JPH11110150A - Image processing system, image processing method, and computer-readable recording medium on which image processing control program is recorded - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] Perform rasterization processing on original data,
Provided is an image processing system that performs predetermined processing such as size change and color adjustment a plurality of times on image data having a common shape, position, and the like of a drawn figure or the like. SOLUTION: When a plurality of print sizes are designated,
A specific size, which is the size of the intermediate image data, is determined based on the plurality of print sizes, and the print data is rasterized based on the specific size to generate intermediate image data. The printing of each print size is executed by enlarging or reducing the intermediate image data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a computer display or printer device for performing rasterization processing and enlargement / reduction or color adjustment processing after rasterization processing on image data generated by a data processing apparatus such as a computer. The present invention belongs to the technical field of an image processing system, an image processing method, and a recording medium in which an image processing control program is output, for example, to output an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of the image processing system described above, there is a system including a computer device such as a personal computer and a printer device connected to the computer device.

In this system, a document is created on a computer device side, and the document is output from a computer device to a printer device as print data for printing characters and figures. The printer device reads the print data output from the computer device and performs a rasterizing process of converting the print data into drawing data (for example, bitmap data) corresponding to pixels to be printed on paper or the like. Print on etc.

More specifically, print data to be printed by a printer device is generally described in, for example, a page description language, and is mainly arranged by arranging a plurality of control commands for printing characters and graphics. It is configured. On the other hand, the printer device is provided with a function of performing a rasterizing process for converting print data into drawing data (for example, a rasterizing process program). And the control commands included in the print data are sequentially converted into drawing data.

[0005] The drawing data is generated corresponding to a pixel which is a minimum unit of an image formed on paper or the like. By increasing the resolution of the drawing data, a high-definition image can be obtained.

[0006]

However, in a conventional image processing system, when a plurality of print sizes are designated when print data is output from a computer device, drawing is performed in accordance with each print size. Since the size of the data is determined and rasterization processing is performed for each size to generate new drawing data, there is a problem that it takes a long time to obtain print results of all sizes.

That is, since the drawing data is data corresponding to fine pixels as described above, the amount of data to be processed at the time of rasterizing is very large, and is large as required in signboard printing and the like. When printing one size, it takes a very long time to print one size. In addition, in signboard printing, it is necessary to print the same print data in various sizes in consideration of use in various places.
Printing may be performed in a size such as 1, A1, or the like. Therefore,
In a conventional system in which rasterizing processing is performed for each size, a large size rasterizing processing that requires a long time is repeatedly performed a plurality of times, and it has not been possible to expect a higher printing speed.

[0008] Such a problem has occurred not only when the print sizes are different but also when color adjustment is performed on print images of the same size. In other words, when performing color adjustment, print data including the color data adjusted by the computer device is newly output to the printer device,
In the printer device, the new print data is subjected to the rasterizing process again. Therefore, the same processing time is required each time color adjustment is performed, despite the fact that the print data other than the color information is common print data, and a quick color adjustment operation cannot be performed.

Further, similar problems have occurred not only in an image processing system using a printer device but also in a system for displaying an image on a display of a computer device.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above problems,
Performs rasterization processing on the original data, and for image data that shares the shape, position, etc. of drawn figures, etc.
An image processing system, an image processing method, and a computer readable recording of an image processing control program capable of speeding up processing in an image processing system that performs predetermined processing such as size change and color adjustment a plurality of times. It is an object to provide a simple recording medium.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system, comprising: a data processing device, a data conversion device, and an image forming device, and output from the data processing device. An image processing system that develops image forming instruction data into intermediate image data by a data conversion device and causes an image forming device to perform image formation based on the intermediate image data, wherein the data processing device includes image forming instruction data Image forming instruction data control means for generating the image forming instruction data and outputting the processed image forming instruction data to the data converting apparatus; Processing information control means for generating processing information based on a processing instruction and outputting the processing information to the data conversion device, wherein the data conversion device Intermediate processing determining means for determining an intermediate processing method based on processing information output from the information control means or preset processing information, and the image forming instruction based on the determined intermediate processing method. Intermediate image data control means for expanding data into the intermediate image data; intermediate image data storage means for storing the intermediate image data; and processing the stored intermediate image data based on the plurality of pieces of processing information. Image processing means for processing and generating a plurality of execution data of image formation, and execution data control means for outputting the generated execution data to the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus comprises: An image forming means for receiving an execution data and outputting an image is provided.

According to the image forming system of the present invention, first, image forming instruction data is generated by the image forming instruction data control means of the data processing device, and is output to the data conversion device. Then, the processing instruction input means inputs a processing instruction for the image instruction data, and the processing information control means generates processing information based on the processing, and together with the image formation instruction data, or After the image formation instruction data is output, it is output to the data conversion device.

Next, in the data conversion apparatus, the intermediate processing determining means determines the image forming instruction data based on the processing information output from the data processing apparatus or the preset processing information. An intermediate processing method is determined. Then, the image forming instruction data is developed into intermediate image data by the intermediate image data control means based on the determined intermediate processing method, and the intermediate image data is stored in the intermediate image data storage means. The stored intermediate image data is processed by the image processing unit based on the processing information, and execution data for image formation is generated.

In the image forming apparatus, the execution data is input by the image forming means to perform an image forming process, and a final image output is obtained.

Next, in the data processing apparatus, when processing information different from the previous processing information for the same image forming instruction data is generated as described above and output to the data conversion apparatus, the image processing of the data conversion apparatus is performed. By processing means,
The processing of the stored intermediate image data is performed based on the new processing information.

