JPH08237413A - Image processor and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To perform output processing of image data efficiently without interfering other processing in the image processing unit in which plural output devices are connected by providing an output means outputting image data from a memory to any of the plural output devices. CONSTITUTION: Image data from a host computer 102 are transferred to frame memories 201, 202 of an interface device 101. A CPU 209 executes a print command from the host computer 102 and issues the print command to a color copying machine 103 via an interface 23. The color copying machine 103 starts a printer and sends back an image synchronizing signal simultaneously. An image output request is given to the memory 201 through the interface 223 according to the image synchronizing signal. Image data outputted from the memory 201 are transferred to the color copying machine 103 via the interface 223. The processing above is similar to the case with a color copying machine 104.

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 and method having a memory.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various digital color copying machines have become widespread, and various interface devices are connected to the digital color copying machine to output and print data such as computer graphics (CG) images from a host computer. Such a system has been developed.

Conventionally, in these systems, only one image output device for forming an image on a recording medium such as a digital color copying machine is connected to one image processing device.

Since only one image output device is connected to the image processing device, it has a frame memory for storing the image data from the host computer. If the capacity of the frame memory is large enough for the image data capacity to
By dividing the memory into two areas and using the second memory area for inputting the image data from the host computer during the output print operation to the digital color copying machine using the first memory area, There is a proposal to improve the efficiency of processing by performing the input processing and the output processing in parallel.

This is called double buffer transfer,
High-speed image data transfer is possible.

However, when two digital color copying machines having different output systems are connected, for example, when an electrostatic photography type color copying machine and an ink jet type copying machine are connected, the electrostatic photography method is used. Image data for one sheet is registered in the frame memory once, whereas in the inkjet method, image data for one sheet is divided into multiple times and output printing is performed in a small frame memory. And the usage of each frame memory is different.

In the electrophotographic color copying machine, the output print size is often A3 size at maximum, but in the ink jet type color copying machine, there are some products that can output print up to A1 size. An image processing apparatus in which two color copying machines are connected has an A3 size frame memory, but having an A1 size frame memory is disadvantageous in terms of cost. As shown in FIG. 1, an RGB full color signal in A3 size requires a capacity of 96 MB. On the other hand, the A1 size is
A capacity of 384 MB, which is four times that of A3, is required. In the case of printing using the ink jet method, the image data is registered once in the frame memory only in the shaded area in FIG. 16, and by repeating the processing, the image data for one A1 size sheet is output and printed.

Here, it is assumed that the image processing apparatus has a frame memory capacity of A3 size, and an electrostatic photography type digital color copying machine and an ink jet type digital color copying machine are connected thereto. At this time, if only the A4 size image data is to be output and printed from the electrostatic photography type digital color copying machine, the frame memory is divided into two areas, the double buffer transfer is performed as described above, and the high speed image data is transmitted. Can be transferred. However, when an electrophotographic digital color copying machine and an ink jet digital color copying machine are connected to the image processing apparatus at the same time, the first memory area and the second memory area are equivalent to two sheets of A4 size. Since the double buffer transfer is in progress, there is a problem that the frame memory is overwritten when an output print of the inkjet method is attempted, and normal image printing cannot be performed.

In addition, the output printing time of the electrostatographic method ends in an extremely short time, whereas the output printing time of the inkjet method is very long, and the frame memory occupies a long time. was there.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and in an image processing apparatus to which a plurality of output devices are connected, the output processing of image data can be efficiently performed without interfering with each other. The purpose is to do.

It is another object of the present invention to use the storage means efficiently by appropriately using the plurality of storage means according to the use environment.

Another object of the present invention is to use the storage area efficiently by controlling the storage area appropriately according to the usage environment.

[0013]

The present invention has the following structure as one means for achieving the above object.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an image output device is connected to input means for inputting image data, a plurality of storage means for storing the input image data, and each of the plurality of memories. Control means for correspondingly controlling,
Output means for outputting the image data from the memory to any one of the plurality of output devices.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, input means for inputting image data, first and second storage means for storing the input image data, and an output device using the first storage means. A first mode in which the second storage means is used to input the input image data during an image data output operation;
A second mode in which each of the first and second storage means is used in correspondence with each of a plurality of connected output devices.

