US 11,132,588 B2Granted

Data generating apparatus, computer-readable medium, and method for suppressing adverse influences on image data generation due to insufficient memory capacity

AssigneeBrother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha

InventorChika Tabushi

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Abstract

A data generating apparatus includes a controller to perform a first process to generate and store into a work area n pieces of first-layer object data representing n objects having earlier orders than a combined object in a combining sequence, a second process to generate and store into the work area M pieces of second-layer object data representing M second-layer objects of the combined object, a third process to generate first bitmap data representing an image obtained by combining the n first-layer objects, using the n pieces of first-layer object data, and a fourth process to generate second bitmap data representing the combined object. When a free space is less than a reference value during the second process, the controller interrupts the second process, performs the third process or a part of the fourth process, releases a storage area for object data, and thereafter resumes and completes the second process.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A data generating apparatus comprising:

a memory having a work area;
a controller configured to:
obtain first image data that represents a target image in accordance with a particular description language, the target image including an image obtained by combining N (“N” is an integer equal to or more than 2) first-layer objects in a first combining sequence, the N first-layer objects including a combined image obtained by combining M (“M” is an integer equal to or more than 2) second-layer objects in a second combining sequence, at least one of combining the M second-layer objects and combining the combined object with the other first-layer objects including a color mixing process;
perform, using the work area, a generation process to generate second image data that represents the target image based on the obtained first image data, the second image data being bitmap data including a plurality of pieces of pixel data, the generation process comprising:
a first process comprising:
analyzing the first image data to generate n (“n” is an integer equal to or more than 1 and less than N) pieces of first-layer object data, the n pieces of first-layer object data representing n first-layer objects that have respective earlier orders than the combined object in the first combining sequence, among the N first-layer objects;
and
storing the generated n pieces of first-layer object data into the work area;
a second process comprising:
after completion of the first process, analyzing the first image data to generate M pieces of second-layer object data representing the M second-layer objects;
and
storing the generated M pieces of second-layer object data into the work area;
a third process to generate, using the n pieces of first-layer object data, first bitmap data representing an image obtained by combining the n first-layer objects;
a fourth process to generate, using the M pieces of second-layer object data, second bitmap data representing an image obtained by combining the M second-layer objects;
and
a fifth process to generate the second image data using the first bitmap data and the second bitmap data;
determine whether a free space in the work area is less than a first reference value, during the second process;
in a first case of determining that the free space in the work area is less than the first reference value during the second process, perform:
interrupting the second process, and performing the third process;
after completion of the third process, releasing a storage area for the n pieces of first-layer object data in the work area;
and
after the storage area for the n pieces of first-layer object data is released, completing the second process;
and
in a second case of not determining that the free space in the work area is less than the first reference value during the second process, perform the third process after completing the second process.

21 more elements

A data generating apparatus comprising:

a memory having a work area;
and
a controller configured to:
obtain first image data that represents a target image in accordance with a particular description language, the target image including an image obtained by combining N (“N” is an integer equal to or more than 2) first-layer objects in a first combining sequence, the N first-layer objects including a combined image obtained by combining M (“M” is an integer equal to or more than 2) second-layer objects in a second combining sequence, at least one of combining the M second-layer objects and combining the combined object with the other first-layer objects including a color mixing process;
perform, using the work area, a generation process to generate second image data that represents the target image based on the obtained first image data, the second image data being bitmap data including a plurality of pieces of pixel data, the generation process comprising:
a first process comprising:
analyzing the first image data to generate n (“n” is an integer equal to or more than 1 and less than N) pieces of first-layer object data, the n pieces of first-layer object data representing n first-layer objects that have respective earlier orders than the combined object in the first combining sequence, among the N first-layer objects;
and
storing the generated n pieces of first-layer object data into the work area;
a second process comprising:
after completion of the first process, analyzing the first image data to generate M pieces of second-layer object data representing the M second-layer objects;
and
storing the generated M pieces of second-layer object data into the work area;
a third process to generate, using the n pieces of first-layer object data, first bitmap data representing an image obtained by combining the n first-layer objects;
a fourth process to generate, using the M pieces of second-layer object data, second bitmap data representing an image obtained by combining the M second-layer objects;
and
a fifth process to generate the second image data using the first bitmap data and the second bitmap data;
determine whether a free space in the work area is less than a reference value, during the second process;
when determining that the free space in the work area is less than the reference value during the second process, perform:
interrupting the second process, and performing a part of the fourth process by generating third bitmap data using m1 (“m1” is an integer less than M) pieces of second-layer object data that have been stored in the work area at a time of the interruption of the second process among the M pieces of second-layer object data, the third bitmap data representing an image obtained by combining m1 second-layer objects;
after the generation of the third bitmap data, releasing a storage area for the m1 pieces of second-layer object data in the work area;
after the storage area for the m1 pieces of second-layer object data is released, generating m2 (“m2” is an integer equal to or less than (M-m1)) pieces of second-layer object data that have not been generated at the time of the interruption of the second process among the M pieces of second-layer object data, and storing the m2 pieces of second-layer object data into the work area, thereby completing the second process;
and
after the completion of the second process, generating the second bitmap data using the third bitmap data and the m2 second-layer object data, thereby completing the fourth process;
and
when not determining that the free space in the work area is less than the reference value during the second process, perform the fourth process using the M pieces of second-layer object data stored in the work area, after completing the second process.