That is, in the present invention, when new processing information is generated and output to the data converter, new intermediate image data is not generated, and the intermediate image data already generated and stored is stored. Processing is performed on the data based on the new processing information. Therefore, even when a plurality of processing instructions are issued, the expansion processing to the intermediate image data, which requires more time than the processing, is not performed repeatedly, and the second and subsequent processing instructions are issued. The time until the execution data is generated based on the data is reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the image processing system according to the first aspect, the processing information control means is configured to determine at least a size of an image to be formed. Information as the processing information, the intermediate processing determining means,
Selecting a formation area of the intermediate image data based on the processing information or information on a preset image size allowed for the image forming apparatus; A magnification change process from enlargement to reduction of the intermediate image data is performed based on information.

According to the image processing system of the present invention, at least information on the size of an image to be formed is generated as the processing information by the processing information control means of the data processing apparatus. Is output to On the other hand, in the data conversion device, the intermediate processing determination unit determines, based on processing information including information about the size of the image to be formed, or a preset image that is allowed in the image forming apparatus. A formation area of the intermediate image data is selected based on the size information, and the intermediate image data is formed in the selected area.
Therefore, as the size of the intermediate image data, the size of the image formed based on the plurality of processing instructions or the preset image size allowed for the image forming apparatus is considered. Size can be selected. As a result, even when the magnification change processing from the enlargement to the reduction of the intermediate image data is performed by the image processing unit based on the processing information, the change width is suppressed to be small, and the execution data is quickly generated. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing system according to the first or second aspect, wherein the processing information control unit is configured to control an image to be formed. The processing information including color information is generated, and the image processing unit performs processing on the stored intermediate image data based on the color information included in the processing information. .

According to the image processing system of the third aspect, in the data processing device, the processing information including the color information of the finally formed image is generated by the processing information control means, and the data conversion is performed. Output to the device. On the other hand, in the data conversion device, the stored intermediate image data is processed by the image processing unit based on the color information included in the processing information. Therefore, even when a plurality of pieces of processing information including different color information are generated and output to the data conversion device, the execution data is generated for the already stored intermediate image data, so that the processing is performed quickly. Will be.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing system according to any one of the first to third aspects, a printing apparatus is used as the image forming apparatus. Wherein the processing information control means generates information on the size of a recording material used for printing, as information on the size of an image to be formed.

According to the image processing system of the present invention, the processing information control means of the data processing device provides information on the size of the finally formed image as
Information about the size of the recording material used for printing is generated and output to the data conversion device. In the data conversion device, generation of intermediate image data and execution data are generated based on this information, and output to the image forming device.
Then, in a printing apparatus as an image forming apparatus, printing is executed based on the execution data. Therefore, even when an instruction to perform printing on recording materials of a plurality of sizes is input, the data conversion device generates execution data based on the already stored intermediate image data. A print result of a plurality of sizes can be obtained quickly without duplicate generation.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing method, comprising: a data processing device, a data conversion device, and an image forming device; An image processing method for developing into intermediate image data by a conversion device and causing an image forming device to form an image based on the intermediate image data, wherein the data processing device generates image formation instruction data, Outputting to a conversion device; inputting a plurality of processing instructions for the same type of image forming instruction data; generating processing information based on the input instructions for each processing; Outputting to the conversion device, and determining the intermediate processing method by the data conversion device based on the processing information or the preset processing information. And, based on the determined intermediate processing method, a step of expanding the image forming instruction data into the intermediate image data, a step of storing the intermediate image data, and based on the plurality of processing information, Processing the stored intermediate image data to generate execution data for a plurality of corresponding image formations; outputting the generated execution data to the image forming apparatus; and Receiving the execution data and performing image formation output.

According to the image processing method of the fifth aspect,
First, the image processing instruction data is generated by the data processing device and output to the data conversion device. Then, an instruction of a processing for the image instruction data is input, processing information based on the processing is generated, and the data conversion device is output together with the image formation instruction data or after the image formation instruction data is output. Is output to

Next, in the data conversion device, an intermediate processing method for the image forming instruction data is determined based on the processing information output from the data processing device or the predetermined processing information. You. Then, based on the determined intermediate processing method, the image forming instruction data is developed into intermediate image data, and the intermediate image data is stored. Further, based on the processing information, the stored intermediate image data is processed to generate execution data for image formation.

Then, in the image forming apparatus, the execution data is input and an image forming process is performed to obtain a final image output.

Next, in the data processing device, when processing information different from the previous one for the same image forming instruction data is generated as described above and output to the data conversion device, the data conversion device The processing of the stored intermediate image data is performed based on the new processing information.

That is, in the present invention, when new processing information is generated and output to the data conversion device, no new intermediate image data is generated, and the intermediate image data already generated and stored is not generated. Processing is performed on the data based on the new processing information. Therefore, even when a plurality of processing instructions are issued, the expansion processing to the intermediate image data, which requires more time than the processing, is not performed repeatedly, and the second and subsequent processing instructions are issued. The time until the execution data is generated based on the data is reduced.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to the fifth aspect, the step of generating and outputting the processing information includes:
Generating at least information on the size of an image to be formed as the processing information, wherein the step of determining the intermediate processing method is performed by the processing information or a preset setting permitted by the image forming apparatus. Selecting the formation area of the intermediate image data based on the information about the size of the processed image, wherein the step of generating the execution data includes the step of generating the execution data from the enlargement of the intermediate image data based on the processing information. The method includes a step of performing a magnification change process up to the reduction.

According to the image processing method of the sixth aspect,
The data processing device generates at least information on the size of the image to be formed as the processing information, and outputs the information to the data conversion device. On the other hand, in the data conversion device, based on processing information including information on the size of the image to be formed, or based on information on a predetermined image size allowed in the image forming device. Thus, the formation area of the intermediate image data is selected, and the intermediate image data is formed in the selected area. Therefore, as the size of the intermediate image data, the size of the image formed based on the plurality of processing instructions or the preset image size allowed for the image forming apparatus is considered. Size can be selected. As a result, even when the magnification change processing from the enlargement to the reduction of the intermediate image data is performed based on the processing information, the change width is suppressed to a small value, and the execution data is quickly generated.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the step of generating and outputting the processing information comprises: Generating the processing information including the color information of the image to be formed, the step of generating the execution data, for the stored intermediate image data,
The method includes a step of performing a processing based on the color information included in the processing information.

