KR100386095B1 - Method and apparatus for processing images,and a computer product - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of reducing image data transfer on a data bus and further reducing a storage capacity of a frame memory or an auxiliary storage device necessary for storing the image data. It is done.

The original is read by the reading unit 201 and the sensor board unit 202 and converted into image data, and only image data that can contribute to image formation is extracted from the image data converted by the image data control unit 203. The extracted image data is stored in the memory module 222.

Description

TECHNICAL AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING IMAGES AND AND COMPUTER PRODUCT}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to image processing such as digital copiers and MFPs (multifunction machines having a copy function, a fax function, a printer function, a scanner function, etc.) for forming an image on a transfer paper based on digital image data, and in particular, contributes to image formation. An image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a computer that executes the method, for reading an image data capable of forming an image on a transfer paper.

As a digital copying machine used conventionally, for example, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-186836. When the image of the original is read, the digital copier converts the image of the read original into image data, and stores image data of one page or a plurality of pages in an auxiliary storage device such as a floppy disk device or a hard disk device. Also, when reproducing an image of an original, image data of one page or a plurality of pages stored in the auxiliary storage device is transferred to the frame memory, and the transferred image data is transmitted to the printer engine one by one for reading. Print an image of one original.

The control system of this digital copier is configured as shown in FIG. This control system includes two CPUs 1 for controlling the overall operation of the digital copier, a CPU 2, and a main memory that stores font data required for printing images of applications and applications executed by these CPUs. (3) and a CPU bus 30 for connecting the CPU 1, the CPU 2, and the main memory 3 to each other are provided. The above-described application program, font data, and the like are also read from the auxiliary storage device 21 and stored in the main memory 3.

The CPU bus 30 is connected to the PCI bus 31 via the PCI bridge 4 or to the PCI bus 32 via the PCI bridge 5. Further, the CPU bus 30 is connected to the PCI bus controller 6 to which the PCI bridge 4 and the PCI bridge 5 are connected.

In addition, the PCI bus controller 6 arbitration (competition adjustment) between the PCI bus 31 supported by the PCI bridge 4 and the PCI bus 32 supported by the PCI bridge 5. ) And the controller that controls the PCI bus protocol.

The PCI bus 31 includes a display controller 7 for controlling the operation of the display apparatus 10, a touch panel controller 8 for controlling the operation of the touch panel 9, a floppy disk device and a hard drive. Serial / parallel interface for performing serial communication or parallel communication between the FD / HD interface controller 11 for controlling the operation of the auxiliary storage device 21 such as a disk device and the host computer (not shown). A network interface controller 13 for communicating between the controller 12 and a local area network or the like is connected.

The PCI bus 31 also generates an address for recording or reading image data to and from the frame memory 16, and controls reproduction of DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) that constitutes the frame memory 16. The DRAM controller 14 for carrying out is connected.

On the other hand, in the PCI bus 32, a DRAM controller 15 for generating an address for writing or reading image data to the frame memory 17 and for controlling reproduction of DRAM constituting the frame memory 17 is performed. ), A DMA (Direct Memory Access) controller 18 for controlling the transfer of image data of the DRAM constituting the frame memory 16 and the frame memory 17, and a SCSI (Small Computer System) not shown. Interface A SCSI interface 20 for controlling the connection with the bus is connected.

The DRAM controller 14 is connected to the DMA controller 18 and the video interface 19, and the DRAM controller 15 is also connected to the DMA controller 18 and the video interface 19. The DMA controller 18 transfers image data developed in the frame memory 16 directly to the video interface 19 by DRAM transfer control, or transfers image data developed in the frame memory 17 to the DRAM. Direct transmission to the video interface 19. The image data transmitted to the video interface 19 is transmitted to a printer engine (not shown).

Next, a description will be given of the operation of a conventional digital copier configured as described above in which a plurality of pages of originals are read to print images of these originals. The image data including the character code or control command inputted through the serial / parallel interface controller 12 from the host computer (not shown) or through the network interface controller 13 from the local area network (not shown) or the like is a PCI bus. (31), PCI bridge (4), and CPU bus (30) via CPU 1 (or CPU 2) are input to the CPU 1 and decoded, for example, on the frame memory 17 It is developed as map data.

When the bitmap data of the original one page image is developed on the frame memory 17, the CPU 1 activates the DMA controller 18 to convert the bit map data of the one page original image into the frame memory 17 To the video interface 19. A printer engine (not shown) prints an image of the read original based on the transmitted bit map data.

However, in the above-described conventional digital copier, the entire image of the original size read must be expanded into the frame memory 17 as bitmap data. At least a few pages of bitmap data must be developed in the memory 17.

For example, if the read document size is A4 size (210 mm x 297 mm), and if you want to print the whole image having a dot density of 600 dpi and the contrast level 8 bits per pixel, the amount of image data is actually 35MB (one page). Megabytes). In the case of printing an entire image for several pages, the image data amount is actually several times that of this.

Furthermore, in duplex copying, which prints images on both the front and back sides of the transfer paper, the bitmap data of the front and back two pages of images is developed into the frame memory 16 or the frame memory 17, and then the video interface ( 19), the printer engine prints the surface of the transfer paper and the back of the transfer paper continuously.

In the case of duplex copying, if an even number of originals is used, an image of the original is necessarily printed on the front and back sides of the transfer paper, but when the original is an odd number, the back of the last transfer paper is blank. Also in this case, the bitmap data of the backside image which is a blank sheet is developed into the frame memory 16 or the frame memory 17.

Therefore, the frame memory 16 and the frame memory 17 must have a storage capacity sufficient to store such a large amount of image data with a certain margin. In addition, the data transfer amount of the PCI bus 31 and the PCI bus 32 which transfer such a large amount of image data to the video interface 19 also becomes very large. For this reason, a high performance CPU is inevitably required. If an expensive copier can meet such a requirement, it is difficult for a cheap copier to meet such a requirement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and when the received image data is transferred to a frame memory or when the image data is temporarily stored in an auxiliary storage device such as a floppy disk or a hard disk, An image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a method thereof capable of reducing the amount of transfer of image data in a data bus and further reducing the storage capacity of a frame memory or an auxiliary storage device necessary for storing the image data. It is a first object to provide a computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program to be executed by a computer.

When the received image data is transferred to a frame memory or when the image data is temporarily stored in an auxiliary storage device such as a floppy disk or a hard disk, and further when the image is printed, the image data is read from the frame memory. In this case, the computer executes an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and the method, which can reduce the amount of transfer of image data in a data bus and further reduce the storage capacity of a frame memory necessary for storing the image data. It is a second object to provide a computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program.

Further, by accessing a memory in which character codes and font information are stored, the processing amount of the CPU when the generated image data is expanded into the frame memory is reduced, and the data bus when transferring the image data to the frame memory. Computer readable recording of an image processing apparatus capable of reducing the amount of image data transfer of the image data and further reducing the storage capacity of the frame memory necessary for storing the image data, an image processing method and a program for executing the method on a computer The third purpose is to provide the medium.

By eliminating the need to expand the bitmap data of the white paper in the frame memory, as in the final page when duplex copying of odd number of originals, by adding white image data closer to the printer engine An image processing apparatus capable of reducing the amount of data transfer in the data bus and reducing the throughput of the CPU when developing image data into a frame memory, a computer having recorded thereon an image processing method and a program for causing the computer to execute the method. It is a third object to provide a readable recording medium.

