JP2002027236A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor which enables the user to add an additional image without dropping the productivity at output of an image, can prevent the lack of the contents of an additional image, and further is possible of appropriate counting even in the case of adding an additional image. SOLUTION: An additional image storage 3 stores a color additional image in a color image storage 4, and a monochrome additional image in a monochrome image storage 5. A color determinator 2 judges whether the inputted image is color or monochrome in every page, and an image synthesizer 6 adds the color additional image within the color image storage 4 if the inputted image is color, and the monochrome additional image within the monochrome image storage 5 if the inputted image is monochrome, each to the imputed image and outputs it, according to the judgment result. In the case that the inputted image is monochrome, the output of monochrome will do even in the case that, for example, the output time of color is longer than that of monochrome, since the monochrome additional image is added, so it can output an image at high speed. Moreover, even in the case of counting, it gets off with the counting of monochrome.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a facsimile, a copier,
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus applicable to various image output systems such as a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Image output devices such as facsimile machines, copiers, and printers are integrated by integrating functions by digitalization.
Connections to networks such as the Internet and intranets are also increasing. In addition, the data transfer speed via the network has been increasing year by year, and with the increase in capacity and cost of hard disks and semiconductor memories, the environment where image data can be distributed and stored relatively easily has been created. It is in order. For example, JP-A-11-192760
In the apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H10-209, an image such as advertisement information is added to an image output on a sheet or an image transmitted using a network or a facsimile, and a charge to a user is discounted. It has been disclosed.

However, according to the technology described in the above-mentioned document, since images such as advertisement information are uniformly added, a color image is added when an image to be output by a user is black and white. May be lost.
Normally, the output speed differs between the case of outputting a color image and the case of outputting a black-and-white image. Therefore, if a user adds a color image while trying to output a black-and-white image, the output speed may be reduced due to the added color image, and productivity may be significantly reduced.

In general, in a system for charging when an image is output, a charge to be paid by a user when outputting is different between a color image and a monochrome image. For this reason, there is a problem that even if the image that the user wants to output is black and white, the added image is only in color and a charge is made for outputting a color image.

Further, after a color image is added, the image may be output by an output device that can output only in black and white. In such a case, according to the technology described in the above-mentioned document, the image created for color is converted to black and white, so that some colors are missing or the difference in color cannot be identified, and the contents are correctly transmitted. There is also a problem that a case where it cannot be performed occurs.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can add an additional image according to the characteristics of an input image without lowering the productivity at the time of image output. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus capable of outputting an image and preventing loss of the content of an additional image. In addition, even when charging,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus capable of performing proper charging even when an additional image is added.

[0007]

According to the present invention, in an image processing apparatus, an additional image storage means for storing one or more additional images corresponding to characteristics of an image, a determination means for determining characteristics of an input image, According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a synthesizing unit for adding an additional image corresponding to the characteristic of the input image stored in the additional image storage unit to the input image according to a result of the determination by the determining unit. For example, a color additional image and a black-and-white additional image are stored in the additional image storage means, and the additional image to be added to the input image can be switched according to whether the input image is color or monochrome. Accordingly, when the input image is black and white, a black-and-white additional image can be added, and the productivity does not decrease because only the additional image is a conventional color image. In addition, for an image to be added, a black and white input image is added with an additional image corresponding to black and white, so that the content of the additional image can be prevented from being lost. As the characteristics of the input image, in addition to color and black and white, for example, it can be similarly configured in terms of image size, printing direction, resolution and the like.

Further, in the case where there is no additional image corresponding to the characteristics of the input image, an image conversion means for converting the characteristics of the additional image can be provided. For example, a color additional image is stored in the additional image storage means, and when a black and white image is input as an input image, the color additional image is converted to black and white by the image conversion means and added to the input image. be able to. Even in this case, for example, when the input image is black and white, a black and white additional image can be added, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in productivity due to only the additional image being color as in the related art. In this case as well, in addition to the color and black and white characteristics as the characteristics of the input image, for example, the same configuration can be applied to the image size, printing direction, resolution, and the like.

Alternatively, when there is no additional image corresponding to the characteristics of the input image, an instruction to output the additional image stored in the additional image storage means with the characteristics corresponding to the characteristics of the input image is provided. It can be added to the input image. For example, a color additional image is stored in the additional image storage means, and when a black-and-white image is input as an input image, a command to output the color additional image in black and white and the additional image are stored in the input image. Add. As a result, when the image to which the additional image is added is actually output, both the input image and the additional image can be output in black and white. Can be prevented. Also in this case, in addition to the color and black-and-white characteristics as the characteristics of the input image, the same configuration can be applied to the image size, printing direction, resolution, and the like.

