JPH02292068A - Image processing device and image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To store inputted color image data in the different area of a storage device by converting an address generated by an address generation device using an address conversion device and storing the converted address in memory by writing procedure when data entered for each component is written in memory. CONSTITUTION:Of 15-bit counter values Q0 to Q14 generated by an address counter 5, Q0 is connected to SRAM address bit A13, Q1 to A14, and the following Q2 to Q14 to address bits A1 to A12 respectively. If the head of image data is C0, M0, Y0 and K0, the address counter, a shift register and WE become active, and data is written in SRAM 4, the eighth pixels C7, M7, Y7 and K7, that is, 8-bit data for each color are entered. The area for addresses '0000H to 1FFFH' in a 32KB space becomes a K area, the area for address '2000H to 3FFFH' becomes a C area, the area for addresses '4000H to 5FFFH' becomes an M area, and the area for addresses '6000H to 7FFFH' becomes a Y area. Thus pixel data for each color are stored in SRAM4 in units of bytes.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention is an image processing device and an image recording device, in particular, reads out image data for each color from a memory that stores recorded image data, and prints a recording head for each color as the main recording head. The present invention relates to an image processing and recording device that records images using carriages mounted at predetermined intervals in the scanning direction.

[Prior Art] For example, in a thermal transfer color printer, the operation of changing the ink ribbon as many times as necessary and scanning the thermal head is repeated. In such a configuration, multiple colors (writing heads) are not driven at the same time, so even if an attempt is made to increase the printing speed, it is not possible to achieve much.

However, for example, cyan. A carriage with magenta, yellow, and black write heads can write simultaneously, i.e., once in one movement.
It becomes possible to record images for scanning. In this case, since there is a physical interval between each write head, a corresponding amount of delay processing is required when sending data of each color to the print head.

It should be noted that the spacing between the heads is unavoidable due to the configuration. Moreover, this head spacing is 4
For a printer with a print density of 00dpi, 10
A deviation of 0 μm causes a color deviation of 1.5 pixels or more.

It is clear that this value will cause fatal trouble when recording natural images.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] Conventionally, RAM was used for the purpose of correcting such physical spacing.
was used to generate the time difference between data writing and reading.

However, in this case, the following problems occur.

■Independent RAM must be provided for each color. ■Low-cost RAM with large capacity has many byte units, so the circuit becomes complicated to convert multi-colored 1-bit serial data into color-specific byte data. These problems have led to the disadvantage that the device has become larger and more expensive.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image processing apparatus that allows inputted color image data to be stored in different areas of a storage means with a simple configuration.

Moreover, the image recording device of the second invention is intended to provide an image recording device that makes it possible to suppress the increase in size and price of the device. [Means for Solving the Problem] An image processing apparatus of the present invention that solves this problem has the configuration shown below. That is, an input means for repeatedly inputting color component image data in synchronization with a predetermined clock, a storage means for storing the image data according to a given address, and a generator for generating the address in synchronization with the predetermined clock. and the address generating means is means for generating bits indicating the color components as upper bits of the address.

Further, the image recording apparatus of the second invention reads image data for each color from a memory that stores recorded image data, and uses a carriage on which recording heads for each color are mounted at predetermined intervals in the main scanning direction. An image recording device for recording an image includes an input means for sequentially inputting image data for each color component in synchronization with a predetermined clock, and generating an address of a number of bits corresponding to the address space of the memory in synchronization with the predetermined clock. an address generating means for exchanging a number of bits corresponding to the number of recording colors from the lower order of the address generated by the address generating means and the remaining upper address bit group and supplying the same to the memory; and writing means for writing the image data input by the input means into the address location of the memory supplied by the address conversion means.

[Operation] In the configuration of the image recording apparatus of the present invention, when writing data for each component inputted by the input means into the memory,
The address generated by the address generation means is converted by the address conversion means. The converted address is then supplied to the memory and written by the writing means.

[Examples] Examples according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the example, a bubble jet printer will be used as an example. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the structure of a printing system that actually records images.

In the figure, 19 is cyan (hereinafter referred to as C), magenta (hereinafter referred to as C), which will be described later.
Hereinafter, M), Yellow (hereinafter, Y), Black (hereinafter,
The carriage is equipped with a head corresponding to each color (K), and is driven for main scanning in the direction shown by arrow S in the figure. 20 is a wire that is fixed to the carriage 19 and stretched across boobies 921 provided at both ends of its movement range. 22 is connected to one of the booms, and the carriage 19 is
This is a motor that serves as a drive source for scanning in the direction. 23 and 24 extend in the S direction, and the carriage 19
These are the first and second guardrails for guiding the people.
Reference numeral 25 denotes a platen roller for regulating the recording surface of a recording medium such as recording paper or film, and for transporting the recording medium. Reference numeral 26 represents a motor that is combined with the platen roller 25 and rotates the platen roller when the recording medium is transported. be.

Further, 27 is a cable for transmitting control signals, one end of which is attached to the carriage 19, and the other end connected to a control circuit (not shown). Image data, control signals, and other information are transmitted via this cable 27.

Note that this cable 27 is in the form of a flexible cable so as to follow the positional displacement of the carriage 19.

The structure of the carriage 19 is shown in Figure 6. As shown in the figure, the carriage 19 has C, M. It incorporates a bubble jet writing head for a total of four colors, Y and K. In the case of the embodiment, each head has ink ejection ports for 128 dots, and the intervals between each head are L r, L 2 . Become L s,
Lined up in a row.

In other words, in one scanning movement in the S direction (scanning direction), 4
This shows that 128 dots can be printed for each color.

Now, when considering a printer with a print density of 400 dpi, in the case of this print head with 128 dots per line, the print width L0 is approximately 8 mm.

Next, the principle of operation of the bubble jet printer will be explained based on FIG.

In state ■, ink is exposed to the outside through a narrow passage. A heater is placed on one side of the passage, and when printing is desired, current is applied to this heater to heat it up. Then, as shown in states 3 to 7, bubbles are generated in the ink, and this force causes the ink to protrude to the outside.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, such ink ejection ports are C, M, and Y.
, K are arranged in each head.

An overview of the processing related to storage of image data in this embodiment in the above-described printing system configuration will be explained using FIGS. 1 to 3. In the embodiment, the data for each color is serially C, M, Y, 1 bit at a time. K.C. It is assumed that the messages are sent in the order of M... Further, since a known technique is used for actually driving the recording head, a description thereof will be omitted.

Now, in FIG. 1, serial image data l sent in the above-described format is taken into a 29-bit shift register 3. Among the outputs of this 29-bit shift register 3, Qo, Q4. Qa. A total of 8 bits of Q+z...Qza is stored in SRAM4 (in the example, the capacity is 32KB).
= 32 x 1024 bytes). That is, for SRAM4, every fourth bit of serial data is connected to its data input terminal D0.
~D, so data separated for each color is input.

Further, the 15-bit counter values Q0 to Ql4 generated by the address counter 5 are Q. is SRAM
address bit AI3, Q1 to AI4, and the following from Q2 to address bit A. ~Connected to A12. Although the explanation is confusing, the 29-bit shift register 3,
The SRAM 4 and the 15-bit address counter 5 are operated in synchronization with the clock output from the timing generation circuit 6.

The operation of each of these elements will be explained below based on the timing chart shown in FIG.

The image data is transferred to the C.
It was explained earlier that M, Y, and K are input in that order. now,
Go to the beginning of the image data. If M o, Y oK0, the 8th pixel Cf, MW, Y? ．． 'K? That is, when 8 bits of data are input for each color, the address counter, shift register, and WE (write enable) become active, and the data is written into the SRAM4. ? The write data and the addresses for the SRAM at this time are as shown in 10 to 18 in FIG.