1 is a block diagram functionally showing the configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a block diagram showing an outline of image processing processor processing of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a block diagram showing an outline of processing of an image data control unit of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a processing outline of a video data control unit of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a processing outline of an image memory access control unit of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile control unit of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the process up to storing an image in the memory module according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the process up to printing an image with the image forming unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing processing up to storing an image from a PC in a memory module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing processing up to printing an image of a memory module with the image forming unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing processing for extracting image data that can actually contribute to image formation from image data input through the reading unit and the sensor board unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

13 is a diagram showing a logic circuit provided in the image data control unit according to the embodiment of the present invention, (a) is an output logic circuit of the main scanning direction control signal of the effective image area, and (b) is a sub-scan of the effective image area A diagram showing an output logic circuit of a direction control signal.

14 shows a relationship between a read image area and an effective picture area.

Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing processing for extracting and printing image data of an effective image area from image data stored in a memory module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

16 is a diagram showing a logic circuit provided in the image data control unit according to the embodiment of the present invention, (a) is an output logic circuit of the main scan direction control signal for generating image data of the transfer image size, (b) A diagram showing an output logic circuit of a sub-scan direction control signal for generating image data of a transfer image size.

Fig. 17 is a diagram showing a relationship between a transfer image area and an effective image area.

Fig. 18 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system of a conventional general digital copier.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

100 image data control unit

101 image reading unit

102 Image Memory Control Unit

103 image processing unit

104 image recording unit

201 reading unit

202 Sensor Board Unit

203 Image Data Control Unit

204 image processing processor

205 Video data control unit

206 Image Forming Unit (Engine)

210 serial bus

211 Process Controller

212, 232 RAM

213, 233 ROM

220 parallel bus

221 image memory access control unit

222 Memory Module

223 Personal Computer

224 facsimile control unit

225 aerial lines

231 System Controller

234 Operator Panel

301, 303, 304, 306 interface (I / F)

302 scanner image processing unit

305 output image processing unit

307 Command Control

401 image data input output control unit

402 image data input control unit

403 Data Compressor

404 data conversion unit

405, 503, 601 Parallel Data I / F

406 Data Extension

407 image data output control unit

501 edge smoothing

502 pulse controller

504 serial data I / F

505 Data Converter

602 System Controller I / F

603 memory access control unit

604 line buffer

605 video controls

606 Data Compressor

607 data extension

608 data conversion unit

701 facsimile transceiver

702 External I / F

703 facsimile image processing department

704 picture memory

705 memory controller

706 data controller

707 Image Compression Extension

708 modem

709 network controller

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the image processing apparatus according to the invention described in claim 1 includes an image data input means for inputting image data and an image area of the image data input by the image data input means. And image data extracting means for extracting only image data in an effective image area predetermined or determined based on the contents of the image data, and image data storing means for storing image data extracted by the image data extracting means. It features.

According to the invention of claim 1, it is possible to reduce the amount of image data transmission when transmitting the received image data to the image data storage means, and furthermore, to reduce the storage capacity of the image data storage means necessary for storing the image data.

The image processing apparatus according to the invention as set forth in claim 2 further comprises: image data reading means for reading image data stored by the image data storage means, and an image read by the image data reading means. And image data generating means for adding image data of a bag to data to generate image data of a transfer image size.

According to the invention of claim 2, the amount of image data transmitted when reading the image data from the image data storage means when transferring the received image data to the image data storage means, and further, when forming the transferred image, further reduces the image. The storage capacity of the image data storage means necessary for storing the data can be reduced.

Further, the image processing apparatus according to the invention as set forth in claim 3 is based on a predetermined or based on the contents of the image data among image data storage means for storing image data and image regions of image data stored by the image data storage means. Image data reading means for reading only the image data in the effective image region determined by the above, and image data generating means for adding the image data of the bag to the image data read by the image data reading means to generate the image data of the transfer image size. It is characterized by one.

According to the invention of claim 3, it is possible to reduce the processing amount of the image data generating means (CPU) for generating the image data of the transfer image size, and to reduce the image data transmission amount at the time of transmitting the image data.

The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image processing apparatus according to claim 2 generates image data of a transfer image size using only white image data when the image data read by the image data reading means is blank image data. Characterized in that.

According to the invention of claim 4, when the image data read by the image data reading means is blank image data, the processing amount of the image data generating means (CPU) for generating the image data of the transfer image size is reduced, and the image data is reduced. The amount of image data transmission at the time of transmission can be reduced.

The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image processing apparatus according to claim 3 generates image data of a transfer image size using only white image data when the image data read by the image data reading means is blank image data. Characterized in that.

According to the invention of claim 5, when the image data read by the image data reading means is blank image data, the processing amount of the image data generating means (CPU) for generating the image data of the transfer image size is reduced, and the image data is reduced. The amount of image data transmission at the time of transmission can be reduced.

In addition, the image processing method of the invention according to claim 6 includes an image data input step of inputting image data and a determination based on a predetermined or based on the content of the image data among the image areas of the image data input by the input step. An image data extraction step of extracting only image data in the effective image area, and an image data storage step of storing image data extracted by the image data extraction step.

According to the invention of claim 6, it is possible to reduce the amount of image data transfer when transmitting the received image data to the image data storage means, and further reduce the storage capacity of the image data storage means necessary for storing the image data.

Further, the image processing method according to the invention as set forth in claim 7, further comprising: an image data reading step of reading image data stored by the image data storing step, and an image read by the image data reading step And an image data generating step of adding image data of a bag to data to generate image data of a transfer image size.

According to the invention of claim 7, the amount of image data transmitted when reading the image data from the image data storage means when transferring the received image data to the image data storage means, and further, when forming the transferred image, further reduces the image data. The storage capacity of the image data storing means necessary for storing the data can be reduced.

Further, the image processing method according to the invention as set forth in claim 8 is based on the image data storage step of storing image data and the image area of the image data stored by the image data storage step, based on a predetermined or content of the image data. An image data reading step of reading only the image data in the effective image area determined and the image data generating step of adding image data of a bag to the image data read by the image data reading step to generate a transfer image size image data; It is characterized by.

According to the invention of claim 8, the processing amount of the image data generating means (CPU) for generating the image data of the transfer image size can be reduced, and the image data transmission amount at the time of transferring the image data can be reduced.

The image processing method of the invention according to claim 9, wherein the image data of the transfer image size is generated using only white image data when the image data read by the image data reading process is blank image data. Characterized in that.

According to the invention of claim 9, when the image data read by the image data reading process is blank image data, the processing amount of the image data generating means (CPU) for generating the image data of the transfer image size is reduced, and the image data. The amount of image data transmission at the time of transmission can be reduced.

In the image processing method of the invention according to claim 10, the image data of the transfer image size is generated using only white image data when the image data read by the image data reading process is blank image data. Characterized in that.

According to the invention of claim 10, when the image data read by the image data reading process is blank image data, the processing amount of the image data generating means (CPU) for generating the image data of the transfer image size is reduced, and the image data The amount of image data transmission at the time of transmission can be reduced.

Further, the recording medium according to the invention described in claim 11 makes it possible to read the program by machine by recording a program which causes a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 6 to 10. The operation of claims 6 to 8 can be realized by a computer.

Example

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, with reference to an accompanying drawing, the preferred embodiment of the computer-readable recording medium which recorded the image processing apparatus which concerns on this invention, the image processing method, and the program which makes a computer execute the method is explained in full detail.

First, the principle of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. 1 is a block diagram functionally showing the configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus is the structure containing five units shown below.