A third invention of the present application is a first mode in which a control means for controlling a storage area and the control means divides the storage area into a plurality of portions and controls to simultaneously perform input / output processing of image data. And a second mode for controlling the input / output processing of the image data by dividing the storage area into a plurality of pieces by the control means and associating each storage area with each of the output means. To do.

[0017]

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.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a schematic connection diagram of an example of the system configuration of the present invention. 10
1 is an interface device which is the core of the present invention,
The internal schematic block diagram is shown. Reference numeral 102 denotes a host computer, which is connected via the interface cable 106 to the I
/ F device 101 is connected. This is for example SCSI
And a computer graphics image data from the host computer 102.
The data can be transferred to the frame memories 201 and 202 of the / F device 101, and the print output can be obtained using the color copying machines 103 and 104. It is also possible to control the entire system by sending control commands. The digital color copying machines 103 and 104 are connected to the I / F device 101 by interface cables 107 and 108. These are the I / F devices 101 as described above.
This is for obtaining a print output of the images stored in the frame memories 201 and 202 inside. Also, the image read by the scanner of the color copying machine 103 or 104 is I
It can also be stored in the frame memories 201 and 202 in the / F device 101. These color copying machines 103, 10
4, like the host computer 102, the entire system can be controlled from its operation unit. 1
Reference numerals 09 and 110 are film scanners, and the I / F device 101 is connected by the interface cables 111 and 112.
Connected to. These are color copying machines 103, 104.
In the same manner as the above, the image read by the scanner is used as the I / F device 1
01 can be stored in the frame memories 201 and 202. Also, these film scanners 109, 11
In place of 0, a device such as an HDTV that captures an image, or other various image capturing devices can be connected, and an image can be similarly stored in the frame memory in the interface device 101 and can be printed out. It is like this. The above is the interface device 1
The system configuration centering on 01 was explained.

The internal structure of the interface device 101 will be described below. Reference numeral 203 denotes a first CPU which controls I / O other than the scanner and printer connected to the outside. Details will be described later. 204 is a CPU
The CPU bus 203, and the host computer 102
SCSI controller 20 to interface with
5, a program memory 206, a bus controller 207 for controlling the I / O bus 208, etc. are connected. A bus controller 211 is also connected so that it can be connected to the CPU bus 210 of the second CPU 209. The second CPU 209 will be described later. An I / O controller 212 is connected to the I / O bus 208, and includes a hard disk drive 213, a floppy disk drive 214, a keyboard controller 215, and a CR.
It controls general-purpose I / O such as the T controller 216 and the LCD controller 217. Reference numeral 218 denotes a liquid crystal display device which can always display the state of the interface device 101. Further, an operation unit 219 is connected to the keyboard controller 215 so that the initial setting of the interface device 101 can be changed and the service mode can be set independently. If necessary, a monitor can be externally connected via a CRT controller 216, and a keyboard can be connected via a keyboard controller 215. Further, the I / O bus 208 has an AUX slot 22.
0, 221 are prepared, an interface card such as a CD-ROM can be mounted, and various images stored in the CD-ROM can be expanded in the frame memories 201 and 202 to obtain a print output. In the future, it will be possible to support multimedia, etc.

The second CPU 209 also controls externally connected scanners and printers, and also performs image processing of images stored in the frame memories 201 and 202, such as image rotation and image compression. You can The memory 222 is a program memory, and has a mechanism in which the control program is loaded from the hard disk drive 213 via the bus controller 211 when the power is turned on. Further, the memory 222 is the CPU 2
Also used for communication with 03. Two types of scanner printer interfaces 223 and 224 are connected to the CPU bus 210, and the scanner and printer are controlled while various settings are made. 225 is a bus dedicated to the image, and the image flows through this bus when the image is scanned and printed.

The interface device 101 can be connected to two types of scanner-printer interfaces, and can be connected to scanner printers of different output systems having different characteristics such as an electrostatic photography system and an inkjet system. .

The electrophotographic method and the ink jet method will be briefly described below as specific examples.

In the electrostatic photography method, one image data is registered in the frame memory once. In contrast, in the ink jet method, one image data is divided into a plurality of times so that a small frame memory can be used. The method of output printing is used, and the usage of each frame memory is different.

That is, in the ink jet printing, the image data is registered once in the frame memory by performing only the shaded area in FIG. 16 and repeating the processing to output and print the image data for one A1 size sheet. I do.

