JP2004274397A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the precision of discrimination between color and black-and-white (ACS) and to shorten the preprocessing time. <P>SOLUTION: In an ACS part 1008-1, a chromatic color discrimination part 1005-1 sums up difference absolute values between colors of RGB and outputs "1" in the case of the result larger than a comparison value of a comparator and outputs "0" in the case of the result smaller than the comparison value, and a chromatic color count part 1006-1 counts up the outputs, and a color discrimination part 1007-1 compares the counter value with a threshold and determines a color image in the case of the existence of many chromatic color pixels. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that processes a color image in a color copying machine or the like that reads a color original to form a color image.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a color copying machine, an original is read using a color image input device before main processing, and it is determined whether the scanned original is color or black and white (ACS: Auto Color Sensor). Image processing has been performed.
[0003]
For such techniques, for example,
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 2892037
Is disclosed.
[0004]
The technique of Patent Document 1 separates a color image into chromatic / achromatic / intermediate colors, looks at the density gradient of the image at the time of pre-scanning, and achromatic colors are applied to portions of the intermediate color region that are likely to be black characters, and are to be regarded as gradation pixels. The three states are converted into two states (chromatic / achromatic), and then the chromatic colors are counted, and a color / monochrome original is determined. At the time of the main scan, color or monochrome processing is performed using the same pass. This is a discrimination method that takes into account the problem that color misery occurs when reading a black image in an image input device using a color CCD when discriminating color / black and white using a color image input device.
[0005]
In addition, as a technology that considers not only an image input device but also a computer input as a source of an image for determining color / black and white,
Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 2603458
Is disclosed. In the technique of Patent Document 2, in a four-rotation type printing device, color determination is performed while printing K, and if monochrome, the YMC color processing is not performed. Are sequentially performed. As a result, the total printing time is shortened as compared with the conventional pre-scanning method, and image input from a CCD and from a computer can be selected.
[0006]
Further, as a technology of an image processing apparatus using an auto sheet feeder as a color image input apparatus,
Patent Document 3: Japanese Utility Model No. 25554518
Is disclosed. In the technique of Patent Document 3, at the time of ACS, the carriage is moved to the discharge position of the auto sheet feeder, scanning is performed while the auto sheet feeder sends the original to the document table position, ACS is performed, and the carriage is returned to the home position. By performing the main scan, the control time required for the normal “pre-scan + main scan” is reduced.
[0007]
Further, as an image processing technique for converting a signal of a color image input unit into a luminance / color difference signal and storing the signal in a memory,
Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent No. 2720924
Is disclosed. The technique disclosed in Patent Document 4 converts the data into a luminance / color difference signal, stores the data as it is or performs internal encoding, stores the data in a memory, performs area identification using data read from the memory, and performs adaptive compression using the area identification result. Is going.
[0008]
According to the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, a chromatic color / achromatic color / intermediate color is discriminated, a black character is discriminated, and an intermediate color is sorted into a chromatic color or an achromatic color based on the discrimination result. However, if the ACS discrimination accuracy is increased in consideration of the color misregistration of the image input, the black character discrimination accuracy suffers from the color shift of the image input.
[0009]
In the embodiment, black characters are determined from the G signal. In this case, color characters including green are determined to be black characters, and are determined to be black and white originals. Furthermore, although black character discrimination is used in pre-scan and main scan, differences in conditions between pre-scan and main scan are not taken into account.
[0010]
Further, the method of Patent Document 2 can speed up printing with a four-rotation method, but cannot be applied to a tandem (four-drum) method. In some cases, it is necessary to make them the same, and there is a restriction in creating images in the color mode and the monochrome mode.
[0011]
Further, the method of Patent Document 3 shortens the pre-scan time by using the automatic sheet feeder, but does not take into account the fluctuation of the determination level when using the automatic sheet feeder.
[0012]
Further, in the method of Patent Document 4, since the pre-processing such as identification and the compression which is the main processing are realized by reading twice from the memory, reading the memory twice reduces productivity.
[0013]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 2892037
[0014]
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent No. 2603458
[0015]
[Patent Document 3]
Japanese Utility Model No. 25554518
[0016]
[Patent Document 4]
Japanese Patent No. 2720924
[0017]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, there is a problem in the accuracy of discrimination (ACS) between color and black and white, and there is also a problem that pre-processing such as ACS takes time.
[0018]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus that can improve the accuracy of color / monochrome determination (ACS) and reduce the preprocessing time.
[0019]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus for processing an input color image, comprising: an edge determining unit that determines edge information of the color image; an edge determination result of the edge determining unit; and a chromatic color of the color image. Chromatic color pixel discriminating means for discriminating chromatic color pixels using the information, and type discriminating means for discriminating the type of the color image by counting chromatic color discriminating results of the chromatic color pixel discriminating means. Characteristic image processing device.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0021]
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a color copying machine according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention. This color copier includes a color scanner 1001-1, a color conversion unit 1002-1, a printer 1003-1, an edge determination unit 1004-1, a chromatic color determination unit 1005-1, a chromatic color count unit 1006-1, and a color determination unit. Unit 1007-1. Note that an ACS (Auto Color Sensor) unit 1008-1 is composed of the edge determination unit 1004-1, the chromatic color determination unit 1005-1, and the chromatic color count unit 1006-1.
[0022]
The color scanner 1001-1 inputs the color image signal S1001-1 using a CCD (not shown).
[0023]
The color conversion unit 1002-1 converts a color image into a color or monochrome print signal S1002-1.
[0024]
The printer 1003-1 prints based on a print signal.
[0025]
An edge determining unit (edge determining unit) 1004-1 determines an edge of a color image.
[0026]
A chromatic color determining unit (chromatic color pixel determining unit) 1005-1 determines a chromatic color of a color image.
The chromatic color counting unit (counting unit) 1006-1 counts the chromatic color discrimination result from the chromatic color discrimination unit 1005-1.
[0027]
A color discriminating unit (type discriminating unit) 1007-1 discriminates whether a document is color or black and white based on the count value in the chromatic color counting unit 1006-1.
Although not shown, the present color copying machine is provided with a control unit for controlling the whole.
[0028]
In the overall operation of the color copying machine, first, as a prescan, the color scanner 1001-1 inputs a color image signal S1001-1 of a document. The edge discrimination unit 1004-1 outputs a discrimination signal as to whether or not the pixel is an edge in pixel units. The chromatic color determining unit 1005-1 determines whether or not the image is a chromatic color based on the image signal and the determination result Sl003-1, and outputs "1" if the color is chromatic, and "0" otherwise. The chromatic color counting unit 1006-1 counts the chromatic color determination result S1004-1.
[0029]
When the pre-scanning of the entire image is completed, the color determining unit 1007-1 refers to the output S1005-1 from the chromatic color counting unit 1006-1 to determine whether the pre-scanned image is color or black and white, and determines the result. In step S1006-1, "1" is output for color and "0" is output for monochrome.
[0030]
Subsequently, a main scan is performed, and the color conversion unit 1002-1 converts the image signal S1001-1 into color or black and white in response to the determination result S1006-1 determined at the time of the prescan. The printer 1003-1 prints the converted print signal based on S1002-1.
[0031]
Next, the operation of each block will be described.
