JP2007013841A - Color image input/output device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a color image input/output device taking no time and effort and easy to control while consuming no big amount of hard disc or memory region. <P>SOLUTION: Image data stored in a first storing means is converted by a judging means into a judged color space through a converting means, and the image data stored into a second storing means and having additional information is converted by the judging means into the judged color space through the converting means. Thereafter, both of the color spaces are synthesized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a color image input apparatus, and more particularly to an image composition at the time of image transmission.

  In recent years, along with the increase in the capacity of memories and hard disks, it has become possible not only to print scanned images but also to facilitate transmission through networks and telephone lines. On the other hand, the amount of information increases from black and white to color, from binary image to multi-value image, and an image faithful to the original can be transmitted. In addition, an image processing function has been devised so that a composite image can be transmitted.

For example, an image of an original is stored as a digital image in a memory or hard disk using an original reader, combined with an image stored in advance in a memory or hard disk, and then sent to a destination specified by the user via a network or telephone. There is a function that transfers data via a line. For images pre-stored in memory, hard disk, etc., additional information such as the sender's name, company name, company affiliation, and general description of how to handle sent text (such as “confidential” and “draft”) This makes it possible to automatically add typical information, thereby reducing the load on the user.
JP-A-10-229464

  However, as described above, since the transmission means has become diverse such as a network and a telephone line, a plurality of image data to be stored in a memory or a hard disk in advance must be prepared according to the transmission means.

  For example, when a color image is transmitted to a computer on a network, it must be transmitted as image data having an RGB color space that can be used by the computer, or to a FAX on a telephone line. Must be transmitted as binary image data.

  Therefore, it is necessary to also have image data having additional color information and binary image data having the RGB color space according to each case. This results in multiple image data having the same additional information, which makes it difficult to manage the image data on the hard disk or memory and consumes a large amount of storage space on the hard disk or memory. Resulting in.

  At the same time, when the color of the document is automatically identified and the color space of the image data is set, the user does not have to create image data having additional information for supporting all of the assumed color spaces. Must not. If this is not done, image data having additional information cannot be combined with the read image data and transmitted. This kind of work is to create image data with additional information in consideration of the combination when the color of the document is automatically identified, taking into account the method of transmission to the general user and the corresponding color space. It requires very technical knowledge and effort.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the problems as described above, and is a color image input / output device which is easy to manage and easy and does not consume a large amount of hard disk or memory area. For the purpose of provision.

  In order to achieve the above object, a color image input / output device of the present invention comprises the following arrangement.

  Reading means for reading a document image, first storage means for storing an image read by the reading means, second storage means for storing an image read by the reading means, and the first storage means Stored in the first storage means and the second storage means, a composition means for combining the image data stored in the second storage means, a transmission means for transmitting the image, In the color image input / output device having the conversion means for converting the color space of the image, the determination means for determining the color space of the image to be transmitted before transmission by the transmission means, and the first storage means The image is converted into the color space determined by the determination unit by the conversion unit, and the image stored in the second storage unit is also converted into the color space determined by the determination unit. After conversion switching means, characterized in that the synthesis transmitted by said synthesizing means.

  According to the present invention, image data with additional information does not depend on the color space of the image data to be transmitted, and only one image data needs to be stored in a memory or a hard disk. Since it is not necessary to create image data, labor and management are facilitated, and a large amount of hard disk or memory area is not consumed.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below based on examples.

  The present invention is in the form of a transmission operation by a color image input / output device.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 200 includes a scanner unit 2070 as an image input device, a printer unit 2095 as an image output device, a Controller Unit 2000, and an operation unit 2012 as a user interface. The scanner unit 2070, the printer unit 2095, and the operation unit 2012 are respectively connected to the Controller Unit 2000, and the Controller Unit 2000 is connected to a network transmission means such as a LAN 2011 and a public line. Transmission by G3 and G4 fax including color image transmission is possible from the public line. In addition, other image forming apparatuses 220 and 230 having the same device configuration as the image forming apparatus 200 can be connected to the LAN 2011. Further, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as PC) 240 is connected, and can send and receive files and e-mails using FTP and SMB protocols. The image forming apparatuses 220 and 230 have scanner units 2270 and 2370, printer units 2295 and 2395, and operation units 2212 and 2312, which are connected to the controller unit 2200 and 2300, respectively.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the image forming apparatus.

  The Controller Unit 2000 is connected to a color scanner 2015 as an image input device and a color printer 2017 as an image output device. On the other hand, the controller unit 2000 is connected to a LAN 2011 or a public line (WAN) 2051 to input / output image information and device information. Controller.

  A CPU 2001 is a controller that controls the entire system.

  A RAM 2002 is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 2001, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data.

  A ROM 2003 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program.

  An HDD 2004 is a hard disk drive that stores system software and image data.

