Imaging chip, imaging method and imaging device

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of image formation, in particular to an imaging chip, an imaging method and imaging equipment. According to the imaging chip, the imaging method and the imaging equipment provided by the embodiment of the invention, the two processors respectively process the image data and control the imaging operation, so that an image data processing task and a control task of the imaging operation can be performed at the same time, and the working efficiency is improved; the two processors respectively execute corresponding programs based on different operating systems, so that early-stage resource configuration work of an image data processing task and an imaging operation control task can be simultaneously carried out before the two processors execute the corresponding tasks, the running time is saved, and meanwhile, due to the fact that the two processors execute the programs based on the different operating systems, the operation efficiency is improved. And programs to be executed by the two processors can be compiled at the same time, conflicts cannot be generated when interfaces are used, and the working efficiency is greatly improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of image forming technology, and in particular to an imaging chip, an imaging method and an imaging device. Background Art

[0002] So-called imaging devices, such as printers and scanners, are common office equipment in modern times. Printers are one of the output devices of computers, used to print computer processing results on related media; scanners are one of the input devices of computers, used to convert graphic or image information into digital signals. There are also some imaging devices that can have the functions of both printers and scanners. For example, MFP (Multi-Functional Peripheral) is generally an integrated office equipment that combines multiple functions such as printing, copying, scanning, faxing, etc.

[0003] In the existing implementation of imaging devices, for example, printers usually have only one CPU that controls the driver of the print engine and processes the print data. In this implementation, since a CPU can only perform one task at a time, the task of controlling the print engine and the task of processing the print data can usually only be processed serially, which obviously affects work efficiency. The same is true for scanners or MFPs.

[0004] There are also some implementations of imaging devices. Still taking the printer as an example, there are two CPUs, one CPU is mainly used to control the driver of the printing engine, and the other CPU is mainly used to process the printing data. This implementation method has two independent CPUs that can perform their respective tasks at the same time. The task of controlling the printing engine and the task of processing the printing data can be performed at the same time. Compared with the previous case, its work efficiency is improved. However, even if the task of controlling the printing engine and the task of processing the printing data can be performed at the same time, the resource allocation and other tasks before the corresponding CPUs execute these two tasks can only be completed serially, and its work efficiency needs to be improved. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to further improve the working efficiency of an imaging device, an embodiment of the present invention provides an imaging chip, an imaging method and an imaging device.

[0006] An imaging chip provided by an embodiment of the present invention is applied to an imaging device, and the imaging chip includes a first processor, a second processor and a non-volatile memory, and the non-volatile memory stores a first operating system, a second operating system 3b, a first program and a second program, the first processor is used to execute the first program to realize image data processing, and the second processor is used to execute the second program to complete the imaging operation; wherein, the first program is a program running on the first operating system, and the second program is a program running on the second operating system.

[0007] An imaging method provided by an embodiment of the present invention is applied to an imaging chip, and is characterized in that the imaging chip includes a first processor and a second processor, and the method includes: the first processor executes a first program to realize image data processing, and the second processor executes a second program to complete an imaging operation; wherein the first program is a program running on the first operating system, and the second program is a program running on the second operating system.

[0008] The imaging device provided by the embodiment of the present invention includes the imaging chip provided by the embodiment of the present invention, which is used to implement imaging operations.

[0009] Therefore, in the imaging chip, imaging method and imaging device provided by the embodiments of the present invention, the two processors process image data and control imaging operations respectively, which enables the image data processing task and the imaging operation control task to be performed simultaneously, thereby improving work efficiency; the two processors execute corresponding programs based on different operating systems respectively, which enables the two processors to simultaneously perform preliminary resource allocation work for the image data processing task and the imaging operation control task before executing the corresponding tasks, thereby saving running time; at the same time, since the two processors execute programs based on different operating systems, the programs to be executed by the two processors can also be compiled simultaneously, and the use of interfaces will not cause conflicts, etc., thereby greatly improving work efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for describing the embodiments are briefly introduced below.

[0011] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the composition of an imaging chip provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the composition of an imaging chip provided by another embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a flow chart for implementing a printing operation in an imaging method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a flow chart for implementing a scanning operation in an imaging method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the composition of an imaging device provided by an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0017] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present invention have the same meanings as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. It should also be understood that terms such as those defined in common dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or extremely formal sense, unless the embodiments of the present invention are clearly defined in this way.