[0032]
FIG. 2 shows the relationship between the CCD unit of the color scanner 1001-1 and document reading. Generally, since the CCD section has an element for each color, there is a physical width between the colors. Images input at a certain timing are C → R, B → G, A → B, and are not information of the same portion of the document. At the next timing, D → R, C → G, B → B are read. Will be.
[0033]
Here, there is no problem as long as the information of the C position in the R and the information of the C position in the G are exactly the same. However, when the document is moved (sheet through), it is slightly affected by vibration or the like. May shift.
[0034]
In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, even though the black line is read, the signal may be read as a color line. An image is input using a device as in this example.
[0035]
In this example, the image input signal is represented by “0” for black and “255” for white. The color conversion unit 1002-1, as shown in the following equation,
Discrimination signal S1006-1 = 1 (for color)
C = 255-R
M = 255-G
Y = 255-B
K '= min (C, M, Y)
C '= C-K'
M '= M-K
Y '= Y-K'
A CMYK print signal S1002-1 is calculated from the RGB signals.
[0036]
Also, the discrimination signal S1006-1 = 0 (for black and white)
K = 255− (R + G + B) ÷ 3
Is calculated as the print signal S1002-1.
[0037]
The printer 1003-1 is a color printer that prints the above S1002-1.
[0038]
Next, the configuration of the ACS unit 1008-1 will be described.
[0039]
FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the edge determination unit 1004-1. The edge determination unit 1004-1 includes digital flip-flops (D-FF) 1 to 8, maximum value detection units (Max) 10, 12, 14, minimum value detection units (Min) 11, 13, 15, and a subtractor (SUB). ) 16-18, comparators 19-21, and OR gate 22.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 4, the edge determination unit 1004-1 obtains the maximum value (Max) −the minimum value (Min) in the surrounding ± 1 pixel from each of the RGB signals. Is output. If any of the R, G, and B signals includes an edge, the edge determination unit 1004-1 outputs S1003-1 as an edge pixel.
[0041]
FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the chromatic color discriminating unit 1005-1. The chromatic color discriminating unit 1005-1 includes subtractors (SUB) 31, 32, 33, absolute value output units 34, 35, 36, an adder (ADD) 37, a comparator 38, and a look-up table (LUT) 39. It is composed of
[0042]
As shown in FIG. 5, the chromatic color discriminating unit 1005-1 adds the absolute values of the differences between the RGB colors, and outputs “1” if it is larger than the comparator 38 and outputs “0” if it is smaller. As shown in FIG. 6, the look-up table (LUT) 39 outputs the chromatic color signal S1004-1 as the chromatic color signal S1004-1 when the chromatic color comparison result is “1” and the edge discrimination result S1003-1 is “0”. 1 "is output.
[0043]
The chromatic color counting unit 1006-1 is a counter as shown in FIG. 7, which counts up with the chromatic signal S1004-1 as an input and outputs a counter value S1005-1.
[0044]
The color determination unit 1007-1 is configured by one comparator shown in FIG. 8, compares the counter value S1005-1 with a threshold value, and outputs S1006-1 as a comparison result. If the counter value (chromatic color pixel) is large compared to the threshold value, “1” is output as color, and if the counter value is small, “0” is output as black and white.
[0045]
FIG. 9 shows an example of the operation result described above.
[0046]
In FIG. 9, chromatic colors can be counted except for unstable edge portions. Generally, the edge portion occupies a small portion of the entire image, so that the chromatic / achromatic color is determined in a region excluding the influence of the CCD unit, and the determination accuracy is improved.
[0047]
Next, another configuration in the first embodiment will be described.
[0048]
FIG. 10 shows the configuration of the chromatic color discrimination unit 1005-1. The chromatic color determination unit 1005-1 in FIG. 10 switches the threshold for determining a chromatic color from the LUT 39 based on the edge determination result S1003-1.
[0049]
FIG. 11 illustrates a configuration in which an achromatic unit 40 is provided between the edge determination unit 1004-1 and the chromatic color determination unit 1005-1. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the achromatic unit 40 converts a signal determined as an edge by the edge determination unit 1004-1 into an achromatic color. The signal determined to be an edge is converted to an achromatic color and then used for chromatic color determination.
[0050]
FIG. 12 shows another configuration of the ACS unit 1008-1.
[0051]
As shown in FIG. 12, the edge determination result from the edge determination unit 1004-1 is counted by the edge counter 42, and the chromatic color determination result from the chromatic color determination unit 1005-1 is counted by the chromatic color counter 41. From the count result,
For example,
Color if chromatic counter> edge counter
If chromatic counter <edge counter and chromatic counter <threshold, black and white
Is determined.
[0052]
FIG. 13 shows another configuration of the ACS unit 1008-1.
[0053]
As shown in FIG. 13, an average / variance calculation unit (calculation unit) 43 and a chromatic color detection unit 44 are provided instead of the edge determination and the chromatic color determination. That is, first, the average value / variance calculation unit 43 calculates the average value / variance. Subsequently, the chromatic color detection unit 44 counts the chromatic color pixels from the chromatic color signal obtained from the average value and the variance value of each color, excluding the pixels that fluctuate using a table as shown in FIG.
[0054]
Further, the calculation of the average and the variance may be performed not in units of pixels but in units of blocks. If the block size is set to a power of 2, the circuit configuration can be simplified.
[0055]
FIG. 15 shows a modification of the first embodiment. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. A character / photo discriminating section (character / photo discriminating means) 45 and an image correcting section 46 are provided. The ACS unit 47 includes the chromatic color determining unit 1005-1, the chromatic color counting unit 1006-1, and the color determining unit 1007-1.
[0056]
As shown in FIG. 15, the output of the edge determining unit 1004-1 is shared by the character / photo determining unit 45 and the image correcting unit 46. As a result, the circuit can be shared with the image correcting unit 46 (character / photo discriminating unit 45) at the time of the main scan due to the determination by the ACS unit 47 at the time of the pre-scan, and the cost can be reduced.
[0057]
In general, the scan speed (image input speed) differs between the prescan and the main scan (generally moves the prescan faster). In this case, the input image signals also differ, so the edge discriminating unit 1004- The discrimination accuracy is improved by setting one parameter separately for prescan / main scan.
[0058]
FIG. 16 shows a case where a sensor capable of simultaneously inputting R, G, and B signals and a K signal is used as a color CCD, and ACS determination can be performed using a configuration as a modification of the first embodiment shown in FIG. it can. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. A correlation calculation section (correlation calculation means) 48 is provided instead of the edge determination section.
[0059]
As shown in FIG. 18, the correlation calculating unit 48 removes from the chromatic color determination, for example, a portion where the positional deviation is remarkable because the correlation between the RGB average value and K becomes low, thereby improving the determination accuracy.
[0060]
That is, in the first embodiment, the following image processing apparatus is provided.
[0061]
In an image processing apparatus for processing an input color image, an edge discriminating unit for discriminating edge information of the color image, and a chromatic color pixel using the edge discrimination result of the edge discriminating unit and the chromatic color information of the color image. An image processing apparatus comprising: a chromatic color pixel determining unit that determines the color image; and a type determining unit that counts the chromatic color determination result of the chromatic color pixel determining unit and determines the type of the color image.
[0062]
Further, the chromatic color pixel determining means switches a chromatic color determination level of a pixel determined as an edge by the edge determining means.
