JP2002160404A - Image processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing device capable of changing the order of graphic bands by an optional order with reference to a link list in an expansion process. SOLUTION: This device comprises a memory 100 for storing data, a raster riser 101 for developing printing data into bit map data, a compressing means 102 for compressing the bit map data so as to produce compressed band data, an address setting means 103 for setting a memory storage address per graphic band before compression and a memory storage address per compressed band data after the compression a link list producing means 104 for producing a link list of a plurality of compressed band data, a link list converting means 105 for converting the order of the produced link list and an expanding means 106 for executing an expansion process of the compressed band data according to the link information from the link list converting means 105.

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 such as a printing machine for forming a copied image based on stored image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a conventional image processing apparatus, FIG. 7 is a storage diagram of compressed band data on a memory of the conventional image processing apparatus, and FIG. 8 is a compressed band on a memory of the conventional image processing apparatus. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating data rearrangement.

In FIG. 6, print data is sequentially transferred from an external device, for example, a host computer, and the print data is interpreted and rasterized into bitmap data by a rasterizer 112, which rasterizes the data into a plurality of drawing band units of bitmap data. The compression means 113 takes out the stored bitmap data from the memory, compresses the bitmap data, and compresses it as compressed band data.
0, and when the data for one page is completed, the stored compressed band data is taken out of the memory 100 and expanded
Output means 11 such as a printer engine while expanding at 14
Output to 5

As shown in FIG. 7, one page of data is transferred in the order of print data 1, print data 2,... Print data n, and output to output means 115 in the same order as the transferred print data. In this case, the rasterizer 112 develops the print data into bitmap data in the transfer order, and stores the data in the memory in the order of bitmap 1, bitmap 2,... Bitmap n. In addition, the compression means 113
Bitmap data stored in 0 is converted to Bitmap 1,
Bitmap 2,..., Bitmap n are taken in order, and compressed band data is
Compressed band data 2 are stored in the memory in the order of compressed band data n. Further, when the decompression means 114 takes out the compressed band data from the memory 100, the compressed band data is compressed band data 1, compressed band data 2,.
.. Are extracted from the memory in the order of the compressed band data n, and the expanded data are output to the output means 115 in the order of output 1, output 2,.

When the print data is output to the output unit 115 in a different order from the order of the transferred print data, such as when the print data is inverted, the rasterizer 112 outputs the print data every time the print data is interpreted as shown in FIG. The coordinates indicating the printing position of the bitmap data on the paper are converted in accordance with the order of output to the means 115, and the data are rearranged in accordance with the converted coordinates and stored in the memory 100 in the order of bitmap n,. Store. The compression means 113 takes out the bitmap data stored in the memory 100 in the order of bitmap n,... Bitmap 2, bitmap 1, and compresses the compressed band data into compressed band data 1,. -1 and the compressed band data n are stored in the memory 100 in this order. Further, when the decompression means 114 retrieves the compressed band data from the memory 100, the compressed band data is
.., Compressed data n-1 and compressed band data n are taken out of the memory 100 in this order, and the expanded data is output to the output means 115 in the order of output 1,.

[0006]

However, in recent years, with the spread of a printer engine having a function of duplex printing and a function of printing a plurality of pages on one sheet, the order in which print data transferred from an external device, for example, a host computer, is transferred. With the increasing number of opportunities for printing in a different order and the demand for improved printing speed, the coordinates indicating the printing position of the bitmap data on the paper in accordance with the order of output to the output means when interpreting the print data as in the conventional configuration. If the data is converted and rearranged in accordance with the converted coordinates, much processing time is required for the conversion of the coordinates, and an improvement in the printing speed cannot be expected.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus capable of executing drawing band rearrangement in an arbitrary order by referring to a link list in a decompression process.

[0008]

In order to solve this problem, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention interprets print data, expands the print data into bitmap data in drawing band units, compresses the bitmap data, and stores the compressed bitmap data in a memory. An image processing apparatus that outputs compressed data while expanding the compressed data, a memory that stores the data, a rasterizer that expands the print data into bitmap data, and generates compressed band data by compressing the bitmap data. Compression means; address setting means for setting a memory storage address for each drawing band before compression and a memory storage address for each compression band data after compression; and a link list generation means for generating a link list of a plurality of compression band data. Link list conversion means for converting the arrangement of the generated link lists, and resources from the link list conversion means. And a decompression means for decompressing process of the compressed band data in accordance with click information.

