JP2002142106A - Image processing device and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing device which is capable of sending an image at high speed with high image quality. SOLUTION: It is judged whether a manuscript image inputted through a scanner 11 or the like is a character or a picture pixel by an attribute discriminator 12, separate information is outputted to a two-layer dividing part 13 and also outputted as separate information plane data to a resolution conversion part 15. The two-layer dividing part 13 separates the manuscript image into a character information plane and a picture information plane on the basis of the separate information. The resolution conversion part 15 is equipped with a plurality of resolution conversion methods. A transmission attribute information recognition part 14 separately selects a resolution conversion method for each plane on the basis of transmission attribute information inputted from outside. The resolution conversion part 15 enables the planes to undergo resolution conversion processing through a selected resolution conversion method. The planes subjected to resolution conversion are formatted through an image format wrapping part 16 and transmitted from a transmitter 17 through the intermediary of a network 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a public line and a LAN.
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method for performing image processing for communicating image data between different models with high quality via a network line such as the above.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in addition to facsimile communication using a public line, image communication using a network such as a public line or a LAN has been actively performed. Devices for transmitting and receiving image data include not only facsimile machines but also various devices such as personal computers, multifunction digital copiers, and network printers. In recent years, the colorization of these devices has progressed, and color faxes and color printers are becoming mainstream.

In the case of exchanging image data between such different types of apparatuses, usually, the type of the input original image is determined, image processing suitable for the original is performed on the entire image, and the image is transmitted to the output device. . When the entire original image is handled as described above, there is no particular problem as long as the original image is composed of only one type of image data such as only characters or only photographs. However, inconvenience occurs when the image data is composed of image data having a plurality of attributes such as a mixture of characters and photographs. For example, if you try to compress image data that contains both text and photos, the same process is applied to both the text and the photo, so depending on the compression method applied, either the text or the photo may be compressed. The rate is reduced, or any image quality is degraded.

In some cases, image data is transmitted after being subjected to a resolution conversion process in accordance with a receiving device or in order to reduce the amount of data to be transmitted. In such a case, since the entire image is transmitted after being converted to the same resolution, for example, if there is a part to be transmitted with high image quality, the entire image must be transmitted at a high resolution. The data volume was increasing. Further, when it is desired to transmit an image at high speed in real time, the image must be transmitted at a low resolution, and the image quality is significantly deteriorated.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an image processing apparatus and an image processing method capable of transmitting an image at higher speed and with higher image quality. It is intended for.

[0006]

According to the present invention, input image information is converted into first image data, second image data, and selection data for selecting either the first image data or the second image data. Send separately. At this time,
The first image data, the second image data, and the selected data are subjected to resolution conversion processing corresponding to each of them, and resolution conversion is performed by applying a resolution conversion method corresponding thereto. Thus, for example, data that does not require a high resolution can be transmitted at a high speed by converting it to a lower resolution and transmitting it. Further, data requiring high resolution may be transmitted at a high resolution, and high image quality can be maintained. As described above, since the data can be transmitted after being converted to the optimum resolution, the data can be transmitted at high speed and the deterioration of the image quality can be suppressed.

The first image data, the second image data,
For each piece of selected data, there may be data for which resolution conversion is not performed, and for data for which resolution conversion is performed, the resolution may be converted to a suitable resolution using a resolution conversion method suitable for each. When performing resolution conversion on a plurality of data, the resolution conversion method used may be the same or different, and the resolutions to be converted may be the same or different. If the resolution of the input data is kept at the resolution of the input image, the image quality can be maintained as much as possible. Even in this case, the resolution conversion may be performed on the first image data and the second image data. When the first image data, the second image data, and the selected data are converted to the same resolution using the same resolution conversion method, the resolution is converted first, and then the data is separated. It is also possible to increase the speed.

[0008]

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 image processing apparatus, 2 is a network, 11 is a scanner unit, 12
Denotes an attribute discriminating unit, 13 denotes a two-layer dividing unit, 14 denotes a transmission attribute information recognizing unit, 15 denotes a resolution converting unit, 16 denotes an image format wrapping unit, and 17 denotes a transmitting unit. Image processing device 1
Is for capturing image data, performing image processing, and transmitting the image data to another device via the network 2. Network 2 is a public line, dedicated line, LAN
Such as a network line. In addition to the image processing device 1, one or more other input devices, output devices, storage devices, or image processing devices as in the present invention are connected to the network 2. The device that receives the transmitted data may be an output device, a storage device, or a computer device including the output device and the storage device. The output device in this case does not necessarily need to be a device that prints and outputs on a recording medium such as paper, and may be a display device such as a display device.

The scanner section 11 scans a document image and
/ D conversion and captures image data as a digital image. The means for inputting an image includes a scanner 11
Not limited to this, for example, it may be input from a digital camera or the like, or may be in the form of an electronic document received from a host computer or the like (not shown) via a network. It does not have to be provided, and other input means may be juxtaposed.

The attribute discriminating unit 12 extracts the feature amount of the image data input from the scanner unit 11 and
In addition, separation information for separating each attribute in units of several pixels or a predetermined area is created. This separation information becomes selection data for selecting one of the two images separated by the two-layer division unit 13. In the following description, this set of separation information corresponding to the input image will be referred to as a separation information plane.

The two-layer division unit 13 separates the image data input from the scanner unit 11 into first image data and second image data based on the separation information created by the attribute discrimination unit 12. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the first image data is separated into character information data including character information, and the second image data is separated into pattern information data including pattern information. In the following description, an image including only separated character information is referred to as a character information plane, and an image including only separated picture information is referred to as a picture information plane.

The transmission attribute information recognizing unit 14 recognizes transmission attribute information input from the outside by a user, and controls switching of resolution conversion methods of a separation information plane, a character information plane, and a picture information plane based on the recognition result. .

The resolution converter 15 includes a separation information plane,
The resolution conversion processing is performed on the character information plane and the picture information plane using the resolution conversion method selected by the transmission attribute information recognition unit 14, respectively. The resolution conversion method can be independently selected for each plane. Also, it is possible to set an arbitrary resolution independently for each plane. In FIG. 1, a plurality of resolution conversion methods are illustrated in such a manner that a plurality of resolution conversion methods are arranged side by side and selected by a selector. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and programs for executing the selected resolution conversion methods are respectively loaded. And may be configured to be executed. Alternatively, the configuration may be such that one or several resolution conversion methods exist and are shared by each plane. Even in this case, the configuration may be such that the resolution conversion method used is not restricted by the resolution conversion method used in another plane. Of course, there is also a case where a certain plane is output without performing the resolution conversion.