Therefore, in the electrostatographic color copying machine, the maximum size of the output print is A3 in most cases, but in the ink jet type color copying machine, it is A1.
Some products can output print up to size.

However, the ink jet system takes a very long time to print, whereas the electrophotographic system can print in a short time.

The interface described above can be replaced with a new interface board in accordance with the type or speed of the copying machine to be connected, and is ready for future use.

Therefore, the equipment to be connected can be flexibly dealt with and the system can be expanded.

Further, in this embodiment, in addition to the scanner printer as described above, the scanner / printer interfaces 223 and 224 have two types of film scanners 109,
110 can be connected in addition to the scanner printers 103, 104. The devices that can be connected to the present invention are not limited to the above film scanner and scanner printer,
For example, another device such as an inkjet printer or a scanner may be used.

FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the scanner printer faces 223 and 224 and the frame memories 201 and 202.

The frame memories 201 and 202 have the same structure, and the red (R), green (G) and blue (B) plane memories 311 and 312 and the plane memories 311 and 3 are respectively configured.
It has controllers 301 and 302 that control the device 12.

The memory controllers 301 and 302 perform control such as reading, writing and refreshing of image data in the plane memories 311 and 312, respectively.

The frame memories 201 and 202 store image data from, for example, a host computer or a scanner of a digital color copying machine. When outputting image data, if the capacity of the frame memory is sufficiently larger than the image data capacity of the image to be output, the frame memory 2
Double buffer transfer is performed in which 01 and 202 are operated in parallel.

That is, while one side is printing output, the other side is capable of transferring an image from the CPU bus 210 from the host computer 102, developing a Postscript image, or performing image processing using the CPU 209 as described above. Has become.

Therefore, the output processing of the image data and the other processing, that is, the input processing of the image data can be performed at the same time, and the efficiency of the processing can be improved.

However, in the case of double buffer transfer, both frame memories 201 and 202 are required.

Here, it is assumed that an electrostatic photography type digital color copying machine and an ink jet type color copying machine are connected to the image processing apparatus. In this case, filed image data for an inkjet color copying machine may be stored in advance in one of the frame memories. At this time, if the A4 size image data is output to the digital color copying machine by using the above-mentioned double buffer transfer, it can be transferred at high speed, but since the two frame memories are used, the ink jet method stored in advance is used. Image data for the color copier is overwritten. Therefore, even if an inkjet printing is performed, the image data is overwritten, and normal printing cannot be performed.

Further, the output printing time of the electrostatic photography method ends in an extremely short time, whereas the output printing time of the ink jet method is very long.
When performing inkjet-type output printing, the frame memory occupies a long time.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the frame memories 201 and 202 are occupied by the two connected digital color copying machines under the control of the CPU 2 so that the other processes interfere with each other. Try not to do it.

It is also possible to connect the two frame memories 201 and 202 under the control of the CPU 2 and regard them as one memory. For example, if both have a memory capacity of A4 size, connect the two. And then A
It is possible to handle 3 size images.

As described above, in this embodiment, under the control of the CPU 2, the first mode for performing the double buffer transfer,
An optimum mode is appropriately selected from a second mode in which each of the frame memories 201 and 202 is used corresponding to the connected device and a third mode in which the frame memories 201 and 202 are virtually regarded as one memory. Process.

The CPU 2 controls each mode by a command set at the time of image storage such as memory frame designation in the create file shown in FIG.

Therefore, the user can arbitrarily set each mode according to the purpose.

Further, since the devices of different systems can share the same frame memory, it is not necessary to preset the frame memory corresponding to the devices of different systems, and the memory can be used efficiently. be able to.

Scanner / Printer Interface 22
3 and 224 have the same configuration, and the same circuit in each has the same number. The color conversion circuit 304 converts the color space of the input image data into image data of a desired color space. The masking color processing circuit 305 performs masking and UCR matching the color reproduction characteristics of the connected output device.
Image editing processing for faithfully reproducing images such as arithmetic processing is performed. The FIFO 306 adjusts the timing of writing image data to the frame memory when reading and writing the image data from the same frame memory. The selector 307 switches the path of the image data depending on whether or not it is necessary to adjust the write timing. The controller 303 controls each circuit described above. A block diagram of the color conversion circuit 304 is shown in FIG.

