JPH06214731A - Method and device for processing picture - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To output a picture independent of the specification of a picture output device. CONSTITUTION:Information on the specification of a connected image forming device (a printer, for example) is inputted through a communication control part 105 when device power is supplied, and the type of the connected device is recognized. When the connected device is a laser printer expressing colors at an internal part by YMCBk color components, for example, based on the recognized result, PDL data for one page is developed into picture data. The developed data is converted into YMCBk color component expressing systems and they are surface-sequentially outputted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing method and an apparatus thereof, for example, an image processing method and an apparatus thereof for handling a page description language.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various systems have been used in which page description language (hereinafter abbreviated as PDL) data as shown in FIGS. 6 to 7 is developed into a raster image and transferred to an image forming apparatus for image output. It is provided. Now, as shown in FIG. 6, the PDL interpreter processing for expanding the PDL data into raster image data is performed by the PDL interpreter 62 incorporated in the printer 63 of the PDL data output from the image processing apparatus 61. Or the PDL data output from the image processing device 61 is stored in a separate PDL as shown in FIG.
There is a form in which an external interface unit 71 incorporating an interpreter 62 interprets the result and outputs the result to a copying machine 72 to output an image.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, when the PDL development data is output using an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a dedicated image forming method is used depending on the image forming method of the connected image forming apparatus. A PDL interpreter was needed, and at the same time a dedicated interface unit was needed.

For example, when the connected image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic full-color copying machine, the image forming process is generally cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), black (Bk). Since the method of printing the four color developers separately on the print medium is adopted, the image data must be transmitted in the frame order in the order of the color data to be printed. On the other hand, like an inkjet type copying machine, cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (Bk) developers are simultaneously output for each band (a plurality of lines), and the process is repeated. Therefore, in the case of a method of forming a desired image, it is necessary to transmit the image data forming each pixel pixel by pixel in a dot sequential manner.

As described above, since the transfer method of image data differs depending on the connected image forming apparatus, it is necessary to use a dedicated interface unit for each apparatus.
The image data transfer interface could not be unified.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional example, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing method capable of outputting an image that does not depend on the specifications of the image output apparatus or equipment, and an apparatus thereof.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the image processing method of the present invention comprises the following steps.

That is, an image processing method of interpreting a page description language to generate image data and outputting the image data to an image output device, the input step of inputting specifications of the image output device, and the page description. An image processing, comprising: a generation step of interpreting a language to generate image data, and an output step of outputting the image data generated by the generation step in accordance with the specifications input by the input step. With a method.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus for interpreting a page description language to generate image data and outputting the image data to an image output apparatus, the input being for inputting specifications of the image output apparatus. Means, interpreting the page description language to generate image data, storing means for storing the image data, and storing the image data stored in the storing means in the input step. According to the specification, the image processing device is provided with an output unit for outputting.

[0010]

With the above arrangement, the present invention operates so that when the image data generated by interpreting the page description language is output to the image output device, the image data is output according to the specifications of the image output device.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an image processing apparatus which is a typical embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 101 is a main body of the image processing apparatus, 102 is a PDL interpreter that develops PDL data from a host computer (hereinafter referred to as a host) into image data, and 103.
Is an image memory for storing image data to be developed, 104 is an image data control unit for determining and controlling the image data format to be generated depending on the specifications of an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine, and 105 is an external device ( Here, a communication control unit for communicating with the image forming apparatus), a connector for connecting a host outputting PDL data, etc., and a connector for connecting the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed structure of the PDL interpreter unit 102. In FIG. 2, 301
Is a page P sent from the host and storing PDL data
A DL memory, a CPU 302 that controls the entire PDL interpreter unit, and a CPU that executes processing such as rasterization of PDL data into raster image data, and a ROM 303 that stores various control programs and processing programs executed by the CPU 302. A RAM 304 is used as a work area for various controls and processes executed by the CPU 302. The PDL 305 is composed of, for example, a ROM.
A font memory for storing data for converting a character code included in the data into bit image data, 306
Is a pattern memory that stores a dither pattern of a dither method, which is one of the binarization methods, and is configured by a ROM or the like,
307 is an interface unit for receiving PDL data from the host, and 308 is a PDL interpreter unit 102.
Is a CPU bus for connecting the respective constituent elements of.

