JP3372562B2 - Image processing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of digital color copying machines in recent years, CG images and line drawings created on a computer, or natural images read from a scanner to a computer,
A system that outputs to a digital color copier connected to a computer has been commercialized.

In such a system, the copying machine and the computer are connected via a unit having a memory (hereinafter referred to as "IU"). The IU memory is divided into a multivalued image memory that stores natural images and the like, and a binary image memory that stores characters and line drawings, etc., to facilitate handling of multivalued image data and binary image data. ing. In addition, a multi-valued image signal line and a binary image signal line are often provided independently between the copying machine and the IU in order to perform optimum image processing.

Further, in such a system,
Characters and line drawings edited on the computer can be printed out in arbitrary colors. However, since the copier cannot perform arbitrary color printing only with the data from the binary image signal line, the received binary image data can be printed in the designated color based on the designated color received in advance and the information of the color area. It was printed out.

In the case of the arbitrary color printing described above, or the image read by the scanner provided in the copying machine and the image of the binary image data are combined with each other by removing the hair (the image read by the scanner in the area given the binary image data). When combining images without printing),
The IU sends the same binary image data for each color plane of the copying machine. In recent years, due to demands for presentations, a so-called desktop publishing (hereinafter referred to as “DTP”) system, for example, Adobe
Many devices for outputting character and line drawing data using a page description language (hereinafter referred to as "PDL") such as "PostScript (TM)" of the same company have been commercialized.

Also in such a DTP system, the computer and the copying machine are connected via a unit having a memory (hereinafter referred to as "PS-IU"). In such a DTP system, the PDL from the computer is converted into a raster image by the interpreter in the PS-IU and then sent to the copying machine as binary image data.

Unlike the above-mentioned IU, the PS-IU does not send the same binary image data for each color plane of the copying machine, but a binary image corresponding to the color material of each color plane of the copying machine. I was sending data.

[0008]

However, the above-mentioned conventional example has the following problems. That is, the copying machine converts the binary image data sent from the PS-IU according to the color material of each color plane into fixed multi-valued image data when printing. Therefore, in the above-mentioned conventional example, it was not possible to change the density and the tint of the binary image data to be printed.

Of course, even in the conventional example, the density and the tint can be changed by the color balance and the density key provided in the copying machine, but the density and the tint also change in normal printing. , There was a drawback that we had to set it again each time. Similarly, in the conventional example,
When printing a multivalued image such as a natural image and a binary image in PDL on the same recording paper, adjusting the density or tint of the binary image with color balance etc. will also affect the density or tint of the multivalued image. There was a drawback that gave.

In the case of IU, as described above, the copying machine receives the color information for the binary image data in advance, so that the density and tint can be adjusted by the computer. When the density key and the density key were adjusted, there was a drawback that the desired density and tint could not be obtained.

The present invention is for solving the above-mentioned problems, and performs color adjustment of a multi-valued image obtained by reading an original by an original reading unit and color setting of a binary image input from an external device. The purpose is to enable each independently.

[0012]

The present invention has the following structure as one means for achieving the above object. The image processing apparatus according to the present invention adjusts or sets the color of the image and the input unit for inputting the multi-valued image obtained by reading the document by the document reading unit and the binary image output from the external device. Setting means for setting the color adjustment data, adjusting means for adjusting the color of the multivalued image according to the color adjustment data, and color setting means for setting the color of the binary image according to the color adjustment data. And a synthesizing unit for synthesizing the color-adjusted multivalued image and the color-set binary image, and an output unit for outputting the synthesized color image to the image forming unit. The color adjustment data can be set independently for the means and the color setting means. An image processing method according to the present invention is a color adjustment for inputting a multi-valued image obtained by reading an original by an original reading unit and a binary image output from an external device and adjusting or setting the color of the image. Data is set, the color of the multi-valued image is adjusted according to the color adjustment data, the color of the binary image is set according to the color adjustment data, and the color-adjusted multi-valued image and color are set. It has respective steps of synthesizing the binary image and outputting the synthesized color image to the image forming unit, and the color adjustment data can be set independently for the multi-valued image and the binary image. It is characterized by

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0014]

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a general image processing system. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a computer that creates and edits images and the like. Reference numeral 3 denotes a color copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is composed of a scanner for reading an image and a printer for forming an image.
In response to an instruction from the user, the image read by the scanner is output to the outside, or the image data input from the outside is printed by the printer. The printer that constitutes the color copying machine 3 of the present embodiment is a frame sequential printer that prints color images such as YMC in a frame sequential manner and superimposes them, and is, for example, a printer such as an electrophotographic system or a thermal transfer system.

