JPH08123630A - Image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide the image processing system which can output image data after the optimum resolution converting process of a printer by determining an optimum converting method for the image data and performing conversion fast on a host computer. CONSTITUTION: In the image processing system wherein the host computer 200 and printer 100 are connected, a resolution conversion part 218 in the host computer 200 selects the optimum converting method on the basis of respective characteristic data of the printer 100 that are received by a printer control part 219, and the image data stored in an image data storage part 202 in a RAM 215 are converted and then transmitted to the printer 100.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing system, for example, an image processing system in which image data transmitted from a host computer is received by an image processing apparatus and output.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image processing system in which image data from a host computer is received by a printing device such as a printer and printed, has been remarkably spread. The flow of image data in such an image processing system will be described below.

FIG. 4 shows a block configuration of a printing apparatus in the above-mentioned image processing system. In FIG. 4, 10
Reference numeral 0 denotes a printing apparatus, which receives image data from the host computer 200 and prints it.

In the printing apparatus 100, 101 is a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as a main CPU), 102 is a RAM, and 10 is a RAM.
Reference numeral 3 denotes a ROM, reference numeral 112 denotes an address bus, a data bus, and a bus made up of control signals for controlling them, which are connected to each unit described later. Main CPU 10
1 is RA according to the program stored in the ROM 103.
M102 is used as a work area, and each unit to be described later is centrally controlled.

Further, 104 is a data receiving unit, 105 is an operation panel control unit, 106 is a timer unit, 107 is a print head movement drive unit, 108 is a paper feed drive unit, 109 is a print head print drive unit, and 110 is a print head. A home position sensor, 111 is a paper sensor, and 113 is a resolution conversion unit.

The image information transmitted from the host computer 200 is received by the data receiving section 104 on the printing apparatus 100 side. In the data receiving unit 104, information of the printing apparatus 100 such as the image data reception status and recording paper status according to the set procedure is transferred to and from the host computer 200. However, as will be described later, the type of recording paper and the type of printing apparatus 100 are not notified to the host computer 200.

When the printing apparatus 100 is instructed to perform a scaling process or a resolution conversion process to a low resolution, the image data is transferred to the resolution conversion unit 113. The resolution conversion unit 113 thins out the image data based on the specified resolution conversion ratio, and the image data after the resolution conversion is stored in the RAM 102. The image data stored in the RAM 102 is printed by the main CPU 101 according to the print sequence stored in the ROM 103 when a print factor such as a print command occurs.

The main CPU 101 confirms the position of the print head (not shown) by the print head home position sensor 110, and operates the print head movement drive unit 107 to move the print head. When the print head reaches a predetermined position, the main CPU 101 operates the print head print drive unit 109 to start printing the image data on the recording paper. When the printing of one line is completed, the main CPU 101 operates the paper feed drive unit 108 to feed the recording paper. The operation described above is continued until it is completed for all the image data.

The sheet sensor 111 in the conventional printing apparatus 100 measures the size of the recording sheet in order to check the print area and control the print start position in the printing apparatus 100. The size is not notified to the externally connected host computer 200 or the like.

Next, referring to FIG. 5, a host computer 200 connected to the conventional printing apparatus 100 will be described.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the detailed arrangement of the host computer 200. In the host computer 200 shown in FIG. 5, 204 is a main CPU and 205
Is a RAM, 215 is a ROM, 212 is an address bus, a data bus, and a bus made up of control signals for controlling them, which are connected to each unit described later. According to the program stored in the ROM 205, the main CPU 204 uses the RAM 215 as a work area to centrally control each unit described later.

When the power is turned on by the power supply 210, the main CPU 204 first reads the start-up information of the host computer 200 from the ROM 205, reads various processing programs stored in the hard disk 214 by the hard disk controller 213, and stores the programs in the RAM 215. Copy to 203. When the above processing is completed, the keyboard control unit 208, the CRT control unit 206,
The printer control unit 211 becomes operable, and C
The RT 207, the keyboard 209, and the printing apparatus 100 can be used.

Next, the case of executing the program copied to the RAM 215 in order to create image data such as a document or a table will be described.

The program for print processing is stored in the hard disk 214, and the contents of the program are copied to the area of the program storage section 203 inside the RAM 215 and executed by the main CPU 204 according to an instruction from the keyboard 209.

