JP2002185766A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system that outputs an image corresponding to color image data and can recognize a color of an original color image or a color close thereto from an output image. SOLUTION: The image forming system is provided with a color discrimination data generating means that discriminates colors included in color image data to generate color discrimination data, and also with a color information image generating means that generates color information image representing information with respect to the colors on the basis of the color discrimination data and with an image output means that synthesizes the image corresponding to the color image data with the color information image to output the composite image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming system, such as a full-color copying machine, capable of outputting an image corresponding to a color image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an image forming apparatus such as a full-color copying machine capable of reading a color image and reproducing the color image as it is. However, for example, there is a case where only a monochrome image can be output because the color toner is empty, or a case where only a monochrome image can be output for some reason such as a specification submitted to the Patent Office. Further, even if an image forming apparatus such as a monochrome copying machine can read a color image, it cannot output a monochrome image because it does not include a color engine.

[0003]

As described above, when the color of an original color image is not reproduced and output as it is, for example, when a color image is converted into a monochrome image, simply by looking at the monochrome output image, The color of the original color image is unknown. In such a case, when it is desired to represent the color of the original color image, it is necessary to add a color name to an output image such as a monochrome image later, which is very time-consuming.

The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and in an image forming system that outputs a corresponding image corresponding to color image data, it is possible to view an output image without looking at an original color image. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming system capable of knowing a color of an original color image or a color close thereto.

[0005]

The solution is an image forming system that outputs a color information image representing information on the color of the color image data, together with a corresponding image corresponding to the color image data.

According to the present invention, color image data obtained by reading a color image with an image reader, a digital camera, or the like,
An image (corresponding image) corresponding to color image data of a color image downloaded on the Internet or created on a personal computer or the like can be output. In addition, information on the colors included in the color image data can be output together as an image (color information image). Therefore, for example, even when the color of the original color image is not applied, such as when the output corresponding image is a monochrome image, the color information image output together with the corresponding image causes the color image of the original color image to be output. You can know the color or the color close to it. Further, since the color information image is automatically added to the corresponding image, it is not necessary to add a color name to the output image later as in the related art.

Further, another solution means is a color identification data creating means for identifying a color included in the color image data to create color identification data, and a color information image representing information about the color based on the color identification data. An image forming system comprising: a color information image creating unit to be created; and an image output unit that combines and outputs a corresponding image corresponding to the color image data and the color information image.

According to the image forming system of the present invention, color image data obtained by reading a color image with an image reader or a digital camera, or color image data of a color image downloaded on the Internet or created by a personal computer, etc. Colors included in the data are identified, and color identification data is created. Then, based on the color identification data, a color information image creating means creates a color information image representing information about the color. Thereafter, the color information image is combined with the corresponding image corresponding to the color image data by the image output means and output.

Such an image forming system includes, for example,
Even if the color of the original color image is not applied, such as when the output corresponding image is a monochrome image, the color of the original color image or a color close thereto can be obtained by the color information image output together with the corresponding image. You can know. Further, since the color information image is automatically added to the corresponding image, it is not necessary to add a color name to the output image later as in the related art.

Further, in the above image forming system, it is preferable that the corresponding image is a monochrome image obtained by converting the color image data into a monochrome image.

In the present invention, the corresponding image corresponding to the color image data is a monochrome image obtained by converting the color image data into monochrome. In such an image forming system, in addition to the case where the image forming system does not have a color engine, even if the image forming system is capable of color output, the color toner is empty or the specification to be submitted to the Patent Office When it is not possible to output in color for some reason, such as in writing, an image corresponding to color image data can be output in monochrome.

Further, in the image forming system, the image forming system further comprises an edge extracting means for extracting an edge line partitioning into an area having the same color from the color image data based on the color identification data, May be an image forming system which is a contour image composed of the edge lines extracted by the edge extracting means.

