JPH11235849A - Image processing device, data processing method thereof, and storage medium storing program readable by computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the memory usage necessary for managing a band information by a method wherein the existence or inexistence of codedly represented data in intermediate data, which are obtained by analyzing and interpreting image information at a band unit, is judged band after band so as to carry out coding processes, which are different from one another at every band, on the basis of the results of the judgement just mentioned above. SOLUTION: In an image processing device, an engine 2011 processes so as to produce outputtable printing data on the basis of an inputted image information. An interpreting means, with which a CPU 2005 execution-processes a controlling program stored in a ROM 2006, interprets the image information into a predetermined intermediate data by analizing by a band unit. A judging means, with which the CPU 2005 execution-processes the controlling program stored in the ROM 2006, judges the existence and inexistence of codedly represented data in the intermediate data interpreted by the interpreting means band after band. A coding processing means, with which the CPU 2005 execution-processes the controlling program stored in the ROM 2006, carries out coding processes, which are different from one another at every band, on the basis of the result of the judgement with a judging means.

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 for analyzing input image information and performing a drawing process with a rasterizing function in band units, a data processing method of the image processing apparatus, and a computer readable program. It relates to a storage medium that stores the information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus called a page printer such as a laser beam printer, an image is formed by holding raster data for one page in a raster memory. Raster data as such an image processing device handles not only text but also all kinds of images from simple figures to images such as photographs.

The resolution of these image forming apparatuses has been improved in recent years. For example, at a resolution of 600 dpi, an A4 size memory of 4 Mbytes per page is required.
The resolution will tend to increase further in the future. In addition, the gray scale conventionally expressed by two gray scales (1 bit) per pixel is also changed to 1 gray scale.
The number of raster memories is increasing from 6 gradations (4 bits) to 256 gradations (8 bits), and an increasingly large amount of raster memory is required. In recent years, the number of cases where color is handled has increased, and in the case of the YMCK space, the number of planes required for four planes has become larger and larger than in the case of monochrome.

[0004] In order to suppress an increase in cost due to such an increase in memory, various memory saving techniques have been proposed. For example, there has been a method in which a bitmap image for one page is not stored on a raster memory, but the raster memory is used as encoded data to save memory.

Further, in order to improve memory efficiency, the following method has been proposed in U.S. Pat. S. PatentNumber
r; 5,608,848. Normally, band data is encoded and stored in band units, and the address of the storage destination of the encoded data is registered in the encoded data management table, so that the encoded data can be referred to in band units.

Conversely, when there is no data in the entire band, that is, when the entire band is covered with white data, white encoded data in which the band of the white data is encoded is created in a memory. Like the normal band, the encoded data is registered in the encoding band management table and can be referred to. When this white band exists in a plurality of bands, the white encoded data is created in each band. Instead, the memory is reduced by referring to the already encoded white encoded data in each band.

[0007]

However, even when a white band exists, it is necessary to create a white coded band, so that a memory corresponding to the size of the white coded data is inevitably needed. There is a problem that the conversion efficiency is low.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to analyze input image information in band units and translate the image information into predetermined intermediate data. It is determined for each band whether or not the coded expression data exists in the intermediate data, and a different encoding process is performed for each band based on the determination result. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus capable of effectively utilizing memory resources, a data processing method of the image processing apparatus, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus for generating print data that can be output by a printing unit based on input image information, the image processing apparatus comprising: Translation means for analyzing each band and translating it into predetermined intermediate data; determination means for determining, for each band, whether or not encoded intermediate data is present in the intermediate data translated by the translation means; And coding processing means for performing different coding processing for each band based on the result of the determination.

[0010] In a second aspect of the present invention, the encoding processing means expands the encoded expression data into a raster image when the determining means determines that the encoded data exists in the intermediate data. Then, encoded data obtained by encoding the developed raster image is registered in the memory as first band information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the encoding processing means converts the encoded expression data into a raster image when the determining means determines that the encoded data does not exist in the intermediate data. The white band information is registered in the memory as the second band information without being developed.