With this configuration, it is possible to realize an image processing apparatus capable of executing drawing band rearrangement in an arbitrary order by referring to a link list in a decompression process.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, print data is interpreted and expanded into bitmap data in drawing band units, these bitmap data are compressed and stored in a memory, and then the compressed data is decompressed. A memory for storing data, a rasterizer for expanding print data into bitmap data, compression means for compressing bitmap data to generate compressed band data, and a drawing band before compression. Address setting means for setting a memory storage address for each memory and a memory storage address for each compressed band data after compression, a link list generating means for generating a link list of a plurality of compressed band data, and converting the arrangement of the generated link list Link list converting means for converting compressed band data according to link information from the link list converting means. Are those in which a decompressing means for performing Zhang processing, thereby executing the rearrangement of the drawing band in any order by referring to the linked list in the expansion process.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an image output by interpreting print data and developing it into bitmap data in drawing band units, compressing and storing the bitmap data in a memory, and expanding and compressing the compressed data. A processing device, a memory for storing data, a rasterizer for expanding print data into bitmap data, and compression means for compressing bitmap data and generating compressed band data;
Address setting means for setting a memory storage address for each drawing band before compression and a memory storage address for each compressed band data after compression, a link list generating means for generating a link list of a plurality of compressed band data, and an output means. Weight setting means for setting parameter information for controlling the data output timing of the link list; link list conversion means for converting the sequence of the generated link list and adding parameter information of the weight setting means to the link list; A decompression unit for decompressing the compressed band data in accordance with the link information, whereby it is possible to control the data output timing to the output unit by referring to the link list in the decompression process.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing band data on a memory of the image processing apparatus according to Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the conversion of the link list of the image processing apparatus according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, print data is sequentially transferred from an external device, and the print data is developed into bitmap data for a plurality of drawing bands by a rasterizer 101 which develops the print data into bitmap data, and is temporarily stored in a predetermined memory 100. I do.

The compression means 102 obtains, from the address setting means 103, a read address of the memory 100 storing the bitmap data to be compressed and a write address for storing the compressed data in the memory 100 for each drawing band. Based on these addresses, the compression means 102
Bitmap data is acquired in units of drawing bands from 00, compression processing is performed, and the data after compression is stored in the memory 100 again as compressed band data. If you want to print in a different order than the order of the transferred print data at this time,
The order in which the bitmap data is compressed is changed according to the printing order. As a specific example, in the case of printing upside down, compression processing is performed in order from the bitmap data at the final address of the acquired drawing band, and the drawing band is turned upside down in units of compressed band data in advance. When the number of drawing bands is n, the number of compressed band data is also n and stored in the memory as shown in FIG.

The link list generating means 104 first generates a link list of the compressed band data when the compressing means 102 generates the compressed band data, and stores it in the memory 100. Specifically, an address D1 of the memory 100 in which the first compressed band data is stored from the address setting unit 103 is acquired as link information of the compressed band data, and a link list of the next compressed band data is stored. The address L2 of the memory is also stored as link information. Similarly, an address D2 of the memory where the second compressed band data is stored is acquired as link information of the compressed band data, and an address L3 of the memory where the link list of the next compressed band data is stored is also used as the link information. Store.

Thereafter, the same processing is continued to obtain the address Dn-1 of the memory in which the compressed band data compressed at the (n-1) th is stored as the link information of the compressed band data, and to obtain the link list of the next compressed band data. Is also stored as link information. Finally, an address Dn of the memory in which the n-th compressed band data is stored is obtained as link information of the compressed band data. At this time, since the next compressed band data does not exist, EndFlag indicating the last band is stored as link information instead of the address where the link list is stored. Thus, the compression means 10
2 creates an individual link list each time it creates compressed band data. As described above, the link information of the link list is stored in the memory as shown in FIG.

When all the drawing bands have been compressed, the link list converting means 105 generates a header. The header includes a decompression means 1 from a plurality of compressed band data.
Reference numeral 06 has an address of a memory in which a link list of compressed band data to be expanded first is stored. Next, the address information of the memory in which the link list of the next compressed band data stored in each link list is stored is converted according to the order of the output compressed band data.

In this embodiment, a case where the compressed band data is inverted and output to the output means 107 for each output is shown in FIG.
This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. First, since the output is inverted for each compressed band data, the memory address Ln where the link list n is stored is set in the header. Next, the link list n has End indicating that it is the last band.
The flag is converted into a memory address Ln-1 at which the link list n-1 is stored. In the link list n-1, the memory address Ln in which the link list n is stored is replaced by the memory address L in which the link list n-2 is stored.
Convert to n-2.