According to the image processing method of the seventh aspect,
In the data processing device, processing information including color information of an image finally formed is generated and output to the data conversion device. On the other hand, in the data conversion device, a processing based on the color information included in the processing information is performed on the stored intermediate image data. Therefore, even when a plurality of pieces of processing information including different color information are generated and output to the data conversion device, the execution data is generated for the already stored intermediate image data, so that the processing is performed quickly. Will be.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing method as set forth in any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, wherein a printing apparatus is used as the image forming apparatus. Wherein the step of generating and outputting the processing information includes the step of generating information on the size of a recording material used for printing as information on the size of an image to be formed, I do.

According to the image processing method of the eighth aspect,
The data processing device generates information on the size of the recording material used for printing as information on the size of the finally formed image, and outputs the information to the data conversion device. In the data conversion device, generation of intermediate image data and execution data are generated based on this information, and output to the image forming device. Then, in a printing apparatus as an image forming apparatus, printing is executed based on the execution data. Therefore, even when an instruction to perform printing on recording materials of a plurality of sizes is input, the data conversion device generates execution data based on the already stored intermediate image data. A print result of a plurality of sizes can be obtained quickly without duplicate generation.

A computer-readable recording medium in which the image processing control program according to claim 9 is recorded,
In order to solve the above problem, the image processing apparatus includes a data processing device, a data conversion device, and an image forming device. The image forming instruction data output from the data processing device is developed into intermediate image data by the data conversion device. A computer-readable recording medium in which an image processing control program for causing an image forming apparatus to form an image based on data is recorded, wherein the image processing control program causes a computer to execute an image forming instruction by the data processing apparatus. Generating data and outputting the data to the data conversion apparatus; inputting a plurality of processing instructions for the same type of image forming instruction data; and performing processing based on the input processing instructions. Generating information and outputting the information to the data conversion device; and Determining an intermediate processing method based on the determined processing information; developing the image forming instruction data into the intermediate image data based on the determined intermediate processing method; and And processing the stored intermediate image data based on the plurality of pieces of processing information to generate execution data for a corresponding plurality of image formations, and the generated execution data. Outputting the image data to the image forming apparatus, and causing the image forming apparatus to execute the step of receiving the execution data and outputting the image.

A computer-readable recording medium on which the image processing control program according to claim 9 is recorded,
The following steps are executed by causing the computer to read. First, the image processing instruction data is generated by the data processing device and output to the data conversion device. Then, an instruction of a processing for the image instruction data is input, processing information based on the processing is generated, and the data conversion device is output together with the image formation instruction data or after the image formation instruction data is output. Is output to

Next, in the data conversion device, an intermediate processing method for the image forming instruction data is determined based on the processing information output from the data processing device or the predetermined processing information. You. Then, based on the determined intermediate processing method, the image forming instruction data is developed into intermediate image data, and the intermediate image data is stored. Further, based on the processing information, the stored intermediate image data is processed to generate execution data for image formation.

Then, in the image forming apparatus, the execution data is input and an image forming process is performed to obtain a final image output.

Next, in the data processing device, when processing information different from the previous one for the same image forming instruction data is generated as described above and output to the data conversion device, the data conversion device The processing of the stored intermediate image data is performed based on the new processing information.

That is, in the present invention, when new processing information is generated and output to the data converter, new intermediate image data is not generated, and the intermediate image data already generated and stored is stored. Processing is performed on the data based on the new processing information. Therefore, even when a plurality of processing instructions are issued, the expansion processing to the intermediate image data, which requires more time than the processing, is not performed repeatedly, and the second and subsequent processing instructions are issued. The time until the execution data is generated based on the data is reduced.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable recording medium having an image processing control program recorded thereon, wherein the image processing control program comprises: The computer, as the step of generating and outputting the processing information, causing the computer to execute a step of generating at least information on the size of an image to be formed as the processing information,
As the step of determining the intermediate processing method, the area for forming the intermediate image data is selected based on the processing information or information on a preset image size allowed for the image forming apparatus. Let the process run,
As a step of generating the execution data, a step of performing a magnification change process from enlargement to reduction of the intermediate image data based on the processing information is executed.

The following steps are executed by causing a computer to read a computer-readable recording medium on which the image processing control program according to claim 10 is recorded. First, at least information on the size of an image to be formed is generated as the processing information by the data processing device, and is output to the data conversion device. On the other hand, in the data conversion device, based on processing information including information on the size of the image to be formed, or based on information on a predetermined image size allowed in the image forming device. Thus, the formation area of the intermediate image data is selected, and the intermediate image data is formed in the selected area. Therefore, as the size of the intermediate image data, the size of the image formed based on the plurality of processing instructions or the preset image size allowed for the image forming apparatus is considered. Size can be selected. As a result, even when the magnification change processing from the enlargement to the reduction of the intermediate image data is performed based on the processing information, the change width is suppressed to a small value, and the execution data is quickly generated.

A computer-readable recording medium on which the image processing control program according to claim 11 is recorded is a computer-readable recording medium according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein The control program causes a computer to execute the step of generating the processing information including color information of an image to be formed, as a step of generating and outputting the processing information, and as a step of generating the execution data, A step of performing a processing process on the stored intermediate image data based on the color information included in the processing information is performed.