The color conversion circuit 304 is a look-up table (LUT) 304 capable of setting data of 0 to 255.
Two-a and 304-b and one table 304-c for 3 × 3 matrix calculation are provided.
The LUT 304-a corrects the characteristics of the image data input to the color conversion circuit 304 depending on the input device,
It is a table for power calculation. The matrix calculation table 304-c is a 3 × 3 matrix calculation table for converting the data corrected by the LUT 304-a into image data on the color space of the output device. LUT3
Reference numeral 04-b is a power calculation table for correcting the image data color-space converted by the matrix calculation table 304-c to the characteristics of the output device. An example of a combination of these tables is shown in FIG.

That is, in this embodiment, LUTs 304-a, 3
The correction of the input / output characteristics in 04-b is performed by preparing a plurality of LUTs in advance based on the color space of each input / output device, that is, the image type, and setting each LUT according to the color space conversion processing. But only a little.

Furthermore, since the color space conversion is performed on the data whose input characteristics are corrected using the 3 × 3 matrix operation table, it is possible to perform accurate conversion processing independent of the input characteristics.

Here, the scanner / printer interface 223 is connected via the cable 107 to the color copying machine 103 of the electrostatic photography system (hereinafter referred to as the CLC system) and the scanner / printer interface 224 is connected to the cable 1.
It is assumed that the system to which the CLC type color copying machine 104 is connected via the port 08.

Based on the print command issued from the host computer 102, the interface device 10
The operation in the case of outputting the image stored in the plane memory 311 in the No. 1 using the color copying machine 103 will be described.

From the host computer 102, SCSI
The CPU 203 receives the print command via the interface 205. The CPU 209 interprets the command, and under the control of the bus controller 211, the memory 2
The received command contents are written in 22. CPU20
9 recognizes the writing of the command, reads the contents of the memory 222, and executes the print command. The CPU 209 issues a command for issuing a print command to the color copying machine 103 to the controller 303 in the interface 223, and the controller 303 issues a print command to the color copying machine 103 by communication via the cable 107. Cables 107, 108, 111, 11
2 inside have the same connection, and image data 24bi
t, synchronization signal, clock, and communication are bidirectional and are accommodated in one cable. Upon receiving the print command, the color copying machine 103 activates the printer and at the same time sends back the image synchronization signal. The controller 303, which has received the image synchronization signal, operates on the video bus 22 in accordance with the image synchronization signal.
Put the image request signal on the controller bus in 5,
An image output request is issued to the memory control 301. The memory control 301 follows the image request signal
The image data is output to the video bus 225 as RGB 24 bits. The output image data is the interface 2
23, which is input to the color conversion circuit 304 in 23, and in the plane memory 311, from the image data of a predetermined RGB color space, magenta (M), cyan (C),
The image data in the yellow (Y) color space is converted and output to the masking color processing circuit 305. The masking color processing circuit 305 performs masking according to the color reproduction characteristics of the color copying machine 103. Performs image editing processing to faithfully reproduce the image, such as UCR calculation processing, C, M, Y, K
The (black) data is transferred to the color copying machine through the cable 107.

The color space is expressed on the basis of signal formats such as RGB signals and CMY signals and a predetermined reference value peculiar to each device.

With the cable 107, the image data is transferred in the order of M, C, Y and K in the order of M, C, Y and K by synchronizing with the development of the image in the color copying machine and using 8 bits of the image data of 24 bits. As a result, the same image data of RGB is read from the frame memory 201 four times in total, and the same processing is performed.

The present invention is not limited to frame-sequential image data transfer. For example, dot-sequential image data transfer may be used, and image data is transferred by a method supported by the output device.

FIG. 3 shows how the color copying machine 103 forms an image from the image data received from the interface 223. Reference numeral 401 denotes image data stored in the frame memory.
7 illustrates a state in which a magenta electrostatic latent image in the section is formed on the photosensitive drum 402. Reference numeral 403 denotes a laser light source, which is turned on and off based on the transferred image data, and passes through the polygon mirror 404 to the photosensitive drum 40.
2 to form an electrostatic latent image. Reference numeral 406 indicates the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 402. At this time, the edge of the image is detected by the beam detection sensor 405, which detects a horizontal synchronizing signal (hereinafter referred to as HSY).
(Referred to as NC) to synchronize image transfer.
FIG. 4 shows the state of the timing. These actions
An image is formed by repeating C, M, Y and K four times in total. What has been described above is the case where the LOG conversion circuit and the masking circuit are provided on the interface 101 side, and of course, the LOG conversion circuit and the masking circuit of the color copying machine may be used. In that case, the image data lines 24 bits inside the cable 107 are fully used and transferred as RGB image data.

