Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program

Abstract

To shorten processing time required for image processing when the image processing is performed by operating image processing hardware multiple times.SOLUTION: An image processing apparatus receives input image data, performs image processing on the input image data, and outputs output image data consisting of a plurality of output colors, the image processing apparatus comprising: dividing means that divides the input image data into bands consisting of continuous rasters; band group generating means that generates a band group including one or more of the continuous bands; output color group generating means that divides the plurality of output colors into a plurality of output color groups; and processing means that performs application processing of applying the image processing to each of bands included in the band group when the output color group is not changed, where the processing means performs the application processing for each of the output color groups.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to image processing in which input image data is input, image processing is performed, and output image data made up of a plurality of output colors is output. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a recording device that uses image data as input information and prints it on a recording medium. Known recording device types include inkjet recording devices that use ink to record, and electrophotographic recording devices that use toner to record. In these recording devices, it is common to perform image processing on the input image data, convert it into color information of color materials such as ink or toner, and record it on a recording medium. Note that although the present invention will be described with reference to an inkjet recording device, the scope of application is not limited thereto.

[0003] Image processing is realized by hardware or software. It is generally said that processing by dedicated image processing hardware is faster than software processing. The number of circuits in image processing hardware is directly related to costs, so various restrictions are often imposed. For example, image processing hardware generally has a limit on the number of input and output colors that can be processed in one run. Since the present invention relates to a drive method for image processing hardware, only the case where image processing is performed using image processing hardware will be described below.

[0004] In recent years, from the viewpoint of improving image quality, light inks such as light cyan, light magenta, and gray may be used as output colors in addition to the conventional four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. In addition, a technology has been developed to improve image quality by processing the same color as a different output color in a round trip depending on the scanning direction of the inkjet head. When processing an input image with image processing hardware, as described above, the number of colors that can be output may be limited due to hardware constraints. In such a case, when outputting many colors, the input image may need to be processed multiple times by the image processing hardware in order to complete the image processing. In such a case, a number of output colors are grouped together to form a color group, and processing is performed by the image processing hardware for each output color group.

[0005] Inkjet recording devices often use a method in which an input image is divided into bands, image processing is performed for each band, and the image is output. When processing multiple times with image processing hardware, the output color group is switched (the number of times the image processing hardware is processed - 1) times to process one band. When switching the output color group, various setting values ​​are switched frequently (described later), so by reducing the number of switching of the output color group as much as possible, the time required for image processing can be shortened and the performance of the recording device can be improved. On the other hand, a method in which the image processing of an entire page (all bands) is performed before printing begins is also well known. With this method, it is possible to reduce the number of times the output color group is switched, thereby shortening the processing time required for image processing. However, there is a disadvantage in that printing cannot start until image processing of the entire page is completed, resulting in a delay in the print start operation.

[0006] Patent Document 1 discloses an image processing step in which an input image is divided into bands, and brightness / density conversion, ink color conversion, and quantization processing are performed on the band-divided image. In this step, ink color conversion is not performed for a specific color, and an immediate value is output. Furthermore, if that color component does not exist, quantization processing is not performed, thereby shortening the time required for image processing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-335414 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Patent Document 1 describes a technique for shortening the time required for image processing by not performing ink color conversion depending on the color, not performing quantization processing, etc. However, there is no description of a technique for shortening the time required for image processing in cases where image processing is completed by processing image processing hardware multiple times.

[0009] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to reduce the processing time required for image processing when image processing is performed by operating image processing hardware multiple times. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is an image processing device which inputs input image data according to the present invention, performs image processing, and outputs output image data consisting of a plurality of output colors, and comprises a division means which divides the input image data into bands consisting of consecutive rasters, a band group generation means which generates a band group including one or more of the consecutive bands, an output color group generation means which divides the plurality of output colors into a plurality of output color groups, and a processing means which performs application processing which applies the image processing to each band included in the band group when the output color group is not changed, and is characterized in that the processing means performs the application processing for each of the output color groups. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, when image processing is performed by operating image processing hardware multiple times, it is possible to reduce the processing time required for image processing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing device according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a method for dividing input image data in a conventional example. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a method for dividing input image data in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a method for dividing input image data in the second embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a driving method of the image processing device in the case where the band is fixed and processed sequentially in the conventional example 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a driving method of an image processing device in the case where output colors are fixed and sequential processing is performed in the conventional example 2. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a method for driving the image processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a method for driving an image processing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a band group division method according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 11 is a comparative diagram of the processing time related to image processing and the time until the start of a printing operation among Conventional Example 1, Conventional Example 2, Example 1, and Example 2. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention related to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a number of features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image processing device according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, the image processing device 1 inputs image data representing an image to be printed from an image data input terminal 101, performs image processing, and outputs output data from an output terminal 111. The data output from the output terminal 111 is sent to a print processing unit (not shown), and printing processing is started. Here, the image data is, for example, color image data including an 8-bit RGB image signal. The number of colors of the output data depends on the specifications of the recording device. For example, a recording device equipped with seven color inks is known to output cyan, magenta, yellow, black, light cyan, light magenta, and gray as output data. Hereinafter, cyan will be abbreviated as C, magenta as M, yellow as Y, black as K, light cyan as Lc, light magenta as Lm, and gray as Gy.