[0012] A fourth invention according to the present invention comprises decoding processing means for performing different decoding processing based on the first band information or the second band information registered in the memory, The decoding processing means transfers a first video signal obtained by decoding the first band information to the printing unit.

A fifth invention according to the present invention comprises decoding processing means for performing different decoding processing based on the first band information or the second band information registered in the memory, The decoding processing means transfers a second video signal indicating a white band to the printing unit without decoding the second band information.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing method of an image processing apparatus for generating print data that can be output by a printing unit based on input image information, the image processing method comprising: A translation step of translating the data into predetermined intermediate data and a determination step of determining whether or not encoded intermediate data exists in the intermediate data translated by the translation step for each band; and a determination of the determination step. Encoding process for performing different encoding processes for each band based on the result.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the encoding processing step, when it is determined in the determination step that the encoded data exists in the intermediate data, the encoded expression data is expanded into a raster image. Then, encoded data obtained by encoding the developed raster image is registered in the memory as first band information.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the encoding processing step, when it is determined in the determining step that the encoded data does not exist in the intermediate data, the encoded expression data is converted into a raster image. The white band information is registered in the memory as the second band information without being developed.

A ninth invention according to the present invention has a decoding processing step of performing different decoding processing based on the first band information or the second band information registered in the memory, The decoding processing step is for transferring a first video signal obtained by decoding the first band information to the printing unit.

[0018] A tenth invention according to the present invention comprises a decoding processing step of performing different decoding processing based on the first band information or the second band information registered in the memory, In the decoding processing step, the second video signal indicating the white band is transferred to the printing unit without decoding the second band information.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling an image processing apparatus for generating and processing print data that can be output by a printing unit based on input image information. A translation step of analyzing the image information in band units and translating the intermediate information into predetermined intermediate data; and determining, for each band, whether encoded intermediate data is present in the intermediate data translated in the translation step. A computer-readable program having a determination step of performing the above-described determination processing and an encoding processing step of performing different encoding processing for each band based on the determination result of the determination step is stored in a storage medium.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the encoding processing step, when it is determined in the determining step that the encoded data is present in the intermediate data, the encoded expression data is expanded into a raster image. Then, the encoded data obtained by encoding the developed raster image is
A computer-readable program to be registered in the memory as band information is stored in a storage medium.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the encoding processing step, when it is determined in the determining step that the intermediate data does not include encoded expression data, the encoded expression data is converted into a raster image. A computer readable program for registering white band information in a memory as second band information without expanding it is stored in a storage medium.

A fourteenth invention according to the present invention has a decoding step of performing different decoding processing based on the first band information or the second band information registered in the memory, In the decoding processing step, a computer-readable program for transferring the first video signal obtained by decoding the first band information to the printing unit is stored in a storage medium.

A fifteenth invention according to the present invention has a decoding processing step of performing different decoding processing based on the first band information or the second band information registered in the memory, In the decoding step, a computer-readable program for transferring a second video signal indicating a white band to the printing unit without decoding the second band information is stored in a storage medium.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a laser beam printer (hereinafter referred to as LBP) applied to this embodiment.
This LBP is capable of registering a character pattern and a fixed format (form data) from a data source (not shown).

In the figure, reference numeral 1000 denotes an LBP main body, which inputs character information (character code), form information, macro instructions, etc., which are externally connected, for example, supplied from a host computer 2001 shown in FIG. And memorize them, and create corresponding character patterns and form patterns according to the information.
An image is formed on a recording paper as a recording medium.

An operation panel 1012 is provided with switches for operation and an LED display. 100
A printer control unit 1 controls the entire LBP main body 1000 and analyzes character information and the like supplied from a host computer. The control unit 1001 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 1002. The laser driver 1002 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1003, and switches on and off a laser beam 1004 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1003 according to an input video signal. It is swung in the direction and scans on the electrostatic drum 1006.