In the case of further charging, since an additional image according to the characteristics of the input image is added as described above, appropriate charging can be performed by performing charging calculation according to the characteristics of the output image. . At this time, for example, regardless of the characteristics of the added additional image, if the characteristics of the input image are determined to be black and white by the determination unit, monochrome charging can be performed. As a result, even when a color additional image is added to a black-and-white image, the user can be charged in black and white. Alternatively, a billing calculation may be performed according to the result of the judgment of the input image by the judgment means. Also,
The billing amount can be changed depending on whether or not an additional image is added.

[0011]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is an interface unit, 2 is a color determination unit, 3 is an additional image storage unit, 4 is a color image storage unit, 5 is a monochrome image storage unit, 6
Denotes an image synthesis unit, 7 denotes an image output unit, and 8 denotes a control unit. The interface unit 1 receives an input image sent from the outside. The input image includes, for example, image data represented in a raster format and a page description language (hereinafter referred to as PDL).
Various data such as image data described in. The input image is passed to the color discriminating unit 2 and the image synthesizing unit 6.

The color determining section 2 determines whether the input image is color or black and white for each output page. If at least a part other than black and white exists in the page, the input image can be determined to be color.

The additional image storage section 3 can store one or more additional images to be added to the input image. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a color image storage unit 4 and a monochrome image storage unit 5 are provided. The color image storage unit 4 stores an additional image that is optimally output when the image is output in color. The black-and-white image storage unit 5 stores an additional image that is optimally output when outputting in black and white. The additional image stored in the color image storage unit 4 and the monochrome image storage unit 5 may be data in various formats such as a raster format or a PDL format, like the input image. Also, a plurality of additional images may be stored for both color and black and white.

The image synthesizing unit 6 adds a color additional image stored in the color image storage unit 4 or a black and white additional image stored in the black and white image storage unit 5 according to the determination result of the color determination unit 2. It has a function of adding one of the images to the input image. For example, when the color determination unit 2 determines that the input image is color, the color additional image stored in the color image storage unit 4 can be added to the input image. For example, when the color determination unit 2 determines that the input image is monochrome, the monochrome additional image stored in the monochrome image storage unit 5 can be added to the input image. Of course, even when the input image is monochrome, a color additional image can be added. The process of adding the additional image to the input image
For example, if the output is in a raster format, the input image and the additional image may be combined. In the case of PDL, for example, a command for drawing an input image and an additional image in the same page may be passed to the image output unit 7.

An image output unit 7 forms an image according to image data obtained by adding an additional image to an input image in the image synthesizing unit 6. Alternatively, the image data may be output to, for example, an external network. Regardless of whether an image is formed by the image output unit 7 or an image is formed by another device via an external network, the efficiency of a color image may be lower than that of a black and white image. Many. However, since the additional image is added in the image synthesizing unit 6 according to whether the input image is color or black and white, for example, if the black and white additional image is added to the black and white input image, the image can be formed efficiently. Thus, a decrease in productivity due to only the additional image being in color can be suppressed.

The control section 8 controls the operation of the entire image processing apparatus. In this example, readout control of the additional image to the additional image storage unit 3 according to the determination result from the color determination unit 2 and control of addition of the additional image to the input image in the image synthesis unit 6 are also performed. Of course, these controls may be performed in each unit. Further, the control unit 8 also performs control related to charging and the like. Billing can be performed according to the characteristics of the image output from the image output unit 7, for example, whether the image is color or black and white. Alternatively, the fee can be charged according to the result of determining the characteristics of the input image in the color determination unit 2, for example, whether the input image is color or black and white. Further, it can be configured to be able to switch whether or not to add an additional image from outside, and the control unit 8 can control the image synthesizing unit 6 according to this instruction. The amount at the time of charging can be made different depending on whether or not to add an additional image. Also, the additional image may always be designated as color or black and white.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Here, it is assumed that an input image described in PDL is input to the interface unit 1 and an image output from the image combining unit 6 is also data described in PDL. Of course, the input image and the image output from the image synthesizing unit 6 are not limited thereto, and may be in a raster format or the like, and the operations are almost the same.

When the interface unit 1 receives an input image, in step S11, the color determination unit 2 determines, for each page of the input image, whether the page is color or black and white. If it is determined that the page is color, S12
, The image synthesizing unit 6 adds a PDL command for adding a color additional image stored in the color image storage unit 4 to the data described in the PDL of the input image, and adds the PDL data of the image of the page to the image. Output to the output unit 7.

On the other hand, if the color determination section 2 determines that the page of the input image is black and white, the image synthesizing section 6 converts the black and white additional image stored in the black and white image storage section 5 in S13. Add PDL command to PD of input image
The PDL data is added to the data described in L and the PDL data of the image of the page is output to the image output unit 7.