[0015] Next, the flow of image processing carried out internally by the image processing device 1 will be described in detail.

[0016] The color matching processing unit 102 performs color matching processing on the acquired image data. When performing the color matching processing, a three-dimensional color matching LUT stored in a color matching LUT storage unit 103 is referenced.

[0017] Next, a color separation processing unit 106 generates an ink value image from the image data converted by the color matching processing unit 102. In the color separation processing, a three-dimensional color separation LUT stored in a color separation LUT storage unit 107 is referenced.

[0018] Next, the OPG processor 108 performs gamma correction processing on the ink value image generated by the color separation processor 106. In the OPG processing, a one-dimensional OPGLUT stored in an OPGLUT storage unit 107 is referenced.

[0019] The halftone processing unit 110 performs halftone processing to convert the image data after OPG processing into binary data. The binary image data after halftone processing is output from an output terminal 111 and sent to a print processing unit, which starts the print processing.

[0020] As mentioned above, the number of circuits in an image processing device is directly related to costs, so various restrictions are often imposed. For example, most image processing devices have a limit to the number of output colors that can be processed. Here, a case where only up to four colors can be output in one drive of the image processing device will be described. When the above image processing device is used in a recording device equipped with seven color inks (C, M, Y, K, Lc, Lm, Gy), a four-color group of C, M, Y, and K is output in the first drive, and a three-color group of Lc, Lm, and Gy is output in the second drive. A detailed description will be given of a case where the image processing device 1 is driven in this way.

[0021] When the four-color color group of C, M, Y, and K is output in the first drive, the processing content is as described above. Subsequently, when the three-color color group of Lc, Lm, and Gy is output in the second drive, the three-dimensional color matching LUT stored in the color matching LUT storage unit 103 used in the color matching processing unit 102 is common to the first and second processes. Therefore, this LUT does not need to be replaced. On the other hand, the three-dimensional color separation LUT stored in the color separation LUT storage unit 107 used in the color separation processing unit 106 needs to be replaced when the output color changes. Similarly, the one-dimensional OPGLUT stored in the OPGLUT storage unit 107 used in the OPG processing unit 108 needs to be replaced when the output color changes. In this way, when the color group to be processed is changed during the drive of the image processing device, a LUT replacement process occurs, and the processing time related to the image processing becomes longer.

[0022] Next, we will explain a method for processing input image data in a conventional example. Here, we will explain the case where an image processing device that is limited to outputting only up to four colors is used in an inkjet recording device equipped with the seven color inks (C, M, Y, K, Lc, Lm, Gy) discussed above.

[0023] In the case of a method for recording by serially scanning an inkjet recording head in an inkjet recording device, a method is well known in which part of input image data is image-processed, and the output data is transferred to the inkjet recording head for printing, and the operation is repeated. In this method, a method is often used in which the input image data is divided into units called bands consisting of consecutive rasters and image-processed. FIG. 2 shows a method of dividing input image data in a conventional example. As shown in FIG. 2, the input image data is divided into 10 bands, from band 201 to band 210, with 10 consecutive rasters as a band, and image processing is performed on each band.

[0024] Next, a method for processing the ten bands, band 201 to band 210, will be described.

