JP2008085764A - File generation program, image processing apparatus, and file generating method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a file generation program for image data, the file generation program, having high flexibility of display or printing, and capable of generating a file that is high in usability. <P>SOLUTION: A file generation program, for causing a computer to execute processings for filing image data, causes the computer a generation step of generating a plurality of sets of image data in color representation forms that are different from each another from a single set of image data to be filed, and an integration step of integrating the plurality of sets of generated image data, to generate a single file that can be displayed or printed with the respective image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image data file generation program and the like, and more particularly to a file generation program and the like that can generate a user-friendly file with a high degree of freedom during display and printing.

  With the recent development of digitization technology, various documents such as photographs and office documents have been digitized as image data and are actively used using personal computers and the like. These image data are handled as various types of files depending on the application.

  Among these file formats, PDF (Portable Document Format) has recently become widespread, and this file format has a feature that it can be used regardless of the model and environment of the computer. Regarding this PDF, as shown in Non-Patent Document 1 below, a high compression PDF technique has been proposed.

Patent Documents 1 and 2 below describe image format technology that can transmit image information with high image quality and high compression rate, and image processing technology that takes into account the color vision characteristics of the viewer. ing.
Japanese Patent No. 3794171 JP 2004-94814 A Fumihiro Hasegawa, 3 others, “High Compression PDF Technology”, Ricoh Technical Report No. 30, December 2004, p93-97

  As described above, various methods have been conventionally used for file processing and processing of image data. However, in conventional image files, there is only one type of color representation format for image data stored in one file.

  Therefore, there is a problem that the degree of freedom in displaying or printing the image data stored in the image file is low. For example, in order to save toner, when image data is printed, the rule is such that the image data is printed in monochrome regardless of the color expression of the image data. However, it tends to happen that the color is printed as it is. In addition, image data may be converted to a universal design color format for color vision barrier-free, but the image file becomes a representation of the universal design color, making it impossible to guess the original color. . Of course, the display color expression format and the color expression format at the time of printing are the same, and it was not easy to print in a color expression format different from the display.

  In addition, some PDFs can be restricted by setting passwords, but this only determines whether printing is possible, and the degree of freedom with respect to restrictions by passwords is low.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a file generation program for image data, which can generate a user-friendly file having a high degree of freedom during display and printing.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a file generation program for causing a computer to execute a process for converting image data into a file, wherein the color expression format differs from one set of image data to be filed. A generation step of generating a plurality of sets of image data, and an integration step of integrating the generated sets of image data to generate a single file that can be displayed and / or printed by each image data. To make it run on a computer.

  Furthermore, in the above-described invention, a preferable aspect thereof is that after the generation step, the generated image data is separated into an edge layer and a non-edge layer, and compressed for each layer by a method suitable for each layer. Processing is performed, and the computer is caused to perform a compression step of integrating the compressed layers into the image data.

  In the above invention, the preferable aspect is that, after the generating step, the generated image data is separated into layers by object type, and the separated layers are suitable for the corresponding object type. A compression process is performed by a method, and the computer is caused to perform a compression step of integrating the compressed layers into the image data.

  Furthermore, in the above-described invention, a preferable aspect is that the image data to be filed is separated by object type before the generating step, and each separated data is a method suitable for the corresponding object type. And causing the computer to execute an image processing step.

  Furthermore, in the above-described invention, a preferable aspect is that, in the integration step, when an image is displayed by the file to be generated, the image is displayed to a user of the file, and the display by the image data included in the file is switched. For example, data serving as a user interface is added.

  Furthermore, in the above invention, a preferred aspect is characterized in that a password for restricting display and / or printing by the image data can be set for each image data included in the generated file. .

  In order to achieve the above object, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus for filing image data, wherein a plurality of sets of image data having different color representation formats are obtained from one set of image data to be filed. And generating means for generating and integrating means for integrating the generated plural sets of image data to generate one file that can be displayed and / or printed by each image data.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a file generation method for filing image data in which a plurality of sets of image data having different color representation formats from one set of image data to be filed. And a integration step of integrating the generated plurality of sets of image data to generate one file that can be displayed and / or printed by each image data.

