JP2004282126A - Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, image reading apparatus, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus for ordinarily processing an image as a small capacity image with high quality and capable of reducing the work area when editing/processing the image. <P>SOLUTION: A flowchart of processes performed by a digital copying machine includes: a step S1 of discriminating whether or not application of editing/processing to an image is required; a step S2 of reading a code of a first coding system stored in an MEM when the processing is required (Y in the step S1); a step S3 of converting the code into a code of a second coding system; a step S4 of outputting the code after the conversion to an IPP or the like; a step S5 of reading the code of the first coding system stored in the MEM without any modification when no edit and working process to the image is required (N in the step S1); and a step S6 of providing an output of the code to an image forming unit or the like. In the first and second coding systems, the former is more suitable for an image with high image quality and has a higher coding efficiency than the latter, and the latter is more suitable for image editing and processing than the former. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing device that processes a code obtained by compressing an image, an image reading device, a program, and a storage medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Patent Document 1 discloses an image processing apparatus that optimizes image processing of a read signal, image storage in a memory, parallel operation of a plurality of functions, and each image processing in a so-called multifunction peripheral.
[0003]
Also, as an encoding method for reversibly encoding a multi-valued image (especially a color image), a JPEG method which is a standard method by ITU-T and ISO is known.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-08-274986
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In recent digital devices, there is a tendency to increase the resolution or increase the number of gradations in order to improve image quality. As a result, the image quality is improved by increasing the information amount of the image, but there is a problem that the information amount of the image increases. To give an example of the latter, for example, when an image having two gradations (white or black) values is converted into a black and white 256 gradation image, the amount of information is increased eight times. The fact that the amount of information is increased eight times means that the storage capacity required for storing the image data becomes eight times as a simple calculation, resulting in an increase in the manufacturing cost of the apparatus. Therefore, in order to reduce the storage capacity, the image is usually compression-encoded.
[0006]
As one of such encoding methods, there is a technique for encoding a multi-tone image efficiently. As a representative example of the encoding method of the multi-tone image (including the color image), there is a JPEG method standardly recommended by ISO and ITU-T. The JPEG system includes a basic DCT system and a system using an optional DPCM. The former uses a human visual characteristic to perform coding by partially reducing the amount of information of an original image so as not to impair image quality (referred to as an irreversible coding system or a lossy coding system). The latter is a coding method (referred to as a lossless coding method or a lossless coding method) for performing coding without impairing the information amount of the original image.
[0007]
The DCT method is a method of encoding image information after converting image information into frequency information using discrete cosine transform. On the other hand, the DPCM method is a method of predicting a target pixel level from surrounding pixels and encoding the prediction error. If encoding is performed with an emphasis on image quality, it is preferable to use an efficient DCT method. However, since the DCT method is irreversible in terms of information preservation, it is a reversible DPCM method. Ideally, a reversible and highly efficient system is sufficient, but there is a problem that the current reversible system based on DPCM cannot obtain such a large efficiency, and a relatively large number of gradations used in a personal computer (PC) or the like is required. For compression of multi-valued images, which are often used, the use of the DCT method has become mainstream. However, in the DCT method, when the compression ratio is increased, mosquito noise is generated at a specific block distortion and a contour portion, and the image quality is extremely deteriorated. Particularly in a character image, the tendency is conspicuous, which is a serious problem in image quality.
[0008]
Further, the JPEG method is an optimal method for use in reducing the storage capacity of an image, but is not optimal for use in editing and processing an image used in a digital copying machine. This is because the position of the image cannot be specified in the code state, in other words, it is not possible to decode only an arbitrary part of the specified image. Therefore, in order to perform the editing and processing, the entire image is decoded once, the edited image is edited and processed, and if necessary, the encoding is performed again. There is a problem that a memory having a large storage capacity is required to store a subsequent image (for example, an A4 size, 600 dpi, RGB color image requires about 100 Mbytes).