[0025] FIG. 5(a) shows a band processing method in the conventional example 1. The band is fixed and processed, and the next band is processed. First, in process number 1a, the band 201 at the leading edge of the image is processed. In process number 1a, the image processing device 1 processes the input image colors R, G, and B to output a four-color group of C, M, Y, and K. Next, in process number 2a, the output color group is replaced with Lc, Lm, and Gy. That is, the image processing device 1 processes the input image colors R, G, and B to output a three-color group of Lc, Lm, and Gy. When process 1a and process 2a are performed, the output of band 201 is completed, and the print operation can be started by sending this output data to the print processing unit. Similarly, when process 3 and process 4 are performed, the output of band 202 is completed, and printing corresponding to band 202 is also possible.

[0026] Next, the processing sequence of the conventional example 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 5(b). When the control device 3 that controls the inkjet recording device instructs the image processing device 1 to start image processing, the image processing starts. In the first image processing, the processes of process number 1a and process number 2a are performed.

[0027] However, because the output color groups are different between process numbers 1a and 2a, a color group swapping process must also be performed. Once process number 1a, the swapping of output color groups, and process number 2a are completed, preparations for printing band 201 are complete. Since image processing of band 201 is complete, the control device 3 instructs the printer 2 to start printing band 201, and printing begins.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 5B, the output color group replacement process is required 19 times in total, and the overall processing speed is slowed down by the output color group replacement process.

[0029] In the band processing method of Fig. 5, output data can be completed every two processes, so it is possible to shorten the time until the start of the printing operation. However, in the band processing method of Fig. 5, the output color group is switched every time the process is changed, and as mentioned above, the LUT switching process occurs in conjunction with the switching of the color group, which has the disadvantage of lengthening the processing time related to image processing.

[0030] On the other hand, as a driving method of the image processing device, there is also a method in which the output color group is fixed and processed, and the next output color group is processed, respectively. This will be described as a conventional example 2 with reference to FIG. 6(a). In process number 1b, as in the case of FIG. 5, the image processing device 1 processes the band 201 so as to output the four color group of C, M, Y, and K. Next, in process number 2b, the processing target is changed to the band 202, and the image processing device 1 processes the band 202 so as to output the four color group of C, M, Y, and K in the same manner. By continuing the processing in this manner, when the processing up to process number 10b is completed, the processing for the four color group of C, M, Y, and K is completed. Next, in process 11b, the output color group is replaced with Lc, Lm, and Gy, and the processing target is returned to the band 201 and processed. When the processing up to process 11b is completed, the output of the band 201 is completed. Next, in process 12, the image processing device 1 processes the band 202 and similarly outputs the three color group of Lc, Lm, and Gy. When process 12b is completed, the output of band 202 is completed. When the same process is repeated up to process 20, the processing of the input image data is completed.

[0031] Next, the processing sequence of conventional example 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 6(b). When the control device 3 that controls the inkjet recording device instructs the image processing device 1 to start image processing, image processing begins. In the first image processing, processing numbers 1b to 20b are performed. Since the output color group is the same for processing numbers 1b to 10b, no color group switching processing occurs. Since the output color group changes between processing numbers 10b and 11b, output color group switching processing is necessary. Since the output color group is the same for processing numbers 11b to 20b, no output color group switching occurs.

[0032] However, because printing cannot start until processing of all output colors (C, M, Y, K, Lc, Lm, Gy) is complete, it is necessary to wait until processing of band 201 is complete and preparation for printing is complete until processing number 11b is complete. Once processing number 11b is complete, the control device 3 instructs the printer 2 to print band 201, and printing of band 201 can begin. Similarly, once processing number 12b is complete, the control device 3 instructs the printer 2 to print band 202, and printing of band 202 can begin. By repeating similar processing, printing is completed up to band 210.

[0033] In the band processing method of Fig. 6, processing of band 201 at the beginning of the image is not completed until process 11b is finished, so the time until the printing operation can start is longer than in the band processing method of Fig. 5. On the other hand, because the output color group is switched only once, between processes 10b and 11b, there is an advantage that the LUT switching process accompanying the switching of color groups is less, and the processing time related to image processing can be shortened.

