JP2005117290A - Image processing method, image processing system, image processing apparatus, and data storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus for capturing an image magnified in advance by an optical means or the like so as to execute image area separating processing with enhanced accuracy. <P>SOLUTION: A pre-stage color conversion section 1010 converts magnified image data RGB into image data Lab, and an image magnification section 1012 converts the image data Lab to have an unmagnification size with respect to an original draft. An image area separation section 1024 generates tag data tag 1 on the basis of the unmagnification image data Lab. A tag magnification section 1026 restores the tag data tag 1 to a tag data tag 2 with the same magnification as that of the magnified image. An image storage section 1100 once stores the image data Lab and the tag data tag 3 (1 or 2), and the image data Lab and the tag data tag 3 are synchronously read. A tag magnification section 1144 restores the read tag data tag 1 to tag data tag 4 with the same magnification as that of the magnified image. A selection section 1146 selects the tag data tag 3 or tag 4 in cooperation with a selection section 1028 to provide a tag data tag 5 with the same magnification as that of the magnified image to a merge processing section 1150. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing method used for forming a color output image corresponding to a color input image on a predetermined output medium after performing desired image processing on the color input image, and the image processing method. The present invention relates to an image processing system to be implemented, and an image processing apparatus and a data storage apparatus constituting the image processing system.

  For example, after a desired image processing is performed on an input color image, such as a printer, a facsimile machine, a copying machine, or a multi-function machine having a plurality of these functions, a color output image corresponding to this color image is output as a predetermined output. There is an image forming apparatus that forms on a medium.

For example, in the case of an image forming apparatus that supports color output, RGB (or Lab (correctly L ^* a ^* b ^* )) image data obtained by reading a document or image data input from a personal computer or the like is output to the output side. Convert to a color signal suitable for subtractive color mixing. For example, at least three (preferably four) from the Lab color system represented by the Lab signal, for example, the YMC color system represented by each color signal of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) Mapping processing to a system or a CMYK color system with black (K) added thereto generates raster data that has been color-separated for print output. This raster data is sent to a print engine that forms a visible image corresponding to the read original image or an image input from a personal computer or the like on a printing paper. The print engine forms an image on printing paper of a predetermined size based on the received raster data.

  In this case, image area adaptation processing that improves image quality by performing image processing according to the characteristics of individual components (image objects) in the image, such as photographs, halftone dots, and characters, and then passing the data to the print engine Some have a function. In this case, it is necessary to generate information (referred to as an image area identification signal or tag data) indicating the attribute of each component for each image object (or pixel).

  For example, in a system that generates image data on an external device such as a personal computer and inputs the data to the image forming apparatus, tag data is generated on the external device (or the image forming apparatus that received the image data). Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228707 proposes a mechanism for performing this.

JP 11-187261 A

  The technique proposed in Patent Document 1 interprets a file described in a known format, expands it into image data, and generates tag data indicating the attributes of image elements included in the image data in units of pixels. Is. Specifically, processing for a page description language such as PDL (Page Description Language) is assumed, an object list is created from PDL, tag data corresponding to an image byte map is generated, and first-in first-out (FIFO; First In First Out) memory is used to synchronize with image data and output. Therefore, image area separation processing is performed on a scanned image (an image in which characters, line drawings, photographs, etc. are not separated) such as copying (copier) to generate tag data, and adaptive processing suitable for each pixel is performed. I can't.

  On the other hand, there are image area separation processing for scan images and image area adaptation processing using tag data. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an apparatus having functions of such image area separation processing and image area adaptation processing. The image path on the lower side is a general one. Here, when image area separation processing is performed to generate tag data, the tag data is output with a delay with respect to the image (pixel corresponding to the tag data).

  In order to correct this delay, in this configuration example, after the input image data Lab is converted into image data YMCK by color conversion processing for each color cycle, the image data YMCK and tag data are put into an image memory (also referred to as TI memory). After that, for example, scaling, digital filter, AE (Auto Exposure; for example, ground color removal), gradation correction, TRC (Tone Reproduction Correction), or resolution conversion (400 to 600) Image processing is performed. At this time, in enlargement / reduction, digital filter, gradation correction, and TRC, image area adaptation processing using tag data is performed and passed to an engine (IOT: Image Output Terminal) via a selection switching unit (SEL). Yes.

  Further, as shown in the upper side of FIG. 10, the configuration including image storage means for performing functions such as page allocation and rearrangement (image rearrangement function; so-called electronic sort function) is the same as described above. After the image data YMCK and the tag data are synchronized, the image data YMCK and the tag data are output to the image storage means, compressed and stored in a page memory or a hard disk device (HDD), and then stored. After reading and decompressing, the image data is merged (paired) and passed to a subsequent processing unit, and image area adaptation processing is performed using tag data.

  In the configuration example shown in FIG. 10, regardless of whether or not the electronic sort function is provided, in both cases, the image area separation process and the tag data in the case of obtaining an output by scaling the document (when scaling output) are performed. The image area adaptation processing used is not clear.

  On the other hand, an image area separation process for obtaining tag data (image area identification signal) using the image data after scaling at the time of scaling output is known. For example, the configuration shown in FIG. 10 is also provided at the upstream side of the tag data generation unit, and after the image read by the scanner is subjected to pre-image processing such as amplification processing and shading correction at the upstream signal processing unit, Since the image is enlarged or reduced, this is the normal case. However, this approach can cause problems.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining this problem. The illustrated example shows an example in which a halftone original is processed. As shown in the figure, when an image that is not the same size as the original (other than 100%) is subjected to image area separation processing, the screen angle of the halftone dot, the dot dot diameter, and the dot pitch are different from the original document. Become. For this reason, when image area separation processing is performed by applying halftone dot pattern matching designed using a normal-size image, the determination result varies. To solve this problem, prepare detection patterns and parameters corresponding to the magnification, and output the pixel area and parameters of interest in pattern matching size and halftone dot detection in the image area separation algorithm. It is conceivable to switch according to the actual magnification.

  However, this method requires a huge amount of detection patterns and parameters. In addition, since it is necessary to switch the pattern matching size, the target pixel region, the parameter, and the like according to the magnification, a burden is imposed on the control. Also, even if the parameters are switched according to the magnification over multiple stages, it is difficult to obtain image area data with exactly the same performance as that at the same magnification. Furthermore, depending on the scaling algorithm used, the image data may be different from the original, which may cause erroneous separation that does not occur at the same magnification in the image area separation processing. As a result, an image quality defect may occur in the image after the image area adaptation processing.

  Patent Document 2 proposes a method for solving such problems in image area separation processing and image area adaptation processing during zooming. The technique described in Patent Document 2 reduces the hardware amount of image area separation processing by performing image area separation processing using image data that is the same size as the original when scaling the document to obtain output. In addition, high-precision tag data is obtained, and control is simplified by using the same parameters as those at the same magnification regardless of the variable magnification.

JP-A-5-63970

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 2 is an image area separation process that obtains tag data (image area identification signal) using image data after scaling when obtaining an output by scaling the document. In order to solve this problem, it is assumed that the image input to the image processing unit is the same size as the original. That is, the specific configuration disclosed in Patent Document 2 is an image area separation process for an image read by a scanner, that is, an image that is input to an image processing unit having a function of scaling the image thereafter. The target image.

  For this reason, when the output is obtained by scaling the document, for example, in an apparatus configured to scale in advance on the scanner side (front side of the image processing unit) such as optical scaling, An image cannot be a target image for image area separation processing. Therefore, in the configuration described in Patent Document 2, the image area separation process must be performed using a scaled image that is not the same size as the original, and the above-described problem occurs when the scaled image data is handled. End up.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and even when an image area separation process and an image area adaptation process are performed in an apparatus configured to perform a scaling process in advance on the front side of the image processing unit, the scaling output is performed. Occasionally, an image processing method capable of solving the above-described problem and generating highly accurate tag data and thereby performing a suitable image area adaptive process, an image processing system for implementing this image processing method, and an image processing system It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing device and a data storage device that constitute the above.

  That is, the image processing method according to the present invention performs image area separation processing for generating attribute information indicating the attribute of an image element included in the image, thereby making the characteristics of the image element relative to the image with reference to the attribute information. An image processing method that enables adaptive processing according to the first method. First, as a first method, an original image is obtained by taking a scaled image obtained by scaling the original image by a preliminary scaling function such as optical scaling. When the scaled output image corresponding to is generated, the captured scaled image is converted to an image (similar image) having substantially the same aspect ratio as the original image, and this aspect ratio is converted to substantially the same. The image area separation process is performed using the converted image (similar image).

  As a second technique, when a scaled image obtained by scaling the original image in advance is taken in and a scaled output image corresponding to the original image is generated, the scaled image is converted into the original image. The image area separation processing is performed using the converted image (same size image) converted to approximately the same magnification.

  When image area adaptation processing is performed on an image with reference to attribute information obtained by performing image area separation processing, first, a scaled image that incorporates attribute information obtained by image area separation processing It is preferable to perform the adaptation process on the scaled image with reference to the attribute information converted to the substantially same magnification.

  A first image processing system according to the present invention is a system that performs image area separation processing using the first technique, and uses a preliminary scaling function such as optical means in advance for the original image. An image acquisition unit that captures a scaled image that has been scaled in advance, and at least one of the vertical and horizontal directions of the scaled image that is captured by the image acquisition unit is enlarged or reduced so that the aspect ratio is the same as the original image. An image scaling unit for converting into substantially the same image, and an attribute information generating unit for generating attribute information by performing image area separation processing using the converted image whose aspect ratio is converted to be substantially the same by the image scaling unit; It was supposed to be equipped with.

  A second image processing system according to the present invention is a system that performs image area separation processing using the first method, and acquires an image obtained by capturing a scaled image obtained by scaling the original image in advance. An image scaling unit that converts the image to an image that is approximately the same size as the original image by enlarging or reducing at least one of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the scaled image captured by the image acquisition unit, and an image The image processing apparatus includes an attribute information generation unit that generates attribute information by performing an image area separation process using the converted image converted to approximately the same magnification by the scaling unit.

  The image processing apparatus and data storage apparatus according to the present invention are suitable for constructing the image processing system according to the present invention.

  The inventions described in the dependent claims define further advantageous specific examples of the image processing method, the image processing system, the image processing apparatus, and the data storage apparatus according to the present invention.