  An operation unit I / F 2005 is an interface unit with the operation unit (UI) 2006 and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 2006 to the operation unit 2006. Also, it plays a role of transmitting information input by the system user from the operation unit 2006 to the CPU 2001.

  A network 2007 is connected to the LAN 2011 and inputs / outputs information. A Modem 2050 is connected to the public line 2051 and inputs / outputs image information.

  Binary image rotation 2052 and binary image compression / decompression 2053 are for converting the direction of an image before transmitting a binary image by Modem 2050, or converting it to a predetermined resolution or a resolution adapted to the partner's ability. It is.

  The DMAC 2009 reads the image stored in the RAM 2002 without using the CPU 2001, transfers the image to the ImageBus I / F 2031, or writes the image from the image bus to the RAM 2002 without using the CPU 2001. The above devices are connected to the system bus 2008.

  An ImageBus I / F 2031 is an interface for controlling high-speed image input / output via the image bus 2010.

  A compressor 2012 is a compressor for JPEG compression in units of 32 pixels × 32 pixels before sending an image to the image bus 2010.

  A decompressor 2013 is a decompressor for decompressing an image sent via the image bus 2010.

  The raster image processor (RIP) 2018 receives the PDL code from the host computer via the network 2007, and the CPU 2001 stores it in the RAM 2002 through the system bus 2008. The CPU 2001 converts the PDL into an intermediate code, inputs it again to the RIP 2018 via the system bus 2008, and develops it into a bitmap image (multi-value).

  The scanner image processing 2014 performs various appropriate image processing (for example, correction, processing, editing) on the color image and the black and white image from the scanner 2015 and outputs (multi-value). Similarly, the printer image processing 2016 performs binary multi-value conversion by decompression 2013 at the time of printing for performing various kinds of image processing (for example, correction, processing, and editing) appropriate for the printer 2017. Therefore, binary and multi-value output are performed. Is possible.

  The image conversion unit 2030 has various image conversion functions used when an image on the RAM 2002 is converted and returned to the RAM 2002 again.

  A rotator 2019 can rotate an image of 32 pixels × 32 pixels unit at a specified angle, and supports binary and multi-value input / output.

  The magnification changer 2020 has a function (for example, from 25% to 400%) for converting the resolution of the image (for example, from 600 dpi to 200 dpi) and for changing the magnification. Before scaling, the image of 32 × 32 pixels is rearranged into an image in units of 32 lines.

  The color space conversion 2021 converts, for example, a YUV image on the memory into a Lab image by matrix calculation and LUT, and stores the image on the multi-valued input on the memory. Further, this color space conversion has a 3 × 8 matrix operation and a one-dimensional LUT, and can perform well-known background removal and show-through prevention. The converted image is output in multiple values.

  A binary multi-value conversion 2022 converts a 1-bit binary image into a multi-value 8-bit, 256 gradation. On the other hand, the multi-value / binary conversion 2025 converts, for example, an 8-bit, 256-gradation image on the memory into 1-bit, 2-gradation by a technique such as error diffusion processing, and stores it on the memory.

  The composition 2023 has a function of synthesizing two multi-valued image images on the memory into one multi-valued image. For example, a company logo can be easily attached to a document image by combining the image of the company logo in the memory with the document image.

  The thinning 2024 is a unit that performs resolution conversion by thinning out pixels of a multivalued image, and can output 1/2, 1/4, and 1/8 multivalued images. By using it together with the variable magnification 2020, a wider range of enlargement / reduction can be performed.

  The movement 2025 can be output by adding a margin portion to the input binary image or multi-valued image or deleting the margin portion.

  The rotation 2019, scaling 2020, color space conversion 2021, binary multi-value 2022, composition 2023, thinning 2024, movement 2025, and multi-value binary 2026 can be connected to each other. When the value image is rotated and the resolution is converted, both processes can be performed without using a memory.

  FIG. 3 shows the format of the image. The image format used in the present invention uses the image packet structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-103473.

  In compression 2012, raster format images are rearranged as packets of 32 × 32 pixel units as shown in FIG. 3, and JPEG compression is performed in packet units. At the same time, information such as an ID indicating the position of the packet, a color space, a Q table ID, and a data length is added to the packet to form a header. Binary data (image area flag) indicating characters and photographs is similarly compressed and attached after JPEG.

  FIG. 4 shows packet data. In decompression 2013, JPEG is developed based on this header information and rearranged into a raster image. By making such a packet image, only the image inside the packet is rotated at the time of image rotation, and by changing the position of the packet ID, it can be partially rotated by decompression and compression, so it is very efficient. . All images flowing through the image bus 2010 are packet images.

  When a raster image is necessary for FAX transmission, binary image rotation 2052, binary image compression / decompression 2053, etc., conversion from a packet image to a raster image is performed by software.

