JP3344255B2 - Image information processing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image information processing apparatus represented by a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a personal computer), and more particularly to a host computer or a personal computer for various DTP (desktop publishing). The created document is received in a PDL (Page Description Language) or other image data format, the received image data is interpreted, an image is formed by an image forming apparatus, and faithful and high-quality image information is reproduced. It relates to a processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, due to technical advances in multimedia and DTP hardware / software, very complex documents have been created even in office documents and various documents for other uses. There has been a growing demand to easily output them at a higher speed and with higher image quality by various image forming apparatuses, and various image processing apparatuses have been developed to meet the demand.

[0003] As a typical example, a document generated by PDL or the like is received by various standard interfaces (Ethernet / SCSI / GPIB / serial / Centronics / AppleTalk, etc. are mentioned as typical interfaces). An image processing apparatus which interprets a PDL file and faithfully reproduces the PDL file in an image forming apparatus is known. Generally, an image processing apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming apparatus as the image forming apparatus is most widely used. A typical example of PDL here is Ado
Be's PostScript or Xerox's Int
and the like.

In recent years, electrophotographic color printers and the like have been remarkably popularized, and some of the above-described image information processing apparatuses which interpret PDL and generate images have been published. . This P
The image information processing apparatus 100 such as a personal computer using the DL
As shown in FIG. 21, the code information generation unit 10
1 and an image development procedure unit 102, which generates a PDL file as an abstract drawing model and sends it to the image forming processing apparatus 110. The image forming processing device 110 includes therein
An image information developing unit 111, an image information storage unit 112, and an image input / formation device 113;
The PDL is interpreted and subjected to a development process, and the generated raster image data for one page is stored in the image information storage unit 112.
After that, the raster image data is output to the image input / formation device 113 to form an image.

[0005] However, in the image information processing apparatus 100 according to the above-mentioned conventional example using PDL, processing is time-consuming because a PDL such as PostScript, which is a drawing model with a high degree of abstraction, is used. For this purpose, a large processing capability is required for the image information developing unit 111 existing inside the image forming processing apparatus 110. In addition, when the generated PDL file includes many raster images, much time is spent for data transfer and image development processing.

Also, for example, 400 dpi (dot / in)
ch), the image information storage unit 112 for storing the full-page image data of one page of A3 size is an image memory having a capacity of 32 megabytes when 4 megabytes in binary and 8 bits in multivalued for 1 pixel. Required for color images, K (black), Y (yellow), M
Since four color pages (magenta) and C (cyan) are required, a large amount of image memory of 128 megabytes, which is four times larger, is required.

In general, when developing / generating a multi-valued image by an image processing apparatus having a binary image memory, an area gradation method such as a halftone dot, dither or error diffusion method is used. In image forming apparatuses that handle many, multi-valued images,
As a representative example, a color image has 256 gradations, and in the case of a color image, each of K, Y, M, and C colors has 8 bits and a pixel has 32 bits.

On the other hand, in recent years, with the progress of DTP hardware / software technology, various input devices (scanners / video still cameras) and document editors have been used to combine image elements having various spatial resolutions or gradation resolutions into one. Increasingly, documents are created that can be incorporated into documents (one page) and have more complex and sophisticated image elements of various spatial or grayscale resolutions. Such complicated and advanced documents having various spatial resolutions or gradation resolutions can be easily expressed in PDL, and can be generated as files.

When a PDL file is generated, various different spatial resolutions and gradation resolutions included in the document are described in a unique logical coordinate space that does not depend on an input / output device determined by the PDL. On the other hand, the image information processing apparatus interprets these PDL descriptions and performs a development process at the spatial resolution and the gradation resolution of the image memory of the image information processing apparatus. Normally, the spatial resolution and the gradation resolution at which the expansion processing is performed are the same as the spatial resolution and the gradation resolution of the target image forming apparatus such as a printer.

Further, when handling color images and the like, since a large amount of image memory is required as described above, the above-described image processing method utilizing various information compression methods and encoding methods has been proposed. Have been. Under these circumstances, in recent years, technological innovations of image information processing apparatuses typified by personal computers and the like have been remarkable, and an image information processing environment having low cost and high performance has been provided.

[0011] With this background, a change in printing architecture is coming to the printing environment. It's Microsoft
GDI (Graphics Device Interface) and Apple Ma used in Windows
QuickDraw and QuickDrawGX used on the Macintosh operating system
Most of the image expansion processing is performed by an image information processing device such as a personal computer, etc., using a drawing method that operates on the operating system of a computer such as a personal computer. This is a printing format that is output to the marking engine.

This type of printing has existed for several years, and has been used as a printing format applicable to a LowEnd printer. However, with respect to the resources and processing performance of a conventional image information processing apparatus typified by a personal computer or the like, a style that simultaneously performs application processing and printing processing on the user side is low in terms of performance.
It was not applicable except for the End printer.

[0013] In the conventional printing style, the processing on the computer side and the processing on the printer side are completely separated, and the printer side has most of the processing necessary for printing and the resources for executing the processing. This constituted the printing environment. In the background, the performance of an image information processing apparatus typified by a conventional personal computer or the like is not a performance that can withstand a heavy load processing such as handling a full raster image used for printing. (Especially for color raster imaging).

For the reasons described above, the printing styles in the medium and high speed areas have been described above as Po.
The mainstream is a printing style using a PDL file such as stScript, and a method has been adopted in which a PDL such as PostScript eliminates the dependency between the computer side and the printer side and performs print processing. . However, as mentioned earlier, the technological progress and performance of image information processing devices represented by personal computers and the like in recent years have been remarkable, and are approaching an area that partially satisfies the performance required for processing color raster imaging. That is the current situation.

In such a situation, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-9863
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-26139 proposes an invention aimed at "maximizing resource utilization by making communication between a host computer and a printer effective". FIG.
FIG. 2 shows an outline of the configuration of the image information processing apparatus disclosed in this publication.

The image information processing apparatus 200 includes a code information generation unit 201, an image development procedure unit 202,
An image development unit 203 and an image information storage unit 204,
Code information or encoded raster image data is generated and sent to the image forming processing apparatus 300. The image forming processing apparatus 300 includes therein a printer resource execution unit 301,
Printer storage unit 302 and image input / formation device 303
After the printer resource execution unit 301 performs the expansion processing of the code information and the decoding processing of the encoded raster image data, and stores the generated raster image data for one page in the printer storage unit 302. The raster image data is output to the image input / formation device 303 to form an image.

FIG. 23 shows a specific configuration of an image information processing apparatus 200 according to another conventional example. In FIG. 23, the image information processing apparatus 200 includes therein a code information generation unit 201, a data communication unit 205, a code information storage unit 206, a code information interface unit 207, a code information conversion unit 208, a code information interpretation unit 209, an image It has an information development unit 203, an image development procedure unit 202, an image information storage unit 204, a host resource storage unit 210, an image development control unit 211, and an image information communication unit 212.
On the other hand, the image forming processing apparatus 300 has
Printer schedule unit 304, printer resource storage unit 3
05, printer resource execution unit 301, printer storage unit 30
2 and an image input / formation device 303.