In S14, it is determined whether or not the output has been performed up to the last page of the input image. If the output has not been performed up to the last page, the process returns to S11 to perform processing for the next page. In this way, the above-described processing is repeatedly performed for all pages of the input image.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an input image and an output image in the first embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention. According to an example of the operation as described above, for example, FIG.
As shown in (A), when the input image is a color document, a document to which a color additional image is added is output as an output image. Also, for example, FIG.
As shown in (B), when the input image is a black and white document, a document to which a black and white additional image is added is output as the output image. Although the additional image is inserted at the top of the document in FIG. 3, the position where the additional image is inserted is arbitrary.

When the output device is an image forming apparatus such as a printer as described above, the formation of a color image may take several times as long as the formation of a black and white image. By adding a black-and-white additional image, the additional image can be added without lowering the productivity when outputting a black-and-white image.

Further, in the first embodiment, since the color additional image and the black and white additional image are separately stored, the present invention is not limited to the case where the additional image is added in color as shown in FIG. Even when the additional image is added in black and white as shown in FIG. 3B, the best additional image can be added to the black and white image. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the color image becomes unclear or the content becomes unreadable, such as when a color image is formed in black and white.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a billing method in the first embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention. Here, it is assumed that whether or not to add an additional image can be selected, and an example is shown in which the fee to be charged differs depending on whether the input image is color or monochrome. That is, four types of fee systems are managed depending on whether an additional image is added and whether the input image is color or monochrome. Generally, the fee for outputting in color is higher than the fee for outputting in black and white.
Higher than. In addition, for example, in the case where an image is formed by adding an advertisement as an additional image, the advertiser bears the charge for the additional advertisement, so that the charge can be reduced when adding the additional image. That is, the charge B can be set lower than the charge A, and the charge D can be set lower than the charge C. Of course, when adding an additional image such as an advertisement, a setting may be made so that the fee is free.

For example, in FIG. 3A, a charge A is applied when a color input image is output without adding an additional image, but a charge B is applied when an additional image is added. . In this case, since the input image is color, the charge is the same regardless of whether the additional image is color or black and white. On the other hand, if the input image is black and white as shown in FIG. When the additional image is added, the black and white additional image is added as described above, so that the output image becomes black and white, and the fee D is applied. Since a color additional image is not added to a black-and-white input image unlike the related art, there is no problem that a color charge is made for the color additional image.

In FIG. 4, charges to be charged are shown as charges A to D.
However, this classification is not limited to this example. For example, if the number of colors of the input image is detected, for example, if only two colors of red and black are used,
It is also conceivable to separately define the charge for the color. It is also conceivable that the fee varies depending on the number of additional images to be added.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the fee is switched depending on whether the input image is color or black and white. If the input image is color as shown in FIG. 3, a color additional image is added and the input image is added. If the image is black and white, and if a black and white additional image is to be added, the same charge can be made even if the fee is switched depending on whether the image output from the image synthesizing unit 6 or the image output unit 7 is color or black and white. it can.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of another example of an input image and an output image in the first embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention. In the above description, if the input image is black and white, a black and white additional image is added. However, it is conceivable that the additional image is always added in color according to the intention of the advertiser. That is, when the input image is color as in FIG. 3, a color additional image is added as shown in FIG. Even when the input image is black and white, a color additional image is added as shown in FIG. For example, if the output speed does not change when the output device is color or black and white, such a case can be considered.

In such a case, even if the input image is monochrome, the image output from the image synthesizing unit 6 is a color image. However, by switching the charge depending on whether the input image is color or black and white as shown in FIG. 4, even if the input image is black and white and a color additional image is added, charging can be performed as a black and white image. . As described above, by switching the fee depending on whether the input image is color or black and white, it is possible to provide a fee system highly convenient for the user.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. Reference numeral 9 denotes a monochrome conversion unit. In the second embodiment, the additional image storage unit 3 is not provided with the black-and-white image storage unit 5, and a corresponding additional image is stored in the additional image storage unit 3 for a black-and-white input image. An example in the case where it is not shown is shown.

The black-and-white conversion unit 9 converts the color additional image stored in the color image storage unit 4 into a black-and-white additional image. The image synthesizing unit 6 converts either the color additional image stored in the color image storage unit 4 or the additional image converted to black and white by the black and white conversion unit 9 into the input image according to the determination result of the color determination unit 2. Add and output.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Here, it is assumed that an input image described in PDL is input to the interface unit 1 and an image output from the image combining unit 6 is also data described in PDL. Of course, the input image and the image output from the image synthesizing unit 6 are not limited thereto, and may be in a raster format or the like, and the operations are almost the same.