Image data to be printed is generated by executing the above program, but the data format differs depending on the printing apparatus 100. for that reason,
When the image data to be printed is created, the printing apparatus 100
It is necessary for the operator to give an instruction to specify

The created image data is temporarily stored in the image data storage unit 202 in the RAM 215, and transferred to the printer control unit 211 when a predetermined amount of information is accumulated. The printing device control unit 211 controls collection of information transferred from the printing device 100 and transfer of image data to the printing device 100. Here, the printer control unit 2
The information transferred from the printing apparatus 100 managed by 11 includes the presence / absence of connection of the printing apparatus 100, the presence / absence of recording paper, and the error status of the printing apparatus 100. Therefore, the printing apparatus control unit 211 merely determines whether or not to transfer the image data to the printing apparatus 100, based on only the above-described status information. That is, in the conventional image processing system that transfers image data from the host computer 200 to the printing apparatus 100 and prints, when the image data is reduced or resolution is converted to a low resolution, the host computer 200 causes the printing apparatus 100 to print.
The image data to be printed was created without referring to the information such as the recording paper size, recording paper type, and print resolution.

[0017]

In the above-mentioned conventional printing apparatus, the image data reduction and resolution conversion processing are all performed by a predetermined method in the printing apparatus.

However, the reduction method and the conversion processing to the low resolution cannot be uniquely determined because the optimum method differs depending on the conversion ratio, the type of recording paper, the type of printing device, and the like. For example, it is possible to determine the reduction ratio based on the size of the recording paper and the size of the image data, but the optimum conversion method differs depending on the size of the conversion ratio.

For example, when performing a reduction process of a binary color image, if the reduction ratio is about 80%, simply deleting the dots to be printed in accordance with the reduction ratio causes a large image deterioration. The image data is reduced without any.
However, when the reduction rate is about 50%, simple thinning out cannot be performed as in the above case. That is, in a binary color image, multi-valued expression is usually performed by the dither method, but the dither pattern is often a 2 × 2 matrix, and in this case, due to the dot arrangement order by dither and reduction. This is because if the thinning order is synchronized with the thinning order, the effective pixels may be missing in the image data, and in the worst case, all the effective pixels may be lost.

The optimum conversion method also differs depending on the type of recording paper. For a recording medium such as a coated paper in an inkjet printer, which has a larger dot generation area with the same ink amount than plain paper, the thinning rate is larger than that of plain paper, and
A print dot selection process is required to store effective pixels.

As described above, in the conventional image processing system using the host computer and the printing apparatus, it was not possible to select the optimum method for the reduction processing of the image data and the conversion processing to the low resolution.

Further, in order to determine the optimum conversion method on the printing apparatus side, complicated processing must be performed in the printing apparatus, which inevitably leads to a significant decrease in the overall printing throughput.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an optimum resolution conversion process is performed in a printing apparatus by determining and executing an optimum conversion method of image data in a host computer. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing system capable of outputting the generated image data.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an image processing system which is expected to improve the print processing speed by determining the conversion processing and performing the conversion processing itself by the host computer.

[0025]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention comprises the following constitutions.

That is, an image processing system in which an image processing apparatus receives and outputs image data transmitted from a host computer, wherein the host computer receives information regarding the image processing apparatus from the image processing apparatus. Means, a plurality of converting means for converting the image data to be output to the image processing apparatus, a selecting means for selecting one of the plurality of converting means based on the information received by the receiving means, and the selecting means. And transmitting means for transmitting the image data converted by the converting means to the image processing apparatus.

For example, the image processing apparatus is a printing apparatus.

For example, the information regarding the printing apparatus is a recording medium size.

For example, the information relating to the image processing apparatus is characterized by a recording medium type.

For example, the information relating to the image processing apparatus is a print resolution.

For example, the information regarding the image processing apparatus is characterized in that it is a printing method type.

For example, the converting means is characterized by performing resolution conversion processing of the image data.

For example, the resolution conversion process is a conversion process to a low resolution.

For example, the conversion means is characterized by performing a reduction / magnification processing of the image data.

[0035]

With the above configuration, the host computer can receive various information of the printing apparatus, select the optimum conversion method of the image data based on the information, and actually perform the conversion processing. Therefore, the optimum conversion processing can be performed. A unique effect that it can be performed at high speed can be obtained.

[0036]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the detailed arrangement of the host computer in this embodiment. In FIG.
The same components as those in FIG. 5 shown in the above-mentioned conventional example are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 1, 218 is a resolution conversion unit and 219 is a printing device control unit. The printing device control unit 219 is the printing device control unit 2 shown in FIG.
The operation is different from that of 11.

The block diagram of FIG. 2 shows the flow of each data when the resolution conversion processing is performed in this embodiment. Figure 2
3 is a diagram showing the block diagram shown in FIG. 1 focusing on the flow of each data, and the image data 301 is temporarily stored in the image data storage unit 202 in the RAM 215. In the host computer 200 shown in FIG. 2, the configuration other than the image data 301 and the printing device control unit 219 is included in the resolution conversion unit 218.

The type of printing device in the printing device 100,
Recording paper size, recording paper type, print resolution information 3
17, 318, 319, and 321 perform two-way communication between the host computer 200 and the printing apparatus 100 via the printing apparatus control unit 219.
Is taken into. The above information is transferred to the printing device control unit 219 of the host computer 200 each time the state of the printing device 100 changes. Therefore, the host computer 200
The printing device control unit 219 of the
The information of 0 is stored.

