JP2002203236A - Image processor, method for controlling image processor and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To select a faster procedure among selectable performance sequences and to perform faster image processing by bringing out device performance in the case of performing a plurality of different kinds of image processing. SOLUTION: A CPU decides whether or not a processed image changes by changing image processing performance sequences with respect to the image processing performance sequences of a plurality of image processing units (multileveling part 2119, binarizing part 2118, color space transforming part 2117, image turning part 2030 and resolution converting part 2116) which divide image data into packets and can parallelly perform a plurality of different kinds of image processing of each packet, and selects a sequence in which image data processing quantity is minimum when the processed image is decided not to be changed by the change of the mage processing performance sequences.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for processing image data at high speed by processing the image data in parallel by a plurality of different image processing units.
In particular, the present invention relates to an image processing apparatus mainly used for image output for transferring data to an image output apparatus such as a printer, a control method of the image processing apparatus, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image output apparatuses such as printers and digital copiers have been widely used, and accordingly, higher speed and higher resolution have been demanded.

[0003] Further, many printers have been produced as multifunction devices having functions such as facsimile and image scanner, and the necessity of processing large-capacity digital image data at high speed has been increased accordingly.

For such image processing, it is generally necessary to perform many operations at high speed. As a method for improving the image processing speed, it is effective to use a plurality of image processing units to perform the processing in parallel. Conventionally, apparatuses and methods for executing image processing in parallel have been proposed or widely put into practical use.

[0005] As an example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 05-143552, an image is generated as a packet (a data string including image subsections and attributes), and each packet is provided with a plurality of data flow type image processing units. There has been proposed a control method for an image processing apparatus that performs parallel processing using the same.

Another example is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-1706.
As described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-57, an image processing apparatus has been proposed in which a plurality of processing units execute processing in parallel for each drawing object (graphic, text, image, etc.). In addition, as an effective method for processing a large amount of image data at high speed, there have been proposed some methods of executing processing units in parallel.

[0007]

However, in the conventional methods which have been proposed in many cases, even when image data is divided and processed in parallel, if different processing is required, the execution order is taken into consideration. In terms of maximizing the performance of the device, it has not been sufficiently considered.

For example, when a plurality of image processes such as a resolution conversion process, a color conversion process, and a rotation process are performed, optimization of the processing procedure is not sufficiently considered, and the performance of the processing apparatus is not sufficiently derived. was there.

To give a specific example, in performing the resolution conversion processing and the rotation processing, two different processing procedures for obtaining the same final image depending on various image conditions, that is, the procedure of performing the rotation processing after the resolution conversion processing and the rotation processing There may be a procedure for performing the resolution conversion process after the process, and the required execution time may be different.

Conventionally, the viewpoint in such an example is not taken into consideration, and the image data is simply divided and the speed is increased only by the parallel processing, so that there is a problem that the performance of the apparatus is not sufficiently obtained. .

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the first to sixth inventions according to the present invention is to divide image data into packets, and apply A plurality of different types of image processing (rotation processing, resolution conversion processing, color space conversion processing, multi-value processing, binary processing)
For the image processing execution order of a plurality of image processing units that can be executed in parallel, determine whether the post-processing image changes by changing the image processing execution order, and change the image processing execution order by changing the image processing execution order. If it is determined that does not change, by selecting an order that minimizes the amount of image data processing, when performing a plurality of different types of image processing, a faster procedure can be selected from among the selectable execution orders. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, a control method of the image processing apparatus, and a storage medium that can be selected and can perform higher-speed image processing by extracting the performance of the apparatus.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plurality of image processing units capable of dividing image data into packets and executing a plurality of different types of image processing on each packet in parallel. (Multi-level converting sections 2119, 2
Value conversion unit 2118, color space conversion unit 2117, image rotation unit 2
030, a resolution conversion unit 2116), which determines whether or not the image processing execution order of each of the image processing units changes the processed image by changing the image processing execution order. (The CPU 200 shown in FIG. 1
1) and a selection unit (CPU 2001 shown in FIG. 1) for selecting an order in which the image data processing amount is minimized when the determination unit determines that the processed image does not change due to a change in the image processing execution order. Have