When the interface unit 1 receives an input image, in S21 the color determination unit 2 determines, for each page of the input image, whether the page is color or black and white. If it is determined that the page is color, S22
, The image synthesizing unit 6 adds a PDL command for adding a color additional image stored in the color image storage unit 4 to the data described in the PDL of the input image, and adds the PDL data of the image of the page to the image. Output to the output unit 7.

On the other hand, if the color determination section 2 determines that the page of the input image is black and white, the image synthesis section 6 receives the black and white additional image from the black and white conversion section 9 in S23. The black-and-white additional image is obtained by converting the color additional image stored in the color image storage unit 4 into black and white by the black-and-white conversion unit 9. Then, the received PDL command for adding the black-and-white additional image is input to the PD of the input image.
The PDL data is added to the data described in L and the PDL data of the image of the page is output to the image output unit 7.

In S24, it is determined whether or not the output has been performed up to the last page of the input image. If the output has not been performed up to the last page, the process returns to S21 in order to perform processing for the next page. In this way, the above-described processing is repeatedly performed for all pages of the input image.

By the operation according to the second embodiment, a color additional image is added to a color input image as shown in FIG. 3, for example, and a black and white input image is added to the color input image. On the other hand, an additional image converted to black and white is added. Thus, even if the formation of a color image takes several times as long as the formation of a black and white image,
Since a black-and-white additional image is added to a black-and-white input image, the additional image can be added without lowering the productivity when outputting a black-and-white image. Of course, if the time required for forming a color image and a monochrome image does not change, a color additional image may be added to a monochrome input image as shown in FIG.

It should be noted that the charging control in the second embodiment can be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and therefore the description is omitted here.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. In the third embodiment, the monochrome image storage unit 5 is not provided in the additional image storage unit 3 as in the second embodiment described above.
Another example in which a corresponding additional image is not stored in the additional image storage unit 3 for a black-and-white input image is shown. Further, the third embodiment is effective when an input image described in PDL is input to the interface unit 1 and the image output from the image synthesizing unit 6 is also data described in PDL.

In the third embodiment, the image synthesizing unit 6
According to the determination result of the color determination unit 2, whether a color addition instruction is added to the input image as a PDL instruction for adding the color additional image stored in the color image storage unit 4 to the input image, It switches whether a command to add in black and white is added to the input image. As a result, when the image output unit 7 or an external image forming apparatus interprets an image described in PDL, the additional image is added to the input image in color or black and white according to the PDL command.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. When the interface unit 1 receives the input image, S3
In 1, the color determination unit 2 determines, for each page of the input image, whether the page is color or black and white. If it is determined that the page is in color, in S32, the image synthesizing unit 6 describes a PDL command for adding the additional image stored in the color image storage unit 4 in color in the PDL of the input image. The PDL data is added to the data, and the PDL data of the image of the page is output to the image output unit 7.

On the other hand, if the color determination section 2 determines that the page of the input image is black and white, the image synthesizing section 6 determines whether the color additional image stored in the color image storage section 4 has been reached in S33. Is added to the data described in the PDL of the input image, and the PDL data of the image of the page is output to the image output unit 7.

In S34, it is determined whether or not the output has been performed up to the last page of the input image. If the output has not been performed up to the last page, the process proceeds to S3 in order to perform processing for the next page.
Return to 1. In this way, the above-described processing is repeatedly performed for all pages of the input image.

By interpreting the PDL image generated by the operation according to the third embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. An additional image converted to black and white is added to a black and white input image. As a result, even if it takes several times longer to form a color image than to form a black-and-white image, a black-and-white additional image is added to a black-and-white input image. The additional image can be added without lowering the performance. Of course, if the time required for forming a color image and a monochrome image does not change, the additional image may be added in color to the monochrome input image as shown in FIG.

Note that the accounting control in the third embodiment can be performed in the same manner as in the above-described first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In the first to third embodiments described above,
An example in which a color or black and white additional image is added according to whether the input image is color or black and white has been described. As mentioned in the above description of the charging, it is also conceivable that the image forming time and the charged fee are different depending on, for example, image formation using only two or three colors. In such a case, an additional image corresponding to those is stored in the additional image storage unit 3, a conversion unit corresponding thereto is provided, or a PDL command for forming an image corresponding thereto is added. do it. When there are many types of additional images, some are prepared in advance, and when there is no corresponding additional image, conversion is performed from the stored additional image using the second embodiment, or the third embodiment is performed. A PDL instruction can be added so that a corresponding output is made using the form of (1).