[0063]
Further, in an image processing apparatus for processing an input color image, an edge discriminator for discriminating edge information of the color image, and an edge discriminator using the edge discrimination result of the edge discriminator and chromatic color information of the color image. A chromatic color pixel determining unit that determines a chromatic pixel, a counting unit that counts a chromatic color determination result of the chromatic pixel determining unit, and a type determining unit that determines a type of the color image from the counting result of the counting unit. An image processing apparatus, comprising:
[0064]
Further, the image processing apparatus is characterized in that the counting means counts the number of effective chromatic pixels based on the edge determination result and the chromatic color determination result.
[0065]
Further, in an image processing apparatus for processing an input color image, an edge determining means for determining edge information of the color image, a first counting means for counting an edge determination result of the edge determining means, Chromatic color pixel discriminating means for discriminating chromatic color pixels using the chromatic color information, second counting means for counting the chromatic color discriminating result of the chromatic color pixel discriminating means, and the first and second counting means. An image processing apparatus comprising: a type determining unit configured to determine a type of the color image based on a counting result of the unit.
[0066]
In an image processing apparatus that processes an input color image, a calculating unit that calculates an average value and a variance equivalent to peripheral pixels of the color image for each color signal constituting the color image, A chromatic color detection means for detecting a chromatic color pixel from the calculated average value and variance value for each color signal, a counting means for counting the chromatic color detection result of the chromatic color detection means, and a counting result of the counting means. An image processing apparatus comprising: a type determination unit configured to determine a type of the color image.
[0067]
Further, in an image processing apparatus for processing an input color image, a dividing means for dividing the color image into blocks of a predetermined range, and for each of the blocks divided by the dividing means, an average value and a variance value in the block are corresponded. A calculating means for calculating each color signal constituting the color image, and a chromatic color detecting means for detecting a chromatic block from an average value and a variance value for each color signal in the block calculated by the calculating means, An image processing apparatus comprising: a counting unit that counts the number of chromatic color blocks detected by the chromatic color detection unit; and a type determination unit that determines the type of the color image based on the counting result of the counting unit. .
[0068]
Further, the image processing apparatus is characterized in that the dividing means is such that the number of pixels in a predetermined range of blocks is a power of two.
[0069]
Further, in an image processing apparatus for processing an input color image, a character / photo discriminating means for discriminating a character area and a photo area from the color image, a discrimination result of the character / photo discriminating means, and chromatic color information of the color image A chromatic color pixel discriminating means for discriminating a chromatic color pixel, a counting means for counting the chromatic color discrimination result of the chromatic color pixel discriminating means, and a type of the color image from the counting result of the counting means. An image processing apparatus comprising: a type determination unit.
[0070]
In an image processing apparatus for processing an input color image, a character / photograph discriminating means for discriminating a character area and a photograph area from the color image, and a switching means for switching processing using the discrimination result of the character / photograph discriminating means A chromatic pixel discriminating means for discriminating a chromatic pixel using the discrimination result of the text / photo discriminating means and the chromatic color information of the color image; Means, a type discriminating means for discriminating the type of the color image from the counting result of the counting means, and a process in which the type is discriminated using the type discriminating means at the time of pre-scan, and switched by the switching means at the time of main scan. An image processing apparatus, comprising: control means for performing control for performing the following.
[0071]
Further, the image processing apparatus may set the text / photo discriminating means to discriminate the type of the color image at the time of pre-scan, and set the text / photo discriminating means using the discrimination result of the type at the time of main scanning. Characteristic image processing device.
[0072]
Further, in an image processing apparatus for processing a color image to which four signals of RGB color signal and black and white signal are inputted simultaneously, a correlation calculating means for obtaining a correlation between the RGB color signal and the black and white signal, and the correlation calculating means A chromatic pixel discriminating means for discriminating a chromatic pixel using the correlation calculation result obtained in the above and the chromatic color information of the color image; and counting the chromatic color discriminating result of the chromatic pixel discriminating means to calculate the color image. An image processing apparatus comprising: a type determining unit configured to determine a type of the image processing apparatus.
[0073]
Next, a second embodiment will be described.
[0074]
FIG. 19 shows a second embodiment of the color copying machine according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The color copying machine according to the second embodiment includes a color scanner 1001-1, a color conversion unit 1002-1, a printer 1003-1, an edge determination unit 1004-1, a chromatic color determination unit 1005-1, a chromatic color count unit (a chromatic color A sub-scanning counter (coordinate value counting unit) 51 and a switching signal output unit 52 are provided in addition to the counting unit 1006-1 and the color determination unit 1007-1. The color scanner 1001-1 includes an automatic sheet feeder (automatic document feeder) 53.
[0075]
That is, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the color scanner 1001-1 uses the auto sheet feeder 53 and that the sub-scanning counter 51 and a switching signal described later switch the determination threshold of the chromatic color determination unit 1005-1.
[0076]
FIG. 20 shows the configuration of the auto sheet feeder 53. That is, the auto sheet feeder 53 includes a sensor 201 for detecting the leading edge of a document to be transported, transport rollers 203, 204, 205, and 206 for transporting the document, a document tray 208, and a document discharge tray 209.
[0077]
The auto sheet feeder 53 is a device that conveys a document to a document table 54 of the color scanner 1001-1. In combination with the color scanner 1001-1, the auto sheet feeder 53 moves the carriage 55 in the same manner as a general scanner when a document is manually placed, and a "sheet through reading position" in which the carriage 55 is fixed and read during conveyance. There is a "hand-placed reading position" for reading by reading.
[0078]
As can be seen from the configuration shown in FIG. 20, when an image is read while a document is being conveyed, as shown in FIG. 21, there is a portion where the read image signal may be shifted due to paper deflection or the like. In this case, unlike the type in which the carriage 55 is driven, the part which is greatly different from the others and is disturbed is a place in the document, and is physically determined by the structure of the auto sheet feeder 53 and the document size. Is different from
[0079]
FIG. 22 shows a configuration example of the sub-scanning counter 57 and the switching signal output unit 58. The sub-scanning counter 57 is configured by a counter, and the switching signal output unit 58 is configured by a look-up table (LUT). The counter 57 counts up the number of sub-scanning lines, and outputs a switching signal using the LUT 58.
[0080]
The LUT 58 is, for example, a table in which the number of sub-scanning lines is classified (category) in the configuration as shown in FIG. 23, and outputs a switching signal according to the processing line position.
[0081]
The category of the number of sub-scanning lines is calculated based on a document size detected by a sensor (not shown) at the start of document reading, and is set by a control circuit (not shown).
[0082]
For example, as shown in FIG. 24, when the sub-scanning switching signal is “1”, the chromatic color determination unit 1005-1 determines the achromatic color as an achromatic color in consideration of fluctuation even if the chromatic color has no edge. Can be raised.
[0083]
Further, as in the other configuration of the first embodiment, it may be used to switch the chromatic color determination threshold, or may be used as a threshold for edge determination.
[0084]
Further, the switching of the sub-scanning is performed using the coordinate input lookup table. However, the switching is performed as shown in FIG. 25 using a memory and a comparator. In this case, it is possible to save a memory by tabulating only a desired coordinate range, and to make detailed settings.
[0085]
Further, since the leading edge of the document does not change regardless of the document size, the leading edge coordinates 500 to 700 shown in FIG. 25 are fixed, and only the trailing edges of 6500 to 6700 receive sensor information and write.