Next, the operation of storing the image data representing the original obtained by using the color scanner of the color copying machine 103 in the frame memory 201, which is the reverse of the above operation, will be described.

The CPU 203 receives, recognizes and executes the scan command from the host computer 102 via the SCSI interface 205. CPU209
Issues a scan command to the color copying machine 103 through the controller 303 through communication. The color copying machine 103 scans an original based on the scan command, and the RG based on the input characteristics of the color copying machine 103 obtained.
The image data of the B color space is transferred as RGB image data by fully using the image data signal 24 bits inside the cable 107. In the interface device 101, the transferred RGB image data is input to the color conversion circuit 304 in the interface 223, the image data is converted into a color space according to the file type registered with the connection device,
Output to the video bus 225. At the same time, controller 3
03 outputs a fetch request signal to the memory control 301 on the control bus, and the memory control 301 stores the image on the video bus 225 in the plane memory based on the fetch request signal. Although the frame memory 201 has been described above, similarly for the frame 202, when the controller 303 places a request signal on the control bus with respect to the memory controller 302, the frame memory 202 similarly starts its operation. . At this time, in order to avoid a bus conflict of the controllers 303 and 304, the scanner printer interfaces 223 and 22
4 does not work at the same time.

Although the image input / output operation of the color copying machine 103 has been described above, the color copying machine 104, the film scanner, and the like perform the same operation.

FIG. 5 shows a signal configuration between the present I / F device and a device such as a color copying machine or a film scanner. The image signal is transmitted through the 24-bit signal line as described above. The image signal is a control signal for transferring image data, and is composed of a pixel synchronization signal, a line synchronization signal, and a page synchronization signal. The communication control signal is a signal for performing operation instruction and status management by serial communication of command / status. The sequence control signal is a signal that sends information indicating the power state of each device.

FIG. 6 shows a module configuration of a control program operated on the CPU 2 side and downloaded to the program memory after the power is turned on in this embodiment. The module 701 is a real-time OS and manages a plurality of tasks. Each task is event driven. Module 70
2 is a task that runs when the control program is started.
C, initial setting of frame memory, initial setting of parameter variables used in this control program, and identification of interface board. Modules 703, 704
Controls command communication with a color copying machine or a film scanner. The module 703 is a communication control task for issuing a command from the I / F device and returning the status from the color copying machine when the I / F device is the master side and the color copying machine side is the slave side. The module 704 is a reverse type of the module 703 and is a communication control task for issuing a command from the color copying machine side and for the I / F device to return a status. Module 70
Reference numeral 5 controls command communication with the CPU 1 and image transfer control. As a result, the command CPU 2 side received from the host computer via the SCSI controller analyzes and sends a processing start instruction to the communication control task or the image processing task. Modules 706, 707, and 708 are image input / output control tasks that control input / output of image data to / from a CLC / BJ type color copier or film scanner, respectively. The module 709 controls image processing such as image compression, expansion, rotation, mirror image, color space compression, and color space conversion. The module 710 is a frame memory 201, 2
Manages image files registered in 02.

FIG. 7 is a software system configuration diagram of the I / F device. The operation of the system will be described with reference to this figure. First, after the power is turned on, the real time O of the module 701
S is activated and tasks 901 and 902 are generated. The task 901 controls the boot unit 702, and at the time of each initialization, FIG.
Set the card code in the Configuration Table of (1).

Configuration Table
Is to manage whether or not a slot, that is, a board set in each of the scanner / printer interfaces 223 and 224, an output device connected to each slot, and a film scanner are connected.

Although not shown, the scanner / printer interfaces 223 and 224 have a structure in which interface boards are inserted. Each board has a board type identifying board, and an ID is set in hardware for each board type. As a result, the CPU 2 can read the data, and the set board can be automatically recognized in correspondence with the slot. The board ID indicates the communication type. Then, based on the recognition, the engine card code shown in FIG.
Write to the corresponding slot location of the Ignition Table.