The five units are the image memory control unit 102 which controls the image data control unit 100, the image reading unit 101 for reading an image, and the image memory for storing the image to write / read image data. ), An image processing unit 103 which performs image processing such as processing editing on the image data, and an image recording unit 104 which records (prints) the image data on a transfer sheet or the like. Each of these units is controlled by the image data control unit 100, and the image reading unit 101, the image memory control unit 102, the image processing unit 103 and the image recording unit 104 respectively control the image data. It is connected to the unit 100.

[Image Data Control Unit 100]

As the processing performed by the image data control unit 100, for example, the following processes (1) to (11) are described.

(1) Data compression processing (primary compression) to improve bus transfer efficiency of image data.

(2) Transfer processing of primary compressed data to image data.

(3) Image combining process (combining image data from a plurality of units, and also including composition on a data bus)

(4) Image shift processing (image shift in the main scanning and sub scanning directions)

(5) Image area expansion processing (only an arbitrary amount can be enlarged around the image area)

(6) image shift processing (e.g., 50% or 200% fixed shift)

(7) Parallel bus interface processing

(8) Serial bus interface processing (interface with process controller 211 to be described later)

(9) Format conversion processing of parallel data and serial data

(10) Interface processing with the image reading unit 101

(11) Interface Processing with Image Processing Unit 103

[Image Reading Unit 101]

As a process performed by the image reading unit 101, for example, the following processes (1) to (5) are described.

(1) Reading processing of original reflected light by the optical system

(2) Converting into an electrical signal in the light receiving element

(3) Digitization to A / D Converter

(4) Shading correction processing (process that corrects unevenness distribution of light source)

(5) Scanner γ correction processing (process of correcting the density characteristic of the reading system)

[Image Memory Control Unit 102]

As a process performed by the image memory control unit 102, for example, the following processes (1) to (10) are given.

(1) Interface control processing with the system controller

(2) Parallel bus control processing (interface control processing with parallel bus)

(3) network control processing

(4) Serial bus control processing (control processing of multiple external serial ports)

(5) Internal bus interface control processing (operating unit and command control processing)

(6) Local bus control processing (access control processing of ROM, RAM, and font data for starting the system controller)

(7) Memory module operation control processing (memory module write / read control processing, etc.)

(8) Access control processing to the memory module (process to adjust memory access request from plural units)

(9) Compression / extension process of data (process to reduce data amount for effective use of memory)

(10) Image editing processing (data erasing of the memory area, rotation processing of image data, image combining processing on the memory, etc.)

[Image Processing Unit 103]

As the processing performed by the image processing unit 103, for example, the following processes (1) to (14) are described.

(1) Shading correction processing (process that corrects unevenness distribution of light source)

(2) Scanner γ correction processing (process of correcting the density characteristic of the reading system)

(3) MTF correction processing

(4) smoothing

(5) Arbitrary variation treatment in the main scanning direction

(6) Concentration conversion (γ conversion processing: It supports concentration notch)

(7) Simple Multivalued Processing

(8) Simple Binarization

(9) error diffusion processing

(10) Dither Processing

(11) Dot batch phase control processing (dot near right, dot near left)

(12) Isolation Point Removal Treatment

(13) Phase separation processing (color determination, attribute determination, adaptive processing)

(14) density conversion processing

[Image Recording Unit 104]

As a process performed by the image recording unit 104, for example, the following processes (1) to (4) are described.

(1) edge smoothing (correction of jagged edges)

(2) Correction process for dot rearrangement

(3) Pulse control processing of image signal

(4) Format conversion processing of parallel data and serial data

[Hardware Configuration of Digital Multifunction Device]

Next, a hardware configuration in the case where the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment constitutes a digital multifunction apparatus will be described. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

In the block diagram of FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a reading unit 201, a sensor board unit 202, an image data control unit 203, an image processing processor 204, and a video. And a data control unit 205 and an image forming unit (engine) 206. The image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment also includes a process controller 211 connected to the serial bus 210, a RAM 212, and a ROM 213.

In addition, the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is connected to the image memory access control unit, the memory module 222, the facsimile control unit 224, and the image memory access control unit 221 via the parallel bus 220. A system controller 231 to be connected, a RAM 232, a ROM 233, and an operation panel 234 are provided.

Here, the relationship between the above-mentioned components and the units 100 to 104 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. In other words, the reading unit 201 and the sensor board unit 202 realize the functions of the image reading unit 101 shown in FIG. 1. Similarly, the image data control unit 203 realizes the function of the image data control unit 100. Similarly, the image processing processor 204 realizes the function of the image processing unit 103.

Similarly, the image recording unit 104 is realized by the video data control unit 205 and the image forming unit (engine) 206. Similarly, the image memory access control unit 221 and the memory module 222 realize the image memory control unit 102.

Next, the content of each component part is demonstrated. The reading unit 201 which optically reads an image of the original is composed of a lamp, a mirror and a lens, and condenses the reflected light irradiated by the lamp onto the original onto the light receiving element by the mirror and the lens.

A light receiving element such as a charge coupled device (CCD) is mounted on the sensor board unit 202, and the image data converted into an electrical signal in the CCD is converted into a digital signal, and then the sensor board unit Transmitted from 202.

The image data transmitted from the sensor board unit 202 is received by the image data control unit 203. The image data control unit 203 controls all of the image data transfer between each component and data bus in FIG.

The image data control unit 203 is a system for managing data transfer between the sensor board unit 202 and the parallel bus 220 and the image processing processor 204, and overall control of the process controller 211 and the image processing apparatus. Communication to the image data is performed between the controllers 231. The RAM 212 is used as a work area of the process controller 211, and the ROM 213 stores a boot program and the like of the process controller 211.

The image data transmitted from the sensor board unit 202 is transmitted to the image processing processor 204 via the image data control unit 203, and the signal deterioration (signal deterioration of the reading system) due to the quantization to the optical system and the digital signal. ) Is transmitted to the image data control unit 203 again.

The image memory access control unit 221 controls the recording / reading of image data to the memory module 222. It also controls the operation of each component connected to the parallel bus 220. The RAM 232 is used as a work area of the system controller 231, and the ROM 233 stores a boot program and the like of the system controller 231.

The operation panel 234 inputs the processing performed by the image processing apparatus. For example, the type of processing (copying, facsimile transmission, image reading, printing, etc.) and the number of processings are input. Thereby, image data control information can be input. In addition, the content of the facsimile control unit 224 is mentioned later.

Next, there are jobs for storing and reusing the read image data in the memory module 222 and jobs for not storing in the memory module 222. Each case will be described below. As an example of the operation to accumulate in the memory module 222, when copying a plurality of sheets with respect to one original, the reading unit 201 is operated only once and the image data read by the reading unit 201 is stored in memory. It is a method of accumulating in the module 222 and reading the accumulated image data a plurality of times.

As an example of an operation without using the memory module 222, when copying only one original, the reading unit 201 is operated only once to read image data of the original read by the reading unit 201. This is how to play it. In this case, since the read image data may be reproduced as it is, it is not necessary to access the memory module 222 by the image memory access control unit 221.

First, when not accumulating in the memory module 222, the image data transferred from the image processing processor 204 to the image data control unit 203 is returned from the image data control unit 203 to the image processing processor 204 again. . In the image processing processor 204, image quality processing for converting the luminance data by the CCD in the sensor board unit 202 into the area contrast step is performed.

The image data after the image quality processing is transferred from the image processing processor 204 to the video data control unit 205. The post-processing on the dot arrangement and the pulse control for reproducing the dot are performed on the signal converted in the area contrast step, and then the reproduced image is printed on the transfer paper in the image forming unit 206.

