JP2020092384A - Image processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image processing device capable of reducing power consumption even when image information of a recording medium unit is continuously received and image processing is performed in a unit smaller than image information of the entire recording medium.SOLUTION: A image processing device includes a first image processing unit 14 that includes a black-and-white image processing unit 24 that performs black-and-white image processing on image information continuously read by an image reading apparatus 100 of a recording medium unit, and color image processing unit 22 that performs color image processing, divides the image information of each recording medium unit into a plurality of pieces of unit image information smaller than the entire recording medium, and processes the divided image information, a detection unit 52 that detects whether the image information is black-and-white image information or color image information for each unit image information, and a control unit 40 that controls to stop the operation of the black-and-white image processing unit 24 when the detection unit 52 detects the unit image information that is the color image information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing device.

In Patent Document 1, in a color image processing apparatus capable of selectively executing a black-and-white copy mode or a color copy mode, a power supply of an image processing circuit is determined according to a determination result of a color determination unit that determines whether a document is color or black and white. A color image processing device characterized by switching the supply is disclosed.

Patent Document 2 discloses a printing device capable of executing color printing or monochrome printing based on print data, and a first circuit that performs image processing of color image data created from the print data, and the first circuit. A second circuit including a circuit for performing image processing of at least monochrome image data created from the above-mentioned print data without including a power supply path, and whether the above-mentioned print data is color-printed or monochrome-printed. Power is supplied to the monochromatic/color discrimination unit that discriminates, the first circuit and the second circuit when the print data is color printed, and the power is supplied to the second circuit when the print data is monochrome printed. A power supply control unit that supplies power and does not supply power to the first circuit is disclosed.

JP, 2004-336416, A JP, 2011-194740, A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus capable of continuously receiving image information for each recording medium and reducing power consumption even when performing image processing in units smaller than the image information of the entire recording medium. And

An image processing apparatus according to a first aspect is a black-and-white image processing unit for performing black-and-white image processing on image information continuously read by a recording medium in units of recording media, and a color image processing for performing color image processing. A first image processing unit that includes a copy unit and divides the image information of each recording medium unit into a plurality of unit image information smaller than the entire recording medium, and processes the image information; A detection unit that detects whether it is information or color image information, and a control that controls the operation of the monochrome image processing unit when unit image information that is color image information is detected by the detection unit And a section.

An image processing apparatus according to a second aspect is the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, which switches between supplying or stopping the first clock signal for controlling the operation of the monochrome image processing unit to the monochrome image processing unit. The control section further includes a first switching section, and the control section stops the supply of the first clock signal to the monochrome image processing section to stop the operation of the monochrome image processing section. It controls the department.

An image processing apparatus according to a third aspect is the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, in which the power source is independently supplied to the black-and-white image processing unit, and the second switching is performed to switch between power supply and stop. The control unit further includes a unit, and the control unit controls the second switching unit to stop the supply of power to the monochrome image processing unit and stop the operation of the monochrome image processing unit.

An image processing apparatus according to a fourth aspect is the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein a pseudo-black-and-white image processing unit that outputs pseudo-processed unit image information, and the monochrome The control unit further includes a selection unit that selects one of the output of the image processing unit and the output of the pseudo-black and white image processing unit, and the control unit detects unit image information that is color image information by the detection unit. In this case, the selecting unit is controlled so that the output from the pseudo black and white image processing unit is selected as the remaining unit image information of the recording medium including the detected unit image information.

An image processing apparatus according to a fifth aspect is the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, in which monochrome processing image information that is a processing result of the monochrome image processing unit is used as image information for printing. A second monochrome processing unit for converting, and a color printing processing unit for converting color processed image information, which is a processing result of the color image processing unit, into image information for printing; An image processing unit is further provided, and the detection unit further detects whether the image information is monochrome image information or color image information for each recording medium, and the control unit causes the detection unit to detect the recording medium in the recording medium. When it is detected that the corresponding image information is monochrome image information, the operation of the color print processing unit is controlled to be stopped.

An image processing apparatus according to a sixth aspect is the image processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, which switches between supplying or stopping a second clock signal for controlling the operation of the color print processing unit. The control unit further includes a third switching unit, and the control unit stops the supply of the second clock signal to the color print processing unit to stop the operation of the color print processing unit. It controls the department.