Also, in the above-described example, an example is shown in which attention is paid to color as one of the characteristics of the input image, and a corresponding additional image is added to the input image. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, As the characteristics, it is possible to add a corresponding additional image to the input image for each of various characteristics such as a page size, a page printing direction, a resolution, and a drawing object such as a text or an image. Hereinafter, some characteristics of the input image will be described as modified examples based on the above-described first embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a first modification of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted. 41 is a size determination unit. The size determining unit 41 determines the size of, for example, A4, B4, or the like for each page of the input image received by the interface unit 1. The additional image storage section 3 stores additional images of a plurality of sizes. A plurality of additional images can be stored for each size.

The image synthesizing unit 6 adds an additional image of a corresponding size stored in the additional image storage unit 3 to the input image according to the result of the determination by the size determining unit 41. For example, a small-size additional image can be added to a small input image, and a large-size additional image can be added to a large input image.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the first modification of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. When the interface unit 1 receives an input image, the size determination unit 41 determines the size of the page for each page of the input image in S51.
This example shows an example of determining whether the size is A4 or B4. Of course, other sizes may be determined.

If the size of the page determined in S51 is A
If it is 4, the image synthesizing unit 6 adds a PDL instruction for adding an additional image corresponding to the A4 size stored in the additional image storage unit 3 in the data described in the PDL of the input image in S52. Add the PD of the image on the page
The L data is output to the image output unit 7. On the other hand, if the size determining unit 41 determines that the size of the page of the input image is B4, the image synthesizing unit 6 determines in step S53 that the image corresponding to the B4 size stored in the additional image storage unit 3 The PDL command to add the image is
Is added to the data described in, and the P
The DL data is output to the image output unit 7.

In S54, it is determined whether or not the output has been performed up to the last page of the input image. If the output has not been performed up to the last page, the process proceeds to S5 in order to perform processing for the next page.
Return to 1. In this way, the above-described processing is repeatedly performed for all pages of the input image. As described above, an additional image according to the page size can be added to each page of the input image of a plurality of pages.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an input image and an output image of a first modification of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. By an example of the above-described operation, as shown in FIG. 12A, for example, an additional image corresponding to the A4 size is added to the A4 size input image and output. Also, for example, FIG.
As shown in (B), an additional image corresponding to the B4 size is added to the B4 size input image and output. In this way, for example, a small-size additional image can be added to a small input image, and a large-size additional image can be added to a large input image. Although the additional image is inserted at the top of the document in FIG. 12, the position where the additional image is inserted is arbitrary.

For example, if a large additional image is added to a small input image, there is a possibility that the contents of the input image may be damaged in many parts or the additional image may run out. . Further, if a small additional image is added to a large input image, the additional image such as an advertisement is often ignored, and the impact of the additional image is lost.
According to the first modification, such a problem can be solved.

Here, an example in which the additional image is added according to the page size as the characteristic of the input image in the first embodiment has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to prepare an additional image of one or a plurality of sizes as in the above-described second embodiment, and to convert the size of other sizes. is there. Alternatively, as in the above-described third embodiment, a configuration may be adopted in which a PDL command for deforming an additional image according to the size of the page is added.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a second modification of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted. Reference numeral 42 denotes a printing direction determination unit. The print direction determination unit 42 determines a print direction of the input image received by the interface unit 1 such as whether the image is output in a vertically long state as it is, or is output by rotating it 90 degrees horizontally. The additional image storage unit 3 stores additional images corresponding to a plurality of printing directions. A plurality of additional images can be stored for each printing direction.

The image synthesizing section 6 is stored in the additional image storage section 3 in accordance with the judgment result of the printing direction judging section 42.
The additional image in the corresponding print direction is added to the input image. For example, an additional image in the same direction is added to an input image that can be output as it is vertically long, and an additional image in a direction rotated by 90 degrees is added to an input image that is output horizontally rotated 90 degrees. Can be.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the second modification of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. When the interface unit 1 receives the input image, in S61, the printing direction determination unit 42 determines, for each page of the input image, the printing direction of the page. In this example, it is determined whether the printing direction is a printing direction (longitudinal direction) in which the main scanning direction is vertical and short, or a printing direction (horizontal direction) in which the horizontal direction is long in the main scanning direction. An example is shown. Of course, depending on the orientation of the paper to be used, the longitudinal direction may be the main scanning direction in the case of portrait, and the transverse direction may be the main scanning direction in the case of landscape. It is determined whether the image is in the horizontal direction.

If the printing direction of the page determined in S61 is portrait, in S62 the image synthesizing unit 6 sends a PDL instruction to add the additional image corresponding to the portrait stored in the additional image storage unit 3. Is added to the data described in the PDL of the input image, and the PD of the image of the page is added.
The L data is output to the image output unit 7. On the other hand, if the printing direction of the page of the input image is landscape, the printing direction determination unit 4
If it is determined in step S2, in step S63, the image synthesizing unit 6 issues a PDL command for adding an additional image corresponding to the horizontal direction stored in the additional image storage unit 3 to the PDL of the input image.
The PDL data is added to the data described in L and the PDL data of the image of the page is output to the image output unit 7.