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the plurality of image processing units include an image processing unit (an image rotation unit 2030 and a resolution conversion unit 21 shown in FIG. 2) for executing a rotation process.
16) and an image processing unit that executes a resolution conversion process. If the determination unit determines that the processed image does not change due to a change in the execution order of the rotation process and the resolution conversion process, the selection unit includes: When the scaling ratio of the resolution conversion process is 100% or more, the resolution conversion process is performed after the rotation process (in the case shown in FIG. 4), and when the scaling ratio of the resolution conversion process is less than 100% (in the case shown in FIG. 5). The order in which the rotation process is performed after the resolution conversion process is selected.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the plurality of image processing units execute an image processing in which the number of image data changes by performing the processing (FIG. 2).
, A binarizing unit 2119, a binarizing unit 2118, and a resolution converting unit 2116). When the determining unit determines that the image after processing does not change due to a change in the image processing execution order, the selecting unit Is to select the image processing order in the order in which the reduction rate of the number of image data is large by performing the processing.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, at least one of the plurality of image processing units realizes image processing by software processing.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus having a plurality of image processing units capable of dividing image data into packets and executing a plurality of different types of image processing on each packet in parallel. A control method, comprising: a determination step of determining whether or not the image processing execution order is changed by changing the image processing execution order to change the processed image (steps S101, S102, FIG. 8), and when it is determined that the processed image does not change due to the change in the image processing execution order, a selection step of selecting an order in which the image data processing amount is minimized (steps S103 to S105 in FIG. 8 step S202).

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus having a plurality of image processing units capable of dividing image data into packets and executing a plurality of different types of image processing on each packet in parallel. A determination step (Steps S101 and S102 in FIG. 7 and a step S20 in FIG. 8) for determining whether or not the image processing execution order is changed by changing the image processing execution order.
1) and when it is determined that the processed image does not change due to the change in the image processing execution order, a selection step of selecting an order in which the amount of image data processing is minimized (steps S103 to S103 in FIG. 7).
105 and step S202 in FIG. 8) are stored in a storage medium in a computer-readable manner.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] The principle of the present invention will be described below with reference to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 are views showing an example of the apparatus configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a typical control mechanism of the present invention. FIGS. 5 and 6 show examples of different control conditions.
7 and 8 are diagrams showing the control flow.

First, in order to assist understanding of the present invention, functional blocks of an example of an apparatus used in the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1, and control means for obtaining the effect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This is performed according to FIG. (Description of Apparatus Configuration) FIGS. 1 to 3 are block diagrams showing the overall configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 2000 denotes a controller unit, which is a scanner 2070 as an image input device and a printer 2 as an image output device.
095, and on the other hand, by connecting to the LAN 2011 or the public line (WAN) 2051, a controller for input / output of image information and device information and image development of PDL data (data described in a page description language) It is.

A printer 209
The present invention is applicable to a laser beam system, an electrophotographic system (for example, an LED system) other than the laser beam system, a liquid crystal shutter system, an ink jet system, a thermal transfer system, a sublimation system, and other printing systems. Applicable.

Reference numeral 2001 denotes a CPU, which is a processor for controlling the entire system. In this embodiment, two CPUs
An example using (CPU0, CPU1) will be described. These two CPUs (CPU0, CPU1) are connected to a common CPU bus 2126, and further connected to a system bus bridge (SBB) 2007.

The system bus bridge 2007 is
A bus switch, a CPU bus 2126, a RAM controller 2124, a ROM controller 2125, an IO
Bus 1 (2127), sub-bus switch 2128, IO
Bus 2 (2129), image ring interface 1 (2
147), the image ring interface 2 (2148) is connected.

The sub-bus switch 2128 is a second bus switch, and includes an image DMA 1 (2130), an image DM
A2 (2132), font decompression unit 2134, sort circuit 2135, bitmap trace unit (circuit) 2136
Are connected to arbitrate memory access requests output from these DMAs, and the system bus bridge (SBB) 2
007 is connected.

Reference numeral 2002 denotes a RAM, which is a CPU (CPU 0,
This is a system work memory for the operation of a CPU (hereinafter simply referred to as a CPU) 2001, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. This RAM 2002
It is controlled by the RAM controller 2124.