[0009]
As one of the means for solving the problem of the storage capacity of the memory at the time of the editing / processing, it is conceivable to use a fixed-length encoding method. Image encoding is roughly divided into a variable length and a fixed length from the codeword length after encoding. The former features that the encoding efficiency is better and that reversibility is possible as compared with the latter. On the other hand, in the latter feature, since the position of the image before encoding is known in the state of the code, it is possible to reproduce only an arbitrary portion in the image. This means that the image can be edited and processed in the code state. However, on the other hand, there is a problem that the coding efficiency is generally lower and the lossless coding is more difficult than the variable length code.
[0010]
In order to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the JPEG scheme, an encoding scheme called JPEG2000 has recently attracted attention. JPEG2000 is a transform coding method using wavelet transform, and it is predicted that JPEG2000 will be replaced by JPEG in the field of still images such as color images in the future. JPEG2000 has many practical new functions in addition to reducing image quality degradation at low bit rates, which is a drawback of JPEG. One of the functions is tile processing, which divides the image into small areas and encodes them independently, so that the area of the image can be specified by the code state. As a result, the code state The image can be edited and processed as it is. However, such a JPEG2000 system also has disadvantages. It is processing speed. JPEG2000 realizes multi-function and high performance, and thus the processing is complicated. Taking a comparison with JPEG as an example, processing by software requires about 4 to 5 times the processing time.
[0011]
As described above, the various encoding methods have advantages and disadvantages, and are usually treated as high-quality and small-capacity images. When processing such as image editing and processing is required, the processing of editing and processing with the code as is is performed. If it can be executed, the disadvantages of various coding schemes can be supplemented, which is convenient.
[0012]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to normally treat a high-quality image and a small-capacity image, and to reduce the work area when editing and processing the image.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is an encoding method for compressing and encoding an image, wherein the former has higher image quality and higher encoding efficiency than the latter, and the latter is more suitable for editing and processing the image than the former. Reading means for reading a code stored in the storage device as a code compressed and coded by the first coding method among the two coding methods, and reading the read code of the first coding method from the storage device. Conversion means for converting to a code of a second coding method, and selectively outputting one of the code of the first coding method or the code of the second coding method after the conversion to a predetermined destination And a transmission unit.
[0014]
Therefore, it is usually handled as a high-quality and small-capacity image. If editing and processing of the image is necessary, convert the code into a code suitable for editing and processing, and perform the editing and processing as it is. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the work area when editing and processing an image.
[0015]
In the present invention, “editing and processing an image” refers to various types of editing processing such as changing the size of an image and adding a page number, and processing of processing an image such as various types of image processing.
[0016]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the first encoding scheme is a variable length encoding scheme, and the second encoding scheme is a fixed length encoding scheme.
[0017]
Therefore, it is usually handled as a high-quality, small-capacity variable-length code image, and when image editing and processing is required, it is converted to a fixed-length code suitable for editing and processing and edited as it is. Since processing can be performed, it is possible to reduce the work area when editing and processing an image.
[0018]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the first encoding scheme is a variable length encoding scheme, and the second encoding scheme is a decoded image as it is. This is an encoding method in which a position can be specified and an image can be decoded independently of only the portion.
[0019]
Therefore, it is usually treated as a high-quality, small-capacity variable-length code image, and when image editing and processing is required, it is suitable for editing and processing. It is possible to independently convert the image into a code that can be decoded independently and edit and process the code as it is, so that the working area can be reduced when editing and processing the image. Become.
[0020]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the codes of the first and second encoding methods are a variable-length encoding method and a fixed-length encoding method realized by the same encoding method. This is an encoding method.
[0021]
Therefore, since it can be realized by one encoding method, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0022]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the codes of the first and second coding schemes are a variable length coding scheme realized by the same coding scheme, and a code. This is an encoding method in which the position of the image after decoding can be specified as it is, and the image can be decoded independently of only the portion.
[0023]
Therefore, since it can be realized by one encoding method, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0024]
The invention according to claim 6 is the image processing device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the same encoding method is JPEG2000.
[0025]
Therefore, since it can be realized by one encoding method called JPEG2000, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0026]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, compression means for compressing and encoding image data by the first encoding method, A storage device for storing a later code and reading the same, a decoding unit for decoding the stored code, a printer engine for forming an image on a medium based on image data, and the image data Editing / processing means for performing editing or processing on the second encoding means, wherein the transmitting means outputs the code of the first encoding method for editing or processing, and outputs the second code after the conversion. And an image forming apparatus for outputting a code of the above-mentioned encoding method for use in forming the image.