The following steps are executed by causing a computer to read a computer-readable recording medium on which the image processing control program according to claim 11 is recorded. First, in the data processing device, processing information including the color information of the finally formed image is generated and output to the data conversion device. On the other hand, in the data conversion device, a processing based on the color information included in the processing information is performed on the stored intermediate image data. Therefore, even when a plurality of pieces of processing information including different color information are generated and output to the data conversion device, the execution data is generated for the already stored intermediate image data, so that the processing is performed quickly. Will be.

A computer-readable recording medium in which the image processing control program according to claim 12 is recorded, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, claims 9 to 1
1. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the image processing control program is an image processing control program that causes a printing apparatus to execute a printing process as the image forming apparatus. And generating and outputting the processing information,
A step of generating information on the size of a recording material used for printing as information on the size of an image to be formed is performed.

The following steps are executed by causing a computer to read a computer-readable recording medium on which the image processing control program according to claim 12 is recorded. First, as information on the size of an image finally formed by the data processing device,
Information about the size of the recording material used for printing is generated and output to the data conversion device. In the data conversion device, generation of intermediate image data and execution data are generated based on this information, and output to the image forming device.
Then, in a printing apparatus as an image forming apparatus, printing is executed based on the execution data. Therefore, even when an instruction to perform printing on recording materials of a plurality of sizes is input, the data conversion device generates execution data based on the already stored intermediate image data. A print result of a plurality of sizes can be obtained quickly without duplicate generation.

[0047]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the image processing system and the image processing method according to the present invention are applied to a computer system including a computer as a data processing device and a printer device, that is, a data conversion device and an image processing device. An example in which the forming apparatus is integrally configured as a printer will be described.

First, the overall configuration of a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, a computer system 100 includes a computer 110 as a data processing device.
And a data conversion device connected to the computer 110 and a printer device 120 as an image forming device.

Here, the computer 110 is a personal computer or a word processor having a function of creating a document or a drawing. More specifically, the computer 110 is the computer 110
(Central processing unit) 11 for executing overall control and arithmetic processing of the CPU, ROM (non-volatile memory) 12 for storing a document creation program and the like described later, and for storing print data and the like described later. RAM (volatile memory)
13, an I / F circuit (interface circuit) 14 for controlling the input and output of data between the computer 110 and the printer device 120, and a CR for displaying a document or a drawing.
Display means 15 such as T, CPU 11, ROM 12, RA
M13, a bus 16 for interconnecting the I / F circuit 14, the display means 15, and the like. Note that the computer 110 is provided with a user interface (such as a keyboard) for performing data input / output and operation of the computer 110, but a description and illustration thereof will be omitted.

The document creation program stored in the ROM 12 of the computer 110
Is a program for functioning as a word processor, for example, and has a function of creating arbitrary documents and graphics. Further, the document creation program generates print data including a plurality of control commands for printing the created document and graphics by the printer device 120.

On the other hand, the printer device 120 receives print data and the like output from the computer 110 and prints characters and graphics on a print medium such as paper based on the print data. More specifically, the printer device 120 includes a control unit 20 that performs overall control of the printer device 120, a print control, and a rasterizing process for print data, and the like. It comprises a print engine mechanism 30 for printing data on paper, and a panel unit 40 for displaying information related to print control and the like, and for allowing a user to manually give an instruction to the printer device 120.

Further, the control unit 20 of the printer 120
Is a CP that performs general control and arithmetic processing of the control unit 20.
U21, a ROM 22 for storing a print processing control program and the like to be described later, a RAM 23 for storing drawing data and the like to be described later, and a host I which controls input and output of data between the printer device 120 and the computer 110.
/ F circuit 24 and an engine I / F circuit 2 for controlling the input and output of data between control unit 20 and print engine mechanism 30
5, a panel I / F circuit 26 for controlling data input / output between the control unit 20 and the panel unit 40, and CPUs 21 and R
OM22, RAM23 and each I / F circuit 24, 25,
And a clock 27 for supplying a clock pulse to the clock.

As shown in FIG. 2, the print processing control program stored in the ROM 22 of the control section 20 includes a rasterizing process for converting print data output from the computer 110 into drawing data, and a rasterizing process for converting the rasterized data into two. A process for generating execution data by converting into a value and a printing process for printing an image on a recording sheet based on the execution data are executed.

Hereinafter, the printing process according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, when the user operates the computer 110, a document creation program of the computer 110 is started, and a document and a figure are created. And
When printing the created documents and graphics, print data for printing the documents and graphics is generated by the document creation program of the computer 110 and stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 13 of the computer 110.

Here, the print data generated by the document creation program is described in a page description language. For example, as shown in FIG. It is structured with the values to be processed.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3B, the identifier "1" is a control command for setting a color, and includes cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). ) Has gradation data represented by 256 gradations from 0 to 255.

Also, as shown in FIG. 3C, the identifier of “2” is a control command for creating a square shape, and as shown in FIG.
X, y directions, width (W; length in x direction), and height (H;
(length in the y direction). FIG. 4 shows (10,
An example in which a rectangle having a width of 20 dots and a height of 5 dots is drawn at the coordinates of 10) is shown.

As shown in FIG. 3D, the identifier "3" is a control command for creating a circular shape, and x, y
It has the coordinate value of the direction and the value of the radius length (r).

As shown in FIG. 3 (E), the identifier “4” is a control command for setting the paper size, and the width (W) in the x direction and the height (H) in the y direction of the bitmap area. ). For example, in the example of FIG. 3E, an A2 size is set, and a bit map area of 50 dots × 100 dots is created as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3 (F), the identifier “5” is a control command for executing printing, and if this control command is identified, the drawing data created in the bitmap area The binarization process is performed to generate execution data, and printing is executed by the print engine mechanism 30.

The print data as described above is transmitted to the printer 1
When the print data is output to the RAM 20, the print data is temporarily stored in the RAM 23 as shown in FIG. 2 (step S1). Then, processing for interpreting each control command of the stored print data is performed.

