JP2000280528A - Method and apparatus for image process - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing method and an apparatus for applying a smoothing process to image data of a system corresponding to the number of beams in multiple beams and outputting the same to a multiple beam image forming apparatus. SOLUTION: In an image processing apparatus for applying a smoothing process to image data and outputting the same to a multiple beam image forming apparatus, video data nSD1, nSD2 corresponding to the number of beams in the multiple beams are inputted in an S/P conversion 501 so as to be converted to parallel data together with video data D0-D5 to be stored in an SRAM 502, stored in the same address, and stored in the SRAM 502 by one line. The smoothing method is determined using a reference table 505. The odd-numbered data of the SRAM 502 are applied with the smoothing process by a window A503, and the even-numbered data are applied with the smoothing process by a window B so as to be outputted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing method and apparatus for performing smoothing processing on image data and outputting the result to a multi-beam type image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, not only a single-beam laser beam printer but also a multi-beam laser beam printer that forms an image using a plurality of laser beams has been proposed.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, there is no multi-beam type laser beam printer which performs a smoothing process. Therefore, if a single beam smoothing process is simply applied to a multi-beam type laser beam printer, the circuit becomes complicated, the amount of memory used for the smoothing process increases, and the cost increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an image processing method for performing smoothing processing on image data of a system corresponding to the number of beams of multi-beams and outputting the resulting data to a multi-beam type image forming apparatus. And an apparatus.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image processing apparatus for performing smoothing processing on image data and outputting the image data to a multi-beam type image forming apparatus. Input means for inputting image data corresponding to the number, storage means for storing one line of image data input by the input means, and a window corresponding to the number of beams for storing the image data stored in the storage means. , And output means for outputting each image data smoothed by the processing means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing method for performing smoothing processing on image data and outputting the image data to a multi-beam type image forming apparatus. An input step of inputting data, a storage step of storing one line of image data input in the input step, and a smoothing processing of the image data stored in the storage step using a window corresponding to the number of beams. And an output step of outputting the respective image data subjected to the smoothing processing in the processing step.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, before describing the device configuration in the present embodiment, a configuration of a laser beam printer suitable for applying the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the structure of an output device according to this embodiment. A laser beam printer (LBP) will be described as an example of the output device. In FIG.
Reference numeral 00 denotes an LBP main body, which inputs and stores print information (character codes and the like), form information, macro instructions, and the like supplied from an externally connected host computer (not shown), and corresponding character patterns according to the information. And a form pattern or the like, and form an image on a recording medium such as recording paper. Reference numeral 1501 denotes an operation panel, which includes switches for operation and displays such as an LCD and an LED. A printer control unit 1000 controls the entire LBP main body 1500 and analyzes character information and the like supplied from a host computer (not shown).

The printer control unit 1000 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to a laser driver 1502. The laser driver 1502 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1503, and switches on or off a laser beam 1504 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1503 according to an input video signal. The emitted laser light 1504 is swung right and left by a rotating polygon mirror 1505 and
06 is exposed by scanning. Thereby, the electrostatic drum 150
An electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on 6.

The latent image is developed by a developing unit 1507 disposed around the electrostatic drum 1506,
Transferred to recording paper. This recording paper uses a cut sheet, and the cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 1508 mounted on the LBP 1500,
Then, the toner is taken into the apparatus and supplied to the electrostatic drum 1506 by the transport roller 1510 and the transport roller 1511. The LBP body 1500 is provided with at least one or more card slots (not shown) so that an optional font card, a control card (emulation card) having a different language system, and the like can be connected in addition to the built-in fonts. I have.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a control system of the output device shown in FIG. In FIG.
An interface 0 inputs a recording signal. 17
An MPU 01 controls a control system of the present apparatus. 17
A ROM 02 stores a control program executed by the MPU 1701, host print information, and the like. 1703 is D
A RAM stores various data (print signals and print data supplied to a print head) and the like. Reference numeral 1704 denotes a gate array (GA), which controls supply of output data to the printhead 1708 and interfaces 1700 and M
The data transfer between the PU 1701 and the DRAM 1703 is controlled. Reference numeral 1710 denotes a carrier motor, which is a recording head 1
708 is a motor for transporting. Reference numeral 1709 denotes a conveyance motor, which conveys a recording sheet. Reference numeral 1705 denotes a head driver, which drives the recording head 1708. Reference numeral 1706 denotes a motor driver.
09 is driven. A motor driver 1707 drives the carrier motor 1710.

