JP2010119059A - Image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus which can shorten a time after the capture of image data until performing an output using the captured image data. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing apparatus includes: an image capturing section for capturing image data with a maximum resolution and a maximum gradation value for capturing the image data; a setting receiving section which receives setting for changing a resolution or a gradation value of image data in parallel with processing for capturing image data in the image capturing section; and an image processing section for applying set processing to the captured image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus that performs settings for performing predetermined processing on image data.

Conventionally, an image processing apparatus that performs a plurality of settings on acquired image data is known. In such an image processing apparatus, a user selects a setting for image data by operating an operation panel or the like. Here, the setting is for selecting the type of output form using image data, the type of image processing for image data, and the like. That is, selecting a plurality of output forms such as FAX output and copy output, or selecting settings for changing the resolution and gradation value of image data (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2008-225633 A

  In the case of the above-described image processing device, the number of settings increases as the number of devices increases. Therefore, a predetermined time is required until the output of the device is performed after the user selects the setting for the device. There is a case. That is, since the user starts operating the operation panel or the like to select the setting and then starts taking in the image data, it may take time until the image processing apparatus performs output.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an image processing apparatus capable of reducing the time from acquisition of image data to output using the acquired image data.

  In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, the image acquisition unit that acquires image data with the maximum resolution and maximum gradation value that can be acquired, and the image acquisition unit acquires image data in parallel with the image data. A configuration having a setting receiving unit that receives a setting for selecting a process to be executed on data, and an image processing unit that performs a process corresponding to the selected setting on the acquired image data It is as.

In the invention configured as described above, the image acquisition unit acquires the image data with the maximum resolution and the maximum gradation value, and the setting reception unit includes the image data in parallel with the process in which the image acquisition unit acquires the image data. In response to an operation input for selecting a setting to be executed on the image processing unit, the image processing unit performs the selected setting on the acquired image data.
Therefore, the image processing apparatus can process the acquisition of image data and the reception of an operation input for selecting a setting applied to the image data in parallel. As compared with the case where the process is performed, the time required for the output process can be shortened.

As one aspect of the present invention, the image acquisition unit is a scanner unit that captures an image of a document and acquires image data.
Since the scanner unit captures a document image and acquires the image data by converting the captured image into image data, a certain time is required until the image data is acquired. In the invention configured as described above, in particular, in an image processing apparatus including a scanner unit, since settings are received in parallel with image data acquisition, the time from acquisition of image data to output is shortened. Can do.

As one aspect of the present invention, the scanner unit includes a document transmission unit that continuously transmits a plurality of documents to the scanner unit.
If the scanner unit has a document transmission unit that captures a plurality of documents at once, such as ADF (Auto Document Feeder), the time required to capture image data increases as the number of documents increases. Therefore, in the invention configured as described above, in an image processing apparatus including an ADF, it is possible to shorten the time from acquisition of image data to output.

As one aspect of the present invention, the image acquisition unit includes a large-capacity storage unit for temporarily storing acquired image data.
In the invention configured as described above, even if the amount of data acquired by the image acquisition unit is large, it can be stored in this mass storage device.

  As one aspect of the present invention, when the image data corresponding to the original stored in the large-capacity storage unit reaches a predetermined number, the image processing unit sequentially performs image processing on the image data. In the invention configured as described above, when image data corresponding to a predetermined number of documents is stored in the large-capacity storage unit, the image processing unit performs image processing on the image data. And image processing can be executed in parallel, and the time required for output can be reduced.

As one aspect of the present invention, the image acquisition unit, when the reception of the setting by the setting reception unit ends before the acquisition of the image data of the image acquisition unit, the image corresponding to the selected setting thereafter Get the data.
In the invention configured as described above, when the acceptance of the setting ends before the acquisition of the image data, the subsequent processing can be performed efficiently by changing the setting when the image acquisition unit acquires the image data. Can be executed automatically.