As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1006, and the latent image is developed by the developing unit 1007 around the electrostatic drum 1006 and then transferred to a recording sheet. . A cut sheet is used as the recording paper, and the cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 1008 mounted on the LBP main body 1000, is taken into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 1009 and transport rollers 1010 and 1011, and is supplied to the electrostatic drum. 1006.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing system to which the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2001 denotes an external device such as a host computer. Reference numeral 2002 denotes the entire printer controller (a print control device that performs various types of image processing described below).

In the print control device 2002, 2003
Is a system bus (including an address and a data bus). Reference numeral 2004 denotes a host I / F, which includes a buffer unit. A CPU 2005 executes a control program stored in the ROM 2006 to control the entire printer controller. The ROM 2006 stores printer font data and data in addition to a control program necessary for print control.
Control data is stored.

Reference numeral 2007 denotes a DMA, which is controlled by the CPU 2005 and performs direct memory access to the RAM 2010. A panel 2008 displays the status of the printer and the like. 2009 is an I / F circuit,
11 to perform data communication. The I / F circuit 2009
Is provided with an output buffer unit for storing data to be sent to the engine 2011. Also, the RAM 20
10 is configured so that the user can expand the capacity by purchasing an option RAM.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (7) indicate each step.

First, in step (1), an external device such as the host computer 2001 sends a host I / F 200
4, image data in a page description language (PDL) is input. Next, in step (2), band-encoded expression data is created based on the image data in the page description language in step (1).

Note that the band-coded expression referred to here is:
When drawing objects such as "bitmap", "run-length", "trapezoid", "box", "high-speed boundary coded bitmap" and background patterns divided into bands, and drawing them in raster memory Is a general term for the drawing logic of. The details of the band-coded representation are disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-87251.

Next, in step (3), a counter N indicating the number of bands is initialized (N = 0). The counter N indicates the band currently being processed, N is an integer, and the range of N is from “0” to N_MAX. However, N_MA
X is an integer, N_MAX ≧ 0, and is the final band.

Next, in step (4), it is checked whether or not the current band N exceeds the final band NMAX. If it is determined that the current band does not exceed the final band, the process proceeds to step (5). Create encoded data.

Then, in step (6), the current baton is set to the next band (N), and the process returns to step (4) to repeat the same processing until there is no more processed band.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (4) that all the processing bands have been completed, the process proceeds to step (7), where printing processing is performed, and the processing is terminated.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the band information table created on the RAM 2010 shown in FIG. 2 and the page memory.

The left side of the figure is the band information table BITB.
The right side is the encoded data stored on the page memory PM. The “0th band” of the band information table BITB indicates that “address0” of the encoded data of the “0th band” on the page memory is registered.

Similarly, in the “first band”, “addressl” of the encoded data of the first band is registered. That is, address values for all the bands are set in the band information table BITB.

On the other hand, no encoded data exists in the "second band", and an NIL (= 0x00) address is set in the band information table BITB. This case indicates a white band described later.

In particular, in FIG. 4, the second band, the fifth band, the sixth band, and the eighth band are white bands, each of which corresponds to a state in which the "NIL" address is set to BITB in the band information table BITB.

Hereinafter, the characteristic configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

An image processing apparatus configured to generate print data that can be output by a printing unit (engine 2011) based on the input image information configured as described above. The image processing apparatus analyzes the image information in band units. Translation means (CPU 2005 executes a control program stored in ROM 2006 to perform translation processing);
Determining means for determining for each band whether or not encoded expression data is present in the intermediate data translated by the translating means (the CPU 2005 executes a control program stored in the ROM 2006 to perform the determination processing); Encoding processing means (CPU 20005 performs different encoding processing for each band based on the determination result of the means).
006 by executing the control program stored in 006), so that the encoding processing load varies depending on whether or not encoded expression data exists. Can be.