In the image information processing apparatus 200, a code information generation unit 201 converts various image information into code information in a predetermined format, and provides the converted code information to a code information interface unit 207. The data communication unit 205 receives code information output from a code information generation unit (not shown) existing inside another external image information processing apparatus, and temporarily stores the received code information in the code information storage unit 206. After the data is stored, the code information is supplied to the code information interface unit 207.

In the code information interface unit 207, the image development procedure unit 2 is preliminarily set before the image development processing.
02, device-dependent information of the image input / formation device 303 for performing image output and output processing, and the characteristics of the image expansion procedure unit 202, that is, which function is the vector data expansion procedure / raster data expansion procedure? Has been read. Then, based on the device-dependent information read in advance and the characteristics of the image development procedure unit 202, a process of converting device-independent code information into device-dependent code information is performed by the code information conversion unit. 208.

In practice, when the code information interface unit 207 reads the characteristics of the image development procedure unit 202 in advance, if the characteristics are vector data development procedure functions, most of the development procedure to vector data is performed by image development. Although the procedure unit 202 performs the raster data development procedure function, the code information conversion unit 208 handles most of the raster data development procedure processing.

Here, description will be made on the assumption that the characteristic of the image development procedure unit 202 is a raster data development procedure function. Code information interface unit 20
7 and when the code information conversion unit 208 performs conversion processing to device-dependent code information, first, it is checked what type of device-dependent code information is to be converted from the code information to be expanded. At the same time, the processing time required when the device-dependent code information is expanded by a resource (here, a CPU, a memory, a communication interface, or the like) existing inside the image forming processing apparatus 300 is determined by a printer resource. The calculation is performed based on the resource data of the image forming processing apparatus 300 existing in the storage unit 305.

The calculated result is transmitted to the image forming processing apparatus 300.
Is compared with the specified time required to form the input device-dependent code information. As a result of the comparison, if the expansion processing time is shorter than the image formation time, that is, if it is determined that the image formation speed can be met even if the expansion processing is performed using the resources inside the image forming processing apparatus 300, the image formation processing is performed. It is assumed that expansion processing is performed by using resources inside the apparatus 300, and the image information expansion unit 203 sends the apparatus-dependent code information to the printer storage unit 302 in the image forming processing apparatus 300 through the image information communication unit 212 as it is. Is temporarily stored.

On the other hand, as a result of the comparison, if the image development processing time is longer than the image formation time,
In the case where the image forming speed is not enough for performing the expansion processing using the resources inside 0, the device-dependent code information is passed to the code information interpretation unit 209 where the interpretation processing is performed. A raster image is developed. The developed data is passed to the image development procedure unit 202, further passed to the printer schedule unit 304 in the image forming processing apparatus 300 via the image information communication unit 212, passed through the printer resource execution unit 301, and stored in the printer storage unit 3
The compression or the encoding process is performed so that the output time when the output process is performed to the image input / formation device 303 via the O.02 is shorter than the image forming time for processing the raster data, and the data amount is controlled. Image information storage unit 2 in form
04.

The above series of processing is performed on one page of input code information. As a result of the processing, the code information that can be subjected to the image development processing and the image forming processing in real time by the resources inside the image forming processing apparatus 300 is stored in the printer storage unit 302 in the form of the apparatus-dependent code information. For data that is not stored, the data is stored in the image information storage unit 204 in the form of compressed or variously encoded raster data.

When the processing for one page is completed,
In accordance with an instruction from the image expansion control unit 211, the compressed or variously encoded raster data existing in the image information storage unit 204 is output through the image information communication unit 212, and the printer schedule unit 304 and the printer resource execution unit Output to the image input / formation device 303 via the printer 301 or read the device-dependent code information stored in the printer storage 302 into the printer resource execution unit 301 in real time according to the instruction of the printer schedule unit 304. Perform image expansion processing and input image /
The image forming process is performed by outputting the raster data to the forming device 303.

The overall control of the image development / formation processing of one page is basically performed by the image development control unit 211, and the control is performed by the image forming processing unit 3 if necessary.
The data is passed to the printer schedule unit 304 in 00.

The above-described conventional image processing apparatus has been developed for the purpose of increasing the speed of high-speed processing or low-speed image development / forming processing to a practical level.
The host computer side and the printer side have functions and processing resources necessary for the development / rendering process (hereinafter referred to as rendering or imaging) for printing, and the printing performance of the printer and the rendering resources and host prepared on the printer side Compare the rendering primitive rendering speed with the rendering resources provided on the computer side.

When rendering a draw primitive that can be rendered faster than the printing performance (image forming speed) by the rendering process prepared by the rendering resource prepared on the printer side, the rendering resource prepared on the printer side is used. If it is not possible, render the draw primitives in advance using the rendering resources provided on the host computer side, prepare compressed and encoded data, send it to the printer side with a standard printer interface, and perform decompression and encoding processing. This speeds up the printing process.

Although the above approach is also considered to reduce the memory resources required for printing, it does not guarantee the minimum memory usage due to the complexity of the image to be processed, but rather the total printing. The present invention has been invented for the purpose of speeding up the expansion processing for the processing.

In this prior art, the background of the approach described above is that the rendering resources using the computing resources that can be prepared on the host computer side still cannot satisfy the performance required for printing. ,
When printing is performed using only printing resources prepared on the printer side, another factor is that rendering resources prepared for the printer on the host side are not used.

[0031]

However, in the above prior art, when there are many draw primitives that cannot be rendered using the rendering resources prepared on the printer side or when all of them are the same, the basic In this case, all rendering is performed using rendering resources provided on the host computer side, and in this case, all memory resources necessary for printing are prepared as resources on the host computer side. In this case, the printing resources prepared on the printer side are not used at all and become useless resources.

Further, the printing performance of the printer and
The overhead of performing a very time-consuming process for all draw primitives, comparing the speed of rendering draw primitives with the rendering resources provided on the printer side and the host computer. And the above-described mechanism for increasing the speed causes the printing speed to be reduced.

Further, extra resources for managing the rendering resources on the host computer side and the rendering resources on the printer side, that is, a memory area for storing resource information, a CPU required for processing execution, and the like are required. Cost increases.

Further, in the prior art, a dynamic change of resources in a user environment, that is, a change in a storage area due to an application, a change in a bus transfer bandwidth due to a change in the number of I / O devices and a change in an operation environment, are not taken into account. No consideration was given and it was only adaptable to static resource fluctuations.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to make rendering resources required for printing prepared on the printer side unnecessary and to reduce the amount of rendering resources. An object of the present invention is to provide an image information processing apparatus that enables high-speed printing at a low cost.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image information processing apparatus capable of coping with a dynamic change in resources of a user environment.