Next, a description will be given of the image data flow in the case where the memory module 222 accumulates in the memory module 222 to perform additional processing, for example, rotation in the image direction, image combining, and the like. The image data transferred from the image processing processor 204 to the image data control unit 203 is transmitted from the image data control unit 203 to the image memory access control unit 221 via the parallel bus 220.

Here, under the control of the system controller 231, access control of the image data and the memory module 222, development of printing data of the external PC (personal computer) 223, and effective utilization of the memory module 222. Compression / extension of the image data is performed.

The image data transmitted to the image memory access control unit 221 is accumulated in the memory module 222 after data compression, and the accumulated image data is read as necessary. The read image data is decompressed and returned to the original image data, and is returned from the image memory access control unit 221 to the image data control unit 203 via the parallel bus 220.

After transferring from the image data control unit 203 to the image processing processor 204, image processing and pulse control in the video data control unit 205 are performed, and the reproduced image is printed on the transfer paper in the image forming unit 206. FIG. .

In the flow of image data, the functions of the digital multifunction apparatus are realized by bus control in the parallel bus 220 and the image data control unit 203. The facsimile transmission function performs the image processing by the image processing processor 204 and transmits the read image data to the facsimile control unit 224 via the image data control unit 203 and the parallel bus 220. The facsimile control unit 224 performs data conversion to a communication network, and transmits it to the public line (PN) 225 as facsimile data.

On the other hand, the facsimile data received from the public line (PN) 225 is converted into image data by the facsimile control unit 224, and the image processing processor 204 via the parallel bus 220 and the image data control unit 203. Is sent to. In this case, no special image quality processing is performed, the dot rearrangement and the pulse control are performed in the video data control unit 205 and the reproduced image is printed on the transfer paper in the image forming unit 206.

In a situation in which a plurality of jobs, for example, a copy function, a facsimile transmission and reception function, and a printer output function operate in parallel, assigning a license of the reading unit 201, the image forming unit 206, and the parallel bus 220 to the job Control is performed by the system controller 231 and the process controller 211.

The process controller 211 controls the flow of image data, the system controller 231 controls the entire system, and manages the activation of each resource. In addition, the function selection of the digital MFP is inputted on the operation panel 234 to set processing contents such as a copy function and a facsimile function.

The system controller 231 and the process controller 211 communicate with each other via the parallel bus 220, the image data control unit 203, and the serial bus 210. Specifically, in the image data control unit 203, communication between the system controller 231 and the process controller 211 is performed by performing data format conversion for the data interface between the parallel bus 220 and the serial bus 210. FIG. Do it.

[Image Processing Unit 103 / Image Processing Processor 204]

Next, the outline of the processing in the image processing processor 204 constituting the image processing unit 103 will be described. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of processing of the image processing processor 204 of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

In the block diagram of FIG. 3, the image processing processor 204 includes a first input I / F 301, a scanner image processing unit 302, a first output I / F 303, and a second input I / The F 304, the image quality processing unit 305, and the second output I / F 306 are configured.

In the above configuration, the read image data is scanned from the first input interface (I / F) 301 of the image processing processor 204 through the sensor board unit 202 and the image data control unit 203. Is sent to 302.

The image processing here is aimed at correcting the deterioration of the read image data, specifically, performing shadow correction, scanner gamma correction, MTF correction, and the like. Although not a correction process, the magnification process of enlargement / reduction can also be performed. When the correction process of the read image data ends, the image data is transmitted to the image data control unit 203 via the first output interface (I / F) 303.

When printing on a transfer sheet, image data from the image data control unit 203 is received from the second input I / F 304, and the image quality processing unit 305 performs area contrast step processing. The image data after the image quality processing is output to the video data 205 or the image data control unit 203 via the second output I / F 306.

The area contrast step processing in the image quality processing unit 305 includes a density conversion process, a dither process, an error diffusion process, and the like, and the area approximation of the light intensity step information is a main process. Once the image data processed by the scanner image processing unit 302 is stored in the memory module 222, various reproduction images can be recognized by changing the image quality processing by the image quality processing unit 305.

For example, the atmosphere of the reproduced image can be easily changed by changing the density of the reproduced image or by changing the number of lines in the dither matrix. In this case, it is not necessary to correct the image from the reading unit 201 every time the image quality processing is changed, and different image quality processing is performed for the same image data many times by reading the image data stored in the memory module 222. Can be carried out quickly.

In the case of a single scanner, the scanner image processing and the contrast step processing are performed in combination and outputted to the image data control unit 203. The processing contents can be changed programmatically. The command control unit 307 manages the switching of the processing, the changing of the processing order, and the like through the serial I / F 308.

[Image Data Control Unit 100 / Image Data Control Unit 203]

Next, the outline of the processing in the image data control unit 203 constituting the image data control unit 100 will be described. 4 is a block diagram showing an outline of processing by the image data control unit 203 of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

In the block diagram of FIG. 4, the image data input output control unit 401 receives image data from the sensor board unit 202, and transmits image data to the image processing processor 204. That is, the image data input / output unit 401 is a component for connecting the image reading unit 101 and the image processing unit 103 (the image processing processor 2047, and the image read by the image reading unit 101). It can be said to be a dedicated input output unit for transmitting data to the image processing unit 103.

In addition, the image data input control unit 402 receives image data in which the signal deterioration correction of the reading system has been advanced in the image processing processor 204. The received image data is subjected to data compression processing by the data compression unit 403 in order to increase the transmission efficiency in the parallel bus 220. The data compressed image data is then sent out to the parallel bus 220 via the parallel data I / F 405 via the data converter 404.

Since the image data input from the parallel bus 220 via the parallel data I / F 405 is compressed for bus transmission, it is sent to the data decompression unit 406 via the data conversion unit 404, where the data decompression processing is performed. Is performed. The image decompressed image data is transmitted from the image data output control unit 407 to the image processing processor 204.

The image data control unit 203 also has a function of converting parallel data and serial data. The system controller 231 transmits data to the parallel bus 220, and the process controller 211 transmits data to the serial bus 210. The image data control unit 203 performs data conversion for communication between the two controllers.

Further, the serial data I / F is used for data exchange with the first serial data I / F 408 which exchanges data with the process controller 211 via the serial bus 210 and the image processing processor 204. Second serial data I / F 409 is provided. By providing one system independently from the image processing processor 204, the interface with the image processing processor 204 can be made smooth.

The command control unit 410 controls the operation of each component unit and each interface in the above-described image data control unit 203 according to the input command.

[Image Recording Unit 104 / Video Data Control Unit 205]

Next, an outline of the processing in the video data control unit 205 constituting a part of the image recording unit 104 will be described. 5 is a block diagram showing an overview of processing by the video data control unit 205 of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

In the block diagram of FIG. 5, the video data control unit 205 performs additional processing on the input image data in accordance with the characteristics of the image forming unit 206.

That is, the edge smoothing processing unit 501 performs the rearrangement processing of the dots by the edge smoothing processing, the pulse control unit 502 performs pulse control of the image signal to form the dots, and the image data subjected to the processing is converted into an image generating unit ( 206).

Apart from the conversion of the image data, it has a format conversion function of parallel data and serial data, and even the video data control unit 205 can cope with the communication between the system controller 231 and the process controller 211. That is, parallel data I / F 503 for transmitting and receiving parallel data, serial data I / F 504 for transmitting and receiving serial data, parallel data I / F 503 and serial data I / F 504 The data conversion unit 505 converts the data received by each other, thereby converting the format of both data.