  For example, it is convenient to combine the first and second methods according to the present invention with an image rearrangement function (further, a tandem gap correction function) such as page allocation or rearrangement. In this case, the acquired scaled image and the attribute information obtained by the image area separation process (may be converted to the same magnification as the scaled image) are stored in the storage unit used for the image rearrangement function. It is preferable to reduce the dedicated attribute information storage memory by performing a synchronous output process of reading the scaled image and the attribute information from the storage unit and outputting them in association with each other after the common storage.

  In addition, when combining such an image area separation processing function and an image rearrangement function, image data in a device-independent color space is used for image area separation processing, and the device-independent color space is used. It is preferable to execute the image rearrangement function on the image data.

  When the image area separation processing function and the image rearrangement function are combined and the image area adaptation processing is performed by referring to the attribute information obtained by the image area separation processing, the attribute information is substantially the same as the scaled image. In the case of conversion to the magnification, the magnification conversion may be executed on either the image processing apparatus side that executes the image area separation processing function or the image area adaptation processing function or the data storage apparatus side that executes the image rearrangement function. It is even better if it is possible to switch the side that actually performs the magnification conversion.

  In order to achieve this switchable configuration, an attribute information scaling unit and a selection unit are provided on both the image processing device side and the data storage device side, and the selection unit of the data storage device on the rear side is connected to the front side. The attribute information to be selected and output is determined according to whether the magnification of the attribute information output from the selection unit of the image processing apparatus is the same as the scaled image or the original image.

  The image processing method, image processing system, image processing apparatus, and data storage apparatus according to the present invention can also be realized by operating as software using an electronic computer (computer). It is also possible to extract a recording medium storing this program as an invention. Note that the program may be provided by being stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or may be distributed via wired or wireless communication means.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in an apparatus having a preliminary scaling function for generating an image that has been further scaled in advance before an image processing unit having a scaling process function, When the processed image is input to the image area separation processing unit or the image processing unit, at least the image area separation is performed after performing the aspect ratio stabilization process that makes the aspect ratio of the image substantially the same as the aspect ratio of the document. Since the processing is performed, the accuracy of the image area separation processing can be improved as compared with the case where the aspect ratio stabilization processing is not performed. For example, image area separation processing can be performed with the angle of the halftone dot being the same as that of the original.

  In addition to the aspect ratio, if the image area separation process is performed after performing the image equalization process to make the image size an image close to the original, the accuracy of the image area separation process is further improved. be able to. For example, not only the halftone dot angle but also the halftone dot size and interval can be made the same as that of the original to perform image area separation processing.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Configuration of copying machine>
FIG. 1 is a mechanism diagram of a copying apparatus (an example of an image processing system) equipped with an image processing unit which is an embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. The copying apparatus 1 roughly includes an image acquisition unit 10 that reads a document and acquires image data, an image processing unit 20 that performs desired image processing on the image data read by the image acquisition unit 10, and An image output unit 30 that forms an image corresponding to a document on a predetermined output medium based on the processed image processed by the image processing unit 20 and a platen cover 60 are provided. The image processing unit 20 is provided at a boundary portion between the image acquisition unit 10 and the image output unit 30.

  For example, the copying apparatus 1 can be connected to a network via a connection cable (not shown). For example, a CSMA / CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection) type LAN (Local Area Network; for example, IEEE 802.3) or a Gigabit (Giga Bit) based LAN (hereinafter collectively referred to as a wired LAN) connects to an image input terminal. Is done. As an image input terminal, for example, an arbitrary number of image input sources such as a personal computer, a color scanner, a digital camera, or a data storage device such as a hard disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, or an optical disk device for processing such as document creation and editing are used. May be included. Each of these terminal devices incorporates an application program for creating a document. The image input terminal inputs a document to the copying apparatus 1.

  The copying apparatus 1 is not limited to an apparatus that obtains an image as electronic data from these image input terminals. For example, the copying apparatus 1 is a device that has a communication function for obtaining an image as electronic data via a communication network (not shown). Also good. For example, it is connected to an image input terminal such as a FAX apparatus via a public switched telephone network (PSTN). Instead of the general subscriber telephone network PSTN, facsimile may be exchanged using ISDN (Integrated Switched Digital Network) or other communication media including the Internet.

  The copying apparatus 1 is, for example, an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) 1394 standard device 3f or a USB (Universal Serial Bus; 1.1 or 2.0) standard device. Connection is possible, and digital image data can be received from these devices. Alternatively, the copying apparatus 1 can be controlled remotely via these devices.

  As described above, the copying apparatus 1 forms an image based on image data from various image input terminals (prints and outputs it) as well as a copying function for forming a copy of a document read by the image acquisition unit 10. For example, a so-called multi-function machine (multifunction machine) having a page printer function and a facsimile transmission / reception function is configured as a digital printing apparatus. At this time, for example, the image processing unit 20 having the same function may be configured to use different function modules according to the purpose of use of the system configuration (see the description of device configuration development described later).

  The image acquisition unit 10 includes a platen glass (original placement table) 11 made of transparent glass provided on a housing. The image acquisition unit 10 also has a light source 12 that emits light toward the surface (back surface) opposite to the document placement surface of the platen glass 11 below the platen glass 11, and the light emitted from the light source 12. A substantially concave reflecting shade 17 that reflects toward the glass 11 is provided. As the light source 12, a halogen lamp whose longitudinal direction is the direction of main scanning FS (Fast Scan) (the depth direction in the drawing) is used.

  Further, the image acquisition unit 10 receives reflected light from the platen glass 11 side and receives an image in the direction of the main scanning FS substantially perpendicular to the direction of the sub-scanning SS (Slow Scan) (the reading direction of the arrow X1 in the figure). A contact optical system including a light receiving unit 13 that sequentially outputs image signals (analog electrical signals) corresponding to reading and density, and a signal processing unit 14 that amplifies and outputs the image signals from the light receiving unit 13 to a predetermined level. Is. For example, the light receiving unit 13 includes a line sensor (not shown) including a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). The light receiving unit 13 is disposed on the substrate 15 together with the signal processing unit 14 and the like, and constitutes an optical scanning system (sensor unit) 16.

  Although not shown, the image acquisition unit 10 also includes a drive motor such as a wire, a drive pulley, or a stepping motor for moving the light source 12, the light receiving unit 13, the signal processing unit 14, and the like under the platen glass 11. Provided in the body. The driving pulley is reciprocally rotated by the driving force of the driving motor, and the wire is wound around the driving pulley by the rotation driving. As a result, the light receiving unit 13 and the like are configured to be able to reciprocate integrally below the platen glass 11 in the sub-scanning SS direction (arrow X1 in the figure) and in the opposite direction (arrow X2 in the figure). . In addition, the read image is enlarged or reduced (magnified) in the sub-scanning direction by changing the relative movement speed between the optical scanning system (sensor unit) 16 and the original as compared with normal reading (100% output). It is also possible.

  In the above configuration, in the fixed reading method in which the original is read while being placed on the platen glass 11, the original is placed on the platen glass 11 serving as a document placing table by hand (a document feeder may be used) With the original fixed (stop-locked) at an arbitrary position on the platen glass 11, the light receiving unit 13 is moved and scanned at a constant speed in the direction of the arrow X1 (sub-scanning direction) from a predetermined reading start position. To expose and read the image.

  The image acquisition unit 10 converts an input image obtained by reading a document placed on the platen glass 11 into digital image data R, G, and B of red, green, and blue color components. For example, the light from the light source 12 irradiates a document placed on the platen glass 11, and the opposite light is split into red, green, and blue colors via an optical system (not shown). Each color light is incident on a light receiving unit 13 including a CCD line sensor or the like divided for each color light, and an input image is read at a resolution of, for example, 400 dpi (400 dots / 1 inch), whereby red (R), Analog image signals of green (G) and blue (B) color components are obtained.

  The signal processing unit 14 functioning as a pre (Pre) image processing unit amplifies the red, green, and blue image signals from the light receiving unit 13 to a predetermined level by an amplification unit (not shown), and performs, for example, shading correction. Pre-image processing is performed, and further, digital image data R, G, and B of red, green, and blue are output from the A / D converter by being converted into digital data by an A / D converter (not shown). The red, green, and blue image data R, G, and B are sent to the image processing unit 20 through the cable 19.

  The image output unit 30 is based on image data obtained by the image acquisition unit 10 and processed by the image processing unit 20 or image data obtained from an external image input terminal, electrophotographic, thermal, thermal transfer, A visible image is formed (printed) on an output medium such as plain paper or thermal paper using an ink jet type or similar conventional image forming process. Therefore, the image output unit 30 includes, for example, a raster output scan (ROS) based print engine for operating the copying apparatus 1 as a digital printing system. The image output unit 30 of the present embodiment has a tandem configuration having image forming units (transfer units / engines) 31 of output colors Y, M, C, and K arranged in parallel in a certain direction at regular intervals. It is. In the following, each of the image forming units 31 of each color is denoted by reference symbols Y, M, C, and K, and the color symbols are omitted when collectively referred to. The same applies to other members.

  In the illustrated example, four output colors Y, M, C, and K are used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, more outputs such as gray (gray) Gy as the fifth color are used. It may include a color or may be three colors of Y, M, and C excluding black (K). Even in these cases, the Y color with low human visual sensitivity is set as the first color (the color that is first output to the paper). Further, the combination of output colors is not limited to the Y, M, C (which may further include K) system, but may be, for example, the R, G, B system. Even in these cases, a color having low human visual sensitivity is set as the first color.

  A photosensitive drum 32 is disposed at the center of the image forming unit 31, and a primary charger 33, a developing unit 34, a transfer charger 35, and the like are disposed around the photosensitive drum 32. A writing scanning optical system such as a polygon mirror 39 for recording a latent image on the photosensitive drum 32 based on the formation data is provided.

  The image output unit 30 includes a paper cassette 41 and a conveyance path 42 for conveying the printing paper to the image forming unit 31. A leading edge detector 44 is provided in proximity to a conveyance path 42 for printing paper conveyed from the paper cassette 41 to each image forming unit 31. The leading edge detector 44 optically detects, for example, the leading edge of the printing paper fed onto the transfer belt (conveyance belt) 43 through the registration roller 42 a to obtain a leading edge detection signal, and this leading edge detection signal is sent to the image processing unit 20. send.

  The image processing unit 20 synchronizes with the tip detection signal input from the image output unit 30, and outputs a predetermined image to the red, green, and blue image data R, G, and B from the signal processing unit 14 of the image acquisition unit 10. After the processing, Y, M, C, and K image formation data (on / off binarized toner signal) is obtained, and the image processed data for each color of Y, M, C, and K that has been processed is sequentially placed at regular intervals ( A so-called tandem gap) is input to the image output unit 30.