Reference numeral 2003 denotes a ROM, which is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. This ROM 2003 is controlled by a ROM controller 2125.

The image DMA 1 (2130) is connected to the image compression unit 2131 and has a register access ring 2137.
Image compression unit 2131 based on the information set via
To read out the uncompressed data on the RAM 2002, compress the data, and write back the compressed data.

The image DMA 2 (2132) is connected to the image decompression unit 2133, controls the image decompression unit 2133 based on information set via the register access ring 2137, and reads and decompresses compressed data in the RAM 2002. And write back the data after decompression.

A font decompression unit 2134 stores a ROM 2003 based on a font code included in PDL data externally transferred via the LAN controller 2010 or the like.
Alternatively, the compression font data stored in the RAM 2002 is expanded.

The sort circuit 2135 is a circuit for rearranging the order of the objects in the display list generated at the stage of expanding the PDL data.

The bitmap trace circuit 2136 is a circuit for extracting edge information from bitmap data.

The IO bus 1 (2127) is a kind of internal IO bus, and is a controller of a USB bus which is a standard bus, a USB interface 2138, a general-purpose serial port 2139, an interrupt controller 2140, a GP
10 interfaces 2141 are connected. This IO bus 1 (2127) includes a bus arbiter (not shown).

Reference numeral 2006 denotes an operation unit I / F.
I) An operation unit (UI) which is an interface unit with 2012
Image data to be displayed on a display unit (not shown) in the 2012 is output to an operation unit (UI) 2012. Further, it plays a role of transmitting information input by the system user from the operation unit (UI) 2012 to the CPU 2001.

The IO bus 2 (2129) is a kind of an internal IO bus, and has the general-purpose bus interfaces 1 and 2 (2129).
42), the LAN controller 2010 is connected.
The IO bus 2 includes a bus arbiter (not shown). General-purpose bus interfaces 1 and 2 (2142)
A bus bridge consisting of two identical bus interfaces and supporting a standard IO bus. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the PCI bus (PCI1, PCI2) 2143 is adopted, but another bus architecture may be used.

Reference numeral 2004 denotes an external storage device, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD),
Stores image data. The hard disk drive (HDD) 2004 includes a disk controller 2144
Is connected to one of the PCI buses 2143.

The LAN controller 2010 sends a LAN signal via the MAC circuit 2145 and the PHY / PMD circuit 2146.
2011, and inputs and outputs information. Reference numeral 2050 denotes a modem (Modem) which is connected to the public line 2051 to input and output information.

Image ring interface 1 (2147)
The image ring interface 2 (2148) connects the system bus bridge 2007 and the image ring 2008 for transferring image data at high speed, and stores the tiled compressed data in the RAM 2002 and the tile image processing unit 2149.
DMA controller for transferring data between

The image ring 2008 is composed of a combination of a pair of unidirectional connection paths (image ring 1 and image ring 2). The image ring 2008 is stored in the image ring interface 3 in the tile image processing unit 2149.
(2101) and tile image interface 4 (210)
2) via the tile expansion unit 2103 and the command processing unit 2
104, status processing unit 2105, tile compression unit 21
06. In the present embodiment, the tile extension unit 21
An example is shown in which two sets of “03” (tile expansion unit 1 and tile expansion unit 2) are mounted, and three sets of tile compression units 2106 (tile compression unit 1, tile compression unit 2, tile compression unit 3) are mounted.

The tile expansion unit 2103 is a bus bridge that is connected to the tile bus 2107 and expands compressed image data input from the image ring and transfers the expanded image data to the tile bus 2107 in addition to the connection to the image ring interface.

The tile compression unit 2106 is a bus bridge that is connected to the tile bus 2107 and compresses uncompressed image data input from the tile bus and transfers it to the image ring 2008 in addition to the connection to the image ring interface. .

The command processing unit 2104 includes a register setting bus 210 in addition to the connection to the image ring interface.
9 connected to the CPU 9 via the image ring
01 is written into the corresponding block connected to the register setting bus 2109. The command processing unit 2104 reads information from the corresponding register via the register setting bus based on the register read request issued from the CPU 2001, and transfers the information to the image ring interface 4 (2102).