[0027]
Therefore, the same operation and effect as the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 6 can be obtained.
[0028]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image input apparatus for reading an image of a document to be used for forming an image, the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, and the image data after the reading. Compression means for compression-encoding with a first encoding method, a storage device for storing the code after the compression and encoding, and a storage device for reading out the code; decoding means for decoding the stored code; Editing / processing means for editing or processing image data, wherein the transmitting means outputs the code of the first encoding method for use in editing or processing, and the converted An image reading device that outputs a code of the second encoding method to the outside.
[0029]
Therefore, the same operation and effect as the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 6 can be obtained.
[0030]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an encoding method for compressing and encoding an image, wherein the former has higher image quality and higher encoding efficiency than the latter, and the latter is more suitable for image editing and processing than the former. Read processing for reading out the code stored in the storage device with the code which has been compressed and coded by the first coding method among the two coding methods, and reading the read code of the first coding method. A conversion process of converting to a code of a second coding system, and selectively outputting one of the code of the first coding system or the code of the second coding system after the conversion to a predetermined destination. And a transmission process.
[0031]
Therefore, the same operation and effect as the first aspect can be obtained.
[0032]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing the program according to the ninth aspect.
[0033]
Therefore, the same operation and effect as the first aspect can be obtained.
[0034]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[First Embodiment of the Invention]
One embodiment of the present invention will be described as a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0035]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical connection of a copying machine 1 in which an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is implemented. A reading unit 11, which is a scanner for optically reading a document, condenses reflected light of lamp irradiation on the document to a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD (charge coupled device) by an optical system including a mirror and a lens. The photoelectric conversion element is mounted on an SBU (sensor board unit) 12, and the image signal converted into an electric signal by the light receiving element is converted into a digital image signal, and then output from the SBU 12. The image signal output from the SBU 12 is input to a CDIC 13 (compression / decompression and data interface control unit) 13. The transmission of image data between the functional device and the data bus is entirely controlled by the CDIC 13. The CDIC 13 relates to image data, transfers a data between the SBU 12, the parallel bus 14, and an IPP 15 (image processing processor) 15 serving as an editing / processing means, a system controller (CPU) 16 for overall control of the system, and a process controller 27 for image data. Communication between the two. Reference numerals 16a and 16b denote ROM and RAM used by the system controller 16. The image signals from the SBUs 12 are transferred to the IPP 15 via the CDIC 13, where the signal deterioration due to the quantization into the optical system and the digital image signal (referred to as the signal deterioration of the scanner system) is corrected and output to the CDIC 13 again. Is done.
[0036]
In the copying machine 1, there are a job for storing the image read by the reading unit 11 in the memory for reuse, and a job for not storing the image in the memory. Each case will be described below. As an example of storing the data in the memory, when a plurality of copies of the same document are copied, the reading unit 11 reads the document only once, stores the document in the memory, and reads the stored data a plurality of times. As an example in which no memory is used, when only one document is copied, the read image may be printed as it is, so that it is not necessary to access the memory.
[0037]
First, when the memory is not used, the image data transferred from the IPP 15 to the CDIC 13 is returned from the CDIC 13 to the IPP 15 again. In the IPP 15, an image quality process for converting the luminance data by the light receiving element into the area gradation is performed. The image data after the image quality processing is transferred from the IPP 15 to the VDC (video data control) 17. Then, the post-processing relating to the dot arrangement and the pulse control for reproducing the dots are performed on the signal changed to the area gradation, and the image forming unit 18 which is a printer engine for forming an image by an electrophotographic method is formed on transfer paper. Form a reproduced image. As a printing method of the image forming unit 18, various methods such as an ink jet method, a sublimation type thermal transfer method, a silver halide photographic method, a direct thermal recording method, and a fusion type thermal transfer method can be used in addition to the electrophotographic method.