  In the image output unit 30, first, the semiconductor laser 38Y as a light source for forming a latent image is driven by yellow (Y) image formation data from the image processing unit 20, thereby converting the yellow image formation data into an optical signal. The converted laser beam is irradiated toward the polygon mirror 39. The laser light further scans the photosensitive drum 32Y charged by the primary charger 33Y via the reflection mirrors 47Y, 48Y, and 49Y, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 32Y. The electrostatic latent image is converted into a toner image by a developing device 34Y to which yellow toner is supplied. The toner image is transferred to a sheet by a transfer charger 35Y while the sheet on the transfer belt 43 passes through the photosensitive drum 32Y. Transcribed above. After the transfer, excess toner is removed from the photosensitive drum 32Y by the cleaner 36Y.

  Similarly, the semiconductor lasers 38M, 38C, and 38K are driven by the corresponding M, C, and K color image formation data obtained from the image processing unit 20 sequentially with respect to the yellow image formation data at regular intervals. As a result, the image forming data of each color is converted into an optical signal, and the converted laser light is irradiated toward the polygon mirror 39. The laser light is further scanned on the photosensitive drums 32M, 32C, and 32K charged by the primary chargers 33M, 33C, and 33K via the reflection mirrors 47M to 49M, 47C to 49C, and 47K to 49K, thereby exposing the photosensitive drums. Electrostatic latent images are sequentially formed on the body drums 32M, 32C, and 32K.

  Each electrostatic latent image is sequentially converted into a toner image by developing units 34M, 34C, and 34K to which toner of each color is supplied, and each toner image is a photosensitive drum 32M, 32C, and 32K to which the paper on the transfer belt 43 corresponds. Are sequentially transferred onto the paper by the corresponding transfer chargers 35M, 35C, and 35K.

  The paper on which the toner images of each color of Y, M, C, and K are sequentially transferred in this way is peeled off from the transfer belt 43, the toner is fixed by the fixing roller 45, and is discharged outside the copying machine. .

  Note that the configuration of the image output unit 30 is not limited to that described above, and may be, for example, an intermediate transfer type including one or two intermediate transfer belts.

<Configuration of image processing unit>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the image processing unit 20 that functions as a main image processing apparatus provided in the copying apparatus 1 having the above configuration. In the image processing unit 20, the image data A, B, and C from the image acquisition unit 10 (signal processing unit 14) are input.

  As shown in the figure, the image processing unit 20 is roughly divided into a front image processing unit 20a and a rear image processing unit 20b. An image area separation processing function unit (not shown) may be provided in parallel with the image processing unit 20. The image area separation processing function unit will be described in detail later.

  The pre-stage image processing unit 20a includes an input data processing unit 100 having a ground color detection unit 102 and an input DF (Digital Filter) unit, and a scaling processing unit 200 having a sub-scanning scaling processing unit and a main scanning scaling processing unit. It has.

  The post-stage image processing unit 20b includes a pre-stage color adjustment unit 400, a color conversion unit 500 that converts an input color signal into another color signal system, a post-stage image correction unit 600 that includes a ground color removal processing unit and a gradation correction unit. And an output data processing unit 700 for generating image data (for example, binarized data) for the image output unit 30 in this order.

  Each functional unit in the latter-stage image processing unit 20b has a function of an adaptive process execution unit that performs an adaptive process according to the characteristics of an image object such as a character / photo / halftone dot with reference to tag data.

  Hereinafter, the outline of each functional part constituting the image processing unit 20 will be described, and the image area separation processing function which is a characteristic part of the present embodiment will be described in detail later. In the following description, “D” indicating that the image data is image data, a reference symbol of the functional portion, and a reference symbol of each signal are sequentially attached to the image data output from each functional portion. Will be shown. In addition, when the plurality of signals are collectively referred to, “D” indicating image data, a functional part reference code, and reference signs of all signals are sequentially attached. For example, the data A output from the image acquisition unit 10 is D10A, the data B and C are D10B and D10C, and these are collectively D10ABC.

  The input data processing unit 100 of the pre-stage image processing unit 20a has a ground color detection processing function and a DF (digital filter) processing function. The ground color detection processing function detects the ground color component (background level) of the document to be read based on the data D10A, D10B, and D10C input from the image acquisition unit 10, and according to each of the color document and the monochrome document. A ground color image signal indicating the ground color component is output. In addition, the ground color detection processing function is configured so that various methods can be switched and used as a ground color component detection method.

  The DF processing function of the input data processing unit applies a spatial filter to each of the data D10A and the data D10B and D10C input from the image acquisition unit 10.

  The scaling processing unit 200 performs scaling processing independently for each of the sub-scanning direction and the main scanning direction. Different methods may be used for the data D10A and the color data D10B and D10C in consideration of the relationship between human visual sensitivity, image quality, and calculation processing load (for example, JP-A-9-298660, JP-A-2000-151989). Issue).

  Also, in preparation for the case where attribute information corresponding to the type of image element (character / line drawing area, graphic area, natural image area, etc.) input to the image processing unit 20 is input as tag data (for example, described later). When tag data is generated and input by image area separation processing), an individual circuit corresponding to the input tag data is also prepared, and the tag data D100T is reduced in accordance with the scaling process in the sub-scanning direction of the image. Process.

  The reduction magnification for data D100A, the reduction magnification for data D100B and 100C, and the reduction magnification for tag data D100T can be set independently.

  The ground color removal processing unit included in the subsequent image correction unit 600 uses the ground color component (ground color image data) detected by the ground color detection unit included in the input data processing unit 100 of the previous image processing unit 20a as an AE function. Based on the calculation, ground color components are removed.

  The pre-stage color adjustment unit 400 performs contrast adjustment (density adjustment) and hue adjustment on the input image data D200A, D200B, and D200C in a predetermined order, and then inputs the processed image to the color conversion unit 500. To do.

  Note that there are various methods of color conversion performed by the color conversion unit 500, and any method may be used.

  The post-stage color correction unit 600 first performs ground color removal and filter processing for each of the color image data D500A ′, D500B ′, D500C ′, and D500D ′ after color conversion, and performs gradation on the processed color image data. Make corrections. Here, adaptive image processing is performed using the tag data D500T.

  The output data processing unit 700 uses the output images D600A ′, D600B ′, D600C ′, D600D ′, and the tag D600T of the post-stage image correction unit 600 as input data, and binarized data obtained by applying screen processing to the tandem gap. Are sequentially output to the image output unit 30 side at regular intervals. Each color can be operated at an independent timing, and an error diffusion function and a packing function are exclusively selected / functioned. Note that the output data processing unit 700 may be provided with a resolution conversion function such as converting 400 SPI into 600 SPI (Spots Per Inch), for example.

<Example of system configuration for copying machines>
3 divides the image processing unit 20 shown in FIG. 2 into a pre-stage image processing unit 20a and a post-stage image processing unit 20b, adds an image area separation processing unit, generates a tag, and adapts according to the tag It is an example which showed the structure which performs a process, a front | former stage image process, and a back | latter stage image process.

  The image processing unit (A) 21 (14) performs pre-image processing such as color space conversion on the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 10. The image processing unit (C) 24 performs image area separation processing, and outputs the result as tag data in synchronization with the image.

  The image processing unit (B) 22 (20) performs filter processing and scaling processing on the output image of the image processing unit 24, and sends the processed image and tag data to the electronic sort unit (data storage device) 1310. Output.

  The image processing unit D 26 (20) extracts the image and tag data from the electronic sort unit 1310, performs image processing such as color adjustment, color conversion, post-stage color correction, and output data processing, and outputs them to the image output unit 30.

<Preliminary scaling processing function>
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the rotation function of the image processing unit (C) 24 provided in the image reading apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. The image acquisition unit 10 will be described as having a configuration that uses optical scaling for both enlargement and reduction in the sub-scanning direction. Here, the case where the image acquisition unit 10 reads with 70% reduction and the case with 141% enlargement in the sub-scanning direction SS using optical scaling is shown.

  The image processing unit 24 has a function of rotating the image captured from the image acquisition unit 10 by data processing. The image processing unit 24 also has a function of scaling the size in the main scanning direction FS according to the scaling factor in the sub-scanning direction by the image acquisition unit 10 that performs mechanical scaling in the sub-scanning direction when the image is rotated. That is, the image processing unit 24 can perform scaling processing + image rotation processing (interlocking processing). As a mechanism for realizing the scaling processing function, a method similar to that of the scaling processing unit 200 of the image processing unit 20 may be employed. This pre-scaling function is also included, including the scaling process + image rotation process for the optically scaled image. Then, an image subjected to the scaling process using the preliminary scaling function is sent to the image processing unit 20 and the image area separation processing unit 1000.

  For example, when the rotation function of the image processing unit 24 is not operated for an image read at 70% reduction (No Rot: reduction), an image reduced by 70% only in the sub-scanning direction SS is output. The data is input to the data detection processing unit 1020 or the like. On the other hand, when the rotation function is activated for an image read at 70% reduction (rotation: reduction), an image reduced by 70% is output in both the sub-scanning direction SS and the main scanning direction FS.

  Similarly, when the rotation function of the image processing unit 24 is not operated for an image read at 141% enlargement (No Rot: enlargement), an image enlarged by 141% is output only in the sub-scanning direction SS, and the rotation function is activated. When operated (with Rot: enlargement), an image enlarged by 141% is output in both the sub-scanning direction SS and the main scanning direction FS. However, there are certain restrictions on the enlargement size.

  This optical scaling in the sub-scanning direction can be realized by changing the relative movement speed of the optical scanning system (sensor unit) 16 and the document in the sub-scanning direction, so that no complicated data processing is required, and the sub-scanning direction. The scaling process is simplified. If the optical distortion is ignored, the image quality of the zoomed image can be improved. This is because when the scaling process is performed in the data processing, a false signal is generated in a high-resolution part or a part having a high contrast (for example, an edge part), which may cause image quality deterioration. The resolution in the sub-scanning direction increases at the time of scanning. For example, at 600 SPI, at 100% (same size), it is about 24 pixels / 1 mm. At 200% magnification, this is about 48 pixels / 1 mm, and 1 mm is held with double pixel information. In this embodiment, only the image for image region separation is subjected to scaling processing, separation processing is performed, Tag (attribute) information is generated, and this is returned to the original magnification. The scanned image is input to the subsequent image processing unit with the original magnification.