[0018] It should be noted that the types of "imaging" mentioned in this invention specification include printing imaging and scanning imaging. Printing refers to printing graphics or image data on relevant media, and scanning refers to converting graphics or image information on relevant media into digital signals.

[0019] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the composition of an imaging chip provided in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] The imaging chip 100 is applied to an imaging device, and includes a first processor 1, a second processor 2 and a non-volatile memory 3. The non-volatile memory 3 stores a first operating system 3a, a second operating system 3b, a first program 3c and a second program 3d. The first processor 1 is used to execute the first program 3c to realize image data processing, and the second processor 2 is used to execute the second program 3d to complete the imaging operation; wherein, the first program 3c is a program running on the first operating system 3a, and the second program 3d is a program running on the second operating system 3b.

[0021] Therefore, the two processors in the imaging chip 100 provided in the embodiment of the present invention process image data and control imaging operations respectively, so that the image data processing task and the imaging operation control task can be performed simultaneously, thereby improving work efficiency; the two processors execute corresponding programs based on different operating systems respectively, so that before the two processors execute corresponding tasks, the preliminary resource allocation work of the image data processing task and the imaging operation control task can be performed simultaneously, thereby saving running time; at the same time, since the two processors execute programs based on different operating systems, the programs to be executed by the two processors can also be compiled simultaneously, and the use of interfaces will not cause conflicts, etc., thereby greatly improving work efficiency.

[0022] The imaging device may be a printing device with a printing function but not a scanning function, such as a printer; it may be a scanning device with a scanning function but not a printing function, such as a scanner; or it may be an electronic device with both printing and scanning functions, such as an MFP.

[0023] The imaging operation includes a printing operation and / or a scanning operation. When the imaging device used by the imaging chip 100 is a printing device, the imaging operation includes a printing operation; when the imaging device used by the imaging chip 100 is a scanning device, the imaging operation includes a scanning operation; when the imaging device used by the imaging chip 100 is an electronic device with both printing and scanning functions, the imaging operation includes a printing operation and a scanning operation.

[0024] The image data includes print image data and / or scan image data. When the imaging device used by the imaging chip 100 is a printing device, the image data processed by the first processor 1 includes print image data; when the imaging device used by the imaging chip 100 is a scanning device, the image data processed by the first processor 1 includes scan image data; when the imaging device used by the imaging chip 100 is an electronic device with both printing and scanning functions, the image data processed by the first processor 1 includes print image data and scan image data.

[0025] The first program 3c is a program for the first processor 1 to execute and realize image data processing. In some embodiments, the first program 3c includes a print data processing program and / or a scan data processing program. When the imaging device used by the imaging chip 100 is a printing device, the first program 3c includes a print data processing program; when the imaging device used by the imaging chip 100 is a scanning device, the first program 3c includes a scan data processing program; when the imaging device used by the imaging chip 100 is an electronic device with both printing and scanning functions, the first program 3c includes a print data processing program and a scan data processing program.

[0026] The second program 3d is a program for the second processor 2 to execute and realize image data processing. In some embodiments, the second program 3d includes a printing operation program and / or a scanning operation program. When the imaging device used by the imaging chip 100 is a printing device, the second program 3d includes a printing operation program; when the imaging device used by the imaging chip 100 is a scanning device, the second program 3d includes a scanning operation program; when the imaging device used by the imaging chip 100 is an electronic device with both printing and scanning functions, the second program 3d includes a printing operation program and a scanning operation program.

[0027] It should be noted that the first program 3c and the second program 3d are respectively run on different operating systems, the first program 3c is run on the first operating system 3a, and the second program 3d is run on the second operating system 3b. Therefore, the programs executed by the first processor 1 and the second processor 2 are run based on different operating systems, which enables the two processors to execute the preliminary resource configuration work of the first program 3c and the second program 3d at the same time before executing the corresponding programs, saving running time, and also enabling the programs to be executed by the two processors to be compiled at the same time, avoiding conflicts in the use of interfaces, etc., thereby improving work efficiency.