Reference numeral 2 denotes an I / F unit which serves as an interface between the computer 1 and the color copying machine 3. I
The / F unit 2 and the computer 1 are connected by a general-purpose interface 4 (eg GPIB, SCSI, RS232, etc.), and the I / F unit 2 and the color copying machine 3 are device-dependent video interfaces. 5, the signal line of the video interface 5 is capable of data transfer corresponding to the scanning speed and the printing speed of the color copying machine 3.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a structural example of a general I / F unit 2. The image data created on the computer 1 can be roughly classified into multi-valued data such as natural images and binary data such as characters and line drawings. Therefore, the I / F unit 2 is composed of a memory for multi-valued data corresponding to multi-valued data and a memory for binary data corresponding to binary data in order to facilitate handling of these data. Has been done.

In FIG. 2, 200 is a computer I /
At F, handshake is performed with the general-purpose interface 4 connected to the computer 1. 205 is a video I / F,
Performs handshake with the video interface 5 connected to the color copying machine 3. The video I / F 205 is a parallel interface, the signal lines 501 to 503 are for transferring multi-valued image data, the signal line 504 is for transferring binary image data, and the signal line 505 is for controlling. For example, it comprises a transfer control line for image data and a communication control line for exchanging information between the I / F unit 2 and the color copying machine 3.

Reference numeral 202 denotes a multi-valued memory, which is a memory for the above-mentioned multi-valued data, and is composed of, for example, three RGB planes. A binary memory 203 is a memory for the above-mentioned binary data. 206 is a PS interpreter, which is a CPU
Under the control of a CPU (not shown) via a bus (not shown), a raster image is constructed from the input PDL and binary data is output to the signal line 214.

Reference numeral 201 denotes a selector, which is controlled by a CPU (not shown) via a CPU bus (not shown) and a computer I / F 200, a multi-value memory 202 or a binary memory 203 (and a PS interpreter 206). Connect. Reference numeral 204 denotes a color correction circuit that converts the brightness data such as RGB input from the multi-valued memory 202 to the color copying machine 3
It is converted into density data such as YMC according to the color material of.

The computer I / F 200 receives the image data input from the computer 1 through the selector 201 based on the control of the CPU (not shown) via the CPU bus (not shown), and outputs it to the binary memory 203 or the multivalued memory. 20
2 and the binary memory 2 through the selector 201.
03 and the image data sent from the multi-valued memory 202 are sent to the computer 1.

Further, to the computer I / F 200,
Data other than image data from the computer 1, for example,
Control commands of the color copying machine 3 and print information (information such as a print color of a binary image and coordinates to be printed in the print color) are also input. Data other than these image data is stored in the CPU.
(Not shown), the image data is sent to the video I / F 205 via the CPU bus (not shown) and transferred to the color copying machine 3 via the signal line 505 of the video interface 5 as necessary.

The I / F unit 2 is frame-sequentially multilevel memory 202 in accordance with the information indicating the printing operation of the printer of the color copying machine 3 sent through the signal line 505.
The multi-valued data output from the color correction circuit 204 is sent to the color copying machine 3 by the video I / F 205 via the signal line 501 and the like. Also, I / F unit 2
Is output from the binary memory 203 or the PS interpreter 206 in synchronization with multi-valued data such as the signal line 501.
The value data is sent to the signal line 50 by the video I / F 205.
And sent to the color copying machine 3 via 4.

The signal lines 211 to 214 and 501 to 503 of this embodiment are signal lines capable of bidirectional data transfer. Therefore, the I / F unit 2 inputs the RGB image data and the like output by the scanner of the color copying machine 3 to the video I / F 205 via the signal lines 501 to 503, and makes the color correction circuit 204 through, for example. Thus, it can be stored in the multi-valued memory 202. Also, I / F
The unit 2 uses, for example, a video I / F 20 as necessary.
An image data input from the color copying machine 3 to the video I / F 205 is transferred to a 2 by a comparator (not shown) in FIG.
It can also be digitized and stored in the binary memory 203. Further, as described above, these multilevel memories 202
The image data stored in the binary memory 203 is stored in the computer I / F 20 according to an instruction from the computer 1.
By 0, it can be output to the computer 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a structural example of the scanner 32 of the color copying machine 3 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a sensor, which is a line sensor in which a color separation filter is attached to a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD, and outputs an RGB image signal. The scanner 32 scans and reads a document (not shown) by moving the sensor 301 with a motor (not shown) or the like.