The image format wrapping unit 16 converts the three planes of the separation information plane, the character information plane, and the picture information plane which have been subjected to the resolution conversion processing by the resolution conversion unit 15 into a predetermined image format and outputs it. At this time, image processing such as compression processing suitable for each plane may be performed.

The transmitting unit 17 transmits the data converted into a predetermined image format by the image format wrapping unit 16 to another device through the network 2. At this time, an arbitrary communication procedure or the like can be used according to the network 2 to be used.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of each plane after separation in the first embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention. In the first embodiment, a separation information plane, a character information plane, and a picture information plane are generated from image data input as described above. For example, FIG.
When the character "ABCDE" and the picture portion (portion surrounded by a rectangle) are present in the same image as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2C, a character information plane consisting of only the character "ABCDE" is separated into a picture information plane consisting of a picture part excluding the character part as shown in FIG.

Also, a separation information plane indicating which of the character information plane and the picture information plane is to be separated is generated. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2 (B), the separation information plane selects a character information plane only for a character portion, particularly for only a painted portion constituting each line segment of the character.
Others are constituted by data for selecting a picture information plane. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 2 (B) and FIG. 2 (C) are shown as the same data. However, in practice, the separation information plane shown in FIG. 2B only needs to have information that can identify the number of planes into which the input image data is separated. In this case, the character information plane and the picture information plane are two types. What is necessary is just to comprise with the binary data to identify. The character information plane shown in FIG. 2C also holds the color information if the characters are colored, for example.

By separating the input image in this manner, for example, a compression method suitable for character data can be applied to the character information plane, and a compression method suitable for photographic data can be applied to the picture information plane. And image quality degradation is less noticeable. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, by converting the resolution of each of these planes using an optimal resolution conversion processing method, it is possible to reduce the amount of data within a range that is less affected by each and then transmit. Become.

In the above-described example, the image is separated into two types, a character part and a picture part. However, the image is not particularly limited to these two kinds. For example, the picture part is further divided into a photograph part and a CG (computer / computer). (Graphics) image part, and as a result, it may be separated into three planes of characters, photographs, and CG (a four-plane configuration including the separation information plane). Alternatively, even in a three-plane configuration, FIG.
As shown in (B), since the separation information plane includes edge information, this is used as a character information plane, and the other two planes are separated as a character color information plane and a picture information plane, respectively, to constitute three planes. Is also good. In this case, if the character is only one specific color such as black, the character color information plane may not be used and a two-plane configuration may be used. As described above, in the present invention, the number of planes to be separated and the configuration thereof are not particularly limited.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. First, in S101, a user inputs transmission attribute information from a UI (user interface). The transmission attribute information referred to here is parameter information specified at the time of transmission, and includes, for example, transmission image quality specification and transmission speed specification. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of the user interface. In the example shown in FIG. 4, buttons for a standard mode, a high image quality mode, and an ultra high image quality mode are prepared as transmission image quality, and a desired image quality may be selected and designated from these buttons. The transmission speed is provided with buttons for a standard mode, a high-speed mode, and an ultra-high-speed mode, and a desired transmission speed may be selected and designated from these buttons.

However, the transmission image quality and transmission speed are not limited to these three modes.
Actually, since the transmission image quality mode specification and the transmission speed specification have a correlation with each other, they are rarely specified independently. For example, "low speed but high image quality", "speed and image quality are standard", "high speed" It may be configured to be specified from a limited combination (mode) such as "There is a drop in image quality."

The transmission attribute information may be other than transmission image quality and transmission speed. For example, it is possible to specify a transmission original type. In the example shown in FIG. 4, it is possible to specify whether the document is a text document, a photo document, a mixed text / photo document, a color document, or a black and white document. Of course, other transmission attribute information may be specified. Further, for example, the configuration may be such that the resolution conversion method of each plane is directly specified.

When the input of the transmission attribute information from the user is completed, the transmission attribute information recognizing section 14 recognizes the transmission attribute information such as the transmission image quality and transmission speed specified by the user and the original type in S102. The transmission attribute information recognition unit 14 determines a resolution conversion method to be performed by the resolution conversion unit 15 for each of the separation information plane, the character information plane, and the picture information plane based on the recognition result of the transmission attribute information. Generate a signal. In step S103, based on the selection signal generated in step S102, the resolution conversion unit 15 switches the selector for each plane, and selects an optimal resolution conversion method for each plane. At this time, one option is not to perform the resolution conversion, and a setting may be made so that the resolution conversion is not performed for a certain plane.

Each resolution conversion method provided in the resolution conversion unit 15 performs a resolution conversion process by a different algorithm (method). For example, resolution conversion method 1 is an algorithm that can perform high-speed processing although image quality is not so good, resolution conversion method 2 is an algorithm that is standard in both image quality and processing speed, and resolution conversion method 3 is an algorithm that has low processing speed but high image quality. And so on.

Here, some resolution conversion methods will be described. First, as a resolution conversion method suitable for high-speed processing, a zero-order hold method, a nearest neighbor method, and the like are given. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the zero-order hold method.
The zero-order hold method is an algorithm that replaces the output pixel P with the immediately preceding input pixel. In FIG. 5, when the input pixel A is given, the value of the output pixel P is
Is the value of In this method, it is not necessary to calculate pixel values only by comparing pixel positions, and resolution conversion can be performed at very high speed. However, the image quality after resolution conversion is not so good.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the nearest neighbor method. The nearest neighbor method is an algorithm in which the output pixel P is replaced with the nearest input pixel. In FIG. 6, an output pixel P and input pixels A, B,
The coordinates of C and D are compared, and the pixel value of the nearest input pixel (input pixel C in FIG.
Pixel value. In this method, the number of coordinate comparisons is larger than in the zero-order hold method. However, it is not necessary to calculate the pixel value, and the resolution can be converted at a high speed. The image quality after conversion of the resolution is still not good, for example, a loss occurs when converted to low resolution, and the smoothness of the image is lost when converted to high resolution.

A standard algorithm for both the image quality and the processing speed includes a four-point interpolation method. FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a point interpolation method. The four-point interpolation method is an algorithm for generating an output pixel P by interpolation from four input pixels A, B, C, and D around the output pixel P. As shown in FIG. 7, for example, a difference d1 between the X and Y coordinate values of the output pixel P with respect to the input pixel A,
According to d2, P = (1-d1) · (1-d2) · A + d1 · (1-d
2) The output pixel P is calculated by calculating a pixel value such as B + (1-d1) d2C + d1d2D.
Is obtained. In this method, the amount of calculation is not so large and a relatively good image can be obtained. However, there are some difficulties in the image quality, such as the disappearance of the thin lines and the slightly blurred image.