[0028] Accordingly, an embodiment of the present invention further provides an imaging method, which is applied to an imaging chip 100, and the imaging chip 100 is applied to an imaging device, and the imaging method includes: a first processor 1 executes a first program 3c to realize image data processing, and a second processor 2 executes a second program 3d to complete an imaging operation; wherein the first program 3c is a program running on a first operating system 3a, and the second program 3d is a program running on a second operating system 3b. It should be noted that there is no strict order between the steps of the first processor 1 executing the first program 3c and the steps of the second processor 2 executing the second program 3d. At certain moments, the first processor 1 executes the first program 3c while the second processor 2 executes the second program 3d. This can save time for imaging work.

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, the imaging chip 100 further includes a volatile memory 4 .

[0030] Further, in some embodiments, the printing operation program includes a first printing operation program and a second printing operation program, the first printing operation program is used to realize preheating of the printing device in the imaging device, and the second printing operation program is used to control the printing device to realize controlling the printing device to complete the printing operation.

[0031] The process of the imaging chip 100 completing the printing operation includes: the first processor 1 executes the printing data processing program in the first program 3c to realize printing image data processing and stores the processed printing image data in the volatile memory 4; the second processor 2 executes the first printing operation program in the second program 3d to preheat the printing device; after the first processor 1 stores the processed printing image data in the volatile memory 4, it executes the second printing operation program in the second program 3d to complete the printing operation.

[0032] Accordingly, in the imaging method provided in the embodiment of the present invention, the steps for implementing the printing operation are as follows: Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of implementing a printing operation in an imaging method provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] 301. The first processor 1 executes the print data processing program in the first program 3c to implement print image data processing and stores the processed print image data in the volatile memory 4;

[0034] 302. The second processor 2 executes the first printing operation program in the second program 3d to perform preheating and pre-operation of the printing device;

[0035] 303. After the first processor 1 stores the processed printing image data in the volatile memory 4, the second processor 2 executes the second printing operation program in the second program 3d to complete the printing operation.

[0036] It should be noted that, since the first program 3c and the second program 3d are respectively run on different operating systems, the preliminary resource configuration work for respectively executing the first program 3c and the second program 3d can be performed simultaneously, and the corresponding instructions can be distributed to the corresponding first processor 1 or second processor 2 in time for the processor to execute, so that the time difference between the start of execution of step 301 and step 302 is very small, and can almost reach the level of simultaneous execution. Therefore, there is no necessary order for the execution of step 301 and step 302, and step 302 can also be executed before step 301, and it can also be regarded that step 301 and step 302 are executed simultaneously.

[0037] Since the performance and executed programs of the first processor 1 and the second processor 2 are different, even if step 301 and step 302 are started at the same time, they may not be finished at the same time. If step 301 is executed first, then when the second processor 2 finishes executing the first printing operation program in step 302, that is, after completing the preheating and pre-operation of the printing device, it immediately executes the second printing operation program to complete the printing operation, that is, step 303; if step 302 is executed first, the second processor 2 needs to wait for the end of step 301, that is, wait for the first processor 1 to store the processed printing image data in the volatile memory 4, and then start to execute the second printing operation program.

[0038] In some embodiments, the first processor 1 processes the print image data in step 301 by processing all the print image data to be printed at one time, and then the second processor 2 starts to execute the second print operation program to complete the print operation (i.e., step 303). In other embodiments, the processing of the print image data in step 301 is to group all the print image data to be printed and periodically process the print image data according to the grouping, then after the first processor 1 executes the print data processing program to complete the first cycle of the print image data processing task, the second processor 2 starts to execute the second print operation program to print the print image data processed by the first processor 1, and at the same time, the first processor 1 continues to execute the print data processing program to perform the next cycle of the print image data processing task. It is equivalent to the loop execution of step 301 and step 303, and after the first processor 1 executes the print data processing program to complete the first cycle of printing image data in step 301, step 303 starts to execute, and from then on step 301 and step 303 are basically performed simultaneously, that is, in step 301, the first processor 1 executes the print data processing program to complete the task of printing image data of the current cycle and in step 303, the second processor 2 executes the second printing operation program to complete the task of printing image data of the previous cycle at the same time, and so on and so forth until the printing operation is completed for all the printing image data to be printed, which can save printing time and improve printing efficiency.

