System and method for compressing and rotating image data

An image processing method, comprising:

• scanning an original document to generate image data corresponding to the scanned original document;
• dividing the image data of the scanned original document into a plurality of image data blocks;
• compressing the plurality of image data blocks into respective compressed image data blocks, such that data of each compressed image data block is independent of data of each other compressed image data block;
• storing each compressed image data block in a first memory with a respective predetermined beginning address;
• accessing a first compressed image data block, having a first predetermined beginning address, from the first memory and decompressing the first compressed image data block into a first decompressed image data block;
• performing at least one image processing function on the decompressed first image data block;
• storing the decompressed first image data block in a second memory after performing the at least one image processing function;
• accessing and decompressing each of the remaining compressed image data blocks one at a time in a predetermined order;
• performing the at least one image processing function on each of the remaining image data blocks after the image data block is decompressed, respectively;
• and
• storing each of the remaining image data blocks in the second memory after performing the at least one image processing function to the image data blocks.

An image forming apparatus configured to reproduce original documents, comprising:

• a scanner that scans an original document and generates image data corresponding to the scanned original document;
• a compressor that divides the image data of the scanned original document into a plurality of image data blocks and compresses the plurality of image data blocks, which correspond to respective portions of the image data generated by the scanner, into respective compressed image data blocks, such that data of each compressed image data block is independent of data of each other compressed image data block;
• a first memory that stores each compressed image data block at a respective predetermined beginning address;
• a decompressor that accesses a first compressed image data block, having a first determined beginning address, from the first memory and decompresses the first compressed image data block into a first decompressed image data block;
• an image processor that performs at least one image processing function on the decompressed first image data block;
• and
• a second memory that stores the decompressed first image data block after the image processor performs the at least one image processing function,
• wherein one of the at least one image processing functions is to rotate the image data,
• wherein the first memory stores a second compressed image data block at a second predetermined beginning address that is offset by a predetermined amount from the first predetermined address, and
• wherein the decompressor accesses the second compressed image data block from the first memory and decompresses the second compressed image data block into a second decompressed image data block,
• wherein the image processor performs the at least one image processing functions on the second decompressed image data block, and
• wherein the second memory stores the decompressed second image data block after the image processor performs the at least one image processing function.

An image forming apparatus configured to reproduce original documents, comprising:

• a scanner that scans an original document and generates image data corresponding to the scanned original document;
• a compressor that divides the image data of the scanned original document into a plurality of image data blocks and compresses the plurality of image data blocks, which correspond to respective portions of the image data generated by the scanner, into respective compressed image data blocks, such that data of each compressed image data block is independent of data of each other compressed image data block;
• a first memory that stores each compressed image data block at a respective predetermined beginning address;
• a decompressor that accesses a first compressed image data block, having a first predetermined beginning address, from the first memory and decompresses the first compressed image data block into a first decompressed image data block;
• an image processor that performs at least one image processing function on the decompressed first image data block;
• a second memory that stores the decompressed first image data block after the image processor performs the at least one image processing function,
• wherein the decompressor accesses and decompresses each of the remaining compressed image data blocks one at a time in a predetermined order,
• wherein the image processor performs the at least one image processing function on each of the remaining image data blocks after the image data block is decompressed by the decompressor, respectively, and
• wherein the second memory stores each of the remaining image data blocks after the image processor performs the at least one image processing function to the image data blocks.