The print area determination unit 302 determines the print area size required for actual printing based on the image data 301. Then, in the conversion ratio calculation unit 310, the latest recording paper size information 312 stored in the printing apparatus control unit 219 and the printing area determination unit 302 described above.
The optimum resolution conversion ratio is determined based on the print area size information from.

In this embodiment, an example in which the resolution conversion ratio is automatically determined has been described. However, for example, the resolution conversion ratio may be directly specified by the operator of the host computer.

The resolution conversion ratio and printing device type information 311 and recording paper type information 3 determined as described above.
The resolution conversion method determination unit 309 determines the resolution conversion method as will be described later based on 13 and the print resolution information 322.

Based on the resolution conversion method determined by the resolution conversion method determination unit 309, the conversion processing units a303 to g306 which actually perform the resolution conversion processing are selected by the switches 307 and 308. Then, the image data is input to one of the conversion processing units, subjected to optimum resolution conversion processing, and then output and written to the data transfer unit 314 in the printing apparatus control unit 219. Then, after confirming that the printing apparatus 100 is in a printable state, the image data that has undergone the conversion process is transferred to the printing apparatus 100.

FIG. 3 shows the control procedure of the resolution conversion method determination unit 309 in this embodiment.

In FIG. 3, first, in step S401, it is determined whether the resolution conversion ratio is greater than 80% (determination based on the resolution conversion ratio). Then, in step S401
Based on the determination result in step S402 and S40
In 3, it is determined whether or not the recording paper set in the printing apparatus 100 is coated paper (judgment according to recording paper type). Then, in steps S404 and S406.
Then, it is determined whether or not the used ink that is different depending on the type of the printing apparatus 100 is a dye (determination based on the ink type). In step S405, it is determined whether the resolution of the printing apparatus 100 is 360 dpi (determination based on the print resolution).

The resolution conversion processing method in this embodiment is classified by the combination of the determination results as described above. For example, the classification results of A to G in FIG. 3 correspond to the conversion processing units a303 to g306 in FIG. The classification method shown in FIG. 3 is an example of the present invention, and the printing apparatus 100
An optimal classification method may be adopted according to the characteristics of the above and the operator's request.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the optimum resolution conversion method is selected in the host computer according to the required print size and the characteristics of the printing apparatus,
By executing at high speed, the printing apparatus can receive and output the image data subjected to the optimum conversion processing.

In the present embodiment, the image processing system in which the host computer and the printing device are connected has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the host computer and the facsimile device. If the system is such that the host computer and the image processing apparatus are connected, the same effect can be obtained. The selection requirements for the conversion process at this time may be appropriately determined according to the characteristics of the image processing apparatus.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention, printing is performed by determining and executing the optimum resolution conversion method in the host computer based on the information of the printing apparatus and the print information in the host computer. It is possible to receive and output the image data that has been subjected to the optimum resolution conversion processing in the device.

Furthermore, by determining the conversion process and performing the conversion process itself by the host computer, the processing speed is greatly improved as compared with the case where the conversion process is performed in the printing apparatus.

[0052]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a host computer in an embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration for performing resolution conversion in this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a determination process of a resolution conversion method in this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a conventional printing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a conventional host computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 printing device 200 host computer 202 image data storage unit 203 program storage unit 204 main CPU 205 ROM 206 CRT control unit 207 CRT 208 keyboard control unit 209 keyboard 210 power supply 219 printing device control unit 212 bus 213 hard disk control unit 214 hard disk 215 RAM 218 Resolution conversion unit 219 Printing device control unit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Internal reference number FI Technical indication H04N 1/393 (72) Inventor Masafumi Matsumoto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. In-house (72) Inventor Yuji Akiyama 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An image processing system in which image data transmitted from a host computer is received by an image processing apparatus and output, wherein the host computer receives information related to the image processing apparatus from the image processing apparatus. Means, a plurality of converting means for converting image data to be output to the image processing device, a selecting means for selecting one of the plurality of converting means based on the information received by the receiving means, and the selecting means. And an image processing system for transmitting the image data converted by the converting unit to the image processing apparatus. 2. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is a printing apparatus. 3. The image processing system according to claim 2, wherein the information regarding the image processing apparatus is a recording medium size. 4. The image processing system according to claim 2, wherein the information regarding the image processing apparatus is a recording medium type. 5. The image processing system according to claim 2, wherein the information regarding the image processing apparatus is a print resolution. 6. The image processing system according to claim 2, wherein the information regarding the image processing apparatus is a printing method type. 7. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the conversion means performs resolution conversion processing of the image data. 8. The image processing system according to claim 7, wherein the resolution conversion processing is conversion processing to a low resolution. 9. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the conversion means performs a reduction / magnification processing of the image data.