JP2005210365A - Image data interpolator, and image data interpolating method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that it is difficult to automatically and accurately print an image in full scale. <P>SOLUTION: An image data acquiring means acquires image data related to the image including a reference mark in which the actual measurement length at a prescribed part is determined. A rate of change acquiring means obtains a rate of change required for printing the image in full scale when executing printing processing by a printer having prescribed printing resolution by utilizing the actual measurement length and a number of pixels corresponding to the prescribed part of the reference mark in the image data. An image data interpolating means changes the number of constituent pixels of the image data on the basis of the acquired rate of change. An image data output means outputs the image data, in which the number of the constituent pixels is changed, as the image data after interpolation processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image data interpolation apparatus, an image data interpolation method, and an image data interpolation program that perform image processing on image data in which an image is expressed by a plurality of pixels.

  As a conventional technique, a mechanism for calculating a dimensional error per pixel of a frame memory due to aberration of a lens provided in an image input unit, a dimensional calibration memory for storing a dimensional error corresponding to each pixel of the frame memory, and a measurement target There is known an image measuring apparatus including an arithmetic mechanism that calculates a correct dimension from a dimension calibration memory corresponding to each pixel when calculating a feature amount for an image that has been captured and stored in a frame memory (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

In the above image measuring device, even if there is distortion in the image on the frame memory caused by the lens aberration, the dimensions obtained by correcting the lens aberration for each pixel are obtained by arithmetic processing, and the figure area, width, length Etc. are calculated correctly.
JP 2001-4345 A

The above conventional technique calculates the correct size of the figure to be measured by the image measuring apparatus, but does not perform processing for generating image data for printing the figure. Therefore, there has been a problem that the input figure cannot be printed at its actual size.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an image data interpolation apparatus, an image data interpolation method, and an image data interpolation program capable of generating image data for performing accurate actual size printing. With the goal.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image data interpolating apparatus according to the present invention changes the number of pixels based on a predetermined change rate with respect to image data representing an image by a plurality of pixels. The image data acquisition unit acquires image data relating to an image including a reference sign in which an actual measurement length of a predetermined part is determined. Here, as the image data to be acquired, even if it is image data related to an image obtained by capturing the print target and the reference sign together, a processing process for superimposing an image serving as the reference sign on the already captured image is performed. It may be image data generated by performing.

  If the image data relating to the image including the reference sign is acquired, the change rate acquisition means uses the measured length of the predetermined part of the reference sign and the number of pixels corresponding to the predetermined part in the image data to obtain a predetermined print resolution. When the printing process is performed by a printing apparatus having the above, a process for obtaining a change rate of the number of pixels necessary for the image to be printed in actual size is performed. In general, when there is a difference between the resolution of the input image data and the printing resolution of the printing apparatus, the resolution is suitable for performing printing processing in the printing apparatus by interpolating the constituent pixels before outputting the image data to the printing apparatus. Convert to In other words, if printing is performed by assigning in units of pixels, if the image is printed small, a process of increasing the number of pixels of the image data (called high resolution or enlargement) is performed, and in the opposite case, the number of pixels of the image data is set. Reduction processing (called resolution reduction or reduction) is performed.

  However, in the present application, in order to print an image in actual size, the rate of change in the number of pixels for eliminating the difference between the resolution of the input image data and the resolution of the printing apparatus is not simply obtained, but the predetermined portion of the reference sign is determined. The rate of change in the number of pixels is obtained using data relating to the actually measured length and data relating to the number of pixels corresponding to a predetermined part in the image data.

  Next, the image data interpolation means performs an interpolation process for changing the number of constituent pixels of the image data based on the obtained change rate. The image data output means outputs the image data in which the number of constituent pixels is changed based on the change rate as image data after the interpolation process. The output image data after interpolation processing is subjected to necessary processing such as color conversion processing and halftone processing, and becomes print data. Then, when the printing apparatus performs a printing process based on the print data, the image is printed in actual size on the print medium.

  As a calculation method of the change rate, the change rate acquisition means sets L as the measured length of the predetermined portion of the reference sign, M as the number of pixels corresponding to the length of the predetermined portion in the image data, and the printing resolution of the printing apparatus. Where P is P, the change rate X may be obtained by the equation X = P / (M / L). M / L indicates how many pixels are displayed in image data per inch of an actually measured L-inch object. Here, it is assumed that a reference sign having an actually measured length of 1 inch is represented by m1 pixels in the image data, and the print resolution is m2 dpi. In order to display such a reference sign in 1 inch even in the print result, m2 dpi is required as the resolution of the image data after the interpolation process. Accordingly, the change rate of the number of pixels to be obtained is m2 / m1 times.

If this is applied to the above equation, P = m2, M = m1, and L = 1, so that the rate of change X = m2 / (m1 / 1) = m2 / m1.
If the above equation is used, the rate of change of the number of pixels necessary for printing the image accurately and in actual size can be easily obtained simply by the change rate acquisition means acquiring the values of L, M, and P.