On the other hand, in the case of Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-63970), since this is enlarged using a 100% image,
1) Repeating the same image (repeats the same data for 4 pixels in the case of 200% enlargement) and converting it to a desired magnification.
2) It is necessary to convert to an image suitable for the magnification by interpolation processing.
In any of the above 1) and 2), it is necessary to newly create image information that does not exist based on the information of surrounding images. Therefore, patent document 2 is inferior to this embodiment. The image is originally enlarged at the time of scanning, and it is assumed that this image is used.

  In addition, when an enlarged image is input, it may not be detected that the halftone dot that can be detected at 100% is 200%. For example, when 200% of halftone dot printing with a screen line number of 100 lines (dot interval of 0.25 mm) is scanned, it becomes equivalent to 50 lines (0.5 mm), and the dot interval is enlarged. It will exceed. At this time, the detection window may be widened, but the hardware scale increases. Such a problem does not occur in the configuration of the present embodiment in which the window size is determined based on the number of halftone lines to be detected in an image near 100%.

<Combination of image area separation processing and electronic sorting>
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a preferred configuration focusing on image area separation processing in the copying apparatus 1 shown in FIG. The configuration shown in FIG. 5 is characterized in that an image area separation processing function and an image rearrangement function (electronic sort function) such as page allocation and rearrangement are combined. Further, in this configuration, according to the tandem configuration of the image output unit 30, it is possible to use the image data for each output color independently at a timing shifted by the tandem gap. First, the basic configuration of the image area separation processing of the present embodiment will be described using this block diagram, and the combination with the image processing unit 20 shown in FIG. 2 will be described later.

  As a configuration for performing image area separation processing, the copying apparatus 1 first includes an image area separation processing unit 1000 that identifies an image area in real time based on a document image read by the image acquisition unit 10, and a Lab color space. And a data storage device 1100 that executes an image rearrangement function with the image data. The image area separation processing unit 1000 according to the present embodiment is configured to be disposed between the image acquisition unit 10 that reads a document and the image processing unit 20 illustrated in FIG.

  For example, the image area separation processing unit 1000 converts the image data RGB in the RGB color space (input device-dependent color space) read by the image acquisition unit 10 that is an input device into the Lab color space that is a device-independent color space. A pre-stage color conversion unit 1010 that converts to image data Lab, and a magnification conversion (hereinafter, referred to as an image of approximately the same size) that is close to the original (original) in both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. An image scaling unit 1012 (also referred to as an image equalization process) and a tag data detection processing unit 1020 that performs an image area separation process using the image scaled by the image scaling unit 1012 are provided.

  The image scaling unit 1012 refers to the magnification information notified from the image acquisition unit 10 side (or a control unit that controls the entire copying apparatus 1 (not shown)), and the aspect ratio is the same as the aspect ratio of the document in both main scanning and sub scanning. A process of converting the image to a normal size image (similar image), preferably an image (magnification image) having a magnification close to that of the original (original) is performed. For example, when an enlarged image is input, a process for converting to an equal-size image is performed by a reduction process. Conversely, when a reduced image is input, a process for converting to an equal-size image is performed by an enlargement process. Is input, the input image is output as it is without performing any reduction processing and enlargement processing.

  The tag data detection processing unit 1020 performs image area separation processing based on the image data from the image scaling unit 1012 and generates an equal-magnification image with the same aspect ratio as that of the original (the image scaling unit 1012 generates an equal-magnification image). The image area separation unit 1022, which is an example of an attribute information generation unit that generates first tag data Tag (hereinafter referred to as an aspect ratio equal magnification tag data tag 1) having the same magnification in the form, and an image area separation unit 1022 And a tag scaling unit 1024 which is an example of an attribute information scaling unit that converts the tag data having the same aspect ratio into the second tag data Tag with the original magnification (hereinafter referred to as original magnification size tag data tag2). The tag data detection processing unit 1020 selects either the aspect ratio equal magnification tag data generated by the image area separation unit 1022 or the original magnification size tag data converted by the tag scaling unit 1024, and selects the third And a selection unit 1026 for outputting as tag data tag3.

  The image area separation unit 1022 is the same-size image data input from the image scaling unit 1012, and is a device independent of Lab color space that can handle the lightness (luminance) component and the color component independently. Regardless of the magnification of the image to be processed (image captured by the tag data detection processing unit 1020; hereinafter also referred to as an image at the time of reading) using the image data, the same algorithm as that at the normal magnification is used, and image area separation is performed. The aspect ratio equal magnification tag data (Tag0) is obtained using the equal magnification parameter corresponding to the equal magnification image as a parameter (not limited to a value but also including a mask pattern to be used) used for processing.

  The tag scaling unit 1024 has a function of enlarging or reducing the aspect ratio equal magnification tag data (Tag0) generated by the image area separation unit 1022. That is, the tag data detected by the image area separation unit 1022 is scaled to match the magnification of the image at the time of reading. For example, when the enlarged image is inputted to the image area separation processing unit 1000, the aspect ratio equal magnification tag data is enlarged, and conversely, when the reduced image is inputted, the reduction processing is performed to reduce the original magnification (enlarged). Image) original magnification size tag data is generated.

  The image read by the image acquisition unit 10 includes, for example, image elements (image objects) such as characters, rectangular figures, circles, lines, photographic images (natural images), and dot images. The image area separation unit 1022 uses, for each pixel of the bitmap data indicated by the image data Lab, these image elements by using a known image area separation method, such as a natural image area, a graphic area, a character / line drawing area, and the like. The tag data indicating the attribute of the image element represented by the pixel is generated. For example, if N bits are allocated as tag data, it can be distinguished into 2 N types at the maximum.

  As an image area separation method, for example, several types of patterns reflecting the characteristics of character edges are prepared, and character portions are separated by performing pattern matching. Further, the halftone dot peak and valley peak are judged from the densities of the target pixel and surrounding pixels, and the halftone dot region is separated. In addition, a plurality of detection mask patterns (corresponding to the number of lines, angle, halftone dot size, etc.) corresponding to the halftone dot configuration of the document to be read are prepared, and the halftone dot region is separated by pattern matching. May be. Further, the achromatic color part (for example, black part) and the chromatic color part are separated from each other using L, a, and b data.

  When enlargement / reduction in the sub-scanning direction is performed using optical scaling, an image that is the same size as the original cannot be input to the image processing unit 20 or the tag data detection processing unit 1020 as a processing target. In this way, when an image that is the same size as the original is not set as the processing target image, the same algorithm as that used for the normal size is used, and the same size parameter corresponding to the same size image is used as the parameter used for the image area separation processing When the tag data is obtained using, the angle of the halftone dots and the size and interval of the halftone dots are different from those of the original, so that the accuracy of the image area separation process is deteriorated as described in the section of the prior art. Switching parameters according to the magnification complicates configuration and control.

  On the other hand, according to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, the input scaled image is returned to the image of the same size as the original by the image scaling unit 1012 by the image scaling unit 1012, and then the image area separation process is performed. Therefore, regardless of the magnification at the time of reading, the image area separation processing accuracy does not deteriorate and the attribute determination does not vary.

  Further, since processing can be performed using the same algorithm and parameters as those at the same magnification, the hardware amount of the image area separation unit 1022 can be reduced, and processing parameter setting values and a mask pattern matrix can be used for each scaling factor. There is no need to switch the size, etc., and control becomes simple. That is, highly accurate image area separation processing can be executed with a simple configuration and processing, and highly accurate image area adaptation processing can be performed on an image.

  It should be noted that Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-63970) discloses that tag data (image area identification information) is obtained using image data that is the same size as the original when the original is scaled. Common to the method described. However, in the configuration described in Patent Document 2, the image data read by the image acquisition unit 10 is handled as image data that is the same size as the original, and the image data used by the image output unit 30 is generated. The image data read by the image acquisition unit 10 (image data having the same magnification as the read data) is input to the image processing unit 20 that performs the image area separation process. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, in the case where a pre-scaled image that has been previously scaled (enlarged / reduced) by optical scaling is input on the image acquisition unit 10 side, an image having the same magnification as the read document is input. Image area separation processing using data cannot be performed, and appropriate tag data (image area identification information) cannot be obtained.

  On the other hand, in the configuration of the above-described embodiment, even when a scaled (enlarged / reduced) image is input, processing is performed using the same algorithm and parameters as in the case of equal magnification regardless of the magnification at the time of reading. Therefore, the difference is that tag data (image area identification information) is acquired after the scaled image is returned to an image of the same size as the original by image equalization processing.

  In addition, as described above, it is possible to obtain a high-quality zoomed image in advance by performing zooming processing using optical zooming, so the image quality improvement effect by image area adaptive processing using highly accurate tag data In combination with this, the image quality can be increased synergistically. This is an effect that can never be obtained with the configuration described in Patent Document 2.

  On the other hand, the data storage device 1100 includes a control unit 1122 that controls the entire data storage device 1100 and a small capacity that is an example of a semiconductor memory that holds image data or tag data for one page (may be several pages). Page memory unit (PM) 1124 and an image memory unit 1128 including a hard disk device (HDD) 1126 which is an example of a non-volatile mass storage medium capable of holding image data and tag data for a large number of pages.

  Further, the data storage device 1100 includes an image compression / decompression unit 1130 having an image compression / decompression processing function for compressing and decompressing image data, and tag data (original magnification size tag data and tag data) input from the tag data detection processing unit 1020. Tag data Tag (original magnification size tag) of the original magnification when the tag data detection processing unit 1020 compresses or expands the same magnification tag data (either one of the same aspect ratio tag data) or when the same aspect ratio tag data is input from the tag data detection processing unit 1020. A tag data processing unit 1140 that converts the data into (data), image data Lab from the image compression / decompression unit 1130, and tag data from the tag data processing unit 1140 in association with each other (merge) and output. And a processing unit 1150. The control unit 1122 and the merge processing unit 1150 constitute a synchronous output processing unit 1160.

  The functional units such as the control unit 1122, the image memory unit 1128, the image compression / decompression unit 1130, and the tag data processing unit 1140 are connected by a bus line 1129 through which data signals and control signals are transmitted.

  The image compression / decompression unit 1130 includes an image compression unit 1132 that performs encoding / compression processing on image data, an image decompression unit 1134 that performs decoding / decompression processing on compressed image data, and an image compression unit 1132 and an image decompression unit 1134. An interface unit (I / F) 1136 is provided. Although not shown, the image compression / decompression unit 1130 includes a parameter setting unit that sets compression / decoding parameters, a write control unit that controls data writing to the page memory unit 1124 and the hard disk device 1126, and vice versa. And a read control unit for controlling the data reading.

