JP2012054663A - Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and image forming program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem of the conventional image forming apparatus in which: when a color document to be printed as a monochromatic print has symbols having monochromatic density very close to each other, only a change in monochromatic density cannot improve visibility of the document, depending on a state of a printer or a printer function (specifically, an image density adjustment system function); and even when a predetermined color of an element having a meaning in the document, such as a symbol, is replaced with a predetermined patten of the element, the replacement of the symbol is not performed in consideration of the meaning of the document, thus causing a print output object to which a document creator's intention is not reflected to be printed.SOLUTION: There is provided an image forming apparatus capable of improving visibility of an element of which visibility is deteriorated when performing a monochromatic print of color image data, with a least possible loss of a document creator's intention of the document.

Description

  The present invention relates to a process for reducing a decrease in visibility of document contents when color input image data is converted into monochrome and output.

  Multi-function printers (hereinafter referred to as “MFP”) and printers that have copy, print, and facsimile functions, even if they are color MFPs in the office as part of cost reduction, they suppress color print output as much as possible and output monochrome prints. Is increasing. When color data is printed in monochrome, there is a problem that if the data having a similar luminance level of the color data is converted into monochrome, it cannot be visually distinguished. In order to deal with such a problem, Patent Document 1 proposes to change the density of one of the two regions that are difficult to visually recognize based on a determination criterion during monochrome conversion. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 proposes that a means for changing a pattern with respect to a color is determined in advance.

JP2000-050011A JP 09-009077 A

  However, there are cases where the visibility is not improved only by changing the luminance level depending on the state of the printer and the printer function (particularly the density adjustment system function). In addition, if a predetermined color is replaced with a pattern for an element having a meaning in a document such as a symbol, the symbol is not replaced in consideration of the meaning of the document. That is, there remains a problem that a printed output that does not reflect the intention of the document creator is printed.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a detection unit that detects a symbol in a document read in color, a storage unit that stores a symbol detected by the detection unit, and a symbol stored in the storage unit. The first and second determination means for comparing shapes and sizes to determine whether or not there is the same symbol, and a plurality of symbols regarded as the same symbol by the first determination means are subjected to monochrome conversion, and after monochrome conversion The second determination means for comparing the densities of the plurality of symbols to determine whether the density difference is smaller than a threshold value, and determining whether the densities are close, and the first and second determination means When it is determined that the shape and size of the symbols are the same and the densities after the monochrome conversion are close, a decision unit for deciding which symbol of the plurality of symbols is to be changed, and a decision by the decision unit Note Changing means for changing a, to provide an image forming apparatus and a monochrome conversion unit for monochrome converting the document after the change by changing means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the visibility of an element whose visibility is lowered during monochrome output of color image data without losing the intention of the document creator as much as possible.

Example of user created table The figure which shows an example of the output result of Example 1. The figure which shows an example of the output result of Example 3 The figure which shows an example of the output result of Example 1. The figure which shows an example of the output result of Example 1. The figure which shows an example of the output result of Example 1. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a data processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. The figure which shows the flowchart of the process which concerns on Example 1. FIG. The figure which shows an example displayed on UI screen of Example 4 The figure which shows an example displayed on UI screen of Example 4 The figure which shows an example displayed on UI screen of Example 1 The figure which shows an example displayed on UI screen of Example 3 The figure which shows the structure of the symbol memory | storage part of Example 1. FIG. The figure which shows an example displayed on UI screen of Example 1 FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a data processing device according to the third embodiment. The figure which shows the flowchart of the process which concerns on Example 1. FIG. The figure which shows an example displayed on UI screen of Example 1 The figure which shows the flowchart of the process which concerns on Example 1. FIG. The figure which shows an example displayed on UI screen of Example 2 The figure which shows an example displayed on UI screen of Example 2 The figure which shows an example displayed on UI screen of Example 2 Diagram showing an example of a table created by the user Diagram showing the configuration of the MFP

  FIG. 23 shows the configuration of a multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to as “MFP”) used in the embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which an original is read by a scanner that is an input device 2301, and bitmap image data processed by a data processing device 2302 is printed out by a printer that is an output device 2303. However, the input device 2301 and the output device 2303 may be PCs.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a color table created by the user used in this embodiment. Symbols 101 and 102 are symbols “◯” having the same shape and size. However, the colors are different from each other. For example, the symbol “◯” 102 relating to the function A and the function C of the company B is red, and the symbol “◯” 101 relating to the function A and the function C of the company C is blue. In the explanation 103 of the table, the symbols 101 and 102 are explained. In this example, the symbol “◯” of “○ mounting (70%)” regarding the symbol 102 is red, and the symbol “◯” of “○ mounting (50%)” regarding the symbol 101 is blue.

<Example 1>
The configuration of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4 to 8, 11, 13, 14, and 16 to 18. 2 and 4 are examples of the results when the color data in FIG. 1 is output in monochrome by changing the symbol size. FIGS. 5 and 6 show the color data in FIG. 1 in monochrome output by changing the symbol shape. It is an example of the result at the time of doing.

[Data processing device installed in MFP]
FIG. 7 shows a configuration of a data processing device 2302 installed in the MFP. The data processing device 2302 includes an input image processing unit 701, a symbol detection unit 702, a symbol storage unit 703, a B / W symbol determination unit 704, a B / W conversion unit 705, a gamma correction processing unit 706, an image formation processing unit 707, a UI. A unit 708 and a transmission unit 709 are configured.