First, when the identifier is "4" and the control command is for setting the paper size (step S
2: YES), the width (W) set in this control command
Then, a bitmap area creation process is performed based on the paper size data of the height (H) (step S3). However, in the present embodiment, a bitmap area for intermediate image data is created based on a plurality of pieces of paper size data, rather than simply creating a bitmap area using one piece of paper size data. Is different from Details will be described later.

Next, when the identifier is "2" and the command is a control command for creating a square (step S4:
YES), the size of the rectangle is determined based on the coordinate values and the size data set in the control command (step S).
5) A development process for drawing a square figure in the bitmap area is performed (step S6). However, in the present embodiment, in the size determination processing in step S5, the size of the rectangle is not simply determined by the size data set in the control command, but is appropriately enlarged or reduced in accordance with the size of the bitmap area. Determine the size. Details will be described later.

If the identifier is "3" and the command is a control command for creating a circle (step S7: YE
S), the size of the circle is determined based on the center coordinate value and the radius data set in the control command (step S8),
A development process for drawing a circle figure in the bitmap area is performed (step S9). However, in the present embodiment, as in the case of the square, the size is determined so that the size is appropriately enlarged or reduced according to the size of the bitmap area. Details will be described later.

Next, when the identifier is "1" and the control command is for setting a color (step S10: Y
ES), a color setting process for writing the color level value set in the control command into the drawing area of each figure or the like is performed (step S11). For example, when the color data set in this control command is at the level of “30” for cyan as shown in FIG. 3B, for example, (10, 10) as shown in FIG. "30" is written in all the rectangular pixel areas drawn at the position "1", and "0" is written in the other areas. Since a bitmap area is reserved for each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, the same processing is performed for other colors.

Next, when the identifier is "5" and the command is a print execution control command (step S12: YE
S), a process of binarizing the color level value represented by the multi-value in the bitmap area is performed (step S13), execution data is generated, and printing is executed by the print engine mechanism 30 (step S14). .

This binarization processing is performed by, for example, a dither matrix conversion method. FIG. 5A shows an example of a dither matrix. This dither matrix is a matrix represented by data of 16 gradations from 0 to 15,
The dither matrix is compared with the multi-level color level value of each dot written in the bitmap area. If the color level value of the dot is equal to or greater than the data of the dither matrix, "1" is assigned to the dot. Is smaller than the data of the dither matrix, the conversion from multi-level to binary is performed by writing "0". However, when the color level value is equal to or less than the data of the dither matrix, “0” is set.
May be set to “1” when the value is larger than the data.

Since the color level value written in the bitmap area has data of 256 gradations as described above, it is necessary to convert the data to data of 16 gradations. For example, if the color level value is “30”, 3
It is calculated by the formula of 0 × 16/256 and converted to “1” by truncating the fraction. If the color level value is “128”, it is similarly converted to “8”. FIG. 5B shows an example in which the color level values of 256 gradations are converted to “8”, and “8” is written in each dot of the bitmap area.

Then, the color level values thus converted are compared with the dither matrix for each of the 4 dot × 4 dot 16 dot areas. For example, in the case of FIG. 5B, the value of the dither matrix corresponding to the coordinates (x1, y1) is “6”, the value of the dither matrix corresponding to (x2, y1) is “7”, and (x3, The value of the dither matrix corresponding to y1) is “8”, and the color level value “8” at these coordinates is greater than or equal to the value of the dither matrix. “1” is written as shown in C). The coordinates (x4, y
The value of the dither matrix corresponding to 1) is “9”,
Since the color level value “8” of this coordinate is smaller than the dither matrix, “0” is written in the dot of this coordinate as shown in FIG.

Thereafter, the same processing is performed for each area of 4 dots × 4 dots, thereby generating binarized data as shown in FIG. 5C. Then, this process is performed for each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black,
Generate print processing execution data.

On the other hand, if the identifier is a value other than "1" to "5" (step S12: NO), other processing is performed (step S15).

As described above, the printing process for the print data is performed, and an image is formed on the recording paper.

Conventionally, even if the figures and the like to be drawn are the same print data, if the paper size to be printed is different, the above-described steps S1 to S15 are performed for each print data corresponding to each paper size. Since the printing process has been performed, the rasterizing process including the creation of the bitmap area, the development of the graphics and the like in the area, and the color setting processing for the dots for drawing the graphics and the like is also performed repeatedly, and each printing is performed. There is a problem that a long processing time is required.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, even when a plurality of paper sizes to be printed are specified, the intermediate image data is generated first instead of performing the printing processing of steps S1 to S15 for each size. Then, execution data is generated by enlarging or reducing the intermediate image data according to the designated paper size. With this configuration, execution data is generated by performing only enlargement / reduction processing that requires a relatively short time compared to the rasterization processing, so that the time required for the second and subsequent printing processing is significantly reduced. Can be. Hereinafter, the process of creating the intermediate image data in the present embodiment,
The printing process using the intermediate image data will be described in detail.

First, in the present embodiment, the contents of the bitmap area creation processing (step S3) shown in FIG. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the bitmap area creation processing in the present embodiment.

Conventionally, a bitmap area is created as it is from the value of a control command for setting a paper size. Therefore, when a plurality of paper sizes are designated, a bitmap area of a different size is created each time. .

However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, first, all of a plurality of designated paper size data are read (step S20). In the present embodiment, the control commands for setting the paper size as shown in FIG. 3E are output collectively for the specified number of sizes. For example, when N sizes are designated, N width (W) and height (H) size data are read.