  FIG. 5 shows a detailed description of the scanner image processing. The RGB area 8-bit luminance signal input from the scanner is set by an image area enable generation unit 2510 so that a necessary portion of the original image area is sent to subsequent image processing based on an instruction from the user. Here, it is set to read an extra image so that the input image is 32 × 32 pixels. After that, masking 2501 converts the signal into a standard RGB color signal that does not depend on the filter color of the CCD.

  In the filter 2502, for example, a 9 × 9 matrix is used, and an image is blurred or sharpened.

  A histogram 2503 is a processing unit that samples image signal data in an input image, and is used to determine the background level of the input image. In this module, RGB data in a rectangular area surrounded by the specified start and end points in the main and sub-scan directions is sampled at a constant pitch in the main and sub-scan directions, and a histogram is created. . This histogram is read when background skipping or prevention of show-through is specified, and the background of the original is estimated from the histogram, and is stored and managed in the memory or HDD along with the image as the background skipping level. Used for image processing.

  In gamma 2504, processing is performed so that the density of the entire image is increased or decreased. For example, it is a part that converts the color space of the input image into an arbitrary color space or performs correction processing relating to the color of the input system.

  In the image shift of 2511, both main scanning and sub-scanning have a shift function within 32 × 32 pixels, and in which direction the input image is shifted, and the padding position is changed by the shift. The color can be specified.

  In order to determine whether the document is color or black and white, the image signal before scaling is converted into a known Lab by color space conversion 2505. Of these, a and b represent color signal components, and a 1-bit determination signal is output from the comparator 2506 as a chromatic color if it is equal to or higher than a predetermined level in the comparator 2506 and otherwise as an achromatic color.

  A counter 2507 measures the output from the comparator.

  A character / photo determination 2508 is a function for extracting a character edge from an image and separating the image into a character and a photo. As an output, a character photograph determination signal is obtained. This signal is also stored in the memory or HD together with the image and used during printing.

  Reference numeral 2509 denotes a specific document determination device. The specific document determination unit 2509 can compare the input image signal and the degree to which the pattern held in the determination unit matches, and can read the determination result of matching or mismatching as illustrated. The image is processed according to the determination result to prevent counterfeiting of banknotes and securities.

  FIG. 6 shows a detailed description of printer image processing.

  In 2601, the background color of the image data is skipped, and unnecessary background fogging is removed. For example, background removal is performed by a 3 × 8 matrix operation or a one-dimensional LUT.

  Reference numeral 2602 denotes a monochrome generation unit that converts color image data, for example, RGB data, to Gray single color when the color image data is converted to monochrome data and printed as a single color. For example, it is composed of a 1 × 3 matrix operation that multiplies RGB by an arbitrary constant to obtain a Gray signal.

  An output color correction unit 2603 performs color correction according to the characteristics of the printer unit that outputs image data. For example, it is composed of processing by 4 × 8 matrix calculation or direct mapping.

  Reference numeral 2604 denotes a filter processing unit that arbitrarily corrects the spatial frequency of image data, and includes, for example, processing for performing a 9 × 9 matrix operation.

  Reference numeral 2605 denotes a process for performing gamma correction in accordance with the characteristics of the printer unit to be output, and is usually composed of a one-dimensional LUT.

  A processing unit 2606 performs arbitrary halftone processing in accordance with the number of gradations of the printer unit to be output. A halftone processing unit performs arbitrary screen processing such as binarization and binarization and error diffusion processing. It is.

  Each process can be switched by a character / photo determination signal (not shown).

  The inter-drum delay memory 2607 is a memory for superimposing CMYK images by shifting the CMYK printing timing by the inter-drum in a color printer having CMYK drums. In a color printer having four drums for each color of CMYK, it can be delayed to align the position of the image.

  An image input / output device is shown in FIG.

  The scanner unit 2015, which is an image input device, illuminates an image on paper serving as a document and scans a CCD line sensor (not shown), thereby converting it into an electrical signal as raster image data.

  The original paper is set on the tray 2702 of the original feeder 2701, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 2006, the controller CPU 2001 gives an instruction to the scanner 2015, and the original paper is fed one by one from the tray 2702 of the feeder 2071. Feeds and reads the original image.

  The printer unit 2017, which is an image output device, is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array. There is an ink jet method for printing an image directly on paper, but any method may be used. Activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the controller CPU 2001.

  The printer unit 2095 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and there are paper cassettes 2703, 2704, and 2705 corresponding thereto. A paper discharge tray 2706 is a paper discharge tray for receiving the printed paper.

  The configuration of the operation unit 2006 is shown in FIG.

  The LCD display unit 2801 has a touch panel sheet 2802 pasted on the LCD, displays a system operation screen and soft keys, and transmits the position information to the controller CPU 2001 when the displayed keys are pressed.

  A start key 2803 is used when starting a document image reading operation. There is a green and red two-color LED 2804 in the center of the start key 2803, and indicates whether or not the start key 2803 can be used depending on the color.