According to the present invention, the edge line extracting unit divides the color image data into areas having the same color based on the color identification data created from the color image data by the color identification data creating unit. Is extracted. Further, the contour image composed of the edge lines is output as a corresponding image corresponding to the color image data together with the color information image. Since such an image forming system can output only the outline of the original color image, for example,
It can be used as a picture for coloring.

Further, in the above image forming system, it is preferable that the thickness of the edge line of the contour image is variable.

According to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus capable of outputting a contour image corresponding to an original color image,
The thickness of the edge line of the contour image can be changed. Therefore, it is possible to output a contour image composed of edge lines having an appropriate thickness according to the purpose and preference of the user, which is convenient.

Further, in the image forming system according to any one of the above, the color identification data creating means applies a color included in the color image data to one of a plurality of preset colors. , An image forming system that creates color identification data.

According to the present invention, in the color identification data creating means, the color identification data is created in a plurality of preset colors (hereinafter, also referred to as set colors) such as 12 colors and 24 colors instead of full colors. Is done. That is, a color included in the color image data is identified by applying the color closest to the set color, and color identification data is created. Then, the color information image created based on the color identification data can be output together with the corresponding image.

Further, in the above image forming system, it is preferable that the setting of a plurality of colors in the color identification data creating means is changeable.

According to the present invention, a plurality of colors (set colors) used for creating color identification data can be changed. That is, a large number of colors are stored in the image forming system, and a plurality of colors (set colors) used for the color identification data are selected and set from the stored colors (hereinafter, also referred to as registered colors). be able to. Alternatively, a user can register a plurality of colors by inputting a color to be used in the color identification data to the image forming system, and set a part or all of the colors as set colors. Therefore, according to the purpose and preference of the user,
The type of color represented by the color information image can be freely changed.

Further, in the image forming system according to any one of the above, it is preferable that the color information image includes a character image representing a color name corresponding to the color identification data.

In the image forming system of the present invention, an image including a character image having a color name corresponding to the color identification data is output as a color information image. Therefore, by looking at the output image, the color applied to the original color image can be easily known from the color name drawn with characters.

Further, in the image forming system according to any one of the above, it is preferable that the color information image includes a color sample image representing a color corresponding to the color identification data.

In the image forming system of the present invention, an image including a color sample corresponding to the color identification data is output as a color information image. Therefore, the color of the original color image can be easily known from the color sample image by looking at the output image.

Further, in the image forming system according to any one of the above, it is preferable that the color information image includes a color reduction corresponding image obtained by reducing a color image corresponding to the color image data.

In the image forming system of the present invention, an image including a color reduction corresponding image obtained by reducing a color image corresponding to color image data is output as a color information image. Therefore, by looking at the output image, the color of the original color image can be easily known from the color reduction compatible image.

[0026]

(Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the image forming system of the present invention is realized as a full-color copying machine. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the full-color copying machine 10. As shown in FIG. Full color copier 10
The printer is roughly divided into an image reader unit 1 for reading an image of a document, and a printer unit 2 for printing an image read by the image reader unit 1 on a copy sheet and reproducing the image.

The scanner section of the image reader section 1 includes an exposure lamp for irradiating the original, a rod lens array for condensing light reflected from the original, and an electric signal (color image data). And a contact-type CCD color image sensor (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a CCD sensor) that converts the image into a color image. On the other hand, the printer unit 2 includes an image signal processing unit 3 that processes color image data sent from the image reader unit 1 in various forms. In addition, a mode setting unit 4 is provided that allows the user to select any one of the modes “color”, “monochrome”, and “monochrome + color information addition” when copying. Further, a registered color data storage unit 5 storing colors used in a “monochrome + color information addition” mode described later, and a color information image storage unit 6 storing a character image representing the color name of these registered colors are provided. . Further, a print engine unit 7 for outputting an image created by the image signal processing unit 3 on copy paper is provided.