When the CPU 2005 determines that the encoded data is present in the intermediate data, the CPU 2005 expands the encoded expression data into a raster image, and encodes the expanded raster image by encoding. Since the data is registered in the memory (RAM 2010) as the first band information, the encoded data can be stored and managed with a small memory capacity.

Further, when the CPU 2005 determines that the coded expression data does not exist in the intermediate data (that is, a white dot), the CPU 2005 converts the coded expression data into a second image without expanding the coded expression data into a raster image. Since the band information is registered in the memory (RAM 2010), encoded data relating to the band that is not printed, that is, the white band is not generated, and the memory capacity for storing the band information can be further reduced. At the same time, the encoding process for the entire page can be performed efficiently.

Further, a decoding processing means (CPU 200) for performing different decoding processing based on the first band information or the second band information registered in the RAM 2010.
05 executes a control program stored in the ROM 2006 to perform decoding processing), and the CPU 2005 transfers a first video signal obtained by decoding the first band information to the printing unit (engine 2011). Therefore, a video signal of a band to be printed can be generated from the registered encoded data and reliably transmitted to the printing unit, so that the band including the encoded expression data can be reliably printed.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the second data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the detailed procedure of the encoded data creation processing shown in FIG. In addition, (1) to (5) indicate each step.

First, in step (1), it is checked whether or not there is a band coded expression of the band currently being processed (the counter N shown in FIG. 3). If so, proceed to step (2) to rasterize the band coded representation on the memory.

It is assumed that this memory is a work memory and is secured in the RAM 2010 in advance. Rasterization refers to performing dot expansion processing of a band-encoded representation on the memory.

Next, in step (3), the rasterized band of step (2) is encoded and stored in the RAM.
The data is stored in the page memory secured on the 2010. The page memory is a memory prepared in advance for storing information of one page. Next, in step (4), the coded and stored memory is registered in the band information table, and the process returns to the process shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (1) that the band being processed does not have a band coded expression (N in FIG. 3), the band is determined to be a white band, and Proceed to 5), and the band information table BI
The white band information is registered in the TB, and the process returns to the process shown in FIG.

Thus, for example, as shown in FIG.
If the band is a white band, the encoded data of the second band does not exist. In this case, an NIL (= 0x00) address is set in the band information table BITB, and the white encoded data is not registered. Not done. Hereinafter, the printing process will be described using the band information table BITB shown in FIG. 4 as an example.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a third data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to a print processing procedure. (1) to (7)
Indicates each step.

First, in step (1), a counter N indicating the number of bands is initialized ("0"). This N is
Indicates the band currently being printed, where N is an integer and the range of N is from "0" to NMAX. Here, NMAX is an integer, NMAX ≧ 0, and the final band. In the present embodiment, N_MAX = 9 as shown in FIG.

Next, in step (2), it is checked whether or not the current band N exceeds the final band N_MAX. If it is determined that the current band does not exceed the final band, the process proceeds to step (3), and FIG. The coded data reference address is obtained from the already registered band information table BITB shown in FIG.

First, considering "0th band" shown in FIG. 4, "address0" is registered in "0th band".

Next, in step (4), it is determined whether or not the coded data address (address0) is NIL. If it is determined that the coded data address is not NIL ("0th band", "1st band", "3rd band",
The encoded data of the “fourth band”, the “seventh band”, and the “ninth band”) are converted into video signals while decoding the encoded data of the respective bands, and are transmitted to the engine 2011 shown in FIG. The video signal is transmitted, and "0th band" is first printed.

Next, in step (7), the counter N is changed to "first band", and the process returns to step (2).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (4) that the coded data address (address0) is NIL, the process proceeds to step (6), where the white band video signal is sent to the engine 2011 shown in FIG. Then, the second band is printed as a white band, and the process proceeds to step (7).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that the value of the counter N is the last band, the process ends.