[0039] The processing of the printing image data in step 301 may be to parse the printing image data to be printed in the memory to obtain the printing image data that can be used for printing.

[0040] Similarly, in some embodiments, the scanning operation program includes a first scanning operation program and a second scanning operation program, the first scanning operation program is used to preheat the scanning device in the imaging device, and the second scanning operation program is used to control the scanning device to control the scanning device to complete the scanning operation.

[0041] The process of the imaging chip 100 completing the scanning operation includes: the second processor 2 executes the first scanning operation program in the second program 3d to preheat the scanning device; the second processor 2 executes the second scanning operation program in the second program 3d to complete the scanning and output the scanned image data; the first processor 1 executes the scanning data processing program in the first program 3c to process the scanned image data.

[0042] Accordingly, in the imaging method provided in the embodiment of the present invention, the steps for implementing the scanning operation are as follows: Figure 4 As shown, Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a flow chart for implementing a scanning operation in an imaging method provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] 401. The second processor 2 executes the first scanning operation program in the second program 3d to perform preheating and pre-operation of the scanning device;

[0044] 402. The second processor 2 executes the second scanning operation program in the second program 3d to complete scanning and output scanned image data;

[0045] 403. The first processor 1 executes the scan data processing program in the first program 3c to process the scan image data.

[0046] In which, since the preheating and pre-operation of the scanning device in step 401 will not generate scanning image data, Figure 4 In the scanning method shown, step 401 and step 403 cannot be started at the same time. However, after the second processor 2 executes the second scanning program and completes scanning and outputting the scanned image data, the first processor 1 starts to execute the scanned data processing program to process the scanned image data.

[0047] When the scanning device scans the document to be scanned, it does not scan all the scanned image data at once, but scans the scanned image data periodically. Therefore, in step 402, after the second processor 2 executes the second scanning operation program to control the scanning device to complete a cycle of scanning and output the corresponding scanned image data, the first processor 1 executes the scan data processing program to process the scanned image data output by the current scanning device (i.e., step 403), and at the same time, the second processor 2 is still executing the second scanning operation program to control the scanning device to scan the next cycle, so that the scanned image data processing task of the first processor 1 and the control scanning task of the second processor 2 are performed simultaneously, which can effectively save the time of scanning imaging. At the same time, since the programs executed by the first processor 1 and the second processor 2 run on different operating systems respectively, it is also possible to avoid some interface conflicts, and the second scanning operation program and the scan data processing program can be compiled at least partially at the same time.

[0048] Thus, step 402 and step 403 are executed cyclically until all scanning cycles are completed, and finally the complete processed scanned image data is obtained.

[0049] The processing of the scanned image data in step 403 may be to process the original scanned image data obtained by scanning the scanning device to obtain image data in a conventional format, and to perform compression, image selection, dither matrix, etc. on the image data in the conventional format.

[0050] like Figure 1 As shown, the first operating system 3a, the second operating system 3b, the first program 3c and the second program 3d are all stored in the same non-volatile memory 3. The embodiment of the present invention also provides another imaging chip, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the composition of an imaging chip provided by another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the composition of an imaging chip provided in yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] In the imaging chip 100, the non-volatile memory 3 includes a first non-volatile memory 31 and a second non-volatile memory 32. The first non-volatile memory 31 stores a first operating system 3a and a first program 3c, and the second non-volatile memory 32 stores a second operating system 3b and a second program 3d. Then, the first processor 1 specifically calls and executes instructions in the first non-volatile memory 31, and the second processor 2 specifically calls and executes instructions in the second non-volatile memory 32, which can effectively avoid program conflicts or loopholes between the first program 3c system and the first program 3c and the second program 3d system and the second program 3d, and can save the trouble of functional division of the non-volatile memory 3 in software. The first non-volatile memory 31 and the second non-volatile memory 32 each perform their respective duties, which can make the imaging operation more efficient.

[0052] In some embodiments, the first operating system 3a is set as a Linux system, and the second operating system 3b is set as an RTOS system (Real-time operating system).