  The image compression / decompression unit 1130 having the image compression / decompression processing function is used for electronic sorting using the image memory unit 1128 (page memory unit 1124 and hard disk device 1126). At this time, the image compression / decompression unit 1130 compresses the image data in units of pages in a compressed image format such as JPEG or PNG (for example, a lossy format giving priority to the compression rate) and temporarily stores (compresses) the image data in the image memory unit 1128. Storage) or decompressing a compressed and stored print image (image data in units of pages).

  The tag data processing unit 1140 includes a tag compression / decompression unit 1142, a tag scaling unit 1144, and a selection unit 1146. A selection unit 1026 provided on the image area separation processing unit 1000 side and a selection unit 1146 provided on the data storage device 1100 side work together and are provided on the image area separation processing unit 1000 side. Tag data tag5 output from the selection unit 1146 and input to the merge processing unit 1150 by functioning one of the tag scaling unit 1024 and the tag scaling unit 1144 provided on the data storage device 1100 side. Is configured to have approximately the same magnification as the scaled image input to the merge processing unit 1150. That is, an apparatus that actually executes magnification conversion so that tag data that is the same size as the original has approximately the same magnification as the scaled image is provided on either the image area separation processing unit 1000 side or the data storage apparatus 1100 side. It can be switched.

  Similar to the image compression / decompression unit 1130, the tag compression / decompression unit 1142 includes a compression unit, a decompression unit, an interface unit, and the like (not shown). The tag compression / decompression unit 1142 encodes and compresses the tag data received from the image area separation processing unit 1000 in order to save memory capacity, and once with the corresponding (compressed) image data for each pixel. The image memory unit 1128 is temporarily stored. Further, in order to further save the memory capacity, the compressed image data and tag data are not stored in separate memories, but are stored in different areas on the same memory. When storing in different areas on the same memory in this way, each data is stored on the same memory and cannot be read at the same time. Therefore, when decompressing, each data is read from the memory in a time-sharing manner. It is necessary to transfer the decompressor (image to the image compression / decompression unit 1130 and tag data to the tag compression / decompression unit 1142).

  The tag scaling unit 1144 performs size conversion (for tag data) for enlarging or reducing the tag data (tag 3; the data expanded by the tag compression / decompression unit 1142) input from the selection unit 1026 of the image area separation processing unit 1000. Original magnification processing function. For example, when the corresponding image is an enlarged image, the enlargement process is performed when the same aspect ratio tag data tag1 is input. Conversely, when the corresponding image is a reduced image, the same aspect ratio tag data tag1 is input. In such a case, reduction processing is performed to generate fourth tag data (original magnification size tag data tag4) of the original magnification (enlarged image).

  Such a function of the tag scaling unit 1144 is used, for example, when the capacity for tag data is kept constant or reduced. Specifically, when the image input to the image area separation processing unit 1000 is an enlarged image, the selection unit 1026 selects the same aspect ratio tag data tag1 itself generated by the image area separation unit 1022. To the data storage device 1100. The tag magnification unit 1144 performs enlargement processing to generate original magnification size tag data tag4 of the original magnification (enlarged image), and the selection unit 1146 selects the original magnification size tag data tag4 and selects the fifth magnification tag data tag4. The data is input to the merge processing unit 1150 as tag data tag5.

  On the other hand, if the image input to the image area separation processing unit 1000 is a reduced image, the selection unit 1026 uses not the aspect ratio equal magnification tag data tag1 itself generated by the image area separation unit 1022 but a tag magnification unit. The original magnification size tag data tag2 reduced at 1024 is selected and transferred to the data storage device 1100. The selection unit 1146 selects and outputs the original magnification size tag data tag3. As a result, the data capacity handled by the tag compression / decompression unit 1142 is reduced by setting the size of the tag data between the image area separation processing unit 1000 and the data storage device 1100 to the smallest possible size.

  Even when the image input to the image area separation processing unit 1000 is a reduced image, the selection unit 1026 selects the same aspect ratio tag data tag1 itself generated by the image area separation unit 1022 and stores the data. The original magnification size tag data tag4 of the original magnification (reduced image) is generated by performing reduction processing at the tag scaling unit 1144 and the selection unit 1146 selects the original magnification size tag data tag4. If output is performed, the data capacity can be kept constant by keeping the size of the tag data between the image area separation processing unit 1000 and the data storage device 1100 constant.

  In any case, the selection unit 1026 on the data storage device 1100 side and the selection unit 1146 on the data storage device 1100 function in cooperation, and at the time of output from the selection unit 1146, the original magnification of the original magnification By selecting and outputting the size tag data tag2 or tag4, the magnification of the tag data is set to be the same as that of the original image input to the image area separation processing unit 1000.

  When the control unit 1122 merges and outputs the image data Lab and the tag data via the merge processing unit 1150, the control unit 1122 assigns the original image to one sheet and rearranges the processing page order (electronic sort function). Perform tandem gap correction function. In other words, regardless of the order in which the image data and tag data are stored in the image memory unit 1128, the image data and the tag data necessary for realizing these functions are associated with each other and read out so as to perform the tandem gap correction function. Execute output processing. At this time, the control unit 1122 uses the page memory unit 1124 and the hard disk device 1126 to synchronize the image data Lab and the tag data. For this reason, a dedicated image memory (attribute storage memory) is required to delay the image data and synchronize with the tag data (image area signal) while performing the image area separation processing, which is required in the conventional configuration. The structure becomes compact because it does not.

  In this configuration, the electronic sort, tandem gap correction function, and the like are performed on image data in the device-independent Lab color space, not in the output device-dependent YMCK color space. Since there are fewer output colors than those on the output unit 30 (engine / output device) side, the control is simpler and the device configuration (especially memory) is more compact than the configuration that performs electronic sorting in a general YMCK color space. can do.

  In addition, data sorted in a device-independent color space can be transmitted to an external device via a network, which is convenient. At this time, the brightness data L is irreversibly compressed (or reversible compression), and the chromaticity data a and b are subsampled and then irreversibly compressed (or reversible compression), so that the transfer data capacity is data in the YMCK color space. Since it can be reduced rather than transferring as. Furthermore, tag data (lossy compression or lossless compression) can also be transmitted in pairs with image data in a device-independent color space, which is more convenient. Further, by transmitting device-independent image data and performing image region separation processing on the receiving side, it is possible to regenerate tags and perform adaptive image processing.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a detailed example focusing on the functions of the image compression / decompression unit 1130, the tag data processing unit 1140, the page memory unit 1124, and the hard disk device 1126.

  The image compression unit 1132 includes image compression units 1132L, 1132a, and 1132b corresponding to the respective components of the input image data Lab. Similarly, the image expansion unit 1134 includes image expansion units 1134L, 1134a, and 1134b corresponding to the components of the input image data Lab. The page memory unit 1124 and the hard disk device 1126 have image memory areas 1124L, 1124a, 1124b, 1126L, 1126a, 1126b for storing image data L, a, and b, respectively, and tag memory areas 1124T, 1126T for storing tag data. And are secured respectively.

  The image compression units 1132a and 1132b increase the compression rate by sub-sampling the chromaticity data a and b. Sub-sampling reduces the resolution, but due to human visual characteristics, the sensitivity is high with respect to lightness, but the sensitivity with respect to color is low. In this way, there is no inconvenience, and high compression is achieved without causing image quality degradation. be able to.

  In addition, when priority is given to image quality, the lightness data L has a low compression ratio, but the original image is reversibly compressed so that the original image can be restored. If reversible compression is used, for the above-described reason, the image quality can be reduced without causing deterioration of the image quality, and as a whole, high compression can be achieved.

  As indicated by the dotted lines in the figure, each component of the image data YMCK is output in a subsequent stage of the image decompression unit 1134 so as to output the decompressed image data Lab so as to correspond to each of the output colors YMCK. Have image processing units 1134Y, 1134M, 1134C, and 1134K. That is, each function unit of the data storage device 1100 has an individual processing function unit for each input component and output component.

  The image processing unit 1138 uses the tag data corresponding to the processing target image input from the image area separation processing unit 1000 side and stored in the page memory unit 1124 or the hard disk device 1126 to use the individual image elements in the image. It is good also as a thing of the structure which performs the adaptive process according to.

  Corresponding to the image output unit 30 having the tandem configuration, the data storage device 1100 receives image data Lab and tag data from the page memory unit 1124 and the hard disk device 1126 with a delay of a predetermined interval corresponding to the tandem gap. read out. For example, after starting the reading of the Y-color image data LabY as the first color, the M-color image data LabM is read out after a tandem gap Tym between the Y color and the M color as the second color. In addition, after starting the reading of the M-color image data LabM as the second color, the C-color image data LabC is read out after a tandem gap Tmc between the M color and the third color C. Finally, after the start of reading the C color image data LabC as the third color, the K color image data LabK is read out after a tandem gap Tck between the C color and the K color as the fourth color.

  As a result, the image data LabY, LabM, LabC, and LabK corresponding to each of the output colors YMCK are output from the data storage device 1100 with a delay of a constant interval corresponding to the tandem gap. The same applies to the tag data, and tag data TAGY, TAGM, TAGC, and TAGK corresponding to each of the output colors YMCK are output with a delay of a predetermined interval corresponding to the tandem gap. This function is called a tandem gap correction function.

  According to such a tandem gap correction function, the number of memories is reduced by reading out data for output colors (four systems of YMCK in this example) from one memory for each of the image data Lab and the tag data in a time division manner. be able to. In other words, when outputting data with a delay of a certain interval corresponding to the tandem gap, a simple circuit configuration prepares memories for holding L, a, b and TAG according to each output color. However, in the above configuration, one L, a, b holding memory and TAG holding memory can be used. Of course, each memory for holding L, a, b and TAG may be a common memory.

  For example, the parameter setting unit determines a compression parameter for encoding compression in the image compression unit 1132. Next, the parameter setting unit inputs the determined encoding parameter for each image component to the corresponding image component image compression unit 1132 and image expansion unit 1134.

  The image compression unit 1132 performs orthogonal transform coding such as DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform) or vector quantization on the image data Lab captured from the image region separation processing unit 1000 side using the set coding parameters. Encoded image data L, a, and b are generated by encoding and compressing by a method (either irreversible compression or reversible compression may be used). Thereafter, the writing control unit stores the encoded image data of the components L, a, and b of the input image compressed by the image compression unit 1132 in the page memory unit 1124 and the hard disk device 1126 which are examples of the image storage unit. Are simultaneously written in the corresponding storage areas.