Thus, for example, in the case of the band configuration shown in FIG. 4, “address 1” is registered in the band information table BITB for “1st band”, and is the same as “0th band”. In step (4), it is determined that the encoded data address (addressl) is not NIL.
In the same manner as described above, while decoding the encoded data of the “first band”, the encoded data is converted into a video signal,
The video signal is transmitted to the first band, and the first band is printed.

Next, decoding of the second band is started, and referring to the band information table BITB of the second band, it is determined in step (4) that the address is “NIL”, and in step (6), The video signal of the white band is transmitted to the engine 2011, and the “second band” is printed as a white band.

The same processing is performed for the following bands. When the processing for all the bands is completed in step (2), the printing processing for one page is completed.

Hereinafter, a characteristic configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS.

A data processing method of an image processing apparatus for generating print data that can be output by a printing unit (engine 2011) based on the input image information configured as described above, or an input image A storage medium storing a computer-readable program that controls an image processing apparatus that generates and processes print data that can be output by a printing unit based on information. A translation step for translating into data (steps (1) and (2) in FIG. 3), and a decision step for each band to determine whether or not encoded intermediate data is present in the intermediate data translated in the translation step ( Step (1) in FIG. 5 and an encoding step (Step (2) in FIG. 5) in which different encoding processing is performed for each band based on the determination result of the determination step. Because it has - a (4) or step in FIG. 5 (6)), it is possible to switch the encoding process encoding processing load by whether the coded representation data exists but avoid different memory burden freely.

The encoding processing step (steps (2) to (4) in FIG. 5) includes the steps of:
Since the encoded expression data is expanded into a raster image, and the encoded data obtained by encoding the expanded raster image is registered in the memory as first band information,
Encoded data can be stored and managed with a small memory capacity.

Further, the encoding processing step (step (5) in FIG. 5) converts the encoded expression data into a raster image when it is determined that the intermediate data does not include encoded expression data. Since the white band information is registered in the memory as the second band information without being expanded, encoded data relating to the band that is not printed, that is, the white band is not generated, and the memory capacity for storing the band information is eliminated. Can be further reduced, and the encoding process for the entire page can be performed more efficiently.

A decoding process (steps (1) to (5) in FIG. 6) for performing different decoding processes based on the first band information or the second band information registered in the memory. , (7)), and the decoding processing step transfers the first video signal obtained by decoding the first band information to the printing unit. The video signal of the band is generated and transferred to the printing unit without fail, so that the band including the encoded expression data can be reliably printed.

Further, the first registered in the memory is
And a decoding processing step (steps (1) to (4), (6) in FIG. 6) for performing different decoding processing based on the band information or the second band information. Transfers a second video signal indicating a white band to the printing unit without decoding the second band information, and automatically generates a video signal that becomes white data without decoding encoded data. Then, the white band can be printed.

[Second Embodiment] In the decoding method in the first embodiment, decoding by software, ASIC
May be used.

In the first embodiment, white bands are used. However, all black bands may be used.

Further, in the first embodiment, the case where the video signal is converted while decoding the video signal is dealt with in the decoding. However, the case where the video signal is decoded once in the memory and converted into the video signal may be used. .

In the above embodiment, the case where bands are coded is treated. However, when printing is performed without coding bands, and when the band of interest does not include a band coded expression, white bands are used. It does not matter if it is produced.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the printing apparatus is dealt with, but an image processing apparatus other than the printing apparatus may be used.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program that can be read by a printing system applicable to the present invention will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a printing system to which the present invention can be applied.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator and the like are also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 in this embodiment may be executed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside.
In this case, the present invention is applied even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, and C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

Further, when the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

[0087]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus for generating print data that can be output by a printing unit based on input image information, wherein the image information is analyzed in band units and translated into predetermined intermediate data. A translating means; a judging means for judging whether or not encoded intermediate data is present in the intermediate data translated by the translating means, for each band; and a different encoding for each band based on a judgment result of the judging means. Since the encoding processing means for performing the processing is provided, the encoding processing load varies depending on whether or not encoded expression data exists.

