JP2004194354A - Image processing apparatus and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus in which an attached picture can be added without reducing productivity at the time of image output, lacuna of the content of the attached picture can also be prevented, and proper charging is possible even when adding the attached picture. <P>SOLUTION: An attached picture memory 3 memorizes the color attached picture to a color image memory 4 and a monochrome attached picture to a monochrome picture memory 5. A color decision unit 2 judges for every page whether an input image is color or monochrome. According to the judgement result, an image composition portion 6 adds and outputs to the input image respectively the color attached picture in the color image memory 4 if the input image is color, and the monochrome attached picture in the monochrome picture memory 5 if the input image is monochrome. When the input image is monochrome, it is possible to output at high speed for monochrome output, even when output time duration of color is longer than monochrome, since the monochrome attached picture is added. When charged, it is also enough with monochrome charging. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

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

  2. Description of the Related Art Image output devices such as facsimile machines, copiers, and printers are integrated by integrating digital functions, and are increasingly connected to networks such as the Internet and intranets. In addition, the data transfer speed over the network is increasing year by year, and with the increase in capacity and cost of hard disks and semiconductor memories, the environment in which image data can be distributed and stored relatively easily has been created. It is in order. For example, in the device described in Patent Literature 1, an image such as advertisement information is added to an image output on a sheet or an image transmitted using a network or a facsimile, and a charge for a user is discounted. A scheme is disclosed.

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

  In general, in a system in which billing is performed at the time of outputting an image, a charge to be paid by a user at the time of outputting is different between a color image and a monochrome image. For this reason, there is a problem that even if the image that the user intends to output is black and white, the user is charged for outputting the color image only when the added image is in color.

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

JP-A-11-192760

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can add an additional image according to the characteristics of an input image, and can output an image without lowering productivity at the time of image output. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method capable of preventing loss of the content of an additional image.

  According to the present invention, in an image processing apparatus, additional image storage means for storing one or more additional images corresponding to characteristics of an image, determining means for determining characteristics of an input image for each page of the input image, and determining means And synthesizing means for adding an additional image corresponding to the characteristics of the input image stored in the additional image storage means to the input image according to the determination result for each page. In the image processing method, one or more additional images corresponding to the characteristics of the image are stored in the additional image storage unit, and the characteristics of the input image are determined by the determination unit for each page of the input image, and the determination of the page is performed. According to the result of (1), an additional image corresponding to the characteristics of the input image stored in the additional image storage means is added to the input image by the synthesizing means.

  For example, a color additional image and a black-and-white additional image can be stored in the additional image storage means, and the additional image to be added to the input image can be switched according to whether the input image is color or monochrome. Thus, when the input image is black and white, a black-and-white additional image can be added, and the productivity does not decrease because only the additional image is a conventional color image. Also, as for the added image, it is possible to prevent the content of the additional image from being lost by adding the additional image corresponding to the black and white input image. As the characteristics of the input image, in addition to color and black and white, for example, the same configuration can be applied in terms of image size, printing direction, resolution, and the like.

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

  Alternatively, when there is no additional image corresponding to the characteristics of the input image, an instruction to output the additional image stored in the additional image storage unit with the characteristics corresponding to the characteristics of the input image, and adding the additional image to the input image Can be added. For example, a color additional image is stored in the additional image storage means, and when a black and white image is input as an input image, a command to output the color additional image in black and white and the additional image are stored in the input image. Add. As a result, when the image to which the additional image is added is actually output, both the input image and the additional image can be output in black and white. Can be prevented. Also in this case, in addition to color and black and white as the characteristics of the input image, for example, the image can be similarly configured in terms of image size, printing direction, resolution, and the like. When the output speed does not change between color and black and white output devices, a color additional image can be added to the input image regardless of the characteristics of the input image.