An image processing apparatus according to a seventh aspect is the image processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, in which a fourth switching is performed to switch between supplying and stopping the power to the color print processing unit that can be independently powered. The control unit further includes a unit, and the control unit controls the fourth switching unit to stop the power supply to the color print processing unit and stop the operation of the color print processing unit.

According to the first aspect, there is provided an image processing apparatus capable of continuously receiving image information of each recording medium and reducing power consumption even when image processing is performed in units smaller than the image information of the entire recording medium. Has the effect of

According to the second aspect and the sixth aspect, the operation is stopped more easily than the case where the supply of power to the monochrome image processing section is stopped and the operation of the monochrome image processing section is stopped. There is an effect that it is possible.

According to the third aspect and the seventh aspect, the power consumption can be more reliably reduced as compared with the case where the supply of the clock signal to the monochrome image processing unit is stopped to control the operation of the monochrome image processing unit. The effect is obtained.

According to the fourth aspect, when the detection unit detects the unit image information that is the color image information, the power consumption can be reduced more easily than in the case where the software is configured to shift to the low power consumption processing. The effect that it can shift to power consumption processing is produced.

According to the fifth aspect, there is an effect that a larger effect of power consumption reduction can be obtained as compared with the case where the power consumption reduction processing is performed only for the first image processing unit.

It is a block diagram showing an example of composition of an image processing device concerning an embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the image processing part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a print processing unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a state transition diagram which shows the transition of the state in the power saving process which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the correspondence between the names used in the following description and the names described in the drawings is collectively described in the column of [Description of Symbols].
Further, the "monochrome processing unit 24" described below is an example of the "monochrome image processing unit" according to the present invention, the "color processing unit 22" is an example of the "color image processing unit", and the "band" is It is an example of “unit image information”, the “color detection unit 52” is an example of a “detection unit”, the “power consumption control unit 40” is an example of a “control unit”, and the “first clock gate 41”. Is an example of a “first switching unit”, the “first power gate 48” is an example of a “second switching unit”, and the “pseudo output unit 45” is an example of a “pseudo monochrome image processing unit”. Yes, the “selector 46” is an example of a “selection unit”, the “monochrome print processing unit 26” is an example of a “monochrome print processing unit”, and the “color print processing unit 28” is a “color print processing unit”. The "second image processing unit 14" is an example of the "first image processing unit", the "third image processing unit 34" is an example of the "second image processing unit", and the "second image processing unit" is an example. The "2-clock gate 42" is an example of the "third switching unit", and the "second power gate 49" is an example of the "fourth switching unit".

[First Embodiment]
An image processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. In FIG. 1, a scan device 100 and a print device 102 are also shown as a configuration related to the image processing apparatus 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing device 10 includes a first image processing unit 12, a second image processing unit 14, a third image processing unit 34, and a storage unit 20 as a basic configuration.

The storage unit 20 stores read image information (read image data, referred to as “SCAN DATA” in FIG. 1) read by the scan device 100, and images sent from other information processing devices (PC, cloud, etc.). This is a part for storing information and the like. The form of the storage unit 20 is not particularly limited, and a general storage device such as an HDD or a RAM is used.

The first image processing unit 12 reads the read image information from the storage unit 20, performs predetermined image processing, and stores the processed result in the storage unit 20. The process performed by the first image processing unit 12 is a pre-process common to color images and black-and-white images, and the process is a band that is an area obtained by dividing the image information of the entire recording medium (hereinafter, “paper”) into a plurality of blocks. Is performed in units (hereinafter, “band units”). The first image processing unit 12 includes, as an example, an IP0 input memory access unit 50, a process A, a process B, a color detection unit 52, a process C, and an IP0 output memory access unit 54, and the read image information is basically provided in this order. Will be processed.

The IP0 input memory access unit 50 is a unit that reads the read image information to be processed from the storage unit 20. The IP0 output memory access unit 54 is a unit that stores the image information processed by the first image processing unit 12 in the storage unit 20 as IP0 image information (denoted as “IP0 DATA” in FIG. 1). The color detection unit 52 is a unit that detects whether the image information of a sheet unit or the image information of a band unit is color or black and white. Processes A, B, and C conceptually represent that a plurality of image processes are included, and do not particularly represent specific processes.