[0086]
Thereby, the setting time can be reduced.
[0087]
The color scanner 1001-1 can be used both when the auto sheet feeder 53 as shown in FIG. 20 is used and when it is not used. Therefore, “1” is set for coordinates at which an image is disturbed when the auto sheet feeder 53 is used, Since there is no particular setting for sub-scanning at the time of manual setting, all coordinates are set to "0". Thereby, the accuracy can be adaptively switched according to the reading unit.
[0088]
Further, as shown in the configuration example of FIG. 15, when the edge determination is used in common in the pre-scan and the main scan, or when the processing in which the image disturbance by the auto sheet feeder affects the main scan is performed on the main scan even in another circuit. A high quality image can be obtained by adopting a configuration in which the fluctuation data of the image disorder position is obtained at the time of the pre-scan and the fluctuation data is fed back to the parameters at the time of the main scan.
[0089]
Next, a modification of the second embodiment will be described.
[0090]
The configuration is similar to that of FIGS. 19, 20, and 21 described above. In FIG. 20, the sensor 201 is connected to a control unit (not shown) for controlling the entire color copying machine.
[0091]
When a control unit (not shown) receives a start signal of an image reading process by sheet-through scanning, the control unit (not shown) starts conveyance of a document by the auto sheet feeder 53 and reading of an image by the color scanner 1001-1.
[0092]
The image data read by the sensor (not shown) of the color scanner 1001-1 is converted to digital data and then transferred to a subsequent image correction processing unit (not shown). After the correction of the sensor output value and the change of the data width are performed by the image correction processing unit (not shown), the image correction is further performed based on the image data and the information of the document size.
[0093]
The correction of the read image performed here is the correction of the image blur generated at the time of the sheet through scan.
[0094]
As shown in FIG. 21, image blur occurs when an original strikes the original platen 54 when the original is transported, or when the original leaves the transport rollers (203, 204, 205, 206), and the color balance is disturbed by a black edge or the like. Would. From this, the location where the image blur occurs can be predicted from the cause, the document size, and the like.
[0095]
When the pixel of interest is Bk, the read amounts of R, G, and B should be equal, but the relationship of these color balances is lost at the point where image blur occurs.
[0096]
The formula for determining this blur is
(R_D-G_D) 2 <Th_BKl,
(G_D-B_D) 2 <Th_BK2,
(B_D-R_D) 2 <Th_BK3
Is represented as here,
RD, GD, BD: read amount of the target pixel of R, G, B
Th_BK1, Th_BK2, Th_BK3: Judgment threshold
It is.
[0097]
The range in which image blurring is expected to occur in advance, [y1, y2], [y3, y4] shown in FIG. 21, is determined by an equation for determining whether the target pixel is Bk from the R, G, and B color balances. In,..., The determination threshold value of the chromatic color determination unit 1005-1 is replaced with a normal determination threshold value so as to optimize the processing, thereby reducing the erroneous recognition rate of an unstable pixel region due to image blur and improving the image quality. .
[0098]
Such a correction operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0099]
When the conveyance of the document placed on the auto sheet feeder 53 is started, the sensor pressure value is corrected (ST1), and the document size is determined (ST2).
[0100]
Subsequently, after the sensor 201 detects the leading edge of the conveyed document, when the document is conveyed to the expected position of “blurring” as shown in FIG. 21, the color determination threshold is changed to the threshold Th2. Normally, the threshold value Th1 is set.
[0101]
As described above, the image blur, which has been a problem in the conventional sheet-through scan method, is processed by changing the image processing parameters in the predicted occurrence range, thereby improving the image quality and copy productivity.
[0102]
That is, in the second embodiment, the following image processing apparatus is provided.
[0103]
In an image processing apparatus that processes a color image output from an image input unit that feeds a document using an automatic document feeder and inputs a color image, a coordinate value counting unit that counts reading coordinates in a sub-scanning direction, A chromatic pixel discriminating means for discriminating chromatic color pixels of the color image, a chromatic color counting means for counting the chromatic color discrimination result of the chromatic color pixel discriminating means, and a chromatic color counting result of the chromatic color counting means. A type discriminating unit for discriminating a type of an image, and a switching unit for switching processing of the chromatic color pixel discriminating unit or the chromatic color counting unit according to a sub-scanning coordinate value of the coordinate value counting unit. Image processing device.
[0104]
An image processing apparatus for processing a color image in an image forming apparatus including: a detecting unit configured to detect a document size before inputting an image; and an image input unit configured to feed a document using an automatic document feeder and input a color image. In the apparatus, a coordinate value counting means for counting read coordinates in the sub-scanning direction, a coordinate storage unit for storing processing switching coordinates, a chromatic color pixel determining means for determining a chromatic color pixel of the color image, and a chromatic color pixel A chromatic color counting unit that counts a chromatic color determination result of the determination unit, a type determination unit that determines a type of the color image from the chromatic color counting result of the chromatic color counting unit, and a document size detection result obtained by the detection unit. The chromatic color pixel discriminating means or the chromatic color according to the process switching coordinates stored in the coordinate storage unit and the sub-scanning coordinate values by the coordinate value counting means. The image processing apparatus being characterized in that; and a switching means for switching the processing of several means.
[0105]
An image processing apparatus for processing a color image in an image forming apparatus including: a detecting unit configured to detect a document size before inputting an image; and an image input unit configured to feed a document using an automatic document feeder and input a color image. In the apparatus, a coordinate value counting means for counting read coordinates in the sub-scanning direction, a coordinate storage unit for storing processing switching coordinates, a chromatic color pixel determining means for determining a chromatic color pixel of the color image, and a chromatic color pixel Chromatic color counting means for counting the chromatic color determination result of the determination means, type determination means for determining the type of the color image from the chromatic color counting result of the chromatic color counting means, and stored in the coordinate storage unit regardless of the document size. The process switching coordinates stored in the coordinate storage unit and the sub-scanning coordinate values from the coordinate value counting unit according to the processed process switching coordinates and the document size detection result. An image processing apparatus characterized by comprising a switching means for switching the processing of the chromatic color pixel judgment means or chromatic color counting means.
[0106]
In an image processing apparatus for processing a color image output from an image input means for feeding a document using an automatic document feeder and inputting a color image, a coordinate value counting means for counting reading coordinates in a sub-scanning direction A coordinate storage unit that stores processing switching coordinates, a chromatic color pixel determining unit that determines a chromatic color pixel of the color image, and a chromatic color counting unit that counts a chromatic color determination result of the chromatic color pixel determining unit. Type determining means for determining the type of the color image from the chromatic color counting result of the chromatic color counting means, and the switching coordinates stored in the coordinate storage section and the sub-scanning coordinate values from the coordinate value counter means. An image processing apparatus comprising: a switching unit that switches processing of a chromatic color pixel determining unit or a chromatic color counting unit.
[0107]
In an image processing apparatus for processing a color image output from an image input means for feeding a document using an automatic document feeder and inputting a color image, a coordinate value counting means for counting reading coordinates in a sub-scanning direction Edge determination means for determining edge information of the color image; chromatic color pixel determination means for determining chromatic color pixels of the color image; and chromatic color counting for counting the chromatic color determination result of the chromatic color pixel determination means. Means, type determining means for determining the type of the color image from the chromatic color counting result of the chromatic color counting means, and the edge determining means, chromatic color pixel determining according to the sub-scanning coordinate value by the coordinate value counting means. An image processing apparatus comprising: a switching unit for switching processing of a unit or a chromatic color counting unit.