  A stop key 2805 functions to stop an operation in operation. An ID key 2806 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. A reset key 2807 is used when initializing settings from the operation unit.

  FIG. 9 is an initial screen in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, and is also a standard screen that returns after setting each image forming function.

  3101 performs screen switching for performing copy settings.

  3102 performs screen switching for setting the scanned image to be transmitted by fax or e-mail.

  Reference numeral 3103 denotes a screen switch for setting a scan image and a PDL image to be stored in the built-in HDD, or a setting for printing, transmitting, or editing the stored scan image and PDL image.

  Reference numeral 3104 denotes a window for displaying settings at the time of image reading set by the reading setting 3105.

  In 3105, resolution, density, and the like at the time of image reading are set. Reference numeral 3106 denotes a timer setting at the time of timer transmission and a setting for printing on the HDD or printer.

  3107 displays the transmission destination designated by the destination table 3108. 3109 displays detailed information of one destination displayed in 3107. 3110 deletes one destination displayed in 3107.

  FIG. 10 is a pop-up window displayed when the read setting 3105 is pressed.

  In 3201, a read original size is selected and input from a pop-up, and the set read size is displayed in 3202.

  Reference numeral 3203 denotes a selection of a document reading mode. When pressed, three types of color / black / automatic (ACS) can be selected. The color mode can be selected in the same way for copy and box. If the measurement result of the counter 2507 is smaller than a predetermined value, it is determined as a black and white document, and if it is larger, it is determined as a color document. If it is color, a color image is displayed, if it is black, a monochrome image is displayed. Accumulate the result of determining whether it is color or black and white.

  3204 is a selection input from a pop-up for designating the resolution of reading.

  Reference numeral 3205 denotes a slider for adjusting the reading density of the original, and can be adjusted in nine steps.

  3206 is for automatically determining the density when reading an image with a background such as a newspaper. For 3206, the same setting can be made by copying.

  FIG. 11 shows a screen when the copy tab 3101 is pressed.

  Reference numeral 3301 denotes whether or not copying is possible, and the number of copies set at the same time is also displayed.

  3302 is a function equivalent to 3206, and is a button for selecting whether to automatically remove the background.

  Reference numeral 3303 denotes a slider having the same function as 3205 and capable of nine levels of density adjustment.

  In 3304, the type of the original is selected, and text / photo / map, text, photographic paper photo, and print photo can be selected.

  Reference numeral 3305 denotes an application mode button which can set a reduced layout (a function for reducing and printing a plurality of documents on one sheet), a color balance (CMYK color fine adjustment), and the like.

  Reference numeral 3306 denotes a button for performing settings relating to various finishings, and shift sort, staple sort, and group sort can be set.

  Reference numeral 3307 denotes a button for performing settings relating to duplex reading and duplex printing.

  FIG. 12 shows a screen when the box tab 3103 is pressed.

  Reference numeral 3401 denotes each folder logically divided into HDDs. Folder numbers are assigned to the folders in advance, and 3401 becomes the 0th folder. Next to the folder number, the percentage of disk space used by the folder is displayed. Folders can be given any name, and the name is displayed here. In 3402, the usage amount of the entire HDD is displayed.

  FIG. 13 shows a screen when 3401 is pressed.

  Reference numerals 3501 and 3502 denote documents stored in folders. A document is composed of a plurality of pages. Reference numeral 3501 denotes a scanned document, which displays an icon display indicating a scanned document, an HDD usage amount, and a document name display that can be arbitrarily set by the user. An icon 3502 is a PDL document stored from the PDL. By depressing the icon, it is shown in reverse video that the document has been selected.

  Reference numeral 3503 denotes a button for transmitting the selected document.

  Reference numeral 3504 denotes a button for reading a document from the scanner and generating a document.

  Reference numeral 3505 denotes a button for selecting all documents in the folder. Reference numeral 3506 denotes a button for deleting the selected document. Reference numeral 3507 denotes a button for printing the selected document. Reference numeral 3508 denotes a button for editing the selected document. For example, it has a function of selecting and combining two documents, saving them as one document, and deleting a specific page.

  Reference numeral 3509 denotes a button for displaying detailed information of the last selected document. In addition to the document name, information such as resolution, document size, and color can be viewed.

  FIG. 14 shows a software configuration diagram. Reference numeral 4010 denotes a UI control unit that controls the display operation unit. Upon receiving an instruction from the UI control unit 4010, a copy application unit 4020 that executes a copy operation, a transmission operation, a scan from a box screen, and a print, a transmission application unit 4021, There is a BOX application unit 4022.

  There is also a PDL application unit 4023 that receives PDL print data from the network application 4120 and inputs a PDL print job.