The second image processing unit 14 is a unit that executes predetermined image processing for each of the color image and the monochrome image, and includes an IP1 input memory access unit 56, a process D21, a color processing unit 22, and a monochrome processing unit 24. ing. The IP1 input memory access unit 56 is a unit that reads the IP0 image information processed by the first image processing unit 12 from the storage unit 20. The process D21 conceptually shows the process executed by the second image processing unit 14, and does not mean a specific process. The second image processing unit 14 is supplied with a clock signal ip1_clk that serves as a reference for processing in the part.

The color processing unit 22 is a unit that performs processing on a color image, and includes a Color process E, a Color process F, a Color process G, and an IP1 color output memory access unit 58. The IP1 color output memory access unit 58 is a unit that stores the image information processed by the color processing unit 22 in the storage unit 20 as IP1 color image information (denoted as “IP1 Color DATA” in FIG. 1). The color process E, the color process F, and the color process G conceptually show the processes executed by the color processing unit 22, and do not mean any specific process.

The black-and-white processing unit 24 is a unit that performs processing on a black-and-white image, and is configured to include a Gray processing E, a Gray processing F, a Gray processing G, and an IP1 monochrome output memory access unit 60. The IP1 monochrome output memory access unit 60 is a unit that stores the image information processed by the monochrome processing unit 24 in the storage unit 20 as IP1 monochrome image information (denoted as “IP1 Glay DATA” in FIG. 1). Gray processing E, Gray processing F, and Gray processing G conceptually indicate the processing executed by the black-and-white processing unit 24, and do not mean specific processing.

The third image processing unit 34 includes a print processing unit 16 and a print interface 18. The print processing unit 16 is a unit that performs image processing for printing on color and monochrome image information, and when the print interface 18 forms an image based on the image information processed by the third image processing unit 34. Is a part that performs interface processing for the print device 102 of FIG. The third image processing unit 34 executes image processing on a paper-by-paper basis (hereinafter, "page-by-page"). This point is different from the second image processing unit 14.

The print processing unit 16 includes a monochrome print processing unit 26 and a color print processing unit 28.
The black and white print processing unit 26 is configured to include a K-plate input memory access unit 62 and a K-plate print processing unit 64. In the present embodiment, “K” means black. The K plate input memory access unit 62 is a unit that reads image information required for processing in the print processing unit 16 from the IP1 black and white image information stored in the storage unit 20, and the K plate print processing unit 64 is the IP1 black and white image information. This is a part for performing a printing process for black and white image information based on.

On the other hand, the color print processing unit 28 includes a C plate input memory access unit 68, an M plate input memory access unit 74, a Y plate input memory access unit 80, a C plate print processing unit 70, an M plate print processing unit 76, and a Y plate print process. It is configured to include a portion 82. “C”, “M”, and “Y” mean “cyan color”, “magenta color”, and “yellow”, respectively. The C-plate input memory access unit 68, the M-plate input memory access unit 74, and the Y-plate input memory access unit 80 are units for reading image information of each color from the IP1 color image information. The plate printing processing unit 76 and the Y plate printing processing unit 82 are parts that perform image processing on image information corresponding to each color.

The print interface 18 includes a monochrome interface 30 and a color interface 32. The black and white interface 30 includes a K version interface 66, and the color interface 32 includes a C version interface 72, an M version interface 78, and a Y version interface 84, and performs interface processing for each color with respect to the printing device 102.

A black-and-white print processing unit 26 and a color print processing unit 28 are supplied with video_ip_clk, which is a clock signal serving as a reference for processing in the relevant portion, and a black-and-white interface 30 and a color interface 32 are provided as clocks serving as reference in processing in the relevant portion. A signal video_if_clk is supplied.

The image processing apparatus 10 configured as described above generally operates as follows. That is, first, the read image information read by the scan device 100 is stored in the storage unit 20. Next, the first image processing unit 12 reads the read image information from the storage unit 20 and performs predetermined image processing. At this time, as described above, the color detection unit 52 detects whether the processing target is monochrome image information or color image information in page units and band units. The result processed by the first image processing unit 12 is stored in the storage unit 20 as IP0 image information.

