JP2007043551A - Image processing device, image forming device, and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable functions equipped in image processing devices linked to a network to be used in common. <P>SOLUTION: A first MFP 100 is equipped with an image reading unit 1 for reading manuscripts, a first memory 8 for storing image data, a CPU 10 for storing the read image data or image data received through an external I/F unit in the first memory 8 and reading the image data to output them to a post stage, and an image data processing unit 15 for applying image processing to data which are instructed by the CPU 10 to be outputted. The CPU 10 outputs the image data to the image data processing unit 15' of a second MFP 5 connected through a network NT, receives the image data subjected to image processing from the image data processing unit 15' of the second MFP 5, and subjects the above image data again to image processing at the image data processing unit 15, and prints out them or stores them in the first memory 8. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes an image processing apparatus that stores input image data and performs image processing on the stored image data using an image processing apparatus other than its own image processing apparatus. Image forming apparatus having various image processing functions such as a digital multi-function peripheral (MFP) combining a plurality of functions such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, and a scanner, and an image processing method implemented by the image processing apparatus About.

  With the development of a line sensor reading device comprising a CCD photoelectric conversion element and a laser writing device, it has been developed into a digital copying machine that processes image data digitized from an analog copying machine. Since digital copiers use digitized image signals, they can be combined with not only copier functions, but also facsimile functions, printer functions, scanner functions, and other functions. It is called a digital multi-function peripheral (MFP-Multi Function Pheripheral), not a machine, and has a combination of the aforementioned functions. Furthermore, the capacity and cost of memory such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive) is increased, the speed and spread of communication technology such as network, the improvement of CPU processing capability, and the technology related to digital image data (standardization and compression of characteristic values) As the technology related to the MFP evolves, the functions installed in the MFP are also diversified and diversified.

  On the other hand, the way in which MFPs are used in offices has been diversified. For example, a small MFP that is installed in pairs next to a PC (personal computer) and allows each employee to easily use the functions of a copier, facsimile, printer, and scanner. In a medium-sized MFP that can use a certain level of productivity and functions such as sorting, punching, and stapling, a department that concentrates copying-related work in a company, or a company that produces copying-related work itself is high production. High-quality, high-quality, multifunctional large-scale MFPs are used.

  Although MFPs are diversifying from small to large, there are functions that can be shared across classes and functions that are strongly required for each class. For example, large MFPs require punching, stapling, paper folding, post-processing on paper after plotting, and electronic filing at the same time as copying operations, and small MFPs include enhancements such as Internet FAX and PC-FAX, personal High-quality image printing on special paper is required for a special purpose.

As this type of technology, for example, the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are known.
JP 2002-297354 A JP 2005-045487 A

  The importance of information value in business has already been recognized, and it is required not only to convey information quickly, accurately and reliably, but also to convey it in an easy-to-understand and effective manner. With the speeding up / spreading of communication technology, the increase in memory capacity / cost reduction / downsizing, and the increase in PC performance, new functions for efficiently handling information using digital data have been provided. Also, it has been desired that MFPs that handle digital image data, which is a part of digital data, provide new functions and fuse. On the other hand, with the spread of MFPs, there may be a plurality of MFP machines in the same business environment, for example, the same floor in the same company. In such a case, for example, a large enterprise may use a large-sized to small-sized MFP. Therefore, an environment in which these are integrated is constructed, and a business solution function in the entire system is required.

  However, each MFP machine has a configuration in which a series of image processing such as copying / facsimile processing is performed as one component unit, or even if it is divided into several image processing component units. In the prior art including known examples, the processing contents of these parts cannot be used from an external MFP. Even if a user is a small MFP, it is natural that he wants to achieve image quality comparable to that of a large MFP. The large MFP has functions that are not available in a small MFP. If the function of a large MFP can be operated from a small MFP, the utility value of the small MFP can be increased, and the function of the small MFP can be expanded. .

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to share and use functions installed in an image processing apparatus connected to a network.

  In order to achieve the object, the first means includes image storage means for storing input image data, control means for reading out image data stored in the image storage means, and outputting the image data to a subsequent stage, and the control means Image data processing means for performing image processing on the data output from the image data, and the control means outputs the image data to another image data processing means connected via a network, and the other image Image data is received from the data processing means.

  A second means is characterized in that, in the first means, the image data processing means includes a plurality of image data processing components having different functions.

  A third means is characterized in that, in the first or second means, the control means converts the image data stored in the image storage device into a data format for printing on a recording sheet by an image writing unit. To do.