[0034] In this way, the method of fixing a band and processing the next band as in the conventional example 1 shown in Fig. 5, and then processing the next band, respectively, can shorten the time until the start of the printing operation, but the processing time related to the image processing is long. Conversely, the method of fixing an output color group and processing the next output color group as in the conventional example 2 shown in Fig. 6, can shorten the processing time related to the image processing, but it creates a trade-off relationship in that the time until the start of the printing operation is long. EXAMPLES

[0035] A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0036] FIG. 3 shows a method of dividing input image data in the first embodiment. Bands 201 to 205 are grouped as band group 301, and bands 206 to 210 are grouped as band group 302. The outline of the process is as follows. Broadly speaking, processing is performed in the order of band group 301 and band group 302. By doing so, when processing of band group 301 is completed, output of bands 201 to 205 is completed, and printing operation can be started. On the other hand, the processing of bands 201 to 205 in band group 301 uses a method in which the output color group is fixed and processed, and the next output color group is processed one by one. By doing so, it is possible to achieve both a reduction in processing time related to image processing and a reduction in the time until the printing operation starts.

[0037] A method of driving the image processing device in the first embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 7(a). Process numbers 1c to 10c are processes for band group 301, and process numbers 11c to 20c are processes for band group 302. In process number 1c, the image processing device 1 processes band 201 so as to output the four color groups of C, M, Y, and K. In process numbers 1 to 5, the four color groups of C, M, Y, and K are fixed, and processing is performed while moving from band 201 to band 205. In process number 6c, the processing target is returned to band 201, and the output color group is replaced with Lc, Lm, and Gy to perform image processing. When process number 6c is completed, image processing for band 201 is completed, and it is possible to start a print operation corresponding to band 201. Similarly, by processing up to process number 10c, processing for band group 301 is completed, and output from band 201 to band 205 is completed.

[0038] Next, in process number 11c, the output color group is switched to C, M, Y, K, and processing is performed on band 206. Thereafter, in processes numbers 11c to 15c, the output color group is fixed to C, M, Y, K, and processing is performed while moving from band 206 to band 210. In process number 16c, the output color group is switched to Lc, Lm, Gy, and image processing is performed on band 206. Similarly, in processes numbers 16c to 20c, the output color group is fixed to Lc, Lm, Gy, and processing is performed while moving from band 206 to band 210. When process 20c is completed, processing on the input image is completed.

[0039] Next, the processing sequence of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7(b). When the control device 3, which controls the inkjet recording device, issues an instruction to start image processing to the image processing device 1, image processing starts. In the first image processing, processes from process number 1c to process number 10c are carried out. Since the output color groups are the same for process numbers 1c to 5c, no color group switching process occurs.

[0040] Because the output color group changes between process number 5c and process number 6c, output color group swapping processing is necessary. Because the output color group is the same for process numbers 6c to 10c, no output color group swapping occurs. Once process number 10c is complete, the control device 3 instructs the printer 2 to print band group 301, and printing of bands 201 to 205 can begin.

[0041] Similarly, when the processes up to process 20c are completed, the control device 3 instructs the printer 2 to perform print processing of the band group 302, and the print processing of bands 206 to 210 can be started.

[0042] FIG. 10 shows a comparison of the processing time related to image processing and the time until the start of printing operation in Conventional Example 1, Conventional Example 2, Example 1, and Example 2. In Conventional Example 1, the band is fixed and the color group is replaced sequentially, so the number of LUT replacements is as many as 19 times, whereas the printing operation can be started when the process 2 is completed. On the other hand, in Conventional Example 2, the band is fixed and the band is replaced sequentially, so the number of LUT replacements is small at 1 time, whereas the printing operation cannot be started until the process 11 is completed. In Example 1 of the present invention, within the band group, the color group is fixed and the band is replaced as in Conventional Example 2. Therefore, while the number of LUT replacements is limited to 3 times, the printing operation can be started when the process 6 is completed, and the printing operation can be started earlier than in Conventional Example 2. On the other hand, when comparing Example 1 with Conventional Example 1, the printing operation can be started a little later, after the process 6 is executed, but the number of LUT replacements can be significantly reduced to 3 times, and the processing time related to image processing can be shortened. EXAMPLES

[0043] A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0044] FIG. 4 shows a method of dividing input image data in the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, the image data is divided into band groups as in the first embodiment, and processing is performed for each band group. When the number of bands included in a band group is increased, the processing time related to image processing is shortened, but the start of the printing operation corresponding to the bands included in the corresponding band group is delayed. In this embodiment, the number of bands included in the band groups is increased in the order of band group 401, band group 402, and band group 403. When it is desired to start the printing operation early, the number of bands included in the band group at the leading end of the image (band group 401 in this embodiment) is reduced. Then, when a sufficient amount of output information required for the printing operation is accumulated, the number of bands included in the band group is gradually increased, and the number of bands is set so as to shorten the processing time related to image processing.