  Further objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments of the invention described below.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, such an embodiment does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. In the drawings, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals or reference symbols.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram according to an embodiment of an image processing apparatus using a file generation program according to the present invention. A host computer 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, and a file generation program 141 installed therein is a program to which the present invention is applied. This file generation program 141 generates a plurality of data sets in a plurality of types of color expression formats when image data is filed, integrates them so that they can be used by switching them, and uses the image file. It is intended to increase the degree of freedom.

  The host computer 1 is a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer, and is connected to the printer 2 via the I / F 15 to become a host device of the printer 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the host computer 1 includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, an HDD (hard disk device) 14, a display unit 18, and an operation unit 19.

  In addition to the file generation program 141 described above, the HDD 14 stores various programs such as a display / edit program 142 and a driver program 143. The processing described in these programs is executed by the CPU 11 as in the case of a normal computer. The present embodiment is characterized in the processing executed by the file generation program 141 and the display / editing program 142, and the specific contents thereof will be described later. The HDD 14 stores an image file 144 such as a file generated by the file generation program 141.

  The display unit 18 is a display device connected via the I / F 16 and is used for displaying image data included in a file generated by the file generation program 141. The operation unit 19 is user operation means connected via the I / F 17 and includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram functionally showing the structure of the characteristic part in the present embodiment. The file generation unit 151 shown in FIG. 2 receives the image data 3 expressed in one color expression format, and stores a multi-function image file 4 containing a plurality of sets of image data expressed in a plurality of types of color expression formats. This is a characteristic part of the host computer 1 to be output. The file generation unit 151 includes the file generation program 141, the CPU 11, the RAM 13, and the like described above.

  The display / edit application 152 is an application for the user to use the multi-function image file 4 generated by the file generation unit 151, and this is also a characteristic part of the host computer 1. Specifically, this is a portion that displays and prints with the image data in the designated color expression format based on a user operation. The display is performed on the display unit 18 described above, and the printing is performed by the printer 2 via the printer driver 153. The display / edit application 152 includes the display / edit program 142, the CPU 11, the RAM 13, and the like described above.

  The printer driver 153 is a driver for the printer 2 provided in the host computer 1, and includes the driver program 143, the CPU 11, the RAM 13, and the like described above. In response to a print request from the display / editing application 152, the printer driver 153 sets the image data to be printed as print data for the printer 2, transmits the data to the printer 2, and issues a print instruction.

  The host computer 1 having the above-described configuration is characterized by file generation processing by the file generation unit 151 and display / printing processing of the multi-function image file 4 by the display / editing application 152. Specific processing contents will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a file generation process performed by the file generation unit 151. When generating the multifunctional image file 4 described above, the file generation unit 151 first acquires image data to be filed (step S1). The acquired input image data 3 is so-called bitmap image data, which is expressed in one kind of color expression format. The image data 3 may be stored in the HDD 14 of the host computer 1 in advance, or the host computer 1 and a scanner (not shown) are connected, and the image data read by the scanner is the host. It may be transmitted to the computer 1.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the file generation processing. FIG. 4A shows an example of the image data 3 input to the file generation unit 151 as an image expressed by the image data. In this example, the input image data has a so-called full-color color expression format, and the color of each pixel is, for example, a gradation value (256 gradations) for each color of R (red), G (green), and B (blue). The structure is represented. The input image includes images of three object types, that is, images, graphics, and text images.

  As described above, when the image data is acquired, the file generation unit 151 performs a color conversion process as a pre-process on the image data (step S2). Specifically, a process for changing the RGB format obtained by the scanner to sRGB is performed. Such processing is generally performed, but the processing can be changed or omitted depending on the format of the input image data.

  Next, the file generation unit 151 separates the processed image data into regions for each object type (step S3). In the example shown in FIG. 4, since the image data includes three object types, the image data is divided into three regions. (B1) to (b3) in FIG. 4 show the image data after separation, and show image data of regions where images, graphics, and text images exist, respectively. The separation process is performed using a conventional technique.

  Thereafter, the file generation unit 151 performs predetermined image processing on each of the separated areas. Specifically, color conversion, edge enhancement, background removal, and moire removal processing are executed. These processes are performed by a suitable method for each region, that is, for each object type. For example, the color conversion process is performed so that the text area has high contrast, the graphic area has priority on gradation, and the image area has a natural appearance. In edge emphasis, processing is performed by changing the intensity for each region. The background removal process is performed on the text and graphic areas, and the background image is removed from the vicinity of the image. Further, the moire removal process is performed so that the effect appears strongly in the text and graphic areas. Note that it is not necessary to perform all these four processes for all areas, and a process suitable for each object type may be executed with suitable contents (parameter setting).