In S64, it is determined whether or not the output has been performed up to the last page of the input image. If the output has not been performed up to the last page, the process proceeds to S6 in order to perform processing for the next page.
Return to 1. In this way, the above-described processing is repeatedly performed for all pages of the input image. As described above, an additional image according to the printing direction of the page can be added to each page of the input image of the plurality of pages.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an input image and an output image according to a second modification of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. According to an example of the above-described operation, for example, as shown in FIG. 15A, an additional image corresponding to the vertical direction is added to the input image in the vertical direction and output. In addition, for example, FIG.
As shown in (2), an additional image corresponding to the horizontal printing direction is added to the input image in the horizontal printing direction and output. In this way, it is possible to add the additional image in the direction and size corresponding to the printing direction of the input image. Although the additional image is inserted above the input image in FIG. 15, the position where the additional image is inserted is arbitrary.

For example, if an additional image in the horizontal direction is added to an input image in the vertical direction, the additional image will not fit within the width of the input image, and the additional image will be cut off, or will be output as a horizontal image by the additional image. Could be done. Further, if an additional image in the vertical direction is added to an input image in the horizontal direction, left and right margins may be wasted. According to the second modification, such a problem can be solved.

Here, an example in which the additional image is added according to the printing direction of the page as the characteristics of the input image in the first embodiment has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in the above-described second embodiment, an additional image in one or a plurality of printing directions is prepared, and the printing direction is converted for the other printing directions. Is also possible. Alternatively, as in the third embodiment, a PDL command for converting (rotating) the same additional image according to the printing direction of the page may be added.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a third modification of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted. 43 is a resolution determination unit. The resolution determining unit 43 determines the resolution of the input image received by the interface unit 1. The additional image storage unit 3
Stores additional images corresponding to a plurality of resolutions. A plurality of additional images can be stored for each resolution.

The image synthesizing unit 6 adds an additional image of the corresponding resolution stored in the additional image storage unit 3 to the input image according to the determination result of the resolution determining unit 43. For example, for an input image with a resolution of 600 dpi, 600 dpi
An additional image having a resolution of i can be added, and an additional image having a resolution of 1200 dpi can be added to an input image having a resolution of 1200 dpi.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the third modification of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. When the interface unit 1 receives an input image, the resolution determining unit 43 determines the resolution of the input image in S71. In this example, the resolution is 6
An example is shown in which it is determined whether the speed is 00 dpi or 1200 dpi. Of course, the resolution of the input image is not limited to these two, and may be any resolution, and the resolution determination unit 43 may be configured to be able to determine any resolution.

The resolution of the input image determined in S71 is 60
If it is 0 dpi, in S72, the image synthesizing unit 6 executes a PDL command for adding an additional image corresponding to a resolution of 600 dpi stored in the additional image storage unit 3 in the data described in the PDL of the input image. And outputs the PDL data of the image of the page to the image output unit 7.
On the other hand, when the resolution determining unit 43 determines that the resolution of the input image is 1200 dpi, in S73,
The image synthesizing unit 6 stores 12 in the additional image storage unit 3.
PD to which an additional image corresponding to a resolution of 00 dpi is added
L command is added to the data described in the PDL of the input image, and the PDL data of the image of the page is output to the image output unit 7.
Output to

In S74, it is determined whether or not the output has been performed up to the last page of the input image. If the output has not been performed up to the last page, the process proceeds to S7 to perform processing for the next page.
Return to 1. In this way, the above-described processing is repeatedly performed for all pages of the input image. As described above, the additional image according to the resolution of the input image can be added to each page of the input image of the plurality of pages.
Note that the determination of the resolution by the resolution determining unit 43 may be performed for each page of the input image in addition to the determination for the input image.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an input image and an output image of a third modification of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. According to an example of the above-described operation, for example, as shown in FIG. 18A, an additional image having a resolution of 600 dpi is added to an input image having a resolution of 600 dpi and output. For example, as shown in FIG. 18B, an additional image with a resolution of 1200 dpi is added to an input image with a resolution of 1200 dpi and output. In this way, it is possible to add an additional image having a resolution corresponding to the resolution of the input image. Although the additional image is inserted above the input image in FIG. 18, the position where the additional image is inserted is arbitrary.