In the LBP configured as described above, when recording information is input from a host computer described later via the interface 1700, the gate array 170
4 and the MPU 1701 converts the input information into output information for printing. Then, the motor drivers 1706 and 1707 are driven via the gate array 1704, and the recording head 1708 is driven according to the output information sent to the head driver 1705 to execute printing.

The MPU 1701 has an interface 1
It is configured to be able to communicate with a host computer to be described later via a 700, and to be able to notify the host computer of memory information and resource data related to the DRAM 1703 and host print information in the ROM 1702.

A circuit for smoothing processing and a memory for image storage may be built in the gate array 1704, or a gate array (built-in memory) dedicated to smoothing processing may be used. Also, the memory may be external.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer control system according to this embodiment. Here, the laser beam printer shown in FIG. 1 will be described as an example. However, as long as the functions of the present invention are performed, a single device, a system including a plurality of devices, a LAN, etc. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a system in which processing is performed via the network.

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 3000 denotes a host computer which executes document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed based on a document processing program or the like stored in a program ROM 32. C
The CPU 1 has a PU 1 and controls each device connected to the system bus 4 as a whole. Also program ROM
32 stores a control program of the CPU 1 and the like, and the font ROM 31 stores font data and the like used in the above-described document processing.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a RAM, which is a main memory of the CPU 1,
Functions as a work area. Reference numeral 5 denotes a keyboard controller (KBC) which controls key input from a keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown). 6 is C
An RT controller (CRTC) controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 10. Reference numeral 7 denotes a disk controller (DKC) which stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, and the like.
D), and controls access to the external memory 11 such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD). Reference numeral 8 denotes a printer controller (PRTC), which controls the printer 15 via a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface) 21.
00, and executes a communication control process with the printer 1500.

The CPU 1 executes a process of developing (rasterizing) the outline font in the display information RAM set on the RAM 2, for example, and executes WY processing on the CRT 10.
SIWYG is possible. Further, the CPU 1
Various registered windows are opened based on a command specified by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on T10, and various data processes are executed.

On the other hand, in the printer 1500, reference numeral 12 denotes a printer CPU, which sends various types of devices connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program or the like stored in the program ROM 132 or a control program or the like stored in the external memory 14. And outputs an image signal as output information to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected via a printing unit interface 16.

The program ROM 132 has a CPU 1
2 control programs and the like, and a font ROM
131 stores font data and the like used when generating the above-described output information. Further, in the case of a printer having no external memory 14 such as a hard disk in the data ROM 133, information used on the host computer 3000 is stored. Is stored.

The CPU 12 can communicate with the host computer 3000 via the input unit 18.
The information and the like in the printer 1500 are transferred to the host computer 30.
00 is configured to be notified.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a RAM which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 12, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). In addition, RAM1
9 is an output information development area, environment data storage area, NVRA
Used for M etc. Hard disk (HD) mentioned above,
Access to the external memory 14 such as an IC card is controlled by a memory controller (MC) 20. The external memory 14 is connected as an option and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like. An operation panel 1501 includes various switches for operation, an LED display, and the like.

The above-mentioned external memory 14 is not limited to one, and at least one external memory is provided. In addition to the built-in fonts, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages of different language systems are provided. It may be configured to be connectable. Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1501.

Further, the smoothing process in the present embodiment is included in the above-described printing unit interface 16.

