JP2001084354A - Image processor, image management method therefor and computer readable storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a derivative image derived from a source image from becoming non-displayable due to the deletion of the source image. SOLUTION: An alarm is displayed when the derivative image derived from the image of a deletion object (deletion image, hereafter) is present (S300-S310). In the case of leaving the data of the derivative image and deleting only the deletion image, whether or not the master image of the deletion image is present is judged, and when the master image is present, the data of the master image and the derivative image are updated. At the time of judging that the master image is not present, the image data of the derivative image for the deletion image are prepared and the prepared image is preserved as a new source image (S330-S360).

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, an image management method thereof, and a computer-readable storage medium, for example, an image processing apparatus for storing image data, updating or deleting the image data, and an image thereof. The present invention relates to an image management method in a processing device and a computer-readable storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in various image processing apparatuses, it is possible to store image data of a digitized image in a memory. For example, in Japanese Patent No. Original image) is subjected to predetermined image processing to obtain image data (hereinafter, derived image), associating information (association information) of the derived image with the original image, and information indicating the content of the applied image processing. Has been proposed.

[0003]

However, in the above conventional example, it is not possible to confirm whether or not the image data of the derived image exists depending on the image data of the original image stored in the image processing apparatus. For example, when the operator attempts to display a derived image after deleting the image data of the original image, the image processing apparatus has already stored the original image in a predetermined memory address to be referred to when displaying the derived image. There is a problem that the image data does not exist and the derived image cannot be displayed.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for deleting an original image.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus capable of preventing a derived image derived from the original image from being unable to be displayed, an image management method thereof, and a computer-readable storage medium.

[0005]

To achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention has the following configuration.

[0006] That is, as a derived image representing a derived image derived by subjecting the original image to predetermined image processing, the derived image including the related information and image information, and An image processing apparatus comprising: storage means for storing image processing identification information indicating the content of the applied image processing; and deletion means for deleting an original image and / or a derivative image stored in the storage means. Warning means for giving a warning when a derivative image of the original image is stored in the storage means when deletion of the original image is designated, and when warning to delete only the original image is designated. When the original image is not a derived image, the image information of the derived image is generated as a new original image based on the image information of the original image and the image processing identification information of the derived image. The generated image information is stored in the storage unit, and when the original image itself is a derivative image, the image information stored in the storage unit is stored based on the association information of the derivative image and the image processing identification information. The image processing apparatus further includes an image management unit that associates the original image of the derived image with the derived image of the derived image.

Further, it is preferable that the apparatus further comprises a recursive means for setting the original image associated with the original image and / or the derived image deleted by the deleting means as a new deletion target in the warning means and the image management means. .

In order to achieve the above object, an image management method for an image processing apparatus according to the present invention has the following configuration.

That is, as a derived image representing a derived image which is derived by subjecting the original image to predetermined image processing, the derived image including the related information and the image information, Storage means for storing image processing identification information indicating the content of the applied image processing, and a deletion means for deleting the original image and / or the derived image stored in the storage means. A management method, wherein when a deletion of an original image is designated, a warning step for giving a warning when a derived image of the original image is stored in the storage means, and a designation to delete only the original image is designated. When the original image is not a derived image, the image information of the derived image is replaced with a new original image based on the image information of the original image and the image processing identification information of the derived image. And the generated image information is stored in the storage unit, and when the original image itself is a derived image, the generated image information is stored in the storage unit based on the association information of the derived image and the image processing identification information. And an image management step of associating the derived image of the derived image with the derived image of the derived image.

Further, the present invention is characterized by a computer-readable storage medium storing a program code for realizing the image processing apparatus and the image management method by a computer.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of an image processing apparatus and an image management method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the operation of the image processing apparatus in this embodiment is controlled by the CPU 100. The display drive unit 120 displays an image on a display unit 121 such as a CRT according to a display signal received from the CPU 100. The input tablet 110 performs an input operation of the operator by the CPU 1.
The input device is set to 00.

A CPU bus 101, which is a signal line for communication between the CPU 100 and its peripheral devices, has a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1 storing a control program.
30, an image processor 140 for performing predetermined image processing (for example, gradation correction processing, digital watermark processing, etc.), RAM
(Random access memory) 150, image memory 160 storing digitized images as image data
Is connected.

The RAM 150 temporarily stores a plurality of types of image data such as image data read from the image memory 160 and image data obtained as a result of performing predetermined image processing by the image processor 140.
1. a processing procedure buffer 152 for recording the procedure of image processing performed by the image processing processor 140;
00 includes a work RAM 153 used for temporary storage in other various processes.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a storage mode of image data of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the data of one image consists of a header field and a data field as shown in FIG.