Here, the PDL data stored in the page PDL memory 301 constitutes the image data corresponding to one page of the image recording (output) medium, and the format is the same as the description in a general high-level programming language. belongs to.

When the page PDL memory 301 has PDL data for one page, the CPU 302 sequentially reads the PDL data from the page PDL memory 301,
After rasterizing the raster image data, the rasterized data is stored in the image memory 103. That is, the CPU 302 sets the page PDL memory 30 for each band forming one page.
The PDL data is read from 1 and further developed into raster image data, and this is repeated for all bands to form one page of raster image data. here,
A band refers to a rectangular image formed by a single scan of a bubble head in an image forming apparatus such as a bubble jet printer. In a bubble jet printer, the bubble head scans the recording paper multiple times to complete the image forming output for one page. Therefore, a band is a short strip in the conveying direction of the recording paper and a long strip in the scanning direction of the bubble head. It means the rectangular image above.

In this embodiment, the image memory 103 is a memory configured to be an external memory with respect to the interpreter unit 102, and is a memory for storing the expanded image data.
For example, each RGB color component is stored in a data format of 8 bits. This image data is temporarily stored in the image data control unit 104 under the control of the image data control unit 104.
Output to the external image forming apparatus via the image data control unit 104.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the outline of the internal structure of the image data control unit 104. In FIG. 3, 401
Immediately after the power supply to the apparatus is turned on, the image forming apparatus receives the information of the image forming apparatus connected via the communication control unit 105 according to a predetermined protocol, determines the type of the image forming apparatus, and determines the subsequent image processing flow. An apparatus recognition unit 402 is an image data processing unit that executes image processing according to the type of the connected image forming apparatus.

Next, the image processing executed by the apparatus having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the case of the present embodiment, as an image forming apparatus to be connected, an electrophotographic laser printer capable of color output (color expression inside the apparatus is YMCBk component expression, and a data buffer for one page is provided inside the apparatus). , Inkjet type bubble jet printer capable of color output (color expression inside the device is R (red) G (green) B (blue) component expression, and a data buffer for one band is inside the device)
Consider two types. Also, the PDL interpreter unit 102
The PDL color information interpreted in
It is assumed to be represented by the B component.

First, when the power of the apparatus is turned on, it is checked in step S10 whether the connected image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic laser printer or an inkjet bubble jet printer. This information is
The image is sent from the image forming apparatus to the apparatus according to the protocol defined for connection with the image forming apparatus. here,
If the connection device is an electrophotographic laser printer, the process proceeds to step S15, the image data processing unit 402 is notified that the electrophotographic device is connected, and the image data processing unit 402 performs image data processing. Set the processing of to the electrophotographic mode. On the other hand, if the connection device is an inkjet type bubble jet printer, the process proceeds to step S50 to notify the image data processing unit 402 that the inkjet type device is connected, and the image data processing unit 402 Set the handling of image data in to the inkjet mode.

In step S20, PDL data development processing is executed according to the electrophotographic mode. That is, in the image data processing unit 402, the PDL data interpreted by the PDL interpreter unit 102 is converted into RGBRGBRGB for each band.
… Expands. In step S25, one band of PDL
When the expansion of the data is monitored and the expansion of the PDL data for one band is completed, the process proceeds to step S30. In step S30, the expansion completion of PDL data for all bands, that is, one page is continuously monitored, and PDL for one page is monitored.
When the data expansion is completed, the process proceeds to step S35. By the processing of steps S20 to S30, one page of image data is expanded and registered in the image memory 103.