[Image Memory Control Unit 102 / Image Memory Access Control Unit 221]

Next, the outline of processing in the image memory access control unit 221 constituting a part of the image memory control unit 102 will be described. 6 is a block diagram showing an outline of processing of the image memory access control unit 221 of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

In the block diagram of FIG. 6, the image memory access control unit 221 manages an image data interface with the parallel bus 220, and also controls image data access to the memory module 222, i.e., store (write) / read. It also controls the development of code data input from an external PC 223 mainly into image data.

Therefore, the image memory access control unit 221 includes the parallel data I / F 601, the system controller I / F 602, the memory access control unit 603, the line buffer 604, and the video control unit. 605, a data compression unit 606, a data decompression unit 607, and a data conversion unit 608.

Here, the parallel data I / F 601 manages an image data interface with the parallel bus 220. The memory access control unit 603 also controls image data access to the memory module 222, that is, storage (recording) / reading.

The input code data is stored in the local area in the line buffer 604. The code data stored in the line buffer 604 is developed into the image data in the video control unit 605 based on the development process instruction from the system controller 231 inputted through the system controller I / F 602.

Image data input from the parallel bus 220 via the developed image data or the parallel data I / F 601 is stored in the memory module 222. In this case, the data conversion unit 608 selects the image data to be stored, and the data compression unit 606 performs data compression in order to increase the memory use efficiency, and the memory access control unit 703 stores the memory / image data. Image data is stored (recorded) in the memory module 222 while managing the address of the module 222.

Reading of the image data stored in the memory module 222 is performed by controlling the address of the reading place in the memory access control unit 603, and the read image data is decompressed in the data decompression unit 607. When the decompressed image data is transmitted to the parallel bus 220, the decompressed image data is transmitted through the parallel data I / F 601.

[Configuration of Facsimile Control Unit 224]

Next, a functional configuration of the facsimile control unit 224 will be described.

7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image processing apparatus facsimile control unit 224 of this embodiment.

In the block diagram of FIG. 7, the facsimile control unit 224 includes a facsimile transceiver 701 and an external I / F 702. Here, the facsimile transceiver 701 converts the image data into a communication format and transmits the image data to an external line, and also returns data from the outside to the image data, and transmits the image data to the external I / F unit 702 and the parallel bus ( 220, and prints in the image forming unit 206 for recording.

The facsimile transceiver 701 includes a facsimile image processor 703, an image memory 704, a memory controller 705, a data controller 706, an image compression decompression unit 707, a modem 708, and a network controller 709. )

Among them, regarding the facsimile image processing, the binary smoothing process for the received image is performed in the edge smoothing processing unit 501 in the video data control unit 205 shown in FIG. Also in the image memory 704, a part of the function is transferred to the image memory access control unit 221 and the memory module 222 with respect to the output buffer function.

When the facsimile transmitting and receiving unit 701 configured as described above starts transmitting image data, the data control unit 706 instructs the memory control unit 705 to sequentially read the image data stored in the image memory 704. The read image data is returned to the original signal by the facsimile image processing unit 703, and at the same time, density conversion processing and shift processing are performed and applied to the data control unit 706.

The image data applied to the data control unit 706 is code-compressed by the image compression decompression unit 707, modulated by the modem 708, and then sent to the place to be transmitted through the network control device 709. The image information of which transmission has been completed is deleted from the image memory 704.

At the time of reception, the received image is once stored in the image memory 704, and if the received image can be recorded and output at that time, the received image is recorded and output at the point of time when the reception of one image is completed. When the call operation is started during the copy operation and reception is started, the image memory 704 is stored in the image memory 704 until the usage rate reaches a predetermined value, for example, 80%, and the usage rate of the image memory 704 is 80%. If so, the write operation being executed at that time is forcibly interrupted, and the received image is read out from the image memory 704 and printed for recording.

At this time, the received image read out from the image memory 704 is deleted from the image memory 704, and resumes the recording operation which was interrupted when the usage rate of the image memory 704 dropped to a predetermined value, for example, 10%. And prints to record the remaining received image at the time when the recording operation is all finished. In addition, various parameters for the recording operation at the time of interruption are retracted internally so as to be restarted after the recording operation is stopped, and the parameters are returned internally at the time of resumption.

The schematic configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is as described above. Next, the outline processing of the image processing apparatus as the digital multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment will be described according to the flowchart.

First, processing from storing an image in the memory module 222 of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment to printing an image in the image forming unit 206 will be described.

8 is a flowchart showing the process up to storing an image in the memory module 222 according to the present embodiment. 9 is a flowchart showing the process from the image forming unit 206 to printing the image. Moreover, each process is performed by controlling the data flow between a bus and a unit by control of the image data control part 203. FIG.

In FIG. 8, first, the reading unit 201 and the sensor board unit 202 perform read control (step S801). Next, the image data control unit 203 performs input processing and output control of the image data (step S802). The input processing and output control here will be described later in detail. Next, the image processing processor 204 performs input I / F control processing (step S803), performs scanner image processing (step S804), and performs output I / F processing (step S805).

Next, the image data control unit 203 again performs input control processing of the image data (step S806), performs data compression (step S807) and data conversion (step S808), and performs parallel I / F control processing (step) S809).

Next, the image memory access unit 221 performs parallel I / F control processing (step S810), performs data conversion (step S811), and further compresses data (step S812), and the memory module 222. Memory access control (step S813). As a result, image data is stored in the memory module 222 (step S814).

9, the image memory access control unit 221 performs memory access control on the image data stored in the memory module 222 (step S901) (step S902), and the data expansion (step S903). And data conversion (step S904), and parallel I / F control processing is performed (step S905). The memory access control here will be described later in detail.

Next, the image data control unit 203 performs parallel I / F control (step S906), performs data conversion (step S907), and expands data (step S908), and performs image data output control (step S909).

Next, the image processing processor 204 performs input I / F control processing (step S910), performs image quality processing (step S911), and performs output I / F control processing (step S912).

Next, the video data control unit 205 performs edge smoothing (step S913), performs pulse control (step S914), and then the image forming unit 206 performs image processing (step S915).

Regarding the read image data, the scanner image processing by the image processing processor 204 is independently performed by the image processing processor 204 with respect to the image data for outputting to the image forming unit 206. do.

In addition, the scanner image processing and the image quality processing can be performed in parallel, and the read image is used for facsimile transmission, and simultaneously outputs image data stored in the memory module 222 to transfer paper while changing the image quality processing contents. can do.

Next, the case where the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is a printer alone will be described. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a process up to storing an image from the PC 223 in the memory module 222 according to the present embodiment. 11 is a flowchart showing the process from the image forming unit 206 to printing the image of the memory module 222.

In Fig. 10, the PC 223 outputs image data (step S1001), the image memory access control unit 221 holds the image data by the line buffer (step S1002), and performs video control (step S1003). Data conversion (step S1004) and data compression (step S1005), and memory access control is performed on the memory module 222 (step S1006). As a result, the image data is stored in the memory module 222 (step S1007). In addition, the control of the image memory access control part 221 here is demonstrated in more detail later.

With respect to the image data stored in the memory module 222 in FIG. 11 (step S1101), the image memory access control unit 221 performs memory access control (step S1102), and data decompression (step S1103). And data conversion (step S1104), and parallel I / F control processing is performed (step S1105). The memory access control here will be described later in detail.

Next, the video data control unit 205 performs edge smoothing processing (step S1106), performs pulse control (step S1107), and then the image forming unit 206 performs image forming processing (step S1108).

Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail. The image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment performs image processing on all of the image data input through the reading unit 201 and the sensor board unit 202 or the image data stored in the memory module 222. Instead, the case where only the data which can actually contribute to image formation among the input image data is taken out and stored in the memory module 222 will be described.

The image processing apparatus according to this embodiment reads an original by the reading unit 201, and at the time of a scanner operation of storing the obtained image data in an auxiliary storage device such as a frame memory or a hard disk, Instead of storing image data corresponding to an image region (hereinafter referred to as a read image region), only image data corresponding to an advantageous image region (hereinafter referred to as an effective image region) that can contribute to the image formation in which a character or an image is drawn. Saving.

12 shows image data (image data of an effective image region) that can actually contribute to image formation from among image data (image data of a read image region) input through the reading unit 201 and the sensor board unit 202. It is a flowchart showing a process for taking out. The processing of this flowchart is performed by the image data control unit 203.

First, the reading unit and the sensor board unit 202 read an image of an original and convert it into image data (step S1201). The sensor board unit 202 transmits the converted image data to the image data control unit 203 (step S1202).

Next, the image data control unit 203 recognizes the size of the read image area based on the received image data (step S1203). This size recognition is performed as follows.

The image data control unit 203 sets the main scanning direction of the received image data as the X axis and the sub scanning direction as the Y axis, and the size (Xz) of the main scanning direction of the read original and the size of the sub scanning direction of the read original (Yz). ), Thereby recognizing the size (Xz, Yz) of the read image area.

Next, the image data control unit 203 recognizes the size of the effective image area based on the received image data (step S1204). This size recognition is performed as follows.

The image data control unit 203 removes a part of unnecessary black pixels present in the read image area, for example, an isolated point, by an isolated point removal operation by a filter operation as an input correction process. And when performing this isolated point removal operation, the smallest rectangular image area | region, ie, an effective image area | region containing only beneficial black pixel data which can actually contribute to image formation is read.

In addition, as an extraction method of the effective image area, an area fixed in advance by a page setting value, for example, left and right upper and lower ends may be set independently as a margin, and an area excluding the margin area may be used as an effective image area. . This method is advantageous in the case of image data in which a margin area is determined in advance such as document data. In this case, it is not necessary to detect the coordinates of the following effective image area.

This effective image area can be detected as a coordinate by a counter or the like. The coordinates of the effective image area detected in this way are the effective image main scanning direction starting point Xs at reading, the effective image sub scanning direction starting point Ys at reading, the valid image main scanning direction ending point Xe at reading, and valid at reading. It is stored in the image data control unit 203 as an image sub-scanning direction end point Ye. The image data control unit 203 sets these coordinates as parameters for transmitting only the image data of the effective image area to the memory module 222.

Next, the image data control unit 203 transfers only the image data of the effective image area to the memory module 222 (step S1205). The transfer of this image data is performed as follows.

The image data control unit 203 is provided with a function of the logic circuit shown in FIG. 13. (A) in this figure is an output logic circuit of the main scanning direction control signal in the effective image area, and shows the state of generation of the control counter for transmission of the read counter XCNT in the main scanning direction and image data in the main scanning direction. b) is an output logic circuit of the sub-scan direction control signal in the effective image area, and shows the state of generation of the control signal for transmission of the read counter YCNT in the sub-scan direction and image data in the sub-scan direction.

In Fig. 13, CMP indicates a comparator, the X-START signal indicates the start of effective image transmission in the main scanning direction, and the X-END signal indicates the end of effective image transmission in the main scanning direction. The Y-START signal indicates the start of effective image transmission in the sub-scanning direction, and the Y-END signal indicates the end of effective image transmission in the sub-scanning direction. By these signals, only the image data of the effective image area is transmitted to the memory.

In addition, RES-XCNT and INC-XCNT represent the reset signal and the incremental signal of the main scan direction counter XCNT. RES-YCNT and INC-YCNT represent the reset signal and the incremental signal of the sub-scan direction counter YCNT.

The image data control unit 203 detects the coordinates of the detected effective image area, the effective image main scanning direction starting point Xs at reading, the effective image sub scanning direction starting point Ys at reading, and the effective image main scanning direction ending point Xe at reading. The effective image sub-scan direction end point Ye is read as a parameter, and the value of the read counter XCNT in the main scan direction with reference to the origin of the read image area or the value of the read counter YCNT in the sub-scan direction is read. Input and compare the parameter with the value of each counter.

In this comparison, if the value of the read counter XCNT in the main scan direction is equal to or greater than the effective image main scan direction start point Xs at the time of reading, and the value of the read counter XCNT is equal to or less than the effective image main scan direction end point Xe at the time of reading, the image data control unit 203 transmits image data in the main scanning direction transmitted from the image processing processor 204 to the memory module 222.

In this comparison, if the value of the read counter YCNT in the sub-scan direction is equal to or greater than the effective image sub-scan direction start point Ys at the time of reading, and the value of the read counter YCNT is equal to or less than the effective image sub-scan direction end point Ye at the time of reading, The image data control unit 203 transmits image data in the sub-scanning direction transmitted from the image processing processor 204 to the memory module 222.

As described above, the image data control unit 203 transmits only the image data of the effective image area among the image data transmitted from the image processing processor 204 to the memory module 222.

In addition, when inputting one page of read image data from the image processing processor 204, the pixel count counter XCNT and the line count counter YCNT which are read counters are initialized by the respective reset signals RES-XCNT and RES-YCNT. . Each time pixel data of the first line is input, the pixel count counter XCNT is incremented by the increment signal INC-XCNT.

When the input of pixel data for one line is completed, if the line line counter YCNT is increased only by [1] by the increment signal INC-YCNT, the pixel count counter XCNT is initialized by the reset signal RES-XCNT at the same time. The same processes as above are repeated after the second line.

That is, the condition for transmitting the image data (XCNT, YCNT) input to the image data control unit 203 as the image data of the effective image area to the memory module 222 is (Ys≤YCNT≤Ye) and at the same time (Xs≤XCNT ≤ Xe).

And the image data of the effective image area transmitted by the image data control part 203 is stored in the memory module 222 via the image memory access control part 221 (step S1206).

The above process will be described with reference to FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a read image area and an effective image area. In general, as shown in Fig. 14, an image which is advantageous when printing an image rarely occupies the entire read image area, and part of the read image area becomes an effective image area. The read image regions other than the effective image region are usually white data or data containing black pixels which become noises due to the defects of the original at the time of reading.

A part of such unnecessary black pixels, for example, an isolated point in the figure, is removed by an isolated point removal operation by a filter operation as an input correction process, so that the back data is filled instead. By the above processing, the read image areas other than the effective image area do not need to be transferred during printing, so that only the effective image area, which is an image area which is advantageous in printing, is compressed by the image data control unit 203, so that the frame memory or the hard disk. It is stored in the memory module 222 comprised, etc.

For this reason, the data transfer amount of the parallel bus 220 and the storage capacity of the required memory module 222 can be reduced, whereby the data transfer time can be shortened, and the image in the memory module 222 can be reduced. The CPU processing load when storing data can be reduced. The above process is similarly performed when taking out only the effective image area among the image data input from the PC 223 or the facsimile control unit 224.

(Example 2)

Next, the image data of the effective image area obtained in the first embodiment is directly input from the image data control unit 203 or from the image data stored in the memory module 222 can actually contribute to image formation. The case where only the bay is taken out and the image is printed by the image forming unit 206 will be described.