[0045] A method of driving the image processing device in the second embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 8(a). In this embodiment, band group 401 contains only one band, band 201. Band group 402 contains four bands, band 202 to band 205. Band group 403 contains five bands, band 206 to band 210. In this way, the further a band group is from the leading edge of the image, the greater the number of bands it contains. In this embodiment, when processing up to process number 2d is completed, processing of band 201 is completed, and the print operation corresponding to band 201 can be started.

[0046] Next, processing of band group 402 is performed. Here, processing is performed on four bands, band 202 to band 205. Processing of band group 402 is performed during the printing operation corresponding to the output data of band group 401, and the number of bands included in band group 402 is adjusted so that it can be completed in time for the next printing operation. Similarly, processing of band group 403 is performed during the printing operation corresponding to the output data of band groups 401 and 402, and the number of bands included in band group 403 is adjusted so that it can be completed in time for the next printing operation.

[0047] Next, the processing sequence of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8(b). When the control device 3, which controls the inkjet recording device, instructs the image processing device 1 to start image processing, image processing begins. In the first image processing, processes 1d to 2d are performed. Since the output color groups differ between process numbers 1d and 2d, output color group swapping processing is required. When process number 1d, the swapping of color groups, and process number 2d are completed, image processing of band group 401, i.e., band 201, is complete, so the control device 3 instructs the printing device 2 to perform print processing of band group 401, and printing of band 201 can begin.

[0048] Next, in the second image processing, the processes of process number 3d to process number 10d are carried out. Here, eight processes of process number 3d to process number 10d are performed as the second processing, but it is not necessary that the number is eight, as long as the number is equal to or greater than the number of processes in the first processing. Since the output color group changes between process number 6d and process number 7d, output color group switching processing is required. When process numbers 3d to process number 6d, the color group switching, and process numbers 7d to process number 10d are completed, image processing of band group 402 is completed. Therefore, the control device 3 instructs the printer 2 to perform printing processing of band group 402, i.e., bands 202 to 205, and printing of band group 402 can be started.

[0049] Similarly, in the third image processing, color group replacement, process 11d to process 15d, color group replacement, process 16d to process 20d are performed, and when the processes are completed, the control device 3 instructs the printer 2 to print band group 403, i.e., band 206 to band 210. As a result, printing can begin for band group 403. Note that in the third image processing, ten processes from process number 11d to process number 20d are considered to be the second process, but this does not have to be ten, and it can be any number equal to or greater than the number of processes in the second process.

[0050] In this embodiment, the number of bands included in band group 401 is increased as the number of bands increases from the front end of the image, i.e., the number of bands included in band group 402 is increased as the number of bands included in band group 403, but an equal sign may also be included. In other words, it is also preferable that the i-th band group from the front end of the image is equal to or less than the (i+1)-th band group. EXAMPLES

[0051] A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

[0052] In this embodiment, a band group division method for changing the number of bands included in a band group depending on printing conditions will be described with reference to FIG.

[0053] When using the method proposed in this invention, the speed of image processing for bands varies depending on the printing conditions, so by changing the number of band groups depending on the printing conditions, it is possible to select appropriate conditions for a variety of printing conditions.

[0054] Figure 9 shows a case where the number of bands included in a band group is changed depending on the printing conditions of image width, resolution, and print speed. Note that for each printing condition number shown in Figure 9, the band height is all 10 rasters. For printing condition number 1, the number of bands in the band group is 10 when the image width is A4 width, the resolution is 600 dpi, and the print speed is 16 ipm. For printing condition number 2, the image width is A4 width, the resolution is 300 dpi, and the print speed is 16 ipm.

[0055] In print condition number 2, the resolution is lowered from 600 dpi to 300 dpi compared to print condition number 1, so the number of pixels per band is half. Therefore, to support the same print speed of 16 ipm, the number of bands in the band group is increased to 20.

[0056] In print condition number 3, the print speed is twice as fast, from 16 ipm to 32 ipm, as compared to print condition number 1. Therefore, in print condition number 3, the number of bands in the band group is reduced to 5 in order to process the band group at the same speed as in print condition number 1.

[0057] In printing condition number 4, the image width is doubled from A4 to A2 compared to printing condition number 1, while the print speed per page is reduced to 1 / 4, from 16 ipm to 4 ipm. Comparing printing condition 4 with printing condition 1, both have the same printable area per unit time. Because the image width is doubled in printing condition 4 compared to printing condition 1, the number of bands in the band group is half, at 5.

