JP2004088188A - Image input/output system and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that, if the process contents of an image processed to adjust its quality in a scanner cannot be checked at a printer, it is impossible to decide whether the base process or the sharpness adjustment and the color adjustment of the processed image have been made. <P>SOLUTION: The image input/output system having a scanner 11, a printer 12, a server 14, etc. interconnected over a LAN 18 inputs an image read by the scanner 11. To adjust the image quality, the system processes the input image in the scanner 11. In such a case, it transfers the processed input image to the printer 11 directly or via the server 14, together with image quality adjusting parameters (process contents of the image quality adjustment). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image input / output system including at least one of an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus connected to each other via a network or a communication line, and an image processing method in the image input / output system. The present invention relates to an image input / output system that handles an image whose image quality has been adjusted from an image reading device and input thereto, and an image processing method in the image input / output system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an image reading apparatus such as a scanner, some image processing is performed on a read image in order to improve the image quality. The image processing is, for example, a background removal processing for preventing fog due to a background color of a document to be read, a filtering processing for improving sharpness of an image, and a hue for changing a color of an image. Or rotation processing.
[0003]
In recent years, with the spread of networks, the form in which such image reading apparatuses are connected via a network or a communication line is increasing. In actual use,
(1) A process in which an image is read from an image reading apparatus such as a scanner to a client PC via a network, and is sent to an image forming apparatus such as a printer as it is or after being edited and loaded into an electronic document.
(2) Process of temporarily storing an image read by an image reading device such as a scanner in an image server connected to a network or the like, and directly outputting or editing the image and sending the image to an image forming device such as a printer. .
Usage forms, such as, are conceivable.
[0004]
In such a usage mode, especially in a situation such as the latter usage mode (2), the image quality adjustment setting specified when an image is read by an image reading device such as a scanner is changed by a user who uses an actual image. Not always notified. Even when the user who reads an image matches the user who uses the read image as in the former usage mode (1), generally, processing via a network or a communication line is directly performed by a client PC or the like. Compared to the case where a connected image reading device is used, the time from image capture setting to image acquisition is often longer, and more than one image is often acquired at a time. .
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, conventionally, when image processing for image quality adjustment is performed on a read image in the image reading apparatus, the content of the processing cannot be confirmed on the image forming apparatus side. In general, as for the result of reading an image, a reduced image (so-called thumbnail image) is often confirmed on a user interface on an application on an image server apparatus or a client PC, and further on the image forming apparatus side. , It cannot be determined whether or not the background processing has been performed, or whether the sharpness adjustment or the color adjustment has been performed. In particular, when a read image is printed on paper or the like, the presence or absence of the above-described processing greatly affects the print image quality.
[0006]
If the image quality adjustment content at the time of image reading cannot be grasped, for example, there is a method in which all images are subjected to background processing and printed on the assumption that all background processing has not been performed. However, in the case of an image that has already been subjected to background processing, it is highly likely that a portion having a low image density is further reduced, and in many cases, satisfactory print quality cannot be obtained. Alternatively, by examining the image density and color distribution of the input image, the content of the image quality adjustment performed on the image reading device side can be grasped to some extent, but there is no guarantee that it is accurate, and the processing load increases. .
[0007]
In an image input apparatus typified by a conventional scanner or a digital still camera, setting information and environmental information of a device at the time of capturing an image--for example, a resolution and a read image size in a scanner, and an aperture in a digital still camera. , Shutter speed, peripheral light amount, etc. were sometimes recorded. However, the content of the image quality adjustment processing performed by the image reading device has not been recorded together with the read image.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to perform image processing for image quality adjustment performed in an image reading apparatus by an application or the like on an image server device or a client PC. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image input / output system capable of grasping processing contents and an image processing method in the image input / output system.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, at least one of an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus, or at least one of an image reading apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an image server apparatus mutually connected via a network or a communication line. In the image input / output system configured from the above, the processing content (image quality adjustment parameter) of the image quality adjustment performed on the input image read in the image reading device is transferred together with the input image to the image forming device or the image server device. To do.
[0010]
Thereby, the user of the image input / output system can grasp the processing contents (processing history) of the image processing for adjusting the image quality performed in the image reading apparatus by the application on the image server apparatus or the client PC. Can be. Also, instead of directly browsing the content of the image quality adjustment processing, when transferring the content of the image quality adjustment on the image forming apparatus side to the user interface for transferring the content of the image quality adjustment on the image forming apparatus side when transferring the content to the image forming apparatus such as a printer. By displaying the details of the image quality adjustment in an overriding form, it is possible to provide an environment that is easy for the user to understand. Further, the read image (input image) and the processing contents are transferred to the image forming apparatus as they are, and the image processing based on the processing contents on the image reading apparatus side is automatically performed in the image forming apparatus without the judgment of the user. After that, image formation can be performed.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image input / output system according to an embodiment of the present invention when applied to, for example, an electrophotographic color printer.