[0108]
In an image processing apparatus for processing a color image output from an image input means for feeding a document using an automatic document feeder and inputting a color image, a coordinate value counting means for counting reading coordinates in a sub-scanning direction Chromatic color pixel determining means for determining chromatic color pixels of the color image, chromatic color counting means for counting the chromatic color determination result of the chromatic color pixel determining means, and chromatic color counting result of the chromatic color counting means. Type determining means for determining the type of the color image, and switching means for switching the processing of the chromatic color pixel determining means or the chromatic color counting means in accordance with the sub-scanning coordinate value of the document fed by the automatic document feeder An image processing apparatus comprising:
[0109]
In an image processing apparatus for processing a color image output from an image input means for feeding a document using an automatic document feeder and inputting a color image, a coordinate value counting means for counting reading coordinates in a sub-scanning direction Identification means for identifying the color image into a character area and a photograph area; identification holding means for holding a part of the identification result by the identification means; switching means for switching processing using the identification result of the identification means; Chromatic pixel discriminating means for discriminating chromatic pixels using the discrimination result of the discriminating means and chromatic color information of the color image, and chromatic color counting means for counting the chromatic color discriminating result of the chromatic pixel discriminating means A type discriminating unit for discriminating the type of the color image from the chromatic color counting result of the chromatic color counting unit; and, at the time of pre-scanning, the identification unit according to the sub-scanning coordinate value. Control means for switching the processing of the color pixel discriminating means or the chromatic color counting means, holding the identification result in accordance with the sub-scanning coordinate value, and controlling the setting of the identification means based on the identification holding result at the time of main scanning An image processing apparatus comprising:
[0110]
Next, a third embodiment will be described.
[0111]
FIG. 27 is a configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0112]
The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that an edge discriminating unit for ACS is not provided and a memory 60 for storing an image is provided before the image is stored in the color conversion unit 1002-1.
[0113]
FIGS. 28 and 29 show an operation sequence for processing three originals in the first embodiment and the third embodiment.
[0114]
In the operation sequence of the first embodiment in FIG. 28, it takes 27 seconds from image reading to output.
[0115]
In the operation sequence of the third embodiment in FIG. 29, it takes 24 seconds from image reading to output.
[0116]
That is, in the operation sequence of the third embodiment, the time from image reading to output can be reduced by simultaneously performing the ACS determination via the memory 60.
[0117]
Further, as described in the sequence, generally, the speed (reading resolution) of the pre-scan and the main scan is different. In the case of the pre-scan method, it is possible to always cope with one speed independently of the scan speed used in the main scan.
[0118]
However, in this example, since the discrimination is performed at the same time as the main scan, the ACS parameter used as the fixed parameter at the time of the conventional pre-scan is switched according to the main scan speed, so that it is possible to cope with various reading speeds and the discrimination accuracy is improved. Can be improved.
[0119]
Further, if the speed of the image signal input to the ACS is kept constant, even if the main scan is performed in parallel, the control can be performed with one parameter in the same manner as when using the conventional prescan without adjusting to the main scan speed. .
[0120]
That is, the third embodiment provides the following image processing apparatus.
[0121]
Image input means for inputting a color image, chromatic color pixel determination means for determining chromatic color pixels using chromatic color information of the color image, and counting the chromatic color determination results to determine the type of the color image In an image processing apparatus of an image forming apparatus having a type discriminating unit, an image storing unit for storing the color image, and a converting unit for converting the stored color image, the color image is stored in the image storing unit in parallel. An image processing apparatus for operating the type discriminating means to convert a color image stored in the image storing means according to the result of the type discrimination.
[0122]
An image input unit for inputting a color image; an image scaling unit for scaling the color image; a preprocessing unit for performing processing using information of the entire scaled image; and storing the scaled image. In the image processing apparatus of the image forming apparatus having the image storage unit, the pre-processing unit switches processing parameters according to a magnification and operates in parallel with image storage in the image storage unit. Processing equipment.
[0123]
The image processing apparatus further includes image input means for inputting a color image by changing the scanning speed in the sub-scanning direction, preprocessing means for performing processing using information on the entire color image, and image storage means for storing the color image. In the image processing apparatus of the image forming apparatus, the preprocessing unit switches a processing parameter according to the scanning speed and operates in parallel with storing the image in the image storage unit.
[0124]
Further, an image input unit for inputting a color image by changing a scanning speed in the sub-scanning direction, a chromatic color pixel determining unit for determining a chromatic color pixel using chromatic color information of the color image, and a chromatic color determination result. The chromatic color pixel determining means in the image processing apparatus of the image forming apparatus, comprising: counting means for counting; type determining means for determining the type of the color image based on the counting result; and image storing means for storing the color image. And counting means operating in parallel with image storage in the image storage means, and switching at least one of the chromatic pixel determination means or the counting means or the type determination means according to the scanning speed. An image processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.
[0125]
Image input means for inputting an image; image scaling means for scaling the image; preprocessing means for performing processing using information of the entire image; and a speed for controlling an operation speed of the preprocessing means. In an image processing apparatus of an image forming apparatus having a control unit and an image storage unit for storing the image, the pre-processing unit performs processing regardless of the scaling factor, and performs processing in parallel with storing an image in the image storage unit. An image processing apparatus for controlling the speed control means so as to operate.
[0126]
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described.
[0127]
FIG. 30 is a configuration diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0128]
The fourth embodiment is basically the same as the third embodiment except that the color scanner is a double-sided simultaneous reading type, and there are two image signals and two ACS units until the image data is stored in the memory.
[0129]
FIG. 31 shows an operation sequence of the fourth embodiment.
[0130]
There are two inputs and one output.
[0131]
That is, a front image is input (ST11), an ACS determination (ST12) is performed and stored in the memory 60 (ST13). Subsequently, a back image is input (ST14), an ACS determination (ST15) is performed and stored in the memory 60. (ST16).
[0132]
Then, the front is printed based on the determination result of the front (ST17), and then the back is printed based on the determination result of the back (ST18).
[0133]
In this way, before storage in the memory 60, it is determined whether color or black and white. Then, at the time of output, by sequentially applying the determination results to the output of the subsequent stage from the memory 60, the operation time and the processing circuit at the time of double-side reading can be reduced.
[0134]
That is, the fourth embodiment provides the following image processing apparatus.
[0135]
Image input means for simultaneously reading the front and back sides of a document and inputting an image; preprocessing means for performing processing using information on the single-sided image as a whole; image storage means for storing the double-sided image; An image processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a reading unit for reading data; wherein the preprocessing unit has two for a front surface and a back surface.
[0136]
Further, image input means for simultaneously reading the front and back surfaces of the original and inputting a color image, chromatic pixel discriminating means for discriminating chromatic pixels using chromatic color information of the one-sided image, and counting the chromatic color discrimination result Image processing of an image forming apparatus comprising: counting means; type determining means for determining the type of the color image based on the counting result; image storing means for storing the double-sided image; and reading means for reading the stored image one by one. In the apparatus, the chromatic color pixel determining means, the counting means, and the type determining means have two for a front surface and a back surface.