  As another aspect of the present invention, an image acquisition unit that acquires image data at a preset resolution and gradation value, and a process in which the image acquisition unit acquires image data in parallel with the image data. A configuration having a setting receiving unit that receives a setting of processing for reducing the set resolution or gradation value, and an image processing unit that performs processing corresponding to the received setting on the acquired image data is there.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order with reference to the drawings.
1. First embodiment:
2. Second embodiment:
3. Third embodiment:

1. First embodiment:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, a multifunction peripheral 100 is described as an example of an image processing apparatus. The multi-function device 100 includes a scanner unit 80 for acquiring image data and an output unit 90 for outputting using the image data acquired by the scanner unit 80. The output unit 90 includes a printer unit 91 that performs printing processing on a recording medium, a FAX transmission unit 92 that transmits image data through a telephone line, and a network I / F 93 that transmits image data through a network. When the user operates the operation panel unit 30 to select the output form of the image data, the output process by each output unit 90 corresponding to the selected output form is executed.

  In addition, between the operation panel unit 30, the scanner unit 80, and the output unit 90, a system control unit 40 that performs main control, and a large-capacity storage device that stores image data acquired by the scanner unit 80 (large-capacity storage unit) ) 60, a memory controller 70 that controls access to the mass storage device 60, and an image processing circuit (image processing unit) 50 that performs predetermined processing on the image data. Therefore, the operation input output by operating the operation panel unit 30 is received by the system control unit 40, and the system control unit 40 controls the driving of the scanner unit 80 and each output unit 90.

  Further, in the multifunction peripheral 100, reception of a signal for selecting a setting and acquisition of image data by the scanner unit 80 are executed in parallel. Therefore, the multi-function device 100 can reduce the time required until the output process. Below, the structure of each part which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated in detail.

  The operation panel unit 30 is for selecting settings for image data scanned by the scanner unit 80. The operation panel unit 30 includes a plurality of operation buttons and a display screen. The operation buttons include a start button for starting the scanning of the document with respect to the multifunction peripheral 100 and an output selection for selecting each output form. Buttons and setting buttons for making various settings for the image data. That is, when the user operates the start button, the system control unit 40 executes control for causing the scanner unit 80 to scan the document. Further, when the user operates the output selection button, the system control unit 40 executes control for outputting the scanned image data via each output unit 90. Then, when the user operates the setting button, the system control unit 40 executes control for performing processing corresponding to the selected setting on the image data.

  The scanner unit 80 is for digitizing a document and converting it into image data. The scanner unit 80 according to the present embodiment is a flat bed type. Also, the main part of the scanner unit 80 includes an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 81 for continuously sending the document to be scanned to the document table, and a CCD (Charge) for imaging the document sent from the ADF 81. The device includes a coupled device 82 and an AFE (analog front end processor) 83 that controls driving of the CCD and digitally converts the captured image.

Further, the CCD 82 can change the resolution of the captured image by changing the imaging timing in the main scanning direction. Therefore, the AFE 83 can change the maximum resolution and the maximum gradation value of the captured image captured by the CCD 82 according to the imaging degree selected through the operation panel unit 30.
Further, the ADF 81 can continuously transmit a predetermined number of document images set on the document table to the scanner unit 80.

  The memory controller 70 is for controlling access to the mass storage device 60. The memory controller 70 stores the image data scanned and generated by the scanner unit 80 at a predetermined address in the mass storage device 60 and outputs the image data stored in the mass storage device 60 to the image processing circuit 50. Execute the process. In addition, when the image data is output from the scanner unit 80, the memory controller 70 can store the image data in the mass storage device 60 independently of the control of the system control unit 40.

  The mass storage device 60 is for storing image data generated by the scanner unit 80. The mass storage device 60 is configured by an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a flash memory. Preferably, the mass storage device 60 can store the amount of image data corresponding to the number of originals that the ADF 81 of the scanner unit 80 can continuously capture. That is, if the data amount per document image is 100M and the number of documents that the ADF 81 can continuously capture is 100, the storage capacity of the mass storage device 60 is at least 10G (100M × 100). ) Need a degree.