[0053] The applicant has found in practice that, since the Linux system has a computing power advantage in data processing, using it as the first operating system 3a can effectively improve the efficiency of data analysis and image data processing. The RTOS system responds to tasks more promptly and has a strong advantage in the timeliness of controlling hardware. It is used as the second operating system 3b to handle tasks with stronger timeliness (such as the control of printing devices or scanning devices), thereby improving the speed of imaging.

[0054] The present invention also provides an imaging device, such as Figure 5 As shown, Figure 5 The present invention is a schematic diagram of the composition of an imaging device provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The imaging device 200 includes an imaging device 300 and an imaging chip 100 provided in an embodiment of the present invention, and is used to implement an imaging operation. When the imaging device 200 is a printing device, the imaging device 300 includes a printing device, and the imaging device 200 includes a printing device and an imaging chip 100 provided in an embodiment of the present invention; when the imaging device 200 is a scanning device, the imaging device 300 includes a scanning device, and the imaging device 200 includes a scanning device and an imaging chip 100 provided in an embodiment of the present invention; when the imaging device 200 is an electronic device having both printing and scanning functions, the imaging device 300 includes a printing device and a scanning device, and the imaging device 200 includes a printing device and a scanning device and an imaging chip 100 provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] It should be noted that, for the above-mentioned various method embodiments, for the sake of simplicity of description, they are all expressed as a series of action combinations, but those skilled in the art should be aware that this application is not limited by the order of the actions described, because according to this application, some steps can be performed in other orders or simultaneously. Secondly, those skilled in the art should also be aware that the embodiments described in the specification are all preferred embodiments, and the actions and modules involved are not necessarily required by this application.

[0056] The above is only a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can easily think of various equivalent modifications or replacements within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention, and these modifications or replacements should be included in the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An imaging chip, used in an imaging device, characterized in that: The imaging chip includes a first processor, a second processor and a non-volatile memory, wherein the non-volatile memory stores a first operating system, a second operating system, a first program and a second program, the first processor is used to execute the first program to realize image data processing, and the second processor is used to execute the second program to complete the imaging operation; The first program is a program running on the first operating system, and the second program is a program running on the second operating system.

2. The imaging chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first processor is used to execute the first program to realize image data processing, including: the first processor is used to execute the first program to realize printing image data processing and / or scanning image data processing; The second processor is used to execute the second program to complete an imaging operation, including: the second processor is used to execute the second program to complete a printing operation and / or a scanning operation.

3. The imaging chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The nonvolatile memory includes the first nonvolatile memory and a second nonvolatile memory, the first nonvolatile memory stores the first operating system and the first program, and the second nonvolatile memory stores the second operating system and the second program.

4. An imaging method, applied to an imaging chip, characterized in that: The imaging chip includes a first processor and a second processor, and the method includes: The first processor executes a first program to implement image data processing, and the second processor executes a second program to complete an imaging operation; The first program is a program running on the first operating system, and the second program is a program running on the second operating system.

5. The imaging method according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first processor executes the first program to implement image data processing, including: the first processor executes the first program to implement printing image data processing and / or scanning image data processing; The second processor executes the second program to complete an imaging operation, including: the second processor executes the second program to complete a printing operation and / or a scanning operation.

6. The imaging method according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first processor executes the first program to realize printing image data processing, comprising: the first processor executes a printing data processing program in the first program to realize printing image data processing and stores the processed printing image data in a volatile memory; The second processor executes the second program to complete the printing operation, including: the second processor executes the first printing operation program in the second program to preheat and pre-operate the printing device; after the first processor stores the processed printing image data in the volatile memory, executes the second printing operation program in the second program to complete the printing operation.

7. The imaging method according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second processor executes the second program to complete the scanning operation, including: the second processor executes the first scanning operation program in the second program to preheat and pre-operate the scanning device; and the second processor executes the second scanning operation program in the second program to complete the scanning and output the scanned image data. The first processor executes the first program to realize scanning image data processing, including: the first processor executes the scanning data processing program in the first program to process the scanning image data.

8. An imaging device, characterized in that: The imaging device comprises the imaging chip according to any one of claims 1 to 4, for implementing an imaging operation.

9. The imaging device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The imaging device further comprises a printing device and / or a scanning device.

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