[0037]

An image information processing apparatus according to the present invention develops code information in which image information is described in a predetermined format into image information that can be formed by an image forming processing apparatus. Image development procedure means for performing procedural processing for performing processing, first image information development means for executing a part of the image development processing by software, and first image information development means Image information storage means for storing image information subjected to image expansion processing, second image information expansion means for executing the remaining processing of the image expansion processing by hardware, and image stored in the image information storage means generating a transmitting means for transmitting the image information processed image developed in the image forming apparatus at a rate that satisfies the image transfer request speed of the image forming apparatus, an image by the information and the second image information developing unit An image generation unit that, the image generation hands
Convert the image generated by the step into the code information
It is configured to include an image conversion unit .

Further , the image information is described in a predetermined format.
Code information can be formed by the image forming processor
Procedures for performing image expansion processing for expanding image information
Processing means for performing image processing, and
First image information that executes a part of processing by software
Developing means, and an image developing process performed by the first image information developing means.
Image information storage means for storing the processed image information;
Perform the rest of the image expansion processing with hardware
The second image information expanding means to be executed and the image information storing means.
By means of the stored image information and the second image information
The image information processed by the image forming process
Transmission to the image forming processing device at a speed that satisfies the transfer request speed
The image development procedure means comprises: image development / formation information designated by a user;
The best image development / formation information is defined based on at least one of the usage status of the image information storage means and the image development / formation speed specified by the user . Further
Code information in which image information is described in a prescribed format
To image information that allows image formation by the image forming processing device
Image exhibition that performs procedural processing for performing image development processing
Open procedure means and a part of this image development processing
A first image information expanding means executed by software;
Image information processed by the first image information developing means
Image information storage means for storing information,
The second image that executes the rest of the processing on hardware
Information expanding means, and image information stored in the image information storing means.
Image development processing by the information and second image information development means.
The requested image transfer rate of the image forming
Transmission means for transmitting to the image forming processing device at a speed satisfying
Image development procedure means in an image information processing apparatus provided with
Is the image development / shape required for the image development / formation processing
The first transfer bandwidth in the configuration parameters and the image information
Information storage means, the second image information expanding means, and the transmission
Comparing the second transfer bandwidth between the means and the first transfer bandwidth.
The transmission bandwidth can be processed by the second transmission bandwidth.
Image development / formation processing
When a defective image occurs, new image development / formation is performed again.
It is configured to perform image development / formation processing with parameters
I have.

In the above configuration, the image information processing apparatus includes therein all resources for performing processing for expanding the image information into image information that can be formed by the image forming processing apparatus, that is, the first image information expanding unit and the second image information expanding unit. It has image information development means. Among these resources, the first image information developing unit executes a part of the image developing process by software, and develops the image information into image information that can be formed by the image forming processing apparatus . The second image information developing means executes the remaining processing of the image developing processing by hardware. The procedure processing for performing the image development processing is performed by the image development procedure means. This image development procedure means is generated by the image generation means.
Of the converted image in the format determined by the image conversion means.
It is converted into the described code information and given. The image information subjected to the image development processing by the first image information development means is stored in the image information storage means. The image information stored in the image information storage unit and the image information subjected to the image expansion processing by the second image information expansion unit are transmitted to the image forming apparatus by the transmission unit at a speed that satisfies the image transfer request speed.

In other words, according to the present invention, the rendering resources using the computing resources that can be prepared on the host computer side existing in the background of the prior art described above are not yet enough to satisfy the performance required for printing. In fact, when printing only with the printing resources prepared on the printer side, paying attention to the fact that the rendering resources prepared for the host side printing process are not used, as one approach,
By preparing rendering resources for the printer necessary for printing from the resources of the host computer in addition to rendering resources suitable for printing processing on the host computer side, all printing processing as resources on the host computer side The necessary resources are prepared.

Further, in the image information processing apparatus having the above configuration, the image development procedure means includes image development / formation information (image quality) designated by the user , usage status of the image information storage means (memory usage), and image development designated by the user. / Printing speed based on at least one of the forming speeds (printing speed) and automatically selecting an ideal and optimal user-specified parameter and selecting an applicable printing mode. Accordingly, it is possible to cope with a dynamic change of resources of the image information processing apparatus. Picture
The image development procedure means further performs the printing process.
Printing using multi-level imaging
Process to ensure bandwidth at the same time as
Perform at the same time. As a result, the number and operation of I / O devices
Compatible with changes in bus transfer bandwidth due to changes in operating environment
For all types of image information processing equipment
Real-time guarantee for rough printing
The print processing can be executed while performing.

[0042]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, an image information processing apparatus 10 such as a personal computer has a code information generation section 11, an image development procedure section 12, a first image information development section 13, an image information storage section 14, and a second image information storage section. The image processing apparatus has a developing unit 15, performs a process of generating one page of raster image data inside the apparatus using the first image information developing unit 13 and the second image information developing unit 15, and converts the raster image data into image information. Storage unit 14
After that, raster image data is output to the image input / formation device 31 existing inside the image formation processing device 30 to perform image formation.

The image information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration includes therein all resources and means necessary for image development / generation, and these resources are used for image formation represented by a printer or the like. It can be shared with the processing device 30 and can be used at the same time. Therefore, only the image input / formation device 31 exists inside the image information formation device 30.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of the image information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.
1 are given the same reference numerals. FIG.
In the image information processing apparatus 10, the code information generation unit 11, the data communication unit 16, the code information storage unit 17, the code information interface unit 18, the code information conversion unit 19, the image development / formation module 20, the image development It has a control unit 21, an image information storage unit 22, and an image information storage unit 14. The image development / formation module 20 includes a code information interpretation unit 23, an image development procedure unit 12, a first image information development unit 13, and a second image information development unit 1.
5 and an image information interface unit 24. On the other hand, the image forming processing apparatus 30 has only the image input / forming means 31 therein.

In the image information processing apparatus 10, the code information generation unit 11 converts various image information into code information of a predetermined format, and supplies the converted code information to the code information interface unit 18. Data communication unit 16
Receives code information output from a code information generation unit (not shown) provided inside another image information processing apparatus outside, and stores the received code information in a code information storage unit 17.
And temporarily supplies the code information to the code information interface unit 18. The image data sent in the code information can be any of PDL (Page Description Language), a group of graphic display functions handled inside the image information processing apparatus 10, and encoded RAW image data. It is assumed that

In the code information interface unit 18, the image development procedure unit 1 is preliminarily used for the image development processing.
2. Device-dependent information of the image input / formation device 31 for performing image development and output processing at 2 and the image development procedure unit 1
Characteristic No. 2, that is, which function of the vector data development procedure / raster data development procedure is read. Then, based on the device-dependent information read in advance and the characteristics of the image development procedure unit 12, a process of converting the device-independent form of code information into device-dependent code information is performed by the code information conversion unit. 19 performs.