Next, the second image processing unit reads the IP0 image information from the storage unit 20, divides it into black and white image information and color image information, and performs corresponding processing, respectively, and stores them as IP1 black and white image information and IP1 color image information, respectively. It stores in 20. When the printing is not executed, the processing of the image processing apparatus 10 ends here.

When executing printing, the third image processing unit 34 reads out the IP1 monochrome image information or the IP1 color image information from the storage unit 20, outputs it to the print device 102 through the processing of the print processing unit 16 and the print interface 18. At this time, IP1 monochrome image information or IP1 color image information is read based on the detection result of the color detection unit 52. The reading from the storage unit 20 is performed when the processing for one page is completed in the second image processing unit 14.

By the way, in recent years, reduction of power consumption of electric devices has become an issue from the viewpoint of energy saving. Image processing devices are no exception, and development aiming for even lower power consumption is active. As described above, the image processing apparatus includes a part that executes black and white image processing and a part that executes color image processing. Therefore, when one of the processes is being performed, the other process is stopped. This method is considered to be one of the methods for reducing power consumption.

At this time, if pre-scanning (when performing image reading processing, rough reading is performed beforehand to determine the color of the image, etc.), the distinction between black and white and color is determined in advance, so either processing is selected. It is possible to stop it. However, when pre-scanning is not performed and images are successively read in paper units, one of the images cannot be stopped simply because the image processing is performed while distinguishing between black and white and color.

In other words, considering the application of the above method to the image processing apparatus 10, in the second image processing section 14, both the conventional color processing section 22 and the monochrome processing section 24 were always operating, so the color processing section 22 and the monochrome processing were performed. It is possible to selectively stop one of the processing units 24.
However, it is necessary to consider that the second image processing unit 14 performs processing in band units. That is, if the color detection result of the band in the color detection unit 52 is color, the black-and-white processing unit 24 can be stopped because the page is a color image. However, even if the color detection result of the band in the color detection unit 52 is black and white, it is not possible to stop the color processing unit 22 because it is unknown whether the page is a monochrome image. That is, the power consumption reduction process in the second image processing unit 14 is “if the band color is color, stop the black and white processing unit 24, and if the band color is black and white, do nothing”. Become.

Since the third image processing unit 34 performs processing on a page-by-page basis, either one of them can be stopped according to the detection result of the color detection unit 52. However, it is premised that the monochrome print processing unit 26 is operating during color printing. That is, the power consumption reduction process in the third image processing unit 34 is “if the page color is black and white, stop the color print processing unit 28, and if the page color is color, do nothing”. become.

Based on the above examination, in the image processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, for each of the second image processing unit 14 and the third image processing unit 34, the color detection unit 52 detects the color in band units or in page units. Depending on the result, the operation of the surplus part is stopped, and the power consumption reduction processing described below is performed. Further, in this embodiment, the supply of the clock signal to the surplus portion is stopped as a means for stopping the operation. The above can be summarized as follows.
<Low Power Consumption Processing in Second Image Processing Unit>
If the color of the band is color, the supply of the clock signal to the black and white processing unit 24 is stopped, and if the color of the band is black and white, nothing is done. Hereinafter, this process will be referred to as a "first low power consumption process".
<Low Power Consumption Processing in Third Image Processing Unit>
If the page color is black and white, the supply of the clock signal to the color print processing unit 28 is stopped, and if the page color is color, nothing is done. Hereinafter, this process is referred to as a "second power consumption reduction process".

The image processing apparatus 10 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram in which portions related to the power consumption reduction processing in the second image processing unit 14 and the third image processing unit 34 in FIG. 1 are highlighted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 10 is further arranged in the power consumption control unit 40, the first clock gate 41 arranged in the second image processing unit 14, and the third image processing unit 34 in comparison with FIG. The second clock gate 42 is provided. In the present embodiment, the "clock gate" is a switch that controls whether the clock is supplied or stopped.

The power consumption control unit 40 is a part that controls the power consumption reduction process in the second image processing unit 14 and the power consumption reduction process in the third image processing unit 34. The power consumption control unit 40 receives a color detection signal (denoted as “color/gray information update signal” in FIG. 2) from the color detection unit 52, and clocks the first clock gate 41 and the second clock gate 42 respectively. Output a signal.