Next, the operation of the full-color copying machine 10 will be described. After setting the original in a predetermined place of the full-color copying machine 10, the user selects one of the modes of "color", "monochrome", and "monochrome + color information addition". The “color” mode is a mode for reading a color image and making a color copy as it is. The “monochrome” mode is a mode in which a color image is read, converted into a monochrome image, and output. These modes are conventionally known modes. In contrast, the “monochrome + color information addition” mode
This is a mode to which the present invention is applied. In this mode, a corresponding image corresponding to a color image is converted into a monochrome image as in the “monochrome” mode and output, but information on the color of the color image is added to the output.

First, the operation when the "color" mode is selected will be described. The method of copying a color image in the "color" mode is well known in the art, and will be briefly described here. When the user presses the start button, copying starts. Specifically, the scanner unit of the image reader unit 1 is driven by a motor to move in the sub-scanning direction, and converts a color image placed on a transparent platen into a color image.
Scanning is performed four times corresponding to each of the reproduction colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The CCD sensor is provided with red (R), green (G), and blue (B) filters, respectively, and reads these three colors in one scan.

Thereafter, the color image data for each of the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) components obtained by the image reader unit 1 is sent to the printer unit 2. Then, the image signal processing unit 3 of the printer unit 2 performs various data processing on the color image data to obtain a color reproduction data of each of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Convert to key data. After that, this data is sent to the print engine unit 7. Then, these four colors are superimposed and developed and transferred on the copy paper to form a full-color output image on the copy paper, and the copy is completed. That is, when the image of the original is the color image shown in FIG. 2, the same color image is formed. Although the actual FIG. 2 is a monochrome image having only the outline, it is to be understood that the image is a color image in which a pattern is filled.

Next, the operation when the "monochrome" mode is selected will be described. A method of copying a color image in the “monochrome” mode is also well known in the art, and will be briefly described. When the user presses the start button, a color image is read by the image reader unit 1 in the same manner as in the above-described "color" mode, and the color of each component of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) is read. Create image data. After that, the color image data is sent to the printer unit 2 and subjected to various data processings in the image signal processing unit 3 to be converted into gradation data of only black (K). Then, the data is sent to the print engine unit 7, and is developed and transferred on a copy sheet to create an output image, that is, a monochrome image in which the color image of FIG.

Next, the operation of the "monochrome + color information addition" mode to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the user operates a button on the operation panel to select a color (setting color) used for the color information image, for example, 12 colors from a plurality of colors stored in the registered color data storage unit 5. Set. Then, press the copy start button. When copying is started, the image reader unit 1 reads a color image and performs color (R), green (G), and blue (B) color components in the same manner as in the “color” and “monochrome” modes described above. Image data is created (S1). Then, the color image data is sent to the printing unit 2.

Next, as in the "monochrome" mode, a monochrome image (corresponding image) corresponding to the color image data is created. That is, the image signal processing unit 3 of the printer unit 2 performs various data processing, and converts the color image data into corresponding black (K) gradation data.

On the other hand, in the image signal processing unit 3,
The pixel at the end of the color image data is set as a target pixel (S2). Thereafter, the numerical values of the pixel data of the target pixel and the adjacent pixels are compared (S3). If the difference between the numerical values is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, the pixels are determined to be the same color. If the difference between the numerical values is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, it is determined that the pixel is an edge (boundary) of the area (color) (S4). Next, the target pixel is shifted by one (S6), and the processing of steps S3 and S4 is repeated to create color identification data. If these processes are completed for all the pixels of the color image data (S5), that is, if the color identification data is created for all the color image data, the process proceeds to the next step S7.

In step S7, the original color image data is partitioned into areas for each color based on the color identification data.
That is, a range in which pixels of the same color are continuous is handled as one region. Next, for each of the divided areas, it is determined which color is closer to a preset color (set color) (S8). Specifically, the determination in step S8 is based on the numerical values of the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) color identification data of each area, and is stored in advance in the registered color data storage unit 5 and further set. The determination is made based on the numerical value of the image data of the set color.