[0137]
Image input means for simultaneously reading the front and back sides of a document and inputting an image; preprocessing means for performing processing using information of the entire single-sided image; image storage means for storing the double-sided image; Reading means for reading the image, a selecting means for selecting the read image on a plane basis, and an arithmetic means for performing preprocessing by software, wherein the preprocessing means performs processing on the front surface or the back surface. And performing a pre-processing by software in the calculating means by selecting an image of a surface not processed by the pre-processing means by the selecting means when reading the image stored in the image storing means. Image processing device.
[0138]
Further, image input means for simultaneously reading the front and back sides of the document and inputting an image, input selection means for selecting an input image, preprocessing means for performing processing using information of the entire single-sided image, and An image processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus, comprising: an image storage unit for storing; a reading unit for reading out the stored image; and a readout selection unit for selecting the readout image in units of planes. And an image selected by the readout selection means.
[0139]
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described.
[0140]
FIG. 32 is a configuration diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[0141]
In the fifth embodiment, an image signal is converted into a luminance / color difference signal by a luminance / color difference conversion section 90, a monochrome conversion section 70 is provided in place of the color conversion section, and a hard disk drive (HDD) 80 is provided in place of the printer. This is different from the third embodiment. The ACS circuit 61 includes the chromatic color discriminating unit 1005-1, the chromatic color counting unit 1006-1, and the color discriminating unit 1007-1.
[0142]
According to this configuration, since the ACS can be determined using the signal converted into the luminance / color difference signal, the ACS circuit 61 can be simplified.
[0143]
In addition, since the luminance / color difference signal is input to the memory 60 and the ACS is operated at the same time as the storage in the memory, the color / monochrome is determined when reading from the memory 60. Accordingly, color / monochrome conversion can be performed with a simple configuration in which the black-and-white conversion unit 70 extracts only the luminance signal at the time of monochrome and the luminance / color difference signal at the time of color. Also, in the case of monochrome, only the luminance signal can be stored in the HDD 80, so that the operation time is shortened, the circuit cost is reduced, and the storage capacity of the HDD 80 is increased.
[0144]
In addition, the luminance of the luminance / color difference signal is converted to 10 bits and the color difference is converted to 8 bits, and the black and white conversion unit 70 stores the luminance signal in the HDD 80 in a state of 10 bits for black and white and 8 bits for color, so that a high level suitable for an image is obtained. A high-quality input image can be obtained.
[0145]
That is, in the fifth embodiment, the following image processing apparatus is provided.
[0146]
Image input means for inputting a color image, luminance / color difference conversion means for converting a color image input by the image input means into a luminance / color difference system, and image storage for storing the converted image converted by the luminance / color difference conversion means An image processing apparatus comprising: means for reading an image stored in the image storage means;
[0147]
A color image input unit for inputting a color image; a luminance / color difference conversion unit for converting the color image into a luminance / color difference system; a chromatic color pixel determination unit for determining a chromatic color pixel using the color difference signal; Counting means for counting the chromatic color determination result, type determination means for determining the type of the color image based on the count result, image storage means for storing the converted image, and read means for selecting and reading the stored image. The image processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit selects and reads using the result of the type determining unit.
[0148]
Image input means for inputting a color image; luminance / color difference conversion means for converting the color image into a luminance / color difference system; image storage means for storing the converted image; and read means for selecting and reading the stored image The image processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said luminance / color difference converting means makes bit precision of a luminance signal higher than color difference.
[0149]
Next, a sixth embodiment will be described.
[0150]
FIG. 33 is a configuration diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
[0151]
A CCD that simultaneously inputs RGB + K is used as the color scanner 1001-1, and a color image processing unit 91 that performs color image processing based on RGB signals and a monochrome image processing unit 92 that performs monochrome image processing based on K signals are provided. Is different from the third embodiment.
[0152]
According to this configuration, by using a device capable of inputting the RGB signal + K signal, a monochrome image can be reproduced using only the K signal in black and white, so that the image quality is improved.
[0153]
By performing processing suitable for color / monochrome on the memory 60 and performing ACS at the same time, when reading from the memory 60, images suitable for color / monochrome can be selectively output.
[0154]
If it is not desired to provide two systems for color and black and white, the RGB signal + K signal is stored in the memory 60 as it is, and after receiving the ACS determination result, the optimal processing is performed after storing in the memory 60. good.
[0155]
That is, the sixth embodiment provides the following image processing apparatus.
[0156]
Image input means for simultaneously inputting four signals of RGB color signals and black and white signals, chromatic color pixel discriminating means for discriminating chromatic color pixels using the RGB color signals, and counting for counting the chromatic color discrimination results Means, type determination means for determining the type of the input image based on the counting result, color processing for processing the RGB color signal, monochrome processing for processing the black and white signal, and the color processing image and the black and white processing image. In an image processing apparatus of an image forming apparatus having an image storing means for storing and a reading means for selecting and reading the stored image, the reading means selects and reads using a result of the type determining means. Image processing device.
[0157]
As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, in various types of color image input devices, it is possible to realize improvement in preprocessing accuracy, improvement in operation speed, and reduction in cost.
[0158]
The invention of the present application is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, the embodiments may be implemented in appropriate combinations as much as possible, in which case the combined effects can be obtained. Further, the embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some components are deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment, (at least one of) the problems described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the effect of the invention can be solved. In the case where (at least one of) the effects described in (1) is obtained, a configuration from which this component is deleted can be extracted as an invention.
[0159]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of improving the accuracy of the determination (ACS) between color and black and white and shortening the preprocessing time.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a color copying machine according to an image processing apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a CCD unit of a color scanner and document reading.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining color shift of a CCD.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an edge determination unit.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a chromatic color determination unit.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a look-up table.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a counter.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a color determination unit.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an operation result of the color determination unit.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining another configuration in the first embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another configuration of the ACS unit.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another configuration of the ACS unit.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another configuration of the ACS unit.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a table used in a chromatic color detection unit.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a modification of the first embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a sensor that can simultaneously input R, G, and B signals and a K signal.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a modification of the first embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the correlation of a four-line sensor.
FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the color copying machine according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a configuration of an automatic sheet feeder.
FIG. 21 is a view for explaining the bending of paper in a sheet-through document;
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a sub-scanning count and switching signal output unit.
FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a table in which the number of sub-scanning lines is classified.
FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a table of a chromatic color determination unit.
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a table of switching signals.
FIG. 26 is a flowchart for explaining a correction operation.
FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the color copying machine according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 28 is an operation sequence for processing three originals.
FIG. 29 is an operation sequence for processing three documents.
FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the color copying machine according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 31 shows an operation sequence of the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the color copying machine according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 33 is a block diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the color copying machine according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1001-1: color scanner; 1002-1: color conversion unit; 1003-1: printer; 1004-1: edge determination unit; 1005-1: chromatic color determination unit; 1006-1: chromatic color count unit; ... Color discriminating unit, 1008-1 ... ACS unit.