  The present invention also provides an image processing apparatus, comprising: an additional image storage unit configured to store one or more additional images corresponding to image characteristics; a determination unit configured to determine a characteristic of an input image; A synthesizing unit for adding an additional image corresponding to the characteristic of the input image stored in the image storage unit to the input image, wherein the additional image storage unit stores a color additional image as the additional image; Wherein the combining means adds a color additional image to the input image irrespective of the characteristics of the input image when the output speed does not change when the output device is color or black and white. It is. Further, in the present invention, in the image processing method, one or more additional images including a color additional image corresponding to the characteristics of the image are stored in the additional image storage unit, and the characteristics of the input image are determined by the determination unit. An image processing method for adding an additional image corresponding to a characteristic of the input image stored in the additional image storage unit to the input image by a combining unit according to a determination result, wherein the output is performed when an output device is color and black and white. When the speed does not change, a color additional image is added to the input image by the synthesizing means regardless of the characteristics of the input image. In this case, modifications similar to those of the above-described invention can be made.

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

  Furthermore, if the output speed does not change between the color and monochrome output devices, a color additional image may be added to the input image regardless of the characteristics of the input image. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method that are highly convenient for the user.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Although FIG. 4 shows an example in which charges to be charged are classified into four types of charges A to D, this division is not limited to this example. For example, it is conceivable to detect the number of colors of the input image and, for example, when only two colors of red and black are used, separately set a charge for two colors. It is also conceivable that the fee varies depending on the number of additional images to be added.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, the fee is switched depending on whether the input image is color or black and white. However, when the input image is color, as shown in FIG. In this case, when a black-and-white additional image is added, the same charge can be made even if the fee is switched depending on whether the image output from the image synthesizing unit 6 or the image output unit 7 is color or monochrome.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  By the operation in the second embodiment, a color additional image is added to a color input image, and a black and white input image is added to a color input image as shown in FIG. The additional image converted to black and white is added. As a result, even when it takes several times longer to form a color image than when forming a black and white image, a black and white additional image is added to a black and white input image. The additional image can be added without lowering the performance. Of course, if the time required for forming the color and black and white images does not change, a color additional image may be added to the black and white input image as shown in FIG.

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

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. In the third embodiment, similar to the above-described second embodiment, the additional image storage unit 3 is not provided with the black-and-white image storage unit 5, and is compatible with a black-and-white input image. 10 shows another example in which an additional image is not stored in the additional image storage unit 3. The third embodiment is effective when an input image described in PDL is input to the interface unit 1 and the image output from the image synthesizing unit 6 is also data described in PDL.

  In the third embodiment, the image synthesizing unit 6 outputs a PDL command for adding a color additional image stored in the color image storage unit 4 to an input image according to the determination result of the color determining unit 2. It switches between adding an instruction to add in color to the input image and adding an instruction to add in black and white to the input image. Accordingly, when interpreting an image described in PDL in the image output unit 7 or an external image forming apparatus, for example, an additional image is added to an input image in color or black and white according to a PDL command.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation according to the third embodiment of the present invention. When the interface unit 1 receives an input image, in S31, the color determination unit 2 determines, for each page of the input image, whether the page is color or black and white. If it is determined that the page is in color, in step S32, the image synthesizing unit 6 describes a PDL command for adding the additional image stored in the color image storage unit 4 in color in the PDL of the input image. The PDL data is added to the data, and the PDL data of the image of the page is output to the image output unit 7.

  On the other hand, when the color determination unit 2 determines that the page of the input image is black and white, the image synthesis unit 6 converts the color additional image stored in the color image storage unit 4 into black and white in S33. The PDL command to be added is added to the data described in the PDL of the input image, and the PDL data of the image of the page is output to the image output unit 7.

  In S34, it is determined whether or not the output has been performed up to the last page of the input image. If the output has not been performed up to the last page, the process returns to S31 in order to perform processing for the next page. In this way, the above-described processing is repeatedly performed for all pages of the input image.