In practice, when the code information interface unit 18 reads the characteristics of the image development procedure unit 12 in advance, if the vector data development procedure function is used, most of the development procedure to vector data is performed by the image development procedure unit 12. In the case of the raster data development procedure function, the code information conversion unit 19 handles most of the raster data development procedure processing. In the following description, the image development procedure unit 1
It is assumed that the second characteristic is a raster data development procedure function.

The code information received by the code information interface unit 18 and expanded into the device-dependent raster data by the code information conversion unit 19 is interpreted by the code information interpretation unit 23 and passed to the image expansion procedure unit 12. It is. The raster data passed to the image development procedure unit 12 is
The first image information developing unit 13 performs the preceding expansion processing, and the result of the expansion is stored in the image information storage unit 14.

The same process is performed on the code information for one page, and the raster image of one page is stored in the image information storage unit 1.
4 At this time, when performing processing such as compression and encoding for the purpose of reducing the memory capacity of the image information storage unit 14, the raster image expansion processing is performed in band units, and the image information storage unit 14 is processed in band units. Is performed by the second image information decompressing unit 15 and the like to compress the raster data stored in the image information and accumulate it in the image information storage unit 14.

Here, first, a description will be given of processing when processing such as data compression is not performed. After developing the code information for one page and storing the raster data for one page in the image information storage unit 14, the second image information developing unit 15 is set with parameters for performing the subsequent development process. The subsequent expansion processing performed by the second image information expansion unit 15 is a color space conversion processing, a gradation / resolution conversion processing, and a data format expansion processing.

If, at the time of image expansion processing, compression and encoding are used for the purpose of reducing the memory capacity of the image information storage unit 14, after the processing of the preceding first image information expansion unit 8 is completed, The compression processing is performed by the two-image information expansion unit 15, and the expansion processing is performed at the time of the expansion processing at the subsequent stage.

Here, as parameters for performing the expansion processing set in the second image information expansion unit 15, color conversion table parameters for color space conversion processing, gradation /
Conversion parameters of input / output data when performing resolution conversion processing, input / output data format parameters (plane sequential / dot sequential / parallel order of each color space element / etc), compression / decompression parameters, spatial filter parameters, tone curve parameters, and the like are listed. Can be

After setting such various parameters in the second image information developing section 15, the image information data for one page stored in the image information storing section 14 is transferred to the second image information developing section 15, The above-described post-processing is executed by pipeline processing at the time of outputting image formation data in synchronization with the operation of the image input / forming apparatus 31 and the video synchronization signal. Here, the pipeline processing refers to processing of a system of a synchronous logic circuit configured by hardware.

The image data subjected to the pipeline processing by the second image information developing section 15 is sent to the image input / forming apparatus 31 in the image forming processing apparatus 30 through the image information interface section 24 to perform the image forming processing. . The image information interface unit 24 transmits data at a speed that satisfies the image transfer request speed of the image forming processing device 30. In the above-described series of processing, the image development control unit 21
Performs overall control over conversion from code information input, interpretation and development processing, and image formation processing. The image information storage unit 22 stores the image information stored in the image information storage unit 1 after the image development processing is performed.
4 is used to temporarily store raster data expanded and processed. Details of these operations will be described later.

FIG. 3 shows a comparison of resources between the image information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment and the image information processing apparatus 200 according to another conventional example shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, image information processing apparatuses 10 and 200 typified by a personal computer and image forming processing apparatuses 30 and 300 typified by a general printer are shown.
It shows how internal resources are allocated, and how the internal data structure is structured. In the drawing, the same parts as those in FIGS. 2 and 23 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

FIG. 3B shows an image information processing apparatus 200 according to another conventional example, in which an application 213 on the host computer side, a code information generation unit 201, an image expansion procedure unit 202, and an image information expansion unit. Part 2
03 is executed using the resources of the personal computer central processing unit 214 such as a general-purpose CPU LSI, and the image information storage unit 204 is stored in the personal computer main storage unit 215.
Utilizing a part of. The image information communication unit 212 has resources as the personal computer hardware 216.
Then, the image information storage unit 204 and the image information communication unit 212
Is transferred via the internal bus 217.

On the other hand, the printer schedule section 304 and the printer resource execution section 301 on the printer side are generally executed by using the resources of the printer central processing unit 306 typified by an embedded CPU LSI. The printer storage unit 302 is executed using the printer storage device 307. Further, the image input / formation device 303 has resources as printer hardware 308. Then, the image data finally converted into the raster image data is sent to the image input / formation device 303 via the internal bus 309 to form an image.

FIG. 3A shows the case of the image information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, in which the application 25 and the code information generation unit 1 on the host computer side are used.
1. Image development procedure section 12 and first image information development section 13
Is generally executed using the resources of the personal computer central processing unit 26 represented by a general-purpose CPU LSI.
The image information storage unit 14 utilizes a part of the personal computer main storage device 27, and the second image information development unit 15 has resources as personal computer hardware 28 in the form of a bus expansion card. Then, only the image input / formation device 31 exists on the printer side.

Further, since a direct video connection is established between the personal computer and the printer via the video data output signal line 41, there is no data transfer overhead during image formation. Similarly, in the image information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, when the image forming operation is performed, the processing of the second image information developing unit 15 is performed by the image information storing unit prepared in the personal computer main storage device 27. 14 to the second image information developing unit 15 via the internal bus 29 of the personal computer to the DMA (direct memory access).
Raster image data is sent by transfer, and the received data is executed by hardware pipeline processing in a manner synchronized with the video signal of the image input / formation device 31.

According to this configuration, the second image information developing unit 15
There is no overhead in executing
As in the image information processing apparatus 200 according to another conventional example, raster image data or code information expanded by the image information expansion unit 203 on the personal computer side and stored in the image information storage unit 204 is standardized through the image information communication unit 212. The image data is sent by the printer interface, the image development processing is performed on the printer side using the printer resource execution unit 301, and one page of the raster image data is stored in the printer storage unit 302 and then output to the image input / formation device 303. Thus, it is possible to perform image forming processing at a much higher speed on a system that forms an image.

Here, in order to perform the above-mentioned high-speed processing, the processing is performed in the second image developing unit 15 by hardware pipeline processing synchronized with the video data output. Is an important component of the invention. Image information processing apparatus 2 according to another conventional example
At 00, such processing was not possible. In this regard, details of the configuration will be described later.

Further, the image information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment has various image processing hardware used for image expansion processing on the second image information expansion unit 15 on the personal computer side. By adopting such a configuration, the second image information developing unit 15 prepared for the image developing process can also be used from the image processing application 25 of the personal computer. At that time, generally, each function is called as a plug-in module from the application 25, and the requested image processing in the application can be processed at high speed.
On the other hand, the image information processing apparatus 20 according to another conventional example
At 0, the image information developing unit 203 is generally unavailable from the application 213. Similarly, since the image development function at the subsequent stage exists inside the printer main body, its resources cannot be used, of course.