The high-quality algorithm includes a projection method, a 16-point interpolation method, a logical operation method, and the like. FIG.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a projection method. The projection method is an algorithm that regards pixels as surfaces rather than points and determines output pixels based on the area ratio of a plurality of input pixels. In FIG. 8A, a dotted line is a 3 × 3 input image, and a solid line is a 5 × 4 output image. Now, the pixel value of the output pixel P hatched in FIG. 8A is determined. The output pixel P extends over the input pixels A, B, C, and D. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8B, the output pixel P is changed to the input pixels A, B,
The area included in each of C and D is 2/9, 1/9, 4/9, and 2/9, respectively. Based on this, P = 2/9 × A + 1/9 × B + 4/9 × C + 2/9
The pixel value of the output pixel P is obtained as × D. This method requires a large amount of calculation, such as obtaining an area, and takes a little processing time, but has good image quality. It is especially effective for picture parts such as photographs. On the other hand, edges may be slightly blurred in characters and line drawings.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the 16-point interpolation method. 1
The six-point interpolation method is an algorithm for interpolating and generating an output pixel from 16 input pixels around the output pixel. As shown in FIG.
The pixel values of the 16 input pixels P11 to P44 around the output pixel P, and x1 to x4 and y1 to x4, which are the differences between the X and Y coordinate values of these input pixels and the X and Y coordinate values of the output pixel P
Using y4,

(Equation 1) Is calculated to obtain the pixel value of the output pixel P. in this way,
It takes a lot of processing time, but the image quality is the best.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the logical operation method. The logical operation method compares a plurality of types of pixel patterns prepared in advance with regions of a predetermined size, and outputs a predetermined pixel pattern depending on whether the patterns match or not. For example, when converting to 1.5 times the resolution, 3 × 3 pixels are generated from 2 × 2 pixels. Specifically, when a pattern of 2 × 2 pixels as shown in FIG. 10A is detected, the pattern is converted into 3 × 3 pixels as shown in FIG. 10B. The logical operation method is a resolution conversion method effective particularly for a binary line image.

In S102 of FIG. 3, a resolution conversion method to be applied to each plane is determined in accordance with the input transmission attribute information in consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of each resolution conversion method as described above and the characteristics of each plane. To select.

After confirming that the selection of the resolution conversion method for each plane has been completed in S104, an original image is input from, for example, the scanner unit 11 in S105. Of course, as described above, an image sent from another device via a digital camera or a network may be input. In S106, the attribute of the input image data is determined by the attribute determination unit 12 for one or several pixels or for each predetermined area, and the attribute is output as separation information. In this example, the attribute determining unit 12 determines whether a certain pixel of interest is a character image attribute or a picture image attribute. Actually, it is determined whether a pixel of interest is edge information (high-frequency image) or non-edge information (low-frequency image), and the pixel determined to be edge information is a character image attribute and non-edge information. The determined pixel is identified as a picture image attribute.

The attribute determination may be performed on a pixel-by-pixel basis, or may be performed for every several pixels or for each predetermined area (block), and the method is not particularly limited. Examples of a method for determining the attribute include a method described in JP-A-3-126180 and JP-A-4-105178.
Many methods have been proposed, and the method to be used is not particularly limited.

The separation information output from the attribute discriminating unit 12 is sent to the two-layer dividing unit 13 and is sent as it is to the resolution converting unit 15 as the data of the separation information plane.
In S107, the two-layer dividing unit 13 separates the original image into a character information plane and a picture information plane based on the input original image and separation information.

For example, there may be a case where an image in which tag information and header information are added in advance to the original image input in S105 and the attribute is already clearly separated is input. In such a case, in step S106, the attribute determination unit 12 generates a separation information plane from tag information, header information, image data, and the like. In step S107, the two-layer division unit 13 generates each plane by processing such as format conversion. do it.

The generated character information plane and picture information plane are sent to the resolution converter 15, respectively, and are sent to S10.
In S8, the S plane is set in advance for three planes of a separation information plane, a character information plane, and a picture information plane.
The resolution conversion process is performed by the resolution conversion method selected in 103. The resolution of each plane after conversion is arbitrary, but is set to a resolution determined in advance according to predetermined conditions. As described above, depending on the plane, it may be selected not to perform the resolution conversion. For example, the resolution conversion processing may be performed only on the character information plane and the picture information plane without performing the resolution conversion processing on the separation information plane, and there may be other combinations.

After confirming the completion of the resolution conversion processing of each plane in S109, the image data of each plane after the resolution conversion (including the case where the resolution conversion is not performed) is sent to the image format wrapping unit 16 in S110. . In the image format wrapping unit 16, 3
One plane is converted into a predetermined image format, and one image file is generated as a result. As the image format, a general image format used as a standard is conceivable, but is not particularly limited. Also, an original image format created by adding various headers or the like may be used. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image format. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a header for each plane is added to the compressed data of each plane,
Further, the format can be a format to which the entire header portion is added. In this case, information about the resolution of each plane may be inserted into the header for each plane or the entire header. Similarly, the color space, the number of gradations, the compression method, and the like of each plane may be inserted. The compression method of each plane is arbitrary, and a compression method according to the characteristics of each plane can be used. For example, the separation information plane may use a lossless compression method suitable for binary data such as MH, MR, MMR, and arithmetic coding. For the character information plane and the picture information plane,
It is preferable to use a color image compression method such as JPEG.

The formatted image data generated by the image format wrapping unit 16 is sent to the transmission unit 17. In S111, the transmission unit 17 transmits the formatted image data transmitted from the image format wrapping unit 16 to a desired device via the network 2. As a method of designating a partner device at the time of transmission, a salutation manager (SLM) protocol may be used to specify a device that satisfies conditions from among a plurality of partner devices, or a fax may be used using a telephone line. For example, you can specify the other party's device by entering the other party's phone number, or by any other method.
The method is not particularly limited. It is sufficient that the receiving device has at least the function of receiving the transmitted image data. For example, if the receiving device is a device that does not directly handle image data such as a relay device, the format of the image data is Need not always be understood.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to select the resolution conversion method for each plane based on the transmission attribute information input by the user, and to select an image conversion method corresponding to the user's request. Transmission can be performed. Even in this case, since the input image data is separated into each plane and the optimum resolution conversion processing is performed for each plane, the image quality is improved and / or compared with the conventional batch resolution conversion processing.
Alternatively, transmission time can be reduced.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. Reference numeral 18 denotes an attribute recognition unit. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which a transmission attribute is determined by an input image, instead of being instructed by a user.

