Canon Kabushiki Kaisha

Jun Ikeda

Satoshi Nagata

Kunio Okada

Shinya Kishimoto

Kozo Matsumoto

An image data processing apparatus shifting to a power saving mode depending on whether a particular process is in progress on an image processing apparatus. A controller examines processes of host computers through a network, and controls a state of supplying power to blocks functioning for an image forming process, the blocks including a rasterizer, a memory, a printer engine, and a compressor/expander.

Data processing apparatus, power control method, computer-readable storage medium and computer program

When a host computer transmits print data to a printer, the computer investigates the possibility of overrun per each band of band obtained by partitioning a page into bands. The host computer designates pre-rendering processing in regard to bands in which overrun is judged to be possible. Upon receiving the print data, the printer generates and compresses image data beforehand in regard to a band for which pre-rendering has been designated and stores the compressed image data. In case of a band for which pre-rendering has not been designated, the printer generates an intermediate code at a stage prior to the generation of image data from the print data. At the time of printing, image data is generated in one of two band buffers and image data is output from one band buffer. At this time the compressed image data is decompressed in case of a band for which pre-rendering has been designated, and image data is generated from an intermediate code in case of a band for which an intermediate code has been generated.

Printing with designation of processing

When print data is received from a host computer, a rendering/compression/expansion unit generates image data in a unit of a band, then a specified logical operation is performed on the image data in the band unit and the resultant image data is compressed to be stored. When the image data corresponding to one page of an original image is stored, the image data is expanded and printed by a printer. Since the generation of image data and logical operation are performed in the band unit, the memory capacity required for the processing is small. Also, since the image data is compressed after the above process, the memory capacity required for storing is small. By virtue of this, resolution or tone of an original image does not have to be decreased depending on a memory capacity.

System for processing received print data prior to printing

When input color data requests a draw logic operation between pigments, a RGB draw operation is performed under the control of a controller. The controller performs a YMCK draw operation for a data input which does not require a draw logic operation between pigments so as to increase the number of reproducible gradation levels, reproducible resolution, and throughput. One of the RGB and YMCK draw operations can be properly selected in accordance with draw data supplied from a data source. A draw logic operation between pigments for data which does not require a draw logic operation between pigments can be realized without reducing the number of gradation levels and the resolution.

Image processing apparatus and method

An output apparatus including a memory for storing developed image data; a unit for identifying the capacity of the memory; a unit for identifying the record area on a recording medium on which the developed image data is to be recorded; and a unit for determining a resolution to be used, in accordance with the identified record area and the identified capacity of the storage means. An output method wherein the capacity for storing developed image data is identified; an output area for the data to be outputted is identified; and an output resolution is determined in accordance with the identified capacity and the identified output area.

Variable resolution output method and apparatus

An image data output apparatus is connected to an image scanner and a data processor (host computer). The image data output apparatus includes interfaces, a data converter, a video signal generator, an LBP engine unit, and the like. Multi-level image data scanned by the image scanner is converted by the data converter into data having a desired data format corresponding to the data processor. The converted data is output to the data processor through the corresponding interface. Meanwhile, the scanned image data is also supplied to the video signal generator and is converted to a drive signal for driving a semiconductor laser of the LBP engine unit.

Image data output apparatus

An image data output apparatus of this invention is connected to an image scanner and a data processor (host computer). The image data output apparatus includes interfaces, a data converter, a video signal generator, an LBP (Laser Beam Printer) engine unit, and the like. Multi-level image data scanned by the image scanner is converted by the data converter into data having a desired data format corresponding to the data processor. The converted data is output to the data processor through the corresponding interface. Meanwhile, the scanned image data is also supplied to the video signal generator and is converted to a drive signal for driving a semiconductor laser of the LBP (Laser Beam Printer) engine unit.

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Yokohama, Japan

Jun Ikeda