As described above, by adopting the configuration as in the present embodiment, the resources as the image information processing apparatus in the personal computer and the resources of the image forming processing apparatus for the purpose of image development / formation processing are shared and simultaneously. Since the image information processing apparatus can be used, it is possible to configure the image information processing apparatus at low cost with a small amount of resources.

That is, in the present embodiment, as rendering resources necessary for printing, in addition to rendering resources prepared from resources of the host computer, rendering resources suitable for printing processing are prepared on the host computer side. Prepare resources necessary for all printing processes using resources on the host computer side, realize those resources as a system that can be executed by pipeline processing at the time of high speed, and completely satisfy the printer execution processing time In order to realize the above-described printing execution mode, a rendering process required for printing is separated into two processes, a first stage process and a second stage process.

As a result, rendering resources that have been required for printing conventionally prepared on the printer side become unnecessary, and as a result, a printing environment can be provided at high speed and at lower cost. In addition, by sharing and mutually using the resources of the host computer and the resources necessary for printing, the computing processing speed of the host computer can also be improved.

Also, by providing the first image information expanding section 13 existing on the personal computer side with a tag information generation processing function, the object attributes are recognized and the object separation processing is performed. In the case where bit information is generated and object-oriented processing is performed using tag bit information (for this technology, Japanese Patent Application No. 7-416
No. 41), it is possible to perform tag bit generation processing using application-level information existing on a personal computer instead of generating tag bit information from a PDL file such as a postscript having a high degree of abstraction. Therefore, more detailed tag bit information generation processing can be performed.

This effect is different from the image information processing apparatus 200 according to another conventional example in that the image information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment realizes the processing conventionally performed by the image forming processing apparatus 30 therein. It depends on where you are.

Next, the respective functions that the first image information developing unit 13 and the second image information developing unit 15 in the image information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment share and process will be specifically described. In the present embodiment, in order to provide the image information processing apparatus 10 with the image development / formation processing, the image development processing is divided into the first image information development unit 13 and the second image information development unit 15. . Accordingly, the first image information development unit 13 includes an image development processing element that needs to perform an interactive process, and the second image information development unit 15 includes an image capable of performing hardware pipeline processing by raster image rendering processing. It has an expansion processing element.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing details of the processing of the first image information developing unit 13. The first image information developing unit 13 includes, as its processing functions, an affine transformation processing step S11, a clipping processing step S12, a masking processing step S13, and an object separation processing step S13.
14, tag information generation processing step S15, and rendering processing step S16.
These processes are performed in a stage before the process of the second image information processing unit 15 is performed by software processing.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing details of the processing of the second image information developing unit 15. Second image information developing unit 15
Are the format conversion processing unit 51 and the color space conversion processing unit 5
2. It has the functions of a gradation conversion processing unit 53, a resolution conversion processing unit 54, a compression processing unit 55, and a decompression processing unit 56. These processes are basically performed when outputting raster image data for image formation to the image input / formation device 31 by pipeline processing by hardware. Therefore, there is no basic processing overhead time for the image development processing.

FIG. 6 shows the image expansion / decompression when the compression / expansion band processing inside the image information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is required.
The outline of the forming process will be described. In the present embodiment, as described above, the image development processing is performed by the first image information development unit 13 and the second image information development unit 15, but in actual image development / formation processing, cost reduction is achieved. Band processing is performed to reduce the required size of the image information storage unit 14 for the purpose.

That is, the raster image data of the intermediate format expanded by the first image information expanding section 13 is stored in the image information storage section 14 (14) for each band (band 1 to band N).
-1 to 14-N), the second image information developing unit 15
The format conversion unit 51, the color space conversion processing unit 52, and the compression processing unit 5
5 is performed, and the processed data is stored in the image information storage unit 14 in band units. These processes are performed for each band, and are repeated until raster image data for one page is processed. After the processing of one page of raster image data is completed, in the image forming process, the data stored in the image information storage unit 14 is simultaneously transferred to the image information interface unit at the speed required by the image input / formation procedure 31. 24.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure for setting the printing mode in the multilevel imaging processing according to the present embodiment.
In the present embodiment, unlike a conventional image processing apparatus,
The image processing apparatus has a plurality of printing modes for image development / formation, and has a configuration capable of performing multilevel imaging. A mechanism for controlling the memory, print speed, and image quality based on user setting information using the multi-level imaging function is provided inside the second image information developing unit 15.

The processing will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the printing process, the user setting information is scanned in response to a print instruction specified by the user (step S21), and first, it is determined whether the process is a color process or a monochrome process (step S21).
22). Here, in the case of color processing, a color setting parameter is set (step S23), and in the case of monochrome processing, a monochrome setting parameter is set (step S23).
24).

Thereafter, it is determined whether the print setting is an automatic setting or a selection setting (step S25). In the case of the selection setting, first, the selection setting parameter is set (step S26), and it is determined whether or not there is a memory setting (step S27). Then, if there is a memory setting, a memory setting parameter is set according to the designation (step S28), otherwise, the memory restriction is cleared (step S29). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not there is an image quality setting (step S30). If there is an image quality setting, an image setting parameter is set according to the specification (step S3).
1) If there is no image quality setting, the image quality restriction is cleared (step S32).

Next, if there is an image quality setting, it is determined whether or not the image setting parameter satisfies the limit of the memory setting parameter based on the memory setting parameter (step S3).
3) If the value is outside the limit value, a warning message is output (step S34), and thereafter, the process returns to the start. On the other hand, if within the limit value, it is determined whether or not there is a speed setting (step S35). If there is a speed setting, a speed parameter is set (step S36). If there is no speed setting, the speed limit is cleared. Yes (Step S3
7).

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the set speed parameter satisfies the restrictions set by the memory setting and the speed setting parameter (step S38). If not, the process returns to the start via step S24.
When the value is within the limit value or after the speed limit is cleared, a printing mode table described later is read (step S39), and an optimum printing mode selection process is performed based on each setting parameter (step S40). Thus, the printing mode is determined.

Subsequently, the printing mode is set, and the user performs a printing process in accordance with the set printing mode (step S41). If OK, a dialog box is instructed. Then, it is determined whether or not it is OK (step S42), and if not, the process returns to the start. If OK, a printing process is performed (step S43), and the process is waited for the end of the process (step S44), and a series of selection setting processes is ended.

On the other hand, in the automatic setting / selection setting determination processing in step S25, when it is determined that the automatic setting is performed, the automatic setting parameter is set (step S45), and it is determined whether or not there is a memory setting (step S46). ). If there is a memory setting, a memory setting parameter is set according to the designation (step S47), and otherwise, the memory restriction is cleared (step S48). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not there is an image quality setting (step S4).
9) If there is an image quality setting, image setting parameters are set according to the designation (step S50), and if there is no image quality setting, the image quality restriction is cleared (step S51).