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, appropriate image processing is executed for each of the regions (b1) to (b3) described above, and image data as shown in (c1) to (c3) is obtained. These image-processed data are usually images that look better when displayed and printed than the original data.

  Next, the file generation unit 151 integrates each region after image processing and returns it to one set of image data (step S5), and based on the image data, a plurality of colors different from the color representation format of the data A plurality of sets of image data in an expression format are generated (step S6). Specifically, the color information (tone value of each color) possessed by each pixel is converted so as to be in the color representation format of the image data to be generated.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, two sets of image data are newly generated from full-color image data (d1). One is image data (d2) in a monochrome color expression format, and the other is image data (d3) in a universal design color expression format. Here, the color expression of the universal design means a color expression that is easy for anyone to see regardless of a color vision disorder or the like, and is a color expression by a so-called color vision barrier-free design. The conversion process from full-color data to monochrome and universal design data is performed by a general method.

  Next, the file generation unit 151 performs processing for separating the generated image data into an edge portion and a non-edge portion (step S7). The separation process is performed by a general method based on a change in gradation value of each pixel. After separation, layers such as an edge layer and a non-edge layer are formed, and each set of image data is separated into two layers.

  In the example of FIG. 4, each image data of full color (d1), monochrome (d2), and universal design (d3) is separated into an edge layer and a non-edge layer, as shown in (e1) to (e3) Become.

  Note that the edge / non-edge separation performed here is because an appropriate compression method is different between the edge portion and the non-edge portion in the compression processing for each layer, which will be described later. In this layer separation, the edge / non-edge separation is performed. Even if it is not separation, it is only necessary that the appropriate compression method can be separated into a plurality of different groups (layers). For example, a layer may be configured for each type separately for each object type described above.

  Thereafter, the file generation unit 151 performs compression processing for each layer by a method suitable for the layer (step S8). For example, since image data such as text is included for the edge layer, processing based on the monochromaticity, for example, color reduction processing is used. Further, since the non-edge layer includes image data such as an image, the non-edge layer is compressed by a technique such as downsampling. As described above, when layers are separated for each object type, compression processing is performed by a method suitable for each object type, for example, image, graphic, text.

  Next, the file generation unit 151 reintegrates the compressed layers to form a set of image data, and collects a plurality of sets of image data as one file (step S9). For example, it is generated as one PDF file. Accordingly, the generated file includes data of a plurality of types of color expression formats for one image.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, the file generated in (f) is conceptually shown. In this example, as described above, image data of full color, monochrome, and universal design is included in one file.

  Thereafter, the file generation unit 151 adds data to be a display switching interface (button) and sets a password to the generated file, and generates a target multifunctional image file 4 (step S10). What is indicated by A in FIG. 4F is a display switching interface (button) shown to the user when an image is displayed by the file. Using the button, the user can switch the image display based on a plurality of image data included in the file.

  Further, the password is for restricting display and printing for each image data set (for each color expression format). At the time of setting, the file generation unit 151 prompts the user to input a password, The input password is stored in association with each image data set. The password does not need to be set for all image data sets, and can be set only for either display or printing. Further, when setting both display and printing, a common password may be used, or separate passwords may be used. In addition, the password setting process may be performed at another timing instead of the last in the file generation process.

  In this way, the generation process of the multi-function image file 4 by the file generation unit 151 ends.

  Next, a method for using the generated multifunction image file 4 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the display and print request processing by the display / edit application 152. Hereinafter, display and printing processing, which is another feature of the host computer 1, will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, when the user uses the generated multifunctional image file 4, an operation for opening the file is performed using the operation unit 19. For example, an operation of double-clicking the icon of the multifunction image file 4 displayed on the display unit 18 is performed.

  The operation becomes a request for image display by the multifunctional image file 4, and the display / editing application 152 receives the request (step S 11) and determines in advance among the image data included in the operated multifunctional image file 4. An image is displayed on the display unit 18 by the default image data (color expression format) thus obtained (step S12). It is assumed that the password is not set in the default image data, but if it is set, the user is prompted to enter the password, and the password is set according to the input password and the data. Display the password only if it matches.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining image display by the multi-function image file 4. FIG. 6A shows a state in which display using the default data is performed. In the figure, X is a display window displayed on the display unit 18, and Y in the display window is an image. This example is based on the example shown in FIG. 4. Here, monochrome image data is determined as a default, and monochrome image display is performed. The display switching button described above is displayed in the display window X as indicated by AA.