To explain in more detail, the 15-bit address counter 5 at each timing when the WE signal becomes active.
The output Q o NQ +a is 00,01N. 0002H
．． OO03H,0004N (H indicates hexadecimal number)
It is. However, 15-bit address counter 5 and SR
Since the connection with the address of AM is in the relationship explained earlier (shown in FIG. 1), the address for SRAM4 is 2000o. 4000H. 6000H. This results in OOO IH. In other words, if we are to explain in terms of the memory space of SRAM4, as shown in FIG.
” is the C area, address “4000H to 5FFFM” is the M area, and the address “8 0 0 08 to 7 F
FFH" becomes the Y area.

In this way, it becomes possible to store pixel data of each color sent as serial data in the SRAM 4 in byte units. Note that once the memory is full, for example, when Y data is written to address 7FFFM, the next address is 6 0 0 0 . I will start writing a new one from here.

As explained above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to convert multicolor serial data into color-specific byte data with a simple configuration, and to allocate and store each color byte data in one memory. Become. Therefore, the device does not become large-sized, and costs can be reduced.

In the embodiment, a case has been described in which serial data is received, it is converted into byte data for each color, and the data is allocated and stored in one RAM, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the input interface may be parallel instead of serial. Of course, in this case,
It is necessary to receive parallel data for each color.

Further, in this embodiment, the memory capacity allocated to each color is 8 Kbytes, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when a RAM with a high recording density and a larger capacity is required by the recording head, for example, when using a RAM of about 64 Kbytes, the lower 2 bits of the address counter (16-bit output) are
By connecting to the upper address of AM, the memory capacity allocated to each color can be doubled to 16K bytes. [Effects of the Invention] Abnormality As described above, according to the first invention, color image data that is repeatedly input is stored in different areas of the storage means for each color component. Furthermore, according to the present invention, for such storage, the bits indicating the color components are generated as the upper bits of the storage means, so that the above-mentioned functions can be realized with a simple configuration.

Furthermore, according to the second aspect of the invention, the circuit configuration from receiving image data to storing it in memory is simple.
It is possible to suppress the increase in size of the device and to reduce costs.

Further, when pixel data for each color is sent serially, it is converted into byte unit data for each color, and an address and a write signal are generated at the time of the conversion. As a result, even when serial data is input, it is possible to allocate data in bytes for each color to memory with a simple configuration and reliably.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the circuit configuration from inputting image data to writing it into memory in this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of each circuit configuration in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the memory space of the RAM and the storage area for each color. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the printing system in the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the principle of a bubble jet printer. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the structure of the carriage of the embodiment. In the figure, 1... Serial image data, 2... Image clock, 3... 29-bit shift register, 4... S
RAM, 5...15-bit address counter, 6...
- Timing signal generation circuit, 19... Carriage. Figure 5

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) input means for sequentially and repeatedly inputting color component image data in synchronization with a predetermined clock; storage means for storing the image data according to a given address; and storage means for storing the image data in accordance with a given address in synchronization with the predetermined clock; An image processing apparatus, further comprising a generating means for generating a color component, and the address generating means is a means for generating a bit indicating the color component as a high-order bit of the address. (2) In an image recording device that reads image data for each color from a memory that stores recorded image data and records the image using a carriage equipped with recording heads for each color at predetermined intervals in the main scanning direction, each color component an input means for sequentially inputting image data for each image in synchronization with a predetermined clock; an address generation means for generating an address of a number of bits corresponding to the address space of the memory in synchronization with the predetermined clock; an address converter that exchanges at least a number of bits corresponding to the number of recording colors from the lower order of the generated address and the remaining upper address bit group and supplies the memory to the memory; and the memory that is supplied by the address converter. an image recording apparatus comprising: writing means for writing image data inputted by the input means at an address position of the image recording apparatus. (3) If the image data input by the input means is serial data, it is equipped with a conversion means for converting the serial data into byte-by-byte parallel data for each color, and the address generation means and writing means are provided with a conversion means for converting the serial data into byte-by-byte parallel data for each color. The image recording device according to claim 2, wherein the image recording device is energized in synchronization with the generation.