  Reference numeral 4030 denotes a common interface part for absorbing a device-dependent part of the device control part, and 4040 denotes a job manager that organizes job information received from the common interface 4030 and transmits it to a lower-layer document processing unit. The document processing unit includes a scan manager 4050 and a print manager 4090 for local copy, a scan job for remote copy, or a scan manager 4050 and file store manager 4100 for a transmission job, and a file read for a remote copy reception job. For PDL printing such as a manager 4060 and a print manager 4090, and LIPS and PostScript, there are a PDL manager 4070 and a print manager 4090.

  An image processing request to the image manager 4110 that performs synchronization between the document managers and performs various image processing is performed via the sync manager 4080. The image manager 4110 performs image processing and image file storage during scanning and printing.

  First, local copy software processing will be described. A copy setting is transmitted from the UI control unit 4010 to the copy application unit 4020 together with a copy instruction in accordance with a user instruction.

  The copy application unit 4020 transmits information from the UI control unit 4010 to the job manager 4040 that performs device control via the common interface 4030.

  The job manager 4040 transmits job information to the scan manager 4050 and the print manager 4090.

  The scan manager 4050 issues a scan request to the scanner 2070 via a device I / F (not shown) (the device I / F is a serial I / F connecting the controller 2000 and the scanner 2015 and the controller 2000 and the printer 2017). At the same time, an image processing request for scanning is sent to the image manager 4110 via the sync manager 4080.

  The image manager 4110 performs setting of the scanner image processing unit 2014 in accordance with an instruction from the scan manager 4050. When the setting is completed, a scan preparation completion is notified via the sync manager 4080.

  Thereafter, the scan manager 4050 instructs the scanner 2070 to scan. The completion of scan image transfer is transmitted to the image manager 4110 by an interrupt signal from hardware (not shown).

  Upon receiving the scan completion from the image manager 4110, the sync manager 4080 notifies the scan completion to the scan manager 4050 and the print manager 4090. At the same time, the sync manager 4080 instructs the image manager 4110 to file the compressed image stored in the RAM 2002 into the HDD 2004.

  The image manager 4110 stores an image (including a character / photo determination signal) on the memory in the HDD 2004 according to the instruction. A color determination / monochrome determination result, a background skip level for performing background skip, a scanned image, and a color space RGB as an image input source are also stored in an SRAM (not shown) as accompanying information of the image. When the storage in the HDD 2004 is completed and the scan completion from the scanner 2070 is received, the scan manager 4050 is notified of the completion of file formation via the sync manager 4080.

  The scan manager 4050 returns an end notification to the job manager 4040, and the job manager 4040 returns it to the copy application unit 4020 via the common interface 4030.

  The print manager 4090 issues a print request to the printer 2095 via the device I / F when an image is stored in the memory. At the same time, a print image processing request is sent to the sync manager 4080.

  Upon receiving a request from the print manager 4090, the sync manager 4080 requests the image manager 4110 for image processing settings.

  The image manager 4110 sets the printer image processing unit 2016 according to the accompanying information of the image, and notifies the print manager 4090 of completion of print preparation via the sync manager 4080.

  The print manager 4090 issues a print instruction to the printer. The completion of print image transfer is transmitted to the image manager 4110 by an interrupt signal from hardware (not shown). In response to the print completion from the image manager 4110, the sync manager 4080 notifies the print manager 4090 of the print completion.

  The print manager 4090 receives the completion of paper discharge from the printer unit, returns an end notification to the job manager 4040, and the job manager 4040 returns it to the copy application unit 4020 via the common interface 4030. The copy application unit 4020 notifies the UI control unit of the end of the job when scanning and printing are completed.

  In the case of a remote copy scan job or transmission job, the store manager 4100 receives a request from the job manager 4040 instead of the print manager 4090.

  When the scan image has been stored in the HDD, a storage completion notification is received from the sync manager 4080, and this is notified via the common interface 4030 to the copy application unit 4020 for remote copying and to the transmission application unit 4021 for transmission jobs. After this notification, the copy application unit 4020 and the transmission application 4021 request the network application 4120 to transmit the file stored in the HDD.

  The network application 4120 that has received the request transmits the file. The network application 4120 receives setting information regarding copying from the copy application unit 4020 at the start of the job, and also notifies the remote device of the setting information. In the case of remote copy, the network application 4120 performs transmission using a device-specific communication protocol. In the case of a transmission job, a standard file transfer protocol such as FTP or SMB is used.

  In the case of fax transmission, after the file is stored, the transmission application 4021 instructs the FAX manager 4041 to transmit via the common interface 4030 and the job manager 4040. The FAX manager 4041 negotiates with the other device via the Modem 2050, requests the image manager 4110 to perform necessary image processing (color-> black and white conversion, multi-value binary conversion, rotation, scaling), and converts the converted image. Send using Modem.