  The image processing circuit 50 is for performing predetermined image processing on the acquired image data. The image processing circuit 50 executes processing for converting resolution, processing for converting a color image to a monochrome image, enlargement / reduction processing, and editing processing for adjusting image quality, on the image data. More specifically, the image processing circuit 50 performs a thinning process on the image data generated at the maximum resolution to reduce the resolution of the image data. In addition, the image processing circuit 50 converts the image data formed with the three colors of RGB to gray scale and converts it to a monochrome image. Then, the image processing circuit 50 performs a pixel number conversion process in order to enlarge and reduce the image data. Then, the image processing circuit 50 performs color conversion processing, sharpening processing, and the like as editing processing on the image data.

  The system control unit 40 controls the driving of each unit of the scanner unit 80, the memory controller 70, and the output unit 90 according to the setting selected through the operation panel unit 30. The main part of the system control unit 40 includes a CPU 41, a ROM 42, and a RAM 43. The ROM 42 stores various programs for causing the CPU 41 to execute predetermined processing. Therefore, the CPU 41 implements the functions of the reading control module 41a, the setting control module 41b, and the output control module 41c by executing the above program under a predetermined operation system.

  The reading control module 41a is for controlling the scanning of the image data by controlling the scanner unit 80 and the memory controller 70 based on the setting selected through the operation panel unit 30. Here, the function of the image acquisition unit is realized by the reading control module 41 a, the mass storage device 60, the memory controller 70, and the scanner unit 80.

  The setting control module 41b is for controlling the image processing executed by the image processing circuit 50 based on the setting selected through the operation panel unit 30. Here, the setting control module 41b and the operation panel unit 30 realize the function of the setting reception unit.

  The output control module 41 c is for controlling the output units 90 of the printer unit 91, FAX transmission unit 92, and network I / F 93 based on the settings selected via the operation panel unit 30.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining output processing executed by the multifunction peripheral 100. The multi-function device 100 acquires image data according to the flow shown in FIG. 2, and performs output processing using the acquired image data. In FIG. 2, processing of each unit of the system control unit 40, the scanner unit 80, and the memory controller 70 is displayed independently.

  When the user sets a plurality of documents on the ADF 81 of the scanner unit 80 and depresses the start button of the operation panel unit 30 (step S110), the reading control module 41a causes the scanner unit 80 to start capturing documents (step S110). Step S120).

  In the scanner unit 80, the original on which the ADF 81 is set is continuously taken in, and the AFE 83 starts scanning while controlling the CCD 82 to generate image data (step S210). At this time, the image data generated by the scanner unit 80 is composed of 600 dpi that is the maximum resolution that can be read by the scanner unit 80 and 8 bits for each of RGB that is the maximum gradation value.

  The reading control module 41a stores the generated image data in the mass storage device 60 (step S130). Specifically, the reading control module 41 a outputs a command for storing the image data output from the scanner unit 80 in a predetermined storage area of the mass storage device 60 to the memory controller 70.

  In steps S210 to S230, when the user operates the operation panel unit 30 to select settings to be applied to the image data while the scanner unit 80 is scanning a document, the setting control module 41b accepts the selected settings. (Step S140). At this time, the setting control module 41b does not accept the completion of the setting until the user depresses the button indicating that the setting has been completed (step S150).

  The setting control module 41b changes the setting of the scan executed by the scanner unit 80 according to whether or not the scanner unit 80 has finished reading all the originals (step S160). In the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, the timing at which the system control unit 40 completes accepting the setting from the user is before the scanner unit 80 finishes the scan. Therefore, the following description will be made assuming this case. At this time, it is assumed that the user operates the operation panel unit 30 and causes the printer unit 91 to output the image data as a monochrome image with low resolution (400 dpi) and gradation values of 8 bits for each RGB.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the process executed in step S160 of FIG. The setting control module 41b determines the setting selected through the operation panel unit 30 (step S161). As described above, since the user sets the image data to be output as a low-resolution monochrome image, the setting control module 41b determines this setting from the input signal.