The header field contains a pointer field (parent pointer shown in FIG. 2A) to an upper image (hereinafter referred to as a parent image) associated with the image (ie, image data shown in FIG. 2A). ) And a pointer field (derived pointers 1, 2,... Shown in FIG. 2A) to a derived image derived from the image by predetermined image processing are defined as association information between the images.

In the pointer field to the parent image, when the image (ie, the image data shown in FIG. 3A) is a derived image, the real address of the image memory 160 in which the parent image is stored is set. If the image is the original original image at the top, 0 is set.

In the derived pointer field, the real address of the image memory 160 in which data relating to the other image is stored when another image derived from the image exists.

In the last field of the header field, 0 is set as a terminator.

On the other hand, the data field stores image data (for example, image data such as a bitmap) representing the image itself when the image is an original image, and stores the image data itself when the image is a derived image. not,
The image processing identification data having the configuration shown in FIG. 2B is stored.

FIG. 2B shows the structure of a data field when the image (ie, the image data shown in FIG. 2A) is a derived image, and shows the image processing performed on the derived image. A plurality of process types and their arguments can be specified. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, these data in the data field in the case of the derived image are collectively referred to as “image processing identification data” in contrast to the “image data” in the data field in the case of the original image.

The data structure shown in FIGS. 2 (c) to 2 (f) illustrates a transition when a derived image is created from the original image. As an example, FIG. 2 (c) shows the data structure of the original image. 2 (d) and 2 (e) show the data structure of a derived image derived from the original image of FIG. 2 (c), and FIG.
FIG. 2D shows a data configuration of a derived image derived as an original image.

Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus that handles image data having the above-described field configuration will be described.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing at the time of image processing in the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and shows a processing procedure of software executed by the CPU 100.

In the figure, step S100: an image to be processed (target image) is read from the image memory 160 to the image buffer 151, and the image is displayed on the display unit 121 by the display drive unit 120.

At this time, the CPU 100 determines whether the read image is a derived image or an original image by referring to the header field of the image read into the image buffer 151. As a result of the determination, in the case of a derived image, the data field of the original image of the derived image is detected by tracing the pointer set in the pointer field, and the original image stored in the detected data field is detected. The image data is read out to the image buffer 151 as a processing target in the next step. On the other hand, if the result of the determination is that the image is an original image, image data stored in the data field of the original image is set as a processing target in the next step.

Step S110: The image data read into the image buffer 151 in step S100 is subjected to predetermined image processing by the image processor 140, and the image data after the image processing is written into the image buffer 151. Image processing contents buffer 1
Write to 52. At this time, the CPU 100
The display screen displayed on the display 21 may be updated according to the image data after the image processing.

Step S120: It is determined whether or not all image processing in step S110 for the image data read into the image buffer 151 in step S100 has been completed. If NO (when processing is continued), the process returns to step S110. When YES (when processing is completed)
Proceeds to step S130.

Step S130: whether the image data written in the image buffer 151 after the image processing has been performed in step S110 is overwritten and stored in the image memory 160 which is the storage location of the image read out in step S100, or It is confirmed whether the image is to be registered as a new image. If the overwriting is selected, the process proceeds to step S160, and if the new registration is selected, the process proceeds to step S140.

Step S140: If the new registration is selected in step S130, this is created in step S110 in the header of the image before image processing in the image memory 160 (that is, the image read in step S100). A pointer for specifying the address of the image memory 160 for storing the obtained image as a new derived image is additionally set.

Step S150: A pointer to a parent image before image processing (that is, a storage location of the image read in step S100) as image processing data for specifying the newly registered derived image, and a processing procedure in step S110 The data representing the content of the image processing written in the buffer 152 is stored in the header field and the data field constituting the newly registered derived image in the address area of the image memory 160 indicated by the pointer additionally set in step S140.

Step S160: If the overwriting is selected in step S130, it is determined whether or not a higher-order parent image exists in the image before image processing read out in step S100, by using a header (not shown) of the image. The parent pointer is referred to in the same manner as in step S100.
When it is determined that a higher-level parent image exists, the process proceeds to step S170. When there is no higher-level parent image, the process proceeds to step S180.

Step S170: If it is determined in step S160 that a higher-order parent image exists, the image processing contents written in the processing procedure buffer 152 in the data field read out in the image buffer 151 in step S100 Is overwritten and stored as image processing data.

Step S180: If it is determined in step S160 that there is no higher parent image,
The image data after image processing written in the image buffer 151 in step S110 is overwritten and stored in the data field of the image read in step S100.

Next, the processing when the image stored in the image memory 160 is deleted as described above will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of a data deletion process of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. For example, an image displayed on the display unit 121 is processed by an operator. This represents a processing procedure performed by the CPU 100 when a predetermined delete operation is performed.

In the figure, step S300: It is determined whether or not there is data of a derived image derived from the image to be deleted by referring to the header of the image designated to be deleted. When it is determined that there is no data, the process proceeds to step S380, and when it is determined that there is data, the process proceeds to step S310.