  According to a fourth means, in the first to third means, the control means converts the image data stored in the image storage device into a data format for transmission from the external I / F means to the outside. And

  According to a fifth means, in any one of the first to fourth means, the control means selects arbitrary image data processing components of a plurality of image processing apparatuses connected to the network and executes a series of image processing. It is characterized by making it.

  The sixth means is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fourth means, the control means selects an image processing apparatus connected to the network and executes a series of image processing.

  The seventh means is characterized in that in any one of the first to sixth means, an image reading means for inputting image data is provided.

  The eighth means is characterized in that in any one of the first to seventh means, an external I / F means for receiving and inputting image data is provided.

  A ninth means is characterized in that the image forming apparatus includes the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth means.

  The tenth means stores the read image data or the image data received by the external I / F unit in the image storage unit, reads it and outputs it to the subsequent stage, and outputs the data output in the output step. A step of performing image processing on the image, and a step of outputting the image data to other image data processing means connected via a network and receiving image data processed by the other image data processing means. In the step of performing the image processing, a series of image processing performed on the read image data or image data received by the external I / F unit, image data processing units in a plurality of image processing apparatuses connected by a network And an image processing method for processing the image.

  In the embodiment described later, the image reading means is in the reading section 1, the image storage means is in the first memory 8 or the HDD 3, the external I / F section is in reference numeral 4, the control means is the CPU 10, and the first through the first. 7, the image data processing means are the first and second image data processing units 15, 15 ′, and the image data processing components are the scanner correction unit 21, the first and second color conversion units. 22, 25, the image area separation unit 23, the filter processing unit 24, the printer correction unit 26, and the gradation processing unit 27, and the network corresponds to the reference symbol NT.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to output the image data to other image data processing means connected via the network and receive the image processed image data from the other image data processing means. The functions installed in the connected MFP machines can be shared and used.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a digital multi-function peripheral (MFP-Multi Functin Peripheral) as an image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
In the figure, an MFP 100 (hereinafter also referred to as a first MFP) includes a reading unit 1, a plotter unit 2, an HDD 3, an external I / F circuit unit 4, a bus control circuit unit 7, and a first memory 8 (memory in the figure). 1), operation display unit 9, CPU 10, north bridge (NB) 11, second memory 12 (shown as memory 2 in the figure), south bridge (SB) 13, the ROM 14 and the image data processing unit 15 are basically configured. The external I / F circuit unit 4 is connected to an image processing apparatus 5 (corresponding to a second MFP, which will be described later) 5 via a network, and the SD card memory 6 has a card slot if necessary. Connected through. A first expansion bus (PCI bus) B1 is connected to the bus control circuit unit 7, and a reading unit 1, a plotter unit 2, an operation display unit 9, and an image data processing unit 15 are connected to the first expansion bus B1. Has been. The HDD 3 is connected to the bus control circuit unit 7 via the ATA bus B2. The north bridge 11 is connected to the bus control circuit unit 7 via the AGP bus B3, and the south bridge 13 and the external I / F circuit unit 4 are connected to the north bridge 11 via the second expansion bus B4. . Further, the CPU 10 and the second memory are each bus-connected to the north bridge 11, and the ROM 14 is bus-connected to the south bridge 13.

  The reading unit 1 includes a line sensor composed of a CCD photoelectric conversion element, an A / D converter, and a drive circuit thereof, and scans the set original to obtain 8-bit RGB digital image data from the density information of the original. Generate and output. When the plotter unit 2 receives the digital image data composed of CMYK, the plotter unit 2 outputs the received image data to the transfer paper using an electrophotographic process using a laser beam. The external I / F circuit unit 4 is a circuit that performs physical connection necessary for exchanging various data between the digital image processing device 5 and the external device. In the present embodiment, the second digital multifunction peripheral (MFP) 5 and the SD card memory 6 are connected via a network (Ethernet (registered trademark)). The second MFP 5, which is an image processing apparatus outside the apparatus, has a configuration equivalent to that of the first MFP 100, and performs various controls and input / output of image data between the two via the external I / F circuit unit 4 as described above. Do. SD6 is a type of small memory device with a built-in flash memory, and is an SD memory card that has become popular in recent years because it can be easily attached and detached and has excellent portability. The HDD 3 is a large-sized storage device for storing electronic data that is also used in a desktop personal computer, and mainly stores digital image data and accompanying information of the digital image data in the MFP 100. In this embodiment, an ATA bus-connected hard disk standardized by expanding IDE is used.