The status processing unit 2105 monitors information of each image processing unit, generates an interrupt packet for issuing an interrupt to the CPU 2001, and outputs the generated interrupt packet to the image ring interface 4.

The tile bus 2107 has the following functional blocks in addition to the above blocks, a rendering unit interface 2110, an image input interface 2112, an image output interface 2113, a multi-value conversion unit 2119, a binarization unit 2118, and a color space conversion unit 2117. , Image rotation unit 203
0, a resolution converter 2116 is connected.

Rendering unit interface 2110
Is an interface for inputting a bitmap image generated by a rendering unit 2060 described later. The rendering unit 2060 and the rendering unit interface 2110 are connected by a general video signal 2111. The rendering unit interface 2110 includes:
It has connections to a memory bus 2108 and a register setting bus 2109 in addition to the tile bus 2107, and performs a structure conversion of an input raster image into a tile image by a predetermined method set via the register setting bus. At the same time, the clocks are synchronized and output to the tile bus 2107.

An image input interface 2112 receives raster image data, which has been subjected to correction image processing by a scanner image processing unit 2114 described later, as input, and converts the structure into a tile image by a predetermined method set via a register setting bus. And clock synchronization, and tile bus 2
Output to 107 is performed.

The image output interface 2113 receives the tile image data from the tile bus 2107 as input, converts the structure into a raster image, changes the clock rate, and outputs the raster image to the printer image processing unit 2115.

The image rotation section 2030 rotates image data. The resolution conversion unit 2116 changes the resolution of the image. The color space conversion unit 2117 converts the color space of the color and grayscale images. The binarizing unit 2118 binarizes a multi-valued (color, gray scale) image. The multi-level conversion unit 2119 converts a binary image into multi-level data.

The external bus interface unit 2120 is connected to the image ring interfaces 1, 2, 3, 4, the command processing unit 2104, the register setting bus 2109,
This is a bus bridge for converting and outputting a write / read request issued by 2001 to the external bus 3 (2121). In the present embodiment, the external bus 3 (2121) is a printer image processing unit 2115 and a scanner image processing unit 2115.
114 is connected.

The memory control unit 2122 is connected to the memory bus 21
08, a register setting bus 2109, and writing / reading of image data to / from the image memory 1 and the image memory 2 (2123) by a preset address division in accordance with a request of each image processing unit, as necessary. To perform operations such as refreshing.

In the scanner image processing unit 2114, a scanner (Scanner) 207 as an image input device is used.
The image data scanned by 0 is subjected to correction image processing.

The printer image processing unit 2115 performs corrected image processing for printer output, and outputs the result to the printer (Printer) 2095.

The rendering unit 2060 develops a PDL code or an intermediate display list into a bitmap image. (Explanation of control means) The functions specific to the image processing apparatus of the present invention and the effects thereof will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 using the example of the apparatus configuration shown in FIGS. .

In the following description, it is assumed that the rotation processing of the packet image is performed by the image processing unit of the image rotation unit 2030, and the resolution conversion processing is performed by the image processing unit of the resolution conversion unit 2116. Further, each image processing unit (the multi-level conversion unit 2119 and the binarization unit 21 shown in FIG. 2)
18, the color space conversion unit 2117, the image rotation unit 2030, and the resolution conversion unit 2116) can execute parallel processing for a plurality of packets that do not have a dependency requiring information among the packets and can speed up the processing. is there.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a case where a plurality of different image processes, for example, a rotation process and a resolution conversion process are divided into packets and the processes are performed.

In this embodiment, the horizontal direction of the drawing (x direction)
Corresponds to an example in which a rotation process of rotating an image of two packets by 90 degrees counterclockwise in the vertical direction (y direction) of two packets in the drawing and a resolution conversion process of enlarging the image by 200% vertically and horizontally are performed. .

In the procedure candidate A of FIG. 4, the resolution conversion processing is performed in the order of performing the resolution conversion processing after the rotation processing, and in the procedure candidate B, the processing is performed in the order of performing the rotation after the resolution conversion.

As shown in FIG. 4, the final images generated by the procedure candidate A (resolution conversion after rotation) and the procedure candidate B (rotation after resolution conversion) are the same. That is, between the rotation processing and the resolution conversion processing shown in FIG. 4, the processed image does not change due to the change in the execution order (the processed image does not depend on the processing order).