Next, a minimum value and a maximum value are obtained for the width (W) and the height (H) from the read size data (step S21). Then, the size of the bitmap area to be developed is calculated from the minimum value and the maximum value (step S22). Although this calculation is not particularly limited, for example, there is a method of calculating an average value from the minimum value and the maximum value. By setting the size of the bitmap area to an intermediate value of the size to be printed, the width of the change is equal both when the size is reduced to the minimum value or when the size is increased to the maximum value. That is, it is possible to quickly perform a printing process at any size.

Next, based on the calculated size, the enlargement / reduction ratio when actually drawing a figure or the like is calculated (step S23). For example, when the average value is obtained from the above-described maximum value and minimum value, the maximum value and the minimum value of the width (W) are expressed by Wm
ax, Wmin, and assuming that the maximum value and the minimum value of the height (H) are Hmax, Hmin, the size (Pw ′, Ph ′) of the bitmap area for creating the intermediate image data is
Pw ′ (length in x direction) = (Wmax + Wmin) / 2,
Ph ′ (length in y direction) = (Hmax + Hmin) / 2
Becomes Then, the designated size to be printed first is Pw, P
h, the ratio of enlargement / reduction (Rw, Rh)
Is determined by Rw = Pw / Pw ′ and Rh = Ph / Ph ′. That is, when the size of the intermediate image data is equal to the size to be printed first, the ratio (Rw, Rh) is “1”. When the size to be printed first is smaller, the value is smaller than 1; Is a number greater than 1.

The size (P) of the bitmap area for creating the intermediate image data calculated as described above
w ′, Ph ′), a bitmap area is created (step S23).

Next, a process of creating intermediate image data is performed.
This creation process is performed in the size determination process (steps S5 and S8) shown in FIG. In particular,
In the size data set in the control command for creating each figure, the enlargement / reduction ratio (R
w, Rh) to determine the size of the intermediate image data. As described above, conventionally, the size data set in the control command is simply used as the size of the drawing data, but in the present embodiment, enlargement / reduction processing is performed according to the size of the bitmap area.

Here, the enlargement / reduction processing will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the enlargement process. FIG. 7A shows the drawing data before processing, and FIG. 7B shows the drawing data after processing. The value written to each dot of the drawing data is
It is a color level value expressed in multiple values, and it is assumed that a different color level value is written in each dot for easy understanding. When the drawing data as shown in FIG. 7A is doubled vertically and horizontally respectively, as shown in FIG. 7B, the contents of the dot at the coordinates (x1, y1) are changed to (x
(2, y1), (x1, y2), and (x2, y2). Hereinafter, the same processing is repeated, and the contents of one dot are written in an area of 2 dots × 2 dots. As a result, enlarged drawing data is obtained.

Next, in the case of reduction, for example, 1 /
When the size is reduced to 2, the coordinates (x1,
y1), (x3, y1), (x1, y3), (x3, y
The color level value of 3) is extracted and written in an area of 2 dots × 2 dots as shown in FIG. This method is a method called a thinning method. However, the present invention is not limited to this method, and various methods such as a method of calculating the average of the color level values of a 2 dot × 2 dot area shown in FIG. 8A can be used. Even when the method described above is used, reduced drawing data can be obtained.

After the above processing is performed on each figure and the like, the above-described color setting processing is performed (step S11), whereby intermediate image data is generated.

Then, based on the intermediate image data,
As described above, the binarization process is performed to generate execution data in the first print size (step S13), and the print process is performed (step S14 and step S3 in FIG. 9).
0).

Next, printing in another size is performed. In this embodiment, the rasterizing process is not performed again at this time.
Execution data is generated using the intermediate image data.
That is, as shown in FIG. 9, after the printing in the first size (step S30) is completed, the size to be printed next is acquired from the plurality of designated sizes already stored, and the enlargement / reduction as described above is performed. (Rw, Rh) is calculated (step S31). Next, the size of each figure or the like is determined by multiplying the size data of each figure or the like by the newly obtained enlargement / reduction ratio (Rw, Rh), and drawing is performed at that size (step S32). Next, binarization processing is performed to generate execution data (step S33), and printing is executed (step S34). If there is a next designated size (step S35: YES), the above process is repeated, and printing is performed for all designated sizes.

As described above, according to the print processing control program of this embodiment, the computer and the printer can function as the following means.

A. Computer (1) Image formation instruction data control means for generating print data as image formation instruction data and outputting it to a printer as a data converter (2) Designating a plurality of print sizes for the same type of print data Processing processing input means for inputting a plurality of processing processing instructions (3) processing processing information control means for generating processing processing information based on the input processing processing instructions and outputting the processing processing information to a printer device; Printer Device (1) An intermediate processing method for enlarging / reducing a figure or the like is determined based on processing information output from processing information control means or designated size data as preset processing information. Intermediate processing determining means (2) Intermediate image data control means for expanding print data into intermediate image data based on the determined intermediate processing method (3) Intermediate image data storing means for storing intermediate image data (4) Image processing means for enlarging / reducing stored intermediate image data based on a plurality of instruction size data and generating a plurality of corresponding execution data. (5) Outputting the generated execution data to a print engine mechanism. Execution data control means (6) Image forming means for performing printing by receiving execution data Note that in the present embodiment, a large amount of intermediate image data is used. Although an example of generation using value data has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, but generates binarized intermediate image data and generates execution data based on the binarized intermediate image data. May be configured.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the flow of the printing process in this embodiment as described above. As shown in FIG. 10, in the printing process according to the present embodiment, the size of the intermediate image data is determined from the specified print size data, and the rasterizing process is further performed based on the print data to generate the intermediate image data of the size. After that, since the execution data is generated by enlarging / reducing the intermediate image data based on the designated size, high-speed printing processing can be realized even when printing in multiple sizes. Is possible.

In particular, the present invention is effective when printing a large size for a plurality of sizes, such as signboard printing.