According to the second aspect, the encoding processing means expands the encoded expression data into a raster image when the determining means determines that the encoded data is present in the intermediate data, Since the coded data obtained by coding the developed raster image is registered in the memory as the first band information, the coded data can be stored and managed with a small memory capacity.

[0089] According to the third aspect, the encoding processing means expands the encoded expression data into a raster image when the determining means determines that the encoded data does not exist in the intermediate data. Since the white band information is registered in the memory as the second band information without encoding, the band that is not printed, that is, encoded data relating to the white band is not generated, and the memory capacity for storing the band information is greatly increased. And the encoding process for the entire page can be performed efficiently.

According to the fourth invention, there is provided decoding processing means for performing different decoding processing based on the first band information or the second band information registered in the memory, The processing means transfers the first video signal obtained by decoding the first band information to the printing unit. Therefore, the processing unit generates a video signal of a band to be printed from the registered coded data and reliably outputs the video signal of the band to be printed. And the band including the encoded expression data can be reliably printed.

[0091] According to the fifth invention, there is provided decoding processing means for performing different decoding processing based on the first band information or the second band information registered in the memory, The processing means transfers the second video signal indicating the white band to the printing unit without decoding the second band information, so that the video signal which becomes white data can be output without decoding the encoded data. The white band can be automatically generated and printed.

According to the sixth and eleventh aspects of the present invention, there is provided a data processing method for an image processing apparatus for generating print data that can be output by a printing unit based on input image information. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program that controls an image processing apparatus that generates and processes print data that can be output by a printing unit based on information. A translation step of translating the data into data; a determination step of determining whether or not encoded intermediate data is present in the intermediate data translated by the translation step; and a determination step for each band based on a determination result of the determination step. And a coding processing step of performing a different coding processing on the memory, so that the coding processing load varies depending on whether the coded expression data exists or not. Et no encoding process can be switched freely.

According to a seventh and twelfth aspect, in the encoding processing step, when it is determined in the determining step that the encoded data exists in the intermediate data, the encoded expression data is expanded into a raster image. Since the encoded data obtained by encoding the expanded raster image is registered in the memory as the first band information, the encoded data can be stored and managed with a small memory capacity.

[0094] According to the eighth and thirteenth aspects, the encoding processing step includes converting the encoded expression data into a raster image when the intermediate data does not include the encoded expression data in the determining step. Since the white band information is registered in the memory as the second band information without being developed in the memory, encoded data relating to the band that is not printed, that is, the white band is not generated, and the memory for storing the band information is not generated. The capacity can be significantly reduced, and the encoding process for the entire page can be performed efficiently.

According to the ninth and fourteenth aspects, there is provided a decoding processing step of performing different decoding processing based on the first band information or the second band information registered in the memory, In the decoding processing step, the first video signal obtained by decoding the first band information is transferred to the printing unit. The band including the encoded expression data can be reliably printed by transferring the data to the printing unit.

According to the tenth and fifteenth aspects, there is provided a decoding processing step of performing different decoding processing based on the first band information or the second band information registered in the memory, In the decoding processing step, the second video signal indicating the white band is transferred to the printing unit without decoding the second band information, so that the decoded data becomes white data without decoding the encoded data. A white band can be printed by automatically generating a video signal.