As described above, the addresses at which the link lists to be processed next are stored are sequentially set in the link list, and the link list 2 stores the memory address L3 at which the link list 3 is stored in the link list 2. It is converted to the stored memory address L1. The link list 1 has a memory address L2 at which the link list 2 is stored.
To a flag EndFlag indicating the last link list.

Next, the expansion means 106 will be described. Decompression means 106 first refers to the header of the link list,
First, an address Ln of a memory storing a link list of compressed band data to be expanded is obtained.
The output unit 1 refers to the link list based on the address information, acquires the address Dn at which the compressed band data is stored, retrieves the data from the memory, and performs decompression processing.
07. When the decompression process is completed, this link list is referred to again, and the address Ln of the memory where the link list of the compressed band data to be decompressed next is stored
Get -1. By referring to the link list based on the address information, the address Dn-1 at which the compressed band data is stored is acquired, the compressed band data is taken out from the memory, decompressed, and output to the output means 107. Thus, the flag E indicating the last link list in accordance with the order of the compressed band data to be output while referring to the link list
Decompression processing is sequentially performed for each compressed band data up to the compressed band data for which ndFlag is set, and output means 107
Output to

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 5 shows left margin and right margin processing of the image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. It is a timing chart. 2 and 3 are the same as in the first embodiment.

In FIG. 4, print data is sequentially transferred from an external device, and the print data is temporarily stored in a predetermined memory 10.
The rasterizer 101 stores the print data into 0 and sequentially stores the stored print data into bitmap data while developing the bitmap data into bitmap data in a plurality of drawing bands.

The compression means 102 obtains, from the address setting means 103, a read address of the memory 100 storing the bitmap data to be compressed and a write address for storing the compressed data in the memory 100 for each drawing band. Based on these addresses, the compression means 102
Bitmap data is acquired in units of drawing bands from 00, compression processing is performed, and the data after compression is stored in the memory 100 again as compressed band data. If you want to print in a different order than the order of the transferred print data at this time,
The order in which the bitmap data is compressed is changed according to the printing order. As a specific example, in the case of printing upside down, compression processing is performed in order from the bitmap data at the final address of the acquired drawing band, and the drawing band is turned upside down in units of compressed band data in advance. When the number of drawing bands is n, the number of compressed band data is also n and stored in the memory as shown in FIG.

The link list generating means 104 will be described. First, when the compression means 102 creates compressed band data, a link list of the compressed band data is generated and stored in the memory. Specifically, the address setting means 103
From the memory where the first compressed band data is stored as the link information of the compressed band data, and the address L2 of the memory where the link list of the next compressed band data is stored is also stored as the link information. I do. Similarly, an address D2 of the memory where the second compressed band data is stored is acquired as link information of the compressed band data, and an address L3 of the memory where the link list of the next compressed band data is stored is also used as the link information. Store.

The processing is continued in the same manner, and the address Dn-1 of the memory in which the compressed band data compressed at the (n-1) th is stored is acquired as the link information of the compressed band data, and the link list of the next compressed band data is obtained. Is also stored as link information. Finally, an address Dn of the memory in which the n-th compressed band data is stored is obtained as link information of the compressed band data. At this time, since the next compressed band data does not exist, EndFlag indicating the last band is stored as link information instead of the address where the link list is stored. Thus, the compression means 10
2 creates an individual link list each time it creates compressed band data. As described above, the link information of the link list is stored in the memory as shown in FIG.

The link list conversion means 108 is the compression means 1
02 obtains parameter information for controlling the output timing of the data of the compressed band data from the weight setting means 110 when the compressed band data is created. The parameter information for controlling the data output timing has two values, a left margin LM and a right margin RM, and is used for controlling a print area on a sheet when the expansion unit 109 outputs the expanded data to the output unit 111. .
Further, when the compression processing of all the drawing bands is completed, the link list conversion unit 108 generates a header.