Further, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the designated print size is calculated for the size of the intermediate image data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. The specific size data, which is the size data of the intermediate image data, may be output from the computer 110 to the printer device 120 in advance. With such a configuration, the time required for calculating the specific size data can be omitted, and a higher-speed process can be realized.

In the present embodiment, only the case where a plurality of print sizes are designated has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this case, and is also effective when, for example, performing color adjustment a plurality of times. That is, in the past, when performing color adjustment, the rasterization process was performed each time. However, according to the present invention, the color adjustment process may be performed on the intermediate image data, and the print processing time is significantly reduced. can do.

In the present embodiment, an example in which a printer is used as an image forming apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a display device such as a computer display after rasterizing image data. This is also effective when displaying an image on a computer. Even when the color adjustment or the enlargement / reduction of such a display image is performed, it is sufficient to perform the adjustment based on the intermediate image data.

In this embodiment, an image processing system including a computer and a printer has been described. However, an image processing system including a printer server connected to a computer on a network and a printer connected to the printer server. The present invention is applicable also to the above. In this case, a similar process may be performed by providing a spooler unit in the print server.
In the present embodiment, the print processing control program is recorded in the ROM 22 as a recording medium. However, when a printer server is used, the print processing control program is recorded on a recording medium such as a floppy disk or a CD-ROM. By making the server read the recording medium, the recording medium can be executed.

[0097]

According to the image processing system of the present invention, even when a plurality of processing instructions are given to the common print data, the first processing is performed without performing the rasterizing processing for each instruction. Since the execution data is generated based on the intermediate image data created in (1), the speed of the image processing can be increased.

According to the image processing system of the present invention, the size of the intermediate image data is set to the size of an image formed based on a plurality of processing instructions or to a preset value allowed for the image forming apparatus. The size of the selected image is selected in consideration of the size of the image, so that even when the magnification change processing is performed from the enlargement to the reduction of the intermediate image data, the change width can be reduced, and the image processing Further higher speed can be achieved.

According to the image processing system of the third aspect, since the processing based on the color information is configured to be performed on the intermediate image data, a plurality of processing including different color information is instructed. Even in this case, high-speed image processing can be performed.

According to the image processing system of the present invention, the intermediate image data is enlarged so as to be adapted to the size of each recording material even when there is an instruction for the processing for a plurality of recording materials.・ Since it was configured to print in a reduced size, large-size printing, especially for signboard printing, etc.
High-speed printing can be performed even when the printing is performed with a plurality of sizes that are not unified.

According to the image processing method of the fifth aspect,
Even when a plurality of processing instructions are given to the common print data, execution data is generated based on the first created intermediate image data without performing rasterization processing for each instruction. It is possible to speed up the processing.

According to the image processing method of the sixth aspect,
The size of the intermediate image data is selected in consideration of either the size of an image formed based on a plurality of processing instructions or the size of a preset image allowed by the image forming apparatus. Therefore, even when the magnification change processing from the enlargement to the reduction of the intermediate image data is performed, the change width can be suppressed to be small, and the image processing can be further speeded up.

According to the image processing method of the present invention,
Since the processing based on the color information is performed on the intermediate image data, high-speed image processing can be performed even when a plurality of processings including different color information are instructed.

According to the image processing method of the eighth aspect,
Even if there is an instruction to process a plurality of recording materials, the intermediate image data is enlarged and reduced to fit the size of each recording material and printed.
In particular, high-speed printing processing is possible even when large-size printing is performed in a plurality of non-unified sizes, such as signboard printing.

By causing a computer to read a recording medium on which the image processing control program according to the ninth aspect is recorded, even if a plurality of processing instructions are given to the common print data, each instruction is given. Since the execution data is generated based on the intermediate image data created first without performing the rasterizing process every time, it is possible to speed up the image processing.

By causing a computer to read a recording medium on which the image processing control program according to claim 10 is recorded, the size of the intermediate image data is reduced according to a plurality of processing instructions. Or the preset image size allowed by the image forming apparatus is selected, so even if the magnification change processing from the enlargement to the reduction of the intermediate image data is performed, The width can be reduced, and the speed of image processing can be further increased.

[0107] By causing a computer to read a recording medium on which the image processing control program according to claim 11 is recorded, processing based on color information is performed on intermediate image data. , High-speed image processing can be performed.

By causing a computer to read a recording medium on which the image processing control program according to claim 12 is recorded, even if there is an instruction to process a plurality of recording materials, the size of each recording material can be reduced. Since printing is performed by enlarging or reducing the intermediate image data to fit the size, high-speed printing is also possible, especially when printing large-size prints with multiple unified sizes, such as signboard printing. Printing process is possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an image (printing) process executed in the printer device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams showing a structure of print data used in the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 3A shows a basic structure of print data, and FIG. (C) is a structure of a control command for creating a square shape, (D) is a structure of a control command for creating a circular shape, (E) is a structure of a control command for setting a paper size, and (F) is a structure of a control command for setting a paper size. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a print execution control command.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a bitmap area according to an embodiment of the present invention and a drawing example of a square figure created in the area.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams illustrating a binarization process according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
FIG. 7B is a diagram showing drawing data displayed in multi-valued display, and FIG. 7C is a diagram showing binary-converted execution data.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a bitmap area creation process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic diagrams illustrating an enlargement process according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG.
(B) is a schematic diagram showing drawing data after the enlargement processing.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic diagrams illustrating a reduction process according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG.
(B) is a schematic diagram showing drawing data after reduction processing.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an entire print processing example according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the entirety of another example of print processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... CPU 12 ... ROM 13 ... RAM 14 ... I / F circuit 15 ... Display means 16 ... Bus 20 ... Control part 21 ... CPU 22 ... ROM 23 ... RAM 24 ... Host I / F circuit 25 ... Engine I / F circuit 26 ... Panel I / F circuit 27 ... Clock 30 ... Print engine mechanism 40 ... Panel unit 100 ... Computer system 110 ... Computer 120 ... Printer device