Based on the attribute information sent from the attribute discriminating unit 12, the attribute recognizing unit 18 determines whether the input document is composed of only characters, only photographs, or composed of characters and photographs. Recognize whether or not. For example, the attribute may be determined based on the ratio of characters and pictures in the document. Furthermore, it is possible to further recognize the image quality such as an image having a sharp edge or a blurred image, and to recognize not only the attribute of the image but also, for example, a document size, and various information for selecting a resolution conversion method. Can be recognized.

The resolution conversion unit 15 includes a separation information plane,
A resolution conversion process is performed on the character information plane and the picture information plane using the resolution conversion method selected by the attribute recognition unit 18. The resolution conversion method can be independently selected for each plane. Of course, it may be selected not to perform the resolution conversion. Also, it is possible to set an arbitrary magnification independently for each plane.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. S121 and S122 are the same processes as S105 and S106 in the first embodiment shown in FIG.
That is, first, an original image is input in S121,
At 122, the attribute discriminating unit 12 discriminates the attribute of the original image from one to several pixels or for each predetermined area, and outputs separation information. The details of these processes are omitted.

Next, in S123, the attribute recognition unit 18
Based on the separation information sent from the attribute discriminating unit 12, attribute information such as whether the input original is composed of only characters, only photographs, or a mixture of characters and photographs, etc. Get. This attribute information may be other than the three classifications of "only characters", "only patterns", and "mixed characters and patterns". Of course, the ratio and image quality of the characters and patterns in the document as described above, as well as the document size And so on. When the document image is obtained through, for example, a network, an attribute of each page may be added to the header. In such a case, the attributes of the entire page may be obtained by referring to the header.

After recognizing the attributes of the original image, the attribute recognizing unit 18 determines the resolutions in the resolution converting unit 15 for each of the separation information plane, character information plane, and picture information plane based on the recognition result. A selection signal for determining which conversion method is selected is generated. S
At 124, the resolution converter 15 switches the selector for each plane based on each selection signal, and selects a resolution conversion method corresponding to each plane. At this time, a selection not to perform the resolution conversion may be made.

In the case of the second embodiment, when the attribute recognizing section 18 determines that the input document image is, for example, a character-only image, the picture information plane has only all white data. As a result, only the character information plane needs to be transmitted. Therefore, even if a resolution conversion method for maintaining high image quality for the character information plane is used, the processing load is light, and the resolution conversion processing of high image quality can be performed at high speed as a whole. Similarly, when it is determined that the original is image data only, the character information plane has only all white data. As a result, only the picture information plane needs to be transmitted. Therefore, even if a resolution conversion method that maintains high image quality is used for the picture information plane, the processing load is light, and high-quality resolution conversion processing can be performed at high speed as a whole. When it is determined that the original is a mixed text / pattern original, for example, by using a standard resolution conversion method for each of three planes, it is possible to perform a standard image quality resolution conversion at a moderate processing speed.

Therefore, for example, when it is recognized that the original image is an image of only characters, a high-quality logical operation method or the like is selected as a resolution conversion method for the character information plane, and the original image is an image of only a pattern. If it is recognized that there is, a high-quality projection method, a 16-point interpolation method, or the like is selected as a resolution conversion method for the picture information plane. Further, for example, when the document image is recognized as an image in which characters and pictures are mixed, a standard four-point interpolation method or the like may be selected as a resolution conversion method for all the planes.
Of course, the resolution conversion method selected in each case is not limited to these examples.

Hereinafter, the processing in S125 to S129 will be described with reference to FIG.
S107 to S111 in the first embodiment shown in FIG.
Since the processing is the same as that described above, the description is omitted.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the attribute can be recognized from the input document and the resolution conversion method for each plane can be selected according to the recognized document attribute. The image transmission can be performed by performing the resolution conversion processing according to.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 21 to 23 are resolution conversion units. In this embodiment, a resolution conversion process is performed using a resolution conversion method most suitable for each plane.

The separation information output from the attribute discriminating unit 12 is converted into data of the separation information plane by the resolution converting unit 21.
Is input to The character information plane separated by the two-layer division unit 13 is input to the resolution conversion unit 22, and the picture information plane is input to the resolution conversion unit 23.

The resolution conversion section 21 performs a resolution conversion process on the separation information plane using a resolution conversion method suitable for the separation information plane. Similarly, the resolution conversion unit 2
2 performs a resolution conversion process on the character information plane by using a resolution conversion method suitable for the character information plane. The resolution conversion unit 23 performs a resolution conversion process on the pattern information plane using a resolution conversion method suitable for the pattern information plane. The resolution conversion units 21 to 23 may use different resolution conversion methods, respectively, or two or three of them may use the same resolution conversion method. Further, there may be a resolution conversion unit that does not perform resolution conversion. Also, each of the resolution converters 21 to 23
Can set an arbitrary magnification independently of each other.

As a resolution conversion method applied to each of the resolution conversion units 21 to 23, for example, the resolution conversion unit 21 that performs resolution conversion on the separation information plane uses the 16-point interpolation method, and the resolution conversion on the character information plane. A logical operation method can be used for the resolution conversion unit 22 to be performed, and a projection method can be used for the resolution conversion unit 23 that performs resolution conversion on the picture information plane. However, the present invention is not limited to this combination, and any combination of resolution conversion methods may be used.

Here, the two-layer division unit 13 is separated into two planes of a character information plane and a picture information plane, and three resolution conversion units corresponding to the three planes are provided together with the separation information plane. , The number of resolution conversion units may be increased or decreased according to each plane. If the plane configurations are different, a resolution conversion unit using a resolution conversion method adapted to each plane may be provided.

The image format wrapping unit 16 converts the three planes of the separation information plane, the character information plane, and the picture information plane, which have been output from the resolution conversion units 21 to 23, into a predetermined image format and outputs the converted image data. I do.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. An example of the operation shown in FIG. 15 is the second operation shown in FIG.
Of the processing in the embodiment, S121, S122,
It is constituted by steps S125 to S129, and corresponds to S131 to S137, respectively. This third
The following description focuses on the parts unique to the second embodiment, and the other parts are the same as those of the second embodiment, so that only the outline will be described.