23 more elements

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions that are executable by a processor of a data generating apparatus comprising a memory having a work area, the instructions being configured to, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

obtain first image data that represents a target image in accordance with a particular description language, the target image including an image obtained by combining N (“N” is an integer equal to or more than 2) first-layer objects in a first combining sequence, the N first-layer objects including a combined image obtained by combining M (“M” is an integer equal to or more than 2) second-layer objects in a second combining sequence, at least one of combining the M second-layer objects and combining the combined object with the other first-layer objects including a color mixing process;
perform, using the work area, a generation process to generate second image data that represents the target image based on the obtained first image data, the second image data being bitmap data including a plurality of pieces of pixel data, the generation process comprising:
a first process comprising:
analyzing the first image data to generate n (“n” is an integer equal to or more than 1 and less than N) pieces of first-layer object data, the n pieces of first-layer object data representing n first-layer objects that have respective earlier orders than the combined object in the first combining sequence, among the N first-layer objects;
and
storing the generated n pieces of first-layer object data into the work area;
a second process comprising:
after completion of the first process, analyzing the first image data to generate M pieces of second-layer object data representing the M second-layer objects;
and
storing the generated M pieces of second-layer object data into the work area;
a third process to generate, using the n pieces of first-layer object data, first bitmap data representing an image obtained by combining the n first-layer objects;
a fourth process to generate, using the M pieces of second-layer object data, second bitmap data representing an image obtained by combining the M second-layer objects;
and
a fifth process to generate the second image data using the first bitmap data and the second bitmap data;
determine whether a free space in the work area is less than a first reference value, during the second process;
in a first case of determining that the free space in the work area is less than the first reference value during the second process, perform:
interrupting the second process, and performing the third process;
after completion of the third process, releasing a storage area for the n pieces of first-layer object data in the work area;
and
after the storage area for the n pieces of first-layer object data is released, completing the second process;
and
in a second case of not determining that the free space in the work area is less than the first reference value during the second process, perform the third process after completing the second process.

19 more elements

obtain first image data that represents a target image in accordance with a particular description language, the target image including an image obtained by combining N (“N” is an integer equal to or more than 2) first-layer objects in a first combining sequence, the N first-layer objects including a combined image obtained by combining M (“M” is an integer equal to or more than 2) second-layer objects in a second combining sequence, at least one of combining the M second-layer objects and combining the combined object with the other first-layer objects including a color mixing process;
perform, using the work area, a generation process to generate second image data that represents the target image based on the obtained first image data, the second image data being bitmap data including a plurality of pieces of pixel data, the generation process comprising:
a first process comprising:
analyzing the first image data to generate n (“n” is an integer equal to or more than 1 and less than N) pieces of first-layer object data, the n pieces of first-layer object data representing n first-layer objects that have respective earlier orders than the combined object in the first combining sequence, among the N first-layer objects;
and
storing the generated n pieces of first-layer object data into the work area;
a second process comprising:
after completion of the first process, analyzing the first image data to generate M pieces of second-layer object data representing the M second-layer objects;
and
storing the generated M pieces of second-layer object data into the work area;
a third process to generate, using the n pieces of first-layer object data, first bitmap data representing an image obtained by combining the n first-layer objects;
a fourth process to generate, using the M pieces of second-layer object data, second bitmap data representing an image obtained by combining the M second-layer objects;
and
a fifth process to generate the second image data using the first bitmap data and the second bitmap data;
determine whether a free space in the work area is less than a reference value, during the second process;
when determining that the free space in the work area is less than the reference value during the second process, perform:
interrupting the second process, and performing a part of the fourth process by generating third bitmap data using m1 (“m1” is an integer less than M) pieces of second-layer object data that have been stored in the work area at a time of the interruption of the second process among the M pieces of second-layer object data, the third bitmap data representing an image obtained by combining m1 second-layer objects;
after the generation of the third bitmap data, releasing a storage area for the m1 pieces of second-layer object data in the work area;
after the storage area for the m1 pieces of second-layer object data is released, generating m2 (“m2” is an integer equal to or less than (M-m1)) pieces of second-layer object data that have not been generated at the time of the interruption of the second process among the M pieces of second-layer object data, and storing the m2 pieces of second-layer object data into the work area, thereby completing the second process;
and
after the completion of the second process, generating the second bitmap data using the third bitmap data and the m2 second-layer object data, thereby completing the fourth process;
and
when not determining that the free space in the work area is less than the reference value during the second process, perform the fourth process using the M pieces of second-layer object data stored in the work area, after completing the second process.