  When there is a printer at the transmission destination, the transmission application 4021 issues a print instruction as a print job via the common interface 4030. The operation at that time is the same as that of the remote copy print job described below. When the transmission destination is a box destination in the device, the file store manager 4100 stores it in the file system in the device.

  At the time of FAX reception, the FAX manager 4041 receives an image using Modem and stores it in the HDD 2004 as an image file. When the box application 4022 is notified after the HDD 2004 is stored, a reception print instruction is issued from the box application 4022 to the job manager 4040 via the common interface 4030. Thereafter, the operation is the same as that of a normal box print job, and the description is omitted.

  In the case of a remote copy print job, the network application 4120 stores an image from the transmission side in the HDD and issues a job to the copy application unit 4020.

  The copy application unit 4020 submits a print job to the job manager 4040 via the common interface 4030. Unlike local copy, the file read manager 4060 receives a request from the job manager 4040 instead of the scan manager 4050. A request for expanding the received image from the HDD to the memory is sent to the image manager 4110 via the sync manager 4080.

  The image manager 4110 expands the image in the memory. When the development is completed, the image manager 4110 notifies the file read manager 4060 and the print manager 4090 of the completion of the development via the sync manager 4080.

  When an image is stored in the memory, the print manager 4090 selects a paper feed stage instructed by the job manager or a stage having the paper size via the device I / F, and issues a print request. In the case of automatic paper, the paper feed stage is determined from the image size and a print request is issued. At the same time, a print image processing request is sent to the sync manager 4080.

  When the sync manager 4080 receives a request from the print manager 4090, it requests the image manager 4110 to set print image processing (at this time, for example, if there is no optimum size paper and rotation is required, a separate rotation instruction is also requested. In this case, the image manager 4110 rotates the image using the image rotation 2019.)

  The image manager 4110 sets the printer image processing unit 2016 and notifies the print manager 4090 of completion of print preparation via the sync manager 4080.

  The print manager 4090 issues a print instruction to the printer. The completion of print image transfer is transmitted to the image manager 4110 by an interrupt signal from hardware (not shown).

  Upon receiving the print completion from the image manager 4110, the sync manager 4080 notifies the file read manager 4060 and the print manager 4090 of the print completion. The file read manager 4060 returns an end notification to the job manager 4040. In response to the completion of paper discharge from the printer unit, the print manager 4090 returns an end notification to the job manager 4040. The job manager 4040 returns an end notification to the copy application unit 4020 via the common interface 4030. The copy application unit 4020 notifies the UI control unit of the end of the job when scanning and printing are completed.

  In the case of a PDL data development storage job, a request from the host PC that has input the PDL print is transmitted to the PDL application 4023 via the network application 4120.

  The PDL application 4023 instructs the job manager 4040 via the common interface 4030 for a PDL data development storage job. At this time, the PDL manager 4070 and the store manager 4100 receive a request from the job manager 4040. An image input portion after completion of RIP of the image is the same as that of the above-described scan job. The image on the memory (including the character / photo determination signal) is stored in the HDD 2004. Color / monochrome information is stored in an SRAM (not shown) as accompanying information of an image, and a PDL image, a color space CMYK or RGB is also stored as an image input source. When the storage of the PDL image in the HDD 2004 is completed, a storage completion notification is received from the sync manager 4080 and is notified to the PDL application 4023 via the common interface 4030. After this notification, the PDL application 4023 notifies the network application 4120 of the storage completion to the HDD, and this information is transmitted to the host PC that has entered the PDL print. In the case of a PDL print job, the image developed on the memory is printed by the PDL manager 4070 and the print manager 4090.

  To print an image stored in the PDL format, a stored document instructed to be printed by the UI is issued as a print job to the BOX application.

  The BOX application unit 4022 inputs a print job to the job manager 4040 via the common interface 4030. Unlike local copy, the file read manager 4060 receives a request from the job manager 4040 instead of the scan manager 4050.

  A request for expanding an image instructed to be printed from the HDD to the memory is made to the image manager 4110 via the sync manager 4080. The subsequent operation is the same as that described in the remote copy print job, and is therefore omitted.

  Next, control of color space conversion at the time of composition, which is the central part of this embodiment, will be described.

  First, an image flow when images are combined and the combined image is transmitted will be described with reference to FIG.

  Reference numeral 4052 denotes an image memory, which stores image data desired to be transmitted by a user stored in a scan or HDD. The packet data set described in FIG. 4 is stored in the memory.

  Reference numeral 4056 denotes a similar image memory, in which image data having additional information stored in the RAM 2002 or the HDD 2004 from a scan in advance by the user is stored as a color image. Color image data having this additional information is also stored as a set of packet data described with reference to FIG.

  Reference numerals 4053 and 4057 denote color space conversion processing, which is performed using the color space conversion 2021.

  Reference numerals 4054 and 4058 denote image memories in which the images subjected to the color space conversion processing are made possible as a set of packet data described with reference to FIG.