However, the time required for a series of processes differs between procedure candidate A and procedure candidate B. When the processing procedures of the procedure candidate A and the procedure candidate B are respectively counted in packet processing units,
The procedure candidate A is the resolution conversion 24 after processing the rotation 6 packets.
Processing of a total of 30 packets is required. on the other hand,
Procedure candidate B is rotated 2 after processing resolution conversion 24 packets.
Processing of a total of 48 packets of 4 packets is required.

When the rotation and enlargement processes are performed as described above,
In the procedure of the procedure candidate B, since the rotation processing is performed on the data that has been enlarged and increased, the amount of image processing increases. Therefore, in this case, it is desirable to select the procedure of procedure A (enlargement after rotation).

FIG. 5 shows examples of different image processing conditions.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a case in which a plurality of different image processes, for example, a rotation process and a resolution conversion process are divided into packets and processed.

In the example of FIG. 5, a rotation process of rotating an image of 4 packets in the horizontal direction and 6 packets in the vertical direction by 90 degrees counterclockwise and a resolution conversion process of reducing the image by 50% each in the vertical and horizontal directions are performed. Corresponds to the example.

Like FIG. 4, in FIG. 5 as well, the procedure A is performed in the order of performing the resolution conversion processing after the rotation processing, and the procedure candidate B is performed in the order of performing the rotation after resolution conversion.

As shown in FIG. 5, similarly to FIG. 4, a procedure candidate A (resolution conversion after rotation) and a procedure candidate B
(Rotation after resolution conversion) results in the same final image. That is, between the rotation processing and the resolution conversion processing shown in FIG. 5, the processed image does not change due to the change of the execution order (the processed image does not depend on the processing order).

However, the time required for a series of processes differs between procedure candidate A and procedure candidate B.

In the case of FIG. 5, contrary to FIG. 4, if the processing procedure is counted in units of packet processing, the procedure candidate A needs to process a total of 48 packets of resolution conversion 24 packets after processing rotation 24 packets. . On the other hand, the procedure candidate B needs to process a total of 30 packets of 6 rotation packets after processing 24 resolution conversion packets.

Accordingly, in this case, it is desirable to select the procedure of procedure B, which is faster processing (rotation processing after reduction processing).

In the two examples shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, it has been shown that the speed is increased by selecting an optimal procedure in a series of required image processing.

However, depending on image processing conditions, such optimization may not be possible.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 6, an image processing condition in a case where optimization by changing the image processing execution order described above is not possible will be described.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a case where a plurality of different image processes, for example, a rotation process and a resolution conversion process are divided into packets and the processes are performed.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the horizontal direction (x direction) 2
Packet, a rotation process of rotating the image of three packets in the vertical direction (y direction) by 90 degrees counterclockwise;
This corresponds to an example in which resolution conversion processing for enlarging an image to 0% is performed together.

In such a case, as shown in FIG. 6, when the order of the resolution conversion processing and the rotation processing is changed and executed,
Not only the execution speed but also the shape of the processed image itself differs depending on the processing order. That is, between the rotation processing and the resolution conversion processing shown in FIG. 6, the processed image changes due to the change of the execution order (the processed image depends on the processing order). For this reason, it is not possible to convert the processing order focusing only on the processing speed.

In such a case, the order of rotation and resolution conversion must be fixed in advance as required specifications. At this time, the execution speed is not optimized by the order exchange.

Hereinafter, the above-described series of controls will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the first control processing procedure of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. The control itself of this flowchart is performed by the CPU shown in FIGS.
(CPU1, CPU2) ROM 2003 by 2001
Alternatively, the process is executed based on a program stored in the external storage device 2004 or another storage medium (not shown), and a plurality of packets are simultaneously processed by each image processing unit in the order selected by this control. In addition, S101-S
105 indicates each step.