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a data processing device, a data conversion device, and an image forming device, wherein image forming instruction data output from the data processing device is developed into intermediate image data by the data conversion device, and based on the intermediate image data. An image processing system for causing an image forming apparatus to form an image by using the image processing apparatus, wherein the data processing apparatus generates image forming instruction data, and outputs the image forming instruction data to the data conversion apparatus. Processing instruction input means for inputting a plurality of processing instructions to the formation instruction data; processing information for generating processing information based on the input instructions for each processing and outputting the processing information to the data conversion device Control means, and the data conversion device, the processing information output from the processing information control means or processing information set in advance Intermediate processing determining means for determining an intermediate processing method based on the intermediate processing data determining means for developing the image forming instruction data into the intermediate image data based on the determined intermediate processing method; Intermediate image data storage means for storing image data; image processing for processing the stored intermediate image data based on the plurality of pieces of processing information to generate execution data for a plurality of corresponding image formations Means, and execution data control means for outputting the generated execution data to the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming means for receiving the execution data and outputting an image. An image processing system, characterized in that: 2. The processing information control means generates at least information on the size of an image to be formed as the processing information, and the intermediate processing determination means generates the processing information or the image formation information. Based on information about a preset image size allowed for the device, the intermediate image data forming area is selected, and the image processing unit is configured to select the intermediate image data based on the processing information. Perform magnification change processing from enlargement to reduction,
The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The processing information control unit generates the processing information including color information of an image to be formed, and the image processing unit performs the processing on the stored intermediate image data. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein processing is performed based on color information included in the processing information. 4. A printing apparatus as the image forming apparatus, wherein the processing information control unit generates information on the size of a recording material used for printing as information on the size of an image to be formed. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein: 5. A data processing apparatus, a data conversion apparatus, and an image forming apparatus, wherein image forming instruction data output from the data processing apparatus is developed into intermediate image data by the data conversion apparatus, and based on the intermediate image data. An image processing method for causing the image forming apparatus to form an image by using the data processing apparatus, wherein the data processing apparatus generates image formation instruction data and outputs the generated image formation instruction data to the data conversion apparatus. Inputting instructions of a plurality of processing processes by using the data conversion device, generating processing information based on the input instructions of each processing process, and outputting the processing information to the data conversion device; Determining an intermediate processing method based on the information or preset processing information; and determining the intermediate processing method based on the determined intermediate processing method. Expanding the formation instruction data into the intermediate image data; storing the intermediate image data; processing the stored intermediate image data based on the plurality of pieces of processing information; Generating the execution data of image formation, outputting the generated execution data to the image forming apparatus, and performing image formation output by receiving the execution data by the image forming apparatus. An image processing method comprising: 6. The step of generating and outputting the processing information is a step of generating at least information on the size of an image to be formed as the processing information, and determining the intermediate processing method. Selecting the formation area of the intermediate image data based on the processing information or information on a preset image size allowed for the image forming apparatus, and generating the execution data. The image processing method according to claim 5, wherein the step of performing includes a step of performing a magnification change process from enlargement to reduction of the intermediate image data based on the processing information. 7. The step of generating and outputting the processing information is a step of generating the processing information including color information of an image to be formed, and the step of generating the execution data includes storing the execution data. 7. The image processing method according to claim 5, further comprising a step of performing processing on the intermediate image data based on color information included in the processing information. 8. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of generating and outputting the processing information by providing a printing apparatus as the image forming apparatus, wherein the information about the size of the image to be formed includes information on a size of a recording material used for printing. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising the step of generating the following information. 9. A data processing apparatus, a data conversion apparatus, and an image forming apparatus, wherein image forming instruction data output from the data processing apparatus is developed into intermediate image data by the data conversion apparatus, and based on the intermediate image data. A computer-readable recording medium in which an image processing control program for causing an image forming apparatus to form an image is stored, wherein the image processing control program causes a computer to generate image formation instruction data using the data processing apparatus. Outputting the data to the data conversion device; inputting a plurality of processing instructions to the same type of image forming instruction data; generating processing information based on the input processing instructions. Outputting the data to the data conversion device; and processing the processing information or a preset processing A step of determining an intermediate processing method based on processing information; a step of expanding the image forming instruction data into the intermediate image data based on the determined intermediate processing method; and storing the intermediate image data A step of processing the stored intermediate image data based on the plurality of pieces of processing information to generate execution data of a plurality of corresponding image formations; A recording medium on which an image processing control program is recorded, wherein: a step of outputting to the forming apparatus; and a step of receiving and executing the execution data to form an image by the image forming apparatus. 10. The image processing control program executes, as a step of generating and outputting the processing information to a computer, a step of generating at least information on a size of an image to be formed as the processing information. Then, as a step of determining the intermediate processing method, based on the processing information, or information on a predetermined image size allowed in the image forming apparatus,
A step of selecting a formation area of the intermediate image data is executed, and as a step of generating the execution data, a step of performing a magnification change process from enlargement to reduction of the intermediate image data based on the processing information is executed. A recording medium on which the image processing control program according to claim 9 is recorded. 11. The image processing control program causes a computer to execute, as a step of generating and outputting the processing information, a step of generating the processing information including color information of an image to be formed. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, as the step of generating execution data, a step of performing processing on the stored intermediate image data based on color information included in the processing information is executed.
A recording medium on which the image processing control program according to claim 10 is recorded. 12. The image processing control program is an image processing control program for causing a printing device to execute a printing process as the image forming device, wherein the image processing control program causes a computer to generate the processing information. 12. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of generating information on a size of a recording material used for printing as information on a size of an image to be formed. A recording medium on which the image processing control program according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is recorded.