JPH04301469A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an image output device wherein image output having higher grade in each resolution can be obtained without large memory capacity even when a resolution of an image recorder is switched. CONSTITUTION:A resolution setting section 700 receives a resolution setting command from an external device 300 and sets a resolution of a printer engine 200 to a designated resolution in accordance with the resolution setting command. The resolution setting section 700 divides one picture element into optimum numbers in accordance with the designated resolution and sets a logical circuit for processing a smooth optimum for the divided data in a smoothing section 18. Then, a bit map expansion based on a code data to be sent from the external device 300 and the smooth based on the smoothing logic are performed.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus capable of switching and outputting image densities.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, laser beam printers have been widely used as output devices for computers. especially,
Small machines having a resolution of about 300 dpi (dots per inch) are rapidly becoming popular due to their advantages of being small and low cost. As shown in FIG. 13, the laser beam printer is connected to a printer engine unit 801 that actually forms a print image on a photosensitive drum based on dot data and transfers it to output paper, and is connected to the printer engine unit 801 and connected to an external device. A printer controller 802 receives code data sent from a host computer 803, generates page information consisting of dot data (bit map data) based on this code data, and sequentially transmits the dot data to the printer engine unit 801. Become. The host computer 803 is loaded with a program by a floppy disk 804 containing application software, starts the application software, and functions as, for example, a word processor.

Next, the process of printing operation in the printer controller 802 will be explained using FIG. 14. In the figure, 114 is one page of bitmap data (
115 is an address generation unit that generates an address for the image memory 114; 116;
117 is an output buffer register for converting image data read from the image memory 114 into an image signal VIDEO, and 117 is a synchronization clock that generates an image clock signal VCLK synchronized with a well-known beam detect signal BD signal, which is a horizontal synchronization signal. 118 is a CPU that controls the entire controller; 119 is a printer engine 2;
Printer I/F, 120, which is the input/output unit for signals with 01
is a host I/F which is an input/output unit for signals with an external host such as a personal computer.

[0004] In the above configuration, the operation when sending the image signal VIDEO to the printer engine will be explained. First, the printer controller 802 uses the image memory 114
When one page of image data is ready, a print request signal PRINT is sent to the printer engine 801. Upon receiving the PRINT signal, the printer engine 801 starts a printing operation, and sends a VSREQ signal to the printer controller 802 when it becomes ready to receive the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC. When the printer controller 802 receives the VSREQ signal, it sends a vertical synchronization signal VSYNC to the printer engine 801, and counts a predetermined time from the VSYNC signal so that printing is performed from a predetermined position in the sub-scanning direction. do. When the predetermined time count ends, the address generation unit 115 sequentially generates addresses from the first address of the image data stored in the image memory 114,
Reads image data. The read image data is input to the output buffer register 116 for each main scanning line. In order to perform printing from a predetermined position in the main scanning direction, the output buffer register 116 inputs the BD signal for each print line, counts the image clock signal VCLK, and then starts printing from a predetermined position in the main scanning direction. Image signal VID whose data is synchronized with the VCLK signal
It is sent to the printer engine 801 as EO. The printer engine 801 then performs the image forming operation described above.

[0005] By performing the above operation for each print page, printing is always performed at the same position on the paper.

[0006]

However, in recent years, there has been a demand for higher definition print output, and laser beam printers are no exception to this. Therefore, it is possible to increase the resolution of the laser beam printer, but for example, the resolution can be increased to 600 dpi, which is twice the resolution of 300 dpi.
pi, if you simply increase the image memory capacity required for the printer controller and deal with this, it will be 30
This requires four times the capacity as in the case of 0 dpi, making it expensive.

[0007] In order to obtain the same printing speed as in the case of 300 dpi, the output frequency of image data must also be increased four times, and the printer controller must also operate at four times the speed. Therefore, a method may be considered in which the print data of the recording pixels is converted into print data whose density in the main scanning direction is higher than the recording density. When increasing the density, smoothing processing is generally applied by referring to the print data of the recording pixel and its surrounding pixels.

[0008] In the smoothing process described above, the resolution of the printer is changed, for example from 300 dpi to 600 dpi.
There was a drawback that appropriate smoothing processing was not performed when pi was switched.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems, and has the following configuration as a means for solving the above-mentioned problems. That is, in an image processing device capable of switching the image density of an input image signal, there is provided a reference means for referring to an image signal of an input pixel to be processed and image signals of pixels surrounding the image signal of the input pixel; and image processing means that divides the image signal of the input pixel based on the reference result of the reference means and performs smoothing processing on each divided image signal when outputting at the resolution.