[0038]
The flow of image data in the case where image data is stored in a memory and additional processing such as rotation in the image direction and image synthesis are performed at the time of reading the image data will be described. The image data transferred from the IPP 15 to the CDIC 13 is sent from the CDIC 13 to the IMAC (image memory access control) 19 via the parallel bus 14. The IMAC 19 controls access to an MEM (memory module) 20 which is a storage device of image data, expands print data to an external PC (personal computer) 21 and effectively uses the memory of the MEM 20 based on the control of the system controller 16. Compression / expansion of image data for the purpose. The image data sent to the IMAC 19 is stored in the MEM 20 after data compression, and the stored data is read out as needed. The read image data is expanded and returned to the original image data, and is returned from the IMAC 19 to the CDIC 13 via the parallel bus.
[0039]
After the transfer from the CDIC 13 to the IPP 15, the image data is subjected to image quality processing and pulse control by the VDC 17, and the image data is used to form an image on transfer paper in the image forming unit 18.
[0040]
The copying machine 1 is a so-called multifunction machine, and has a facsimile transmission function. The FAX transmission function performs image processing on the read image data by the IPP 15 and transfers the read image data to the FCU (FAX control unit) 22 via the CDIC 13 and the parallel bus 14. The FCU 22 performs data conversion to a communication network and transmits the data to a PN (public line) 23 as FAX data. For FAX reception, the line data from the PN 23 is converted into image data by the FCU 22 and transferred to the IPP 15 via the parallel bus 14 and the CDIC 13. In this case, the VDC 17 performs dot rearrangement and pulse control without performing any special image quality processing, and the image forming unit 18 forms a reproduced image on transfer paper.
[0041]
In a situation where a plurality of jobs, for example, a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and a printer output function operate in parallel, the allocation of the right to use the reading unit, the imaging unit, and the parallel bus 14 to the job is performed by the system controller 16 and the process controller 27. To control.
[0042]
A process controller (CPU) 27 controls the flow of image data, and a system controller 16 controls the entire system and manages activation of each resource. Reference numerals 27a and 27b denote ROM and RAM used by the system controller 27.
[0043]
The user selects various functions by selecting and inputting the operation panel 24, and sets processing contents such as a copy function and a FAX function.
[0044]
The system controller 16 and the process controller 27 communicate with each other via the parallel bus 14, the CDIC 13, and the serial bus 25. At this time, in the CDIC 13, data format conversion for a data interface between the parallel bus 14 and the serial bus 25 is performed.
[0045]
An MLC (Media Link Controller) 26 realizes a function of code conversion of image data as an encoding / decoding unit and a conversion unit. Specifically, the conversion from the coding method used in the CDIC 13 and the coding method used in the IMAC 19 to another coding method (for example, a standard JPEG method) is performed.
[0046]
2 to 4 are block diagrams showing the configurations of the CDIC 13, the IMAC 19, and the MLC 26, respectively.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 2, in the CDIC 13, the image data input / output control unit 31 inputs the image data from the SBU 12 and outputs the image data to the IPP 15. The image data input control unit 32 receives the image data corrected by the scanner image in the IPP 15. The input data can be data-compressed by the data compression unit 33 as needed in order to increase the transfer efficiency on the parallel bus 14. This data is transmitted to the parallel bus 14 via the parallel data I / F 34. Image data input from the parallel bus 14 via the parallel data I / F 34 is compressed for bus transfer, and can be expanded by the data expansion unit 35 as needed. The decompressed image data is transferred to the IPP 15 by the image data output control unit 36. As an example of the most suitable encoding method used for the compression and decompression in the data compression unit 33 and the data decompression unit 35, a method with a fixed codeword length seems to be suitable for a copying machine. The fixed-length encoding method can reproduce only an image of an arbitrary part because the position of the image before encoding is known in the encoding state. It is also suitable for image processing and editing.
[0048]
The CDIC 13 has a function of converting parallel data and serial data. The system controller 16 transfers data to the parallel bus 14, and the process controller 27 transfers data to the serial bus 25. The data conversion unit 37 performs data conversion for communication between the two controllers 16 and 27. The serial data I / F 38 is prepared in two systems including the one for the IPP 15, and also serves as an interface with the IPP 15. The command control unit 39 controls various commands.