First, the operation of the first low power consumption processing will be described. The above clock control signal and the clock signal ip1_clk are input to the first clock gate 41, and the clock signal ip1_c_clk that serves as the reference for the operation of the color processing unit 22 and the reference for the operation of the monochrome processing unit 24 are input from the first clock gate 41. A clock signal ip1_g_clk is output.

The power consumption control unit 40 sends a clock control signal to the first clock gate 41 when the color detection result of the band in the color detection unit 52 is color according to the first power consumption reduction process. The clock control signal is, for example, a signal indicating that the color of the band is color. The first clock gate 41 that has received the clock control signal stops the supply of the clock signal ip1_g_clk to the black-and-white processing unit 24. At this time, when the color of the band is black and white, the clock control signal is not output from the power consumption control unit 40, so the first clock gate 41 does nothing.

The first low power consumption processing will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, a first state notification unit 43, a second state notification unit 44, a pseudo output unit 45, and a selector 46 are added to FIG.

The first status notification unit 43 sends a status signal from the IP0 output memory access unit 54 (indicated as “DMA (Diect Memory Access) Status” in FIG. 3 to indicate the start and end of writing to the storage unit 20). Based on this, a signal indicating the status of page start, band start, band processing, band completion, page end, idle, etc. (“IP0 Status information” in FIG. 3) is sent to the power consumption control unit 40. Notice.

Similarly, the second status notification unit 44 sends status signals (“IP1 Status information” in FIG. 3) from the IP1 color output memory access unit 58 and the IP1 monochrome output memory access unit 60 to the power consumption control unit 40. Notice.

Here, it is explained that it is desirable to consider in the first power saving processing.
That is, when the first low power consumption processing is executed, the clock signal ip1_g_clk is cut off, so that the operation of the IP1 monochrome output memory access unit 60 is stopped. Therefore, the bus access signal and control signal (end interrupt signal, etc.) are not output. On the other hand, since the second image processing unit 14 determines the page break by counting the number of bands, this determination cannot be made when the operation of the IP1 monochrome output memory access unit 60 stops. It is possible to separately specify the operation when the clock signal ip1_g_clk is stopped, but this method complicates the software. The “software” in the present embodiment refers to software that controls the entire image processing apparatus 10.

In order to address the above point, the pseudo output unit 45 and the selector 46 are provided in this embodiment. The pseudo output unit 45 and the selector 46 are configured to operate even when the clock signal ip_g_clk is stopped. Then, when the clock signal ip_g_clk stops, the pseudo output unit 45 starts operation as an alternative to the IP1 monochrome output memory access unit 60, and outputs pseudo band information (pseudo write end signal). The output of the IP1 monochrome output memory access unit 60 and the output of the pseudo output unit 45 are switched by the selector 46. Control of the pseudo output unit 45 and the selector 46 is performed by the power consumption control unit 40.
With the above operation, the stop of the band information is avoided in the present embodiment, and even if the operation of the black-and-white processing unit 24 is stopped, the image processing apparatus 10 is not hindered.

The following points are further desirable points to be considered in the first low power consumption processing (this point is also common to the second low power consumption processing, and therefore will be described together). That is, although the clock signals are switched in the first clock gate 41 and the second clock gate 42, stability of the clock signal after switching, switching noise, etc. generally pose a problem in switching the clock signals. ..

Therefore, in this embodiment, after confirming that the operations of the first clock gate 41 and the second clock gate 42 are stable, the operation is shifted to the next operation. To confirm the stability of the operation, for example, by using a timer provided in the power consumption control unit 40, software is configured to provide a time to wait until the operation is stabilized before starting the next operation. Alternatively, a circuit for detecting that the clock signal has started stable operation may be provided, and the next operation may be performed after the stable operation is detected by the circuit. That is, the first clock gate 41 determines whether the internal state of itself is stable, and as shown in FIG. 3, a clock state signal (“Clock status” in FIG. 3) indicating whether or not it is possible to move to the next step. Is sent to the power consumption control unit 40.

Next, the operation of the second power saving processing will be described with reference to FIG. 2 again. The clock control signal, the clock signals video_ip_clk, and video_if_clk are input to the second clock gate 42, and the clock signal video_ip_g_clk and the operation of the black-and-white interface 30 which are the reference of the operation of the black-and-white print processing unit 26 are input from the second clock gate 42. Of the clock signal video_if_g_clk, the clock signal video_ip_c_clk that serves as a reference for the operation of the color print processing unit 28, and the video signal video_if_c_clk that serves as a reference for the operation of the color interface 32.