20 more elements

A method implementable on a processor of a data generating apparatus comprising a memory having a work area, the method comprising:

obtaining first image data that represents a target image in accordance with a particular description language, the target image including an image obtained by combining N (“N” is an integer equal to or more than 2) first-layer objects in a first combining sequence, the N first-layer objects including a combined image obtained by combining M (“M” is an integer equal to or more than 2) second-layer objects in a second combining sequence, at least one of combining the M second-layer objects and combining the combined object with the other first-layer objects including a color mixing process;
performing, using the work area, a generation process to generate second image data that represents the target image based on the obtained first image data, the second image data being bitmap data including a plurality of pieces of pixel data, the generation process comprising:
a first process comprising:
analyzing the first image data to generate n (“n” is an integer equal to or more than 1 and less than N) pieces of first-layer object data, the n pieces of first-layer object data representing n first-layer objects that have respective earlier orders than the combined object in the first combining sequence, among the N first-layer objects;
and
storing the generated n pieces of first-layer object data into the work area;
a second process comprising:
after completion of the first process, analyzing the first image data to generate M pieces of second-layer object data representing the M second-layer objects;
and
storing the generated M pieces of second-layer object data into the work area;
a third process to generate, using the n pieces of first-layer object data, first bitmap data representing an image obtained by combining the n first-layer objects;
a fourth process to generate, using the M pieces of second-layer object data, second bitmap data representing an image obtained by combining the M second-layer objects;
and
a fifth process to generate the second image data using the first bitmap data and the second bitmap data;
determining whether a free space in the work area is less than a first reference value, during the second process;
in a first case of determining that the free space in the work area is less than the first reference value during the second process, performing:
interrupting the second process, and performing the third process;
after completion of the third process, releasing a storage area for the n pieces of first-layer object data in the work area;
and
after the storage area for the n pieces of first-layer object data is released, completing the second process;
and
in a second case of not determining that the free space in the work area is less than the first reference value during the second process, performing the third process after completing the second process.

19 more elements

A method implementable on a processor of a data generating apparatus comprising a memory having a work area, the method comprising:

obtaining first image data that represents a target image in accordance with a particular description language, the target image including an image obtained by combining N (“N” is an integer equal to or more than 2) first-layer objects in a first combining sequence, the N first-layer objects including a combined image obtained by combining M (“M” is an integer equal to or more than 2) second-layer objects in a second combining sequence, at least one of combining the M second-layer objects and combining the combined object with the other first-layer objects including a color mixing process;
performing, using the work area, a generation process to generate second image data that represents the target image based on the obtained first image data, the second image data being bitmap data including a plurality of pieces of pixel data, the generation process comprising:
a first process comprising:
analyzing the first image data to generate n (“n” is an integer equal to or more than 1 and less than N) pieces of first-layer object data, the n pieces of first-layer object data representing n first-layer objects that have respective earlier orders than the combined object in the first combining sequence, among the N first-layer objects;
and
storing the generated n pieces of first-layer object data into the work area;
a second process comprising:
after completion of the first process, analyzing the first image data to generate M pieces of second-layer object data representing the M second-layer objects;
and
storing the generated M pieces of second-layer object data into the work area;
a third process to generate, using the n pieces of first-layer object data, first bitmap data representing an image obtained by combining the n first-layer objects;
a fourth process to generate, using the M pieces of second-layer object data, second bitmap data representing an image obtained by combining the M second-layer objects;
and
a fifth process to generate the second image data using the first bitmap data and the second bitmap data;
determining whether a free space in the work area is less than a reference value, during the second process;
when determining that the free space in the work area is less than the reference value during the second process, performing:
interrupting the second process, and performing a part of the fourth process by generating third bitmap data using m1 (“m1” is an integer less than M) pieces of second-layer object data that have been stored in the work area at a time of the interruption of the second process among the M pieces of second-layer object data, the third bitmap data representing an image obtained by combining m1 second-layer objects;
after the generation of the third bitmap data, releasing a storage area for the m1 pieces of second-layer object data in the work area;
after the storage area for the m1 pieces of second-layer object data is released, generating m2 (“m2” is an integer equal to or less than (M-m1)) pieces of second-layer object data that have not been generated at the time of the interruption of the second process among the M pieces of second-layer object data, and storing the m2 pieces of second-layer object data into the work area, thereby completing the second process;
and
after the completion of the second process, generating the second bitmap data using the third bitmap data and the m2 second-layer object data, thereby completing the fourth process;
and
when not determining that the free space in the work area is less than the reference value during the second process, performing the fourth process using the M pieces of second-layer object data stored in the work area, after completing the second process.

20 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/098,064Filed 13 Nov 2020
Priority: JP JP2019-20675615 Nov 2019
Published: US 2021/0150291 A120 May 2021
Granted: 28 Sep 2021
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

G06K 15/1861
Characterized by its workflow: taking account of a limited available memory space or rasterization time
G06K 15/181
Input data handling means: receiving print data characterized by its formatting, e.g. particular page description languages
G06K 15/1822
Input data handling means: analysing the received data before processing
G06K 15/1832
Characterized by the format of the data: compressed bitmaps