  Next, in synchronization with a leading edge detection signal (a signal indicating a printing start point in the sub-scanning direction) from a leading edge detector (not shown) of the image output unit 30, the reading control unit reads each input image from the page memory unit 1124 and the hard disk device 1126. The encoded image data of the components L, a, and b are sequentially read out at regular intervals (YMCK delay) so as to absorb the tandem gap, and input to the image expansion unit 1134. As shown in FIG. 6B, there is a timing at which a plurality of output colors are processed in parallel. In this case, image data and tag data are read from the image memory unit 1128 by time division, and the image data is The tag data is transferred to the image compression / decompression unit 1130 and the tag data to the tag compression / decompression unit 1142, respectively.

  The image decompression unit 1134 sequentially encodes the encoded image data of the input components L, a, and b for the output colors Y, M, C, and K that are sequentially read from the page memory unit 1124 and the hard disk device 1126 at regular intervals. Using the encoding parameters set by the parameter setting unit, decoding (decompression processing) corresponding to the encoding in the image compression unit 1132 is performed to return to the original image data (decoded data), and each output color Y, The decoded data L, a, and b for M, C, and K are set (set) and input to corresponding ones in the image processing unit 1138. For tag data, the tag compression / decompression unit 1142 performs the same decompression process.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of a series of operations of the image area separation process and the image area adaptation process using the tag data obtained by the image area separation process.

  In the above configuration, when the image data RGB read by the image acquisition unit 10 is input to the image area separation processing unit 1000 (S100-YES), the pre-stage color conversion unit 1010 converts the image data into device-independent image data Lab. The image data Lab is transferred to the image compression / decompression unit 1130 of the data storage device 1100 (S102). Further, the image data Lab is transferred to the image scaling unit 1012 (S104).

  The image scaling unit 1012 refers to the magnification information at the time of reading, and performs image equalization processing so that the input image size becomes an image close to the original (original) in both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, The same-magnified image data is transferred to the tag data detection processing unit 1020 (S110). For example, when an enlarged image is input, the image scaling unit 1012 converts the image to a magnification close to that of the original (original) in both main scanning and sub-scanning by reduction processing (S112-enlargement, S114). When a reduced image is input, the image is converted into an image close to the original (original) in both the main scanning and the sub-scanning by the enlargement process as in the enlargement (S112-reduction, S116). If the image acquisition unit 10 has not been optically scaled and an equal-magnification image is input, the input image is output as it is without performing any reduction process or enlargement process (S112—magnification). ).

  The image area separation unit 1024 of the tag data detection processing unit 1020 uses the same algorithm as that at the normal magnification regardless of the magnification of the image at the time of reading, using the same magnification image data input from the image scaling unit 1012. Then, image area separation processing is performed for generating tag data indicating the attribute of each pixel in the image using the same size parameter corresponding to the same size image (S120). Regardless of the magnification, the image area separation unit 1022 outputs the same aspect ratio tag data tag1 having the same aspect ratio as that of the original. The image area separation unit 1022 inputs the generated aspect ratio equal magnification tag data tag1 to the tag scaling unit 1024 (S122).

  The tag scaling unit 1024 converts the same aspect ratio tag data tag1 input from the image area separation unit 1022 into the original magnification size tag data tag2 of the original magnification, thereby making the size equal to the image size at the time of reading. (S130). For example, when an enlarged image is input to the image area separation processing unit 1000, the aspect ratio equal magnification tag data tag1 is enlarged (S132-enlargement, S134), and conversely, when a reduced image is inputted, the reduction processing is performed. (S132-Reduction, S136), the original magnification size tag data tag2 of the original magnification (enlarged image) is generated.

  When the image acquisition unit 10 performs optical scaling (S140—magnification), the selection unit 1026 is converted by the tag data tag1 with the same aspect ratio tag data tag1 generated by the image area separation unit 1022 and the tag scaling unit 1024. One of the original magnification size tag data tag2 is selected and input to the tag compression / decompression unit 1142 of the data storage device 1100 as tag data tag3 (S142). Which one to select is determined according to the data capacity, the ease of handling of the tag data size, and the like, as described above.

  Note that the magnification information at the time of reading may be attached to the tag data tag3 as additional data. Since the additional data can be referred to when performing the original scaling process on the tag data on the data storage device 1100 side, the original scaling process can be executed immediately, which is convenient. In addition, it is not restricted to the example which refers to this additional data, You may make it match tag data size by detecting image size.

  On the other hand, when the image acquisition unit 10 has not been optically scaled (S140-same size), the selection unit 1026 selects the same aspect ratio tag data tag1 generated by the image area separation unit 1022 as tag data tag3. The data is input to the tag compression / decompression unit 1142 of the data storage device 1100 (S144).

  On the data storage device 1100 side, first, the image compression unit 1132 encodes and compresses the image data Lab received from the pre-stage color conversion unit 1010 and stores it in the corresponding storage area of the image memory unit 1128 via the interface unit 1136. (S150). At substantially the same time, the tag compression / decompression unit 1142 first encodes and compresses the tag data tag3 acquired from the image area separation processing unit 1000 side and accumulates it in the corresponding storage area of the image memory unit 1128 (S152). ). The tag data accumulation process may be asynchronous with the image data accumulation process.

  Then, the image compression / decompression unit 1130 and the tag data processing unit 1140 synchronize the tag data and the image data at a predetermined output timing, read the image data from the image memory unit 1128, and perform the image processing unit via the merge processing unit 1150. Pass to 20 side. At this time, the selection unit 1028 on the data storage device 1100 side and the selection unit 1146 on the data storage device 1100 function in cooperation, so that the original magnification size tag of the original magnification at the time of output from the selection unit 1146. By selecting and outputting the data tag2 or tag4, the size of the tag data becomes the same size as the original image input to the image area separation processing unit 1000 (that is, the image output from the image compression / decompression unit 1130). To.

  For example, in a case where optical scaling (either enlargement or reduction) may be performed on the image acquisition unit 10 side (S160—magnification), when the selection unit 1026 selects and outputs the original magnification size tag data tag2. (S162—original magnification), the selection unit 1146 selects and outputs the original magnification size tag data tag3 read from the image memory unit 1128 and decompressed by the tag compression / decompression unit 1142 (S164).

  On the other hand, in the case where optical scaling (either enlargement or reduction) may be performed on the image acquisition unit 10 side (S160—magnification), the selection unit 1026 selectively outputs the tag data tag1 with the same aspect ratio. Sometimes (S156-same size), the tag scaling unit 1144 first converts the aspect ratio equal magnification tag data tag1 read from the image memory unit 1128 and decompressed by the tag compression / decompression unit 1142 into the size of the original image. (S166). Then, the selection unit 1146 selects and outputs the original magnification size tag data tag4 that has been subjected to size conversion (original magnification processing for tag data) by the tag scaling unit 1144 (S168).

  In the case where optical scaling (either enlargement or reduction) may not be performed on the image acquisition unit 10 side (S150-magnification), the selection unit 1026 selectively outputs the tag data tag1 with the same aspect ratio. (S144) The selection unit 1146 selects and outputs the same aspect ratio tag data tag1 read from the image memory unit 1128 and decompressed by the tag compression / decompression unit 1142 (S170). The merge processing unit 1150 outputs the image data Lab and the tag data so as to be synchronized (merged) and to correct the tandem gap. (S172).

  As described above, according to the image area separation processing of the above-described embodiment, when an original is enlarged or reduced and output in an apparatus configured to optically change the magnification when reading the original, the image area separation is performed. Prior to processing, an original (original) is read in both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction with respect to the read image or the pre-scaled image that has been rotated and scaled with respect to the read image. Since the image equalization processing for converting the image to a magnification close to) is performed, the image area separation processing is performed without changing the screen angle, dot diameter, dot pitch, etc. of the halftone dot printing on the scanned original image. be able to. For example, since halftone dot pattern matching can be performed with the same configuration and processing as the same magnification, the image area separation result does not differ depending on the magnification.

  Further, the setting of the image area separation boundary (the boundary between the pattern and the character) can be matched with the original. Furthermore, since the parameter at the same magnification can be used at the time of zooming, the parameter amount can be reduced and the hardware amount can be reduced. Further, since the parameters at the same magnification can be used regardless of the magnification, the control becomes simple. Further, in the case of the above configuration, since the image data and the image area separation signal are synchronized using the image memory unit 1128 used for the electronic sort function, the configuration is simplified without requiring an attribute signal recording memory. .

  Further, the electronic sort process is performed in the Lab color space, and there is an advantage that an image area separation signal can be generated later. The image area separation signal is generated using a Lab image. When a Lab image is stored in an image storage device and a Lab image is extracted therefrom, the same image region separation signal can be generated by performing the same image region separation process on the extracted Lab image. On the other hand, if the electronic sort process is performed in the YMCK color space, the same image area separation signal cannot be generated. In addition, the image plane is increased by one. Further, in the case of RGB, it is necessary to perform color conversion processing and perform image area separation processing as a Lab image, but this is not necessary in this example.

  In the above description, the image scaling unit 1012 performs scaling processing (magnification conversion) so that the input image size is an image with a magnification close to that of the original (original) in both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. However, the present invention is not limited to the one that scales to approximately the same magnification. At least the magnification ratio in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction with respect to the original (original) may be equal. That is, it is sufficient if the aspect ratio of the target image to be subjected to the image area separation process is substantially the same as the aspect ratio of the document (hereinafter referred to as the aspect ratio stabilization process). In this case, the size and interval of the halftone dots are different from the original, but the image area separation processing can be performed with the same angle of the halftone as that of the original. The accuracy of the separation process can be improved.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the zoom output is instructed by the operator and the image acquisition unit 10 is optically zoomed in the sub-scanning direction, the rotation function by the image processing unit 24 is not operated. The image area separation processing unit 1000 receives an image reduced or enlarged only in the sub-scanning direction SS. In this case, in the above-described example, the image scaling unit 1012 enlarges the sub-scanning direction of the input image when the image is reduced, and conversely when the image is enlarged. In addition, when the rotation function + magnification function (collectively referred to as the rotation magnification function) by the image processing unit 24 is activated and a reduced or enlarged image is input in both the sub-scanning direction SS and the main scanning direction FS. , The sub-scanning direction and the main scanning direction of the input image are enlarged at the time of reduction, and conversely at the time of enlargement. In either case, the image scaling unit 1012 converts the image into an image of the same size as the original and inputs the image to the tag data detection processing unit 1020 regardless of the magnification of the input image.