[0049]
As shown in FIG. 3, the IMAC 19 manages an interface of image data with the parallel bus 14 in the parallel data I / F 41. The IMAC 19 controls storage / reading of image data to / from the MEM 20 and expansion of code data mainly input from the external PC 21 into image data. Examples of the MEM 20 here are a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, or both. The code data input from the PC 21 is stored in the line buffer 42 in the local area. The code data stored in the line buffer 42 is expanded into image data in the video controller 44 based on an expansion processing instruction from the system controller 16 input via the system controller I / F 43. The expanded image data or the image data input from the parallel bus 14 via the parallel data I / F 41 is stored in the MEM 20. In this case, the data conversion unit 45 selects image data to be stored, and in the data compression unit 46 that implements compression means, performs data compression as necessary to increase the memory use efficiency. The image data is stored in the MEM 20 while managing the address of the MEM 20. The reading of the image data stored in the MEM 20 is controlled by a memory access control unit 47 at a read destination address, and the read data is expanded by a data expansion unit 48 that implements a decoding unit as necessary. As an example of the encoding method used for the compression and decompression in the data compression unit 46 and the data decompression unit 48, a highly efficient encoding method suitable for saving the memory area of the MEM 20 can be mentioned. This is an encoding scheme that emphasizes efficiency, unlike the encoding scheme that emphasizes functions required for the CDIC 13 described above. When transferring the decompressed image data to the parallel bus 14, data transfer is performed via the parallel data I / F 41.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 4, in the MLC 26, the system controller I / F 51 controls the data access control unit 52, the data compression unit 53, the data decompression unit 54, and the data conversion unit 55 based on a processing command from the system controller 16. Do. The data access control unit 52 inputs and outputs data to be code-converted between the IMAC 19 and the CDIC 13. Specifically, input / output with data stored in the MEM 20 via the IMAC 19 is given as an example. With respect to the input data, the original image data is reproduced by the data decompression unit 54 as necessary. The data conversion unit 55 performs data conversion such as image processing and scaling if necessary on the reproduced image data. The converted data is subjected to an encoding process as necessary in the data compression unit 53 to create a code format to be output. The newly created code data is output by the data access control unit 52. If the target data is not a code, the processing of the data decompression unit 54 is not performed. Conversely, if the data to be output is not a code, the processing in the data compression unit 53 is not performed. The code data processed by the MLC 26 can be output to the PC 21 via the IMAC 19.
[0051]
Next, the configurations and operations of the data compression unit 53, the data decompression unit 54, and the data conversion unit 55 in the MLC 26 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
[0052]
The data compression section 53 includes coding processing sections 71 and 72 that can perform compression coding processing on image data. The encoding units 71 and 72 use different encoding systems. The former uses an encoding system (first encoding system) that emphasizes higher image quality and encoding efficiency than the latter encoding system, and the latter uses the former encoding system. An encoding method (second encoding method) suitable for editing and processing of an image is used instead of the encoding method.
[0053]
The data decompression unit 54 includes decoding units 73 and 74 for decoding codes after image compression. The decoding unit 73 can decode the first encoding method used in the encoding processing unit 71, and the decoding unit 74 can decode the second encoding method used in the encoding processing unit 72.
[0054]
The data conversion unit 55 includes a code conversion unit 75. The code conversion unit 75 performs mutual conversion between the first and second coding systems used in the data compression unit 53 and the data decompression unit 54. Can be. That is, the conversion unit 76 converts the code from the first coding method to the code of the second coding method, and the conversion unit 77 converts the code from the second coding method to the code of the first coding method.
[0055]
The copying machine 1 can perform any of the following two processes using the data compression unit 53, the data decompression unit 54, and the data conversion unit 55 as described above.
[0056]
In the first process, in order to reduce the storage capacity of the image data, the encoding of the image signal is usually performed by the data compression unit 53 of the MLC 26 or the like by the first encoding method which emphasizes high image quality and encoding efficiency. And store it in a storage device such as the MEM 20. When it is necessary to edit or process the stored image data (code) such as image rotation, printing, synthesis, etc., without converting the code, the converting unit 76 is used. Then, the code of the first encoding method is converted into a code of the second encoding method suitable for the processing of editing and processing, and is transferred to the IPP 15 via the CDIC 13.
[0057]
According to this processing, code conversion can be performed without returning codes to image data, so that processing can be realized at high speed and with a small work space.
[0058]
In the second process, the data compression unit 53 and the data decompression unit 54 cooperate. Normally, when it is necessary to edit or process images such as MEM 20 by rotating, printing, or synthesizing images stored in the MEM 20 or the like by the first encoding method that emphasizes high image quality and encoding efficiency. First, the image is returned to the image by the decoding unit 73, and the image is recompressed by the encoding processing unit 72 to the second encoding method suitable for editing and processing of the image.
[0059]
In this method, the conversion code processing in the code conversion unit 75 is not required. If code decoding and re-compression are performed in cooperation, code conversion processing can be performed without decoding the entire image.
[0060]
According to each of the processing examples described above, the image is usually treated as a high-quality and small-capacity image, and when image editing and processing are required, the image is converted into a code of the second encoding method. The image can be edited and processed with the code, and the work area can be reduced in the editing and processing.
[0061]
A specific processing flow in this case will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the system controller 16 executes the following processing based on a control program stored in the ROM 16a. First, it is determined whether or not image editing and processing in the IPP 15 or the like is necessary (step S1). If necessary (Y in step S1), the first encoding method stored in the MEM 20 is determined. (Reading means, reading processing) (step S2), and converting the code into a code of the second encoding system by the above-described first or second processing (converting means, conversion processing) (step S3) ). Then, the converted code is output to the IPP 15 or the like (step S4). When the editing and processing of the image is not necessary (N in step S1), the code of the first encoding method stored in the MEM 20 is read as it is (step S5) and output to the image forming unit 18 and the like. (In this case, the data is actually decoded and output by the data decompression unit 54) (step S6). As described above, by selectively transmitting the code of the first or second encoding method in steps S1, S4, and S5, the transmission unit and the transmission process are executed. As described above, the image processing apparatus of the present invention is realized by the processing executed by the MLC 26 and the system controller 16 and the like.
[0062]
Next, specific examples of the first and second encoding schemes will be described.
[0063]
As the above-mentioned first coding method, a variable-length coding method can be used, and as the second coding method, a fixed-length coding method can be used. As the variable-length coding method, for example, the JPEG method, and as the fixed-length coding method, for example, a coding method in which the code word length assigned to one pixel is fixed (for example, for pixel data that is 8 bits per pixel) For example, a method of applying a code word of 2 bits per pixel).
[0064]
Further, the second coding method may be a coding method that can specify the position of an image after decoding as it is and can decode an image independently of only the portion. As a specific example in this case, the JPEG system is used as the first encoding system, and the image is divided into one or a plurality of regions according to the second encoding system, and compression encoding is independently performed on the divided units. May be used.
[0065]
When the codes of the first and second encoding schemes are a variable-length encoding scheme and a fixed-length encoding scheme, or the variable-length encoding scheme and the image position after decoding can be specified as they are, In addition, in the case of using an encoding method that can decode an image independently of only the portion, the first and second encoding methods can be realized by the same encoding method. As an encoding method used in this case, for example, JPEG2000 can be considered. In the JPEG2000 system, the fixed-length encoding and the tile encoding are possible, so that the first and second encoding systems can be realized by one system.
[0066]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the IPP 15. The read image is transmitted from the input I / F 61 of the IPP 15 to the scanner image processing unit 62 via the SBU 12 and the CDIC 13. The processing performed by the scanner image processing unit 62 performs shading correction, scanner γ correction, MTF correction, and the like for the purpose of correcting the deterioration of the read image signal. Although not a correction process, a scaling process for enlargement / reduction is also performed. After the correction processing of the read image data is completed, the image data is transferred to the CDIC 13 via the output I / F 63. For output to transfer paper, image data from the CDIC 13 is received from the input I / F 64, and the image quality processing unit 65 performs area gradation processing. The data after the image quality processing is output to the VDC 17 via the output I / F 66. The area gradation processing includes density conversion, dither processing, error diffusion processing and the like, and the main processing is area approximation of gradation information. Once the image data subjected to the scanner image processing is stored in the memory, various reproduced images can be confirmed by changing the image quality processing. For example, by changing the density of the reproduced image or changing the number of lines of the dither matrix, the atmosphere of the reproduced image can be changed. At this time, it is not necessary to re-read the image from the reading unit every time the processing is changed. If the stored image is read from the MEM 20, different processing can be performed on the same data any number of times. In the case of a single scanner, scanner image processing and gradation processing are performed together and output to the CDIC 13. The command control program control section 67 controls various commands.
[0067]
[Embodiment 2]
Another embodiment will be described as a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0068]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the electrical connection of an image reading device 81 that implements the image reading device of the present invention. In FIG. 9, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 and the following denote the same components as those in the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. This image reading device 91 is greatly different from the copying machine 1 in that the image reading unit 91 is not provided. Since the image forming unit 18 is unnecessary, the VDC 17 is not mounted.
[0069]
The image data read by the reading unit 11 is digitized by the SBU 12, transferred to the IPP 15 via the CDIC 13, and then subjected to predetermined image processing. This mainly performs deterioration correction of a read image, but also performs gradation processing suitable for a display device using a screen. There are many processes different from the image quality process for transfer paper such as the copying machine 1. At this time, by configuring the IPP 15 with a programmable arithmetic processing unit, only necessary processing procedures need to be set for image quality processing on transfer paper and gradation processing on the screen. A configuration is also possible in which it is not necessary to always have both procedures.
[0070]
The image data after the gradation processing is transferred to the CDIC 13 and sent to the IMAC 19 via the parallel bus 14. The scanner function is realized by using the MEM 20 as a buffer memory and transferring image data to a driver attached to the PC 21. As with the copying machine 1, the system controller 16 and the process controller 27 manage image data and system resources.
[0071]
Third Embodiment of the Invention
Another embodiment will be described as a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0072]
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the electrical connection of the image processing apparatus 91. As the image processing device 91, a personal computer, a workstation, or the like is used. As shown in FIG. 9, in the image processing apparatus 91, a CPU 92 that performs various calculations and centrally controls each unit and a memory 93 including various ROMs and RAMs are connected by a bus 94.
[0073]
The bus 94 is provided with a magnetic storage device 95 such as a hard disk, an input device 96 including a mouse and a keyboard, a display device 97 such as an LCD and a CRT, and a storage medium 98 such as an optical disk via a predetermined interface. And a predetermined communication interface 101 for performing communication with the network 100 is connected. Note that the communication interface 101 can be connected to a WAN such as the Internet via the network 100. As the storage medium 98, various types of media such as optical disks such as CDs and DVDs, magneto-optical disks, and flexible disks can be used. As the storage medium reading device 99, specifically, an optical disk drive, a magneto-optical disk drive, a flexible disk drive, or the like is used according to the type of the storage medium 98.
[0074]
The magnetic storage device 95 stores an image processing program for executing the program of the present invention. This image processing program is installed in the magnetic storage device 95 by reading it from the storage medium 98 embodying the storage medium of the present invention by the storage medium reading device 99, or by downloading from a WAN such as the Internet. . With this installation, the image processing apparatus 91 becomes operable. Note that this image processing program may operate on a predetermined OS. Further, it may be a part of specific application software.
[0075]
In the image processing device 91, the codes of the first encoding method are stored in the magnetic storage device 95, which is a storage device, and the processing in FIG. 6 is realized based on an image processing program. In this case, the processing executed by the data compression unit 53, the data decompression unit 54, and the data conversion unit 55 in the first and second embodiments is also executed by the CPU 92 based on the image processing program.
[0076]
Further, based on the image processing program, the user can edit and process images (the contents thereof are as described above) with the image processing device 91. When the image data is subjected to the editing and processing, the image data is converted from the first encoding method to the code of the second encoding method before use. For example, when the image data is externally provided for printing. The data is output to the network 100 as it is in the first encoding method.