First, in S131, an original image is input.
In S132, the attribute discriminating unit 12 discriminates the attribute of the original image from one to several pixels or for each predetermined area, and outputs separation information. The output separation information is sent to the two-layer division unit 13 and sent to the separation information plane resolution conversion unit 21 as the separation information plane.

In S133, the two-layer dividing unit 13 separates the original image into a character information plane and a picture information plane according to the separation information output from the attribute discriminating unit 12. The separated character information plane and picture information plane are sent to the character information plane resolution conversion unit 22 and the picture information plane resolution conversion unit 23, respectively.

In S134, resolution conversion processing is performed on the three planes of the separation information plane, the character information plane, and the picture information plane by the resolution conversion units 21, 22, and 23, respectively, using a resolution conversion method prepared in advance. Is done. The resolution to be converted in each of the resolution converters 21 to 23 is determined in advance by a predetermined condition. Further, the resolution conversion may not be performed by a certain resolution conversion unit.

After confirming in S135 that the resolution conversion processing of each plane has been completed by the resolution conversion units 21 to 23,
The image data of each plane after the resolution conversion is sent to the image format wrapping unit 16. In S136, the image format wrapping unit 16 converts the three planes into a predetermined image format, and generates one image file as a result. Then, in S137, the transmitting unit 1
7 to the desired device via the network 2.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, an input document is separated into a plurality of planes, and each of the separated planes has a resolution conversion optimum for each preset plane. Resolution conversion can be performed using a technique. Since the input document image is decomposed into each plane according to the attribute of each part, image conversion can be performed by performing resolution conversion processing according to the attribute of each part of the image.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. The fourth embodiment is substantially the same as the above-described third embodiment, except that the separation information plane has the same resolution as that of the input document image and is transmitted without resolution conversion. An example is shown.

The attribute discriminating unit 12 extracts the characteristic amount of the input document image and creates separation information in units of pixels. Therefore, the separation information plane composed of the separation information has the same resolution as the original image. The separation information plane is sent to the image format wrapping unit 16 without resolution conversion.

As described above, by transmitting the separation information plane at the same resolution as the original image, when combining the images on the receiving side, the character image or the pattern image is switched at the same resolution as the original original image. Since the images can be synthesized, a synthesized image with the best image quality of the switching portion can be obtained. In this example, since only two planes are selected in this example, it is only necessary to provide information of one bit for each pixel, so that the data amount is small and a compression method with a high compression ratio can be used. Therefore, even if the transmission is performed without performing the resolution conversion, the transmission time is not so long, and conversely, an image with good image quality can be transmitted.

The resolution converters 22 and 23 have the same or different resolution conversion methods. In addition, each resolution can be converted to an arbitrary resolution, which is determined in advance according to predetermined conditions. For example, the resolution can be changed for each plane, such as setting the resolution of the character information plane high and setting the resolution of the picture information plane low. Further, the conversion resolution may be limited to 1 / n (n is an integer of 2 or more) of the resolution of the input document image. In this example, since the separation information plane is set to the resolution of the original image, the character information plane and the picture information plane are transmitted at a resolution of 1 / n, so that the switching portion of each plane is well reproduced at the time of synthesis. A high-quality composite image can be obtained. Of course, each plane may have the same resolution. In addition, the configuration may be such that resolution conversion processing is not performed on one of the character information plane and the picture information plane.

The image format wrapping unit 16 converts the three planes of the separation information plane output from the attribute discriminating unit 12 and the character information plane and the picture information plane subjected to the resolution conversion processing by the resolution conversion units 22 and 23 into a predetermined image format. And output.

The operation of the fourth embodiment is characterized in that the attribute discriminating section 12 outputs separation information for each pixel and that the resolution conversion process is not performed on the separation information plane. Except for the above, the third embodiment is almost the same as the third embodiment, so that the description is omitted.

In the above description, the generation of the separation information plane and the separation of the original image are performed based on the resolution of the input original image. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The converted resolution may be temporarily converted to another resolution, and the converted image may be subjected to image separation and resolution conversion for each plane. In this case, the resolution of the separation information plane is the resolution of the original image after the resolution conversion. The resolution conversion performed on the character information plane and the picture information plane may be, for example, 1 / n resolution based on the resolution of the separation information plane.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the resolution conversion according to the attribute of each part in the image is performed by performing the optimum resolution conversion processing on each of the separated planes. Image transmission. Further, by transmitting the separation information plane at the resolution of the image before separation, a high-quality image can be synthesized.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. Reference numeral 31 denotes a resolution conversion unit, and 32 denotes a resolution determination unit. In the first to fourth embodiments described above, after the input document image is separated according to the attribute of each unit, the optimum resolution conversion processing is performed on each of the separated planes and the separation information plane. As a special case, there is a case where conversion to the same resolution is performed for all planes using the same resolution conversion method. In such a case, the processing speed can be improved by performing resolution conversion collectively before separation into each plane, rather than performing resolution conversion for each plane. The fifth embodiment corresponds to such a case, and shows a configuration in which resolution conversion is collectively performed before separation into each plane. In the fifth embodiment, the position of the resolution conversion unit is changed based on the configuration shown in the first embodiment. A configuration corresponding to another embodiment is also possible.

The resolution conversion unit 31 converts the input document image into a resolution determined by the resolution determination unit 3 using a predetermined resolution conversion method.
2 to the resolution determined. Attribute discriminator 1
2 determines the attribute of the image data whose resolution has been converted by the resolution conversion unit 31 for every one or several pixels or for each predetermined area, sends the separation information to the two-layer division unit 13, and outputs the separation information as data of the separation information plane. It is sent to the image format wrapping unit 16. The two-layer division unit 13
The image data whose resolution has been converted by the resolution conversion unit 31 is separated into character information and pattern information based on the separation information sent from the attribute discrimination unit 12, and the character information plane,
The data is sent to the image format wrapping unit 16 as picture information plane data. Image format wrapping unit 1
Reference numeral 6 converts a total of three planes of the separation information plane sent from the attribute discrimination unit 12, the character information plane and the picture information plane separated by the two-layer division unit 13 into a predetermined image format, and outputs it.