First, in step S101, it is determined whether or not the rotation processing and the resolution conversion processing are included in the sequence of the requested image processing, and if it is determined that the rotation processing and the resolution conversion processing are not included, the process proceeds to step S101. The process exits from the flowchart and shifts to the next control.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S101 that the requested image processing procedure includes a rotation process and a resolution conversion process, then in step S102, the magnification ratios in the resolution conversion process are equal in length and width (resolution It is determined whether or not the conversion is equal in length and width. That is, step S10
By performing the determinations 1 and S102, the post-processing image changes due to a change in the execution order between the different image processing (rotation processing and resolution conversion processing) (the processed image depends on the processing order). It is determined (inspected) whether or not it is.

In step S102, the magnification ratio in the resolution conversion process is not equal in the vertical and horizontal directions (the resolution conversion is not the same in the vertical and horizontal directions), that is, the execution order is changed between a plurality of different image processes (the rotation process and the resolution conversion process). If it is determined that the post-processing image changes (the post-processing image depends on the processing order), the process exits this flowchart and shifts to the next control.

On the other hand, in step S102, the magnification ratio in the resolution conversion process is equal in the vertical and horizontal directions (resolution conversion is the same in the vertical and horizontal directions), that is, the processing order is changed between a plurality of different image processes (the above-described rotation process and resolution conversion process). If it is determined that the subsequent image does not change (the processed image does not depend on the processing order), in step S103, it is determined whether or not the magnification in the resolution conversion processing is “100%” or more. If it is determined that the scaling ratio in the conversion process is “100%” or more (as shown in FIG. 4), in step S104, the processing order in which the rotation conversion process is performed and then the resolution conversion process is performed, that is, the image data The order in which the processing amount is minimized is selected (the processing order from the rotation processing to the resolution conversion processing), and the process exits this flowchart and shifts to the next control.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S103 that the scaling ratio in the resolution conversion processing is not equal to or more than “100%” (in the case shown in FIG. 5), in step S105, after performing the resolution conversion processing, the rotation processing is performed. , Ie, the order in which the amount of image data processing is minimized (the order from the resolution conversion processing to the rotation processing) is selected, and the process exits this flowchart and shifts to the next control.

As will be understood from the above description, as a method applied in the image processing apparatus of the present invention, it is first checked whether the required resolution conversion is the same in both the vertical and horizontal directions. It is determined that the procedure can be replaced.
100% magnification ratio for resolution conversion when interchangeable
In the above case, the resolution control process is performed after the rotation process, and the rotation process is performed after the resolution conversion process when the scaling factor is less than 100%. Even faster image processing can be performed without increasing wear resources.

[Other Embodiments] In the first embodiment,
Although the case where the rotation processing and the resolution conversion processing are performed has been described, the image processing apparatus may be configured to include other image processing in addition to the rotation processing and the resolution conversion processing. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

For example, even when the color space conversion unit 2117 in the apparatus configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is used and the color space conversion processing or the like is included in the middle of the processing procedure, the order is determined by the above control. Accordingly, the entire image processing can be executed at higher speed.

Here, a description will be given of a case where there are three types of required processing: rotation processing, resolution conversion processing, and color conversion processing.

There are a total of six types of processing procedures when there are the above three types of processing. According to the present invention, when the magnification ratio of the resolution conversion processing is “100%” or more, the resolution after the rotation processing is set. A procedure is selected from a group of processing procedures for performing the conversion process.

That is, (color conversion processing) — (rotation processing) —
――Order of (resolution conversion processing), (rotation processing) ―― (color conversion processing) ―――― Order of (resolution conversion processing), (rotation processing)
The effect of the present invention can be obtained by selecting one of the following order: (resolution conversion processing)-(color conversion processing).

Conversely, when the scaling factor of the resolution conversion processing is “100
%), A procedure is selected from a group of processing procedures in which rotation processing is performed after resolution conversion processing, that is, (color conversion processing) — (resolution conversion processing) — (rotation processing), and (resolution). Conversion process)-(color conversion process)-(rotation process)
(Resolution conversion processing)-(rotation processing)--(color conversion processing)
The effect of the present invention can be obtained by selecting any one of the following.

Here, the effects of the present invention can be obtained in any of the above-mentioned processing procedure group selection ranges, but if necessary, conditions other than the conditions described in the present invention (for example, additional image processing and other What is necessary is just to determine uniquely from the processing procedure group in consideration of the commutability with the processing.

Further, even when there are four or more types of image processing, the same extension as described above may be performed.