In step S35, the registered expanded image data is converted from the image data of each of the RGB color components by C.
Convert to image data of MYBk color components. Step S4
At 0, whether or not the conversion process is completed is checked, and if it is determined that the conversion for one page is completed, the process proceeds to step S45, and if the conversion is not completed, the process proceeds to step S45.
Return to 35. Then, the image data for one page is CMY
When the conversion to the data of the Bk color component is completed, the process transfers the data of each color component to the connection device in a frame sequential manner in step S45.

On the other hand, in step S55, PDL data development processing is executed in accordance with the ink jet mode. That is, the image data processing unit 402 converts the PDL data interpreted by the PDL interpreter unit 102 into RGB for each band.
Expand to RGB, RGB ... In step S60, the completion of expanding the PDL data for one band is monitored, and when the expansion of the PDL data for one band is completed, the process proceeds to step S65.
Proceed to. In step S65, the image data of the RBG expanded in the image memory 103 is dot-sequentially transferred to the connection device for each pixel data.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the type of the connected image forming apparatus is recognized based on the information obtained by communication from the connected image forming apparatus, and even if the connected apparatus is a laser printer according to the electrophotographic method, it follows the ink jet method. Even a bubble jet printer can execute and output image data expansion processing according to the recognition result.

In the present embodiment, the image memory 103 has P
Although it is configured as an external memory for the DL interpreter unit 102, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image memory may be configured as an internal memory.

Further, in the present embodiment, the explanation has been made assuming that the expanded data is transferred as it is to the image forming apparatus to which it is connected, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, various image processing may be performed on the expanded image data.

Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which the type of the image forming apparatus to be connected is recognized by the communication with the apparatus has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the device user can set the type of the connected device in advance by using a DIP switch or the like.

Further, although the structure of the communication control unit of the present embodiment is not particularly mentioned, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the communication control unit 601 is mounted on one board and connected to the image forming apparatus. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the user himself replaces it according to the specifications. As a result, the replaceable communication control unit 601 does not need to incorporate the communication protocol with the image forming apparatus so as to be compatible with all apparatuses, and can use the unique communication protocol that matches the specifications of the specific image forming apparatus to be connected. A corresponding communication controller board can be used. Therefore, the communication control unit to be used is dedicated to the image forming apparatus to be connected, and there is also an advantage that it is not necessary to recognize the type of the connected image forming apparatus.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the image data generated by interpreting the page description language is output to the image output device, the image data is output according to the specifications of the image output device. Therefore, there is an effect that an appropriate image can be output regardless of the type of the image output device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus that is a typical embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a PDL interpreter unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image data control unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an image data expansion / transfer process.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus of another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus of a type in which an interpreter unit according to a conventional example is built in an output device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus of a type in which an interpreter unit according to a conventional example is provided separately from an output device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 main body 102 interpreter 103 image memory 104 image data controller 105 communication controller 106 PDL data input 107 output image data output 301 page PDL memory 302 CPU 303 ROM 304 RAM 305 font memory 306 pattern memory 307 interface unit 308 CPU bus 401 Image forming apparatus recognition unit 402 Image data processing unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image processing method for interpreting a page description language to generate image data and outputting the image data to an image output device, the input step of inputting specifications of the image output device, and the page description. An image processing comprising: a generation step of interpreting a language to generate image data; and an output step of outputting the image data generated by the generation step in accordance with the specifications input by the input step. Method. 2. An image processing device for interpreting a page description language to generate image data and outputting the image data to an image output device, the input means inputting specifications of the image output device, and the page description. A generation unit that interprets a language to generate image data, a storage unit that stores the image data, and an output that outputs the image data stored in the storage unit according to the specifications input in the input step. And an image processing apparatus. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the input unit includes a communication unit that communicates with the image output device to input the specifications. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the communication unit is a communication board that can be replaced according to the specifications of the image output apparatus.