The transmission attribute information recognition section 16 recognizes transmission attribute information input by a user and generates attribute information for determining a resolution. The resolution determining unit 32 determines the resolution at the time of the resolution conversion performed by the resolution conversion unit 31 based on the attribute information sent from the transmission attribute information recognition unit 16. Note that a plurality of resolution conversion methods may be prepared in the resolution conversion unit 31 and the resolution determination unit 32 may determine the resolution conversion method together with the resolution.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. First, as in the first embodiment, S141
, The user inputs transmission attribute information. The input of the transmission attribute information can be performed in various modes, for example, from a UI (user interface) as shown in FIG. In S142, the transmission attribute information recognizing unit 14 recognizes the transmission attribute information input by the user, and sends a resolution switching signal to the resolution determining unit 32 based on the recognized transmission attribute information.

In step S143, the resolution determining section 32 selects one of a plurality of resolutions prepared in advance based on the resolution switching signal. For example, when the reading resolution of the scanner 11 is 400 dpi, the resolution determining unit 32 determines that the resolution is 400 dpi, 200 dpi, 100 dpi.
pi are prepared, and one of the three is selected. When the reading resolution of the scanner 11 is 6
When the resolution is 00 dpi, the resolution determining unit 32
Three of 0 dpi, 300 dpi, and 150 dpi are prepared, and one of the three is selected. For example, when the image is not input from the scanner 11 but is in a form such as a page description language, the image may be converted into raster image data at a predetermined resolution prepared in advance. The resolution to be determined is not limited to the three as described above, and may be configured so that an arbitrary resolution can be set.

When the resolution is determined by the resolution determining section 32, the original image is input in S144, as in S105 in the first embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, before image separation, the resolution conversion unit 31 performs resolution conversion processing on the original image input in S145 based on the resolution determined by the resolution determination unit 32. There are various resolution conversion methods as described in the first embodiment, and there is no particular limitation. Of course, the resolution determination unit 32 may be configured to select the resolution conversion method when determining the resolution.

In step S146, the attribute discriminating section 12 discriminates the attribute of the image subjected to the resolution conversion processing for one to several pixels or for each predetermined area, and outputs separation information corresponding to the attribute. The attribute determination method is the same as in the above-described first embodiment. The output separation information is sent to the two-layer separation unit 13 and is sent to the image format wrapping unit 16 as data of the separation information plane as it is.

In S147, the two-layer division unit 13 converts the resolution-converted image sent from the resolution conversion unit 31 into
Separation is performed based on the separation information sent from the attribute determination unit 12. Here, as an example, the resolution-converted image is separated into a character information plane and a picture information plane. Of course, the present embodiment is not limited to this. Each separated plane is sent to the image format wrapping unit 16 as it is.

In S148, the image format wrapping unit 16 converts the three planes of the sent character information plane, picture information plane, and separation information plane into a predetermined image format, and generates one image file as a result. I do. The image format is shown in FIG.
Various image formats, such as the format shown in FIG.

In step S149, the image data formatted by the image format wrapping unit 16 is sent to the transmission unit 17, and is transmitted from the transmission unit 17 to a desired device via the network 2.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, an image is separated into planes after a resolution conversion process is performed on an input document image, so that each plane is converted to the same resolution. In this case, the resolution conversion process is not performed for each plane, and only one resolution conversion process is required, so that the processing load can be reduced.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention. 1 and FIG.
The same reference numerals are given to the same portions as 7, and the description is omitted.
In this embodiment, as in the fifth embodiment, resolution conversion processing is performed before separating an image.
In the sixth embodiment, an example is shown in which resolution conversion is performed based on the resolution set with the receiving device.

The transmission unit 17 communicates with a transmission destination device, receives output resolution information and the like, and
Send to In addition, the image data formatted by the image format wrapping unit 16 is transmitted to the transmission destination device via the network 2. The resolution determining unit 32
The resolution in the resolution conversion process performed by the resolution conversion unit 31 is determined based on the output resolution information of the transmission destination transmitted from the transmission unit 17 and the like. The resolution conversion unit 31 performs a resolution conversion process according to the resolution determined by the resolution determination unit 32.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image processing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. First, in S151, the transmission unit 17 accesses the destination device via the network 2 and issues a request to the destination device to notify output resolution information. Upon receiving the output resolution information notification request, the transmission destination device notifies the image processing device 1 of the output resolution information. The transmitting unit 17 receives the output resolution information from the transmission destination device, and sends the received output resolution information to the resolution determining unit 32. After that, access to the transmission destination device may be blocked or suspended.

The destination device may be determined, for example, by a user using a UI (user interface) not shown, or may be determined by software used directly or indirectly by the user. Or, transmitting unit 1
The device 7 may select one device that satisfies the condition from among devices that can be a plurality of transmission destinations, for example, by polling or the like. In addition, using a salutation manager (SLM) protocol, a user can specify a device that satisfies conditions from among a plurality of partner devices, or enter a telephone number of a partner if the device is used as a facsimile using a telephone line.
Further, the partner device may be designated by another method, and the method is not particularly limited.

[0086] The processing after S152 is the same as the processing after S143 in the above-described fifth embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. Finally, in S158, the formatted image data is transmitted to the destination device that communicated in S151.

As described above, also in the sixth embodiment, when each plane is converted to the same resolution, only one resolution conversion process is performed without performing the resolution conversion process for each plane. The load can be reduced.
Also, since the conversion processing is performed to the resolution according to the destination device, the image data can be transmitted in a state suitable for the destination device. For example, when the resolution of the destination device is low, the transmission data amount , And high-speed data transfer can be performed.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a seventh embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 12 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. 41 is a receiving unit, 42 is an image storage unit. In each of the above-described embodiments, the image processing apparatus on the transmission side that transmits the image via the network 2 from the transmission unit 17 after separating the image has been described. The present invention may of course be applied to a device on the receiving side, and an example in that case is shown in this embodiment. The receiving unit 41 receives image data sent from the network 2 or the like. Further, the image storage unit 42 stores the image data formatted by the image format wrapping unit 16. The stored image data can be read arbitrarily and sent again via the network 2 or sent to a dedicated output device for recording.

The operation of the seventh embodiment is different from the operation of the seventh embodiment in that the image data is received by the receiving unit 41 and is converted into the input image data. Except for this point, the operation is the same as that of the second embodiment shown in FIG. Further, here, an example is shown in which the configuration shown in the second embodiment is applied to the receiving-side device, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to the receiving-side device in other embodiments. .

