JP4428264B2 - Image processing apparatus and image processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that inputs a plurality of page data and converts fixed elements and variable elements included in the page data into a predetermined data format, and an image processing method in the image processing apparatus.

An image processing apparatus such as a copier, a printer, or a so-called digital multi-function peripheral that combines these functions has a function of performing processing called rasterization processing on page data and converting it to an image display data format. There is. Such an image processing apparatus interprets attributes of page data when, for example, page data including a fixed element and a variable element is input when executing a print job for converting page data. Then, the image processing apparatus first performs rasterization processing and compression processing on the fixed elements, stores the processed fixed elements in the cache memory, and then performs rasterization processing on the variable elements. Further, the image processing apparatus reads out the fixed elements after processing to be included in the converted page data together with the variable elements after processing from the cache memory, and synthesizes these variable elements and fixed elements after conversion to convert the converted page. Data is generated (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-T-2001-518417

  However, in the page data conversion method described above, when there are a plurality of different fixed elements corresponding to the print job for converting the page data, such as when each of the plurality of page data includes different fixed elements, the cache memory Overflow may occur, and page data cannot be converted efficiently when this overflow occurs. In addition, even when each of a plurality of page data includes the same variable element, since the rasterization process is performed for each variable element, the same rasterization process is repeated. It cannot be done efficiently.

  The present invention has been made to solve the conventional problems as described above, and provides an image processing apparatus and an image processing method capable of efficiently converting page data.

  An image processing apparatus according to the present invention converts a fixed element and a variable element included in each of a plurality of page data into a predetermined data format, and rearranges the plurality of page data in the order of fixed elements. Sort means, second sort means for rearranging the plurality of page data rearranged by the first sort means in the order of variable elements, and storage means for storing the fixed elements and variable elements after conversion The fixed elements and variable elements included in the page data are converted in the order rearranged by the second sorting means, and the converted fixed elements corresponding to the fixed elements are stored in the storage means. If not converted, a converted fixed element is generated and stored in the storage means, and the converted variable element corresponding to the variable element is stored in the storage means. And a page data converting means for storing in said memory means to generate a variable element after conversion by performing a transformation in the absence.

  With this configuration, when the converted fixed element corresponding to the fixed element is not stored in the storage unit, the conversion is performed, the converted fixed element is stored in the storage unit, and the converted variable corresponding to the variable element When the element is not stored in the storage unit, the conversion is performed, and the converted variable element is stored in the storage unit. Therefore, the process of converting the same fixed element or variable element is prevented from being repeated. Further, since a plurality of the same fixed elements or variable elements are prevented from being stored in the storage means, overflow can be suppressed and the hit rate in the storage means can be increased to reduce the frequency of conversion processing.

  Further, the image processing apparatus of the present invention generates post-conversion page data by synthesizing the post-conversion fixed element stored in the storage unit and the post-conversion variable element stored in the storage unit. And a third sorting unit that rearranges the page data after conversion generated by the page synthesizing unit in page order.

  With this configuration, even when page data before conversion is rearranged, the page data after conversion can be in the original page order.

  Further, in the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the storage means includes a first storage area that stores the converted fixed element, and a second storage area that stores the converted variable element, When the first storage area has been used, the fixed element after conversion is stored in the second storage area, and when the second storage area has been used, the variable element after conversion is stored. First storage control means for storing in the first storage area is provided.

  With this configuration, even when the storage unit is divided into the fixed element after conversion and the storage area of the variable element after conversion, the storage unit can be used efficiently.

  In addition, the image processing apparatus of the present invention, when the storage unit is used, the post-conversion that is stored earliest among the fixed element after conversion or the variable element after conversion stored in the storage unit. The second storage control means for deleting or storing the fixed element or the variable element after conversion in the secondary storage means.

  With this configuration, the fastest stored fixed elements or converted variable elements stored in the storage means are excluded from the storage means, so the hit rate in the storage means is reduced as much as possible. You can avoid it.

  The image processing method of the present invention is an image processing apparatus for converting a fixed element and a variable element included in each of a plurality of page data into a predetermined data format. A first sorting step for rearranging in order, a second sorting step for rearranging the plurality of page data rearranged in the first sorting step in the order of variable elements, and the second sorting means. Converts fixed elements and variable elements included in the page data in the order of replacement, and performs conversion when the converted fixed elements corresponding to the fixed elements are not stored in the storage means. A later fixed element is generated and stored in the storage means, and conversion is performed when the converted variable element corresponding to the variable element is not stored in the storage means. It generates a variable element of the converted I and a page data conversion step to be stored in the storage means.