For example, if an additional image having a resolution of 1200 dpi is added to an input image having a resolution of 600 dpi, the additional image is added to the input image as an image having twice the size both vertically and horizontally. May not fit within the width of In addition, there is a possibility that the additional information occupies most of the sheet of paper. Conversely, if an additional image with a resolution of 600 dpi is added to an input image with a resolution of 1200 dpi, the image will be reduced by half in both the vertical and horizontal directions, and the content will be crushed and unreadable, and the left and right margins will be wasted. It is possible that According to the third modification, such a problem can be solved.

Here, an example has been shown in the first embodiment in which an additional image is added according to the resolution of the input image as characteristics of the input image. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to prepare an additional image having one or more resolutions as in the above-described second embodiment, and to perform resolution conversion for other resolutions. is there. Alternatively, as in the above-described third embodiment, the PD for converting the resolution of the input image of the same additional image (enlargement / reduction) is used.
You may comprise so that L instruction may be added.

As described above, examples have been described in which the size, the printing direction, and the resolution are used as the characteristics of the input image in addition to the color. Of course, it is possible to make a determination using other characteristics and add an additional image according to the determination result. Further, in each modified example, charging is not described. However, similar to the above-described first embodiment, charging according to each characteristic is performed, and whether or not an additional image is added in each characteristic is determined. In addition, charging according to the additional image to be added is possible. For example, when using the resolution as a characteristic of the input image, for example, when the test printing with a coarse resolution, the fee is low,
At the time of high image quality output, it is possible to set such as a high charge according to the presence or absence of an additional image.

A corresponding additional image may be added for each combination of a plurality of characteristics. Of course, it is also possible to charge according to these characteristics, such as setting a low charge for monochrome test printing with rough resolution, a high charge for high quality color output, etc., according to the presence or absence of additional images. It is possible to set.

[0073]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, an additional image according to the characteristics of an input image can be added. For example, when the time required for forming a color image and a time period required for forming a black and white image are different, an image can be output without lowering the productivity at the time of outputting the image by adding an additional image suitable for each characteristic. In addition, by preparing additional images corresponding to the respective characteristics, it is possible to prevent a situation in which, for example, a color additional image is output in black and white and the content is lost. Of course, the present invention is not limited to color and black and white, and it is possible to add an additional image according to various input image characteristics such as page size, print direction, and resolution.

Further, even when billing is performed, billing can be performed by adding an additional image according to the characteristics of the input image. As a result, for example, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a color fee is charged because only an additional image is color while an input image is monochrome, and appropriate charging can be performed. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus that is highly convenient for the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an input image and an output image according to the first embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a billing method according to the first embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of another example of the input image and the output image in the first embodiment of the image processing device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a first modification of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of a first modification of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an input image and an output image of a first modification of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a second modification of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of a second modification of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an input image and an output image of a second modification of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a third modification of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of a third modification of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an input image and an output image of a third modification of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Interface part, 2 ... Color judgment part, 3 ... Additional image storage part, 4 ... Color image storage part, 5 ... Monochrome image storage part, 6 ... Image synthesis part, 7 ... Image output part, 8 ... Control part, 9
.., A black-and-white conversion unit, 41, a size determination unit, 42, a print direction determination unit, 43, a resolution determination unit.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/46 H04N 1/46 C (72) Inventor Takanobu Otsubo 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Company F-term (reference) NA00 NA11 PA02 PA03

Claims (19)