Next, if there is an image quality setting, it is determined whether or not the image setting parameter satisfies the limit of the memory setting parameter based on the memory setting parameter (step S5).
2) If the value is outside the limit value, the alternative image quality setting parameter is set (step S53), and thereafter, the process returns to step S50. On the other hand, if within the limit value, it is determined whether or not there is a speed setting (step S54). If there is a speed setting, a speed parameter is set (step S5).
5) If there is no speed setting, the speed limit is cleared (step S56).

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the set speed parameter satisfies the restrictions set by the memory setting and the speed setting parameter (step S57). If not, the substitute speed setting parameter is set (step S58), and the process returns to step S55.
When the value is within the limit value or after the speed limit is cleared, the process proceeds to step S39, and the processes of steps S39 to S44 are executed as in the case of the selection setting.

As described above, the automatic setting / selection setting is determined, and a series of processing corresponding to the automatic setting / selection setting is repeatedly executed to automatically select and set the setting parameter applicable to the limit value. Then, print processing can be performed. As a result, it is possible to cope with a dynamic change in the resources of the user environment, that is, a change in the storage area due to the opening of the application.

In this example, the description has been made on the assumption that the obtained storage area of the memory is continuous. However, when the obtained storage area of the memory is fragmented, the fragmentation state is managed. Calculate the transfer bandwidth of the image information storage unit 14 and the image information interface unit 24 at the time of fragmentation, and determine in advance that image formation is possible or impossible with executable image development / formation parameters. / Notification may be made.

FIG. 10 shows a printing mode table according to the present embodiment. The contents of the printing mode selection processing at the time of automatic setting according to this printing mode table will be briefly described. The printing mode table in FIG. 10 stores the paper size, the resolution, the color space, and the memory size when performing the gradation conversion / compression processing. At the time of printing, a memory size boundary (boundary of a table shown by a solid line and a dotted line in the figure), an image quality guarantee boundary, and a speed guarantee boundary are determined according to a user-specified parameter, and a selection procedure is performed.

The memory size boundary is determined by the memory size specification information specified by the user. The image quality guarantee boundary is set by the image quality specification information specified by the user,
At the time of automatic setting, it is automatically determined and set. Since the image quality assurance boundary does not depend on the paper size, each paper has a similar outline. The speed assurance boundary calculates in advance the processing time spent when expanding input code information for the speed setting specified by the user, and develops different images depending on the amount of data generated and the difference in processing contents The processing time determines the boundary.

In FIG. 10, the memory size of the printing mode automatically selected from each boundary on the printing mode table is underlined.

FIG. 11 shows a print setting dialog according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 12 shows an option setting dialog according to the present embodiment. Various user-specified parameters are set by the print setting dialog and the option setting dialog.

As described above, in the present invention, all of the resources necessary for the image processing
In order to perform high-speed processing using the internal resources of the printer and realize printing processing that guarantees the real-time property of the xerographic printer, the image information expanding means is composed of the first image information expanding unit 13 and the second image information expanding unit 15. It is divided into processing systems that can perform interactive processing and one-way pipeline processing by hardware. Also, in order to guarantee the pipeline processing operation, an image information interface is required.
The face portion 24 is used. The internal operation of the image information interface unit 24 will be described later.

However, the bandwidth of the internal bus of the image information processing apparatus 10 typified by a personal computer or the like presently present in the world is not a fixed value for each model of each company. Of the personal computer internal bus 29 in the image information processing apparatus 10 of FIG.
It is very difficult to guarantee the bandwidth of the xerographic printer required for printing.

Under such circumstances, in the present invention,
A bandwidth guaranteeing process is provided to guarantee real-time printing processing. Further, in the present invention, at the time of printing processing, processing for bandwidth guarantee is performed simultaneously with the above-described printing mode setting processing using multi-level imaging. FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure for setting the printing mode in the bandwidth guarantee processing according to the present embodiment.

In the bandwidth guarantee processing, first, setting information set by the user in the printing mode set first is scanned (step S61). The transfer data amount and the transfer sequence are determined by the user setting information. Based on the determined transfer data amount and transfer sequence, a necessary DMA transfer mode is selected (step S62). Next, data transfer of a fixed size determined by the selected DMA transfer mode is actually performed on the actual machine (step S63), and the bandwidth of the model-dependent personal computer internal bus 29 is determined based on the actual measurement time spent for the DMA transfer processing. Is actually measured (step S64).

Then, it is compared whether or not the actually measured bandwidth value satisfies the bandwidth required for the DMA transfer mode for executing the printing mode designated by the user (step S65). As a result of the comparison, when the required bandwidth is satisfied, the printing process is performed using the printing mode parameter specified by the user (step S66). If the actually measured bandwidth of the model-dependent internal bus 29 of the personal computer does not satisfy the required bandwidth, the encoding processing is performed on the image information expanded and generated by the first image information expanding unit 13. Then, an encoding mode for specifying an encoding process for reducing the data transfer bandwidth is selected (step S67).

The encoding process performed here is generally applied to multi-gradation color data and run-length encoding applied to single color data expressed as graphics, and to character / line drawing. Compression processing represented by multi-tone color data and binary mask bitmap data encoding, JPEG adapted to natural images, and the like. An encoding process is performed (step S68), and a calculation process of a data transfer bandwidth required for data transfer is performed based on a result of creating the image data amount (step S69). A comparison is made with the bandwidth information (step S70).

As a result of the comparison, when the bandwidth condition is not satisfied, the setting of the encoding mode is changed (step S71), and thereafter, the process shifts to step S57.
When changing the setting of the encoding mode, the resolution is changed. This process is repeatedly executed until the bandwidth condition is satisfied. On the other hand, if the data transfer bandwidth after performing the encoding process satisfies the bandwidth condition, it is determined whether or not the setting is automatic (step S7).
2).

In the case of the automatic setting, a changed printing mode setting message is output to confirm the mode setting to the user (step S73). Then
In this process, it is determined whether or not OK has been input (step S74). If OK has been input, step S66 is performed.
Then, the printing process is performed, and after the process is completed (step S75), a series of operations is completed.
On the other hand, if OK is not input, it is considered that the changed printing mode has been denied, and a warning message is output (step S76), and thereafter, the process returns to the start.

By performing the series of processes described above, I
It can respond to changes in the bus transfer bandwidth due to changes in the number of I / O devices and the operating environment, and executes print processing while guaranteeing real-time properties for xerographic printing for any type of image information processing apparatus It becomes possible.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image information interface unit 24 provided in the image information processing apparatus 10. This image information interface unit 24
Performs the image development and formation processing together with the second image information development unit 15 and, at the same time, transfers the image data that has been subjected to the DMA transfer processing and the encoding processing for ensuring the real-time performance for the printing described above to the image information forming apparatus 3.
It has a function of decoding when outputting to 0. Here, operations of a DMA transfer process for guaranteeing real-time performance and a decoding process of image data will be described.