  The image processing method of the present invention generates post-conversion page data by synthesizing the post-conversion fixed element stored in the storage unit and the post-conversion variable element stored in the storage unit. And a third sorting step for rearranging the converted page data generated in the page synthesizing step according to the input order of the page data.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform an efficient conversion process by repeating the process of converting the same fixed element or variable element, or reducing the frequency of the conversion process.

  Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a print system including an image processing apparatus. The print system shown in FIG. 1 is a raster image processor (RIP) device 100 that performs processing for converting the data format of page data as an image processing device, a printer 200 that is connected to the RIP device 100 and performs print processing, and a RIP. Client personal computers (client PCs) 300-1 to 300-n that send page data to the apparatus 100 (hereinafter, these client PCs 300-1 to 300-n are collectively referred to as “client PC 300”), the RIP apparatus 100, and the client And a LAN 400 that connects the PCs 300-1 to 300-n.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the RIP device 100. The RIP apparatus 100 shown in the figure includes a page data management unit 102, a fixed element sorting unit 104, a memory 106, a variable element sorting unit 108, a memory 110, a rasterizing compression unit 112, a cache management unit 114, a cache memory 116, and a page composition unit. 118, a frame buffer 120, a page accumulation processing unit 122, and a storage device 124.

  The page data management unit 102 inputs and manages a plurality of page data including fixed elements and variable elements sent from the client PC 300. The fixed element sorting unit 104 sorts a plurality of page data in the order of fixed elements included in the page data. The memory 106 stores a plurality of page data after being rearranged by the fixed element sort unit 104 (page data after fixed element sorting). The variable element sorting unit 108 sorts the plurality of fixed element sorted page data in the order of the variable elements included in the page data. The memory 110 stores a plurality of page data after being rearranged by the variable element sorting unit 108 (page data after variable element sorting).

  The rasterization compression unit 112 performs rasterization processing and compression processing as conversion processing for each of the fixed elements and variable elements included in the variable element sorted page data. Rasterization processing refers to conversion of page data handled by the RIP device 100 into page data consisting of a set of small colored dots so that it can be printed by the printer 200 or displayed on a display. Fonts (characters), printing images, etc. in the page data before conversion are represented by drawing coordinates such as the coordinates of the points and the parameters of the lines and planes connecting the points and the fills. The data format of such an expression method is called a vector format. On the other hand, since the printer 200 and the display handle the image as a set of colored dots (pixels) arranged vertically and horizontally, the page data in the vector format cannot be used for display or printing as it is. Therefore, the rasterizing compression unit 112 expands the vector format page data and converts it into page data formed of a set of points.

  Hardware or software having a rasterizing function is called a rasterizer. In order to perform rasterization processing on page data in a complicated vector format, a large amount of numerical calculation is required. Therefore, the burden of rasterization processing is large.

  The cache management unit 114 performs management related to data storage in the cache memory 116. The cache memory 116 stores a fixed element (post-conversion fixed element) and a variable element (post-conversion variable element) that have been subjected to rasterization processing and compression processing by the rasterization compression processing unit 112.

  The page composition unit 118 synthesizes the post-conversion fixed element and the variable element, and generates post-conversion page data. The frame buffer 120 stores the converted page data generated by the page composition unit 118. The page accumulation processing unit 122 rearranges the plurality of converted page data in the original page order. The storage device 124 stores a plurality of converted page data after being rearranged by the page accumulation processing unit 122.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the RIP device 100 will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the RIP device 100. The page data management unit 102 inputs a plurality of page data sent from the client PC 300.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of page data. As shown in the figure, the page data includes the page number corresponding to the page data, layout information such as the position of the image of the fixed element and the image of the variable element in the page, and the fixed element and the variable constituting the page data. Composed of elements. Further, the fixed element is configured by a fixed element number which is information for identifying the fixed element and data of the fixed element image, and the variable element is a variable element number which is information for identifying the variable element and the variable element image. It consists of data.