Therefore, there is an effect that the memory usage required for the conventional band information management can be reduced and the memory resources can be effectively used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an internal structure of a laser beam printer applied to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system to which the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between a band information table created on a RAM shown in FIG. 2 and a page memory.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a printing system to which the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2001 External device 2002 Printer controller 2004 Host interface 2005 CPU 2006 ROM 2007 DMA 2008 Panel 2009 Interface circuit 2010 RAM 2011 Engine

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus for generating print data that can be output by a printing unit based on input image information, wherein the image information is analyzed in band units and translated into predetermined intermediate data. Means for determining, for each band, whether or not encoded expression data is present in the intermediate data translated by the translation means; and encoding processing different for each band based on the determination result of the determination means. An image processing apparatus comprising: an encoding processing unit that performs 2. The encoding processing means expands the coded expression data into a raster image when the determination means determines that the coded expression data exists in the intermediate data. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein coded data obtained by coding is registered in a memory as first band information. 3. The encoding processing means, when the judging means judges that there is no encoded expression data in the intermediate data, converts the white band information without expanding the encoded expression data into a raster image. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information is registered in a memory as second band information. 4. Decoding processing means for performing different decoding processing based on the first band information or the second band information registered in the memory, wherein the decoding processing means 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a first video signal obtained by decoding one band information is transferred to the printing unit. 5. Decoding means for performing different decoding processing based on the first band information or the second band information registered in the memory, wherein the decoding processing means The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a second video signal indicating a white band is transferred to the printing unit without decoding band information of the second band. 6. A data processing method of an image processing apparatus for generating print data that can be output by a printing unit based on input image information, wherein the image information is analyzed in band units and predetermined intermediate data A translation step of translating the data into a plurality of bands; a determination step of determining, for each band, whether or not encoded intermediate data is present in the intermediate data translated by the translation step; and for each band based on a determination result of the determination step. A data processing method for an image processing apparatus, comprising: an encoding processing step of performing different encoding processing. 7. The encoding processing step comprises, when it is determined in the determining step that the encoded data is present in the intermediate data, expanding the encoded expression data into a raster image; 7. A data processing method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein coded data obtained by coding is registered in a memory as first band information. 8. The encoding processing step includes, when it is determined in the determining step that the intermediate data does not include the encoded expression data, the white band information is expanded without expanding the encoded expression data into a raster image. 7. The data processing method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the data is registered as second band information in a memory. 9. A decoding process for performing a different decoding process based on the first band information or the second band information registered in the memory, wherein the decoding process step includes: 8. The data processing method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a first video signal obtained by decoding one band information is transferred to the printing unit. 10. A decoding processing step of performing different decoding processing based on the first band information or the second band information registered in the memory, wherein the decoding processing step includes: 9. The data processing method according to claim 8, wherein a second video signal indicating a white band is transferred to the printing unit without decoding the band information of the second band. 11. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program that controls an image processing apparatus that generates and processes print data that can be output by a printing unit based on input image information. A translation step of analyzing in band units and translating the intermediate data into predetermined intermediate data; a determination step of determining, for each band, whether or not encoded intermediate data is present in the intermediate data translated in the translation step; And a coding process for performing a different coding process for each band based on the result of the determination. 12. The encoding processing step, when it is determined in the determining step that the encoded data is present in the intermediate data, the encoded expression data is expanded into a raster image, and the expanded raster image is expanded. 12. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program according to claim 11, wherein coded data obtained by coding is stored in a memory as first band information. 13. The encoding processing step includes, when it is determined in the determining step that the encoded data does not exist in the intermediate data, the white band information is expanded without expanding the encoded expression data into a raster image. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the second band information is registered in a memory.
A storage medium storing the computer-readable program according to the above. 14. A decoding processing step of performing different decoding processing based on the first band information or the second band information registered in the memory, wherein the decoding processing step includes: 13. The storage medium storing a computer-readable program according to claim 12, wherein a first video signal obtained by decoding one band information is transferred to the printing unit. 15. A decoding processing step of performing different decoding processing based on the first band information or the second band information registered in the memory, wherein the decoding processing step includes: 14. The storage medium storing a computer readable program according to claim 13, wherein a second video signal indicating a white band is transferred to the printing unit without decoding the band information of the second band.