  Reference numeral 4059 denotes a composition process, which is performed using the composition 2023.

  Reference numeral 4060 denotes an image memory in which a set of combined packet data is stored.

  An image processing process 4061 performs resolution conversion, rotation processing, and compression processing on the combined packet data stored in 4060 according to the transmission destination. The processed image enters the transmission image memory 4062. Thereafter, the image for transmission stored in 4062 is transmitted via Network or FAX.

  As a specific example, FIG. 16 shows image processing when transmitted via FAX, and FIG. 17 shows image processing when transmitted via a network.

  When transmitting an image via FAX, color image data is transferred as a set of packet data from the scanner 2015 or the HDD 2004 of the 4101 to the image memory 4102, and then the color of the color image data of the image memory 4102 is transferred. The space conversion processing is performed using the color space conversion 2021 and the multi-value binary 2026, and the image after the color space conversion is transferred to the image memory 4104. At this time, the color space conversion 2021 performs color space conversion that is optimal when an image is converted with the multi-value binary 2026.

  Next, color image data having additional information stored in advance in the RAM 2002 or HDD 2004 by the user is transferred to the image memory 4106.

  Similar to the color image data transferred from the scanner 2015 or HDD 2004 to the image memory 4102, the image data transferred to the image memory 4106 is subjected to color space conversion processing via the color space conversion 2021 and the multi-value binary 2026. And stored in the image memory 4108.

  The image memory 4104 and the image memory 4108 are combined in the combination 2023 and stored in the image memory 4111. After that, resolution conversion is performed as the magnification conversion 2020, rotation processing is performed as the rotation 2052, and FAX processing as image processing for FAX transmission. The binary image compression processing is performed by binary image compression / expansion 2053, and then stored in the image memory 4113. The binary image compression / decompression 2053 is compressed by MR compression, MMR compression, or MH compression according to the FAX machine on the reception side.

  Similarly, resolution conversion processing using the variable magnification 2020 is also performed in accordance with the FAX capability on the receiving side. The reception capability of such a reception-side FAX device communicates with the reception-side device via Modem 2050, and is determined by the CPU 2001.

  Next, image processing in the case of transmission via a network will be shown using FIG.

  In the case of transmitting an image via the network, color image data is transferred as a set of packet data from the scanner 2015 or HDD 2004 of 4201 to the image memory 4202, and then sRGB for the color image data of the image memory 4202 is transferred. Is converted using the color space conversion 2021, and the image after the color space conversion is transferred to the image memory 4204.

  Next, color image data having additional information stored in advance in the RAM 2002 or HDD 2004 by the user is transferred to the image memory 4206.

  Similar to the color image data transferred from the scanner 2015 or HDD 2004 to the image memory 4202, the image data transferred to the image memory 4206 is converted into a color space having sRGB via the color space conversion 2021. Stored in the image memory 4208.

  The image memory 4204 and the image memory 4208 are synthesized in the synthesis 2023 and then stored in the image memory 4210. Thereafter, the resolution conversion is scaled as the image processing for transmission to the PC on the network, and the rotation process is rotated in the magnification 2020. In 2019, the compression processing is performed in the compression 2012 and then stored in the image memory 4212. At this time, the resolution conversion, rotation processing, and compression processing differ from the above-described FAX, and the resolution, rotation processing, and compression processing instructed by the user through the operation unit 2006 are notified to the CPU 2001 via the operation unit I / F 2005, and the CPU 2001 Resolution conversion, rotation processing, and compression processing are determined.

  The control flow will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, a standby state is entered until a transmission instruction is issued from the operation unit 2006 by the user. The user can specify a transmission method by pressing the destination table 3108, the reading setting 3105, and the transmission setting 3106 on the screen of FIG. 9 displayed on the operation unit 2006 (S4301 to S4302).

  The CPU 2001 monitors whether the user presses the destination table 3108, the reading setting 3105, and the transmission setting 3106 displayed on the operation unit 2006, sets the transmission, and then presses the start key 2803 in FIG. 8 (S4303).

  After the CPU 2001 is notified via the operation unit I / F 2005 that the user has pressed the start key 2803, the original is read from the scanner 2015, and the image data is stored in the RAM 2002 via the scanner image processing 2014, the compression 2012, and the ImageBus I / F 2031. Store (S4304).

  Thereafter, the CPU 2001 determines whether or not the user has designated compositing using the operation unit 2006 (S4305). If there is a compositing instruction, color image data having additional information is transferred from the HDD 2004 to the RAM 2002 in advance (S4306). Next, the user gives an instruction using the operation unit 2006, determines the transmission setting sent via the operation unit I / F 2005, and determines the type of transmission image (S4307).

  Next, the color image data having additional information transferred from the HDD 2004 to the RAM 2002 according to the color mode 3203 and resolution 3204 in FIG. 10 is converted by the color space conversion 2021, and the color image data stored in the RAM 2002 from the scanner 2015 is also converted. Conversion is performed by the color space conversion 2021 (S4308, S4309).

