatus that executes the processing, or in parallel as necessary. It is also possible to construct to execute processing individually or individually.

100 MFP 110 Automatic Document Feeder 120 Operation Board 130 Scanner 140 Printer (Image Forming Unit)
150 Image Processing Unit 160 Paper Feed Bank 111 Contact Image Sensor (Back Image Reading Unit)
131 Scan unit (surface image reader)
301 Engine Unit 305 Local Memory 309 Local Memory Controller 306 Image Processing Unit 307 Image I / F Unit 310 PCI Express
302 Control unit 401 Control register 402 I / F control unit 403 PCI controller 404 Period counter 405 Image I / F control unit 406 Line transfer monitoring unit

JP 2011-55214 A

Claims (7)

Transfer means for transferring the image data subjected to image processing by the image processing means for performing image processing in which the data amount of the image data changes, to the processing module via the interface;
Setting means for setting a transfer cycle when transferring the image data for one line;
Basic line cycle setting means for setting a basic line cycle, which is a transfer rate required when transferring image data for one line via the interface,
The setting means sets a data transfer rate of the interface, and elements data amount of the image data when performing image processing is a factor that changes the image processing means, the transfer period corresponding to the Set the basic line period set by the basic line period setting means and the transfer period according to the element,
The data transfer device, wherein the transfer means transfers the image data at the transfer cycle set by the setting means. Transfer means for transferring the image data subjected to image processing by the image processing means for performing image processing in which the data amount of the image data changes, to the processing module via the interface;
Setting means for setting a transfer cycle when transferring the image data for one line;
Minimum line cycle setting means for setting a minimum line cycle, which is a minimum transfer rate required when transferring image data for one line via the interface,
The setting means sets the transfer cycle according to a data transfer rate of the interface and an element that causes a change in the data amount of the image data when image processing is performed by the image processing means, If the transfer cycle is smaller than the minimum line cycle, set the minimum line cycle as the transfer cycle,
The data transfer device, wherein the transfer means transfers the image data at the transfer cycle set by the setting means . Transfer means for transferring the image data subjected to image processing by the image processing means for performing image processing in which the data amount of the image data changes, to the processing module via the interface;
Setting means for setting a transfer cycle when transferring the image data for one line,
The setting unit sets the transfer cycle according to a data transfer rate of the interface and an element that causes a change in the data amount of the image data when image processing is performed by the image processing unit;
The transfer means transfers the image data in the transfer cycle set by the setting means, and when the data transfer of one line of image data is not completed in the transfer cycle set by the setting means, the one line The data is not transferred for the next line of image data until the image data for one line has been transferred, and is set by the setting means when the data transfer for one line of image data is completed. A data transfer device, wherein data transfer of the next one line of image data is started in the transfer cycle . Image processing means for performing image processing in which the amount of image data changes;
Transfer means for transferring image data subjected to image processing by the image processing means to a processing module via an interface;
Setting means for setting a transfer cycle when transferring the image data for one line;
Minimum line cycle setting means for setting a minimum line cycle, which is a minimum transfer rate required when transferring image data for one line via the interface,
The setting means sets a data transfer rate of the interface, and elements data amount of the image data when performing image processing is a factor that changes the image processing means, the transfer period corresponding to the If the transfer cycle is smaller than the minimum line cycle, set the minimum line cycle as the transfer cycle,
The image processing apparatus, wherein the transfer unit transfers the image data at the transfer cycle set by the setting unit.   Image processing means for performing image processing in which the amount of image data changes;
  Transfer means for transferring image data subjected to image processing by the image processing means to a processing module via an interface;
  Setting means for setting a transfer cycle when transferring the image data for one line,
  The setting unit sets the transfer cycle according to a data transfer rate of the interface and an element that causes a change in the data amount of the image data when image processing is performed by the image processing unit;
  The transfer means transfers the image data in the transfer cycle set by the setting means, and when the data transfer of one line of image data is not completed in the transfer cycle set by the setting means, the one line The data is not transferred for the next line of image data until the image data for one line has been transferred, and is set by the setting means when the data transfer for one line of image data is completed. An image processing apparatus, wherein data transfer of image data for the next one line is started in the transfer cycle. A transfer process for transferring the image data subjected to the image processing by the image processing means for performing the image processing in which the data amount of the image data is changed, to the processing module via the interface;
A setting process for setting a transfer cycle when transferring the image data for one line;
A minimum line period setting means for setting a minimum line period, which is a minimum transfer rate required when transferring image data for one line via the interface ,
The setting process sets the data transfer rate of the interface, and elements data amount of the image data when performing image processing is a factor that changes the image processing means, the transfer period corresponding to the When the transfer cycle is smaller than the minimum line cycle, the minimum line cycle is set as a transfer cycle, and the transfer process transfers the image data at the transfer cycle set in the setting process. Program to do.   A transfer process for transferring the image data subjected to the image processing by the image processing means for performing the image processing in which the data amount of the image data is changed, to the processing module via the interface;
  A setting process for setting a transfer cycle when transferring the image data for one line;
  The setting process sets the transfer cycle according to the data transfer rate of the interface and an element that causes a change in the data amount of the image data when the image processing unit performs image processing, The transfer process transfers the image data in the transfer cycle set in the setting process, and if the data transfer of the image data for one line is not completed in the transfer cycle set by the setting unit, the transfer process is performed for the one line. Until the data transfer of the next image data is completed, the image data for the next line is not transferred, and the data set for the image data for one line is completed. A program which starts data transfer of image data for the next one line in a transfer cycle.

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