When the image processing in which the number of data is increased by the image processing such as the multi-value processing is included, similarly to the case where the magnification of the resolution conversion processing is larger than “100%”,
Data increase such as rotation processing, etc., in which the number of data does not change after processing is performed first, and after that processing, image processing such as rotation processing at a magnification of 100% or more or multi-value processing in which the number of data increases due to the processing is performed. It is assumed that the processing is controlled so as to be executed in order from the processing with the lowest rate.

On the other hand, when the image processing in which the number of data is reduced by the image processing such as the binarization processing is included, similarly to the case where the magnification of the resolution conversion processing is less than “100%”, the data processing is performed first. Image processing such as rotation processing with a magnification of less than 100% or binarization processing in which the number is reduced is executed in order from the data reduction rate which is large, followed by image processing in which the number of data does not change due to processing such as rotation processing Control is performed.

Hereinafter, the above-described series of control will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the second control processing procedure of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. The control itself of this flowchart is performed by the CPU shown in FIGS.
(CPU1, CPU2) ROM 2003 by 2001
Alternatively, the process is executed based on a program stored in the external storage device 2004 or another storage medium (not shown), and a plurality of packets are simultaneously processed by each image processing unit in the order selected by this control. In addition, S201 to S
203 indicates each step.

First, in step S201, it is determined (inspection) whether or not a series of requested image processing procedures change the processed image due to a change in the execution order (the processed image depends on the processing order). If it is determined that the processed image changes due to the change in the execution order (the processed image depends on the processing order), the process exits this flowchart and shifts to the next control.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S201 that the processed image does not change due to the change in the execution order of the series of requested image processing (the processed image does not depend on the processing order), the process proceeds to step S202. By controlling the image processing to be performed in the order of the decreasing rate of the number of image data (in order of decreasing the increasing rate of the number of image data), the execution order of the image processing that minimizes the amount of image data processing is controlled. Then, the process goes through the flowchart and shifts to the next control.

Through the above processing, it is possible to perform the image processing at a higher speed by maximizing the performance of the apparatus without increasing the hardware resources of the apparatus used.

The image processing units (the multi-level conversion unit 2119, the binarization unit 2118, the color space conversion unit 2117, the image rotation unit 2030, and the resolution conversion unit 211 shown in FIG. 2)
Even when at least one of 6) is performed by software processing executed on the CPU 2001, the same effect can be obtained by the above-described control.

As described above, according to the present invention, when performing a plurality of different types of image processing (rotation processing, color space conversion processing, resolution conversion processing, multi-value processing, binary processing, etc.) Unlike the conventional method, in which the processing procedures are arranged without considering the processing speed, it is possible to select a higher-speed procedure from the selectable execution order, enabling faster image processing than before Becomes

A request for image processing (a request for which image processing is to be performed in combination) is made from a computer connected via the UI 2012 or the LAN 2011 or the public line 2051 shown in FIGS. Can do it.

The image information for executing the image processing is stored in the scanner 2070 or the LAN 201 shown in FIGS.
1, image information input from a computer or the like connected via the public line 2051 or image information stored in the external storage device 2004.

Further, the image information after the image processing is performed can be output (printed out) from the printer 2095 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 or can be output from a computer or the like connected via the LAN 2011 and the public line 2051. The data can be output to an external device, output (displayed) on the display unit of the UI 2012, or output (stored) to the external storage device 2004.

The image processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied to any image processing apparatus mainly used for image output for transferring data to an image output apparatus such as a printer such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, and a computer. It is possible.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program readable by the image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs which can be read by the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

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

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. Also, if the programs and data to be installed are compressed,
A program for decompressing may also be stored.

The functions shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In that case, CD-ROM, flash memory, FD
The present invention can be applied to a case in which a group of information including a program is supplied to an output device from a storage medium such as the above or from an external storage medium via a network.

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

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

Examples of a storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk,
D-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape,
A non-volatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, silicon disk, or the like can be used.

The functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented when the computer executes the readout program codes, and the OS (Operating System) running on the computer is executed based on the instructions of the program codes. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

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

Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or the apparatus, the system or the apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. .

Further, by downloading and reading out a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a database on a network by a communication program, the system or apparatus can be
It is possible to enjoy the effects of the present invention.