  The operation display unit 9 is a part that performs an interface between the MFP according to the present embodiment and a user, and includes an LCD (liquid crystal display device) and a key switch. Detects key switch input. The CPU 10 is a microprocessor that controls the entire control of the digital image processing apparatus. In this embodiment, an Intel x86 CPU is used.

  The North Bridge 11 is one of chip sets used for personal computers and is a general-purpose electronic device. A bus bridge function often used for constructing a CPU system mainly including a CPU-PCI bridge is formed as a general-purpose circuit. In this embodiment, the CPU-PCI bus, memory controller, and AGP bus B3 are connected to each other. It is bridged. The South Bridge 12 is a general-purpose electronic device called a chip set used for a personal computer. A bus bridge function often used in constructing a CPU system mainly including a PCI-ISA bridge is formed as a general-purpose circuit, and in this embodiment, the ROM 14 is bridged. The ROM 14 is a memory that stores a program (including boot) when the CPU 10 controls the MFP.

  The second memory 12 is a memory that temporarily stores programs and intermediate processing data when the CPU 10 controls the MFP 100. Since the CPU 10 is required to perform high-speed processing, the system is normally activated by a boot program stored in the ROM 14 at the time of activation, and thereafter, the processing is performed by a program developed in the second memory 12 that can be accessed at high speed. In this embodiment, a standardized DIMM used for a personal computer is used.

  The bus control circuit unit 7 is a data bus control circuit that exchanges various data such as image data and control commands necessary in the MFP 100, and also has a bridge function between a plurality of types of bus standards. In the present embodiment, the first PCI bus B1, which is a general-purpose expansion bus standardized in the operation unit display unit 9, the reading unit 1, the plotter unit 2, and the image data processing unit 15, is the ATA bus B2, the first The memory 8 is connected to the DIMM bus, and the north bridge 11 is connected to the AGP bus B3 to form an ASIC.

  The first memory 8 is a memory for storing temporarily exchanged data in order to absorb a speed difference when bridging a plurality of types of bus standards and a processing speed difference between connected components themselves. In this embodiment, a standardized DIMM used for a personal computer is used. The image data processing unit 15 performs processing on image data required in the MFP.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing details of the image data processing unit 15 in the present embodiment. In the figure, an image data processing unit 15 includes a scanner correction unit 21, a first color conversion unit (referred to as color conversion 1 in the figure) 22, an image area separation unit 23, a filter processing unit 24, and a second color conversion unit ( In the figure, a color conversion 2) 25, a printer correction unit 26, and a gradation processing unit 27 are provided, and are connected to the first PCI bus B1 by the I / F circuit unit 20. The scanner correction unit 21 has a function of adjusting the brightness of the read RGB data, and the first color conversion unit 22 has a function of converting to image data (referred to as standard image data) in a standard color space independent of the reading device. The area separation unit 23 has a function of discriminating between character areas and other areas, the filter processing unit 24 has a function of switching a filter to perform sharpening or smoothing processing, and the second color conversion unit 25 converts RGB data into CMYK data. The conversion function, the printer correction unit 26 has a function of converting input CMYK data into γ characteristics according to the characteristics of the plotter, and the gradation processing unit 27 has a function of performing halftone processing on the input CMYK data.

  When the first MFP 100 in FIG. 1 performs a copy operation, the user sets a document on the reading unit 1 and inputs a desired mode setting and copy start from the operation display unit 9. The operation display unit 9 converts the information input from the user into control command data inside the device and issues it. The issued control command data is notified to the CPU 10 via the first PCI bus B1, the bus control circuit unit 7, and the AGP bus B2. The CPU 10 executes a copy operation process program in accordance with the copy start control command data, and sequentially performs settings and operations necessary for the copy operation. The operation process is described below in order.

1) The original is scanned by the reading unit 1, and digital image data composed of RGB is stored in the first memory 8 via the first PCI bus B 1 and the bus control circuit unit 7.

2) The CPU 10 sets processing for the image data processing unit 15 according to the mode desired by the user. At this time, if the user desires (data storage), the RGB image data in the first memory 8 may be stored in the HDD 3.

3) The RGB image data stored in the first memory 8 is sent to the image data processing unit 15.

4) In the image data processing unit 15, various data from the first PCI bus B1 are transmitted / received via the I / F circuit 20. The I / F circuit 20 is a circuit that bridges the first PCI bus B1, which is a general-purpose expansion bus, and the local data bus in the image data processing.

5) Upon receiving the RGB data read by the reading device 1, the scanner correction unit 21 in the image data processing unit 15 adjusts and outputs the brightness according to the mode information desired by the user.