Here, the relationship between the registered color and the set color, the registered color data storage unit 5, and the color information image storage unit 6 will be described. In the present embodiment, the color data is stored in advance in the registered color data storage unit 5 and the registered color data is stored in the color information image storage unit 6 in accordance with the number of colors to be divided into the colors of the color image. The character image of the color name is stored.
For example, if you want to register red as a registered color,
The color pattern of “red” is read, the red color data is stored in the registered color data storage unit 5, the color name is input, and the color data is referred to as “red” using the font data of the printer unit 2. A character image is formed. The number of registered colors (12 colors, 24 colors, etc.) and types of colors can be changed. The set color is selected as a color to be actually used from the registered colors when copying. Therefore, the colors of the color image are classified according to the set color. When the number of set colors is large, it is desirable to change the predetermined value (S3) to a smaller value when comparing the image data between adjacent pixels described above.

In the present embodiment, after the color image data is divided into regions of the same color, it is determined which set color each region corresponds to. However, after determining which set color corresponds to each pixel, a pixel group determined to have the same set color may be handled as one region.

Next, the image signal processing section 3 synthesizes a monochrome image (corresponding image) corresponding to the above-described color image data and a color information image representing information on the color of the color image data (S9). That is, by using the character image of the color name stored in the color information image storage unit 6, for each area divided in step S7 and given one of the set colors in step S8, the A character image of the color name of the set color is added. Further, a leader line connecting the area and the character image is created. That is, a color information image including a character image of a color name and a leader line is created. Then, the color information image is combined with the corresponding image obtained by converting the color image data into monochrome. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, in the monochrome corresponding image (bird pattern), “red” is located near an area (tail) determined to be “red” in the set color. And a lead line connecting the area and the character image "red" is created.

In the present embodiment, the character image and the lead line image (color information image) are a single color of black (K), but may be a single color of other colors, or a color of each area. The same color as can be used. In addition, the synthesis of the color information image may be performed on all the areas, or may be performed on an area having a specific size or more (an area having a specific number of pixels or more in the area). .

Finally, the synthesized image is sent to the print engine unit 7, and the synthesized image is developed and transferred on a copy paper (S10). As a result, the output image shown in FIG. 4 is obtained from the color image shown in FIG. It should be noted that the portion other than the color information characters and the leader lines in FIG. 4 is a monochrome image obtained by converting the color image of FIG. 2 into monochrome.

In the output image, since the corresponding image corresponding to the original color image is a monochrome image, the color of the original color image cannot be recognized only by this. However, since the color information image is output together with the corresponding image, the color of the original color image or a color close thereto can be known. In particular, since the color information image includes a character image having a color name, the color applied to the original color image can be easily known just by looking at the character image. Further, since the color information image is automatically added to the corresponding image, it is not necessary to add a color name to the output image later as in the related art.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the corresponding image corresponding to the color image data is a monochrome image obtained by converting the color image data into a monochrome image, the case where the color toner is empty or the specification submitted to the Patent Office will be described. When it is not possible to output in color for some reason, such as a letter, a monochrome image corresponding to color image data can be output. Also, the color identification data is not full color, but 12 colors, etc.
Since it is created with multiple predetermined colors (set colors),
Compared to the case of full color itself, the number of types of colors included in the color identification data can be reduced. Therefore, the color information image created based on this is simple. Further, the entire output image including the corresponding image is also easy to see. Further, in the present embodiment, since the registered colors registered in the full-color copying machine in advance and the set colors set at the time of copying can be changed, the color information image can be changed according to the user's purpose and preference. The type of color represented can be freely changed.

(Embodiment 2) Next, a second embodiment will be described. The description of the same parts as in the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified. The image forming system of this embodiment has the “color” and “monochrome” modes as in the first embodiment, but instead of the “monochrome + color information addition” of the first embodiment, “coloring” It is characterized by having a mode. The "coloring" mode is a mode in which a color information image is added to a contour image (image for coloring) in which only an edge portion is extracted from a color image and output.