  In order to obtain the rate of change, it is necessary to acquire the number of pixels corresponding to the length of the predetermined portion of the reference sign in the image data. For this purpose, the position of the reference sign must be detected from the image data. Therefore, the change rate acquisition means may detect a reference marker in the acquired image data by scanning a plurality of horizontal or vertical scanning lines based on a predetermined order in the acquired image data. good.

  When the print object and the reference mark are imaged together, the reference mark is usually placed at a position close to the center of the frame together with the print object. Therefore, as an example, scanning may be preferentially performed from a scanning line close to the center of the frame among a plurality of horizontal or vertical scanning lines. As a result, the reference marker can often be detected in a short time, and the number of pixels corresponding to the length of the reference marker and the predetermined portion can be acquired efficiently.

  As the reference mark, various marks such as a mark whose measured length is accurately measured and painted in a single color, or a scale that is graduated at a predetermined interval in an object can be used. Then, when scanning the image data and detecting the reference sign, when the data area corresponding to the reference sign is scanned, the luminance information acquired from each pixel changes from the previous value and a characteristic value or a predetermined rule It is expected that a value with a sex will be output. Therefore, as an example of a configuration for detecting a reference sign, the change rate acquisition unit determines that a data area in which luminance information acquired from each pixel changes with a predetermined regularity is the same reference sign. Good. If the regularity of the luminance information acquired from the data area corresponding to the reference sign is known in advance, it is possible to accurately detect the reference sign from the image data when the luminance information having such regularity is detected. it can.

  As a configuration for more accurately detecting the reference sign, the rate-of-change acquisition unit reads identification information that identifies the reference sign from a predetermined area of the data area determined to be the reference sign. In addition, the detection of the reference marker may be completed. That is, the identification information is recorded in a predetermined area of the reference sign to be detected. And if it is determined that it is a specific reference sign only when such identification information can be read, even when a data region in which the luminance information changes with a predetermined regularity is detected from a plurality of locations in the image data, The reference marker can be detected with certainty.

  When the print target and the reference mark are imaged together to obtain image data, the reference mark is not always parallel to the horizontal or vertical scanning line. Therefore, when accurately calculating the number of pixels corresponding to the length of one side of the reference mark, it is necessary to consider the inclination of the reference mark with respect to the horizontal or vertical scanning line. Therefore, the rate-of-change acquisition means calculates the inclination in the length direction of the predetermined portion of the reference sign with respect to the horizontal or vertical scanning line, and based on the inclination, the length of the predetermined portion in the image data is calculated. The corresponding number of pixels may be calculated. With this configuration, the number of pixels corresponding to the length of the predetermined portion can be accurately acquired even if the reference marker is inclined with respect to the horizontal or vertical scanning line.

  As an example of the slope calculation method, the change rate acquisition unit detects a plurality of edge pixels generated by the reference mark when scanning the image data a plurality of times in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction, and detects the plurality of edge pixels. The inclination may be calculated based on the position. It is considered that the so-called edge is formed at the boundary of the data area corresponding to the reference mark in the image data, with the degree of change in the luminance information becoming steep. If the positions of a plurality of edge pixels are specified, the direction in which the edge generated by the reference mark is generated in the image data can be known (hereinafter referred to as the edge direction), and therefore occurs in the horizontal or vertical scanning line and the edge direction. The inclination can be obtained from the angle.

  In order to obtain the rate of change, it is necessary to acquire not only the number of pixels corresponding to the length of the predetermined portion of the reference sign in the image data, but also the measured length of the predetermined portion and the printing resolution of the printing apparatus. These two values may be stored in advance in a predetermined memory area, or may be input by the user via an operation panel or the like. Further, information that can be read by the change rate acquisition means when the reference mark is acquired as image data and that indicates the measured length of the predetermined part is recorded in advance in a predetermined area of the reference mark. You can leave it. As a result, when the reference sign is detected from the acquired image data, the information indicating the measured length of the predetermined part is read from the predetermined area of the reference sign, thereby easily acquiring the measured length of the predetermined part. be able to.

  Various labels can be used as the reference label. As an example, a barcode whose measured length of a predetermined part is known may be adopted. In the case of a bar code, since a plurality of white bars and black bars are arranged in accordance with a predetermined regularity, it can be easily detected when a reference sign is detected based on luminance information. In addition, information for confirming that the barcode is correctly read in the information area formed by a plurality of white bars and black bars, and that the read barcode is the above-mentioned reference sign Identification information to be recorded, and information indicating the measured length of a predetermined part of the barcode can be recorded in advance. As a result, the rate-of-change acquisition means can easily and reliably detect the bar code serving as the reference marker by scanning the image data, and read out the information contained in the bar code to calculate the rate of change. Information can be acquired easily.

  Up to now, post-interpolation that achieves full-scale printing of an image by calculating the rate of change in the number of pixels based on the information obtained from the reference sign and interpolating image data based on the rate of change The technical idea of generating the image data has been described as the invention of the apparatus. However, this technical idea also holds true as an invention of a method for realizing this. Therefore, the invention according to claim 10 basically has the same action as described above. In addition, when implementing the present invention, there is a case where image data after interpolation that realizes actual size printing of an image is generated by executing a predetermined program on a computer. The present invention can also be applied as a program thereof, and the invention according to claim 11 basically has the same operation as described above.

  Of course, it is needless to say that the configurations described in claims 2 to 9 can be made to correspond to the above method and program. Any storage medium can be used to provide the program. For example, a magnetic recording medium or a magneto-optical recording medium may be used, and any recording medium that will be developed in the future can be considered in the same manner. In addition, even when a part is software and a part is realized by hardware, the idea of the present invention is not completely different, and a part is recorded on a recording medium and is appropriately changed as necessary. It includes a reading form. Furthermore, the duplication stages such as the primary replica and the secondary replica are equivalent without any question.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
(1) Configuration of the present invention (2) Interpolation processing of image data (3) Second embodiment (4) Summary

(1) Configuration of the Present Invention FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a computer that is an image data interpolation apparatus according to the present invention. The computer 10 includes a CPU (not shown) serving as the center of arithmetic processing, a ROM, a RAM, and the like as a storage medium, and can execute a predetermined program using peripheral devices such as the HDD 15. An operation input device such as a keyboard 31 and a mouse 32 is connected to the computer 10 via a serial communication I / O 19a, and a display 18 is also connected via a video board (not shown). Further, it is connected to the printer 40 via a parallel communication I / O 19b. In other words, the computer 10 is connected not only as an image data interpolating apparatus by connecting to the printer 40 but also as acquired image data (dot matrix data representing gradations of each color component of red, green and blue (RGB)). It can also be understood as a print control apparatus that performs the entire printing process based on the above.

  In addition, an imaging device such as a digital camera (not shown) is connected to the computer 10 via a peripheral device I / F. The digital camera can generate image data in which a captured image is expressed in gradation by dot-matrix pixels, and can output the image data to the computer 10. Such image data is recorded in a predetermined storage area of the HDD 15. Although the configuration of the computer 10 has been described in a simplified manner, a computer having a general configuration can be employed. Of course, the computer to which the present invention is applied is not limited to a personal computer. Although this embodiment is a so-called desktop computer, it may be a notebook computer or a mobile computer. Further, the connection interface between the computer 10 and the printer 40 is not limited to the above-described one, and various connection modes such as a serial interface, SCSI, USB connection, and wireless connection can be adopted, and any connection mode to be developed in the future. But the same is true.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the computer 10 constitutes an image data interpolation device. However, predetermined image processing such as interpolation processing can be performed by a program execution environment installed in the printer 40, and On the other hand, predetermined image processing may be performed by acquiring image data from a digital camera directly connected thereto. Needless to say, predetermined image processing may be performed with a digital camera in the same configuration, and various configurations such as performing image processing according to the present invention by distributed processing may be employed.

  In the computer 10 according to the present embodiment, an APL 21, a printer driver (PRTDRV) 22, an input device driver (DRV) 23, and a display driver (DRV) 24 are incorporated in the OS 20. The display DRV 24 is a driver that controls the display of image data and the like on the display 18, and the input device DRV 23 receives a code signal from the keyboard 31 and mouse 32 input via the serial communication I / O 19a and receives a predetermined input. A driver that accepts operations.

  The APL 21 is an application program that can execute retouching of a color image, and the user can operate the input device for operation under the execution of the APL 21 and cause the printer 40 to print the color image. That is, the APL 21 reads the image data 15a recorded on the HDD 15 to the RAM according to a user instruction, and displays an image based on the image data 15a on the display 18 via the display DRV 24. When the user operates the input device, the operation content is acquired via the input device DRV 23 so that the content is interpreted. The APL 21 determines a predetermined image for actual size printing according to the operation content. Various processes such as processing and retouching are performed.

In the present embodiment, the APL 21 includes an image data acquisition module 21a and an image data interpolation module 21b. As will be described later, the APL 21 obtains a predetermined change rate X for interpolating the pixels constituting the image data 15a by these modules, and performs interpolation based on the change rate X, thereby reducing the resolution of the image data 15a. Convert.
The above processing is performed in the APL 21, and the PRTDRV 22 is driven by a print instruction from the APL 21. The PRTDRV 22 includes a color conversion module, a halftone module, and a print data generation module (not shown). The PRTDRV 22 performs processing on each pixel data of the image data 15a after the interpolation processing output from the APL 21 by each module, and generates print data. The generated print data is output to the printer 40 via the parallel communication I / O 19b, and the printer 40 executes printing based on the print data.

  In other words, the color conversion module is a module that converts a color system indicating the color of each pixel, and appropriately refers to a color conversion table (not shown) recorded in the HDD 15 to display the color system (sRGB color system, etc.) of the image data 15a. ) Is converted into a CMYKlclm color system that is a component of CMYKlclm (cyan, magenta, yellow, black, light cyan, light magenta) ink mounted on the printer 40.

  When color conversion is performed by the color conversion module and CMYKlclm data is obtained, the halftone processing module converts the gradation value of each pixel expressed in the CMYKlclm color system into a half that specifies ink ejection / non-ejection in each pixel. Convert to tone image data. That is, ejection / non-ejection of ink droplets is determined for each pixel in the printer 40. Needless to say, not only ink droplet ejection / non-ejection but also the amount of ejected ink can be controlled stepwise to determine the size of the ejected ink droplet.

  The print data generation module receives the halftone image data, rearranges them in the order used by the printer 40, and generates print data in units of data used in one main scan. The print data is sequentially output to the printer 40 via the parallel communication I / O 19b. When all the data necessary for forming an image is transferred to the printer 40, the printer 40 stores the image on the print medium. It is formed.

(2) Interpolation Processing of Image Data FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the interpolation processing of the image data 15a.
The processing is executed by the image data acquisition module 21a and the image data interpolation module 21b of the APL 21. First, the image data acquisition module 21a acquires the image data 15a recorded on the HDD 15 (step S100). The image data 15a is data in which an image captured by a user with a digital camera or the like is expressed in a dot matrix. In the present embodiment, the print object 70 for printing in actual size and a barcode 50 as a reference mark. And image data relating to an image taken together. As the bar code 50, a bar code whose measured length L of the predetermined portion is accurately measured in advance is used.

When the image is picked up, the print object 70 and the barcode 50 are arranged at a position where the distance from the image pickup device such as a digital camera to the print object 70 and the barcode 50 is equal. Further, the barcode 50 is arranged at an angle directly opposite to the imaging direction of the imaging device. When performing the printing process based on the image data 15a acquired by imaging in this way, the resolution conversion of the image data 15a is performed so that the barcode 50 is printed at its actual size, and as a result, together The captured print object 70 is printed in actual size.
The image data interpolation module 21b receives the image data 15a from the image data acquisition module 21a and performs a process of acquiring the change rate X based on the result of the scanning process on the image data 15a (step S200).

  Here, the rate of change X is a rate of change in the number of pixels when interpolating the image data 15a, and is a concept including both an enlargement rate when increasing the number of pixels and a reduction rate when decreasing the number of pixels. . In the present embodiment, the pixels constituting the image data 15a are interpolated so that the image is printed at its actual size. Therefore, as the change rate X, a value for enlarging or reducing the resolution of the image data 15a to a resolution necessary for printing the image in actual size by the printer 40 is obtained. Detailed processing for obtaining the change rate X will be described later.

Based on the change rate X obtained in step S200, the image data interpolation module 21b interpolates the number of pixels constituting the image data 15a by X times in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, respectively (step S300). Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the image data interpolation module 21b of the APL 21 corresponds to the change rate acquisition unit and the image data interpolation unit in the claims.
There is no need to limit the method used for the interpolation processing, and various known interpolation processing methods such as the nearest neighbor method and the cubic convolution interpolation method can be employed. When the image data 15a after the interpolation processing is obtained, the image data 15a is output to the color conversion module of the PRTDRV 22, which is the next step of the image processing (step S400).

  That is, the image data 15a is interpolated based on the rate of change X, and the printer 40 outputs the image data 15a converted to a resolution at which the image is printed at actual size. Then, print data is generated from the image data 15a, and print processing is performed based on the print data, so that the image and thus the print object 70 in the image is printed with an accurate actual size. If the APL 21 performs such interpolation processing, the user simply captures an image of the print object 70 and the barcode 50 that he / she wants to print at full size, and inputs image data obtained by the image capture to the computer 10. It is possible to automatically obtain a print result in which 70 is accurately displayed in actual size.

  In addition, the present invention does not enable only actual size printing. That is, a process of multiplying the calculated change rate X by an arbitrary magnification such as 50% or 30% is performed. If interpolation processing is performed based on the value acquired as a result of the multiplication, the image data 15a that enables the printer 40 to print the print object 70 at an arbitrary enlargement / reduction ratio with respect to the actual size is generated.

FIG. 3 shows the barcode 50.
The barcode 50 is an optically readable information area formed by collecting a plurality of black bars 52a and white bars 52b which are basic units constituting the whole. An area formed by a predetermined number of black bars 52a and white bars 52b serving as basic units is referred to as a character 51. Each character 51 has, as information (code), one number specified by a combination of the arrangement of black bars 52a and white bars 52b. By converting information obtained by optically reading the barcode 50 into a digital signal and recognizing the digital signal, the APL 21 acquires a unique code for each character 51 included in the barcode 50, and Code information obtained by combining a plurality of numbers unique to the barcode 50 is acquired.

As shown in the figure, the measured length (distance between both end edges) from the left edge of the leftmost black bar 52a to the right edge of the rightmost black bar 52a is L inches. In addition, a character 51 having numeric information indicating the distance L between both end edges as a code is formed in the barcode 50. However, the actual measurement length to be used is not necessarily limited to the distance between the both end edges. Any value may be used as long as it is a value obtained by accurately measuring the length of a part where the barcode 50 is present, and when obtaining the change rate X, it corresponds to the same part in the image data 15a. What is necessary is just to obtain | require the number of pixels.
Furthermore, a code for confirming that the barcode is correctly detected for each predetermined character 51 (decoding success confirmation code) and for identifying that the detected object is the barcode 50, respectively. A code (decoding content specifying code) is recorded in advance.

A process for obtaining the change rate X will be described in detail.
The rate of change X is obtained by the following equation: X = P / when the distance L between both ends, the number M of pixels corresponding to the distance L between both ends in the image data 15a, and the print resolution P of the printer 40 are obtained. (M / L)
Represented by
Therefore, in order to obtain the change rate X, the image data interpolation module 21b needs to acquire the values of L, M, and P.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing contents for obtaining the change rate X.
First, the image data interpolation module 21b starts detecting a data area corresponding to the barcode 50 (hereinafter referred to as a barcode area) in the dot matrix image data 15a (step S210). That is, a plurality of scanning lines in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction of the dot matrix image data 15a are scanned based on a predetermined order to detect a barcode area.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a process for detecting a barcode area.
In the same figure, the state which displayed the image based on the image data 15a on the display 18 is shown. In the approximate center of the image, a print object 70 intended to be printed in actual size and a barcode 50 as a reference mark are displayed. When the printing object 70 and the barcode 50 are imaged, it is common to image them so that they are arranged in the center of the screen. Accordingly, when the barcode area is detected, scanning is sequentially performed preferentially from a scanning line passing through a position close to the center of the screen. As a result, the image data interpolation module 21b can efficiently detect the barcode area in a short time. The numbers shown at the left end of the screen are examples of the order when scanning horizontal scanning lines, and the numbers shown at the top of the screen are examples of the order when scanning vertical scanning lines. Show.

  Although the horizontal scanning and the vertical scanning can be performed freely afterward, in the present embodiment, the horizontal scanning lines are first scanned in the above order to detect the barcode area. When the barcode area is not detected by the scanning, the scanning lines in the vertical direction are scanned in the above order. In the above scanning, the barcode area is detected by acquiring luminance information from each pixel. In the barcode area, the black bar 52a and the white bar 52b are arranged on the basis of the predetermined regularity. Therefore, if the luminance information is acquired, the luminance values of 0 and 1 are arranged on the basis of the predetermined regularity. By detecting the area, the barcode area can be easily detected.

  In step S220, the image data interpolation module 21b determines whether or not the barcode area has been accurately detected a plurality of times. Here, being able to detect correctly means that all the characters composing the bar code can be scanned when one scanning line is scanned. Whether or not all the characters 51 constituting the barcode 50 can be scanned by one scan is determined by the numerical information obtained by substituting each code acquired from each character 51 into a predetermined calculation formula. Judgment is made based on whether or not the code matches. That is, only when all the characters 51 constituting the barcode 50 can be read by one scan, the numerical information as the calculation result matches the decoding success confirmation code. If the two values do not match, it is determined that all the characters 51 constituting the barcode 50 have not been scanned in the scanning, and the barcode area detection is repeated for the other scanning lines (step S240).

If the scan that could read all characters was more than 2 degrees in the horizontal scan or more than 2 degrees in the vertical scan, proceed to the next step, assuming that the barcode area could be accurately detected multiple times Proceed with
Next, the image data interpolation module 21b determines whether or not the detected barcode area is truly an area corresponding to the barcode 50 (step S230). This is because there may be a barcode other than the barcode 50 in the captured image, for example, a barcode indicating product information is attached at a certain position in the print object 70.

  Specifically, the code for identifying the decoded content recorded in the predetermined character 51 is acquired, and the same numerical information (contrast confirmation code 15d) as the same code recorded in advance in the HDD 15 is acquired. It is judged whether or not. As a result, if both codes match, it is determined that the detected barcode is the barcode 50. If both codes do not match, it is assumed that an erroneous barcode other than the barcode 50 is detected. The barcode area detection is repeated for the other scanning lines (step S240). As a result, it is possible to prevent a barcode other than the barcode 50 having a distance between both end edges of L from being read erroneously and acquiring the number M of pixels from the barcode.

Here, when the direction (longitudinal direction) in which the black bars 52a and the white bars 52b of the barcode 50 are arranged is greatly inclined with respect to the horizontal scanning line, or as shown in FIG. When facing up and down, the barcode area cannot be accurately detected by only scanning in the horizontal direction. However, in the present embodiment, since the scanning in the vertical direction is also performed as described above, the barcode area can be accurately detected even when the longitudinal direction is greatly inclined on the image plane or when it faces up and down. Can do.
Next, the number of pixels M corresponding to the distance L between both end edges is acquired from the detected barcode area (step S250).

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of processing for obtaining the number of pixels M from the barcode area.
In the figure, the vicinity of the barcode 50 of the image based on the image data 15a displayed on the display 18 is shown in an enlarged manner. However, the black bar 52a and the white bar 52b constituting the barcode 50 other than the leftmost black bar 52a and the rightmost black bar 52a are not shown. The scanning lines R1 and R2 indicate scanning lines that have scanned all the characters 51 constituting the barcode 50 when the image data 15a is scanned in the detection process. Further, the intersection coordinates between the scanning line R1 and the left edge of the leftmost black bar 52a of the barcode 50 are (x1, y1), and the intersection coordinates between the scanning line R1 and the right edge of the rightmost black bar 52a. Is (x1 ′, y1 ′). Similarly, the intersection coordinates between the scanning line R2 and the left edge of the leftmost black bar 52a and the intersection coordinates of the right edge of the rightmost black bar 52a are respectively (x2, y2) and (x2 ′, y2). ′).

  The positions of the edges serving as the intersections are detected based on the luminance information acquired from the pixels when scanning the scanning lines R1 and R2. Since the luminance value acquired from the edge pixel forming the edge of the black bar 52a is basically 0, the change degree of the luminance information is steep at the edge boundary. Therefore, based on the degree of change in the luminance information, the edge pixel forming the left edge of the leftmost black bar 52a and the right edge of the rightmost black bar 52a can be specified, and each intersection coordinate can be obtained. . A known edge detection filter such as a Laplacian filter can be used to detect such edge pixels.

In order to obtain the number M of pixels, the inclination α in the longitudinal direction of the barcode 50 with respect to the scanning lines R1 and R2 is obtained. Alternatively, the slope (π / 2−α) of the edge direction of the black bar 52a with respect to the scanning lines R1 and R2 may be obtained. Since the edge direction is a direction passing through the intersection coordinates (x1, y1) and (x2, y2), the inclination (π / 2−α) of the edge direction is the same as that of the scanning lines R1 and R2. It can be easily obtained as the angle formed by. When the inclination (π / 2−α) or the inclination α in the edge direction is obtained, the distance between both ends of the edge is determined based on the inclination and the number of pixels m corresponding to the length of the scanning line R1 or R2 passing through the barcode area. The number of pixels M corresponding to L is obtained by the following equation.
M = m × cos α, or M = m × sin (π / 2−α)
The number of pixels m is determined by the distance between the coordinates (x1, y1) (x1 ′, y1 ′) or the distance between the coordinates (x2, y2) (x2 ′, y2 ′) and the resolution of the image data 15a. .

  When the inclination α is obtained, the image data 15a is scanned again in the direction of the inclination α, and the distance between the left edge of the leftmost black bar 52a and the right edge of the rightmost black bar 52a on the same scanning line is obtained. The number of pixels M may be calculated based on the obtained distance and the resolution of the image data 15a. If the number of pixels M corresponding to the distance L between both ends is acquired, the image data interpolation module 21b then acquires the distance L between both ends and the printing resolution P of the printer 40 (step S260). Since the distance L between both end edges is recorded as a code on a predetermined character 51 of the barcode 50, it can be easily obtained by scanning the barcode 50 and reading the code of the character 51. Of course, the user may input the same L value by operating the operation input device, or the L value may be recorded in advance in the HDD 15 and read out from the HDD 15 as appropriate and acquired.

  The print resolution P may be obtained directly from the printer 40 via the parallel communication I / O 19b. Alternatively, similarly to the L value, the user may input the P value by operating the operation input device, or the P value may be recorded in advance in the HDD 15 and read and acquired from the HDD 15 as appropriate. Yes. Then, based on these acquired L, M, and P values, the change rate X is calculated (step S270).

Here, when the printing resolution of the printer 40 to be used is different between the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, the change rate Xh in the horizontal direction and the change rate Xv in the vertical direction are used as the change rate of the number of pixels when the image data 15a is interpolated. And need to get. In this case, in step S260, the horizontal print resolution Ph and the vertical print resolution Pv of the printer 40 are acquired. In step S270, the following formula Xh = Ph / (M / L)
Xv = Pv / (M / L)
Thus, the change rate Xh in the horizontal direction and the change rate Xv in the vertical direction are respectively calculated.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing another example of the reference sign.
In the figure, the sign 60 is constituted by a bar code 61, a protrusion 62 and a board 63. The bar code 61 has the same form as the bar code 50 described above. The protrusion 62 has a cylindrical shape, and stands substantially vertically from the board 63. The circular surface 62 a at the tip of the protrusion 62 is designed to be substantially parallel to the barcode 61 and the board 63.
When obtaining the rate of change X, it is necessary to acquire the number of pixels M corresponding to the actually measured length of the predetermined portion of the barcode 61 in the image data 15a as an accurate value. Here, even if the image data 15a is acquired in a state where the barcode 61 including the predetermined portion is not directly facing the imaging device, and the number of pixels M is acquired, the same number of pixels M is actually measured of the predetermined portion. It cannot be said that the number of pixels corresponding to the length is accurately represented.

  Here, if the sign 60 is used as the reference sign, it is easy to determine whether the circular surface 62a of the protrusion 62 is circular when attempting to pick up an image. It is possible to determine whether or not it is directly facing. Therefore, when the user captures an image, if the circular surface 62a is elliptical when viewed from the imaging device, the user can easily correct the barcode 61 with respect to the imaging device by adjusting the direction of the sign 60. Can be paired.

  The reference mark need not be limited to a bar code, and various kinds of reference marks can be used as long as the measured length of a predetermined part is known in advance. For example, a ruler with an accurate scale may be used as the reference mark. That is, if the distance between the predetermined scales is L value and the number of pixels corresponding to the distance between the predetermined scales in the image data is M value, the captured image including the identification rule is actual size. A change rate X of the number of pixels for printing is obtained. In addition, in any case of using the reference sign of any aspect, the measured length L of a predetermined part of the reference sign may be displayed in the vicinity of the reference sign as an OCR character for optical character recognition. If such display is performed, image data having a part of the data corresponding to the L value is generated by imaging the OCR character together with the reference sign. As a result, the computer 10 can acquire the L value directly from the acquired image data when executing the interpolation process.

(3) Second Embodiment Until now, it is assumed that the image data input from the HDD 15 to the image data acquisition module 21a of the APL 21 is data related to an image obtained by capturing the reference sign and the print object 70 together. went. However, it is not always necessary to image the reference mark and the print object 70 together, and image data already generated by imaging the print object 70 may be input to the image data acquisition module 21a.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing content for obtaining the change rate X in the second embodiment. This figure details the processing performed in step S200 of FIG. 2 in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the image data acquired in step S100 in the preceding stage is Assume that the barcode 50 may or may not be included. The processing in steps S310 to S340 in FIG. 9 is the same as the processing content in steps S210 to S240 in FIG. Therefore, the description will be focused on the characteristic processing after step S345.

When it is determined that the barcode 50 has not been detected as a result of scanning the image data 15b input from the HDD 15 to the image data acquisition module 21a (step S340), the APL 21 reads a predetermined extendable reference mark 80 on the image data 15b. The image processing for generating the image data 15c on which is superimposed is performed (step S345).
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of processing for generating the image data 15c. This figure shows a state in which an image based on the image data 15 b is displayed on the display 18. In the approximate center of the image, a print object 70 intended to be printed in actual size is displayed, but the barcode 50 as a reference mark is not displayed.

  In such a case, the APL 21 displays the telescopic reference mark 80 as an icon at a predetermined position on the screen. The telescopic reference mark 80 is an icon whose length can be freely expanded and contracted on the screen, and means a certain length as a fixed value even when the length is changed on the screen. The user drags and drops the extensible reference mark 80 displayed as an icon to the vicinity of the print object 70 by the cursor operation of the mouse 32, and expands or contracts it to a predetermined length. Here, to which range the extendable reference mark 80 is expanded or contracted depends on which part of the print object 70 is actually measured. For example, when the measured length L from the lower end to the upper end of the print object 70 is known in advance, the screen is set so that the extendable reference mark 80 has the same length as the length from the lower end to the upper end of the print object 70. Stretch on top.

As a result, the image data 15c in which the extensible reference mark 80 displayed with the same length on the screen as the predetermined portion of the print object 70 whose measured length L is known in advance is superimposed on the original image data 15b. Generated. By giving the actually measured length L as a fixed value to the telescopic reference mark 80, the image data 15c is stored in a predetermined portion (in the example shown in the figure, the range from the lower end to the upper end of the expandable reference mark 80). Is the image data relating to the image including the reference sign for which the actual measurement length is determined. The L value, which is a fixed value indicating the length from the lower end to the upper end of the telescopic reference sign 80, is input from a predetermined UI on the display 18 by operating the keyboard 31, mouse 32, or the like.
Therefore, in the second embodiment, the image data acquisition module 21a and the image data interpolation module 21b in the case of performing the processing from step S100 and steps S310 to S345 correspond to the image data acquisition means described in claim 1.

  After the image data 15c is acquired, the image data interpolation module 21b calculates the rate of change X for converting the number of pixels to the resolution at which the image is printed in actual size printing in the following steps. That is, the number M of pixels corresponding to the length from the lower end to the upper end of the expandable reference mark 80 in the image data 15c is obtained (step S350), and then the L input as the fixed value of the expandable reference mark 80 is obtained. The value and the printing resolution P of the printer 40 are acquired (step S360). Based on the acquired L, M, and P values, the rate of change X is calculated (step S370).