[0118]

As described above, according to the first, fourth to sixth aspects of the present invention, image data is divided into packets, and a plurality of different types of image processing are performed on each packet in parallel. For the image processing execution order of a plurality of executable image processing units, it is determined whether or not the post-processing image changes by changing the image processing execution order, and if the post-processing image does not change by changing the image processing execution order. If it is determined, the order that minimizes the amount of image data processing is selected, so when performing a plurality of different types of image processing, unlike the conventional method in which the processing procedures are arranged without considering the processing speed, It is possible to select a higher-speed procedure from the selectable execution order, so that the performance of the apparatus can be extracted and higher-speed image processing can be performed.

According to the second aspect, the plurality of image processing units include an image processing unit for executing a rotation process and an image processing unit for executing a resolution conversion process, and the determination unit determines the rotation process and the resolution. When it is determined that the post-processing image does not change due to the change in the execution order of the conversion processing, the selection unit determines that the magnification of the resolution conversion processing is 100
% Or more, perform resolution conversion processing after rotation processing,
When the scaling ratio of the resolution conversion processing is less than 100%, the order in which the rotation processing is performed after the resolution conversion processing is selected. Therefore, when performing the image processing including the rotation processing and the resolution conversion processing,
Higher-speed image processing can be performed by extracting the performance of the apparatus.

According to the third aspect, the plurality of image processing units include an image processing unit that executes image processing in which the number of image data changes by performing the processing. When it is determined that the image after processing does not change due to the change in the execution order, the selecting unit selects the image processing order in the order of the decreasing rate of the number of image data by performing the processing, so that a plurality of different types of images are selected. When performing the processing, by executing the image processing in the order in which the reduction rate of the number of image data is large, it is possible to select a faster procedure, and to extract the performance of the apparatus,
Higher speed image processing can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

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

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a case where a plurality of different image processes, for example, a rotation process and a resolution conversion process are divided into packets and the process is performed.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a case in which a plurality of different image processes, for example, a rotation process and a resolution conversion process are divided into packets and processed.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a case in which a plurality of different image processes, for example, a rotation process and a resolution conversion process are divided into packets and processed.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first control processing procedure of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second control processing procedure of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2001 CPU (CPU1, CPU2) 2002 RAM 2003 ROM 2116 Resolution conversion unit 2117 Color space conversion unit 2118 Binarization unit 2119 Multi-value conversion unit 2030 Image rotation unit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus comprising: a plurality of image processing units capable of dividing image data into packets and executing a plurality of different types of image processing on each packet in parallel; A determination unit that determines whether or not the post-processing image changes due to a change in the image processing execution order; and the determination unit determines that the post-processing image does not change by changing the image processing execution order. And selecting means for selecting an order in which the amount of image data processing is minimized when the processing is performed. 2. The image processing unit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of image processing units include an image processing unit that executes a rotation process and an image processing unit that executes a resolution conversion process. If it is determined that the image after processing does not change due to the change in the resolution, the selecting unit performs the resolution conversion processing after the rotation processing if the magnification of the resolution conversion processing is 100% or more. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the order in which the rotation processing is performed after the resolution conversion processing is selected when the value is less than%. 3. The image processing unit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of image processing units include an image processing unit that performs image processing in which the number of image data changes by performing the processing. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the subsequent image does not change, the selecting unit selects the image processing order in an order in which the reduction rate of the number of image data is large by performing the processing. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of image processing units implements image processing by software processing. 5. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus having a plurality of image processing units capable of dividing image data into packets and executing a plurality of different types of image processing on each packet in parallel, comprising: A determination step of determining whether or not the image processing execution order changes the post-processing image by changing the image processing execution order; and determining that the post-processing image does not change by changing the image processing execution order. And a selecting step of selecting an order in which the amount of image data processing is minimized in the case where the image data is processed. 6. An image processing apparatus comprising: a plurality of image processing units capable of dividing image data into packets and performing a plurality of different types of image processing on each packet in parallel; A determination step of determining whether or not the post-processing image changes due to the change in the image processing execution order with respect to the processing execution order; and A selection step of selecting an order in which the processing amount is minimized, and a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing the selection step.