Further, the power ready of the color copying machine and the film scanner sent by the sequence control signal on the interface is checked by the signal detection board (not shown) on the boards 223 and 224, and each device is activated. If so, the Configurat of FIG. 8 (1)
The communication control tasks 905, 906, and 907 are generated according to the engine card code in the Ion Table. Tasks 905 and 907 perform communication control in which the main I / F device of the module 703 is of the master side, and task 906 is communication control of the main I / F device of the module 704 is of slave type. /
Exchange status. The device code and cassette information are set in the device information tables of FIGS. 8 and 9 based on the information obtained by this communication.

Therefore, the communication type is set by first discriminating the inserted interface board and managing the card code corresponding to the slot. Next, communication is performed with the connected device based on the set communication type, and the device codes shown in FIGS. 8 (3) and 8 (5) are made to correspond to the respective slots, and as shown in FIG. 8 (1) and FIG. Configuration Tab shown in 8 (4)
Set in le. Through the above processing, the interface device 101 can automatically recognize each connected device in association with the slot.

Further, since the above-mentioned connected device recognition processing is performed every day when the power is turned on, the latest system state can be always grasped.

The task 802 controls the module 705 and analyzes the command received from the host computer.
Upon receiving the print / scan command, the image input / output control tasks 908, 909, and 910 are activated via the communication control tasks 905, 906, and 907. At this time, the slot in which the I / F card is installed is selected by the parameter associated with the print / scan command, and the Config command in FIG. 8 is selected.
Different image input / output control is performed for each device according to the device code in the Duration Table.

As a result, which device is used for scanning or printing can be switched according to the user's application. Further, image input / output tasks of different control methods such as the CLC method and the FS method can be operated depending on the connected device.

Next, the setting procedure will be described with reference to FIG. In S10, the CREATE FILE of FIG.
Image type by command, ie, frame memory 20
IMAGE T is the color space for storing image data in
YPE and IMEGE TYPE Optional C
Specify based on the combination of odes and create an image file. Fig. 15 shows IMAGE TYPE and IMAGE
A list of correspondences between combinations with TYPE Optional Codes and image types is shown.

At this time, the table shown in FIG. 12 is created as file information. This is information for managing the image data stored in the frame memory 202, and CR
The ATE FILE command includes various information such as an image type and a file ID specified when the file is created.

In step S20, it is set whether or not automatic conversion is performed. The automatic conversion is to automatically convert the image data in the interface device into the color space supported by the output device designated by the print command when the image data is output to the output device.

The automatic conversion is carried out by the Native conversion shown in FIG.
Color Space Auto Convers
Specifies whether to use the ion PAGE command. If not specified, color space conversion will not be performed automatically.

In S30, a print command is issued.
Further, the output device for printing is connected to the slot 0, that is, CL in the above system example.
When C103 is not used, a slot switching command is also issued at the same time.

In S40, the image input / output control tasks 908 and 909 are activated based on the print command issued in S30, and the device type to be connected is first set to Co in FIG.
Recognize based on the device code in the nfigure Table.

In step S50, the type of output device is determined based on whether or not the slot switching command is issued in step S30. The interface device is set so that slot 0 operates by default. However, when the slot switching command is issued, the slot is switched and the slot 1 is operated to prepare to output the image data to the CLC 104.

S60 is a color conversion circuit suitable for the file information shown in FIG. 12 corresponding to the output device for outputting the image data determined in S50 to the color conversion circuit 304 and the file storing the image data to be output. LUT in 304
As shown in FIG. 14, tables 304-a and 304-b and a table 304-c for 3 × 3 matrix calculation are respectively set.

S70 is the communication control task 905, 906.
When the image data is input to or output from the color copying machine, which is the connection device, the connection device is activated via the color conversion circuit 304 in real time.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, automatic optimum color space conversion processing can be performed.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, a plurality of frame memories 201 and 202 are provided in advance.
The present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in the second embodiment, the CPU may divide the frame memory according to processing.

The second embodiment of the present application will be described below with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 17, the same circuits as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the second embodiment of the present application, the frame memory is provided for A3 size, for example, and the CPU 3
171 divides the storage area in the frame memory, and controls based on the set mode.

In the first mode, a double buffer transfer process for inputting / outputting image data in parallel is performed. CPU3
The reference numeral 171 divides the A3 size frame memory into two A4 size memories and controls them. By using the first mode, other processing cannot be performed, but this processing can be performed at high speed.