  By interpreting the PDL image generated by the operation according to the third embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 3 described above, a color additional image is added to a color input image, In addition, an additional image converted to black and white is added to a black and white input image. As a result, even when it takes several times longer to form a color image than when forming a black and white image, a black and white additional image is added to a black and white input image. The additional image can be added without lowering the performance. Of course, if the time required for forming a color image and a monochrome image does not change, the additional image may be added in color to the monochrome input image as shown in FIG.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  If the size of the page determined in S51 is A4, in S52, the image synthesizing unit 6 sends a PDL command for adding an additional image corresponding to the A4 size stored in the additional image storage unit 3 to the input image. And outputs the PDL data of the image of the page to the image output unit 7. On the other hand, if the size determining unit 41 determines that the size of the page of the input image is B4, the image synthesizing unit 6 determines in step S53 that the size of the page corresponding to the B4 size stored in the additional image storage unit 3 is satisfied. A PDL command for adding an image is added to the data described in the PDL of the input image, and the PDL data of the image of the page is output to the image output unit 7.

  In S54, it is determined whether or not the output has been performed up to the last page of the input image. If the output has not been performed up to the last page, the process returns to S51 in order to perform processing for the next page. In this way, the above-described processing is repeatedly performed for all pages of the input image. As described above, an additional image according to the page size can be added to each page of the input image of a plurality of pages.

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

  For example, if a large additional image is added to a small input image, there is a possibility that many parts of the content of the input image are crushed or the additional image protrudes. In addition, when a small additional image is added to a large input image, the additional image such as an advertisement is often ignored, so that the impact of the additional image is lost. According to the first modification, such a problem can be solved.

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

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

  The image synthesizing unit 6 adds the additional image in the corresponding printing direction stored in the additional image storage unit 3 to the input image according to the determination result of the printing direction determining unit 42. For example, an additional image in the same direction is added to an input image that can be output as it is vertically long, and an additional image in a direction rotated by 90 degrees is added to an input image that is horizontally rotated 90 degrees and output. Can be.

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

  If the printing direction of the page determined in S61 is portrait, in S62, the image synthesizing unit 6 inputs a PDL command for adding an additional image corresponding to the portrait orientation stored in the additional image storage unit 3. The PDL data is added to the data described in the PDL of the image, and the PDL data of the image of the page is output to the image output unit 7. On the other hand, if the printing direction determination unit 42 determines that the printing direction of the page of the input image is landscape, the image combining unit 6 determines in step S63 that the printing direction of the page corresponds to the landscape direction stored in the additional image storage unit 3. The PDL command for adding the additional image to be added is added to the data described in the PDL of the input image, and the PDL data of the image of the page is output to the image output unit 7.

  In S64, it is determined whether or not the output has been performed up to the last page of the input image. If the output has not been performed up to the last page, the process returns to S61 to perform processing for the next page. In this way, the above-described processing is repeatedly performed for all pages of the input image. As described above, an additional image according to the printing direction of the page can be added to each page of the input image of the plurality of pages.

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

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

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

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

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

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the third modification example in the first embodiment of the present invention. When the interface unit 1 receives an input image, in S71, the resolution determination unit 43 determines the resolution of the input image. In this example, an example is shown in which it is determined whether the resolution is 600 dpi or 1200 dpi. Of course, the resolution of the input image is not limited to these two, but may be any resolution, and the resolution determination unit 43 may be configured to be able to determine any resolution.

  If the resolution of the input image determined in S71 is 600 dpi, the image synthesizing unit 6 inputs a PDL command for adding an additional image corresponding to the resolution of 600 dpi stored in the additional image storage unit 3 in S72. The PDL data is added to the data described in the PDL of the image, and the PDL data of the image of the page is output to the image output unit 7. On the other hand, when the resolution determining unit 43 determines that the resolution of the input image is 1200 dpi, the image synthesizing unit 6 converts the additional image corresponding to the resolution of 1200 dpi stored in the additional image storage unit 3 in S73. The PDL instruction to be added is added to the data described in the PDL of the input image, and the PDL data of the image of the page is output to the image output unit 7.