6) The image data sent from the scanner correction unit 21 to the first color conversion unit 22 via the first signal selector 31 is image data in a color space depending on the characteristics of the reading unit 1. The color conversion unit 22 converts this into image data (referred to as standard image data) in a standard color space that does not depend on the reading device.

7) The data converted into the standard image data by the first color conversion unit 22 is input to the image area separation unit 23 via the second signal selector 32, and the image area separator 23 outputs the standard image data. After separation into a character area and other areas according to the characteristics of the document, an image area separation signal indicating the separated area and standard image data are output.

8) The image area separation signal and the standard image data are input from the image area separator 23 to the filter processing unit 24 via the third signal selector 33. Upon receiving the image area separation signal and the standard image data, the filter processing unit 24 performs sharpening or smoothing processing on the standard image data in accordance with the input image area separation signal. For example, a sharpening process is performed on a character area in order to make the character clear / clear, and a smoothing process is performed on a non-character area in order to smoothly express gradation.

9) The RGB data is input from the filter processing unit 24 to the second color conversion unit 25 via the fourth signal selector 34. When the second color conversion unit 25 receives the RGB data, the second color conversion unit 25 receives the RGB data. Conversion to CMYK data, which is a color space.

10) The CMYK data color-converted by the second color conversion unit 25 is input to the printer correction unit 26 via the fifth signal selector 35, and the input CMYK data is converted into plotter characteristics by the printer correction unit 26. It is converted into a γ characteristic according to.

11) The image data converted into the γ characteristic corresponding to the plotter characteristic by the printer correction unit 26 is input to the gradation processing unit 27 via the sixth signal selector 36. The gradation processing unit 27 performs halftone processing on the input CMYK data.

12) The CMYK image data processed by the image data processing unit 15 is stored again in the first memory 8 via the first PCI bus B1 and the bus control circuit unit 7. If the user desires (data storage) at this time, it may be stored in the HDD 3 in the same manner as when reading.

13) The CMYK image data stored in the first memory 8 is sent to the plotter unit 2 via the first PCI bus B1 and the bus control circuit unit 7.

14) The plotter unit 2 outputs the received CMYK image data to a transfer sheet, and a copy of the document is generated.

  In the image data processing device 15 of FIG. 2, first to seventh signals so that output data in units of image processing blocks (hereinafter referred to as image processing components) can be stored in the first memory 8. The selectors 31 to 37 can select image data after each image processing. Further, the first to seventh signal selectors 31 to 37 can select the image data from the I / F circuit 20 and the output data of each image processing component so as to be input to each image processing component. I have to. That is, the first signal selector 31 selects the output of the scanner correction unit 21 or the output of the I / F circuit 20, and the second signal selector 32 determines whether the output of the first color conversion unit 22 or the I / F circuit. 20, the third signal selector 33 selects the output of the image area separation unit 23 or the output of the I / F circuit 30, and the fourth signal selector 34 determines whether the output of the filter processing unit 24 or I The output of the / F circuit 20 is selected, the fifth signal selector 35 selects the output of the second color converter 25 or the output of the I / F circuit 20, and the sixth signal selector 36 is the printer correction unit. 26 or the output of the I / F circuit 20, and the seventh signal selector 37 includes a scanner correction unit 21, a first color conversion unit 22, an image area separation unit 23, a filter processing unit 24, and a second processing unit. The output of the color conversion unit 25, printer correction unit 26, or gradation processing unit 27 is selected, and the I / F circuit 2 And outputs it to. Since it is configured in this way, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the image data received from the first PCI bus B1 is input to the image area separation unit 23, and after the image processing is performed by the filter processing unit 24, the first The first to seventh signal selectors perform desired image processing by appropriately combining the image processing components 21 to 27, such as returning image data to the PCI bus B1 or performing only filter processing in the filter processing unit 24. Only a selection operation of 31 to 37 is possible.

<Second Embodiment>
In the second embodiment, the second MFP 5 having the same configuration as that of the first MFP 100 shown in the first embodiment is connected to the network NT so that the first and second MFPs 100 and 5 can communicate with each other. It is a thing. Since the overall configuration of the second MFP 5 is equivalent to that of the first MFP 100 shown in FIG. 1, the same reference numerals as those of the first MFP 100 are assigned to the components of the second MFP 5, and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing details of the internal structure of the image data processing unit 15 ′ (denoted as the image data processing unit of the image processing system 2 in the drawing) of the second MFP 5. The image data processing unit 15 ′ of the second MFP 5 is obtained by omitting the second signal selector 32 and the image area separation unit 23 from the image data processing unit 15 of the first MFP 100. The other parts are the same as those of the first MFP 100 in the first embodiment described above.