Reference numeral 302 denotes an A / D converter, which is a sensor 30.
The analog RGB image signal input from 1 is converted into a digital RGB image signal. Reference numeral 303 denotes a shading circuit, which outputs RGB signals input from the A / D converter 302 in accordance with unevenness of the light amount at the time of reading a document and characteristics of the sensor 301.
Correct the image signal. Reference numeral 304 denotes a sensor color correction circuit that determines the spectral characteristics of the color separation filter of the sensor 301 to a color space or NT.
To meet the SC standard, the shading circuit 30
The RGB image signal input from 3 is corrected.

A logarithmic conversion circuit 305 converts the RGB image signal of the luminance signal input from the sensor color correction circuit 304 into
Convert to a density signal such as YMC. A printer color correction circuit 306 corrects the YMC image signal and the like input from the logarithmic conversion circuit 305 according to the spectral reflection characteristics of the color material of the printer 33. In addition, the printer color correction circuit 306
The image data input in parallel is sent to the signal line 3 in a frame sequential manner.
Output to 11.

The sensor 301 repeatedly scans the document and reads the document as many times as the number of color materials used in the printer 33. Therefore, the printer color correction circuit 306
Image data read repeatedly by the sensor 301 is input to. The printer 33 is capable of full-color printing by superimposing basic color materials of several colors. The printer 33 uses, for example, four types of CMYK as color materials, but the number of color materials is not limited to four.

An image editing circuit 307 is for performing image processing and image editing, and is an essential part of this embodiment. Although the details will be described later, the image editing circuit 307 programmably processes and edits the image data input from the printer color correction circuit 306 according to a code number obtained from an area code generator described later. 308 is the printer I
/ F, the image data input from the image editing circuit 307 is output to the printer 33.

The above is the flow of image data when the color copying machine 3 operates as a normal copying machine. Next, a case where image data is input / output between the color copying machine 3 and the I / F unit 2 will be described. First, when the read image data is output to the I / F unit 2, the scanner 32 causes the sensor 301 to output the sensor color correction circuit 304.
Up to the above, substantially the same processing is performed. Sensor color correction circuit 30
The RGB image data output from 4 is the video I / F 3
09, and is sent to the I / F unit 2 via the signal lines 501 to 503.

When the image data is input from the I / F unit 2, the scanner 32 inputs the multi-valued data sequentially input from the I / F unit 2 to the video I / F 309 via the signal line 501 and the like. , Through the signal line 312 to the image editing circuit 307. Also, the scanyana 32 is I
Video interface I / F3 via signal line 504 from / F unit 2
09, the binary data input for each color plane,
Input to the image editing circuit 307 via the signal line 313.

In this case, image position information and print designation color information such as characters and line drawings are input in advance from the I / F unit 2 to the video I / F 309 via the signal line 505. The scanner 32 causes the image editing circuit 307 to perform image processing and image editing according to the information. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the image editing circuit 307.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 401 denotes a selector a, which inputs multi-valued image data from the printer color correction circuit 306 to the input terminal A via the signal line 311 and inputs it to the input terminal B via the signal line 312. Input multi-valued image data from the I / F unit 2. The selection signal is input from the register 409 to the selection terminal S of the selector a 401. Data is set to the register 409 via the CPU bus 410 in the color copying machine 3.

For example, the selector a 401 is the scanner 3
When synthesizing the multi-valued image data read in 2 and the multi-valued image data from the I / F unit 2, the above-mentioned input from the computer 1 to the color copying machine 3 via the I / F unit 2 in advance is performed. The input image data is selected and output by a selection signal according to position information or a switching instruction.

Reference numeral 402 denotes an area code generator, which determines each area based on the area information input from the CPU bus 410 and the above-mentioned position information and the print position information output in real time in synchronization with the printing operation of the printer 33. Output the area code corresponding to the area. Reference numeral 404 is a lookup table LUTa, which is composed of, for example, a RAM and has an area code input from the area code generator 402.
For example, 8-bit data corresponding to the 2-bit color select signal 405 indicating the color material being printed by the printer 33 is output. For LUTa 404, CP
I / F from the computer 1 in advance via the U-bus 410
YMCK data corresponding to the print designation color information or the like input to the color copying machine 3 via the unit 2 is preset. The color select signal 405 is set to "0" when the printer 33 is printing the Y component, for example.
The signal is 1 '.

Reference numeral 411 denotes an LUTb, which is composed of, for example, a RAM having a memory capacity of 256 bytes / color × 4 colors, and outputs the image data input from the selector a 401 and the data corresponding to the color select signal 405. LU
Although arbitrary conversion data can be set in the table of Tb411 via the CPU bus 410, this conversion data is usually obtained by adjusting the color balance of the operation unit 31 shown in FIG. It is set so that the print result of the density and the density can be obtained.