  The setting control module 41b determines whether or not the scanner unit 80 has read all the original images (step S162). Specifically, when the scanner unit 80 has scanned all the originals, the scanner unit 80 outputs an interrupt signal indicating the completion of scanning to the CPU 41 (step S240) and stores it in the register of the CPU 41. Therefore, the setting control module 41b refers to the value stored in the register to determine whether or not the scan has ended. Thereafter, the scanner unit 80 outputs image data corresponding to the read original to the memory controller 70 (step S250), and the memory controller 70 stores this image data in the mass storage device 60 (step S300).

  If the setting control module 41b determines in step S162 that the scanner unit 80 has not scanned all the originals, the setting control module 41b instructs the scanner unit 80 to scan subsequent originals according to the values set in step S140. (Step S163). Here, the setting determined in step S161 is related to the reading of the scanner unit 80 because the resolution is reduced (400 dpi). Therefore, the scanner unit 80 changes the scan setting from 600 dpi to 400 dpi. The subsequent scan is executed (step S220). On the other hand, if the setting control module 41b determines in step S162 that the scanner unit 80 has finished scanning, the setting control module 41b does not cause the scanner unit 80 to change the reading setting. In this case, the resolution reduction of the image data is executed by the image processing circuit 50.

  The setting control module 41b controls each unit to convert the image data into a resolution: 400 dpi, gradation value: RGB each 8 bits, monochrome image corresponding to the setting selected in step S150 (step S150). Step S170). Specifically, when the memory controller 70 outputs the image data stored in the mass storage device 60 to the image processing circuit 50 (step S310), the image processing circuit 50 converts the input image data into two colors of black and white. Make it grayscale. Of course, if the setting control module 41b has changed the reading setting of the scanner unit 80 from 600 dpi to 400 dpi in step S160, the resolution setting is not changed. The image data converted by the image processing circuit 50 is output to the printer unit 91.

  Thereafter, the output control module 41c controls the printer unit 91 to print the grayscale image data using a medium such as paper. Therefore, the printer unit 91 prints a monochrome image having a resolution of 400 dpi, a gradation value of 8 bits for each of RGB, and is output. The first embodiment has been described above.

2. Second embodiment:
The multi-function device 100 may execute image processing on the image data every time image data corresponding to a predetermined number of documents is stored in the large-capacity storage device 60. That is, when the ADF 81 continuously reads 100 originals, if 50 originals are scanned, image processing may be performed on image data corresponding to the originals.
Here, if the image processing is executed for each image data corresponding to a predetermined number of originals, not all image data is stored in the large-capacity storage device 60, so the storage capacity of the large-capacity storage device 60 is reduced. Can be made. In addition, since scanning in the scanner unit 80 and output processing can be executed in parallel, the time until the multifunction device 100 completes output can be further shortened.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the process executed in step S160 of FIG. 2 as the second embodiment. The setting control module 41b determines the setting selected through the operation panel unit 30 (step S261). Also in this scene, as in the first embodiment, the user is set to output image data as a low-resolution (400 dpi) monochrome image.

  The setting control module 41b determines whether or not the scanner unit 80 has scanned 50 documents (step S262). Specifically, when the scanner unit 80 scans a predetermined number of sheets (50 sheets) and all sheets (every 100), an interruption signal indicating completion of scanning is output from the scanner unit 80 to the CPU 41 and stored in a register of the CPU 41. Is done. Therefore, the setting control module 41b refers to the value stored in the register to determine whether or not the scan has ended.

  If the setting control module 41b determines that the scanner unit 80 has scanned 50 documents, the setting control module 41b executes the set image processing on the image data stored in the large-capacity storage device 60 (step S263). Specifically, the memory controller 70 sequentially reads image data corresponding to 50 document images stored in the large-capacity storage device 60 and outputs the read image data to the image processing circuit 50. Therefore, the image processing circuit 50 executes image processing on sequentially input image data.

  The setting control module 41b determines whether or not the scanner unit 80 has scanned all document images (step S264). At this time, if all the originals have not been scanned, the setting control module 41b instructs the scanner unit 80 to scan subsequent originals according to the set values (step S265).