When the image processing apparatus according to this embodiment prints the image data of an original read by the reading unit 201 or the image data stored in the memory module 222 by the image forming unit 206, Only the image data corresponding to the effective image area where a character or an image is drawn is taken out, and the image data of white is added to the other area | region, the image data of the transfer image size is produced, and it prints based on the image data.

15 is a flowchart showing a process for taking out and printing image data of an effective image region from image data stored in the memory module 222. The processing of this flowchart is performed by the image data control unit 203 and the image memory access control unit 221.

First, the image memory access control unit 221 reads out image data corresponding to the effective image area stored in the memory module 222 (step S1501). The image data control unit 203 then recognizes the size of the transfer paper to be printed by the image forming unit 206. Recognition of this size can be recognized by the size of the paper selected for printing (step S1502).

Next, the image data control unit 203 recognizes the size of the effective image area based on the input image data of the effective image area (step S1503). The image data control unit 203 adds white image data to image regions in the transfer paper size other than the effective image region to generate image data (image data of the transfer image size) corresponding to the size of the transfer image region (step S1504). The process of adding white image data to image regions other than the effective image region is performed as follows.

The image data control unit 203 is provided with a function of the logic circuit shown in FIG. 16. In this figure, (a) is an output logic circuit of the main scan direction control signal for generating the image data of the effective image size, and (b) in this figure is the sub scanning direction control signal for generating the image data of the transfer image size. Output logic circuit.

In Fig. 16, CMP indicates a comparator, H-START indicates effective image transmission start in the main scanning direction to the image processing processor 204, and H-END indicates end of effective image transmission in the main scanning direction. V-START indicates the effective image transmission start in the sub-scanning direction to the image processing processor 204, and V-END indicates the end of the effective image transmission in the sub-scanning direction.

HZ-END indicates the end of the transfer data transfer in the main scanning direction to the image processing processor 204, and VZ-END indicates the end of the transfer data transfer in the sub-scanning direction. These are controlled in the image data control unit 204 so that the image data of the transfer paper size in which the back data is filled around the effective image area is transmitted to the image processing processor 204.

In Fig. 16, Hs and He denote starting and ending points in the main scanning direction of the effective image on the transfer paper, Vs and Ve denote starting and ending points in the sub-scanning direction of the effective image on the transfer paper, and Hz The transfer paper size in the main scanning direction, Vz represents the transfer paper size in the sub-scan direction.

Further, HCNT indicates a pixel number counter in the main scanning direction output to the image processing processor 204, and VCNT indicates a line number counter in the sub scanning direction output to the image processing processor 204. RES-HCNT and INC-HCNT represent the reset signal and the incremental signal of the main scanning direction pixel counter HCNT. RES-VCNT and INC-VCNT represent the reset signal and the increment signal of the sub-scan direction counter YCNT.

The image data control unit 203 uses the starting point Hs in the main scanning direction of the effective image on the transfer paper, the sub scanning direction end point He in the effective image on the transfer paper, and the transfer paper size (Hz) in the main scanning direction as parameters. At the same time as input, the pixel count counter HCNT value in the main scanning direction is input, and the parameter is compared with the value of each counter.

In this comparison, the value of the pixel count counter HCNT in the main scanning direction is equal to or larger than the starting point Hs of the main scanning direction of the effective image on the transfer paper, and the value of the pixel count counter HCNT in the main scanning direction is the main scanning of the effective image on the transfer paper. If less than or equal to the direction end point Xe, the image data control unit 203 transmits the image data of the effective image area, and the pixel count counter HCNT value in the main scanning direction is the main scanning direction starting point Hs and the ending point of the effective image on the transfer sheet. If the value is equal to or less than (Xe), white image data is transmitted within a range not exceeding the size of the transfer paper (Hz) in the main scanning direction.

In this comparison, the value of the pixel count counter VCNT in the sub-scanning direction is equal to or greater than the sub-scan direction starting point Vs of the effective image on the transfer paper, and the value of the pixel count counter VCNT in the sub-scanning direction is If it is equal to or less than the sub scanning direction end point Ve of the effective image, the image data control unit 203 transmits the image data of the effective image area, and the pixel count counter VCNT value in the sub scanning direction is the sub scanning direction of the effective image on the transfer paper. If the value is equal to or less than the start point Vs and the end point Ve, the white image data is transmitted within a range not exceeding the transfer paper size Vz in the sub-scanning direction.

As described above, the image data control unit 203 generates image data (image data of the transfer image size) corresponding to the size of the transfer image region to be transmitted to the image processing processor 204.

When transmitting the image data of the transfer image size for one page to the image processing processor 204, the pixel count counter HCNT and the line count counter VCNT are once initialized by the respective reset signals RES-HCNT and RES-VCNT. Each time the pixel data of the first line is outputted, the pixel count counter HCNT is increased by INC-HCNT.

When the transmission of pixel data for one line is finished, if the line line counter VCNT is increased only [1] by the increment signal INC-VCNT, the pixel count counter HCNT is initialized by the RES-HCNT at the same time. After the second line, the same processing as described above is repeated.

In this way, the image data of the transmission image size generated by the image data control unit 203 is transmitted to the image forming unit 206 via the video data control unit 205 and printed (step S1505).

The above process is demonstrated with reference to FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a transfer image region and an effective image region. Normally, as shown in FIG. 17, even when printing, as in the case of reading the image described in the first embodiment, beneficial image data is not disposed in printing on the entire transfer paper size, and in general, the effective image area is located inside the transfer paper size. Some are placed.

When printing, the image data control unit 203 receives only the image data of the effective image area from the memory module 222 by the parallel bus 220. After stretching, as shown in FIG. 17, the effective image region and the transfer image region are filled with back data. Whether to output the received valid image data to the image processing processor 204 or to output the back data to the image processing processor 204 is controlled by the logic circuit of FIG.

For this reason, the data transfer amount of the parallel bus 220 and the storage capacity of the required memory module 222 can be reduced, whereby the data transfer time can be shortened, and the image in the memory module 222 can be reduced. The CPU processing load when generating data can be reduced.

(Example 3)

In Example 2, the image data generation of the transfer image size for one page has been described. In this embodiment, the double-sided copy for printing image data on both the front surface and the back side of the transfer paper will be described.

For example, when the number of sheets to be printed is an even number, images are necessarily printed on the front and back surfaces of the transfer paper. However, when the number of sheets to be printed is odd, the back of the last transfer sheet to be printed is blank. In this case, since it is not efficient to receive one page of image data from the memory module 222 by the parallel bus 220, all one page of the image data processing unit 203 is filled with white image data. Create blank data.

As a method of generating white (blank paper) data, for example, when the size of the effective image area shown in FIG. 17 is set to 0, specifically, in the start and end points Hs, He and He in the main scanning direction of the effective image on the transfer paper, When all of the start point, the end point Vs, and the Ve in the sub-scanning direction of the effective image are set to 0, the image data control unit 203 recognizes the output of the back data, and transmits the back data of the transfer paper size to the image processing processor 204. Output Alternatively, it is also possible to issue a command for outputting back data to the image data control unit 203 by the process controller 211.

As a result, unnecessary long operation can be reduced, thereby reducing the load on the parallel bus 220 and the CPU processing burden when generating image data. In the copy operation, the above-described scanner operation and printer operation are realized in parallel operation.

Incidentally, the image processing method described in Embodiments 1 to 3 is realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, floppy disk, CD-ROM, Magneto-Opptics (MO), DVD, or the like, and is executed by reading from the recording medium by the computer. The program can also be distributed through the recording medium and via a network such as the Internet as a transmission medium.