The power consumption control unit 40 sends a clock control signal to the second clock gate 42 when the color detection result of the page by the color detection unit 52 is black and white according to the second power consumption reduction process. The clock control signal is, for example, a signal indicating that the page color is black and white. The second clock gate 42 receiving the clock control signal stops the supply of the clock signal video_ip_c_clk to the color print processing unit 28 and the clock signal video_if_c_clk to the color interface 32. At this time, when the color of the page is color, the power consumption control unit 40 does not output the clock control signal, so the second clock gate 42 does nothing.

Next, the second low power consumption processing will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the third image processing unit 34 includes the above-described second clock gate 42 and third state notification unit 47. The operations of the second clock gate 42, the third state notifying unit 47, and the power consumption control unit 40 are almost the same as those in the first power consumption reduction process, and therefore the differences will be briefly described below.

The second clock gate 42 gates the clock signals video_ip_c_clk and video_if_c_clk based on the clock control signal from the power consumption controller 40. The second clock gate 42 determines whether the internal state of itself is stable, and outputs a status signal (denoted as “Clock Status” in FIG. 4) indicating whether or not it is possible to move to the next step, to the power consumption control unit. Send to 40. In the second power saving process, the supply/stop control of the clock signal is performed when the printing in page units is completed (in the idle state).

The third status notification unit 47 receives the DMA Status signal (start/start of DMA) from the K version input memory access section 62, the C version input memory access section 68, the M version input memory access section 74, and the Y version input memory access section 80. End signal) and the K version interface 66, C version interface 72, M version interface 78, and Y version interface 84 Video IF Status signals (signals indicating the start/end of the interface) are integrated to form a third image. It is sent to the power consumption control unit 40 as a status signal (indicated as “Video Status information” in FIG. 4) indicating whether or not each unit of the processing unit 34 is operating. The power consumption control unit 40 controls the third image processing unit 34 based on the state signal.

It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the power consumption reduction process in the second image processing unit and the power consumption reduction process in the third image processing unit do not necessarily have to be performed for both, and either one may be performed. Good.

[Second Embodiment]
An image processing apparatus 10A according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. In the above embodiment, the clock gate is used to stop the operation of the surplus part in each process of the image processing apparatus 10. However, in the present embodiment, the power gate is used to detect the surplus part in each process of the image processing device 10A. The operation is stopped. In the present embodiment, the “power gate” is a switch that controls whether to supply power or stop power supply. Therefore, the image processing apparatus 10A includes a first power gate 48 instead of the first clock gate 41 and a second power gate 49 instead of the second clock gate 42. Since other configurations are common to the image processing apparatus 10, the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In order to stop the operation of a predetermined part of the image processing apparatus 10A, it is necessary to separate the power source according to the part. Below, this separated power source is referred to as a “power island”.
That is, in the conventional image processing apparatus, for example, the first image processing unit 12 and the second image processing unit 14 include one power source island, and the monochrome print processing unit 26 and the color print processing unit 28 include one power source island and the monochrome interface 30. And the color interface 32 separated one power island into a total of three power islands. Since black-and-white and color cannot be separated on such a power source island, the first low power consumption processing or the second low power consumption processing cannot be executed.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, it is divided into four power source islands as follows.
First power source island: first image processing unit 12, color processing unit 22, IP1 input memory access unit 56, processing D21, power consumption control unit 40, first power gate 48, second power gate 49
Second power supply island: black and white processing unit 24
Third power supply island: black and white print processing unit 26, black and white interface 30
Fourth power supply island: color print processing unit 28, color interface 32
According to the separation of the power source island, the power source can be controlled separately for the black-and-white processing and the color processing. Further, the power consumption control unit 40, the first power gate 48, and the second power gate 49 are power source islands different from the power source to be controlled. It should be noted that the division of the power source islands is an example of a method, and another division method may be adopted as long as the first power consumption reduction processing or the second power consumption reduction processing can be executed.