  The page data management unit 102 outputs the input plurality of page data to the fixed element sorting unit 104. The fixed element sorting unit 104 sorts the plurality of input page data in the order of fixed elements included in the page data (S101). Further, the fixed element sorting unit 104 outputs a plurality of rearranged page data (page data after fixed element sorting) to the page data management unit 102 and issues a processing instruction to the variable element sorting unit 108. . The page data management unit 102 causes the memory 106 to store the fixed element sorted page data from the fixed element sorting unit 104.

  When receiving the processing instruction from the fixed element sorting unit 104, the variable element sorting unit 108 instructs the page data management unit 102 to read the fixed element sorted page data stored in the memory 106. In response to this instruction, the page data management unit 102 reads a plurality of fixed element sorted page data stored in the memory 106 and outputs the page data to the variable element sorting unit 108.

  The variable element sorting unit 108 sorts the plurality of input fixed element sorted page data in the order of variable elements constituting the fixed element sorted page data in units of fixed element sorted page data including the same fixed element. (S102). Further, the variable element sorting unit 108 outputs a plurality of rearranged page data (page data after variable element sorting) to the page data management unit 102 and issues a processing instruction to the rasterization compression processing unit 112. . The page data management unit 102 stores the variable post-sort page data from the variable element sorting unit 108 in the memory 110.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of sorting by the fixed element sorting unit 104 and the variable element sorting unit 108. When a plurality of page data is input in the arrangement order shown in FIG. 5A, the fixed element sorting unit 104 displays pages 1, 3, and 5 including the fixed element A as shown in FIG. The data is rearranged in the order of page data of pages 2, 4, and 6 including the fixed element B. Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, the variable element sorting unit 108, for the page data of pages 1, 3 and 5 including the fixed element A, the page data and variable elements of the pages 1 and 5 including the variable element a. The page data of page 3 including c is rearranged in the order of page data of pages 2, 4 and 6 including fixed element B. Page data of pages 2 and 6 including variable element b and page 4 including variable element d Rearrange in order of page data.

  Upon receiving the processing instruction from the variable element sorting unit 108, the rasterizing compression unit 112 reads the variable element sorted page data stored in the memory 110 in accordance with the arrangement order. Further, the rasterizing compression unit 112 refers to the cache memory 116 via the cache management unit 114 and converts the fixed elements (fixed elements to be converted) included in the variable element sorted page data read from the memory 110 ( It is determined whether the fixed element after conversion is already stored in the cache memory 116 (S103). Specifically, the rasterization processing unit 112 includes the fixed element number in the fixed element included in the page data after variable element sorting read from the memory 110, and the fixed element number in the fixed element stored in the cache memory 116. If they match, it is determined that the converted fixed element to be converted is already stored in the cache memory 116.

  When the conversion of the fixed element to be converted is not stored in the cache memory 116, the rasterizing compression unit 112 performs the rasterizing process and the compression process on the data of the fixed element image in the fixed element to be converted. Further, the rasterizing compression unit 112 outputs a post-conversion fixed element composed of the fixed element number in the conversion target fixed element and the fixed element image data subjected to the rasterizing process and the compression process to the cache management unit 114. . The cache management unit 114 stores the input post-conversion fixed element in the cache memory 116 (S104).

  At this time, the cache management unit 114 recognizes the storage state of the cache memory 116. When the entire storage area of the cache memory 116 is used, the cache management unit 114 stores the earliest among the post-conversion fixed elements stored in the cache memory 116 or the post-conversion variable elements described later. Are deleted or saved in a secondary storage device (not shown), and the post-conversion fixed elements from the rasterizing compression unit 112 are stored in a free storage area.

  Further, when the storage area of the cache memory 116 is divided into a storage area for fixed elements after conversion and a storage area for variable elements after conversion, and all the storage areas of fixed elements after conversion are used, rasterize compression is performed. The converted fixed element from the unit 112 is stored in the storage area of the converted variable element. Here, when all the storage areas of the variable elements after conversion are also used, the cache management unit 114, as described above, stores the fixed elements after conversion stored in the cache memory 116 or the variable elements after conversion described later. Among them, the earliest stored one is deleted or saved in the secondary storage device, and the post-conversion fixed element from the rasterizing compression unit 112 is stored in the free storage area.