Claims (32)

In an image processing device for processing an input color image,
Edge determining means for determining edge information of the color image;
A chromatic pixel discriminating unit for discriminating a chromatic pixel using the edge discrimination result of the edge discriminating unit and the chromatic color information of the color image;
Type determining means for determining the type of the color image by counting the chromatic color determination result of the chromatic color pixel determining means,
An image processing apparatus comprising: 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chromatic color pixel determining unit switches a chromatic color determination level of a pixel determined as an edge by the edge determining unit. In an image processing device for processing an input color image,
Edge determining means for determining edge information of the color image;
A chromatic pixel discriminating unit for discriminating a chromatic pixel using the edge discrimination result of the edge discriminating unit and the chromatic color information of the color image;
Counting means for counting the chromatic color discrimination result of the chromatic color pixel discrimination means,
Type determining means for determining the type of the color image from the counting result of the counting means,
An image processing apparatus comprising: 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the counting means counts the number of effective chromatic pixels based on the edge determination result and the chromatic color determination result. In an image processing device for processing an input color image,
Edge determining means for determining edge information of the color image;
First counting means for counting the edge determination result of the edge determining means,
Chromatic color pixel determination means for determining chromatic color pixels using the chromatic color information of the color image,
Second counting means for counting the chromatic color discrimination result of the chromatic color pixel discrimination means,
Type determining means for determining the type of the color image based on the counting results of the first and second counting means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: In an image processing device for processing an input color image,
Calculation means for calculating the average value and the variance equivalent to the peripheral pixels of the color image for each color signal constituting the color image,
Chromatic color detection means for detecting chromatic pixels from the equivalent of the average value and the variance value for each color signal calculated by the calculation means,
Counting means for counting the chromatic color detection results of the chromatic color detection means;
Type determining means for determining the type of the color image from the counting result of the counting means,
An image processing apparatus comprising: In an image processing device for processing an input color image,
Dividing means for dividing the color image into blocks in a predetermined range;
Calculating means for calculating, for each block divided by the dividing means, an average value and a variance value in the block for each color signal constituting the color image;
Chromatic color detection means for detecting a chromatic block from the average value and the variance value for each color signal in the block calculated by the calculation means,
Counting means for counting the number of chromatic color blocks detected by the chromatic color detection means;
Type determining means for determining the type of the color image from the counting result of the counting means,
An image processing apparatus comprising: The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the division unit has a power of 2 in a predetermined range of blocks. In an image processing device for processing an input color image,
A character / photograph discriminating unit for discriminating a character area and a photograph area from the color image;
A chromatic color pixel determining means for determining a chromatic color pixel using the determination result of the character / photograph determining means and the chromatic color information of the color image;
Counting means for counting the chromatic color discrimination result of the chromatic color pixel discrimination means,
Type determining means for determining the type of the color image from the counting result of the counting means,
An image processing apparatus comprising: In an image processing device for processing an input color image,
A character / photograph discriminating unit for discriminating a character area and a photograph area from the color image;
Switching means for switching processing using the result of the determination by the character / photograph determination means;
A chromatic color pixel determining unit that determines a chromatic pixel by using the determination result of the character / photo determining unit and the chromatic color information of the color image;
Counting means for counting the chromatic color discrimination result of the chromatic color pixel discrimination means,
Type determining means for determining the type of the color image from the counting result of the counting means,
At the time of pre-scan, the type is determined using the type determination unit, and at the time of the main scan, a control unit that performs control to execute processing switched by the switching unit;
An image processing apparatus comprising: The image processing apparatus sets the text / photo discriminating unit to discriminate the type of a color image during pre-scanning, and sets the text / photo discriminating unit using a discrimination result of the type during main scanning. The image processing device according to claim 10. In an image processing apparatus for processing a color image to which four signals of an RGB color signal and a black and white signal are simultaneously input,
Correlation calculating means for calculating a correlation between the RGB color signal and the black and white signal;
A chromatic color pixel determining unit that determines a chromatic pixel using the correlation calculation result obtained by the correlation calculating unit and the chromatic color information of the color image;
Type determining means for determining the type of the color image by counting the chromatic color determination result of the chromatic color pixel determining means,
An image processing apparatus comprising: An image processing apparatus that processes a color image output from an image input unit that feeds a document using an automatic document feeder and inputs a color image,
Coordinate value counting means for counting read coordinates in the sub-scanning direction;
Chromatic color pixel determining means for determining chromatic color pixels of the color image,
Chromatic color counting means for counting the chromatic color determination result of the chromatic color pixel determination means,
Type determining means for determining the type of the color image from the chromatic color counting result of the chromatic color counting means,
Switching means for switching the processing of the chromatic color pixel determining means or the chromatic color counting means according to the sub-scanning coordinate value of the coordinate value counting means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: In an image processing apparatus for processing a color image in an image forming apparatus having a detection unit for detecting a document size before image input and an image input unit for feeding a document using an automatic document feeder and inputting a color image ,
Coordinate value counting means for counting read coordinates in the sub-scanning direction;
A coordinate storage unit for storing processing switching coordinates,
Chromatic color pixel determining means for determining chromatic color pixels of the color image,
Chromatic color counting means for counting the chromatic color determination result of the chromatic color pixel determination means,
Type determining means for determining the type of the color image from the chromatic color counting result of the chromatic color counting means,
The processing of the chromatic pixel discriminating means or the chromatic color counting means according to the processing switching coordinates stored in the coordinate storage unit based on the document size detection result by the detecting means and the sub-scanning coordinate values by the coordinate value counting means. Switching means for switching between
An image processing apparatus comprising: In an image processing apparatus for processing a color image in an image forming apparatus having a detection unit for detecting a document size before image input and an image input unit for feeding a document using an automatic document feeder and inputting a color image ,
Coordinate value counting means for counting read coordinates in the sub-scanning direction;
A coordinate storage unit for storing processing switching coordinates,
Chromatic color pixel determining means for determining chromatic color pixels of the color image,
Chromatic color counting means for counting the chromatic color determination result of the chromatic color pixel determination means,
Type determining means for determining the type of the color image from the chromatic color counting result of the chromatic color counting means,
According to the process switching coordinates stored in the coordinate storage unit regardless of the document size, the process switching coordinates stored in the coordinate storage unit based on the document size detection result, and the sub-scanning coordinate value from the coordinate value counting unit, Switching means for switching the processing of the chromatic pixel determination means or chromatic color counting means,
An image processing apparatus comprising: An image processing apparatus that processes a color image output from an image input unit that feeds a document using an automatic document feeder and inputs a color image,
Coordinate value counting means for counting read coordinates in the sub-scanning direction;
A coordinate storage unit for storing processing switching coordinates,
Chromatic color pixel determining means for determining chromatic color pixels of the color image,
Chromatic color counting means for counting the chromatic color determination result of the chromatic color pixel determination means,
Type determining means for determining the type of the color image from the chromatic color counting result of the chromatic color counting means,
A switching unit that switches processing of a chromatic color pixel determining unit or a chromatic color counting unit according to the switching coordinates stored in the coordinate storage unit and the sub-scanning coordinate value from the coordinate value counter unit;
An image processing apparatus comprising: An image processing apparatus that processes a color image output from an image input unit that feeds a document using an automatic document feeder and inputs a color image,
Coordinate value counting means for counting read coordinates in the sub-scanning direction;
Edge determining means for determining edge information of the color image;
Chromatic color pixel determining means for determining chromatic color pixels of the color image,
Chromatic color counting means for counting the chromatic color determination result of the chromatic color pixel determination means,
Type determining means for determining the type of the color image from the chromatic color counting result of the chromatic color counting means,