When the "coloring" mode is selected, first,
As in the “monochrome + color information addition” mode of the first embodiment, a set color used for a color information image is set from a plurality of registered colors stored in the registered color data storage unit 5.
Next, the thickness of the edge line used for outputting the contour image corresponding to the color image is selected. The thickness of the line may be selected according to the taste and age of the person who enjoys coloring.

Next, when the start button is pressed, copying in the "coloring" mode starts. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, the above steps are performed from reading a color image to create color image data (S1) to determining which of the set colors is closer to which of the set colors (S8). Same as in the first embodiment. However, a monochrome image (corresponding image) similar to the “monochrome” mode in which a color image is monochrome as it is is not created.

Instead, in the present embodiment, after the processing in step S8, the image signal processing section 3 extracts only the edge lines of the color image. That is, the edge line of the area determined to have the same set color in step S8 is extracted. Then, a contour image (corresponding image) composed of the edge lines extracted from each area is created. At this time, the thickness of the edge line of the contour image is the thickness selected by the user before the start of copying. In the present embodiment, the color of the edge line is a single color of black (K), but may be a single color of another color, or may be the same color as the color of each area (substantially the same color as the original). It can also be.

Next, the image signal processing section 3 combines a contour image (corresponding image) corresponding to the above-described color image data with a color information image representing information on the color of the color image data (S9). That is, similarly to the first embodiment, using the character image of the color name stored in the color information image storage unit 6, the character image of the color name of the set color is added to the vicinity of each area for each area. Then, a leader line connecting the area and the character image is created. Then, a color information image composed of a character image and a leader line image is combined with the contour image corresponding to the color image data (see FIG. 5). In the present embodiment, since the character image of “Hiragana” corresponding to the registered color is stored in the color information image storage unit 6 in advance, the character image to be synthesized is also Hiragana.

Finally, the synthesized image is sent to the print engine unit 7, and the synthesized image is output on copy paper (S
10). As a result, the output image shown in FIG. 5 is obtained from the color image shown in FIG. The portions other than the color information characters and the leader lines in FIG. 5 are color images shown in FIG.
Think of it as a black outline image. If a thick edge line is selected, an output image as shown in FIG. 6 is obtained. Note that FIG. 6 is also a contour image in which the contour of FIG.

The number and type of registered colors and the number and type of set colors are the same as in the first embodiment.
Since the setting can be changed, it is convenient if the person who enjoys the coloring is selected according to the color pencil or the like possessed by the person. Further, in the present embodiment, the characters to be added are hiragana, assuming that the person who enjoys coloring is a child, but may be changed to katakana or kanji. Of course, depending on the destination country, foreign languages such as English and French can be used.
At this time, only uppercase letters, only lowercase letters, or a mixture of uppercase and lowercase letters may be selected.

This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment,
Since the color information image including the character image of the color name is output together with the corresponding image, it is possible to know the color of the original color image or a color close thereto, and the same effect as the above-described effect of the first embodiment. Can be obtained.
In addition, it goes without saying that the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained for the same parts as those of the first embodiment.

Further, since the contour image obtained by extracting the edge lines from the original color image is output as the output image of the present embodiment, the monochrome image of the color image is output as it is as in the first embodiment. It is more suitable for use as a painting for coloring than a painted one. Further, in the present embodiment, since the thickness of the edge line of the contour image can be changed, it can be selected according to the purpose and preference of the user, which is convenient.

(Embodiment 3) Next, a third embodiment will be described. The description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment or the second embodiment will be omitted or simplified. The image forming system according to the present embodiment can select any one of three modes, “color”, “monochrome”, and “coloring”, as in the second embodiment. However, when the “coloring” mode is selected, the output image is different from the second embodiment in that a color sample image having the same color as the color of each area is output as a color information image instead of a character image.

When the "coloring" mode is selected, the set color is set and the thickness of the edge line is selected as in the second embodiment. Next, when the start button is pressed, copying in the “coloring” mode starts. The process from reading the color image to create the color image data (S1) to determining which of the set regions is closer to the set color (S8) is the same as in the first and second embodiments. is there.
Further, the process of extracting the edge lines of the color image and forming the contour image is the same as in the second embodiment.