Reference numeral 403 is a selector b, which is L to the input terminal A.
The output of UTb411 is input to input terminal B by LUTa404.
Output from the I / F unit 2 via the signal line 313 to the selection terminal S. The selector b403 selects and outputs the image data of the input terminal A when the binary image data input to the selection terminal S is “0” and the data of the input terminal B when the binary image data is “1”. That is, 2 input to the selection terminal S
When the value image data is “1”, the data corresponding to the color plane at that time is output from the selector b403.

The output of the selector b403 becomes the output of the image editing circuit 307. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example in which the binary image data from the I / F unit 2 is printed by the printer 33, and “A”, “B”, “C”, which are arranged in the order of paper feeding.
The letter "D" is printed in red, cyan, yellow, and black, respectively. Next, the process of outputting the print result of FIG. 5 will be described step by step. In the following description, area 0 corresponds to the area surrounding the character “A”. Area 1
Corresponds to the character "B", area 2 corresponds to the character "C", and area 3 corresponds to the area surrounding the character "D".

First, the I / F unit 2 shown in FIG.
The case of operating as the aforementioned IU will be described. Area information of areas 0 to 3 and color information of each area are sent from the computer 1 to the color copying machine 3 via the I / F unit 2. Based on these information, the color copying machine 3 first sets the data to be described later into the table of the LUTa 404 shown in FIG. 4 via the CPU bus 410, and then the area code generator shown in FIG. The area information is sent to 402, and the area code corresponding to each area information is output. However, the area code output from the area code generator 402 is the timing at which the binary data is read from the binary memory 203 shown in FIG. 2 according to the printing position information input to the area code generator 402 described above. Synchronize with.

In each register of the area 0 of the LUT 404, since the color information of the corresponding area is red, for example, Y = FF, M = FF,
Set C = 0 and K = 0. Similarly, since the color information of the corresponding area is cyan, Y = 0, M = 0, C = FF, and K = 0 are set in each register of area 1 in the same manner. Since the color information of the corresponding area is yellow, for example, Y = FF, M = 0, C = 0, and K = 0 are set in each register of area 2. In each register of area 3, since the color information of the corresponding area is black, for example Y = 0, M = 0, C = 0 and K = FF
Set.

After making the above settings, the color copying machine 3 starts printing when it receives a printing instruction from the computer 1. FIG. 6 is an example of a timing chart when printing is performed in this embodiment. The signal ITOP shown in FIG.
Is a frame-sequential synchronizing signal output from the printer 33, and the image data sent at the rising edge of the signal ITOP is printed on the leading edge of the recording paper.

In FIG. 6A, in M cycles, the M of the LUTa 404 is changed by the color select signal 405.
When the register is selected, the data of the M registers of area 0 to area 3 (character "A" to character "D") are sequentially output according to the print position. When the binary data input from the I / F unit 2 is "1", the output data of the M register is selected by the selector b403 and sent to the printer 33. In this example, only the character "A" is output. The color material M is printed. Similarly, only the character "B" is printed with the color material C in the C cycle, the characters "A" and "C" are printed with the color material Y in the Y cycle, and only the character "D" is printed with the color material K in the K cycle. The printing result shown in FIG. 5 is obtained.

Next, the I / F unit 2 shown in FIG.
A case of operating as the above-mentioned PS-IU will be described. In this case, the I / F unit 2 to the color copying machine 3
Since binary data corresponding to the color material is sent to, the timing chart is as shown in FIG. 6 (b). In this case, the area code generator 4 via the CPU bus 410
02 is always LUTa404 regardless of the print position information.
Of the LUTa 404 is set to output an area code indicating the area 0, and Y = FF, M = FF, C = FF, and K = FF are set, for example. That is, the printer 33 prints all the binary image data sent in each color cycle with each color material.

The data set in the area 0 of the LUTb 404 is desired by the color balance adjustment of the operation unit 31 shown in FIG. 1 and the like, almost in the same manner as the color balance stored in the table of the LUTb 411 described above. It can be set so that the print result of color and density can be obtained. FIG. 7 is an example of the operation screen of the operation unit 31 for setting the density of each color.
When the key 702 displayed on the LCD 701 is operated, L
Instructions are input by a substantially transparent touch panel provided on the CD 701. The density of each color can be set in 1% pitch, and the set value is displayed on the LCD 701.