In the second mode, the designated storage area is controlled so as to be occupied by this processing in order to process the divided storage areas without interference. By using the second mode, high-speed processing cannot be performed, but data in another storage area can be held.

The third mode is controlled without division. Third
By using the mode of, it is not possible to process at high speed, but since a large amount of image data can be handled,
In this embodiment, up to A3 can be supported.

The above-described selection of the first mode and the second mode is automatically set by the CPU3 171 based on whether one or a plurality of output devices are connected to the image processing device.

The connected output device can be recognized by communication as in the first embodiment.

The selection of the third mode is automatically set by the CPU 3171 based on the input image data amount.

According to the second embodiment, CPU3 171
Each mode setting can automatically set the appropriate mode.

Note that each mode setting may be set by the CPU3 171 based on a command as in the first embodiment.

The output device connected to the scanner interface may be an output device having a head of a type that causes film boiling due to thermal energy to eject droplets.

[0092]

As described above, according to the first invention of the present application, in the image processing apparatus to which the plurality of output devices are connected, the output processing of the image data can be efficiently performed without interfering with each other. Can be done on a regular basis.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the storage means can be effectively used by appropriately using the plurality of storage means according to the usage environment.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the storage area can be used efficiently.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a color image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2A is a diagram showing in detail a part of the internal configuration of the device shown in 101 of FIG. (B) is a color conversion circuit configuration 1
The figure which showed the example.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first example of a color copying machine.

4 is a timing chart showing a signal form when outputting color image data to the color copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a signal configuration between the I / F device of this embodiment, a color copying machine, and a film scanner.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a module configuration of a control program of a CPU 208 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a software configuration diagram of the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a storage format and contents of device information of a color copying machine / film scanner.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a storage format of information about a paper cassette.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of an example of color conversion processing of the present embodiment.

FIG. 11: Command CREATE for creating a file
The figure which shows the format of an ILE command, and description of a parameter.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing registered file information.

FIG. 13: Automatic conversion designation command Native for color conversion
Color Space Aute Convers
The figure which shows an ion PAGE command format.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a relationship among a device type, a file type, and a color conversion table of a color copying machine.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a file type code.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a size of a required frame memory with respect to a size of image data and a printing method of an inkjet digital color copying machine.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a color image processing system according to the second embodiment of the present application.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 interface device 201 frame memory 303 color conversion circuit 304 masking color processing circuit

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An input unit for inputting image data, a plurality of storage units for storing the input image data, and a plurality of memories are controlled in association with respective connected image output devices. An image processing apparatus comprising: a control unit; and an output unit that outputs the image data from the memory to any one of the plurality of output devices. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image output apparatus is an electrophotographic system. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image output apparatus is an inkjet type. 4. Input means for inputting image data, first and second storage means for storing the input image data, and an operation of outputting image data to an output device using the first storage means. A first mode in which the second storage means is used for inputting the input image data, and each of the first and second storage means is used in correspondence with each of a plurality of connected output devices. An image processing apparatus having a second mode. 5. A selection means for selecting a first mode when one output device is connected to the image processing device and a second mode when a plurality of output devices are connected to the image processing device. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: 6. A control means for controlling a storage area, and a first control means for dividing the storage area into a plurality of parts by the control means so as to perform input / output processing of image data in parallel.
And a second mode for controlling the input / output processing of the image data by dividing the storage area into a plurality of parts by the control means, associating each storage area with each of the output means. A characteristic image processing device. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a third mode in which the control unit controls the input / output processing of the image data using the storage area. 8. An input step of inputting image data, a plurality of storage steps of storing the input image data,
And a control step of controlling each of the plurality of memories in correspondence with each of the connected image output apparatuses, and an output step of outputting the image data from the memory to one of the plurality of output apparatuses. An image processing method characterized by the above. 9. An input step of inputting image data, a storing step of storing the input image data by using first and second storing means, and a storing step of outputting the image data to an output device by using the first storing means. A first mode in which the second storage means is used for inputting the input image data during an image data output operation, and each of a plurality of output devices connected to the first and second storage means And a second mode which is used in correspondence with the above. 10. A control step of controlling a storage area, and a first control for dividing the storage area into a plurality of pieces by the control means so as to perform input / output processing of image data in parallel.
And a second mode for controlling the input / output processing of the image data by dividing the storage area into a plurality of parts by the control means, associating each storage area with each of the output means. Characterized image processing method.