[0012]
As is clear from FIG. 1, the image input / output system according to the present embodiment includes an image reading device, for example, a scanner 11, an image forming device, for example, a printer 12, a copying machine 13, and an image server device (hereinafter, simply referred to as “server”). ), A multifunction device 15 and client PCs 16 and 17 and are connected to the same LAN (Local Area Network) 18. Here, it is assumed that the copier 13 has both functions of a scanner and a printer, and the multifunction device 15 further has a function of transmitting and receiving a facsimile.
[0013]
FIG. 2 shows an example of a specific configuration of the MFP 15. The multifunction device 15 includes an operation panel 21, a scanner 22, and a printer 23. The operation panel 21 is controlled by an operation panel control unit 24, the scanner 22 is controlled by a scanner control unit 25, and the printer 23 is controlled by a printer control unit 26. These control units 24, 25, 26 are connected to an internal bus 27.
[0014]
The internal bus 27 is connected to a modem 28 connected to a telephone line and a network I / F (interface) 29 connected to a LAN or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The internal bus 27 is further connected to a ROM 30, a RAM 31, a CPU 32, a parallel I / F 33, a serial I / F 34, and a hard disk drive (HDD) 35.
[0015]
1, the scanner 11, the printer 12, and the copying machine 13 shown in FIG. 1 have a subset configuration in which some functions are removed from the MFP 15.
[0016]
In an image input / output system in which terminal devices such as the scanner 11 as an image reading device, the printer 12 as an image forming device, and the server 14 are interconnected via a network or a communication line, here a LAN 18, a printer Numeral 12 has an image quality adjustment unit capable of setting image quality adjustment parameters, and performs image processing for image quality adjustment according to the set image quality adjustment parallel to the read input image. I have.
[0017]
Here, examples of image processing for image quality adjustment include background removal processing for preventing fogging due to the background color of a document to be read, filtering processing for improving image sharpness, and processing for changing the color of an image. Hue rotation processing and the like can be mentioned. When performing these image processes, the printer 12 transfers the input image after the image quality adjustment together with the image quality adjustment parameters (contents of the image quality adjustment processing). At this time, it is preferable to transfer the processing contents (processing history) together with the input image as one image file.
[0018]
An input image including image quality adjustment parameters output from the printer 12 is transferred directly to the printer 12 as an image forming apparatus or via the server 14. In an image input / output system to which the server 14 is not connected, the image is directly transferred to the printer 12 as a matter of course. When passing through the server 14, the server 14 transfers the input image transferred from the scanner 11 to the printer 12 as it is or after performing a predetermined image processing on the input image, together with the image quality adjustment parameters.
[0019]
The printer 12 has image quality adjustment means for adjusting the image quality of the input image transferred directly from the scanner 11 or via the server 14. The image quality adjustment means can automatically or manually set image quality adjustment parameters.
[0020]
In the case of manual operation, the printer 12 is provided with instruction means for instructing the image quality adjustment means to perform image quality adjustment. The instructing means also displays information of the image quality adjustment parameter transferred together with the input image. The user sets an arbitrary image quality adjustment parameter with the image quality adjustment unit of the printer 12 based on the image quality adjustment parameter displayed on the instruction unit. Then, the image quality adjustment means in the printer 12 performs image processing for image quality adjustment according to the image quality adjustment parameters set by the user.
[0021]
On the other hand, in the case of automatic, the image quality adjustment means in the printer 12 refers to the image quality transferred together with the input image with reference to various information such as the printing environment of the printer 12 registered in advance and the color and paper quality of the recording paper. Based on the adjustment parameters, image quality adjustment parameters suitable for the printing environment of the printer 12 and the recording paper are automatically set, and image processing for image quality adjustment according to the set image quality adjustment parameters is performed.
[0022]
Here, in addition to the printer 12, at least one of the scanner 11 and the serve 14, and at least one of the other terminal devices, that is, the copier 13, the multifunction device 15, and the client PCs 16 and 17, performs image formation on the printer 12. It has an instruction means for giving an instruction and for giving an image quality adjustment instruction to the image quality adjustment means in the printer 12. This instruction means also displays information of image quality adjustment parameters transmitted together with the input image, as in the case of the printer 12. The instruction for image formation and the instruction for image quality adjustment by the instruction unit are transferred to the printer 12 directly or via the server 14.