For example, the image processing means performs different smoothing processing on each divided image signal.

[0011]

[Operation] In the above configuration, by providing a conversion means for converting the smoothing processing method as the resolution of the output device is changed, higher quality image output can be obtained at each resolution.

0012

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0013]

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 300 is an external device such as a personal computer, 400 is a printer such as a laser beam printer, 500 is code data generated by the external device 300, 100 is a printer controller, and 200 is a printer engine.

Reference numeral 10 designates a bitmap expansion unit that receives code data 500 and generates a bitmap based on the code data; 19 represents a group of communication signals between the bitmap expansion unit 10 and the printer engine 200; for example, a group of horizontal synchronization signals; It is. Reference numeral 20 denotes an image processing section that performs image processing such as smoothing on the bitmap generated by the bitmap development section.

Storage section 17 and smoothing section 18 in FIG.
FIG. 2 shows the detailed configuration of the image processing section 20 consisting of the following. Figure 2
, from the bit map development section 10, 300 dpi
The image clock VCLK12, and the system clock SCLK13, which has the same phase as VCLK12 and has eight times the frequency.
A video signal VIDEO11 is sent out in synchronization with.

The video signal 11 is connected to one of the input terminals D0 of the 3-state latch buffer 24, and the output Q0 of the 3-state latch buffer 24 corresponding to D0 is input to and output from the shift register 29. , S.R.A.
It is also output to data pin I/O1 of M21. Also, S
Addresses of the RAM 21 are connected to 13 address lines supplied from an address counter 22.

Read signal 36 of SRAM 21, write signal 37, latch signal 38 of 3-state buffer 24
, an output enable signal 39, and a clear signal 40 for the address counter 22 are generated by the control circuit 23. Details of each of these signals will be described later. The control circuit 23 creates a plurality of states using SCLK during one cycle of the image clock VCLK. SCLK is a clock signal having a frequency eight times that of VCLK, and in this embodiment, eight steps can be executed during one period of the image clock VLCK.

Note that the 3-state latch buffer 24 is
As shown in FIG. 3, it is composed of a latch circuit 24a and a buffer circuit 24b (only the structure corresponding to one bit is shown in FIG. 3). Next, the operation of the SRAM peripheral circuit will be explained with reference to the timing chart of FIG. In the following description, the data of the n-th pixel will be data(n), and the address where the data is stored will be adr(n).

When the first clock is input after the image clock VLCK shown in FIG. 4(1) becomes low level (time t1), the enable signal OC of the 3-state latch buffer 24 becomes FALSE ( Figure 4 (9)),
The buffer circuit 24a becomes high impedance, the previously output data data (n-1) is stopped (FIG. 4(10)), and nothing is input to the data bus of the SRAM 21.

When the second clock is input (time t2), the OE signal becomes TRUE ((5) in FIG. 4), and the S
The RAM 21 enters the read state ((12) in FIG. 4), and the data data(n) stored at address adr(n) is read.
) is output on the data bus. When the third clock is input (time t3), data data(n) that has been output on the data bus is latched inside the three-state latch buffer 24 (FIG. 4(7)). However, the output enable signal OE shown in FIG. 4(9) is FALS.
Since it remains at E, it is not output to the outside of the 3-state latch buffer 24. Therefore, bus collision does not occur in the above operation.

When the fourth clock is input (time t4), the output enable signal OE of the SRAM 21 becomes FA.
The state becomes LSE, and the SRAM 21 enters a floating state. When the fifth clock is input (time t5),
Output enable signal O of 3-state latch buffer 24
C becomes TRUE, and the latched data data
(n) is output and sent to SRAM21, but SRA
M21 is not written because the write enable signal WE37 shown in FIG. 4(11) is FALSE.

When the sixth clock is input (time t6), the write enable signal WE of the SRAM 21 becomes T.
RUE, and data(n) is written to the memory 62. When the seventh clock is input, the write enable signal WE becomes FALSE and the write operation is completed. When the eighth clock is input, the address is updated from adr(n) to adr(n+1), and a series of operations regarding one pixel data is completed. Such operation is performed by the 3-state latch buffer 24 and the SRAM.
21 is carried out similarly and at the same time.

In this way, the data output from the data pin D2 of the SRAM 21 during one cycle of the image clock VCLK is written to the same address D3, and the data is sent sequentially, so that seven lines of image data are always available. is stored, and for shift registers 29 to 35,
Supply image data. The shift registers 29 to 35 are
Each line has a bit length of 7 bits, and 7 lines of image data sent from the buffer 24 are converted into serial and parallel data.
The image is developed into seven dots in the main scanning direction, and a total of 49 dots are sent to the logic circuit group 41.