  Thereafter, as in the first embodiment, the image processing circuit 50 performs image processing on sequentially input image data. Further, the output control module 41c causes the output unit 90 to output the image data that has been subjected to image processing, and executes output corresponding to the setting.

3. Third embodiment:
The resolution and gradation value at which the scanner unit 80 reads a document is not limited to the maximum resolution and maximum gradation value that can be set by the scanner unit 80. That is, if the scanner unit 80 is configured to change the resolution and gradation value at the time of image reading through the operation panel unit 30, the user sets the reading resolution and gradation value of the scanner unit 80 as defaults in advance. Cases are also envisaged. In such a case, the system control unit 40 may perform processing for reducing the default resolution and gradation value on the image data acquired for the image processing circuit 50.

  That is, assuming that the reading performance of the scanner unit 80 is 600 dpi and the maximum gradation value is 8 bits for each RGB, the default setting is that the resolution is 400 dpi and the gradation value is 4 bits for each RGB. To do. In this case, thereafter, the system control unit 40 causes the image processing circuit 50 to execute processing for changing the image data to a resolution of 400 dpi or less and a gradation value of 4 bits or less for each of RGB.

  As described above, the multifunction peripheral 100 can process in parallel the scanning of the image data of the scanner unit 80 and the reception of the selection of the setting applied to the acquired image data. Compared to the case where each process is performed sequentially, the time required until the output process can be shortened.

  Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. That is, the mutually replaceable members and configurations disclosed in the above embodiments are applied by changing the combination as appropriate. The members and configurations disclosed in the examples can be replaced with the members and configurations interchangeable with each other as appropriate, and the combination thereof is changed and applied. It is one of the present invention that a person skilled in the art can appropriately substitute the members and configurations that can be assumed as substitutes for the members and configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments based on the above, and change the combination to apply. It is disclosed as an example.

1 is a block configuration diagram of an image processing apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart for explaining output processing executed by the multifunction peripheral 100. It is a flowchart explaining the process performed by step S160 of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the process performed by FIG.2 S160 as 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Operation panel unit, 40 ... System control part, 41 ... CPU, 41a ... Reading control module, 41b ... Setting control module, 41c ... Output control module, 42 ... ROM, 43 ... RAM, 50 ... Image processing circuit, 60 ... Mass storage device, 70 ... Memory controller, 80 ... Scanner unit, 82 ... CCD, 83 ... AFE, 90 ... Output unit, 91 ... Printer unit, 92 ... FAX transmission unit, 93 ... Network I / F, 100 ... Multifunction device

Claims (7)

An image acquisition unit that acquires image data at a maximum resolution and maximum gradation value that can be acquired;
A setting accepting unit that accepts a setting for changing the resolution or gradation value of the image data in parallel with the process in which the image obtaining unit obtains image data;
An image processing apparatus comprising: an image processing unit that performs the set processing on the acquired image data.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image acquisition unit includes a scanner unit that captures an image of a document and reads image data, and the scanner unit reads the document at a maximum resolution when the document is read.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the scanner unit includes a document transmission unit that continuously transmits a plurality of documents to the scanner unit.   The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image acquisition unit includes a large-capacity storage unit for temporarily storing acquired image data.   5. The image processing unit according to claim 4, wherein when the image data corresponding to the document stored in the large-capacity storage unit reaches a predetermined number, the image processing unit sequentially performs image processing on the image data. Image processing apparatus.   The image acquisition unit, after the setting reception of the setting reception unit is completed before the image data acquisition of the image acquisition unit, to acquire image data in the set processing state thereafter. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. An image acquisition unit for acquiring image data at a preset resolution and gradation value;
In parallel with the process in which the image acquisition unit acquires image data, a setting reception unit that receives a setting of a process for reducing the set resolution or gradation value for the image data;
An image processing apparatus comprising: an image processing unit that performs processing corresponding to the received setting on the acquired image data.

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