  If the user selects “monochrome multi-value” in FIG. 10, the color image data having additional information obtained by transferring the color image data having additional information from the HDD 2004 to the RAM 2002 is similarly converted by the color space conversion 2021. In addition, the color image data stored in the RAM 2002 from the scanner 2015 is converted by the color space conversion 2021 (S4314, S4315).

  Thereafter, the image data read from the scanner 2015 stored in the RAM 2002 and subjected to color space conversion and the image data transferred from the HDD 2004 to the RAM 2002 and having additional information subjected to color space conversion are combined in the combining 2023 (S4310). Or S4316).

  The synthesized image data is then subjected to resolution conversion and rotation processing designated by the resolution 3204 of FIG. 10 displayed on the operation unit 2006 by the user at the magnification 2020 and rotation 2019 (S4311 or S4317), and at the compression 2012. After JPEG compression and saving in the RAM 2002, the data is transmitted to a device on the network designated by the destination table 3108 via Network 2007 (S4313).

  When the user sets the destination as a FAX device, the Modem 2050 exchanges capabilities with the partner FAX device, and the CPU 2001 determines resolution, rotation processing, and compression processing, and then performs scaling 2020 and binary image rotation 2052. Then, resolution conversion and rotation processing are performed (S4322), and then compression processing is performed by binary image compression / expansion 2053 (S4323).

  The image data subjected to the compression process is temporarily stored in the RAM 2002, and then transmitted to the designated FAX device via the Modem 2050 and the WAN 2051 (S4324).

  When the user presses the reading setting 3105 and selects “automatic” as the color mode 3203, the following processing is performed in the original reading (S4304).

  The image data read by the scanner 2015 passes through the image area enable generation 2510 in FIG. 5 as RGB color component signals, and is input to the masking 2501, color space conversion 2505, character / photo determination 2508, and specific document determination unit 2509, respectively. Is done.

  At this time, the RGB color component signal input to the color space conversion 2505 is judged in real time by the comparator 2506 and the counter 2507, and if the color is a chromatic color, the counter 2507 counts up. Is done.

  When the scanner 2015 finishes reading the document and the image data is stored in the RAM 2002, the CPU 2001 determines the value of the counter 2507, and if it is greater than a certain threshold, determines that the read document is a color image (S4307). Subsequent processing is performed as a color image transmission instruction by determining the transmission image type (S4308, S4309, S4311, S4312, and S4313).

  If it is below a certain threshold value, it is determined that the read original is a black and white image (S4307), and the subsequent processing is performed assuming that a black and white image transmission instruction is given by the determination of the transmission image type (S4314, S4315). , S4316, S4317, S4318, S4313).

Diagram showing the overall configuration of the image forming system The figure which shows the whole structure of an image forming apparatus Relationship between packet image and whole image Diagram showing structure of packet image Block diagram of scanner image processing of the present invention Block diagram of printer image processing of the present invention External view of input / output device of image forming apparatus External view of the operation unit of the image forming apparatus Explanatory drawing of the transmission screen of the operation part of this invention Detailed explanatory diagram of the transmission screen of the operation unit of the present invention Explanatory drawing of the copy screen of the operation unit of the present invention Explanatory drawing of the box screen of the operation unit of the present invention Detailed explanatory diagram of the box screen of the operation unit of the present invention Software configuration diagram showing the software configuration of the present invention The figure which shows the image flow of composition transmission processing The figure which shows the image processing in the case of transmitting via FAX Diagram showing image processing when transmitted over a network Composite transmission process flowchart

Explanation of symbols

2006 Operation Unit 2015 Scanner 2017 Printer 2011 LAN

Claims (3)

Reading means for reading a document image;
First storage means for storing an image read by the reading means;
Second storage means for storing an image read by the reading means;
Combining means for combining the image stored in the first storage means and the image data stored in the second storage means;
A transmission means for transmitting an image;
In a color image input / output device having conversion means for converting the color space of the image stored in the first storage means and the second storage means,
Determination means for determining a color space of an image to be transmitted before transmission by the transmission means;
The image stored in the first storage means is converted into the color space determined by the determination means by the conversion means, and the image stored in the second storage means is also converted by the determination means. A color image input / output apparatus comprising: converting into a determined color space by the converting unit; and then combining and transmitting by the combining unit.   2. The color image input / output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color image input / output apparatus supports a plurality of transmission protocols, and determines whether or not to perform the conversion process according to a transmission destination. An operation unit that specifies whether the document is color or black and white, or a document color determination unit that automatically determines whether the document is color or black and white is stored in the first storage unit according to the result of the document color determination unit The image being
2. A color image input / output device according to claim 1, wherein the color space of the image stored in the second storage means is converted.