Switching means for switching the processing of the edge discriminating means, chromatic color pixel discriminating means or chromatic color counting means in accordance with the sub-scanning coordinate value by the coordinate value counting means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: In an image processing apparatus that processes a color image output from an image input unit that inputs a color image to feed a document or feed a document by directly placing the document on a platen using an automatic document feeder,
Coordinate value counting means for counting read coordinates in the sub-scanning direction;
Chromatic color pixel determining means for determining chromatic color pixels of the color image,
Chromatic color counting means for counting the chromatic color determination result of the chromatic color pixel determination means,
Type determining means for determining the type of the color image from the chromatic color counting result of the chromatic color counting means,
Switching means for switching the processing of the chromatic color pixel determining means or the chromatic color counting means in accordance with the document feeding means and the sub-scanning coordinate value of the document;
An image processing apparatus comprising: An image processing apparatus that processes a color image output from an image input unit that feeds a document using an automatic document feeder and inputs a color image,
Coordinate value counting means for counting read coordinates in the sub-scanning direction;
Identification means for identifying the color image into a character area and a photograph area;
Identification holding means for holding a part of the identification result by the identification means,
Switching means for switching processing using the identification result of the identification means,
A chromatic color pixel determining unit that determines a chromatic color pixel using the identification result of the identification unit and the chromatic color information of the color image;
Chromatic color counting means for counting the chromatic color determination result of the chromatic color pixel determination means,
Type determining means for determining the type of the color image from the chromatic color counting result of the chromatic color counting means,
At the time of pre-scan, the processing of the identification means, the chromatic color pixel determination means or the chromatic color counting means is switched according to the sub-scanning coordinate value, and the identification result is held according to the sub-scanning coordinate value. Control means for controlling the setting of the identification means based on the identification holding result,
An image processing apparatus comprising: Image input means for inputting a color image, chromatic color pixel determination means for determining chromatic color pixels using chromatic color information of the color image, and counting the chromatic color determination results to determine the type of the color image In an image processing apparatus of an image forming apparatus having a type determination unit, an image storage unit that stores the color image, and a conversion unit that converts the stored color image,
An image processing device for operating the type discriminating means in parallel with storing the color image in the image storing means, and converting the color image stored in the image storing means in accordance with the result of the type discrimination. . Image input means for inputting a color image, image scaling means for scaling the color image, preprocessing means for performing processing using information on the entire scaled image, and image storage for storing the scaled image And an image processing apparatus of an image forming apparatus having
An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said preprocessing means switches processing parameters in accordance with a scaling factor, and operates in parallel with image storage in said image storage means. Image forming apparatus having image input means for inputting a color image by changing the scanning speed in the sub-scanning direction, preprocessing means for performing processing using information on the entire color image, and image storage means for storing the color image In the image processing device of the device,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the preprocessing unit switches processing parameters in accordance with the scanning speed, and operates the image processing unit in parallel with image storage in the image storage unit. Image input means for inputting a color image by changing the scanning speed in the sub-scanning direction, chromatic color pixel determination means for determining chromatic color pixels using chromatic color information of the color image, and counting the chromatic color determination result A counting unit, a type determining unit that determines a type of the color image based on the counting result, and an image processing apparatus of an image forming apparatus including an image storing unit that stores the color image.
The chromatic color pixel discriminating means and the counting means are operated in parallel with the image storage in the image storing means, and at least one of the chromatic color pixel discriminating means, the counting means or the type discriminating means is operated in accordance with the scanning speed. An image processing apparatus characterized in that a processing parameter is switched by a switch. Image input means for inputting an image, image scaling means for scaling the image, preprocessing means for performing processing using information of the entire image, and speed control means for controlling the operation speed of the preprocessing means And an image processing apparatus of an image forming apparatus having image storage means for storing the image.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the preprocessing unit performs processing irrespective of the scaling factor, and controls the speed control unit to operate in parallel with image storage in the image storage unit. Image input means for simultaneously reading the front and back sides of a document and inputting an image; preprocessing means for performing processing using information on the single-sided image as a whole; image storage means for storing the double-sided image; An image processing apparatus of an image forming apparatus having reading means for reading.
An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pre-processing means has two for the front side and the back side. Image input means for simultaneously reading the front and back sides of a document and inputting a color image; chromatic pixel discriminating means for discriminating chromatic pixels using chromatic color information of the one-sided image; and counting means for counting the chromatic color discrimination result An image processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a type determination unit configured to determine a type of the color image based on the counting result; an image storage unit configured to store the double-sided image; and a reading unit configured to read the stored image one by one. ,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chromatic color pixel determining unit, the counting unit, and the type determining unit include two for a front surface and a back surface. Image input means for simultaneously reading the front and back sides of a document and inputting an image; preprocessing means for performing processing using information on the single-sided image as a whole; image storage means for storing the double-sided image; and reading the stored image In an image processing apparatus of an image forming apparatus having a reading unit, a selection unit that selects the read image in units of planes, and an arithmetic unit that performs preprocessing by software,
The pre-processing unit performs front-side or back-side processing, and at the time of reading an image stored in the image storage unit, selects an image of a surface that has not been processed by the pre-processing unit with the selection unit, and uses the calculation unit with the selection unit. An image processing apparatus for performing pre-processing by software. Image input means for simultaneously reading the front and back sides of a document and inputting an image, input selecting means for selecting an input image, preprocessing means for performing processing using information of the entire single-sided image, and storing the double-sided image An image processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus, comprising: an image storage unit; a reading unit that reads the stored image; and a reading selection unit that selects the read image on a per-screen basis.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input selection unit selects an image selected by the image input unit and the readout selection unit. Image input means for inputting a color image,
Brightness / color difference conversion means for converting the color image input by the image input means into a brightness / color difference system;
Image storage means for storing the converted image converted by the luminance / color difference conversion means,
Reading means for selecting and reading an image stored in the image storage means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: A color image input unit for inputting a color image, a luminance / color difference conversion unit for converting the color image into a luminance / color difference system, a chromatic color pixel determination unit for determining a chromatic pixel using the color difference signal, and the chromatic color A counting unit for counting the determination result; a type determination unit for determining the type of the color image based on the counting result; an image storage unit for storing the converted image; and a reading unit for selecting and reading the stored image In the image processing apparatus of the image forming apparatus,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit selects and reads using a result of the type determining unit. Image input means for inputting a color image, luminance / color difference conversion means for converting the color image into a luminance / color difference system, image storage means for storing the converted image, and read means for selecting and reading out the stored image. In the image processing apparatus of the image forming apparatus having
An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said luminance / color difference converting means makes bit precision of a luminance signal higher than color difference. Image input means for simultaneously inputting four signals of RGB color signals and black and white signals, chromatic color pixel discriminating means for discriminating chromatic color pixels using the RGB color signals, and counting for counting the chromatic color discrimination results Means, type determination means for determining the type of the input image based on the counting result, color processing for processing the RGB color signal, monochrome processing for processing the black and white signal, and the color processing image and the black and white processing image. An image processing apparatus of an image forming apparatus, comprising: an image storage unit for storing; and a reading unit for selecting and reading out the stored image.
The image processing apparatus, wherein the reading unit selects and reads using a result of the type determining unit.

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