For example, if the density is 100%, the data'F
F'and 50% density correspond to data '80'. Data may be directly input for the density setting shown in FIG. 7. Further, these set values are retained even when the power source of the color copying machine 3 or the like is cut off, and it is not necessary to set them each time the power source is turned on. As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the data set in the LUTa 404 can be adjusted from the operation unit 31, the binary image data sent from the I / F unit 2 to the color copying machine 3 is desired. You can print in color and density.

Further, according to this embodiment, the color copying machine 3
The color balance and the density in the case of performing a normal copying operation are LUTb 411 independent from the processing of the binary image data.
Since it is set to, the normal copying operation is not affected by the tint and the density set according to the binary image data. Similarly, according to the present embodiment, when a multi-valued image such as a natural image and a binary image of PDL are printed on the same recording paper, they are image-processed independently and then combined, so that the binary image The tint and the density set according to the data are not influenced by the tint and the density of the multi-valued image.

[0046]

[Second Embodiment] Next, a color copying machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second and first embodiments, the configuration of the image editing circuit 307 shown in FIG. Different, other configurations are substantially the same. Therefore, substantially the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the image editing circuit 307 of the second embodiment. The second shown in FIG.
In the structure of the embodiment and the structure of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4, substantially the same structures are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 8, the selector b40
3, the binary image data input to the selection terminal S is
When it is "0", the selector a40 input to the input terminal A
The output of 1 is the L input to the input terminal B when it is '1'.
The output of the UTa 404 is selected and output to the LUTc 412. That is, when the binary image data input to the selection terminal S is “1”, the data corresponding to the color plane at that time is output from the selector b403.

Next, the LUTc 412 is composed of, for example, a RAM having a memory capacity of 256 bytes / color × 4 colors, and outputs the image data input from the selector b403 and the data corresponding to the color select signal 405. In addition,
Although arbitrary conversion data can be set in the table of the LUTc 412 via the CPU bus 410, this conversion data is usually obtained by adjusting the color balance of the operation unit 31 shown in FIG. It is set so that the print result of the density and the density can be obtained.

The output of the LUT 412 is the image editing circuit 307.
Will be output.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Color adjustment data for adjusting or setting the color of an image can be set independently for a multi-valued image and a binary image. Therefore, color adjustment of a multi-valued image obtained by reading an original by the original reading unit and color setting of a binary image input from an external device can be independently performed,
Adjusting the tint or color balance of a binary image on a copier also affects the density or tint of a multi-valued image.If the color balance or tint of a copier was adjusted, the desired density or tint It is possible to solve the problem that a value image cannot be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a general image processing system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a general I / F unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a scanner of a color copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image editing circuit of the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of printing binary image data from the I / F unit of the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an example of a timing chart when printing is performed in this embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an example of an operation screen of an operation unit that sets the density of each color according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image editing circuit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 computer 2 I / F unit 3 color copier 301 sensor 302 A / D converter 303 Shading circuit 304 sensor color correction circuit 305 Logarithmic conversion circuit 306 Printer color correction circuit 307 Image editing circuit 308 Printer I / F 401,403 Selector 402 area code generator 404,411 LUT

Continuation of front page (56) Reference JP-A-2-74365 (JP, A) JP-A-1-184140 (JP, A) JP-A-4-115964 (JP, A) JP-A-2-50857 (JP , A) JP-A-2-301780 (JP, A) JP-A-2-155769 (JP, A) JP-A-4-204567 (JP, A) JP-A-5-300364 (JP, A) JP-A 63-254074 (JP, A) (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/525 B41J 5/30 G06T 5/00 200 H04N 1/40 H04N 1/46

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A multi-valued image obtained by reading an original by an original reading unit, and input means for inputting a binary image output from an external device, and color adjustment data for adjusting or setting the color of the image. Setting means for setting the color of the multivalued image according to the color adjustment data, color setting means for setting the color of the binary image according to the color adjustment data, and color adjustment a synthesizing means for synthesizing the multivalued image and color set binary image is, and output means for outputting the synthesized color image on the image forming section, by the setting unit, the adjusting means and the color An image processing apparatus, wherein the color adjustment data can be independently set for a setting unit. 2. A multi-valued image obtained by reading an original by an original reading unit and a binary image output from an external device are input, and color adjustment data for adjusting or setting the color of the image is set. Adjusting the color of the multi-valued image according to the color adjustment data, setting the color of the binary image according to the color adjustment data, the color-adjusted multi-valued image and the color-set binary image And outputting the combined color image to the image forming unit, wherein the color adjustment data can be set independently for the multi-valued image and the binary image. Characteristic image processing method.