Steps S310 and S320: The display unit 121 warns that data relating to an image derived from the image designated to be deleted exists in the image memory 160, and displays a confirmation message as to whether the deletion process should be continued. The message is displayed on the unit 121 (step S310). In step S320, if the operator selects “cancel” for the message, the process is stopped, and if “continue” is selected, the process proceeds to step S330.

Steps S330 and S340: When the continuation of the deletion process is selected in step S320, the data of the derived image associated with the derived pointer set in the header of the image designated to be deleted is also collectively deleted. The display unit 121 displays a confirmation message
(Step S330), and when the operator selects not to delete the data of the derived image in response to the message, the process proceeds to Step S350. The data of the derived image is deleted from the image memory 160, and the process proceeds to step S380.

Step S350: If the determination in step S330 is NO (in the case of deleting only the target image designated for deletion while leaving the data of the derived image), the header of the image designated for deletion is set in the parent pointer field. To determine whether or not there is a parent image of the image. As a result, when the parent image exists, step S
Proceed to 360, and if not, proceed to step S370.

Step S360: When it is determined in step S350 that a parent image exists, the image designated to be deleted is a derived image, and the data field of the derived image simply stores image processing identification data. . Therefore, if the image specified to be deleted is deleted as it is, the lower-level derived image associated with the derived pointer in the header of the image specified to be deleted cannot be displayed thereafter. Must be directly associated with the lower-order derived image associated with the image designated for deletion.

Therefore, in this step, the address of the derived image in the image memory 160 specified by the derived pointer in the header of the image designated to be deleted is traced, and the parent pointer stored in the derived image header is changed. ,
Change to the storage location of the parent image of the image specified to be deleted.
Then, the image processing identification data stored in the data field of the image designated for deletion is copied to the data field of the derived image of the image designated for deletion, and the header field of the parent image As the pointer, the data set in the derived pointer in the header of the image designated to be deleted is copied.

Step S370: If it is determined in step S350 that the parent image does not exist, image data is stored in the data field of the image designated for deletion, and a derived image associated with the image designated for deletion. Only the image processing data is stored in the data field of. If the image designated to be deleted is deleted as it is, the derived image cannot be displayed thereafter.

Therefore, in this step, prior to the deletion of the image designated for deletion, the image data of the derived image is generated as the image data of the original image, and the generated image data is overwritten and stored in the image memory 160. . At this time, the image data of the derived image is stored in the image memory 160 specified by the image data stored in the data field of the image designated for deletion and the derived pointer in the header of the image designated for deletion. Based on the image processing identification data stored in the data field of the derived image stored in the address, the image processing processor 140 may create the image by a general method.

Step S380: The header field and the data field of the image designated to be deleted are deleted from the image memory 160.

Steps S390 and S400: Refer to the judgment result of step S350 (step S39).
0), if the image deleted in step S380 has a parent image, the derived pointer indicating the association with the image deleted in step S380 is deleted from the derived pointers in the header of the parent image (step S380). S400).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when an image is deleted, a warning is issued if data relating to the derived image exists in the image. Can be prevented.

When only the image to be deleted is deleted and the derived image associated with the image is left, if the image to be deleted is the original image, the derived image is updated as the original image. When the image to be deleted is a derived image itself, by associating the parent image of the image to be deleted with a lower derivative image, even if only the image to be deleted is deleted, the image to be deleted is The associated derived image can be displayed.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment based on the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will not be described repeatedly, and the description will focus on the characteristic portions of the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the data deleting process of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, which is different from the flowchart of FIG. 4 in the first embodiment in step S400. Is that a step S500 is added after.

That is, in step S500, step S500
At 380, a confirmation message as to whether or not the parent image of the deleted image is to be deleted is displayed on the display unit 121, and when the operator inputs an instruction to delete the parent image in response to the message (determination is made at step S500). (When YES)
Returns to step S300, performs the deletion process recursively with the parent image associated with the deletion target image as a new deletion target, and does not input the deletion designation (when the determination in step S500 is NO). In), the processing is ended similarly to the first embodiment.

According to the present embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment, further, since the parent image of the image originally targeted for deletion can be set as a deletion target, the convenience is improved. There is.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment based on the image processing apparatus according to the above-described first embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will not be described repeatedly, and the description will focus on the characteristic portions of the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of a data deletion process of the image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. For example, an image displayed on the display unit 121 is displayed by an operator. This represents a processing procedure performed by the CPU 100 when a predetermined delete operation is performed.

In the figure, step S600: It is determined whether there is data of a derived image derived from the image to be deleted by referring to the header of the image designated to be deleted. When it is determined that there is no data, the process proceeds to step S610, and when it is determined that there is data, the process proceeds to step S620.