The logic circuit group 41 performs the image processing shown in FIG. 5 on the input 49-bit data. In FIG. 5, a indicates logic 1, b indicates logic 2, c indicates logic 3, and d indicates logic 4. As shown in FIG. 5, for a total of 49 dots including the pixel of interest (shaded area), (logic 1) to (logic 4) are assigned to sections a to d, which are obtained by dividing the pixel of interest into four, respectively.

For each of the sections a to d, sections to be printed and sections not to be printed are determined according to (logic 1) to (logic 4) for the purpose of smoothing processing, respectively. Logic 1 to Logic 4 are logics aimed at smoothing, and are developed based on, for example, the following gist.

- For right angles or 135 degree angles, the angle should not change.・When deleting and adding dots, make sure that the numbers match each other so that there is no change in density.・Prevent sharp corners from being cut. - For diagonal lines, dots are deleted or added according to the slope.

[0027] etc. The pixel of interest whose printing classification is determined by logic 1 to logic 4 based on the above idea is 4 bits (1 bit corresponds to each classification from a to d).
The signal is input to the parallel-to-serial conversion circuit 42 as a signal. The output from the parallel-to-serial conversion circuit 42 is SCLK13, which is divided by two by a frequency divider 930, that is, 4 of VCLK12.
It is output with a clock of twice the frequency and becomes VDO15. The printer blinks the laser and performs a printing operation based on the image data VDO15.

The above is the operation of the one-pixel-four-division smoothing method in the case of a resolution of 300 dpi. Next, the switching operation of the smoothing algorithm accompanying resolution switching will be explained. As mentioned above, switching the smoothing algorithm means, for example, when the resolution is 30 as shown in FIG.
In the case of 0 dpi, one pixel is divided into four and smoothing processing is performed, whereas in the case of 600 dpi, one pixel is divided into two and smoothing processing is performed.

In FIG. 1, an external device 300 is connected to a signal line 8.
The resolution is specified in the resolution setting section 700 via 00. For example, if 600 dpi is specified, the resolution setting section 7
00 specifies, via the signal line 950, that the bitmap development section 10 performs image development for 600 dpi. A clock generator (not shown) that generates VCLK12 in the bit map expansion section 10 via the signal line 950 is connected to three clock generators (not shown).
A clock is generated at a frequency four times that of the image clock VCLK for 00 dpi. In addition, the SC in the bit expansion section 10
A clock generator (not shown) that generates LK13 is also 30
A clock is generated at a frequency four times that of the system clock SCLK for 0 dpi. Furthermore, the resolution setting unit 700 is connected to the printer engine 200 by a signal line 900.
A command for performing a dpi printing operation is sent, and the smoothing unit 18 is also notified of the same. A frequency divider 930 in the smoothing unit 18 divides SCLK13 into 4 to output VDO15 as a 600 dpi pixel divided into two.
Divide the frequency. It is assumed that the 2-bit signal output to the parallel-to-serial conversion circuit 42 is sent using signal lines a and b.

Even when the resolution reaches 600 dpi, as shown in FIG.
Smoothing logic used at 300 dpi for peripheral pixels of 49 dots, 7 lines in the sub-scanning direction,
For example, smoothing processing is performed by applying logic 1 to the e section and logic 4 to the f section. The general operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The resolution setting section 700 in the printer 400 receives a resolution setting command from the external device 300 in step S1. The resolution setting section 700 performs the following step S.
2, print engine 2 according to this resolution setting command.
Set the resolution of 00 as the specified resolution. Then, in step S3, the number of divisions per pixel is set based on the set resolution. In parallel with the processing in step S3, each clock frequency is set according to the designated resolution. Subsequently, in step S4, bitmap development is performed based on the code data sent from the external device 300, and smoothing processing is performed according to the smoothing logic.

In this embodiment, one pixel is divided into four in the case of 300 dpi, and one pixel is divided into two in the case of 600 dpi. However, the values of the resolution and the number of pixel divisions are not limited. It goes without saying that the number of reference surrounding pixels for smoothing processing is not limited.

In addition, although the image processing section 20 is stored in the printer controller 100 in this embodiment, it may be stored in the printer engine 200 side. As explained above, according to this embodiment, the number of divisions per pixel at each resolution is changed as the resolution is switched, the number of pixel divisions is optimized as the resolution is switched, and the optimal smoothing processing is performed for each. By doing so, higher quality image output can be obtained at each resolution.