  As an image data processing component of the second MFP 5 configured in this way, when there is no image area separation unit 23, processing when performing image processing using the image area separation unit 23 of the first MFP 100 will be described in order. To do.

1) Standard image data conversion is performed using the scanner correction unit 21 and the first color conversion unit 22 in the second image data processing unit 15 ′, and the memory in the second MFP 5, for example, the first memory 8 is used. Once accumulated.

2) The standard image data stored in the first memory 8 is transmitted to the first MFP 100 via the network NT, and stored in the first memory 8 in the first MFP 100.

3) Thereafter, the image data processing unit 15 of the first MFP 100 executes image processing by the image area separation unit 23 and the filter processing unit 24 as shown in FIG. 3 and stores them in the first memory 8 in the first MFP 100. To do.

4) Further, the image data stored in the first memory 8 in the first MFP 100 is stored in the first memory 8 in the second MFP 5, and as shown in FIG. If the second color conversion unit 25, printer correction unit 26, and gradation processing unit 27 in the image processing component perform color conversion, printer correction, and gradation processing, respectively, an MFP that does not include the image area separation unit 23 In this case, it is possible to obtain a higher quality image using the image area separation unit 23 of another MFP connected to the network NT.

  In addition, for example, when converting to a general-purpose compressed image format (for example, JPEG), if there is an image processing component for JPEG conversion in an image processing apparatus connected to the network, a JPEG image can be converted using that component. Can be obtained.

  In addition, when there are JPEG conversion image processing components in a plurality of image processing apparatuses, if an image processing component is used by selecting an MFP with a low load, the image processing component on the network can be more efficiently used. Can be shared.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if an image processing component that is not in the MFP that performs image processing exists in another MFP connected to the network, the image processing component is used. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a high-quality image without cost by effectively using an existing image processing apparatus.

  In addition, since any image processing component in the MFP connected to the network can be selected and image processing can be performed, a high-quality image of the user can be acquired.

  Furthermore, when there are image processing components to be used in a plurality of MFPs, it is possible to perform image processing by selecting an MFP with a low load, so that a desired image can be acquired more efficiently.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a digital multi-function peripheral (MFP) as an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detail of the image data processing part in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of use of the image processing component of the image data processing part of FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image data processing unit of a second MFP according to the second embodiment, and illustrates an example of use of image processing components up to an image area separation process used in the first image data processing unit. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of using image processing components of the image data processing unit in the second MFP subsequent to the image area separation processing of the first image data processing unit of the first MFP.

Explanation of symbols

1 Reading unit 2 Plotter unit 3 HDD
4 External I / F circuit section 5 Second MFP
6 SD card 7 Bus control circuit unit 8 First memory 9 Operation display unit 10 CPU
11 North Bridge 13 South Bridge 15, 15 'Image Data Processing Unit 20 I / F Circuit 21 Scanner Correction Unit 22 First Color Conversion Unit 23 Image Area Separation Unit 24 Filter Processing 25 Second Color Conversion Unit 26 Printer Correction Unit 27 Gradation processing unit 31 to 37 Signal selector 100 First MFP
NT network

Claims (10)

Image storage means for storing input image data;
Control means for reading the image data stored in the image storage means and outputting it to the subsequent stage;
Image data processing means for performing image processing on the data output from the control means;
With
The image processing apparatus, wherein the control means outputs the image data to another image data processing means connected via a network and receives the image data from the other image data processing means.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data processing means includes a plurality of image data processing components having different functions.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit converts the image data stored in the image storage apparatus into a data format for printing on a recording sheet by an image writing unit.   4. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit converts the image data stored in the image storage device into a data format for transmission from the external I / F unit to the outside. Image processing apparatus.   5. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit selects an arbitrary image data processing component of a plurality of image processing apparatuses connected to the network and executes a series of image processing. The image processing apparatus described.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit selects an image processing apparatus connected to the network and executes a series of image processing.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising image reading means for inputting image data.   8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising external I / F means for receiving and inputting image data.   An image forming apparatus comprising the image processing apparatus according to claim 1. A step of accumulating the read image data or the image data received by the external I / F unit in the image accumulating unit, reading out and outputting to the subsequent stage;
Performing image processing on the data output in the outputting step;
Outputting the image data to another image data processing means connected via a network and receiving the image data image-processed by the other image data processing means;
With
In the image processing step, a series of image processing performed on the read image data or the image data received by the external I / F unit is performed on the image data processing units in a plurality of image processing apparatuses connected by a network. An image processing method characterized by processing over a plurality of times.

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