JPS63250736A - Image data processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To execute data converting processing and the image data output operation of the preceding recording paper in parallel and to improve through- put by allowing the input of image data in the succeeding recording paper when a blank area in a storage means has a prescribed size or more. CONSTITUTION:A pointer 30 for monitoring the size of a storage area is included in an internal data conversion processing part 3. A value indicated by the pointer 3 is increased in accordance with the increment of a blank area in an internal data buffer 4. When the size of the blank area indicated by the value of the pointer 30 is the capacity capable of storing the prescribed pairs of image data, the conversion processing part 3 permits a data input processing part 1 to input image data in the succeeding recording paper. When the blank area is small, inversely, external image data are waited at its input only when there is no blank area in an input data buffer 2. If the blank area in the buffer 4 has the prescribed capacity or more when the (i+1)th image data are inputted on the way of output of the i-th image data, conversion processing into internal data can be executed in parallel by utilizing the blank area.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image data processing device that processes image data transferred from a large-scale computer or the like and outputs the processed image data to an image output device such as an electrostatic plotter. It is something.

[Conventional technology]

In an electrostatic plotter, a large number of recording needles arranged in the main scanning direction are driven line by line in the main scanning direction in a drive pattern corresponding to the image of the figure, etc. to be recorded, thereby printing figures, etc. on electrostatic recording paper. image is recorded.

On the other hand, image data for recording images such as such figures is generated by a large scale device or a special image data generation device. In this case, the generated image envelope data is expressed by a combination of coordinates such as the start point, end point, center, radius, etc. of the image to be recorded, and moreover, its Fi! In many cases, the a values are not input in order of magnitude, but in a random arrangement.

Therefore, an image data processing device that converts the data format and rearranges the image data in order of magnitude of coordinate values is required between the device that generates the view angle data and the electrostatic plotter.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the conventional configuration of this main view angle data processing device, in which image data from a large scale t>n etc. is input to the data human horn processing section 1, and this input processing section 1
are sequentially stored in the input data buffer 12. Once certain mother image data is stored in the input data buffer 2, the image data is read into the internal data conversion processing section and converted into a data format used within the data processing device.

And that strange thing! i! The view angle data after I are sequentially stored in the internal data buffer 4 of Daigen 0.

When both data per recording sheet or drawing are stored in the internal data buffer 4 in this way, the sort processing section 5 reads out the view angle data from the buffer 4 and
or y-axis direction), rearrange the coordinate values in order of magnitude,
Write on the buffer 14 again. When the sorting is completed, the output data format conversion processing unit 6 sequentially reads out the view angle data from the buffer 14, converts it into an image signal in accordance with the image signal input format of the electrostatic plotter 8, and outputs the electrostatic data via the output interface 7. Enter block 8.

As a result, the electrostatic plotter 8 records an image such as a figure corresponding to the image Q data inputted from the large scale meter σIj1 or the like.

Therefore, if the image data to be recorded on the first sheet is composed of image data D1 to DN of NII[l as shown in FIG. 4, each time each set of angle of view data is input. Then, conversion processing into internal data is executed and sequentially stored in the buffer 4. When the conversion processing of all the angle of view data of N-dark blue is completed, the rearrangement processing and the output format conversion processing are performed in chronological order, and after that, the next (i+1)th image Data can now be entered.

[Problems that Mitsukiri tries to solve]

As is clear from Fig. 4, the conversion process to internal data,
Sorting processing and output format conversion processing are performed in chronological order for each sheet of recording paper. For this reason, the recording paper 1 currently being processed
Until all of the view angle data per sheet has been output from the buffer 14, image data for the next recording sheet cannot be input, resulting in a problem of low throughput.

Therefore, it is conceivable to provide a buffer with the same capacity Q as buffer 4. However, in this case, the cost increases, which is not preferable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image data processing device that can improve throughput at low cost.

[Means for solving problems]

In the present invention, the image to be recorded has starting point coordinates and ending point coordinates.

An input means for inputting image data expressed by a combination of coordinate values such as center coordinates and radius, a storage means for sequentially storing the input image data, and an image per sheet of recording paper in this storage means. If the data is stored, sorting means rearranges the image data in order of magnitude in either the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction and re-stores it in the recording means; and the image data re-stored in the storage means. In an image data processing device, the image data processing device includes data output format conversion means for sequentially reading data, converting it into a signal corresponding to an input signal format of an image output device, and outputting the signal to the image output device. A monitoring means is provided to transfer the image data to the data output format conversion means and monitor the size of the storage area that is already free, and if the free space is larger than a predetermined size, the image Q of the next recording paper is This allows the input means to input data.

[Operation] If the free area of the storage means is larger than a predetermined size, input of the image data of the next recording paper is permitted, and the conversion process to internal data is performed as the output operation of the image data of the previous recording paper. is carried out in parallel.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and the difference from the conventional configuration is the buffer? Image data is output from the storage area of 4. Data format conversion processing J! I! A pointer 30 is provided in the internal data conversion processing section 3 to monitor the size of the storage area that has been transferred to the section 6 and is already free.

The value indicated by the pointer 30 increases as the free space in the buffer 14 increases;
If the size of the free space indicated by the value is large enough to store image data of a predetermined type and store it, the internal data conversion processing section 3 inputs the image data of the next recording paper. Permit processing unit 1. Conversely, if the size of the free area is small, input of the next recording sheet to the image puller is delayed.

However, since the input data buffer 2 is provided in this embodiment, if the free space is small, input data from outside may be
The input image data can be inputted only when there is a large amount of free space in the input data buffer door 2.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, even when the (i→-1)th image data is input during the output of the (i)th image data, the free space in the buffer 4 is If Ω is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the conversion process to internal data can be performed in parallel using this free space. This can be achieved by simply adding the pointer 30, so the cost is also low.

Although an electrostatic block is used as an example of the image output device in the first embodiment, the present invention can equally be applied to dot printers and thermal head printers.

[Effect of light]

As explained above, according to the present invention, image data inputted from a large scale meter V7 etc. can be quickly outputted to an image output device in an inexpensive 4-4 format, thereby increasing the throughput of the entire system. ! − can greatly contribute to the improvement of

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a time chart for explaining the present invention in detail.
FIG. 53 is a block diagram showing the construction of the conventional device, and FIG. 4 is a time chart for explaining the operation of the conventional device shown in FIG. 1...Data input processing section, 2...Input data buffer? , 3... Internal data conversion processing unit, 4... Internal data buffer, 5... Sorting processing unit, 6... Output data format conversion processing unit, 7... Output interface. Figure 1 Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] Input means for inputting image data in which an image to be recorded is expressed by a combination of coordinate values such as starting point coordinates, end point coordinates, center coordinates, radius, etc., and sequentially storing the inputted image data. storage means, and if image data per sheet of recording paper is stored in the storage means, the image data is rearranged in order of size in either the x-axis direction or the y-axis direction and then stored again in the storage means; and data output format conversion means for sequentially reading out the image data re-stored in the storage means, converting it into a signal corresponding to an input signal format of an image output device, and outputting the signal to the image output device. In the data processing device, a monitoring means is provided for transferring the image data to the data output format converting means in the storage area of the storage means and monitoring the size of the storage area that is already a free area, An image data processing apparatus characterized in that if the size is larger than that, the input means is allowed to input image data of the next storage paper.