[0034]

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment described above, an example has been described in which the number of divisions per pixel at each resolution is changed as the resolution is switched. However, the present invention is not limited to the above example, and similar effects can be obtained even if the smoothing logic is converted in conjunction with resolution switching.

A second embodiment of the present invention in which smoothing logic is converted in accordance with resolution switching will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a detailed block diagram of an image processing circuit according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 9, Figure 2
Components similar to those shown in FIG. In the second embodiment, the configuration of the logic circuit group 410 in the smoothing unit 18 is different, and has a plurality of smoothing logics corresponding to a plurality of resolutions. .

A detailed configuration example of the logic circuit group 410 is shown in FIG. The logic circuit group 410 of the second embodiment includes, for example, two logic circuits, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, 205 is a logic circuit 1 for a resolution of 300 dpi;
206 is a logic circuit 2 for a resolution of 600 dpi. Each of the logic circuits 205 and 206 receives a 49-bit signal output from the shift registers 29 to 35, that is,
Dot information for seven dots in the main scanning direction and seven lines in the sub-scanning direction, including the pixel of interest, is input. logic circuit 205
, 206 stores circuits that apply different smoothing logic to determine the print area depending on the resolution.

In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, 30
For 0dpi, one pixel is divided into four parts, for 600dpi, one pixel is divided into two parts, and for 300dpi,
Apply logic A in logic circuit 1, and in the case of 600 dpi,
Logic B in logic circuit 2 is applied. In this case, the selector 209 selects the logic according to the resolution using the signal line 900 output from the resolution setting section 700. Note that the frequency settings of various clocks accompanying resolution switching are the same as in the first embodiment, and will not be described here.

FIG. 11 shows the results of smoothing processing performed according to the above operation using logic A for 300 dpi and logic B for 600 dpi. Below, Figure 12
The general operation of the second embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowchart. The resolution setting section 700 in the printer 400
First, in step S11, a resolution setting command is received from the external device 300. Then, in step S12, the resolution of the printer engine 200 is set to the specified resolution according to this resolution setting command. In the following step S13, the resolution setting unit 700 sets a logic circuit to be used for smoothing processing based on the designated resolution. This step S13
In parallel with the processing, each clock frequency is set according to the designated resolution. Then, in the following step S14, bitmap development based on the code data sent from the external device 300 and smoothing processing according to smoothing logic are performed.

In the second embodiment, one pixel is divided into four parts when the resolution is 300 dpi, and one pixel is divided into two parts when the resolution is 600 dpi. However, the values of the resolution and the number of pixel divisions are not limited to the above examples, and can take arbitrary values. Similarly, it goes without saying that the number of reference surrounding pixels for smoothing processing is not limited to the above example, and can take any value.

Furthermore, although resolution switching is set according to a command from an external device, it may also be set using, for example, a depth switch on the printer side. As described above, according to the second embodiment, higher quality image output can be obtained at each resolution by converting the smoothing logic as the resolution is switched and performing optimal smoothing processing for each.

The present invention may be applied to a system made up of a plurality of devices, or to an apparatus made up of one device. It goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to cases where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or device.

[0042]

As explained above, according to the present invention, by providing a conversion means for converting the smoothing processing method for pixels that have become denser due to switching of the resolution of the output device, smoothing processing can be performed appropriately according to the resolution. A smoothing processing method can be applied, making it possible to output high-quality images.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of an image processing section in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the three-state latch buffer of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the image processing operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating smoothing processing accompanying pixel division at a resolution of 300 dpi in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating switching of the number of pixel divisions accompanying resolution switching in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating smoothing processing associated with pixel division at a resolution of 600 dpi in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining image processing in the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of an image processing section according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a logic circuit group in a second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating switching of smoothing logic accompanying resolution switching in the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining image processing in the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional laser beam printer.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the printing operation process of a conventional laser beam printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 bitmap expansion unit, 17 storage unit, 18 smoothing unit, 20 image processing unit, 21 SRAM, 22 address counter, 23 control circuit, 24 3-state latch buffer, 41,410
Logic circuit group, 42 Parallel-serial conversion circuit, 100 Printer controller, 200
205, 206 logic circuit, 300 external device, 400 printer, and 700 resolution setting unit.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image processing device capable of switching the image density of an input image signal, comprising: a reference means for referring to an image signal of an input pixel to be processed and image signals of pixels surrounding the image signal of the input pixel; It is characterized by comprising an image processing means for dividing the image signal of the input pixel based on the reference result of the reference means and performing smoothing processing on each divided image signal when outputting at a resolution higher than that of the pixel. Image processing device. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing means performs different smoothing processing on each divided image signal.