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing an example of a system provided with the image processing apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, 51, 52
Is an input device, 53 to 55 are output devices, and 56 is a network. The input devices 51 and 52 are devices equipped with, for example, any one of the first to sixth embodiments of the image processing device of the present invention, and take in the image data and output the image data via the network 56 to the output device 53. To 55. The output devices 53 to 55 receive the image data transmitted from the input device 51 or 52 via the network 56, record the image data on a recording medium such as paper or an OHP sheet, and output the same. The network 56 is configured by a network line such as a public line or a LAN.

Alternatively, the output devices 53 to 55 may be, for example, the devices described in the seventh embodiment of the image processing device of the present invention, and the input devices 51 and 52 may be used to input images with image input devices such as scanners. Alternatively, a device that generates and transmits an image using a graphics function or the like can be used. In the example shown in FIG. 22, the functions of the input device and the output device are made independent for the sake of simplicity. However, each device is a multifunction device having the functions of the input device and the function of the output device. You may.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing another example of a system provided with the image processing apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, 61-6
4 is a host computer, 65 is a sender network,
66 is a transmitting device, 67 is a modem, 71 and 72 are client computers, 73 and 74 are printers, 75 is a receiving network, 76 is a receiving device, and 77 is a modem. The transmitting system includes a host computer 61 to 64 and a transmitting device 6 via a transmitting network 65.
6 are connected. A modem 67 is connected to the transmitting device 66.

The transmitting device 66 has, for example, the configuration shown as the first to sixth embodiments of the above-described image processing device of the present invention. The transmitting device 66 includes host computers 61 to 6 connected to the transmitting network 65.
After receiving image data directly from the receiver 4 and performing processing such as image separation, resolution conversion, and formatting, the image data can be transmitted by fax to the receiving system via the modem 67.

The receiving system is a receiving network 7
5, the client computers 71 and 72, the printers 73 and 74, the receiving device 75, and the like are connected. Also, a modem 77 is connected to the receiving side device 76, and can receive a FAX image transmitted via a communication line.

The receiving device 75 extracts the image of each plane from the formatted image data received by the modem 77, combines the image of each plane into one image, and outputs the combined image to the printer 73 or the printer 74. Alternatively, after necessary processing is performed by the client computers 71 and 72, the data can be output from the printer 73 or 74.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the transmitting apparatus. In the figure, 81 is an internal bus, 82 is a CPU, 83 is a memory, 84 is a network control unit, 8
5 is a communication control unit, 86 is an image storage unit, 87 is an image processing unit, and 88 is an interface unit. 24 includes a CPU 82, a memory 83, a network 84, a communication control unit 85, an image storage unit 86, an image processing unit 87, an interface unit 88, and the like connected by an internal bus 81. .

The CPU 82 controls the transmitting device 66. The memory 83 temporarily stores the image data. The network control unit 84 receives image data from the host computers 61 to 64 via the network 65, or transmits image data to other host computers 61 to 64 via the network 65. The communication control unit 85 faxes the image data via the modem 67 or the like connected to the outside. As shown in FIG. 23, a communication line such as a general telephone line is further connected to the modem 67 for communication.
AX transmission is possible. The image storage unit 86 stores image data. The above-described first to sixth embodiments of the image processing apparatus of the present invention are applied to the image processing unit 87, and the image data received via the network control unit 84 is separated into multi-layer planes. After performing resolution conversion processing on the plane, the plane is wrapped in a predetermined image format. Alternatively, after performing resolution conversion processing on the received image data, the image data is separated into planes and wrapped in a predetermined image format. The interface unit 88 is an interface for connecting an image input device such as a scanner or a digital camera. These image input devices may be configured to input an image via the network control unit 84 by connecting to the network 65.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of another example of the system provided with the image processing device of the present invention. In FIG. 25, the host computer 6 is actually
1 shows operations from the creation of an image by 1 to 64 until image processing is performed and FAX transmission is performed. First, S16
In step 1, one of the host computers 61 to 64 connected to the network 65 issues a request to transmit an image to the transmitting device 66, and transmits the image.

When the transmission device 66 receives a transmission request via the network control unit 84, the CPU 82 controls the DMAC (Direct Memory A) (not shown).
access controller) to set predetermined parameters. Memory 8 as a parameter
3 data storage addresses and transfer rates. When the setting of the parameters is completed, the CPU 82 issues a command indicating a ready state to the network control unit 84, and then in S162, the host computer 6
The image data sequentially transmitted from any one of 1 to 64 is stored in the memory 83.

When all the image data is stored in the memory 83, the CPU 2 sets parameters such as an image read address and a write address of the processed image data in a register of the DMAC, and sequentially reads out the image data in the memory 83. Send to image processing section 87. In S163,
The image processing section 87 executes the processing described in the first to sixth embodiments, and outputs formatted image data. For example, if the image processing unit 87 includes the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the transmitted image data is sequentially subjected to attribute determination, separation into respective planes,
It performs processing such as resolution conversion and image format wrapping for each plane, and outputs formatted image data.

In S164, the formatted image data after the image processing is sequentially stored in the memory 83 starting from a write address previously set in a register of the DMAC. As the memory 83, a capacity capable of storing two image data before and after the image processing may be prepared, or only the larger one may be prepared to dynamically control writing and reading. Is also good. In S165, the image data stored in the memory 83 is sequentially stored in the image storage unit 86 for storage.

When the accumulation of the image data after the image processing is completed, in S166, the CPU 82 starts communication with the pre-designated receiving system. Detailed communication protocol is omitted. After confirming that the connection to the receiving system has been completed in S167, the memory 8 is checked in S168.
The image data after image processing stored in 3 is sequentially read and transmitted to the receiving system.

By the above processing, the host computer 6
It becomes possible to perform predetermined image processing on the image data sent from 1 to 64 and to transmit the image data by facsimile to the receiving system. Alternatively, the image data after the image processing stored in the memory 83 may be sequentially read out via the network control unit 84 and sent to the host computers 61 to 64.

In the receiving system, the receiving device 76 reconstructs an image based on the FAX image data received by the modem 77. The separation information plane, the character information plane, and the picture information plane are extracted from the formatted image data, and at least the resolutions of the character information plane and the picture information plane are adjusted. Select one of them and output. This reconstructs the image. Then, under the control of the client computers 71 and 72, after performing image processing as needed, the image can be output from the printer 73 or the printer 74.

In the above example, the case where the image processing apparatus of the present invention is applied to the transmitting apparatus has been described. However, for example, the seventh embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention is arranged in the receiving apparatus, and The image data sent in the format is converted into image data of a multi-plane configuration as described above, and stored in, for example, an image database or the like, and output to the printers 73 and 74 as necessary, or a communication line. May be configured to be transmitted to another system via a.