The image information interface unit 24 includes a memory read / write control circuit 81, a function data pointer register (AR1) 82a, a character / line drawing data pointer register (AR2) 82b, a color data pointer register (AR3) 82c, and a Image data pointer register (AR4) 82d, multiplexer multiplexer 83, function data FIFO (first-in
first-out) 84a, character / line drawing data FIFO 84b,
Color data FIFO 84c, natural image data FIFO 8
4d, expansion circuits 85A, 85B, delay circuit 86, communication /
It comprises a synchronization signal control circuit 87 and a function control / multiplexer / tag bit generation circuit 88.

Function data pointer register 8
2a, a character / line image data pointer register 82b, a color data pointer register 82c, and a natural image data pointer register 82d indicate addresses to be referred to of the encoded image data. Is set to the start address where the respective encoded image data exists.

In FIG. 2, when an image data output instruction is issued, the image information interface unit 24 reads the encoded image data from the image information storage unit 14 via the second image information development unit 15. Hereinafter, the operation of the image information interface unit 24 having the above configuration will be described.

First, the function data FIF
O84a, character / line image data FIFO 84b, color data FIFO 84c, and natural image data FIFO 84d are stored until each data is full (FULL). When each of the FIFOs 84a to 84d becomes full, a synchronization signal instruction for data output is issued from the communication / synchronization signal control circuit 87 to the image forming processing apparatus 30.
Outputs a synchronization signal of an image data output instruction to the image information processing apparatus 10 via the image data output signal line 89.

Next, the communication / synchronization signal control circuit 87 which has received the synchronization signal of the image data output instruction sends an instruction to read data from the FIFOs 84a to 84d to the function control / multiplexer / tag bit generation circuit 88. The function control / multiplexer / tag bit generation circuit 88, which has received the data reading instruction from the FIFOs 84a to 84d, reads the function data from the function data FIFO 84a, decodes them, and then determines what data is required and how. Function is determined.

FIG. 16 shows the image information interface unit 2.
4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a fourth function control / multiplexer / tag bit generation circuit 88. FIG.
In FIG. 16, a binary data register 90a stores character / line drawing area data expanded and output from a character / line drawing data expansion circuit 85a, a color data register 90b stores color data output from a color data delay circuit 86, and The natural image data register 90c is a register for temporarily holding the natural image area data expanded and output from the natural image data expansion circuit 85b.

The function decode / count control circuit 91 has a function data FIFO 84
The function data obtained as the output of “a” is temporarily held and decoded, and each function as shown in the function table of FIG. 18 is stored in the binary data register 90a, the color data register 90b, and the natural image data. This is executed by giving an instruction to the register 90c and the multiplex / tag generation control circuit 92. At this time, simultaneously, the data necessary for executing the function is stored in the binary data register 90a,
The data is read into one of the color data register 90b and the natural image data register 90c.

Next, in the case of a function for outputting color data, for example, the color data is read from the color data register 90b, the color data is output by the color / natural image multiplexer 93, and then the binary / color / natural image data multiplexer is output. 94, color /
The function is executed by outputting the color data output from the natural image multiplexer 93.

The function decode / count control circuit 91 internally has a counter used to count the execution pixels of the function, and executes the execution pixel of the same function indicated by the run length field of the function data. Count the number. When the execution of the same function is counted by the number of execution pixels given by the counter, the execution of the function is completed, and new function data is read, and at the same time, data necessary for executing the next function is stored in the binary data register. 90a, the color data register 90b, and the natural image data register 90c, and the next function is executed in the same manner.

Even in the case of a function indicating output of character / line image data, output of natural image data, or a combination thereof, the same processing is performed, and a raster image of target image data can be obtained. at the same time,
The multiplex / tag generation control circuit 92 recognizes which data of binary data, color data / natural image data is output by the executed function, and generates a raster image of the target image data, Generate tag bits and output the tag bits in synchronization with the image data.

FIG. 17 shows the image information interface unit 2
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a hardware color conversion processing unit of FIG. This hardware color conversion processing unit is called from the second image information developing unit 15 during the print processing, and performs an actual color conversion operation. FIG. 18 shows a function table relating to an image forming function for the image information interface unit 24. The first image information expanding section 15 and the image information interface section 24 perform data encoding / decoding processing for image formation based on the function table.

FIG. 19 shows an image input / output in this embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing unit of the forming apparatus 31. The image processing unit 60 of the image input / formation device 31
Image interface / tag interpretation / selector 61
γ correction unit 62, color space conversion unit 63, filter 6
4. UCR (Under Color Removal) / black generation section 65, gradation control section 66, screen processing section 67, laser drive circuit 68, synchronization control / system control / UI control / image processing control / communication control circuit 69 As shown in FIG. 19, a copier-type image forming apparatus having an image input device 70 may be used.

In this case, the image data read and input by the image input device 70 is transmitted to the image input device red component output signal line 71, the image input device green component output signal line 72, and the image input device blue component output signal line 73. The data is transmitted to the image interface / tag interpretation / selector unit 61 as data of the color space of R (red), G (green), and B (blue). Then, the selector function switches between image data sent from the image information processing apparatus and input image data from the image input device 70, and an image forming process is performed.

The image interface / tag interpretation / selector section 61 interprets the image data sent from the image information processing apparatus via the image data output signal line 41 and simultaneously sends the image data via the tag bit output signal line. The incoming tag bits are interpreted (usually in the form of bit information without conversion processing) and transmitted to the respective processing units 62 to 67 of the image processing unit 60.

Gamma correction unit 62, color space conversion unit 6
3, the filter 64, the UCR / black generation unit 65, the gradation control unit 66, and the screen processing unit 67 have image processing functions of performing different image processing in accordance with instructions of respective tag bits, and different image processing functions. It has an LUT (Look Up Table) for processing,
Image processing is performed on the image data sent from the image information processing apparatus 10 by pipeline processing according to the instruction of the tag bit.

Here, for example, the processing of the screen processing section 67 will be described. This screen processing unit 67
This is a screen processing unit having two types of line screens of 00/400 lines, and tag bits sent from the image information processing apparatus 10 include a natural image area (3), a graphic area (2), and a character / line image area. (1) Other areas and (0)
Therefore, in the case of the character / line drawing area (1), output is performed with 400 lines, and in the other area, 2 is output.
Processing is performed so as to be output on the 00 line. Then, the output is sent to the laser drive circuit 68 to form an image.