Similar to the image processing apparatus 10, the image processing apparatus 10A also performs at least one of the first power saving processing applied to the second image processing section 14 and the second power saving processing applied to the third image processing section 34. Run. Transmission and reception of signals between the respective components are the same as those of the image processing apparatus 10 according to the above-mentioned embodiment, and therefore the differences will be mainly described below.

The power supply ip1_power for the second image processing unit 14 is input to the first power gate 48, and the power supply ip1_c_power for the color processing unit 22 and the power supply ip1_g_power for the monochrome processing unit 24 are separately output. Further, the power supply video_power for the third image processing unit 34 is input to the second power gate 49, and the power supply video_g_power for the monochrome print processing unit 26 and the monochrome interface 30 and the power supply video_c_power for the color print processing unit 28 and the color interface 32. It is output separately.

Then, the first low power consumption processing and the second low power consumption processing executed by the power consumption control unit 40 described above can be rewritten as follows.
<First low power consumption processing>
If the color of the band is color, the power consumption control unit 40 stops the power supply to the second power source island (black and white processing unit 24), and does nothing if the color of the band is black and white. Control the power gate 48.
<Second low power consumption processing>
If the page color is black and white, the power supply to the fourth power supply island (color print processing unit 28 and color interface 32) is stopped, and if the page color is color, nothing is done. 40 controls the second power gate 49.

In addition, the provision of the pseudo output unit 45, the selector 46, and the status notification unit, the switching of the first power gate 48, and the second power gate 49 after the stabilization of the circuit is performed, etc. are image processing according to the above-described embodiment. Similar to device 10.

FIG. 6 is a state transition diagram showing the state transition of the black and white processing unit 24 in the first low power consumption processing. In FIG. 6, the meaning of each state is as follows.
Gray ON IDLE 200: the black-and-white processing unit 24 is in a power-on state and is in a standby state for band processing activation. The band processing start availability information (register) is enabled. This state is a normal state in which the power consumption reduction processing is not performed.
Gray ON Process 202: a state in which the black-and-white processing unit 24 is in a power-on state and band processing is being executed. Band processing start availability information (register) is disabled. This state is a normal state in which the power consumption reduction processing is not performed.
Gray OFF IDLE 204: The black-and-white processing unit 24 is in a power-off state and is in a band processing waiting state. The band processing start availability information (register) is enabled. In this state, that is, only the color processing unit 22 is operating.
Gray OFF Process 206: The black-and-white processing unit 24 is in a power-off state and is in a band processing execution state. Band processing start availability information (register) is disabled. In this state, that is, only the color processing unit 22 is operating.
Gray Power ON Sequence 208: a state in which the power supply of the black-and-white processing unit 24 is turned on (power gate conduction).
Gray Power OFF Sequence 210: a state in which the power supply of the black-and-white processing unit 24 is turned off (power gate cutoff).
The transition between the states will be described below.

A state transition from the Gray ON IDLE 200 to the Gray ON Process 202 is made by the activation request from the software to each DMA. The power consumption control unit 40 may issue an interrupt to the software after the end of the IP band processing (processing in the second image processing unit 14) instead of the communication between the software and the DMA.

When the color detection result of the band in the color detection unit 52 is black and white, the state shifts from Gray ON Process 202 to Gray ON IDLE 200. On the other hand, when the color detection result of the band in the color detection unit 52 is color, the state shifts from the Gray ON Process 202 to the Gray Power OFF Sequence 210.

When the sequence ends normally and the operation becomes stable, the state shifts from the Gray Power OFF Sequence 210 to the Gray OFF IDLE 204.

The state is shifted from the Gray OFF IDLE 204 to the Gray OFF Process 206 by the activation request of each DMA from the software. The power consumption control unit 40 interrupts the software after the IP band process (the process in the second image processing unit 14) ends, instead of the interaction between the software and the DMA (including the operation of the pseudo output unit 45). May be issued. On the other hand, the state is shifted from Gray OFF IDLE 204 to Gray Power ON Sequence 208 by the page end notification from the software.

At the end of each DMA (IP1 input memory access unit 56, IP1 color output memory access unit 58, pseudo output unit 45), the state shifts from Gray OFF Process 206 to Gray OFF IDLE 204.

When the sequence ends normally and the operation becomes stable, the state shifts from the Gray Power ON Sequence 208 to the Gray ON IDLE 200.