As described above, according to the invention described in claim 1, the image data input means inputs the image data, and the image data extracting means is determined in advance or in the image area of the image data input by the image data input means. Since only the image data in the effective image area determined based on the contents of the image data is extracted, and the image data storage means stores the image data extracted by the image data extraction means, compared with the case of storing the entire received image data The effect of reducing the amount of image data transfer when transferring the received image data to the image data storage means and further reducing the storage capacity of the image data storage means such as a floppy disk or a hard disk required for storing the image data can be reduced. have. Thereby, a high performance image processing apparatus can be provided at low cost.

According to the invention described in claim 2, the image data reading means reads the image data stored by the image data storage means, and the image data generating means adds the image data of the bag to the image data read by the image data reading means. Since image data of the transfer image size is generated, the image data is transferred when the received image data is transferred to the image data storage means, and further, when the transfer image is formed, as compared with the case of reading the transfer image size image data from the image data storage means. Reduces the amount of image data transfer when reading image data from the storage means, further reduces the storage capacity of the image data storage means necessary for storing the image data, and furthermore, the image data storage means necessary for storing the image data. There is an effect that may reduce the memory capacity. Thereby, a high performance image processing apparatus can be provided at low cost.

According to the invention described in claim 3, the image data storage means stores the image data, and the image data reading means is based on a predetermined or content of the image data in the image area of the image data stored by the image data storage means. Only image data in the effective image area determined and read, and the image data generating means adds the image data of the bag to the image data read by the image data reading means to generate the image data of the transfer image size. There is an effect that the processing amount of the image data generating means (CPU) that generates data can be reduced, and the image data transmission amount at the time of transferring the image data can be reduced. Thereby, a high performance image processing apparatus can be provided at low cost.

According to the invention as set forth in claim 4, the image data generating means generates image data of a transfer image size using only white image data when the image data read by the image data reading means is blank image data. If the image data read by the image data reading means is white paper image data, such as when there is no image data to be transferred on the back side, the image data of the transfer image size is compared with the case where the back data is previously expanded to the image data storage means. It is possible to reduce the processing amount of the image data generating means (CPU) for generating the data, and to reduce the image data transmission amount at the time of transmitting the image data.

According to the invention as set forth in claim 5, the image data generating means generates image data of the transfer image size using only the image data of the white when the image data read by the image data reading means is blank image data. When the image data read by the image data reading means is white paper image data, such as when there is no image data to be transferred on the back side, the image data of the transfer image size is compared with the case where the white paper data is previously developed in the image data storage means. It is possible to reduce the processing amount of the image data generating means (CPU) for generating the data, and to reduce the image data transmission amount at the time of transmitting the image data.

According to the invention as set forth in claim 6, the image data input means inputs image data, and the image data extraction means is adapted to a predetermined or content of the image data in the image area of the image data input by the image data input means. Since only the image data in the effective image area determined on the basis of extraction is extracted, and the image data storage means stores the image data extracted by the image data extraction means, the received image data is compared with the case of storing the entire received image data. There is an effect that the amount of transfer of image data at the time of transmission to the data storage means can be reduced, and furthermore, the storage capacity of the image data storage means such as a floppy disk or a hard disk required for storing the image data can be reduced. Thereby, a high performance image processing apparatus can be provided at low cost.

According to the invention as set forth in claim 7, the image data reading means reads the image data stored by the image data storage means, and the image data generating means adds the image data of the bag to the image data read by the image data reading means. Since image data of the transfer image size is generated, the image data is transferred when the received image data is transferred to the image data storage means, and further, when the transfer image is formed, as compared with the case of reading the transfer image size image data from the image data storage means. Image data storage means necessary for reducing the image data transfer amount when reading image data from the storage means, further reducing the storage capacity of the image data storage means necessary for storing the image data, and further storing the image data. There is an effect that may reduce the memory capacity. Thereby, a high performance image processing apparatus can be provided at low cost.

According to the invention described in claim 8, the image data storage means stores the image data, and the image data reading means is based on a predetermined or based on the content of the image data in the image area of the image data stored by the image data storage means. Only the image data in the effective image area determined and read, and the image data generating means adds the image data of the bag to the image data read by the image data reading means to generate the image data of the transfer image size. There is an effect that the processing amount of the image data generating means (CPU) for generating the data can be reduced, and the image data transmission amount at the time of transmitting the image data can be reduced. Thereby, a high performance image processing apparatus can be provided at low cost.

According to the invention as set forth in claim 9, the image data generating means generates image data of a transfer image size using only white image data when the image data read by the image data reading means is blank image data. When the image data read by the image data reading means is white paper image data, such as when there is no image data to be transferred on the back side, the image data of the transfer image size is compared with the case where the white paper data is previously developed in the image data storage means. It is possible to reduce the processing amount of the image data generating means (CPU) for generating the data, and to reduce the image data transmission amount at the time of transmitting the image data.

According to the invention as set forth in claim 10, the image data generating means generates image data of a transfer image size using only white image data when the image data read by the image data reading means is white paper image data. When the image data read by the image data reading means is white paper image data, such as when there is no image data to be transferred on the back side, the image data of the transfer image size is compared with the case where the white paper data is previously developed in the image data storage means. It is possible to reduce the processing amount of the image data generating means (CPU) for generating the data, and to reduce the image data transmission amount at the time of transmitting the image data.

According to the invention described in claim 11, by recording a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, the program can be read by a machine, thereby operating the operations of claims 6 to 10. There is an effect that it can be realized by a computer.

Claims (11)

Image data input means for inputting image data, Image data extraction means for extracting only image data in an effective image region predetermined or determined based on the contents of the image data, from among the image regions of the image data input by the image data input means; Image data storage means for storing image data extracted by the image data extraction means An image processing apparatus comprising: The method of claim 1, Image data reading means for reading image data stored by the image data storage means; Image data generating means for adding image data of a bag to image data read by said image data reading means to generate image data of a transfer image size; An image processing apparatus comprising: Image data storage means for storing image data; Image data reading means for reading only image data in an effective image area that is predetermined or determined based on the contents of the image data among the image areas of the image data stored by the image data storage means; Image data generating means for adding image data of a bag to image data read by said image data reading means to generate image data of a transfer image size; An image processing apparatus comprising: The method of claim 2, And when the image data read by the image data reading means is blank image data, image data having a transfer image size is generated using only the image data of the white. The method of claim 3, And when the image data read by the image data reading means is blank image data, image data having a transfer image size is generated using only the image data of the white. An image data input step of inputting image data, An image data extraction step of extracting only image data in an effective image area that is predetermined or determined based on the contents of the image data among the image areas of the image data input by the input process; An image data storage process for storing image data extracted by the image data extraction process Image processing method comprising a. The method of claim 6, Furthermore, an image data reading step of reading the image data stored by the image data storing step, An image data generation step of adding image data of a bag to the image data read by the image data reading step to generate image data of a transfer image size. Image processing method comprising a. An image data storage process for storing image data, An image data reading step of reading only image data in an effective image area that is predetermined or determined based on the contents of the image data among the image areas of the image data stored by the image data storing step; An image data generation step of adding image data of a bag to the image data read by the image data reading step to generate image data of a transfer image size. Image processing method comprising a. The method of claim 7, wherein And when the image data read by the image data reading process is blank image data, image data of a transfer image size is generated using only image data of a white. The method of claim 8, And when the image data read by the image data reading process is blank image data, image data of a transfer image size is generated using only image data of a white. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 6 to 10.