  On the other hand, in this modification, in a case where an image reduced or enlarged only in the sub-scanning direction SS is input, the input image is reduced in the main scanning direction, not in the sub-scanning direction, and is reduced at the time of enlargement. Expanding.

  On the other hand, when the rotation scaling function by the image processing unit 24 is activated and a reduced or enlarged image is input in both the sub-scanning direction SS and the main scanning direction FS, the aspect ratio of the input image is the aspect ratio of the document. Since the ratio is substantially the same, the image scaling unit 1012 passes the input image as it is to the tag data detection processing unit 1020 without performing scaling processing. In any case, when the image scaling unit 1012 is optically scaled on the image acquisition unit 10 side, the image scaling unit 1012 displays an image whose aspect ratio is not the same as that of the original but whose aspect ratio is substantially the same as the original. The image is passed to the tag data detection processing unit 1020 as a target image to be subjected to area separation processing.

<Combination of image area separation processing function and image processing unit>
Next, a case where the above-described image area separation processing function is combined with the image processing unit 20 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. In this case as well, the image data Lab and the tag data are synchronized using the image memory unit 1128 for performing the electronic sort and the tandem gap correction function.

  In the basic configuration shown in FIG. 5, the image output from the data storage device 1100 is an image input to the image area separation processing unit 1000. For this reason, in the case where a magnification instruction including magnification in the main scanning direction is designated by the operator and optical magnification is performed in the sub-scanning direction on the image acquisition unit 10 side, a scaled image is input. The image is output from the data storage device 1100 toward the image processing unit 20.

  In the above-described embodiment, the electronic sort function and the tandem gap correction function are performed on the Lab color space, which is an example of a device-independent color space. However, such synchronization processing is not essential, and a dedicated image memory may be used as before.

  It is also possible to take measures by modifying the configuration shown in FIG. Hereinafter, this correspondence example will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing details of the configuration shown in FIG. In this configuration, the preceding image processing unit 20a of the image processing unit 20 is provided with the image scaling unit 1012 and the tag data detection processing unit 1020 shown in FIG.

  As shown in the description of FIG. 2, the pre-stage color conversion unit 1010 is configured so as to be arranged between the image acquisition unit 10 and the image processing unit 20 alone. The configuration of the image area separation processing unit 1000 is the same as that shown in FIG.

  Since the image area separation processing unit 1000 generates tag data and inputs it to the input data processing unit 100, a delay due to processing time occurs between the image data input to the input data processing unit 100 and the tag data. An image memory 1002 for storing data is provided, and the tag data and the output data of the image memory 1002 are synchronized and output to the input image processing unit 100.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the function of the configuration shown in FIG. First, a description will be given according to the configuration of the scaling processing unit 200 shown in FIG. In this case, when the magnification is instructed from the operator, the image acquisition unit 10 does not perform optical magnification when reducing in the sub-scanning direction. That is, the optical scaling function in the image acquisition unit 10 is activated only at the time of enlargement.

  In addition, it is assumed that the image processing unit 24 illustrated in FIG. 3 is provided in front of the image processing unit 20. In this case, even if there is a reduction instruction (for example, A3 → A4) for both main and sub, the image acquisition unit 10 does not perform optical scaling, and image data of the same size as the original is sent to the image area separation processing unit 1000. Since the image data is input, the image area separation processing unit 1000 may obtain the tag data by the same process as that at the normal magnification.

  The tag data detection processing unit 1020, when instructed by the operator to change the magnification, has the same size tag data as the image input to the image area separation processing unit 1000 (the original magnification size obtained by the tag scaling unit 1026 (not shown)). It is assumed that tag data (tag 2) is selected as tag data (tag 3).

  FIG. 9A shows a case where there is a 141% enlargement instruction (for example, A4 → A3) in both the main and sub, and there is no rotation scaling (Rot) in the image processing unit 24. In this case, the image area separation processing unit 1000 is input with an image that is the same size (main 100%) in the main scanning direction and enlarged (sub 141%) in the sub scanning direction. The image scaling unit 1012 reduces the enlarged (sub 141%) image only in the sub scanning direction (sub 141% → 100%), so that 100% of both the main and sub images (same size as the original). Image). The tag data detection processing unit 1020 generates the same magnification ratio tag data tag1 as the original ratio using the same size image as the original, and then passes the same original magnification size tag data tag2 as the original magnification to the scaling processing unit 200.

  On the scaling processing unit 200 side, an image that has been previously enlarged only in the sub-scanning direction (sub 141%, main 100%) on the image acquisition unit 10 side is enlarged only in the main scanning direction (main → 141). %) And both main / sub are converted into an enlarged image of 141%. Similarly, with respect to the tag data obtained from the image area separation processing unit 1000 side, the original magnification size tag data tag2 (sub 141%, main 100%) returned to the original magnification on the image area separation processing unit 1000 side in the same manner. ) Is enlarged only in the main scanning direction (main → 141%), and both main / sub are converted into 141% tag data.

  FIG. 9B shows a case where there is a 141% enlargement instruction (for example, A4 → A3) in both the main and sub, and there is a rotation scaling (Rot) in the image processing unit 24. In this case, the image area separation processing unit 1000 is input with an image enlarged in both main and sub (main 141%, sub 141%). The image scaling unit 1012 performs a reduction process (main 141% → 100%, sub 141% → 100%) on the enlarged (main 141%, sub 141%) image (main 141% → 100%). Both are converted to 100% images (images of the same size as the original). The tag data detection processing unit 1020 generates the same magnification ratio tag data tag1 as the original ratio using the same size image as the original, and then passes the same original magnification size tag data tag2 as the original magnification to the scaling processing unit 200.

  On the scaling processing unit 200 side, an image that has been enlarged in both main and sub (sub 141%, main 141%) in advance on the image acquisition unit 10 side is received, and is passed to the subsequent stage without performing scaling processing. Similarly, for tag data obtained from the image area separation processing unit 1000 side, the original magnification size tag data tag2 (sub 141%, main 141%) returned to the original magnification on the image area separation processing unit 1000 side is similarly used. Pass to the next stage.

  In FIG. 9C and FIG. 9D, the optical magnification function in the image acquisition unit 10 is activated not only at the time of enlargement but also at the time of reduction, and the rotation magnification function by the image processing unit 24 can be used. Indicates the time of reduction in the case. 9C corresponds to FIG. 9A, and FIG. 9D corresponds to FIG. 9B. Since only the relationship between enlargement and reduction is different between the corresponding drawings, and there is no difference in the basic action, the explanation is omitted.

  As described above, according to the modification, when an image input to the image processing unit 20 or the image area separation processing unit 1000 is a scaled image (may be main / sub independent scaling), the scaling is performed. After the doubled image is restored to the same size as the original, image area separation processing is performed to generate the same size aspect ratio tag data tag1 as the original, and then the original magnification size tag data tag2 that is the same as the original magnification. Then, it is transferred to the scaling processing unit 200 to perform scaling processing. As a result, no matter what scaling process is performed on the front side of the image processing unit 20, even when combined with the scaling process in the image processing unit 20 having the configuration shown in FIG. It is possible to reliably match the magnification between the two. Similarly to the case shown in FIG. 5, the image data and the tag data can be synchronized using the electronic sort in the Lab color space and the tandem gap correction function.

  As described above, when the image input to the image area separation processing unit is a scaled image (may be main / sub independent scaling), the scaled image is the same size as the original. The method of performing image region separation processing after returning to an image can be executed by hardware mounted on a semiconductor integrated circuit (for example, IC; Integrated Circuit) or the like, but can also be executed by software.

  When this method is executed by software, a program constituting the software has a function of a computer (embedded microcomputer or the like) incorporated in dedicated hardware, or a CPU, logic circuit, storage device, etc. An SOC (System On a Chip) that is mounted on a chip to realize a desired system, or a general-purpose personal computer capable of executing various functions by installing various programs. Installed from the recording medium.

  This recording medium causes a change state of energy such as magnetism, light, electricity, etc. to a reading device provided in the hardware resource of a computer in accordance with the description contents of the program, and a corresponding signal format. Thus, the description content of the program can be transmitted to the reading device. For example, a magnetic disc (including a flexible disc), an optical disc (CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory)), a DVD (which is distributed to provide a program to a user separately from a computer, (Including Digital Versatile Disc), magneto-optical disc (including MD (Mini Disc)), or package media (portable storage media) made of semiconductor memory, etc. It may be configured by a ROM, a hard disk, or the like in which a program is recorded that is provided to the user in a state. Or the program which comprises software may be provided via communication networks, such as a wire communication or radio | wireless.

  For example, a storage medium in which a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program code in the storage medium. The effect described in the above embodiment can also be achieved by reading and executing. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system; basic software) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform a part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments may be realized by the processing.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. There may be a case where the CPU or the like provided in the card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  The program is provided as a file describing the program code that realizes the processing described in the above embodiment. In this case, the program is not limited to being provided as a batch program file, but depending on the hardware configuration of the system. May be provided as individual program modules.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. Various changes or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment without departing from the gist of the invention, and embodiments to which such changes or improvements are added are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  Further, the above embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims (claims), and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the invention. Absent. The embodiments described above include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. Even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, as long as an effect is obtained, a configuration from which these some constituent requirements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the image area separation process is performed for each image component in the image has been described. The same applies to the case where the area separation process is performed (function using the area TAG generation unit 609).

  Further, the image data in the Lab-independent Lab color space is the target image for the image area separation processing, but the present invention is not limited to this, and image data in any color space may be used. From the viewpoint of making the configuration of the copying apparatus compact, the image area separation processing is performed on the Lab color space and the electronic sorting function and the tandem gap correction function are used as in the above embodiment (FIG. 5 and the like). Therefore, it is preferable that the image data and the tag data are synchronized.

  In the above-described embodiment, the copying apparatus has been described as an example. However, tag data is attached to image data in any image forming apparatus that can output a color image to a predetermined output medium, such as a printing apparatus (printer) or a facsimile apparatus. The above-described embodiment can be similarly applied to cases that are not performed.