How the smoothing control is performed in the printer control system having the above configuration will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a case of a multi-beam with two beams will be described as an example.
Note that the smoothing process may be a known smoothing process, and a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining smoothing control according to the present embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 401 denotes a video interface (I / F) for connecting a printer engine and a controller. 402 is a smoothing gate array (SGA) having a built-in image storage memory.
It is. A CPU and a gate array (GA) 403 output basic image data. And
Reference numeral 404 denotes a smoothing gate array (SGA) 402
This is a crystal oscillator that outputs a basic clock. In the above configuration, the smoothing gate array (SGA) 4
02, a horizontal synchronization signal nBD for determining a print position of each line is input from a video interface (I / F) 401;
NSBD synchronized with the clock of the crystal oscillator 404;
SVCLK which is a video clock synchronized with the SBD
(Same as the frequency of the video signal) to the CPU and the gate array (GA) 403.

On the other hand, CPU and gate array (GA) 4
03 outputs nSD1 and nSD2 (video data 1 and 2) synchronized with SVCLK after the fall of nSBD. Although the description is omitted here, the aforementioned CP
U and gate array (GA) 403 are external I / F and RO
M and RAM are also controlled.

The CPU and the gate array (GA) 4
Reference numeral 03 denotes a chip select dedicated to the smoothing gate array (SGA) 402 of nAIRCS, WR, and RD, and inputs an address and data, but has an IO register inside the smoothing gate array (SGA) 402. , Data can be written to an internal register. Further, a vertical synchronization signal n for determining the initial position of the sheet
VSYNC is a smoothing gate array (SGA) 4
02, this signal is necessary to adjust the vertical position.

Then, the smoothing gate array (S
GA) 402 performs a smoothing process and outputs two signals of video signals nVDO1 and nVDO2 for multi-beam. Here, the configuration and operation of the above-described smoothing gate array (SGA) 402 will be described in further detail.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of the smoothing gate array (SGA) shown in FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 506 denotes a clock generator, which generates SVCLK obtained by dividing VCLK by four. 501 is a serial /
NSD1 and nSD2 output from the CPU and the gate array (GA) 403 as parallel (S / P) conversion.
, And output data D0 to D5 from an SRAM, which will be described later, are input, converted to parallel data DD0 to DD7, and output. The S / P converter 501 is constituted by a D-type flip-flop.

Reference numeral 502 denotes a memory (SRAM) for holding video data nSD1 and nSD2 which are referred to in a window described later on a line basis. 503 and 50
Reference numerals 4 denote windows for performing smoothing processing. In this case, reference is made to seven horizontal dots and seven vertical lines. The size of the window is not limited to this. A reference table 505 stores smoothing logic for determining a smoothing method.

An address counter 507 is an SVC.
The address is incremented by LK in ascending order. Then, the address of the address counter 507 is reset by the horizontal synchronizing signal nBD signal.

In the above configuration, the two systems of video data nSD1 and nSD2 output from the CPU and the gate array (GA) 403 are taken in by the S / P converter 501, and the bit DD0 and the bit DD0 in the address of the SRAM 502 indicated by the address counter 507. The data is converted into DD1 parallel data and stored at that address. Here, in the remaining bits DD2 to DD7, the video data of bits D0 to D5 stored at the same address of the SRAM 502 is stored again, whereby the video data of the old two lines that has been stored is stored. Discarded.

Therefore, the data at the same address in the SRAM 502 are all on the same sub-scan, and the odd line data n
SD1 corresponds to DD0, and even line data nSD2 corresponds to DD1. SVC obtained by dividing VCLK by 4
Data is written at the rise of LK, and data is output at the fall of the LK.

Thereafter, when two lines of video data nSD1 and nSD2 are accumulated in the SRAM 502 for one line, the window A503 performs smoothing processing on odd lines, and the window B504 performs smoothing processing on even lines. That is, the window A 503 inputs the dots D 0 to D 6 of the data held at the respective addresses of the SRAM 502, and similarly, the window B 5
04 inputs dots D1 to D7. Here, the dot D0
Is newer and the dot D7 has older data. In windows A503 and B504, old data is discarded while data is being input.