  Next, when the user desires to switch the color representation of the image to be displayed, a display switching request is made using the operation unit 19. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the display switching request can be made by clicking the switching button AA of the display window X. When this interface is used, by clicking the switch button AA, the currently displayed image data according to the order of the image data (color expression format) predetermined by the multi-function image file 4 or the display / editing application 152. Display with the next image data is required.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, the switching request can be made by other methods. In this method, for example, a click operation (so-called right click) is performed in the displayed image Y using a pointing device such as a mouse. Then, a menu window as indicated by Z in the figure is displayed by the display / edit application 152. In this case, since the image displayed at that time is based on monochrome data, the “monochrome” portion in the menu window Z is displayed in color. A similar display switching request can be made by selecting a color expression format to be displayed from the menu window Z by clicking it.

  In this way, when the display switching request is made and the display / editing application 152 receives it (step S13), it is checked whether or not a password is set for the image data in the requested color expression format (step S14). ). As a result of the check, if the display password is not set in the image data (No in step S14), the display / editing application 152 executes display with the requested image data (step S15). That is, the displayed color expression format is switched.

  On the other hand, when a display password is set in association with the image data (Yes in step S14), the display / edit application 152 prompts the user to input the password and receives the input password. (Step S16). If the input password is OK, in other words, if it matches the set password (Yes in step S17), display with the requested image data is executed (step S15).

  When the input password does not match the set password (No in step S17), the display / edit application 152 prompts the user to input the password again and receives the newly input password. (S16) These operations are repeatedly executed until a correct password is input. If the correct password is not entered, a message is displayed to the user that the requested display cannot be switched, and the display is not switched, or the default color expression with no password set is displayed. You may make it switch to.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, when a full-color display is requested from the state shown in FIG. 6A, if a password is not set for full-color image data, or a password is set. If the correct password is entered, the display is switched to that shown in FIG. That is, the image displayed in the display window X becomes a full color expression (YY in the figure).

  Next, print request processing by the display / edit application 152 will be described. Here, a case where a print request is made from a state in which an image is displayed in the display processing will be described, and the description will be continued based on FIG.

  When the user wants to execute printing, the user first displays an image in the color expression to be printed in accordance with the display process described above. In this state, the user operates the print request using the operation unit 19.

  Upon receiving the print request (step S21), the display / edit application 152 checks whether or not a password for printing is set in the displayed image data (step S22). As a result of the check, if the password for printing is not set in the image data (No in step S22), the display / editing application 152 uses the image data to execute printing with the requested image data. A print request is issued to the printer driver 153 (step S23). For example, when a full color is displayed, printing is requested by the user, and if a password is not set, a full color printing request is issued. Then, the full color image data is transmitted to the printer driver 153. Thereafter, print data for the printer 2 is generated from the image data by the printer driver 153, and the print data is transmitted to the printer 2, so that the printer 2 executes full color printing processing.

  On the other hand, when the password for printing is set in association with the image data (Yes in step S22), the display / edit application 152 prompts the user to input the password and receives the input password. (Step S24). If the input password is OK, in other words, if it matches the set password (Yes in step S25), a request for printing with the requested image data is sent to the printer driver 153 (step S23). ). Thereafter, as in the case where no password is set, the image data is transferred to the printer driver 153, print data is generated, and printing is performed by the printer 2.

  When the input password does not match the set password (No in step S25), the display / edit application 152 prompts the user to input the password again and receives the newly input password. (S24) These operations are repeatedly executed until a correct password is input. If the correct password is not entered, a message is displayed to the user indicating that the requested printing cannot be executed, and printing is not executed, or the default (no password is set for anyone) You may make it request | require printing with image data. As the default image data, for example, monochrome image data can be used.

  The display / print request process is performed by the display / editing application 152 with the contents as described above.

  In the above description, the file generation program 141 according to the present invention is installed in the host computer 1 and the file generation unit 151 is configured in the host computer 1. However, the file generation unit 151 is a so-called scanner. It may be provided. In this case, when the user performs a scanning process to acquire a document as image data, the file generation unit 151 provided in the scanner executes a process similar to the process described with reference to FIG. An image file 4 is generated. The generated file is stored in a hard disk of a connected computer or a removable memory mounted in accordance with a user instruction or the like. Note that the file generation unit 151 can be configured in the scanner portion when the printer is a so-called multi-function machine having both functions of a copier and a scanner.