[0058] As described in this embodiment, by changing the number of band groups depending on the printing conditions, the processing time related to image processing can be shortened and the printing operation can be started without delay.

[0059] In this embodiment, image width, resolution, and printing speed are described as examples of printing conditions, but the printing conditions referred to here are not limited to these. For example, printing conditions include color / monochrome printing mode, the number of inks used, the number of nozzles in an inkjet head, and the number of passes in the case of multi-pass printing performed to improve image quality in a serial printer. In addition, conditions for operating a recording device, such as the preliminary ejection interval of an inkjet head, also fall under printing conditions.

[0060] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0061] The present disclosure also includes the following configurations and methods.

[0062] [Configuration 1] An image processing device that receives input image data, performs image processing, and outputs output image data consisting of a plurality of output colors, A dividing means for dividing the input image data into bands each composed of a continuous raster; a band group generating means for generating a band group including one or more consecutive bands; an output color group generating means for dividing the plurality of output colors into a plurality of output color groups; a processing unit for performing an application process of applying the image processing to each of the bands included in the band group when the output color group is not changed; having The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the processing means performs the application processing for each of the output colors.

[0063] [Configuration 2] 2. The image processing device according to configuration 1, wherein the number of bands included in the group of bands is changed according to printing conditions set in the input image data.

[0064] [Configuration 3] 3. The image processing apparatus according to configuration 2, wherein the printing condition is an image width of an image represented by the input image data.

[0065] [Configuration 4] 3. The image processing apparatus according to configuration 2, wherein the printing condition is a resolution of an image represented by the input image data.

[0066] [Configuration 5] 5. The image processing device according to any one of configurations 2 to 4, wherein the printing condition is a printing speed when the input image data is printed.

[0067] [Configuration 6] 2. The image processing device according to configuration 1, wherein the number of the bands included in the group of bands is changed according to a combination of the printing conditions.

[0068] [Configuration 7] The image processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that when the band groups are rearranged from the one closest to the beginning of the input image data, the number of bands included in the (i+1)th band group is greater than or equal to the number of bands included in the i-th band group.

[0069] [Configuration 8] A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the image processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7.

[0070] [Configuration 9] An image processing method for inputting input image data, performing image processing, and outputting output image data consisting of a plurality of output colors, comprising the steps of: A dividing step of dividing the input image data into bands composed of continuous rasters; a band group generating step of generating a band group including one or more consecutive bands; an output color group generation step of dividing the plurality of output colors into a plurality of output color groups; a processing step of performing an application process of applying the image processing to each of the bands included in the band group when the output color group is not changed; having The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the processing step performs the application process for each of the output colors. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1 Image processing device 101 Image data input terminal 111 Output terminal 201~210 Band 301, 320, 401, 402, 403 Bands

Claims

1. An image processing device that receives input image data, performs image processing, and outputs output image data consisting of a plurality of output colors, A dividing means for dividing the input image data into bands each composed of a continuous raster; a band group generating means for generating a band group including one or more consecutive bands; an output color group generating means for dividing the plurality of output colors into a plurality of output color groups; a processing unit for performing an application process of applying the image processing to each of the bands included in the band group when the output color group is not changed; having The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the processing means performs the application processing for each of the output colors.

2. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of the bands included in the group of bands is changed according to printing conditions set in the input image data.

3. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printing condition is an image width of the image represented by the input image data.

4. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printing condition is a resolution of an image represented by the input image data.

5. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printing condition is a printing speed when the input image data is printed.

6. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the number of the bands included in the group of bands is changed according to a combination of a plurality of the printing conditions.

7. 2. The image processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the band groups are rearranged from the one closest to the beginning of the input image data, the number of bands included in the (i+1)th band group is greater than or equal to the number of bands included in the i-th band group.

8. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the image processing apparatus according to claim 1.

9. An image processing method for inputting input image data, performing image processing, and outputting output image data consisting of a plurality of output colors, comprising the steps of: A dividing step of dividing the input image data into bands composed of continuous rasters; a band group generating step of generating a band group including one or more consecutive bands; an output color group generation step of dividing the plurality of output colors into a plurality of output color groups; a processing step of performing an application process of applying the image processing to each of the bands included in the band group when the output color group is not changed; having The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the processing step performs the application process for each of the output colors.

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