  In S74, it is determined whether or not the output has been performed up to the last page of the input image. If the output has not been performed up to the last page, the process returns to S71 to perform processing for the next page. In this way, the above-described processing is repeatedly performed for all pages of the input image. As described above, the additional image according to the resolution of the input image can be added to each page of the input image of the plurality of pages. Note that the determination of the resolution by the resolution determining unit 43 may be performed for each page of the input image in addition to the determination for each input image.

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

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

  Here, an example has been shown in which the additional image is added according to the resolution of the input image as the characteristic of the input image in the first embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to prepare an additional image of one or more resolutions as in the above-described second embodiment, and to perform resolution conversion for other resolutions. is there. Alternatively, as in the third embodiment, a PDL command for converting the resolution of the same additional image into an input image (enlargement / reduction) may be added.

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

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an input image and an output image according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a charging method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of another example of an input image and an output image according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a first modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of a first modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an input image and an output image of a first modification example according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a second modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of a second modified example according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an input image and an output image according to a second modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a third modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of a third modified example according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is an explanatory view of an example of an input picture and an output picture of the 3rd modification in a 1st embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Interface part, 2 ... Color determination part, 3 ... Additional image storage part, 4 ... Color image storage part, 5 ... Monochrome image storage part, 6 ... Image synthesis part, 7 ... Image output part, 8 ... Control part, 9 ... Black-and-white conversion section, 41... Size determination section, 42.

Claims (18)