[0023]
As described above, when an image is read and input by the scanner 11 and image processing for image quality adjustment is performed on the input image in the scanner 11, the input image after the image processing is adjusted for image quality. By transferring the image data together with the parameters (contents of the image quality adjustment process), the user of the image input / output system can execute the image adjustment performed in the scanner 11 by the application on the server 14 or the client PCs 16 and 17. It is possible to grasp the processing contents of the image processing performed.
[0024]
Also, instead of directly browsing the content of the image quality adjustment processing, the user interface for instructing the content of the image quality adjustment on the printer 12 side when transferring the content of the image quality adjustment on the scanner 12 is transmitted to the printer 12 or the like. Is displayed in an overridden form, it is possible to provide a user-friendly environment. This saves the user from having to print the input image once and check the image quality.
[0025]
Further, the read image (input image) and the processing content of the image quality adjustment are transferred to the printer 12 as they are, and the image for image quality adjustment based on the processing content of the scanner 11 in the printer 12 is independent of the user's judgment. The image formation may be performed after the processing is automatically performed. Thus, for example, by reflecting information such as the printing environment of the printer 12 and the color and paper quality of the recording paper in the image quality adjustment, it is possible to perform image formation with image quality suitable for the environment at the time of image formation.
[0026]
In the above embodiment, an image input / output system in which a scanner serving as an image reading apparatus, a printer serving as an image forming apparatus, and a server are connected to each other via a network or a communication line is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is similarly applicable to an image input / output system in which at least one of a scanner, a printer, and a server is connected to two or more.
[0027]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the printer 12 is provided with the second image quality adjusting means so that the image quality can be adjusted again by the printer 12 has been described, but the server 14 has the second image quality adjusting means. After the image quality adjustment is performed by the server 14, the image after the image quality adjustment can be transferred to the printer 12 together with the processing content of the second image quality adjustment.
[0028]
Next, a specific processing flow when the input image captured by the scanner 11 is stored in the server 14 and the input image is output to the printer 12 according to an instruction from the client PC 17 will be described with reference to the data flow diagram of FIG. explain.
[0029]
・ Processing (1)
A user of the scanner 11 sets an original to be read on an original platen, and sets image reading conditions using a control panel of the scanner 11. In this condition setting, in addition to reading conditions such as resolution (eg, 200 dpi), original mode (eg, text photograph), color (eg, 8-bit full color for each color), reading density (eg, slightly lighter) and sharpness (eg, sharp) 2) Image quality adjustment parameters are set.
[0030]
FIG. 4 shows a display example of the control panel regarding the setting of the reading density. Here, as an example, a table on the control panel in the case where the density was “normal” before the density setting change (1), and changed to “Yayasuku” after the density setting change (2). An example is shown.
[0031]
・ Processing (2)
When the setting of the reading conditions is completed, the user presses a start button for instructing the start of reading. Thereby, the reading operation of the document image is started. Then, image processing for image quality adjustment is performed on the read image data in the scanner 11 according to the image quality adjustment parameter set in the process (1). The input image after the image quality adjustment is transferred to the server 14 together with information on the image quality adjustment parameters (flow in FIG. 3A).
[0032]
If there are a plurality of servers, they are transferred to a preset server, but they can be selected on the spot. The image data to be transferred is collected as one file by recording information of image quality adjustment parameters in a header by using an image file format called TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) or TIFF-FX (TIFF Fax Extended). Can be transferred.
[0033]
FIG. 5 shows an example of a header when information on density and sharpness is embedded in a TIFF-FX header as image quality adjustment parameters. In the figure, “Halftone & Text Darkness: -1 Sharpness: + 2 ￥ 0” represents the processing content of the image processing for image quality adjustment performed in the scanner 11, that is, the processing history.
[0034]
In addition to the use of a unique protocol for file transfer, when using TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / IP (Internet Protocol) as a network protocol, FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or HTTP (Hyper Text Transport) is used. The used file can be transferred.
[0035]
・ Processing (3)
The image data sent to the server 14 can be referenced from the client PC 17 (flow of FIG. 3B). The server 14 creates a reduced image of the read image, a so-called thumbnail image, and provides it to the client in order to facilitate confirmation of the image together with the list of the stored image data (flow in FIG. 3C). If the server 14 allows browsing as a Web page using HTTP server software, the client PC 17 can use a general-purpose Web browser.
[0036]
・ Processing (4)
The client PC 17 selects an image to be output (flow in FIG. 3D). At this time, the image stored in the server 14 can be further instructed to adjust the image quality from the client PC 17. For example, the density can be adjusted through a screen as shown in FIG. 6 from a Web browser. Here, the content instructed and processed at the time of reading (here, “+1” on the “light” side) is displayed, and is recognized by the user as the default processing content.