Similarly, the γ correction section 62 switches the γ correction coefficient, the color space conversion section 63 switches the LUT during the color space conversion processing, the filter 64 switches the filter coefficient during the filter processing,
The CR / black generation unit 65 switches the coefficient at the time of UCR / black generation, and the gradation control unit 66 performs a gradation control LUT at the time of gradation control.
Is switched.

The synchronous control / system control / UI control / image processing control / communication control of the image input / forming apparatus 30 is performed by a synchronous control / system control / UI control / image processing control / communication control circuit 69. An instruction on what kind of image processing should be performed at what kind of tag bit is also instructed by a similar circuit by software before starting the operation. Further, these image processing units 60 are of an electrophotographic type,
Any of an inkjet method and a thermal transfer method may be used.

FIG. 20 is a conceptual diagram showing the classification of the attributes of image data in the present embodiment. In the image information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the original image 75 is classified into a character / line drawing element extraction image 76, a graphic element extraction image 77, and a natural image element extraction image 77, and generates a tag bit. Processing is performed.

[0118]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, all resources for performing processing for developing image information that can be formed by an image forming processing apparatus, that is, first image information developing means and The second image information expanding means is provided in the image information processing apparatus, and a part of the image expanding processing is executed by software in the first image information expanding means, and
The remaining processing is executed by hardware by the second image information developing means, and the image information developed is transmitted to the image forming processing apparatus at a speed that satisfies the image transfer request speed of the image forming processing apparatus. In addition, since it is not necessary to prepare rendering resources required for image formation in the image forming processing apparatus, high-speed image formation can be performed at lower cost.

Further, printing is performed based on at least one of user-specified image development / formation information (image quality), use status of image information storage means (memory usage), and user-specified image development / formation speed (printing speed). By performing processing and automatically selecting an ideal and optimum user-specified parameter and selecting an adaptable printing mode, it is possible to cope with a dynamic change in resources of the image information processing apparatus. In addition, pre
Multi-level imaging
Band setting at the same time as the printing mode setting process used
By performing processing for width guarantee at the same time, I / O device
Bus transfer bandwidth due to changes in the number of
For various types of image information processing devices that can respond to changes
On the other hand, Realta for xerographic printing
It is possible to execute print processing while guaranteeing im
It becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a specific configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a comparison of resources between an image information processing apparatus according to the present invention and an image information processing apparatus according to a conventional example.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating details of processing of a first image information developing unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating details of processing of a second image information developing unit.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an outline of image expansion / formation processing when compression / expansion band processing inside the image information processing apparatus is required.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating a printing mode setting processing procedure in the multi-level imaging processing.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating a printing mode setting processing procedure in the multi-level imaging processing.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart (part 3) illustrating a printing mode setting processing procedure in the multi-level imaging processing.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a printing mode table.

FIG. 11 illustrates a print setting dialog.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an option setting dialog.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a printing mode setting processing procedure in the bandwidth guarantee processing (part 1);
It is.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a printing mode setting processing procedure in the bandwidth guarantee processing (part 2);
It is.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image information interface unit.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a function control / multiplexer / tag bit generation circuit of an image information interface unit.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a hardware color conversion processing unit of an image information interface unit.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a function table relating to an image forming function.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image input / formation device.

FIG. 20 is a conceptual diagram of dividing an image component of a document.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating an image processing apparatus according to a conventional example.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing an image processing apparatus according to another conventional example.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of an image processing apparatus according to another conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 100, 200 Image information processing apparatus 11 Code information generation unit 12 Image expansion procedure unit 13 First image information expansion unit 14 Image information storage unit 15 Second image information expansion unit 18 Code information interface unit 19 Code information conversion unit 20 Image Expansion / formation module 21 Image expansion control unit 30, 110, 300 Image formation processing unit 31 Image input / formation unit 51 Format conversion processing unit 52 Color space conversion processing unit 53 Gradation conversion processing unit 54 Resolution conversion processing unit 55 Compression processing unit 56 Decompression processing unit 60 Image processing unit 70 Image input device

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] An image developing procedure means for performing a procedure for performing an image developing process for expanding code information in which image information is described in a predetermined format into image information capable of forming an image by an image forming processing apparatus. A first image information expanding unit that executes a part of the image expanding process by software; and an image information storage that stores image information processed by the first image information expanding unit. Means, second image information expanding means for executing the remaining processing of the image expanding processing by hardware, image information stored in the image information storing means, and image expanding by the second image information expanding means. and transmitting means for transmitting to the image forming processing apparatus the processed image data at a rate that satisfies the image transfer request speed of the image forming apparatus, an image generating means for generating an image, the image generation Wherein the code images generated by the stages
An image information processing apparatus comprising: an image conversion unit that converts information into information. 2. The image information is described in a predetermined format.
Code information can be stored in an image
Procedural processing for performing image expansion processing that expands to image information
Image development procedure means to be performed, and a part of the image development processing to software.
Image information expanding means for executing the image processing, and an image processed by the first image information expanding means.
Image information storage means for storing information; and the remaining processing of the image development processing being performed by hardware.
Second image information expanding means for executing, image information stored in the image information storage means and the
Image processed by the second image information expanding means
The information meets the image transfer request speed of the image forming processing apparatus.
Transmission means for transmitting the image data to the image forming apparatus at a high speed.
The image development procedure means includes image development / formation information designated by a user, a usage status of the image information storage means,
Defining the best image development / formation information based on at least one of the designated image development / formation speeds;
That images the information processing apparatus. 3. The image development procedure means manages a fragmentation state of an acquisition storage area of the image information storage means, and calculates a transfer bandwidth of the image information storage means and the transmission means when fragmented. 3. The image information processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the image processing apparatus determines or notifies in advance that image formation is possible or impossible with executable image development / formation parameters. 4. The image information is described in a predetermined format.
Code information can be stored in an image
Procedural processing for performing image expansion processing that expands to image information
Image development procedure means to be performed, and a part of the image development processing to software.
Image information expanding means for executing the image processing, and an image processed by the first image information expanding means.
Image information storage means for storing information; and the remaining processing of the image development processing being performed by hardware.
Second image information expanding means for executing, image information stored in the image information storage means and the
Image processed by the second image information expanding means
The information meets the image transfer request speed of the image forming processing apparatus.
Transmission means for transmitting the image data to the image forming apparatus at a high speed.
The image development procedure means may include a first transfer bandwidth in an image development / formation parameter required for the image development / formation processing, and the image information storage means, the second image information development means, and the transmission means. Comparing the second transfer bandwidth with the second transfer bandwidth, performing image development / formation processing so that the first transfer bandwidth can be transferred with the second transfer bandwidth, and performing image development / formation. when a failure occurs, images information processing apparatus you and performs image expansion / forming process at the new image expansion / forming parameters again. 5. The image decompression procedure unit performs an encoding and compression process when performing an image decompression / formation process so that the first transmission bandwidth can be transferred in the second transmission bandwidth. 5. The image information processing apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the selected data format is adaptively selected and used.