Next, the image signal processing section 3 combines a contour information image (corresponding image) corresponding to the color image data with a color information image representing information on the color of the color image data (S).
9). At this time, in the present embodiment, the color information image storage unit 6
Instead of the character image as in the first and second embodiments,
Color sample images corresponding to each registered color are stored, and are used. That is, for each region, a color sample image of the color of the region is added to a corner of the image, and a number is added near the corner. Also, the same number as the number given to the color sample is added to each area or in the vicinity thereof. That is, a color information image including the color sample image and the character image of the number is created. Then, the color information image is combined with the contour image corresponding to the color image data.

Specifically, as shown in FIG.
In the outline image (bird image), a character image "" is added to an area (tail) determined to be "red" of the set color. Also, a color sample image of "red" is added to the corner of the image together with the character image of "". In FIG. 7,
The bird image is a contour image in which the contour of FIG. 2 which is a color image is represented in black, and the color sample image is a color image representing the color. In the present embodiment, the color of the number is a single color of black (K), but may be a single color of other colors or the same color as the color of each area.

Finally, the combined image is sent to the print engine unit 7, and the combined image is output on copy paper (S
10). As a result, the output image shown in FIG. 7 is obtained from the color image shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, a number is assigned to each area and its vicinity, and a color sample image is output together with a number corresponding to a corner of a sheet. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As described above, a lead line may be drawn from each area, and a color sample image may be displayed near each area.

In this embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments, the color information image is output together with the corresponding image, whereby the color of the original color image or a color close thereto can be known. The same effects as those of the first and second embodiments can be obtained. In addition, it is needless to say that the same effects as those of the first embodiment or the second embodiment can be obtained for the same parts as the first embodiment or the second embodiment. Further, in the present embodiment, since the color sample is represented in the color information image, the color applied to the original color image can be easily known only by looking at the color sample image.

(Embodiment 4) Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. The description of the same parts as those in any one of the first, second, and third embodiments will be omitted or simplified. The image forming system according to the present embodiment can select any one of three modes of “color”, “monochrome”, and “coloring”, similarly to the second and third embodiments. However, when the “coloring” mode is selected, the output image is not a character image or color sample image but a color reduction-compatible image corresponding to the original color image (document) as a color information image. Different from the second and third embodiments.

When the "coloring" mode is selected, the set color is set and the thickness of the edge line is selected as in the second and third embodiments. Next, press the start button,
The “coloring” mode copy begins. The processes from reading the color image to create the color image data (S1) to determining which of the set regions is closer to the set color (S8) are the same as those in the first, second, and third embodiments. It is. Further, the process of extracting the edge lines of the color image and creating the contour image is the same as in the second and third embodiments.

Next, the image signal processing section 3 synthesizes a color information image representing information on the color of the color image data with a contour image (corresponding image) corresponding to the color image data (S).
9). That is, the contour image is reduced, and a color reduction corresponding image in which each area is colored is created at a corner of the image. Then, the color information image composed of the color reduction corresponding image is combined with the contour image corresponding to the color image data (see FIG. 8). In FIG. 8, the bird image is a contour image in which the contour of FIG. 2 which is a color image is represented in black, and the color sample image is a color image in which the contour image is colored. Note that the color reduction-compatible image may be an original color image reduced as it is. Also,
In the present embodiment, since a character image or a color sample image corresponding to a registered color is not required, the color information image storage unit 6 for storing these images may be omitted.

Finally, the combined image is sent to the print engine unit 7, and the combined image is output on copy paper (S
10). As a result, the output image shown in FIG. 8 is obtained from the color image shown in FIG.

Also in this embodiment, as in the first, second, and third embodiments, the color information image is output together with the corresponding image, so that the color of the original color image or a color close thereto can be known. For example, the same effects as those of the above-described first, second, and third embodiments can be obtained. In addition, it goes without saying that the same effects as those of the above-described embodiments 1, 2, and 3 can be obtained. Further, in this embodiment, since the color reduction corresponding image corresponding to the original color image (original) is represented as the color information image, the color reduction corresponding image is applied to the original color image only by looking at the color reduction corresponding image. The color can be easily known.