[Claims] An additional image storage unit configured to store at least one additional image corresponding to an image characteristic; a determination unit configured to determine a characteristic of an input image; and an additional image storage unit configured to store the additional image in accordance with a determination result by the determination unit. An image processing apparatus comprising: a synthesizing unit that adds an additional image corresponding to the characteristic of the input image to the input image. 2. The additional image storage means stores a color additional image and a black and white additional image as the additional image, and the determination means determines whether the input image is color or black and white. The combining means adds the color additional image to the input image when the input image is determined to be color by the determination means, and outputs the monochrome image when the input image is determined to be black and white. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional image is added to the input image. 3. The additional image storage means stores additional images of a plurality of sizes as the additional image, the determination means determines the size of each page of the input image, and the combining means comprises The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a corresponding additional image in the additional image storage unit is added to the input image according to a result of the determination of the size of each page of the input image by the determination unit. 4. The additional image storage means stores additional images corresponding to a plurality of print directions as the additional image, and the determination means determines a print direction of each page of the input image. 2. The input unit according to claim 1, wherein the combining unit adds a corresponding additional image in the additional image storage unit to the input image according to a determination result of a printing direction of each page of the input image by the determination unit. 3. Image processing device. 5. The additional image storage unit stores additional images of a plurality of resolutions as the additional image, the determination unit determines the resolution of an input image, and the combining unit determines the resolution of the input image. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a corresponding additional image in said additional image storage means is added to said input image in accordance with a result of determination of resolution of said input image by said means. 6. An image conversion unit for converting characteristics of an additional image, wherein the image conversion unit does not store an additional image corresponding to the characteristics of the input image in the additional image storage unit. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional image stored in the additional image storage unit is converted into an image having characteristics according to the characteristics of the input image. 7. The additional image storage unit stores a color additional image as the additional image, the determination unit determines whether the input image is color or black and white, and the image conversion unit includes: When the determination unit determines that the input image is black and white, the color additional image stored in the additional image storage unit is converted into a black and white additional image. When it is determined that the image is color, a color additional image stored in the additional image storage unit is added to the input image, and when it is determined that the input image is black and white, the image conversion is performed. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a black-and-white additional image converted by the means is added to the input image. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image conversion unit configured to convert characteristics of the additional image, wherein the additional image storage unit stores an additional image of one or more sizes as the additional image. The means determines the size of each page of the input image, and the image conversion means stores an additional image corresponding to the size of each page of the input image determined by the determining means in the additional image storage means. If not, the size of the additional image stored in the additional image storage unit is converted according to the size of each page of the input image determined by the determination unit, and the combining unit determines by the determination unit When the additional image corresponding to the size of each page of the input image is not stored in the additional image storage unit, the additional image converted by the image The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is added to an input image. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image conversion unit configured to convert a characteristic of the additional image, wherein the additional image storage unit stores an additional image in one or a plurality of printing directions as the additional image. The determining means determines the printing direction of each page of the input image. The image converting means stores the additional image corresponding to the printing direction of each page of the input image determined by the determining means in the additional image storage. Converting the printing direction of the additional image stored in the additional image storage means when not stored in the means according to the printing direction of each page of the input image determined by the determination means,
The adding unit converts the additional image converted by the image converting unit when the additional image corresponding to the printing direction of each page of the input image determined by the determining unit is not stored in the additional image storing unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is added to an input image. 10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image conversion unit configured to convert characteristics of the additional image, wherein the additional image storage unit stores an additional image having one or more resolutions as the additional image. Means for determining the resolution of the input image, wherein the image conversion means determines whether the additional image corresponding to the resolution of the input image determined by the determination means is not stored in the additional image storage means. The resolution of the additional image stored in the image storage unit is converted according to the resolution of the input image determined by the determination unit, and the combining unit corresponds to the resolution of the input image determined by the determination unit. When the additional image to be added is not stored in the additional image storage unit, the additional image converted by the image conversion unit is added to the input image. Item 2. The image processing device according to Item 1. 11. When the additional image corresponding to the characteristic of the input image is not stored in the additional image storage unit, the combining unit converts the additional image stored in the additional image storage unit into the input image. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional image is added to the input image together with an instruction to output the input image with a characteristic corresponding to the characteristic. 12. The additional image storage means stores a color additional image as the additional image, and the synthesizing means, when the input image is determined to be black and white by the determination means, 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a color additional image stored in the additional image storage unit is added to the input image together with a command to output the additional image in black and white.
2. The image processing device according to 1. 13. The additional image storage means stores one or more size additional images as the additional image, and the combining means determines a size of each page of the input image determined by the determination means. When the additional image corresponding to the input image is not stored in the additional image storage unit, the additional image stored in the additional image storage unit has a size corresponding to the size of each page of the input image determined by the determination unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional image is added to the input image together with a command to output. 14. The additional image storing means stores additional images in one or more printing directions as the additional image, and the synthesizing means stores the additional image of each page of the input image determined by the determining means. When the additional image corresponding to the printing direction is not stored in the additional image storage unit, the additional image stored in the additional image storage unit corresponds to the printing direction of each page of the input image determined by the determination unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional image is added to the input image together with a command to be output in a printing direction to be performed. 15. The additional image storage means stores an additional image having one or more resolutions as the additional image, and the combining means corresponds to the resolution of the input image determined by the determination means. When the additional image is not stored in the additional image storage unit, the additional image stored in the additional image storage unit is output together with a command to output the additional image at a resolution corresponding to the resolution of the input image determined by the determination unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image is added to the input image. 16. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a charging unit configured to perform a charging calculation according to characteristics of the output image. 17. An apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising a billing unit for performing a billing calculation in accordance with a characteristic of the output image, wherein said billing unit determines that the characteristic of said input image is black and white by said determining unit. 13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the accounting is performed assuming that the characteristic is black and white. 18. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a charging unit configured to perform a charging calculation according to a characteristic of the input image determined by the determination unit. The image processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 19. The synthesizing unit can switch whether or not to add the additional image, and the charging unit can change a charging amount according to whether or not the additional image has been added. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein: