JP2005328349A - Image processing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method which can perform reprocessing based upon information showing how an image has been processed when parameter information used for image processing carried out by a scanner is saved together with the image for performing additional processing or editing processing having been already performed. <P>SOLUTION: An instruction preparation module 6 prepares an instruction in which instruction contents of a user as to image processing and the storage location of image data are described, and an instruction analyzing module 9 analyzes the instruction contents of the instruction. A job management module 10 generates a job according to the instruction contents of the instruction and an image processing module 12 performs the image processing for scan data included in a storage file based upon job attributes included in the storage file according to the job. Then a file managing module 11 stores the image data and job attributes as a file in the storage location. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus and method for performing image processing on input data input by an image input apparatus.

  Conventionally, when performing background removal with a scanner, pre-scanning (reading a part of a document in advance) is performed, a histogram is created based on the data obtained by pre-scanning, and the background is created based on the created histogram. When the level is determined and the main scan is performed, an image is read by applying density conversion processing based on the background level. Normally, the background level information determined during the pre-scan is internal information of the scanner and is not stored as image information relating to the read image. Similarly, even when the background level is determined without performing pre-scanning, the information is used inside the scanner and is not stored as image information relating to the read image.

  The purpose of these operations is to make corrections to the image as much as possible at the time of reading (so that it can be read in the best state at this point), so that no correction will occur later. It is.

  In particular, in the case of a copy machine base of a multi-function machine having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a scanner function, a printer function, and a facsimile function, image processing is performed as much as possible in the scanner part, and as much as possible in the printer part. The design is based on the premise that printing is performed at a high speed (almost no image processing is performed at this stage).

  For example, image processing that performs a pre-scan once, creates a histogram from the result, determines the background level based on the relationship of adjacent information, and performs density conversion processing according to the background level when performing the main scan There are a method, an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus including the image processing apparatus, an image processing program, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  For example, a pre-scan is performed once, a histogram is created from the result, a background level is determined based on a value obtained by adding information specified by the user to the value, and the level corresponding to the background level is determined when the main scan is performed. There is an image processing apparatus that performs density conversion processing (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

For example, there is an image processing apparatus and an image processing method for preventing show-through in the case of a double-sided document (for example, see Patent Document 3).
JP 2003-51946 A JP-A-11-103391 JP 2003-78766 A

  However, in practice, when an electronic image that has been read is captured and displayed on an information processing device such as a PC (Personal Computer), it is often the case that the image processing has not been performed well. However, there is a problem that printing is performed with the background portion remaining, or conversely, it is mistakenly recognized as the background portion and the value skips.

  In addition, image processing that requires humans to check the processing results after all, such as show-through deletion, black spot removal, skew correction, OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing, etc. (There is no image processing system that can meet the needs of all users), and the reality must be corrected later.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, the parameter information used at the time of image processing performed by the scanner is also left together with the image, and what kind of processing processing is performed when it is desired to edit additional processing or processing that has already been performed. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and method capable of performing reprocessing based on information indicating whether the image has been performed.

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is directed to an image processing apparatus that performs image processing on input data that has been input by an image input apparatus. An instruction transmission unit that transmits an instruction for storing input data and an instruction for the image processing to the image input device; and after the instruction transmission by the instruction transmission unit, the image input device performs an input process according to the instruction for the input process. Information receiving means for receiving information relating to the input data from the image input device, a job management means for creating a job based on the information received by the information receiving means, and replacing the information as an attribute of the job, According to the job created by the job management means, the input data and the attribute are stored as a file. Characterized by comprising a file management means for.

  The instruction transmission means corresponds to the instruction transmission module 7 shown in FIG. 2, the information reception means corresponds to the instruction reception module 8 shown in FIG. 2, and the job management means corresponds to the job management module 10 shown in FIG. The file management means corresponds to the file management module 11 shown in FIG.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the stored attribute is stored with respect to the stored input data according to the job created by the job management unit based on the instruction for the image processing. And an image processing means for performing image processing considering the above.

  The image processing means corresponds to the image processing module 12 shown in FIG.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the image processing means includes a background removing means for performing a background removing process on the input data, and the background removing means is configured to input the image. When the attribute includes information indicating that background removal processing has been performed by the device and information regarding background removal processing performed by the image input device, the information is considered in consideration of information regarding background removal processing performed by the image input device. The background removal process is performed on the input data.

  The background removing unit corresponds to the background removing unit 15 shown in FIG.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the image processing means includes a show-through removal means for performing a show-through removal process on the input data, and the show-through removal means includes: When the attribute includes information indicating that double-sided scanning has been performed by the image input device, a show-through removal process is performed on the input data.

  The show-through removing unit corresponds to the show-through removing unit 16 shown in FIG.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, an instruction for describing an instruction for input processing of the image input device, an instruction for storing input data by the input processing, and an instruction for the image processing is created. And an instruction sheet analyzing means for analyzing the instruction sheet, wherein the instruction transmitting means transmits the instruction sheet created by the instruction sheet preparing means to the image input device, and the information A receiving unit that receives from the image input device an instruction including information related to input data input by the image input device in accordance with an instruction for the input processing after the instruction is transmitted by the instruction transmitting unit; The means creates a job based on the instruction analyzed by the instruction analyzing means, and information on the input data included in the instruction. Characterized in that it replaced as an attribute of the job.

  The instruction creation means corresponds to the instruction creation module 6 shown in FIG. 2, and the instruction analysis means corresponds to the instruction creation module 9 shown in FIG.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in an image processing method for performing image processing on input data input by an image input device, instructions for input processing of the image input device and storage of input data by the input processing are provided. An instruction and an instruction for the image processing are transmitted to the image input device, and after the instruction is transmitted, information on input data input by the image input device according to the instruction for the input processing is received from the image input device; A job is created based on the received information, the information is replaced as an attribute of the job, and the input data and the attribute are stored as a file according to the job.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the invention, based on the instruction for the image processing, the image processing considering the stored attribute is performed on the stored input data according to the job. It is characterized by doing.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the information according to claim 7, wherein the image input device performs information processing when performing image processing on the input data, and the image input device. When the information related to the background removal processing performed in step S3 is included in the attribute, the background removal processing is performed on the input data in consideration of information related to the background removal processing performed by the image input device. .

  According to a ninth aspect of the invention, in the seventh aspect of the invention, when the image processing is performed on the input data, the attribute includes information indicating that double-sided reading is performed by the image input device. In this case, a show-through removal process is performed on the input data.

  Further, the invention of claim 10 is the invention of claim 6, wherein an instruction for the input processing of the image input device, an instruction for storing input data by the input processing, and an instruction describing the instruction for the image processing is created. And transmitting the created instruction sheet to the image input apparatus, and after transmitting the instruction sheet, an instruction sheet including information on input data input by the image input apparatus according to the instruction for the input process. And analyzing the received instruction, creating a job based on the analyzed instruction, and replacing information regarding the input data included in the instruction as an attribute of the job .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an image desired by the user by performing image processing such as background removal and show-through removal again on the scan data.

  Further, according to the present invention, even if the scanner does not have an expensive image processing function, an image desired by the user is acquired by performing image processing such as background removal or show-through removal later. There is an effect that it becomes possible.

  Further, according to the present invention, even if the image processing function that can be performed by the scanner is different, an image desired by the user can be acquired later by performing image processing such as background removal or show-through removal. There is an effect that becomes possible.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  As an embodiment of the present invention, a configuration in which an image processing apparatus, a scanner, and a printer are connected via a network will be described as an example.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an image processing system 1 used in the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system 1 is configured by connecting an image processing apparatus 2, a plurality of scanners 3, and a plurality of printers 4 via a network 5. A plurality of scanners 3 and printers 4 are not necessarily required.

  Here, each device will be described in detail.

  The image processing apparatus 2 performs image processing on the scan data read by the scanner 3, and transmits the image processed image data to the printer 4.

  The scanner 3 inputs scan data by reading a document, and transmits the input scan data to the image processing apparatus 2.

  The printer 4 forms image processed image data from the image processing apparatus 2 on a sheet.

  Next, the configuration of the image processing apparatus 2 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 2 includes an instruction creation module 6, an instruction transmission module 7, an instruction reception module 8, an instruction analysis module 9, a job management module 10, a file management module 11, and an image processing module. 12. A printer management module 13 is provided.

  Here, each component will be described in detail.

  The instruction creation module 6 provides a UI (User Interface) and performs a process of creating an instruction describing the user's instruction content. Here, in the instruction sheet, instructions for resolution, color space, compression format, image scan area, etc. for the scanner 3, instructions for storing scan data, and instructions for performing image processing for the image processing module are described.

  The instruction sheet transmission module 7 performs processing for transmitting the instruction sheet created by the instruction sheet creating module 6 to the scanner 3.

  The instruction sheet receiving module 8 performs processing for receiving the instruction sheet transmitted from the scanner 3. Here, the instruction sheet includes information relating to image processing performed at the time of scanning (for example, image quality mode, color space, compression format, and image scanning area), information relating to a scanning operation (for example, reading a double-sided original), and scanning. Information about result data (for example, resolution, color space, compression format, background removal level, etc.) is included. Hereinafter, this information is referred to as a scan log.

  The instruction sheet analysis module 9 performs processing for analyzing the instruction sheet.

  The job management module 10 performs processing for managing the job flow in the image processing apparatus 2 according to the instruction analyzed by the instruction analysis module 9. That is, when the job management module 10 requests the file management module 11, the image processing module 12, and the printer management module 13 to perform processing, the job flow is managed in accordance with the content of the user instruction.

  The file management module 11 stores the scan data read from the scanner or the image data image-processed by the image processing module 12 in a designated location (file storage module 141, roll disk 142, file server 143, etc.).

  The image processing module 12 performs a process for performing designated image processing on scan data or image data. Note that the image processing module 12 includes a background removal unit 15 that is a function of performing background removal processing as a function of image processing, and a show-through removal unit 16 that is a function of performing show-through removal processing.

  The printer management module 13 performs processing for transmitting image data to the designated printer 4. It should be noted that information on functions of the printer 4 and status monitoring of the printer 4 can also be performed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, details of functional operations performed by the image processing apparatus 2 when an instruction for how to scan is created and the scan data scanned according to the created instruction are stored as a file are described in detail. Explained.

  When the instruction creation module 6 accepts the user's instruction content regarding the scan and the storage location of the scan data, it creates an instruction document describing the accepted instruction content, and passes the created instruction document to the instruction document transmission module 7. When receiving the instruction sheet, the document transmission module 7 transmits the received instruction sheet to the scanner 3.

  The scanner 3 scans the document according to the scanning instruction content described in the instruction sheet. At this time, the scanner 3 includes the scan log in the instruction sheet, and transmits the instruction sheet including the scan log to the image processing apparatus 2.

  When receiving the instruction sheet from the scanner 3, the instruction sheet receiving module 8 passes the received instruction sheet to the instruction sheet analyzing module 9. When the instruction sheet analyzing module 9 receives the instruction sheet, the instruction contents described in the received instruction sheet And the analyzed instruction is passed to the job management module 10. When the job management module 10 receives the instruction, the job management module 10 creates a job according to the instruction content of the received instruction, and also includes a scan log included in the instruction. Replace with job attributes. At this time, since the storage location of the scan data is described in the instruction sheet, the job management module 10 extracts the scan data from the scanner 3 and creates a job for storing the extracted scan data in the instructed storage location. .

  The file management module 11 extracts the scan data stored in the scanner 3 according to the job created by the job management module 10, receives job attributes from the job management module 10, and stores the scan data and the job attributes instructed for the scan data and job attributes ( For example, the file is stored as a file in the file storage module 141, the local disk 142, or the file server 143).

  Next, a functional operation performed by the image processing apparatus 2 in the case of creating an instruction for how to perform image processing on the saved file and saving image data image-processed according to the created instruction as a file Will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When the instruction creation module 6 accepts the user's instruction content about the image processing and image data storage location, it creates an instruction document describing the received instruction content, and passes the created instruction document to the instruction analysis module 9. When the instruction analysis module 9 receives the instruction, it analyzes the contents of the instruction described in the received instruction, passes the analyzed instruction to the job management module 10, and receives the instruction when the job management module 10 receives the instruction. The job is created according to the instruction content of the instruction sheet analyzed by the instruction sheet analysis module 9. At this time, since the instruction document describes the image processing and the storage location of the image data, the job management module 10 extracts the storage file, performs the specified image processing on the extracted storage file, and executes the image processing. Create a job to save the processed image data in the designated storage location.

  The file management module 11 takes out the saved file from the file saving module 141 (or the local disk 142, the file server 143) according to the job created by the job management module 10, and passes the taken-out saved file to the image processing module 12.

  When the image processing module 12 receives the saved file, the image processing module 12 performs image processing on the scan data included in the saved file based on the job attribute included in the saved file in accordance with the job created by the job management module 10. When the job management module 11 passes the job attribute to the file management module 11 and receives the image data and the job attribute, the file management module 11 receives the image data and the job attribute, for example, the storage location (for example, the file storage module 141, the local disk 142, or the file server 143). ) As a file.

  Next, an instruction for which printer 4 to print is created for the saved file, and the functional operation performed by the image processing apparatus 2 when the saved file is printed in accordance with the created instruction, see FIG. And will be described in detail.

  When the instruction creation module 6 accepts the user's instruction content for the printer 4 that prints the saved file, it creates an instruction document that describes the accepted instruction content, and passes the created instruction document to the instruction analysis module 9 for instructions. Upon receiving the instruction, the document analysis module 9 analyzes the instruction content described in the received instruction, passes the analyzed instruction to the job management module 10, and the job management module 10 receives the instruction. A job is created according to the instruction content of the instruction sheet analyzed by the instruction sheet analysis module 9. At this time, since the printer 4 to be printed is described in the instruction sheet, the job management module 10 extracts a saved file and creates a job for transmitting the retrieved saved file to the designated printer 4.

  The file management module 11 takes out the saved file from the file saving module 141 (or the local disk 142, the file server 143) according to the job created by the job management module 10, and passes the taken saved file to the printer management module 13 for printer management. The module 13 transmits the save file to the designated printer 4 according to the job created by the job management module 10.

  Next, a processing procedure in the case where an instruction for how to scan is created and the scan data scanned according to the created instruction is saved as a file will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The instruction content is accepted (step S301), an instruction is created based on the accepted instruction content (step S302), and the created instruction is transmitted to the scanner (step S303).

  When the instruction is received from the scanner (YES in step S304), the instruction is analyzed (step S305), a job is created in accordance with the instruction contents of the analyzed instruction (step S306), and the scan log included in the instruction is stored in the job. The attribute is replaced with the attribute (step S307), the scan data is extracted from the scanner (step S308), the extracted scan data and the job attribute are stored in the designated storage location (step S309), and the processing procedure ends.

  Next, refer to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 for the processing procedure in the case where an instruction for how to perform image processing is created for the saved file and the image data image-processed according to the created instruction is saved as a file. To explain.

  The instruction content is received (step S401), an instruction is created based on the received instruction content (step S402), the created instruction is analyzed (step S403), and a job is generated according to the instruction content of the analyzed instruction. (Step S404), the saved file is extracted (Step S405), and the instructed image processing is performed on the scan data of the saved file based on the job attribute of the saved file (Step S406). The job attributes are stored in the designated storage location (step S407), and the processing procedure ends.

  Next, the background removal processing procedure performed by the background removal means will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  A file is received (step S501), a histogram of the scan data of the file is created (step S502), and the job attribute of the file is confirmed (step S503).

  If there is a job attribute that has been subjected to background removal processing by the scanner (YES in step S504), the background level value in the scanner is extracted from the job attribute (step S505), and a new background is obtained from the histogram based on the background level value in the extracted scanner. A level value is determined (step S506), a background removal process corresponding to the determined new background level value is performed (step S507), and the background removal process procedure is terminated.

  In step S504, if there is no job attribute that has been subjected to background removal processing by the scanner (NO in step S504), a background level value is determined from the histogram (step S508), and background removal processing corresponding to the determined background level value is performed. It implements (step S509) and complete | finishes a background removal process procedure.

  Next, the show-through removal processing procedure performed by the show-through removal unit will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The file is received (step S601), and the job attribute of the file is confirmed (step S602).

  If the scanner has a duplex reading job attribute (YES in step S603), “N (number of pages) = 0” is set (step S604), and “N = N + 1” is set (step S605).

  If N is an odd number (YES in step S606), the presence or absence of an image on page N + 1 is confirmed (step S607). If an image is on page N + 1 (YES in step S607), an inverted image on page N + 1 is generated ( In step S608), a show-through removal process is performed based on the generated reverse image (step S609). If N is not the last page (step S610), the process returns to step S605, and if N is the last page (in step S610). YES), the show-through removal processing procedure is terminated.

  In step S607, if there is no image on page N + 1 (NO in step S607), the process proceeds to step S610.

  If N is an even number (NO in step S606), the presence / absence of an image on page N-1 is checked (step S611). If there is an image on page N-1 (YES in step S611), N-1 A reverse image of the page is generated (step S612), and the show-through removal process is performed based on the generated reverse image (step S609). If N is not the final page (step S610), the process returns to step S605, where N is the final If it is a page (YES in step S610), the show-through removal processing procedure ends.

  If there is no image on page N−1 in step S611 (NO in step S611), the process proceeds to step S610.

  It should be noted that the present invention is limited to a configuration in which the user instruction contents described above, information related to image processing performed during scanning, information related to scanning operations, and information related to scan result data are described in the instruction sheet. This can be applied to a configuration in which the user's instructions are sent to the scanner as is, or a configuration in which information about image processing performed at the time of scanning, information on scanning operations, and information on scan result data is received from the scanner as is. It is.

  The present invention is also applicable to a configuration in which an image processing program capable of performing the same processing as that of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment described above is installed in a general-purpose electronic computer such as a general PC (Personal Computer). Is possible.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of the whole structure of the image processing system 1 used by embodiment of this invention. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 2. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the case of producing the instruction document how to scan and saving the scan data scanned according to the created instruction document as a file. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the case of creating the instruction | indication how to image-process with respect to a preservation | save file, and saving the image data image-processed according to the produced instruction as a file. It is a flowchart which shows the background removal process procedure which a background removal means performs. It is a flowchart which shows the show-through removal process procedure which a show-through removal means performs.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing system 2 Image processing apparatus 3 Scanner 4 Printer 5 Network 6 Instruction preparation module 7 Instruction transmission module 8 Instruction reception module 9 Instruction analysis module 10 Job management module 11 File management module 12 Image processing module 13 Printer management module 141 File storage module 142 Local disk 143 File server 15 Background removal means 16 Back-through removal means

Claims (10)

In an image processing apparatus that performs image processing on input data input by an image input apparatus,
Instructions for input processing of the image input device, instructions for storage of input data by the input processing, and instruction transmission means for transmitting instructions for the image processing to the image input device;
Information receiving means for receiving, from the image input apparatus, information related to input data input by the image input apparatus in accordance with an instruction for the input processing after the instruction is transmitted by the instruction transmitting means;
A job management unit that creates a job based on the information received by the information receiving unit and replaces the information as an attribute of the job;
An image processing apparatus comprising: file management means for storing the input data and the attribute as a file in accordance with a job created by the job management means. Further comprising image processing means for performing image processing in consideration of the stored attribute for the stored input data in accordance with a job created by the job management means based on an instruction for the image processing. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The image processing means includes
A background removal means for performing a background removal process on the input data;
The background removing means
When the attribute includes information indicating that the background removal processing has been performed by the image input device and information regarding the background removal processing performed by the image input device, information on the background removal processing performed by the image input device is considered. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the background removal process is performed on the input data. The image processing means includes
Show-through removal means for performing show-through removal processing on the input data,
The show-through removal means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the attribute includes information indicating that double-sided scanning is performed by the image input apparatus, a show-through removal process is performed on the input data. Instructions for input processing of the image input device, instructions for storage of input data by the input processing, and instructions for creating an instruction describing the instructions for the image processing;
An instruction analysis means for analyzing the instruction, and
The instruction transmitting means includes
Sending the instruction created by the instruction creating means to the image input device;
The information receiving means includes
After transmission of the instruction sheet by the instruction transmission means, an instruction sheet including information on input data input by the image input apparatus according to an instruction for the input process is received from the image input apparatus;
The job management means includes:
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a job is created based on the instruction analyzed by the instruction analyzing unit, and information regarding the input data included in the instruction is replaced as an attribute of the job. . In an image processing method for performing image processing on input data input by an image input device,
An instruction for input processing of the image input device, an instruction for storage of input data by the input processing, and an instruction for the image processing are transmitted to the image input device,
After transmitting the instruction, the image input apparatus receives information on the input data input by the image input apparatus according to the instruction for the input process,
Create a job based on the received information,
Replacing the information as an attribute of the job,
The image processing method, wherein the input data and the attribute are stored as a file according to the job. The image processing method according to claim 6, wherein image processing in consideration of the stored attribute is performed on the stored input data in accordance with the job based on an instruction for the image processing. When performing image processing on the input data, if the attribute includes information indicating that background removal processing has been performed by the image input device and information on background removal processing performed by the image input device, The image processing method according to claim 7, wherein the background removal process is performed on the input data in consideration of information related to a background removal process performed by the image input device. When image processing is performed on the input data, if the attribute includes information indicating that double-sided scanning is performed by the image input device, a show-through removal process is performed on the input data. The image processing method according to claim 7. Creating an instruction describing the instruction for the input processing of the image input device, the instruction for storing the input data by the input processing, and the instruction for the image processing;
Send the created instruction to the image input device,
After transmitting the instruction, the instruction input including information on the input data input by the image input device according to the instruction for the input processing is received from the image input device;
Analyze the received instructions,
The image processing method according to claim 6, wherein a job is created based on the analyzed instruction, and information regarding the input data included in the instruction is replaced as an attribute of the job.

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