In the above, the present invention has been described with reference to the respective embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and may be appropriately modified and applied without departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say. For example, in each of the above embodiments, the case where the present invention is realized by a full-color copying machine has been described. However, in the first embodiment,
For example, document 2 can be read in color, but can also be applied to a monochrome copying machine that does not have a color engine and can output only in monochrome. Also,
Although a color engine is provided as in a normal full-color copying machine, the present invention can be applied to a case where color toner is empty and printing can be performed only in monochrome.

The present invention can also be applied to an image forming system in which the input unit and the print unit are separate. In this case, the two devices may be connected to a network. The present invention can also be applied to an image forming system that can use, as input data, a color image downloaded from the Internet or a color image data read by a digital camera or the like.

[0065]

As is clear from the above description, the image forming system according to the present invention provides not only an image (corresponding image) corresponding to the color image data but also information relating to the colors contained in the color image data to the image (color information). Image). For this reason, even when the color of the original color image is not applied to the output image, the color of the original color image or a color close thereto can be known from the color information image output together with the corresponding image. further,
Since the color information image is automatically added to the corresponding image, it is not necessary to add a color name to the output image later as in the related art.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a full-color copying machine according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a color image (document) used for copying according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 relates to a full-color copying machine according to the first embodiment;
9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in a “monochrome + color information addition” mode.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the full-color copying machine according to the first embodiment is used.
This is an output image output in the “monochrome + color information addition” mode.

FIG. 5 shows a state of using the full-color copying machine according to the second embodiment.
This is an output image output in the “coloring” mode.

FIG. 6 shows an example of using the full-color copying machine according to the second embodiment.
This is an output image output with the edge line set thick in the “coloring” mode.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the full-color copying machine according to the third embodiment is used.
This is an output image output in the “coloring” mode.

FIG. 8 shows a state in which the full-color copying machine according to the fourth embodiment is used.
This is an output image output in the “coloring” mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 image reader unit 2 printer unit 3 image signal processing unit 4 mode setting unit 5 registered color data storage unit 6 color information image storage unit 7 print engine unit 10 full color copier

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C087 AA15 BB10 BD06 BD07 BD31 5B021 AA19 BB01 BB10 CC05 LG07 5C076 AA16 AA19 BA02 BA03 BA04 BA05 BA06 5C077 LL19 MP08 PP28 PP31 PP65 TT01 5C079 HA11 LA01 PA15 PA02

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An image forming system for outputting a color information image representing information on a color of the color image data together with a corresponding image corresponding to the color image data. 2. A color identification data creating means for identifying colors included in color image data and creating color identification data, and a color information image creating means for creating a color information image representing information relating to colors based on the color identification data. And an image output unit that combines and outputs a corresponding image corresponding to the color image data and the color information image. 3. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the corresponding image is a monochrome image obtained by converting the color image data into a monochrome image. 4. The image forming system according to claim 2, further comprising an edge extracting unit configured to extract an edge line partitioning into an area having the same color from the color image data based on the color identification data. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the corresponding image is a contour image including an edge line extracted by the edge extracting unit. 5. The image forming system according to claim 4, wherein the thickness of the edge line of the outline image is variable. 6. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein said color identification data generating means converts a color included in the color image data into a plurality of predetermined colors. An image forming system that creates color identification data by applying one of these. 7. The image forming system according to claim 6, wherein the setting of the plurality of colors in the color identification data creating means is performed by:
An image forming system that can be changed. 8. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the color information image includes a character image representing a color name corresponding to the color identification data. 9. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein said color information image includes a color sample image representing a color corresponding to said color identification data. 10. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the color information image includes a color reduction corresponding image obtained by reducing a color image corresponding to the color image data. Forming system.