Then, windows A503 and B504
Then, the smoothing method is determined by the reference table 505, and the smoothing process is performed. As a result, nVDATA1 smoothed in window A503 is output, and nV smoothed in window B504 is output.
Outputs VDATA2.

Note that windows A503 and B504 are at V
CLK is input as a basic clock to artificially increase the resolution of data in the main scanning direction. That is, the above VCL
Data is output by K, and data of one dot is divided to increase the resolution in the main scanning direction. Also, SRA
The read / write of M502 is determined by one cycle of SVCLK.

When the smoothing processing for one line is completed, the address counter 507 is reset by the horizontal synchronizing signal nBD, the video data of a new line is fetched, and the above processing is performed.

With the above operation, smoothing processing can be performed even in the case of a multi-beam.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the smoothing control in this embodiment. First, step S1
01, a CPU and a gate array (GA) 403
From the two systems of video data nSD1 and nSD2
In step S102, the data is converted into parallel data and stored together with video data stored at the same address to be stored in the SRAM 502. Then, in step S103, 1
The above processing is repeated until data is input for each line, and when data for one line is input, the process proceeds to step S104, and a smoothing method is determined based on the reference table 505. Next, the odd line data of the SRAM 502 is subjected to a smoothing process in the window A503, and nVDATA1
Similarly, the even line data is subjected to a smoothing process in the window B 504 and output as nVDATA2. Then, in step S106, 2
The above-described smoothing process is repeated until all video data of the system has been processed.

In this embodiment, one memory (S
(RAM) 502 is used, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of multi-beams may be used.

Further, in the present embodiment, the reference table 50
Although 5 is one, it may be provided for each window.

Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine) comprising one device is used. Device).

Another object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or a CPU or an MP
It goes without saying that U) can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

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

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention,
With a simple configuration, it is possible to perform smoothing processing on image data of a system corresponding to the number of beams of multi-beams using a minimum memory and output the data to a multi-beam type image forming apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of an output device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a control system of the output device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer control system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining smoothing control according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows a smoothing gate array (SG) shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows the structure of A).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating smoothing control according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 501 Serial / parallel conversion 502 Memory (SRAM) 503 Window A 504 Window B 505 Lookup table 506 Clock generator 507 Address counter

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus for performing smoothing processing on image data and outputting the image data to a multi-beam type image forming apparatus, comprising: input means for inputting image data corresponding to the number of beams of multi-beams; Image data input by
A storage unit for storing the number of lines, a processing unit for performing smoothing processing on the image data stored in the storage unit using a window corresponding to the number of beams, and outputting the respective image data subjected to the smoothing processing by the processing unit An image processing apparatus comprising: an output unit. 2. A conversion means for inputting serial image data corresponding to the number of beams and converting the input image data into parallel image data together with image data stored at the same address to be stored in the storage means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit determines a smoothing method using at least one look-up table in a window corresponding to the number of beams, and performs a smoothing process. 4. An image processing method for performing smoothing processing on image data and outputting the image data to a multi-beam type image forming apparatus, comprising: inputting image data corresponding to the number of beams of a multi-beam; Image data input by
A storage step of storing the number of lines, a processing step of performing smoothing processing on the image data stored in the storage step using a window corresponding to the number of beams, and outputting the respective image data subjected to the smoothing processing in the processing step An image processing method comprising an output step. 5. The converting step of inputting serial image data corresponding to the number of beams and converting the input image data into parallel image data together with image data stored at the same address to be stored in the storage means. The image processing method according to claim 4, further comprising: 6. The image processing method according to claim 4, wherein the processing unit determines a smoothing method using at least one look-up table in a window corresponding to the number of beams, and performs a smoothing process. 7. A computer-readable storage medium in which a program code of an image processing method is stored, wherein a code of an input step of inputting image data corresponding to the number of beams of the multi-beam and an input image data of 1 A code for a storage step for storing the number of lines, a code for a processing step for performing smoothing processing on the stored image data using a window corresponding to the number of beams, and a code for an output step for outputting each image data subjected to smoothing processing And a storage medium comprising: