JP2005223374A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor dispensing with an additional memory to correct a positional deviation between color components of read color image data by a plurality of line sensors in the case of changing a monochromatic exclusive image processor into a color image processor. <P>SOLUTION: The image processor 1 is provided with: a color image read section 26 using a plurality of the line sensors to read color image data of an original; a monochromatic image processing section 9 including a color/monochromatic common image processing circuit 17 for applying image processing, in common to color image and a monochromatic image, to the color image data read by a binary coding memory 21 and the color image read section 26 and storing the processed image data into the memory 21; and a control section 5 for carrying out the positional deviation correction between the color components of the color image data processed by the color/monochromatic common image processing circuit 17 on the binary coding memory 21 provided in the monochromatic image processing section 9. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus that performs color image processing on color image data of a read document.

  In recent years, color image processing apparatuses such as color printers and color facsimiles have become widespread. However, since they are still expensive, some users who have already purchased a monochrome image processing apparatus are hesitant to replace them. For such users, there is an option board that can be changed to a color image processing apparatus by simply adding it together with a color line sensor to a monochrome dedicated image processing apparatus that has already been purchased (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In the image processing apparatus in which the option board is incorporated, for color image data composed of line sequential data of R (Red), G (Green), and B (Blue) read for each main scanning line by a plurality of line sensors, In an existing monochrome image processing unit, image processing common to color images and monochrome images, such as shading correction, is performed. The color image data subjected to the common image processing is sequentially stored in a memory provided in an option board (color image processing unit), and the color components are read out by reading out the line sequential data of the same line (main scanning line). The positional deviation correction is performed, and image processing performed only for the color image such as color space conversion is performed. Therefore, the configuration of the color image processing unit can be simplified as compared with the case where a color image processing unit having a function of performing all image processing performed on the color image data of the read original is added, The user can inexpensively change the monochrome image processing apparatus to a color image processing apparatus.
JP 11-41479 A

  However, in order to process color image data, a memory for correcting misregistration between color components of color image data that is not necessary for a monochrome image, such as an image processing apparatus to which an option board of Patent Document 1 is added. Therefore, when the monochrome image processing apparatus is changed to a color image processing apparatus, the cost is increased.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and corrects misalignment between color components of color image data read by a plurality of line sensors when the monochrome image processing apparatus is changed to a color image processing apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that does not require the addition of a memory for performing.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to claim 1, a color image reading unit that reads color image data of a document by a plurality of line sensors, a memory, and color image data read by the color image reading unit. A monochrome image processing unit provided with a color / monochrome common image processing circuit that performs image processing common to color images and monochrome images and stores the same in the memory, and the color / monochrome common image processing circuit. A control unit that performs correction of misregistration between color components of the color image data on the memory provided in the monochrome image processing unit.

  The image processing device according to claim 2 is the image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the color image data subjected to the positional deviation correction is stored, and the image processing performed only for the color image in the color image data A color image processing unit that performs color image data that has been corrected for misregistration on the memory and temporarily stores the color image data in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction when the data is read out. The color image processing unit divides the block into units of the number of pixels, and the color image processing unit performs color space conversion of the color image data divided for each block by the control unit into a predetermined color space, and converts the color image data after color space conversion into each block. It is characterized in that it is compressed and encoded by a predetermined method every time.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the buffer is provided outside the color image processing unit.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the first aspect, since the misregistration correction between the color components of the color image data is performed on the memory included in the monochrome image processing unit, the misregistration correction between the color components of the color image data is performed. The monochrome-dedicated image processing apparatus can be changed to an image processing apparatus corresponding to a color image by simply replacing the monochrome line sensor with a color line sensor without adding a memory for performing the process. In this case, for example, when a color image processing unit (color image processing board) that performs image processing performed only on a color image is added, the color image data is misaligned in the color image processing unit. There is an advantage that it is not necessary to provide a memory for performing the above. Therefore, compared with a conventional color image processing unit provided with a memory for correcting misregistration, the configuration of the color image processing unit can be simplified, and the monochrome dedicated image processing apparatus can be used at a lower cost. It can be changed to a processing device.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the second aspect, since the read color image data can be compressed and encoded by a predetermined method, for example, a color image read by a PC connected to be communicable via a LAN or the like. When transferring data, the transfer process can be performed at high speed. The control unit performs block processing when reading the color image data once stored in the buffer, and the color image processing unit performs color space conversion and compression encoding processing on the blocked color image data. Therefore, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to provide two buffers, that is, a buffer for temporarily storing color image data whose positional deviation is corrected in the memory and a buffer for performing block processing.

  According to the image processing device of claim 3, since the buffer for performing the block processing of the color image data is provided outside the color image processing unit, the buffer used for the block processing is the color image processing unit. There is an advantage that it is not necessary to provide it. Therefore, the monochrome image processing device can be processed at a lower cost compared to the case where the monochrome image processing device is changed to a color image processing device by adding a color image processing unit having a buffer used for block processing. Can be changed to a device.

  Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an image processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention uses a monochrome line sensor 3 of a monochrome dedicated image processing apparatus 2 that reads monochrome image data of a document and performs monochrome image processing. By replacing the line sensor 4, it is an apparatus configured to read color image data of a document and perform color image processing.

  First, the monochrome image processing apparatus 2 before the monochrome line sensor 3 is replaced with the color line sensor 4 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the monochrome only image processing apparatus 2 includes a control unit (MPU: Microprocessing Unit) 5, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 6, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 7, a monochrome image reading unit 8, and a monochrome image processing unit 9. , An operation unit 10, a display unit 11, a recording unit 12, a buffer 13, and a USB device controller 14, and the units 5 to 14 are communicably connected via a bus 15.

  The control unit 5 controls each unit constituting the monochrome dedicated image processing apparatus 2 according to a predetermined program. The ROM 6 is an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM) that stores various programs for the operation of each unit of the monochrome image processing apparatus 2 to be controlled by the control unit 5. The RAM 7 stores various data, setting information, and the like acquired with the execution of the processing operation of the monochrome image processing apparatus 2.

  Although not shown, the monochrome image reading unit 8 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) and a flat bed scanner (FBS), a light source in the document width direction (main scanning direction), and By scanning the reflecting mirror in the length direction (sub-scanning direction) of the document, monochrome image data of the document is read and output to a predetermined output destination. The monochrome image reading unit 8 includes a monochrome line sensor (CCD: Charge Coupled Device) 3 that reads monochrome image data of a document for each main scanning line, and a white reference provided with the monochrome line sensor 3 in the monochrome image reading unit 8. An AFE (Analog Front End) circuit 16 that performs gain adjustment based on read data output by reading a plate (not shown) is provided.

  The monochrome image processing unit 9 includes a color / monochrome common image processing circuit 17, a monochrome dedicated image processing circuit 18, a binary memory 19, a codec 20, and a binary encoding memory 21. The color / monochrome common image processing circuit 17 corrects A / D conversion, light amount unevenness, the influence of optical components, and variations in pixel sensitivity of the monochrome line sensor 3 on the monochrome image data output from the monochrome image reading unit 8. Image processing such as shading correction and γ correction is performed. The image processing performed in the color / monochrome common image processing circuit 17 is image processing common to the color image and the monochrome image. The monochrome dedicated image processing circuit 18 performs image processing performed only on the monochrome image, such as binarization processing of the monochrome image data processed by the color / monochrome common image processing circuit 17. The binary memory 19 temporarily stores the monochrome image data binarized by the monochrome image processing circuit 18.

  The codec 20 performs encoding and decoding of image data. That is, the monochrome image data stored in the binary memory 19 is encoded by MH (Modified Huffman), MR (Modified Read), MMR (Modified Modified Read), JBIG (Joint Bi-level Image Group), etc. The obtained monochrome image data is decoded. The binary encoding memory 21 stores monochrome image data encoded by the codec 20.

  The operation unit 10 is a start key for instructing an instruction to start reading a document placed on the platen of the monochrome image reading unit 8, and when recording an image of the read monochrome image data of the document on paper. Various operation keys linked to the display unit 11 such as a numeric keypad for inputting the number of copies and a cursor key for performing various settings are provided. Although not shown, the display unit 11 is a liquid crystal display device (LCD: Liquid) that displays information related to the state of the monochrome image processing device 2, various operation instruction input screens, setting states, operation states, and the like in characters and graphics. Crystal Display) and LED lamps that are turned on or off.

  The recording unit 12 records the image of the monochrome image data read by the monochrome image reading unit 8 on a predetermined sheet. As a recording method in the recording unit 12, for example, various recording methods such as an electrophotographic method and an ink jet recording method can be used.

  When the monochrome image data read by the monochrome image reading unit 8 is output to the client PC 22 via a USB (Universal Serial Bus), the buffer 13 is stored in the binary encoding memory 21 and then decoded by the codec 20. It is a communication buffer for temporarily storing the monochrome image data. The buffer 13 buffers the communication speed of communication performed with the client PC 22.

  The USB device controller 14 executes a USB device controller function. The USB device controller 14 is provided with a USB port 23. One end of a USB cable 24 is connected to the USB port 23 to form a USB, and communication with the client PC 22 is possible. The USB device controller 14 transmits the encoded monochrome binary image data stored in the binary encoding memory 21 and the decoding stored in the buffer 12 to the client PC 22 connected in such a manner as to be communicable. Transfer the monochrome binary image data.

  The monochrome-dedicated image processing apparatus 2 having the above configuration reads a monochrome image data of a document and records the monochrome image on a sheet, and transfers the scanned document monochrome image data to the client PC 22 via the USB. A PC scanner function and a printer function for recording a monochrome image of image data output from the client PC 22 on a sheet are provided.

  When the PC scanner function is executed, as shown in FIG. 3, the monochrome line sensor 3 of the monochrome image reading unit 8 reads the monochrome image data of the placed document and uses this to read the color of the monochrome image processing unit 9. / Output to the monochrome common image processing circuit 17. The color / monochrome common image processing circuit 17 performs image processing common to the color image and the monochrome image, such as A / D conversion, shading correction, and γ correction, on the monochrome image data output from the monochrome image reading unit 8. In this way, monochrome image data subjected to predetermined image processing in the color / monochrome common image processing circuit 17 is binarized in the monochrome dedicated image processing circuit 18 and then temporarily stored in the binary memory 19. Is done. The monochrome binary image data stored in the binary memory 19 is encoded by the codec 20 by a predetermined method and then stored in the binary encoding memory 21.

  Subsequently, the encoded monochrome binary image data in the binary encoding memory 21 is decoded by the codec 20 and temporarily stored in the buffer 13. Then, the USB device controller 14 transfers the monochrome binary image data USB stored in the buffer 13 to the client PC 22. Note that the monochrome binary image data stored in the binary memory 19 may be directly transferred to the client PC 22 by the USB device controller 14 without performing the encoding and decoding processes by the codec 20. When the encoded monochrome binary image data is transferred to the client PC 22, the encoded monochrome binary image data in the binary encoding memory 21 is not decoded by the codec 20, and the USB device controller 14. Is transferred directly to the client PC 22.

  Next, an image processing apparatus 1 configured to handle color image data by replacing the monochrome line sensor 3 of the monochrome dedicated image processing apparatus 2 with the color line sensor 4 will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the same number is attached | subjected to the thing of the same structure as the monochrome exclusive image processing apparatus 2, the description is abbreviate | omitted, and a different point is demonstrated below.

  As shown in the figure, the image processing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 5, a ROM 6, a RAM 7, a color image reading unit 26 in which the monochrome line sensor 3 is replaced with a color line sensor 4 in order to read color image data of a document, A monochrome image processing unit 9, an operation unit 10, a display unit 11, a recording unit 12, a buffer 13, and a USB device controller 14 are provided, and these units are communicably connected via a bus 15.

  The ROM 6 of the image processing apparatus 1 stores the control program installed when the monochrome line sensor 3 is replaced with the color line sensor 4 in addition to the control program stored in the ROM 6 of the monochrome image dedicated image processing apparatus 2. doing. Here, the newly installed control program is a control program for controlling the processing operation of each part of the image processing apparatus 1 necessary for reading color image data of a document and performing predetermined image processing. For example, there are a reading control program for reading color image data of a document by the color line sensor 4 and a misregistration correction processing program for correcting misregistration between color components of the read color image data.

  The color image reading unit 26 reads color image data of a document by a plurality of line sensors, and includes the color line sensor 4 and the AFE circuit 16. Here, the color line sensor 4 is composed of three line sensors of R (Red), G (Green), and B (Blue). The color line sensor 4 reads color images of an original and reads color image data composed of RGB line sequential data. Is output to a predetermined output destination. Although not shown, these three line sensors are arranged side by side with a predetermined line interval, so that the color image reading unit 26 sequentially shifts the RGB lines in a shifted state due to the line gap. Data is output. The color line sensor 4 is for reading the color image data of the original. The color line sensor 4 outputs only the G component of the RGB three components as monochrome, or outputs the color line sensor 4 to the three RGB line sensors. Of course, it is possible to read monochrome image data of a document by using a 4-line type in which a line sensor for reading monochrome image data is added. Here, the AFE circuit 16 acquires a gain setting value based on the read data of each of the RGB color components output by the color line sensor 4 reading the white reference plate, and adjusts the gain of the read color image data. The obtained gain setting values of the RGB color components are stored in the register of the AFE circuit 16, and when the color image data of the original is read by the color line sensor 4, the AFE circuit 16 stores the color components stored in the register. A process for amplifying each color separation signal is performed based on the gain setting value.

  The color / monochrome common image processing circuit 17 of the monochrome image processing unit 9 performs image processing common to the color image and the monochrome image on the color image data read by the color image reading unit 26 to perform binary coding memory. 21 (memory). Specifically, image processing common to color and monochrome images, such as A / D conversion, shading correction, and γ correction, is also performed on color image data read by the color line sensor 4 of the color image reading unit 26. . The binary encoding memory 21 temporarily stores the color image data processed by the color / monochrome common image processing circuit 17 in addition to the monochrome binary image data encoded by the codec 20 by a predetermined method. Store. As will be described later, the positional deviation correction between the color components of the color image data processed by the color / monochrome common image processing circuit 17 is performed on the binary coding memory 21 provided in the monochrome image processing unit 9. Is called. Further, the buffer 13 temporarily stores the color image data corrected for the positional deviation. In this way, the monochrome image processing unit 9 performs binary image encoding by performing image processing common to the color image and the monochrome image on the color image data read by the binary encoding memory 21 and the color image reading unit 26. A color / monochrome common image processing circuit 17 stored in the memory 21 is provided.

  The control unit 5 controls writing and reading of color image data with respect to the binary coding memory 21 of the monochrome image processing unit 9. The control unit 5 performs a positional deviation correction between the color components of the color image data processed by the color / monochrome common image processing circuit 17 on the binary coding memory 21 provided in the monochrome image processing unit 9. In other words, the color / monochrome common image processing circuit 17 performs binary coding on the RGB line sequential data in a state of being shifted after image processing common to the color image and monochrome image of A / D conversion, shading correction, and γ correction is performed. By controlling the write address when writing (storing) to the memory 21 or by controlling the read address when reading, RGB line sequential data of the same line is output from the binary coding memory 21. As described above, the address control for the binary coding memory 21 is performed. Specifically, the RGB line sequential data in a state of deviation processed by the color / monochrome common image processing circuit 17 is written into the binary coding memory 21 in the order of R, G, B, for example, for each line. Then, when the RGB line sequential data for a predetermined line is written in the binary encoding memory 21, the RGB line sequential data of the same line (main scanning line) is sequentially read out for each line to thereby determine the position between the color components. Deviation correction is performed.

  Hereinafter, the flow of data transfer by the processing operation performed in the image processing apparatus 1 until the color image data of the document read by the color image reading unit 26 is transferred to the client PC 22 will be described with reference to FIG. The processing operation of the image processing apparatus 1 described below is performed in accordance with a command issued by the control unit 5 based on a control program stored in the ROM 6.

  When a color document is placed on the document table of the color image reading unit 26 and the user presses the start key of the operation unit 10 to input a document reading start command, the color line sensor 4 reads the document. The color image is read, and the read analog color image data of the RGB color system is output to the color / monochrome common image processing circuit 17 of the monochrome image processing unit 9. Note that the color image data output here is RGB line sequential data with a shift. The color / monochrome common image processing circuit 17 is an image common to the color image and monochrome image of A / D conversion, shading correction, and γ correction for the RGB color system analog color image data output from the color line sensor 4. Process. In this way, when predetermined image processing is performed in the color / monochrome common image processing circuit 17, the control unit 5 once writes the RGB line sequential data subjected to the image processing into the binary encoding memory 21 once. Include. The written RGB line sequential data is read from the binary encoding memory 21 and written into the buffer 13. At this time, the RGB line sequential data write / read address to the binary encoding memory 21 is controlled to correct the positional deviation between the color components of the RGB line sequential data (color image data), and the positional deviation corrected RGB table. Color system color image data is written into the buffer 13. Then, the USB device controller 14 sequentially transfers the color image data of the RGB color system stored in the buffer 13 by the control unit 5 in this way to the client PC 22. Note that the same processing as in the case of the above-described color image data is performed when monochrome multi-value image data of a document read by the color line sensor 4 is output to the client PC 22.

  As described above, in the image processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the color image data in the RGB color system in the state of deviation read by the color line sensor 4 is the monochrome image processing unit 9. Since the misregistration correction between the color components is performed on the binary encoding memory 21, the monochrome line sensor 3 is replaced with the color line sensor 4 without adding a memory for correcting the misregistration of the color image data. The monochrome image processing apparatus 2 can be easily changed to the color image processing apparatus 1 simply by doing so.

  Note that the memory used for correcting the misregistration of color image data in a state of misalignment is not limited to the binary encoding memory 21, but the RGB lines sequentially corresponding to the delay lines necessary for the misregistration correction. If there is another existing memory having a capacity sufficient to store data, the misalignment correction can be performed using the existing memory.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the image processing apparatus 1 and the client PC 22 are connected via the USB has been described as an example. However, if color image data can be transferred from the image processing apparatus 1 to the client PC 22, connection means is possible. Is not limited to USB. For example, instead of the USB device controller 14, a parallel interface, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface, or the like may be mounted, and the parallel, LAN, or the like may be used as the connection unit.

  Hereinafter, in order to compress and encode the color image data read by the color line sensor 4 using the JPEG method and output it to the client PC 22, the monochrome line sensor 3 of the monochrome dedicated image processing apparatus 2 is replaced with the color line sensor 4, and An image processing apparatus 31 according to a second embodiment of the present invention to which a color image processing unit 30 (color image processing board) is added will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the same number is attached | subjected to the thing of the same structure as the image processing apparatus 1, the description is abbreviate | omitted, and a different point is demonstrated below.

  This image processing device 31 is obtained by adding a color image processing unit 30 to the image processing device 1 in which the monochrome line sensor 3 of the monochrome dedicated image processing device 2 is replaced with the color line sensor 4. The color image processing unit 30 performs image processing that is performed only on a color image on the color image data that has been subjected to positional deviation correction on the binary coding memory 21 by the control unit 5. The color image processing unit 30 includes an input I / F 32, a line buffer 33, a color space conversion circuit 34, a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) encoder 35, a multilevel encoding memory 36, and an output I / F 37. It can be attached to and detached from the image processing apparatus 31.

  The line buffer 33 stores RGB color system color image data input from the binary encoding memory 21 of the monochrome image processing unit 9 to the color image processing unit 30 via the input I / F 32. In other words, the line buffer 33 is a buffer for storing color image data that has been subjected to position shift correction on the binary encoding memory 21 by the control unit 5. The control unit 5 temporarily stores the color image data corrected for misregistration on the binary coding memory 21 in the line buffer 33, and when reading this, sequentially converts it into blocks of a predetermined number of pixels in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. A process of dividing (blocking process) is performed. This blocking process is performed by controlling the write / read address of color image data for the line buffer 33. Specifically, RGB line sequential data whose positional deviation has been corrected on the binary encoding memory 21 is sequentially written to the line buffer 33, and color image data for eight lines, here, eight lines of color image data is stored in the line buffer. At the stage of being stored in 33, the data is divided into blocks each consisting of pixel data of 8 × 8 pixels (8 pixels in the main scanning direction and 8 pixels in the sub-scanning direction) every 8 lines (main scanning lines). Read from the line buffer 33 and output to a predetermined output destination. In this embodiment, the unit is divided for each 8 × 8 pixel block, but the unit of the predetermined number of pixels is not limited to this. For example, the unit is divided for each 4 × 4 pixel block, Of course, it is possible to divide each block of 16 × 16 pixels.

  The color image processing unit 30 performs color space conversion on the color image data divided for each block by the control unit 5 into a predetermined color space, and compresses and encodes the color image data after color space conversion for each block in a predetermined method. To do. The color space conversion circuit 34 converts the RGB color system color image data divided by the control unit 5 for each block into a predetermined color space for each block. Here, the input RGB color system color image data is color space converted into YCrCb color system color image data. The color space conversion process is performed for each pixel data with respect to the color image data read by the control unit 5 in units of blocks. In the embodiment of the present invention, the input color image data of the RGB color system is color space converted to color image data of the YCrCb color system, but the color space to be used is limited to this. Instead, RGB color system color image data may be color space converted into, for example, L * a * b * color system color image data in accordance with the use of the color image data.

  The JPEG encoder 35 compresses and encodes the color image data color-space converted by the color space conversion circuit 34 for each block using the JPEG method. Specifically, color image data that has been color space converted to the YCrCb color system is compression-coded by the JPEG method for each block of 8 × 8 pixels. The JPEG encoder 35 includes a quantization table and a Huffman table (not shown), and generates DCT coefficients by performing discrete cosine transform (DCT) on the color image data for each block. The generated DCT coefficient is quantized with reference to a quantization threshold stored in the quantization table, and the quantized DCT coefficient is variable-length encoded with reference to a Huffman code stored in the Huffman table. Thus, compression encoding by the JPEG method is performed. The compression encoding process performed by the JPEG encoder 35 is not limited to this. For example, the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) is performed on the color image data divided by the control unit 5 for each block of 16 × 16 pixels. : Discrete Wavelet Transform) and JPEG2000 compression encoding processing may be performed. The multilevel encoding memory 36 stores color image data compressed and encoded by the JPEG encoder 35 using the JPEG method. The color image data stored in the multi-level encoding memory 36 is output via the output I / F 37 and transferred to the client PC 22 by the USB device controller 14.

  The ROM 6 of the image processing device 31 is replaced with the color line sensor 4 in addition to the control program stored in the ROM 6 of the monochrome image dedicated image processing device 2, and the color image processing unit 30 is replaced with the color image sensor 30. Stores the control program that was installed when it was added. Here, the newly installed control program is a control program for controlling the processing operation of each part of the image processing apparatus 31 necessary for reading color image data of a document and performing predetermined image processing.

  Hereinafter, the flow of data transfer by the processing operation performed in the image processing apparatus 31 until the color image data read by the color image reading unit 26 is transferred to the client PC 22 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the processing operation of the image processing apparatus 31 described below is performed according to a command issued by the control unit 5 based on a control program stored in the ROM 6.

  When a color document is placed on the document table of the color image reading unit 26 and the user presses the start key of the operation unit 10 to input a document reading start command, the color line sensor 4 reads the document. The color image is read, and the read analog color image data of the RGB color system is output to the color / monochrome common image processing circuit 17 of the monochrome image processing unit 9. Note that the color image data output here is RGB line sequential data with a shift. The color / monochrome common image processing circuit 17 is an image common to the color image and monochrome image of A / D conversion, shading correction, and γ correction for the RGB color system analog color image data output from the color line sensor 4. Process. Thus, when predetermined image processing is performed in the color / monochrome common image processing circuit 17, the control unit 5 once writes the RGB line sequential data subjected to the image processing into the binary coding memory 21. . The written RGB line sequential data is read from the binary encoding memory 21 and written into the buffer 13. At this time, the RGB line sequential data write / read address to the binary encoding memory 21 is controlled to correct the positional deviation between the color components of the RGB line sequential data (color image data), and the positional deviation corrected RGB table. Color system color image data is written into the line buffer 33.

  In parallel with the process of writing the RGB line sequential data corrected for misregistration into the line buffer 33, the control unit 5 blocks the RGB color system color image data for a predetermined line into the line buffer 33. Start processing. That is, a process of controlling the write / read address for the line buffer 33 to divide the written color image data into 8 × 8 pixel blocks for each of the RGB color components and output the block to the color space conversion circuit 34. Start. The color space conversion circuit 34 converts the RGB color system color image data divided by the control unit 5 into blocks of 8 × 8 pixels into YCrCb color system color image data one pixel at a time. The spatially converted YCrCb color system color image data is output to the JPEG encoder 35.

  The JPEG encoder 35 compresses and encodes the YCrCb color system color image data color space converted by the color space conversion circuit 34 for each block by the JPEG method. In this way, the color image data compressed and encoded by the JPEG encoder 35 is sent to the multi-level encoding memory 36 and stored in the multi-level encoding memory 36. Then, the USB device controller 14 transfers the color image data stored in the multi-level encoding memory 36 to the client PC 22.

  As described above, in order to change the image processing apparatus 31 from a dedicated monochrome image to one corresponding to a color image, the monochrome line sensor 3 is replaced with the color line sensor 4, and the existing monochrome image processing unit 9 is replaced with a color image. This is an apparatus to which a color image processing unit 30 for performing image processing performed only on color image data so as to perform image processing common to images and monochrome images is added. Therefore, compared with the case where the user adds a color image processing unit having a function of performing all image processing performed on color image data, the monochrome dedicated image processing apparatus 2 can perform image processing corresponding to the color image at a lower cost. The device 31 can be changed.

  Further, since the misregistration correction between the color components of the color image data output from the color image reading unit 26 can be performed on the binary coding memory 21 of the monochrome image processing unit 9, the color image processing unit 30 There is an advantage that it is not necessary to provide a memory for correcting misalignment. Therefore, compared with the case where the monochrome image processing apparatus 2 is changed to a color image processing apparatus by adding a color image processing unit 30 (color image processing board) provided with a memory for correcting misregistration of color image data. The configuration of the color image processing unit 30 can be simplified, and the monochrome image processing apparatus 2 can be changed to a color image processing apparatus at a lower cost.

  Further, for example, color image data directly output from the binary coding memory 21 by the control unit 5 without going through the line buffer 33 is color space converted by the color space conversion circuit 34, and then stored in the line buffer 33 to be blocked. When processing is performed, the color space conversion circuit 34 must perform color space conversion of the color image data at a speed at which the color image data is input from the binary coding memory 21. However, in the image processing apparatus 31 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the color image data that has been subjected to the positional deviation correction on the binary coding memory 21 is once stored in the line buffer 33 and then to the color space conversion circuit 34. Is output. Therefore, the color space conversion circuit 34 can perform color space conversion on the color image data at a speed at which the color image data is read from the line buffer 33 by the control unit 5. Color space conversion can be performed at a lower speed than when data is directly input. Therefore, when the processing speed of each part of the color image processing unit 30 is reduced, it is possible to prevent the problem that the reading operation of the document in the color image reading unit 26 has to be temporarily interrupted. Also, since the line buffer 33 performs blocking processing, there are two buffers: a buffer for storing color image data whose positional deviation has been corrected by the binary encoding memory 21, and a buffer for performing blocking processing. There is no need to provide it, and the configuration of the color image processing unit 30 can be simplified.

  The image processing apparatus 31 does not perform the recording process of the color image data read by the color image reading unit 26. However, the image processing apparatus 31 does not perform the recording process of the color image data. A circuit for performing output color conversion and binarization processing for conversion to output colors such as M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) is added, and the recording unit 11 is configured to display both color / monochrome image data images. If the configuration is changed to a recordable configuration, the color image data read by the color image reading unit 26 can naturally be recorded.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus 41 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The image processing apparatus 41 is an apparatus in which the monochrome line sensor 3 of the monochrome dedicated image processing apparatus 2 is replaced with a color line sensor 4 and a color image processing unit 42 is added.

  Since the image processing apparatus 41 is configured in the same manner as the image processing apparatus 31 except that the line buffer 33 of the color image processing unit 30 shown in FIG. 5 is omitted, detailed description thereof is omitted here. To do. In the image processing apparatus 41 to which the color image processing unit 42 is added, as shown in FIG. 8, the color image data that has been subjected to the positional deviation correction on the binary coding memory 21 of the monochrome image processing unit 9 is stored in an existing buffer. 13 is temporarily stored in the buffer 13, blocked in the buffer 13, and input to the color space conversion circuit 34 of the color image processing unit 42. That is, a buffer used by the control unit 5 in the blocking process is provided outside the color image processing unit 42. Therefore, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to provide a buffer for performing color image data blocking processing in the color image processing unit 42. Therefore, the monochrome image processing can be performed at a lower cost than the case where the monochrome image processing device 2 is changed to a color image processing device by adding a color image processing unit having a buffer for blocking color image data. The apparatus can be changed to a color image processing apparatus.

  The present invention can be applied to, for example, an image processing apparatus in which a monochrome line sensor of a monochrome dedicated image processing apparatus is replaced with a color line sensor.

It is the block diagram which showed the structural example of the monochrome only image processing apparatus before a monochrome line sensor was replaced | exchanged for a color line sensor. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment in which a monochrome line sensor is replaced with a color line sensor. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a flow of data transfer by a processing operation performed in a monochrome dedicated image processing apparatus when monochrome image data of a document is read and output to a client PC. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a flow of data transfer by a processing operation performed in the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment when reading color image data of a document and outputting it to a client PC. It is the block diagram which showed the structural example of the image processing apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention which replaced the monochrome line sensor with the color line sensor and added the color image processing part. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a flow of data transfer by a processing operation performed in an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment when reading color image data of a document and outputting it to a client PC. It is the block diagram which showed the structural example of the image processing apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention which replaced the monochrome line sensor with the color line sensor and added the color image processing part. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a flow of data transfer by a processing operation performed in an image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment when reading color image data of a document and outputting it to a client PC.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 31, 41 Image processing apparatus 4 Color line sensor 5 Control part 9 Monochrome image processing part 13 Buffer 17 Color / monochrome common image processing circuit 21 Binary encoding memory 26 Color image reading part 30, 42 Color image processing part 33 Line Buffer 34 Color space conversion circuit 35 JPEG encoder

Claims (3)

  A color image reading unit that reads color image data of a document by a plurality of line sensors, and image processing that is common to a color image and a monochrome image is performed on the memory and the color image data read by the color image reading unit. A monochrome image processing unit provided with a color / monochrome common image processing circuit to be stored, and a positional deviation correction between color components of the color image data processed by the color / monochrome common image processing circuit are performed in the monochrome image processing unit. An image processing apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to perform on the provided memory. A buffer for storing the color image data subjected to the positional deviation correction, and a color image processing unit for performing image processing performed only on the color image in the color image data,
The control unit temporarily stores the color image data corrected for misregistration on the memory in the buffer, and when reading this, sequentially divides the block into blocks of a predetermined number of pixels in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction,
The color image processing unit performs color space conversion on the color image data divided for each block by the control unit into a predetermined color space, and compresses and encodes the color image data subjected to color space conversion in a predetermined method for each block. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the buffer is provided outside the color image processing unit.

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