(4) Summary As described above, the computer 10 inputs the image data 15a related to the image obtained by capturing the print object 70 and the barcode 50 whose measured length L of the predetermined portion is known together. The number M of pixels corresponding to the length of the predetermined portion in 15a is acquired. Next, the pixels for obtaining the print resolution P of L and the printer 40 and converting the resolution of the image data 15a into a resolution that enables actual size printing of the image based on the L, M, and P values. The number change rate X is calculated. Then, if a printing process based on the image data 15a after the interpolation process in which pixels are interpolated based on the change rate X is performed, it is possible to automatically obtain a printing result in which the image is displayed in an accurate actual size.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure concerning embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the processing content of the interpolation processing of image data. It is the figure which showed the barcode. It is the flowchart which showed the processing content for acquiring the change rate X. It is explanatory drawing of the process which detects a barcode area | region. It is explanatory drawing of the process which detects a barcode area | region. It is explanatory drawing of the process which acquires the pixel number M from a barcode area | region. It is the perspective view which showed the other example of the reference | standard label | marker. It is the flowchart which showed the processing content for acquiring the change rate X. It is explanatory drawing of the process which produces | generates the image data used as the object of an interpolation process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Computer, 15 ... HDD, 15a, 15b, 15c ... Image data, 15d ... Comparison confirmation code, 18 ... Display, 21 ... APL, 21a ... Image data acquisition module, 21b ... Image data interpolation module, 22 ... PRTDRV, 23 ... Input device DRV, 24 ... Display DRV, 31 ... Keyboard, 32 ... Mouse, 40 ... Printer, 50, 61 ... Bar code, 51 ... Character, 52a ... Black bar, 52b ... White bar, 70 ... Print object, 80 ... telescopic reference mark

Claims (11)

An image data interpolation device that changes the number of pixels based on a predetermined change rate with respect to image data representing an image by a plurality of pixels,
Image data acquisition means for acquiring image data relating to an image including a reference sign in which an actual measurement length of a predetermined part is determined;
The image is printed in actual size when printing processing is performed by a printing apparatus having a predetermined printing resolution using the actually measured length and the number of pixels corresponding to the predetermined portion of the reference sign in the image data. A rate of change acquisition means for obtaining the required rate of change;
Image data interpolation means for changing the number of constituent pixels of the image data based on the obtained change rate;
An image data interpolation device comprising: image data output means for outputting image data in which the number of constituent pixels has been changed as image data after interpolation processing. The rate-of-change acquisition means sets L as the measured length of the predetermined portion of the reference sign, M as the number of pixels corresponding to the length of the predetermined portion in the image data, and P as the print resolution of the printing apparatus. The image data interpolating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the change rate X is obtained by the following equation.
X = P / (M / L) The change rate acquisition means detects a reference sign in the acquired image data by scanning a plurality of horizontal or vertical scanning lines based on a predetermined order in the acquired image data. The image data interpolation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The said change rate acquisition means judges that the data area | region from which the luminance information acquired from each pixel changes with a predetermined regularity is the said reference mark when detecting the said reference mark. The image data interpolating device according to claim 3. The rate-of-change acquisition means completes detection of the reference sign when reading identification information identifying the reference sign from a predetermined area of the data area determined to be the reference sign. 5. The image data interpolating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein The rate-of-change acquisition means calculates an inclination in a length direction of a predetermined portion of the reference sign with respect to a horizontal or vertical scanning line, and corresponds to the length of the predetermined portion in the image data based on the inclination. 6. The image data interpolation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the number of pixels is calculated. The change rate acquisition means detects a plurality of edge pixels generated by the reference marker when scanning the image data a plurality of times in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction, and calculates the inclination based on the positions of the plurality of edge pixels. The image data interpolating apparatus according to claim 6. In the predetermined area of the reference sign, information that can be read by the change rate acquisition means when the reference sign is acquired as image data and that indicates the measured length of the predetermined part is recorded in advance. The image data interpolating device according to claim 1, wherein The image data interpolating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the reference mark is a barcode whose measured length of a predetermined part is known. An image data interpolation method for changing the number of pixels based on a predetermined change rate with respect to image data representing an image by a plurality of pixels,
An image data acquisition step of acquiring image data relating to an image including a reference sign in which an actual measurement length of a predetermined part is determined;
The image is printed in actual size when printing processing is performed by a printing apparatus having a predetermined printing resolution using the actually measured length and the number of pixels corresponding to the predetermined portion of the reference sign in the image data. A change rate acquisition step for obtaining the required change rate, and
An image data interpolation step of changing the number of constituent pixels of the image data based on the obtained change rate;
An image data interpolation method comprising: an image data output step of outputting the image data in which the number of constituent pixels is changed as image data after interpolation processing. An image data interpolation program for changing the number of pixels based on a predetermined change rate by a computer with respect to image data representing an image by a plurality of pixels,
An image data acquisition function for acquiring image data relating to an image including a reference sign in which an actual measurement length of a predetermined part is determined;
The image is printed in actual size when printing processing is performed by a printing apparatus having a predetermined printing resolution using the actually measured length and the number of pixels corresponding to the predetermined portion of the reference sign in the image data. Change rate acquisition function to obtain the required change rate,
An image data interpolation function for changing the number of constituent pixels of the image data based on the acquired rate of change;
An image data interpolation program for causing a computer to realize an image data output function for outputting image data in which the number of constituent pixels is changed as image data after interpolation processing.

Images