  On the other hand, when the conversion of the fixed element to be converted is stored in the cache memory 116 (in the case of negative determination in S103), the rasterizing process and the compression process by the rasterizing compression unit 112 and the cache of the fixed element after conversion are performed. Storage in the memory 116 (S104) is not performed.

  Next, the rasterize compression unit 112 refers to the cache memory 116 via the cache management unit 114 and converts the variable elements (variable elements to be converted) included in the variable element sorted page data read from the memory 110. It is determined whether (the converted variable element) is already stored in the cache memory 116 (S105). Specifically, the rasterization processing unit 112 includes the variable element number in the variable element included in the page data after variable element sorting read from the memory 110, and the variable element number in the variable element stored in the cache memory 116. If they match, it is determined that the converted variable element to be converted is already stored in the cache memory 116.

  In the case where the converted conversion target variable element is not stored in the cache memory 116, the rasterizing compression unit 112 performs rasterization processing and compression processing on the variable element image data in the conversion target variable element. Further, the rasterizing compression unit 112 outputs a post-conversion variable element composed of the variable element number in the variable element to be converted and the variable element image data subjected to the rasterizing process and the compression process to the cache management unit 114. . The cache management unit 114 stores the input post-conversion variable element in the cache memory 116 (S106).

  At this time, the cache management unit 114 recognizes the storage state of the cache memory 116 as in the case of storing the post-conversion fixed element described above. When the entire storage area of the cache memory 116 is used, the cache management unit 114 stores the earliest stored one of the fixed elements after conversion or the variable elements after conversion stored in the cache memory 116. Is deleted or saved in the secondary storage device, and the post-conversion variable element from the rasterize compression unit 112 is stored in the free storage area.

  Further, when the storage area of the cache memory 116 is divided into a storage area for fixed elements after conversion and a storage area for variable elements after conversion, and all of the storage areas for variable elements after conversion are used, rasterize compression is performed. The converted variable element from the unit 112 is stored in the storage area of the fixed element after conversion. Here, when all the storage areas of the fixed elements after conversion are also used, the cache management unit 114 stores the fixed elements after conversion stored in the cache memory 116 or the variable elements after conversion described later, as described above. Among them, the earliest stored one is deleted or saved in the secondary storage device, and the post-conversion variable element from the rasterizing compression unit 112 is stored in the free storage area.

  On the other hand, when the conversion of the variable element to be converted is stored in the cache memory 116 (in the case of an affirmative determination in S105), the rasterizing process and the compression process by the rasterizing compression unit 112, and the cache of the converted variable element Storage in the memory 116 (S106) is not performed.

  Next, the rasterizing compression unit 112 determines whether or not the processing of S103 and S106 has been completed for all the variable element sorted page data (S107). Specifically, the rasterize compression unit 112 determines that the processing is completed when all the variable element sorted page data stored in the memory 110 is read, and there is unread read variable element sorted page data. If so, it is determined that the process has not ended.

  If there is variable element sorted page data that has not been processed, the rasterized compression unit 112 reads the unprocessed variable element sorted page data from the memory 110 and converts the fixed element to be converted. The operation after determination (S103) on whether or not the stored data is already stored in the cache memory 116 is repeated.

  On the other hand, when the processing is completed for all the variable element sorted page data, the rasterizing compression unit 112 includes the page number, layout information, and fixed element number included in each of the variable element sorted page data read from the memory 110. The combination of the variable element numbers is output to the page composition unit 118 and a processing instruction is issued. In response to this instruction, the page composition unit 118 generates page data (post-conversion page data) including post-conversion fixed elements and post-conversion variable elements (S108).

  Specifically, when a page number, layout information, a fixed element number, and a combination of a variable element number included in one variable element sorted page data are input, the page composition unit 108 includes a fixed element number having the fixed element number. The converted fixed element image data and the converted variable element image data in the variable element having the variable element number are read from the cache memory 116. Next, based on the layout information, the page composition unit 118 generates page image data in which an image corresponding to the converted fixed element image data and an image corresponding to the converted variable element image data are arranged. Generate. Further, the page composition unit 118 generates page data after conversion by adding a page number to the generated page image data, and stores the page data in the frame buffer 120.