[0037]
When the user wants to adjust the density in the dark direction based on a thumbnail image, an already printed image, or the like, the user instructs “dark” as shown in FIG. 6 and gives a print instruction. As a result, a density adjustment instruction and a print instruction for the high density side are sent from the client PC 17 to the server 14 (flow in FIG. 3D).
[0038]
・ Processing (5)
The server 14 converts the designated image and the image quality adjustment parameters based on the image quality adjustment instruction such as density adjustment and the print instruction sent from the client PC 17 into a page description language such as PostScript which is a corresponding form of the printer 12. PDL (Page Description Language) or an image file format such as TIFF-FX is sent to the printer 12 (flow of FIG. 3E).
[0039]
・ Processing (6)
The printer 12 performs processing in accordance with an image quality adjustment instruction based on the PDL and the image file sent from the server 14, expansion processing of image data, reduction and expansion of image data based on printer resolution, and color coordinate system. After performing image quality adjustment processing such as conversion, printing processing is performed. In the printer 12, when a new image quality adjustment parameter is set by, for example, a user operation, image processing for image quality adjustment according to the set image quality adjustment parameter is performed.
[0040]
FIG. 7 shows a display example of the control panel for setting the print density. Here, as an example, the density before the density setting change (1) set on the scanner 11 side was “slightly light”, and after the density setting change (2), the density was changed to “dark”. 7 shows a display example of a control panel in the case.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, at least one of an image reading device and an image forming device, or at least one of an image reading device, an image forming device, and an image server device mutually connected via a network or a communication line When an image read by an image reading device is input in the image input / output system configured from the above, the processing contents (processing history) of image processing for image quality adjustment performed on the input image in the image reading device are performed. By transferring the image to the image forming apparatus or the image server together with the input image, the user of the image input / output system can use the image server or the application on the client PC to perform the image quality performed in the image reading apparatus. The content of the adjustment can be understood.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image input / output system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a specific configuration of the multifunction peripheral.
FIG. 3 is a data flow diagram at the time of network copy.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of a density adjustment display screen at the time of image reading.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a header when information on density and sharpness is embedded in a header of TIFF-FX.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a density adjustment display screen (Web browser) when an image formation instruction is given.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a density adjustment display screen (printer) when an image formation instruction is given.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 scanner, 12 printer, 13 copier, 14 server, 15 multifunction machine, 16, 17 client PC, 18 LAN

Claims (9)

An image input / output system comprising at least one of an image reading device and an image forming device connected to each other via a network or a communication line,
The image reading device includes a first image quality adjustment unit that can set a first image quality adjustment parameter and performs image quality adjustment on an input image using the set first image quality adjustment parameter.
An image input / output system, wherein an input image after image quality adjustment by the first image quality adjustment means is transferred to the image forming apparatus together with the first image quality adjustment parameter. In an image input / output system including at least one of an image reading device, an image forming device, and an image server device that are interconnected via a network or a communication line,
The image reading device includes a first image quality adjustment unit that can set a first image quality adjustment parameter and performs image quality adjustment on an input image using the set first image quality adjustment parameter.
An image input / output system, wherein an input image after image quality adjustment by the first image quality adjustment means is transferred to the image server device together with the first image quality adjustment parameter. The image server device transfers the input image transferred from the image reading device as it is or after performing a predetermined image processing on the input image, together with the first image quality adjustment parameter to the image forming device. The image input / output system according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a second image quality adjustment unit configured to perform image quality adjustment on an input image transferred from the image reading device or the image server device. 5. Image input / output system. Further comprising a terminal device connected to the network or communication line,
At least one of the terminal device, the image reading device, the image forming device, and the image server device is capable of instructing the image forming device to form an image, and is configured to control the second image quality adjusting unit. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming instruction and the image forming instruction are transferred to the image forming apparatus directly or via the image server apparatus. Image input / output system. One of the terminal device, the image reading device, the image forming device, and the image server device has an instruction unit that issues an instruction for the image formation and an instruction for the image quality adjustment, and transfers the instruction from the image reading device. 6. The image input / output system according to claim 5, wherein the information on the first image quality adjustment parameter to be performed can be displayed by the instruction means. 5. The image input / output system according to claim 4, wherein said second image quality adjustment means is capable of setting said second image quality adjustment parameter based on said first image quality adjustment parameter. In an image input / output system including at least one of an image reading device and an image forming device connected to each other via a network or a communication line,
When image processing for image quality adjustment is performed on an input image read in the image reading apparatus, the processing content of the image quality adjustment is transferred to the image forming apparatus together with the input image. Processing method. In an image input / output system including at least one of each of an image reading device, an image forming device, and an image server device mutually connected via a network or a communication line,
When image processing for image quality adjustment is performed on an input image read in the image reading device, the processing content of the image quality adjustment is transferred to the image server device together with the input image. Processing method.

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