[0077]
【The invention's effect】
The invention according to claims 1, 9 and 10 is usually handled as a high-quality and small-capacity image, and when the image needs to be edited and processed, the image is converted into a code suitable for the editing and processing. Since editing and processing can be performed without changing the code, the work area can be reduced when editing and processing an image.
[0078]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a high-quality and small-capacity variable-length code image is normally handled. Since editing and processing can be performed with the code converted into a fixed length code suitable for processing, the work area can be reduced when editing and processing an image.
[0079]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a high-quality and small-capacity variable-length code image is usually handled. Since the position of the image after decoding suitable for processing can be specified as it is and the image can be independently converted into a code that can be decoded independently of the part, and editing and processing can be performed as it is. In addition, it becomes possible to reduce the work area when editing and processing an image.
[0080]
Since the invention described in claim 4 can be realized by one encoding method in the invention described in claim 2, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0081]
Since the invention described in claim 5 can be realized by one encoding method in the invention described in claim 4, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0082]
Since the invention described in claim 6 can be realized by one encoding method called JPEG2000 in the invention described in claim 4 or 5, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0083]
The inventions according to claims 7 and 8 can provide the same effects as the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a digital copying machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a CDIC.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of the IMAC.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of the MLC.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a data compression unit, a data decompression unit, and a data conversion unit of the MLC.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process executed by the digital copying machine.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an IPP.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image reading apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating electrical connection of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Image forming apparatus
11 Image input device
18 Printer Engine
20 Storage device
46 compression means
48 decoding means

Claims (10)

An encoding method for compressing and encoding an image, wherein the former is higher in image quality and encoding efficiency than the latter, and the latter is more suitable for editing and processing the image than the former, among the first and second encoding methods, Reading means for reading a code compressed and coded by the first coding method and stored in the storage device;
Converting means for converting the read code of the first coding method into a code of the second coding method;
Transmitting means for selectively outputting one of the code of the first coding method or the code of the second coding method after the conversion to a predetermined destination,
An image processing apparatus comprising: The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first encoding method is a variable-length encoding method, and the second encoding method is a fixed-length encoding method. The first encoding method is a variable-length encoding method, and the second encoding method is an encoding method capable of specifying an image position after decoding as it is, and capable of decoding an image independently of only the portion. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the image processing device is a system. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the codes of the first and second coding schemes are a variable-length coding scheme and a fixed-length coding scheme realized by the same coding scheme. The codes of the first and second coding systems are a variable-length coding system realized by the same coding system, and the position of an image after decoding can be specified as it is, and only the portions are independently The image processing device according to claim 4, wherein the image processing device is an encoding method capable of decoding the image. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the same encoding method is JPEG2000. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
Compression means for compressing and encoding the image data by the first encoding method;
A storage device that stores the code after the compression encoding, and is a storage device that is a destination of the reading;
Decoding means for decoding the stored code;
A printer engine that forms an image on a medium based on image data,
Editing / processing means for performing editing or processing on the image data,
With
The transmitting unit outputs the code of the first encoding method for use in editing or processing, and outputs the code of the second encoding method after conversion for use in forming the image. ,
Image forming device. An image input device for reading an image of a document to be provided for image formation;
An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
Compression means for compressing and encoding the read image data by the first encoding method;
A storage device that stores the code after the compression encoding, and is a storage device that is a destination of the reading;
Decoding means for decoding the stored code;
Editing / processing means for performing editing or processing on the image data,
With
The transmitting unit outputs the code of the first encoding method for use in editing or processing, and outputs the code of the second encoding method after conversion to the outside.
Image reading device. An encoding method for compressing and encoding an image, wherein the former has higher image quality and higher encoding efficiency than the latter, and the latter is more suitable for editing and processing of images than the former, among the first and second encoding methods, A reading process of reading a code compressed and encoded by the first encoding method and stored in the storage device;
A conversion process of converting the read code of the first encoding method into a code of the second encoding method;
A transmission process of selectively outputting one of the code of the first encoding method or the code of the second encoding method after the conversion to a predetermined destination;
A program that causes a computer to execute. A storage medium storing the program according to claim 9.

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