The system configuration is not limited to the above examples, and various types of systems can be configured.

[0106]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the input image information is converted into the first image data and the second image data.
Since the image data and the first image data or the second image data are separated and transmitted as selection data, conversion processing to an optimum resolution using an optimum resolution conversion method for each data is performed. be able to. This makes it possible to perform resolution conversion in accordance with the characteristics of each image, thereby suppressing deterioration in image quality.In addition, for data that does not require high resolution, the resolution can be reduced to reduce the amount of data. It can be improved. As described above, according to the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to suppress deterioration of image quality and perform high-speed communication.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of each plane after separation in the first embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating an example of a user interface.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a zero-order hold method.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a nearest neighbor method.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a four-point interpolation method.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a projection method.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a 16-point interpolation method.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a logical operation method.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an image format.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the image processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram illustrating a sixth embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the image processing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a configuration diagram showing a seventh embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a system including the image processing device of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a configuration diagram illustrating another example of a system including the image processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a transmission-side device in another example of a system including the image processing device of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation in another example of the system including the image processing device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image processing apparatus, 2 ... Network, 11 ... Scanner part, 12 ... Attribute discrimination part, 13 ... Two-layer division | segmentation part, 14 ... Transmission attribute information recognition part, 15 ... Resolution conversion part, 16 ... Image format wrapping part, 17 ... Transmission unit, 18 ... Attribute recognition unit, 21 to 23 ... Resolution conversion unit, 31 ... Resolution conversion unit,
32: resolution determination unit, 41: reception unit, 42: image storage unit, 51, 52: input device, 53-55: output device, 5
6 ... network, 61-64 ... host computer,
65: transmitting side network, 66: transmitting side device, 67 ...
Modem, 71, 72 ... client computer, 7
3, 74 printer, 75 receiving network, 76
... Receiving device, 77 ... Modem, 81 ... Internal bus, 82 ...
CPU, 83 memory, 84 network controller, 8
5: communication control unit, 86: image storage unit, 87: image processing unit, 88: interface unit.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Noriyuki Kurabayashi 2274 Hongo, Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture ) Inventor Mikihiro Mori 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture F-term in Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. 5B057 CD06 CD10 CH14 DA08 5C076 AA22 BA06 BB07 CB01 5C077 LL18 NP01 NP07 PP20 PP27 PP28

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input image information is first image data,
Separating means for separating the second image data into selected data for selecting either the first image data or the second image data; and the first means separated by the separating means.
Resolution conversion means for converting the resolution of at least one of the image data, the second image data, and the selected data, and data transmission means for transmitting each data including the data whose resolution has been converted by the resolution conversion means And the resolution conversion means has a plurality of resolution conversion methods, and the plurality of resolution conversion methods are provided for at least one of the first image data, the second image data, and the selection data. An image processing apparatus characterized in that a specific resolution conversion method is selected from among the resolution conversion methods and the resolution is converted. 2. A transmission attribute information recognizing means for recognizing information of a transmission attribute designated by a user, wherein said resolution converting means performs a specific resolution converting method based on a recognition result by said transmission attribute information recognizing means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection is made. 3. An image attribute recognizing unit for recognizing an image attribute of the input image information, wherein the resolution converting unit selects a specific resolution converting method based on a recognition result by the image attribute recognizing unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the input image information is first image data,
Separating means for separating the second image data into selected data for selecting either the first image data or the second image data; and the first means separated by the separating means.
Image data, the second image data, and resolution conversion means for converting resolution for each of the selected data;
A data transmitting unit that transmits each data whose resolution has been converted by the resolution converting unit, wherein the resolution converting unit performs at least one of the first image data, the second image data, and the selection data. An image processing apparatus for converting a resolution using a different resolution conversion method. 5. The resolution conversion means converts the resolution of each of the first image data, the second image data, and the selected data by using a different resolution conversion method. The image processing device according to claim 4. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the input image information having the first resolution is converted into the first image data, the second image data, and one of the first image data and the second image data in the state of the first resolution. Separation means for separating the data into selection data for selecting
Resolution conversion means for converting the resolution of at least one of the image data and the second image data; and data transmission means for transmitting each data including the data whose resolution has been converted by the resolution conversion means. Image processing apparatus. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the resolution conversion unit converts the first image data and the second image data into resolutions different from the first resolution. apparatus. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the resolution conversion means converts the first image data and the second image data to a resolution of 1 / n (n is an integer) of the first resolution. 7. The image processing device according to 6. 9. The resolution conversion means according to claim 6, wherein said first image data and said second image data are converted by using the same resolution conversion method.
An image processing apparatus according to claim 1. 10. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the resolution conversion unit converts the resolution of each of the first image data and the second image data by using a different resolution conversion method. Image processing device. 11. A resolution conversion unit for performing resolution conversion processing on input image information, and image information whose resolution has been converted by the resolution conversion unit is converted into first image data and second image data.
Image data and the first image data or the second image data
Separating means for separating any of the image data into selection data, and data transmission means for transmitting the first image data, the second image data, and the selection data separated by the separation means. Characteristic image processing device. 12. A transmission attribute information recognizing means for recognizing transmission attribute information specified by a user, wherein the resolution conversion means determines a resolution based on a recognition result by the transmission attribute information recognizing means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: 13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the resolution conversion unit determines a resolution based on a resolution of a destination that receives each data transmitted by the data transmission unit. 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the input image information having the first resolution is converted from the first image data, the second image data, and any one of the first image data and the second image data in the state of the first resolution. A separation step of separating the selected image data into selection data, a resolution conversion step of converting the resolution of at least one of the first image data and the second image data separated by the separation step, and the resolution conversion step An image processing method, comprising: performing a data transmission step of transmitting each data including data whose resolution has been converted according to (1). 15. The image processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the resolution conversion step converts the first image data and the second image data into resolutions different from the first resolution, respectively. Method. 16. The resolution conversion step, wherein the first image data and the second image data are each converted to a resolution of 1 / n (n is an integer) of the first resolution. 15. The image processing method according to 14. 17. The image according to claim 14, wherein in the resolution conversion step, the first image data and the second image data are subjected to resolution conversion using the same resolution conversion method. Processing method. 18. The method according to claim 14, wherein in the resolution conversion step, resolution conversion is performed on the first image data and the second image data using different resolution conversion methods. Image processing method.