  Next, the page composition unit 118 determines whether or not generation of all post-conversion page data has been completed (S109). Specifically, the page composition unit 118 generates the page data after conversion based on all the combinations of the page number, layout information, fixed element number, and variable element number from the rasterize compression unit 112. Is determined to have ended.

  If the generation of all the converted page data is not completed, the page composition (S108) based on the combination of the page number, layout information, fixed element number, and variable element number is repeated.

  On the other hand, when the generation of all the converted page data has been completed, the page composition unit 118 issues a processing instruction to the page accumulation processing unit 122. In response to this instruction, the page accumulation processing unit 122 reads a plurality of converted page data stored in the frame buffer 120, and rearranges them in page order based on the page numbers included in the converted page data (S110). . Then, the page accumulation processing unit 122 stores the rearranged plurality of converted page data in the storage device 124. The converted page data stored in the storage device 124 is used for image display on the display and printing on the printer 200.

  In this way, the RIP device 100 rearranges a plurality of page data in the order of fixed elements, further rearranges them in the order of variable elements, and converts the fixed elements and variable elements included in the page data after the rearrangement. Only when the object is not stored in the cache memory 116, the conversion of these fixed elements and variable elements is performed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the rasterization process from being repeated for the same fixed element or variable element, and the processing load is reduced. Further, since the cache memory 116 is prevented from storing a plurality of the same fixed elements or variable elements, it is possible to suppress overflow and increase the hit rate in the cache memory 116 to reduce the frequency of conversion processing. it can.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus and the image processing method according to the present invention can efficiently convert page data and are useful as an image processing apparatus or the like.

1 is a configuration diagram of a print system. It is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of an image processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of page data. It is a figure which shows an example of rearrangement of page data.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 RIP apparatus 102 Page data management part 104 Fixed element sort part 106,110 Memory 108 Variable element sort part 112 Rasterization compression part 114 Cache management part 116 Cache memory 118 Page composition part 120 Frame buffer 122 Page accumulation process part 124 Storage device

Claims (6)

An image processing apparatus that converts a fixed element and a variable element included in each of a plurality of page data into a predetermined data format,
First sorting means for rearranging the plurality of page data in the order of fixed elements;
Second sort means for rearranging the plurality of page data rearranged by the first sort means in the order of variable elements;
Storage means for storing fixed elements and variable elements after conversion;
The fixed elements and variable elements included in the page data are converted in the order rearranged by the second sorting means, and the converted fixed elements corresponding to the fixed elements are stored in the storage means. If the converted variable element corresponding to the variable element is not stored in the storage means, the conversion is performed if the conversion is not performed and the converted fixed element is generated and stored in the storage means. An image processing apparatus comprising: page data conversion means for generating variable elements after conversion and storing them in the storage means. Page combining means for combining the fixed element after conversion stored in the storage means and the variable element after conversion stored in the storage means to generate page data after conversion;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third sorting unit that rearranges the converted page data generated by the page combining unit in page order. The storage means has a first storage area for storing the fixed element after the conversion, and a second storage area for storing the variable element after the conversion,
When the first storage area has been used, the fixed element after conversion is stored in the second storage area, and when the second storage area has been used, the variable element after conversion is stored. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first storage control unit configured to store in the first storage area. When the storage means has been used, among the fixed elements after conversion or the variable elements after conversion stored in the storage means, the fixed element after conversion or the variable element after conversion stored first 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second storage control unit that deletes or stores the secondary storage unit in the secondary storage unit. An image processing method in an image processing apparatus for converting a fixed element and a variable element included in each of a plurality of page data into a predetermined data format,
A first sorting step for rearranging the plurality of page data in the order of fixed elements;
A second sorting step for rearranging the plurality of page data rearranged in the first sorting step in the order of variable elements;
The fixed elements and variable elements included in the page data are converted in the order rearranged by the second sorting means, and the converted fixed elements corresponding to the fixed elements are stored in the storage means. If there is no conversion, a converted fixed element is generated and stored in the storage means, and if the converted variable element corresponding to the variable element is not stored in the storage means, the conversion is performed and converted. And a page data conversion step of generating the variable element and storing the variable element in the storage means. A page composition step of combining the fixed element after conversion stored in the storage means and the variable element after conversion stored in the storage means to generate converted page data;
6. The image processing method according to claim 5, further comprising a third sorting step of rearranging the converted page data generated in the page composition step according to an input order of the page data.

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