The header has an address of a memory in which a link list of compressed band data to be expanded first by the expansion means 109 from among a plurality of compressed band data is stored. Next, the address information of the memory in which the link list of the next compressed band data stored in each link list is stored is converted according to the order of the output compressed band data. In this embodiment, a case where the compressed band data is inverted and output to the output unit 111 for each compressed band data will be specifically described with reference to FIG. First, link list n is added to the header because the data is output upside down for each compressed band data.
Is set at the memory address Ln where is stored. Next, the link list n includes En indicating the last band.
dFlag is converted into a memory address Ln-1 at which the link list n-1 is stored. The memory address Ln at which the link list n is stored is stored in the link list n-1.
To a memory address Ln-2 in which the link list n-2 is stored. In this way, the addresses at which the link lists to be processed next are stored are sequentially set in the link list. The link list 2 stores the memory address L3 at which the link list 3 is stored and the link list 1 at the same time. To the existing memory address L1. In the link list 1, the memory address L2 in which the link list 2 is stored is set to the flag EndFl indicating the last link list.
ag.

Next, the expansion means 109 will be described. The decompression means 109 first refers to the header of the link list,
First, an address L1 of a memory in which a link list of compressed band data to be expanded is stored is obtained.
With reference to the link list based on this address, an address D1 at which the compressed band data is stored is obtained, the data is taken out from the memory and decompressed, and output means 111
Output to At this time, the decompression means 109 refers to the parameter information for controlling the output timing of the data of the link list, and acquires the information of the left margin LM and the right margin RM.

The expansion means 109 further comprises a horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC from the output means 111 and a video clock VCLK.
And outputs the decompressed data to the output unit 111 in accordance with
At this time, as shown in FIG.
When the falling edge is detected, the counter is incremented each time VCLK rises, and when the counter value matches LM, data output to the output means 111 is started. If the (RM-LM) value is smaller than the amount of data to be actually printed, the data output ends when the counter value matches the RM. (RM-L
M) If the value is larger than the amount of data to be actually printed, dummy data is output so that printing is not performed until the RM after the data to be printed.

When the decompression process is completed, this link list is referred to again, and the address of the memory storing the link list L2 of the compressed band data to be decompressed next is obtained. With reference to the link list based on this address, an address D2 at which the compressed band data is stored is obtained, the compressed band data is taken out from the memory, decompression is performed, and the data is output at the timing according to the parameter information for controlling the output timing of the data. Output to output means 111. In this way, in accordance with the order of the compressed band data to be output while referring to the link list, expansion processing is sequentially performed for each of the compressed band data until the flag EndFlag indicating the last link list is set, and the output timing of the data is controlled. While outputting data to the output unit 111.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the drawing band is output in a different order from the transfer order, the link list is not expanded in the order in which the drawing data is to be output in advance, and the link list is expanded in the decompression process. By referring to the drawing bands, the drawing bands can be rearranged and output in an arbitrary order at a high speed. In addition, a margin amount required for processing the left margin and the right margin can be obtained. As described above, information necessary for printing can be acquired only by referring to the link list, so that the configuration of image processing can be simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating storage of band data and a link list in a memory of an image processing apparatus according to Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing conversion of a link list of the image processing apparatus according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing a left margin and a right margin processing of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a conventional image processing apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a storage diagram of compressed band data on a memory of a conventional image processing apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing rearrangement of compressed band data on a memory of a conventional image processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 memory 101 rasterizer 102 compression means 103 address setting means 104 link list generation means 105 link list conversion means 106 expansion means 107 output means 108 link list conversion means 109 expansion means 110 weight setting means 11 output means

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus which interprets print data, develops it into bitmap data in drawing band units, compresses and stores these bitmap data in a memory, and outputs the compressed data while expanding the data. , A rasterizer that expands print data into bitmap data, a compression unit that compresses bitmap data to generate compressed band data, a memory storage address for each drawing band before compression, and a compression band after compression. Address setting means for setting a memory storage address for each data, link list generating means for generating a link list of a plurality of compressed band data, link list converting means for converting the arrangement of the generated link lists, and link list converting means Expansion means for expanding the compression band data according to the link information from The image processing apparatus characterized by. 2. An image processing apparatus which interprets print data, develops it into bitmap data in drawing band units, compresses the bitmap data, stores it in a memory, and outputs the compressed data while expanding the data. , A rasterizer that expands print data into bitmap data, a compression unit that compresses bitmap data to generate compressed band data, a memory storage address for each drawing band before compression, and a compression band after compression. Address setting means for setting a memory storage address for each data; link list generating means for generating a link list of a plurality of compressed band data; and weight setting means for setting parameter information for controlling data output timing to the output means. , Converts the arrangement of the generated link list, and outputs the parameter information of the weight setting means. Link list conversion means for adding the Nkurisuto, the image processing apparatus characterized by comprising a decompression means for decompressing process of the compressed band data according to the link information from the link list conversion means.