  Further, the file generation unit 151 may be provided in a so-called digital camera. Also in this case, when the user takes a picture or the like, the file generation unit 151 provided in the digital camera executes the same process as the process described based on FIG. 3 to generate the multi-function image file 4. . The generated file is stored in a memory in the digital camera or a removable memory attached.

  As described above, in the file generation unit 151 according to the present embodiment, the multifunction image file 4 (for example, PDF file) having a plurality of sets of image data represented by a plurality of color expressions for one image. ) Is generated and the file is used, an image can be used in a plurality of color expressions at the time of display and printing, and the degree of freedom in use is increased. Thus, for example, even when it is desired to always perform monochrome printing in order to save the toner of the printer, monochrome data can be easily selected and a print request can be made, which improves usability.

  In the multi-function image file 4, since a password for display and printing can be set for each color expression data, the degree of freedom can be increased in terms of security. For example, when it is desired to express only a specific user in color, it is possible to set a password for color image data and not set a password for monochrome image data.

  In the multi-function image file 4, the edge size / non-edge portion is separated and compression processing is performed by a method suitable for each. Therefore, even if a plurality of data sets are included, the file size is increased so much. Without degrading the image quality after the restoration.

  Furthermore, in the multi-function image file 4, image processing by a method suitable for each object type is added to the image data, so that high image quality can be expected during display and printing by the file.

  The type and number of image data sets included in the multi-function image file 4 are not limited to those in the above-described embodiment. For example, high-resolution image data and low-resolution image data are included. May be.

  The protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but covers the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

1 is a configuration diagram according to an embodiment of an image processing apparatus using a file generation program according to the present invention. It is the figure which showed the structure of the characteristic part in the example of this embodiment functionally. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of file generation processing by a file generation unit 151. It is a figure for demonstrating a file production | generation process. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for display and print request processing by the display / edit application 152; It is a figure for demonstrating the image display by the multifunctional image file.

Explanation of symbols

  1 host computer, 2 printer, 3 image data, 4 multifunctional image file, 11 CPU, 12 ROM, 13 RAM, 14 HDD, 15 I / F, 16 I / F, 17 I / F, 18 display unit, 19 operation , 141 file generation program, 142 display / edit program, 143 driver program, 144 image file, 151 file generation unit (generation means, integration means), 152 display / edit application, 153 printer driver

Claims (8)

A file generation program for causing a computer to execute a process for converting image data into a file,
Generating a plurality of sets of image data having different color representation formats from one set of image data to be filed;
A file generation program that causes the computer to execute an integration step of integrating the generated plurality of sets of image data to generate one file that can be displayed and / or printed by each image data. . In claim 1, further comprising:
After the generating step, the generated image data is separated into an edge layer and a non-edge layer, and compression processing is performed for each layer by a method suitable for each layer, and the layers after compression are integrated to A file generation program that causes the computer to execute a compression process for each image data. In claim 1, further comprising:
After the generating step, the generated image data is separated into layers for each object type, the separated layers are compressed by a method suitable for the corresponding object type, and the compressed layers are integrated. A file generation program that causes the computer to execute a compression step for each image data. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3, Furthermore,
Before the generating step, the image data to be filed is separated by object type, and the computer is caused to execute a step of image processing the separated data by a method suitable for the corresponding object type. Feature file generator. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4,
In the integration step,
When an image is displayed by the generated file, data that is displayed to a user of the file and serves as a user interface for switching display by the image data included in the file is added. File generator. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5,
A file generation program characterized in that a password for restricting display and / or printing with the image data can be set for each image data included in the generated file. An image processing apparatus for converting image data into a file,
Generating means for generating a plurality of sets of image data having different color representation formats from one set of image data to be filed;
An image processing apparatus comprising: an integration unit that integrates the plurality of sets of generated image data to generate one file that can be displayed and / or printed by each image data. A file generation method for converting image data into a file,
Generating a plurality of sets of image data having different color representation formats from one set of image data to be filed;
A file generating method comprising: integrating a plurality of sets of the generated image data to generate one file that can be displayed and / or printed by each image data.

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