Step S610: If it is determined in step S600 that the data of the derived image does not exist, a process of deleting the image designated to be deleted from the image memory 160 is performed.

Steps S620 and S630: A warning is displayed on the display unit 121 indicating that a derived image associated with the image designated for deletion exists in the image memory 160 (step S620), and the image designated for deletion and A list of the derived images is displayed (step S630).

Steps S640 and S650: The image selection process from the images displayed in the list in step S630 is repeated until the selection operation by the operator using the tablet 110 is completed.

Step S660: When the selection of the image to be deleted is completed in step S650, step S640
The processing of deleting the selected image from the image memory 160 is performed. However, if there are derived images that are not selected in step S640 among the derived images displayed in a list in step S630, the images for which the selected unselected derived images are deleted are deleted. In order to prevent the display from becoming impossible due to the above, steps S350 to S40 in FIG.
The processing up to 0 is performed.

In the present embodiment, in addition to the same effects as in the first embodiment, it is possible to select an image designated to be deleted and its derivative images in a list display, and delete only the image desired by the operator. There is an advantage that you can.

In the present embodiment, step S
At 630, the images designated to be deleted and the derived images are displayed in a list, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the derived images may be displayed one by one in accordance with the selection operation by the operator.

[0065]

[Other Embodiments] Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (for example, a copying machine) Machine, facsimile machine, etc.).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (a computer) of the system or the apparatus. It is needless to say that the present invention can also be achieved by a CPU or an MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Also,
When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code.
And the like perform part or all of actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

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

[0068]

As described above, according to the present invention,
An image processing apparatus capable of preventing a derived image derived from the original image from being unable to be displayed due to deletion of the original image, an image management method thereof, and a computer-readable storage medium are provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a storage mode of image data of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing during image processing in the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a data deletion process of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a data deletion process of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a data deletion process of the image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100: CPU, 101: CPU bus, 110: input tablet, 120: display drive unit, 121: display unit, 130: ROM, 140: image processor, 150: RAM, 160: image memory,

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/38 G06F 15/40 370B 5E501 15/401 330Z F-term (Reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 HH01 HJ06 HV01 HV32 2C087 AA03 AA09 BA03 BC04 DA11 5B050 BA10 FA02 FA12 GA08 5B075 ND06 PQ02 PQ46 5C076 AA40 5E501 AC15 AC34 AC35 BA02 CB06 EB17 FA14 FA23 FA50 FB21

Claims (8)

[Claims] An original image comprising association information and image information, and a derived image representing a derived image derived by subjecting the original image to predetermined image processing, the derived image being associated with the original image, An image processing apparatus comprising: storage means for storing image processing identification information indicating the content of the applied image processing; and deletion means for deleting an original image and / or a derivative image stored in the storage means. Warning means for giving a warning when a derivative image of the original image is stored in the storage means when deletion of the original image is designated; and If the original image is not a derived image, the image information of the derived image is generated as a new original image based on the image information of the original image and the image processing identification information of the derived image, The generated image information is stored in the storage means, and when the original image itself is a derived image, the derived image stored in the storage means is stored based on the association information of the derived image and the image processing identification information. An image processing apparatus comprising: an image management unit that associates an original image of an image with a derivative image of the derivative image. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a recursive unit that sets the original image associated with the original image and / or the derived image deleted by the deleting unit as a new deletion target in the warning unit and the image managing unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deletion unit includes a batch deletion unit that collectively deletes the original image designated to be deleted and its derivative image after the warning by the warning unit. Image processing device. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the batch deletion unit displays the original image and its derivative images in a list or sequentially, and deletes only the images selected from the displayed images at a time. 3. The image processing device according to 3. 5. An original image comprising association information and image information, and a derived image representing a derived image derived by subjecting the original image to predetermined image processing, wherein the derived image is associated with the original image. Storage means for storing image processing identification information indicating the content of the applied image processing, and a deletion means for deleting the original image and / or the derived image stored in the storage means. A management method, wherein when a deletion of an original image is designated, a warning step for giving a warning when a derivative image of the original image is stored in the storage means; and a designation that only the original image is to be deleted is designated. When the original image is not a derivative image, the image information of the derivative image is replaced with a new original image based on the image information of the original image and the image processing identification information of the derivative image. And storing the generated image information in the storage unit, and when the original image itself is a derivative image, stores the image information in the storage unit based on the association information of the derivative image and the image processing identification information. An image management method for associating the derived image of the derived image with a derived image of the derived image. 6. A recursive step for setting the original image associated with the deleted original image and / or the derived image as a new deletion target in the warning step and the image management step. The image management method according to claim 5, wherein 7. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program code for operating a computer as the image processing apparatus according to claim 1. Description: 8. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program code capable of realizing the image management method according to claim 5 by a computer.