1 is a mechanism diagram of an example of a copying apparatus equipped with an embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an image processing unit provided in the copying apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a configuration when a copying apparatus is configured using the image processing unit illustrated in FIG. 2. It is a figure explaining the rotation function of the image process part (C) provided in the image reading apparatus of the structure shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a preferred configuration focusing on image area separation processing in a copying apparatus. It is a figure which shows the detailed example which paid its attention to the function of an image compression / expansion part, a tag data processing part, and an image memory part. It is the flowchart which showed the outline | summary of a series of operation | movement of the image area adaptation process using an image area separation process and tag data. It is a figure which shows the application example of the image area separation process to the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the function of the structure shown in FIG. It is the block diagram which showed one structural example of the apparatus provided with the function of the image area separation process which used the scan data as the object, and the image area adaptation process using tag data. It is a figure explaining the problem of the image area separation process which obtains tag data using the image data after scaling.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Color copying apparatus, 10 ... Image acquisition part, 11 ... Platen glass, 12 ... Light source, 13 ... Light-receiving part, 14 ... Signal processing part, 20 ... Image processing part, 20a ... Pre-stage image processing part, 20b ... Post-stage image processing , 20c ... peripheral part, 30 ... image output part, 31 ... image forming part, 32 ... photosensitive drum, 100 ... input data processing part, 200 ... magnification processing part, 300 ... filter processing part, 400 ... previous color adjustment , 500: Color conversion unit, 600: Subsequent image correction unit, 602 ... Ground color removal processing unit, 608 ... Tone correction unit, 700 ... Output data processing unit, 800 ... Data IF unit, 1000 ... Image area separation processing unit DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1010 ... Pre-stage color conversion part, 1012 ... Image scaling part, 1020 ... Tag data detection processing part, 1022 ... Image area separation part, 1024 ... Tag scaling part, 1026 ... Selection part, 1100 ... Data storage apparatus, 112 ... Control unit, 1124 ... Page memory unit, 1126 ... Hard disk device, 1128 ... Image memory unit, 1130 ... Image compression / decompression unit, 1132 ... Image compression unit, 1134 ... Image decompression unit, 1136 ... Interface unit, 1140 ... Tag data processing , 1142... Tag compression / decompression unit, 1144, tag scaling unit, 1146, selection unit, 1150, merge processing unit

Claims (25)

By performing image area separation processing for generating attribute information indicating the attributes of the image elements included in the image, it is possible to perform adaptive processing according to the characteristics of the image elements with respect to the image with reference to the attribute information An image processing method comprising:
When a scaled image obtained by scaling the original image in advance is captured to generate a scaled output image corresponding to the original image, the scaled image is substantially the same as the original image in aspect ratio. An image processing method, wherein the image area separation process is performed using a converted image that is converted into the same image and whose aspect ratio is converted to be substantially the same. By performing image area separation processing for generating attribute information indicating the attributes of the image elements included in the image, it is possible to perform adaptive processing according to the characteristics of the image elements with respect to the image with reference to the attribute information An image processing method comprising:
When generating a scaled output image corresponding to the original image by taking a scaled image obtained by scaling the original image in advance, the scaled image is approximately the same size as the original image. An image processing method comprising: converting and performing the image area separation process using the converted image converted to approximately the same magnification. The attribute information obtained by the image area separation process is converted to approximately the same magnification as the captured scaled image, and the scaled image is referred to with respect to the scaled image by referring to the attribute information converted to the approximately same magnification. An image processing method characterized by executing adaptive processing. After storing the scaled image that has been captured and the attribute information obtained by the image area separation processing in a common storage unit, the scaled image and the attribute information are read from the storage unit in units of pixels. The image processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein synchronous output processing is performed in association with each other. The image processing method according to claim 4, wherein the synchronization output processing is executed using a common storage unit that is used for an image rearrangement function. Image data in a device-independent color space representing the captured scaled image is stored in the common storage unit, and the image area separation processing is performed using the image data in the device-independent color space. The image processing method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: By performing image area separation processing for generating attribute information indicating the attributes of the image elements included in the image, it is possible to perform adaptive processing according to the characteristics of the image elements with respect to the image with reference to the attribute information An image processing system,
An image acquisition unit that captures a scaled image obtained by scaling the original image in advance;
An image scaling unit that converts an image having the same aspect ratio as the original image by enlarging or reducing at least one of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the scaled image captured by the image acquisition unit. When,
An attribute information generation unit configured to generate the attribute information by performing the image area separation process using the converted image whose aspect ratio is converted to be substantially the same by the image scaling unit. Processing system. By performing image area separation processing for generating attribute information indicating the attributes of the image elements included in the image, it is possible to perform adaptive processing according to the characteristics of the image elements with respect to the image with reference to the attribute information An image processing system,
An image acquisition unit that captures a scaled image obtained by scaling the original image in advance;
An image scaling unit for converting the image obtained by the image acquisition unit into an image that is approximately the same size as the original image by enlarging or reducing at least one of the vertical and horizontal directions of the scaled image;
An image processing system comprising: an attribute information generation unit configured to generate the attribute information by performing the image area separation process using the converted image converted to the substantially equal magnification by the image scaling unit. . An attribute information scaling unit that converts the first attribute information generated by the attribute information generation unit to approximately the same magnification as the scaled image captured by the image acquisition unit;
An adaptive processing execution unit that performs the adaptive processing on the scaled image with reference to second attribute information converted to approximately the same magnification by the attribute information scaling unit. The image processing system according to claim 7 or 8. A common storage unit that stores the scaled image captured by the image acquisition unit and the attribute information generated by the attribute information generation unit;
The synchronous output processing unit that reads out the scaled image and the attribute information from the storage unit and outputs them in association with each other in a pixel unit. The image processing system described in 1. The adaptive processing execution unit uses the attribute information read after being stored in the common storage unit instead of the second attribute information, and is read after being stored in the common storage unit The image processing system according to claim 10, wherein the adaptive processing is executed on the scaled image that has been scaled. The image processing system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the common storage unit is used for an image rearrangement function. The device-dependent image data representing the scaled image captured by the image acquisition unit is converted into image data in a device-independent color space, and the converted device-independent image data is stored in a predetermined data storage device. A color conversion unit for storing,
The said image scaling part converts the image data on the said device independent color space obtained by the said color conversion part into the said conversion image. Any one of Claim 10 to 12 characterized by the above-mentioned. The image processing system according to claim 1. The attribute information scaling unit includes the first attribute information before being stored in the common storage unit generated by the attribute information generation unit and the first attribute information read out after being stored in the common storage unit. Any one of the third attribute information corresponding to one attribute information is converted to substantially the same magnification as the scaled image. Any one of claims 10 to 13 The image processing system according to item. The attribute information scaling unit converts the first attribute information generated by the attribute information generation unit to substantially the same magnification as the scaled image, and generates the second attribute information. A second scaling unit and a second attribute information that converts the third attribute information read after being stored in the common storage unit into a magnification substantially the same as that of the scaled image and generates fourth attribute information Attribute information scaling unit,
The third attribute is selected by selecting one of the first attribute information generated by the attribute information generation unit and the second attribute information scaled by the first attribute information scaling unit. A first selection unit for sending information to the common storage unit;
Fifth attribute information is selected by selecting one of the third attribute information read from the common storage unit and the fourth attribute information scaled by the second attribute information scaling unit. And a second selection unit that outputs as
The synchronous output processing unit outputs the scaled image read from the storage unit and the five attribute information output from the second selection unit in association with each other on a pixel basis,
The adaptive processing execution unit uses the fifth attribute information output from the synchronous output processing unit instead of the second attribute information, and is read after being stored in the common storage unit. The image processing system according to claim 14, wherein the adaptive processing is executed on the scaled image. The second selection unit selects the fourth attribute information when the first selection unit is selecting the first attribute information, and the first selection unit selects the second attribute information. When the third attribute information is selected, the fifth attribute information is selected so that the fifth attribute information has substantially the same magnification as the scaled image input to the synchronous output processing unit. The image processing system according to claim 15. By performing image area separation processing for generating attribute information indicating the attributes of the image elements included in the image, it is possible to perform adaptive processing according to the characteristics of the image elements with respect to the image with reference to the attribute information An image processing apparatus used in an image processing system,
An image scaling unit that converts an image having the same aspect ratio as the original image by enlarging or reducing at least one of the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the scaled image obtained by scaling the original image in advance. When,
An attribute information generation unit configured to generate the attribute information by performing the image area separation process using the converted image whose aspect ratio is converted to be substantially the same by the image scaling unit. Processing equipment. By performing image area separation processing for generating attribute information indicating the attributes of the image elements included in the image, it is possible to perform adaptive processing according to the characteristics of the image elements with respect to the image with reference to the attribute information An image processing apparatus used in an image processing system,
An image scaling unit that converts the image to an image that is approximately the same size as the original image by enlarging or reducing at least one of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the scaled image obtained by scaling the original image in advance,
An image processing apparatus comprising: an attribute information generation unit configured to generate the attribute information by performing the image area separation process using the converted image converted to the substantially equal magnification by the image scaling unit. . The adaptive processing is performed on the scaled image with reference to the second attribute information converted to substantially the same magnification as the scaled image captured by the image acquisition unit corresponding to the first attribute information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising: an adaptive processing execution unit configured to An attribute information scaling unit configured to generate the second attribute information by converting the first attribute information generated by the attribute information generation unit to approximately the same magnification as the scaled image captured by the image acquisition unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 19. A selection unit configured to select and output one of the first attribute information generated by the attribute information generation unit and the second attribute information converted by the attribute information scaling unit; The image processing apparatus according to claim 20. A color conversion unit that converts device-dependent image data representing the scaled image into image data in a device-independent color space and stores the converted device-independent image data in a predetermined data storage device; ,
The image scaling unit converts image data in the device-independent color space obtained by the color conversion unit into the converted image. 21. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. By performing image area separation processing for generating attribute information indicating the attributes of the image elements included in the image, it is possible to perform adaptive processing according to the characteristics of the image elements with respect to the image with reference to the attribute information A data storage device used in an image processing system,
A common storage unit for storing a scaled image obtained by scaling the original image in advance, and the attribute information having an aspect ratio substantially equal to or equal to the original image corresponding to the scaled image;
A synchronous output processing unit that reads out the scaled image and the attribute information from the storage unit and outputs them in association with each other in units of pixels;
A data storage device comprising: an attribute information scaling unit that converts the attribute information read from the storage unit into original magnification size attribute information having substantially the same magnification as the scaled image. When the attribute information read from the common storage unit is substantially the same magnification as the scaled image, the attribute information itself read from the common storage unit is selected, and the common storage is selected. When the attribute information read from the unit is different in magnification from the scaled image, the original magnification size attribute information converted by the attribute information scaling unit is selected and input to the synchronous output processing unit The data storage device according to claim 23, wherein: The data storage device according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the common storage unit is used for an image rearrangement function.

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