10, 10A Image processing device 12 First image processing unit (IP0)
14 Second image processing unit (IP1)
16 Print processing unit (Video IP)
18 Print Interface 20 Storage 21 Process D
22 Color Processor 24 Monochrome Processor 26 Monochrome Print Processor 28 Color Print Processor 30 Monochrome Interface 32 Color Interface 34 Third Image Processor (Video Block)
40 Power consumption control unit (Control block)
41 first clock gate logic
42 second clock gate logic
43 First status notification unit (Status notification block)
44 Second status notification unit (Status notification block)
45 Pseudo output section (P1 G Dummy)
46 Selector
47 Third status notification unit (Status notification block)
48 first power gate logic
49 second power gate logic
50 IP0 input memory access block (IP0 IN DMA)
52 Color Detection Unit 54 IP0 Output Memory Access Unit (IP0 OUT DMA)
56 IP1 input memory access block (IP1 IN DMA)
58 IP1 color output memory access block (IP1 C OUT DMA)
60 IP1 monochrome output memory access block (IP1 G OUT DMA)
62 K version input memory access block (K IN DMA)
64 K plate print processing unit (K plate print image processing)
66K version interface (Video IF(K))
68 C version input memory access block (C IN DMA)
70 C plate print processing unit (C plate print image processing)
72 C version interface (Video IF(C))
74 M version input memory access block (M IN DMA)
76 M plate print processing unit (M plate print image processing)
78 M version interface (Video IF(M))
80 Y version input memory access block (Y IN DMA)
82 Y plate print processing unit (Y plate print image processing)
84 Y version interface (Video IF(Y))
100 Scan Device 102 Print Device 200 Gray ON IDLE
202 Gray ON Process
204 Gray OFF IDLE
206 Gray OFF Process
208 Gray Power ON Sequence
210 Gray Power OFF Sequence

Claims (7)

The image reading apparatus includes a monochrome image processing unit for performing monochrome image processing on image information continuously read in recording medium units, and a color image processing unit for performing color image processing. A first image processing unit that divides the image information into a plurality of unit image information smaller than the entire recording medium and processes the unit image information;
A detection unit that detects whether the image information is monochrome image information or color image information for each unit image information,
An image processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls to stop the operation of the monochrome image processing unit when unit image information that is color image information is detected by the detection unit. Further comprising a first switching unit that switches between supplying or stopping the first clock signal for controlling the operation of the monochrome image processing unit to the monochrome image processing unit,
The control unit controls the first switching unit to stop the supply of the first clock signal to the monochrome image processing unit and stop the operation of the monochrome image processing unit. Image processing device. A second switching unit that switches between supplying and stopping power to the black-and-white image processing unit capable of independently supplying power;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the second switching unit so as to stop the supply of power to the monochrome image processing unit and stop the operation of the monochrome image processing unit. A pseudo black-and-white image processing unit that outputs the pseudo-processed unit image information,
Further comprising a selection unit for selecting one of the output of the black and white image processing unit and the output of the pseudo black and white image processing unit,
When the detection unit detects the unit image information which is the color image information, the control unit outputs the unit image information of the recording medium including the detected unit image information from the pseudo monochrome image processing unit as the remaining unit image information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit is controlled so that an output is selected. A monochrome print processing unit that converts the monochrome processed image information that is the processing result of the monochrome image processing unit into image information for printing, and the color processed image information that is the processing result of the color image processing unit to the image information for printing. A second image processing unit that includes a color printing processing unit that performs conversion and that performs processing in units of the recording medium;
The detection unit further detects whether the image information is monochrome image information or color image information for each recording medium,
The control unit controls to stop the operation of the color print processing unit when the detection unit detects that the image information corresponding to the recording medium is monochrome image information. The image processing device according to claim 1. A third switching unit that switches between supplying or stopping a second clock signal for controlling the operation of the color print processing unit,
The control unit controls the third switching unit to stop the supply of the second clock signal to the color print processing unit and stop the operation of the color print processing unit. Image processing device. Further comprising a fourth switching unit that switches whether to supply or stop the power supply to the color print processing unit capable of independently supplying power,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit controls the fourth switching unit so as to stop the supply of power to the color print processing unit and stop the operation of the color print processing unit.