  Additional image storage means for storing one or more additional images according to the characteristics of the image; determining means for determining the characteristics of the input image for each page of the input image; An image processing apparatus comprising: a synthesizing unit that adds an additional image corresponding to a characteristic of the input image stored in an image storage unit to the input image.   Additional image storage means for storing one or more additional images corresponding to the characteristics of the image; determining means for determining the characteristics of the input image; and the input image stored in the additional image storing means according to the determination result by the determining means. The image processing apparatus further includes a combining unit that adds an additional image corresponding to the characteristic of the image to the input image, the additional image storage unit stores a color additional image as the additional image, and the output unit includes: An image processing apparatus characterized in that a color additional image is added to the input image irrespective of the characteristics of the input image when the output speed does not change between color and monochrome.   The additional image storage unit stores a color additional image and a black-and-white additional image as the additional image, the determining unit determines whether the input image is color or black and white, and the combining unit is When the input image is determined to be color by the determination means, the color additional image is added to the input image, and when the input image is determined to be monochrome, the monochrome additional image is added to the input image. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is added to an input image.   The additional image storage unit stores additional images of a plurality of sizes as the additional image, the determination unit determines the size of each page of the input image, and the combining unit determines the size of each page of the input image. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a corresponding additional image in the additional image storage unit is added to the input image according to a determination result of a size of each page of the input image.   The additional image storage unit stores an additional image corresponding to a plurality of printing directions as the additional image, the determining unit determines a printing direction of each page of the input image, and the combining unit includes: 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a corresponding additional image in the additional image storage unit is added to the input image in accordance with a result of the determination unit determining a printing direction of each page of the input image. Image processing device.   The additional image storage unit stores additional images of a plurality of resolutions as the additional image, the determination unit determines the resolution of the input image, and the combining unit determines the resolution of the input image by the determination unit. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a corresponding additional image in the additional image storage unit is added to the input image according to a result of the resolution determination.   Further, the image processing apparatus further includes image conversion means for converting characteristics of the additional image, wherein the image conversion means stores the additional image when the additional image corresponding to the characteristic of the input image is not stored in the additional image storage means. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional image stored in the means is converted into an image having characteristics according to characteristics of the input image.   Further, the image processing apparatus further includes image conversion means for converting characteristics of the additional image, the additional image storage means stores a color additional image as the additional image, and the determination means determines whether the input image is color or black and white. Wherein the image conversion means converts the color additional image stored in the additional image storage means to a black and white additional image when the determination means determines that the input image is black and white. When the input unit determines that the input image is color, the combining unit adds the color additional image stored in the additional image storage unit to the input image, and the input image is 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the input image is black and white, a black and white additional image converted by the image conversion unit is added to the input image.   The image processing apparatus further includes image conversion means for converting characteristics of the additional image, the additional image storage means stores additional images of one or more sizes as the additional image, and the determination means Determining the size of each page, wherein the image conversion means, when an additional image corresponding to the size of each page of the input image determined by the determination means is not stored in the additional image storage means, The size of the additional image stored in the additional image storage unit is converted according to the size of each page of the input image determined by the determination unit, and the combining unit converts the input image determined by the determination unit. When the additional image corresponding to the size of each page is not stored in the additional image storage unit, the additional image converted by the image conversion unit is added to the input image. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that.   The image processing apparatus further includes image conversion means for converting characteristics of the additional image, the additional image storage means stores additional images in one or more printing directions as the additional image, and the determination means The image conversion means stores the additional image corresponding to the print direction of each page of the input image determined by the determination means in the additional image storage means. If not, the printing direction of the additional image stored in the additional image storage unit is converted according to the printing direction of each page of the input image determined by the determination unit, and the combining unit determines by the determination unit When the additional image corresponding to the printing direction of each page of the input image is not stored in the additional image storage unit, the additional image converted by the image The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in adding to the force image.   The image processing apparatus further includes image conversion means for converting characteristics of the additional image, the additional image storage means stores additional images having one or more resolutions as the additional image, and the determination means And determining the resolution. If the additional image corresponding to the resolution of the input image determined by the determining means is not stored in the additional image storing means, the image converting means stores the additional image in the additional image storing means. The resolution of the added image that has been converted is converted according to the resolution of the input image determined by the determination means, the combining means, the additional image corresponding to the resolution of the input image determined by the determination means 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional image converted by the image conversion unit is added to the input image when the additional image is not stored in the additional image storage unit. The image processing apparatus according to 2.   When the additional image corresponding to the characteristic of the input image is not stored in the additional image storage unit, the combining unit converts the additional image stored in the additional image storage unit into a characteristic corresponding to the characteristic of the input image. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional image is added to the input image together with an instruction to output the input image.   The additional image storage unit stores a color additional image as the additional image, and the combining unit stores the additional image in the additional image storage unit when the determination unit determines that the input image is monochrome. 13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the stored color additional image is added to the input image together with a command to output the additional image in black and white.   The additional image storage means stores an additional image of one or more sizes as the additional image, and the combining means stores the additional image corresponding to the size of each page of the input image determined by the determining means. When not stored in the additional image storage means, a command to output the additional image stored in the additional image storage means at a size corresponding to the size of each page of the input image determined by the determination means is provided. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an additional image is added to the input image.   The additional image storage unit stores an additional image in one or more printing directions as the additional image, and the combining unit corresponds to a printing direction of each page of the input image determined by the determining unit. When the additional image is not stored in the additional image storage unit, the additional image stored in the additional image storage unit is output in a print direction corresponding to the print direction of each page of the input image determined by the determination unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional image is added to the input image together with a command to be performed.   The additional image storage unit stores an additional image having one or more resolutions as the additional image, and the combining unit stores the additional image corresponding to the resolution of the input image determined by the determination unit. A command for outputting the additional image stored in the additional image storage means at a resolution corresponding to the resolution of the input image determined by the determination means when the additional image is not stored in the image storage means; The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is added to the image processing apparatus.   One or more additional images corresponding to the characteristics of the image are stored in additional image storage means, and the characteristics of the input image are determined for each page of the input image by the determination means, and the additional image is determined in accordance with the result of the determination of the page. An image processing method, wherein an additional image corresponding to characteristics of the input image stored in a storage unit is added to the input image by a combining unit.   One or more additional images including a color additional image according to the characteristics of the image are stored in the additional image storage unit, and the characteristics of the input image are determined by the determination unit, and stored in the additional image storage unit according to the determination result. An image processing method for adding an additional image corresponding to the characteristics of the input image to the input image by a synthesizing unit, wherein the output device does not change the output speed between color and black and white. An image processing method, wherein a color additional image is added to the input image by the synthesizing means regardless of the characteristics of the image.

Images