[Select symbol change]
FIG. 17 shows an example of a screen displayed on the UI unit 708 for the user to set a method for changing a symbol. The user selects a symbol change method from the pull-down menu 1701. When the size is selected, there is no change in the shape of the symbol, and the symbol is changed by enlargement or reduction. On the other hand, when a shape is selected from the pull-down menu 1701, the current symbol is changed to a different symbol. When the method is determined, a button 1702 is pressed. When canceling the selection itself, a button 1703 is pressed.

[When size is selected]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart regarding the processing of the components 701 to 709 of the data processing device 2302 in FIG. This is processing when the user selects a size in the pull-down menu 1701 in FIG.

  In step S801, the input image processing unit 701 performs input image processing (background removal, color processing, edge processing, etc.) on the bitmap image data acquired from the scanner. The symbol detection unit 702 detects symbols from the bitmap image data for which input image processing has been completed, and detects position information, color information of each symbol, and symbol information existing in the vicinity of the symbol. For example, for symbol 101 and symbol 102, position information, color information, and “Mounting (70%)” and “Mounting (50%)” described in Table Description 103 are detected as symbol information. Is done.

  In step S802, the symbol storage unit 703 stores the detected symbol. At this time, if there is symbol information corresponding to the symbol, it is stored in association with it. In step S <b> 803, the B / W symbol determination unit 704 compares the symbol shapes stored in the symbol storage unit 703 by means such as pattern matching, and further refers to the symbol information. It is determined whether the same symbol exists (first determination). If the determination result is YES, the process proceeds to step S804, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S809.

  In step S804, the B / W symbol determination unit 704 determines whether the density is close by determining whether the density difference between the two symbols after monochrome conversion is smaller than the threshold after the monochrome conversion between the symbols. Is determined (second determination). If they are close (hereinafter, symbols satisfying the above conditions are referred to as “duplicate symbols”), the process proceeds to step S805, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S809.

  In step S805, the B / W symbol determination unit 704 selects a symbol to be changed among the overlapping symbols. The selection depends on the content of the symbol information. For example, the symbol 102 is associated with the symbol information “Mounting (70%)” and the symbol 101 is associated with the symbol information “Mounting (50%)”. %) ”Is an important symbol, and the symbol 101 is selected as a symbol to be changed.

  In step S806, the B / W symbol determination unit 704 determines whether the space 104 in FIG. 1 has an area where the symbol 101 selected in step S805 can be enlarged. If it is determined that the space 104 has an expandable area, the process proceeds to step S807. If it is determined that the space 104 does not have an area, the process proceeds to step S808.

  In step S807, the B / W symbol determination unit 704 enlarges the size of the symbol 101 at a preset magnification. When enlarged, it becomes a symbol 201 as shown in FIG. If the space 104 is narrow and cannot be enlarged, the B / W symbol determination unit 704 reduces the size of the symbol 101 by a preset magnification in step S808. When reduced, the symbol 401 is obtained as shown in FIG. The magnification setting will be described later.

  When the size change of the symbol 101 is completed, in step S809, the B / W conversion unit 705 converts the bitmap image data for which input image processing has been completed in step S801 into monochrome bitmap image data (monochrome conversion). A general method is used as the method of converting into monochrome bitmap image data. Therefore, detailed description is omitted.

  Next, the gamma correction processing unit 706 performs gamma correction processing using the optimum gamma of the printer on the monochrome bitmap image data. Finally, the image formation processing unit 707 performs image formation processing by screen and error diffusion on the monochrome bitmap image data, and converts it to monochrome binary image data. The transmission unit 709 transmits the monochrome binary image data to a printer that prints. The printer that prints the monochrome binary image data prints it out.

  Here, setting of the enlargement / reduction ratio of the symbols will be described. FIG. 11 is an example of a screen displayed on the UI unit 708 for the user to set the magnification when enlarging or reducing the symbol 101 in steps S807 and S808.

  The UI unit 708 displays the symbol 101 before the change in the space 1101 and the symbol 201 and the symbol 401 after the change due to enlargement / reduction in the space 1102. The user visually checks the size of the symbol 201 and the symbol 401 after the change, and if there is no problem, presses the button 1104 to determine the size change. When there is a problem, the user changes the enlargement / reduction ratio by pressing the up / down button of the button 1103, and confirms the size of the symbol 201 or the symbol 401 in the space 1102. If there is no problem as a result of the confirmation, the button 1104 is pressed to determine the size change. When canceling the setting, the setting is canceled by pressing a button 1105. In addition, the UI unit 708 transmits the determined size to the B / W symbol determination unit 704. The B / W symbol determination unit 704 receives the size changed in steps S807 and S808, and processes it according to the received size. However, at the time of enlargement, the size cannot be changed so as to protrude beyond the space around the symbol 101, so that the button 1103 is grayed out when the threshold value is exceeded.

<When shape is selected>
FIG. 16 is a flowchart regarding the processing of the components 701 to 709 of the data processing apparatus 2302 when the user selects a shape in the pull-down menu 1701 of FIG. Since steps S801 to S805 and S809 are the same as when the size is selected, the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S1601, the B / W symbol determination unit 704 determines whether the symbol 101 is deformable. For example, in the case of “◯”, “deformable” indicates that the inside can be filled with “●” and two can be overlapped with each other to make “◎”. However, in the case of “x”, it is impossible to fill or superimpose. If it is determined that deformation is possible, the process proceeds to step S1602, and if it is determined that deformation is not possible, the process proceeds to step S1604.

  In step S1602, the B / W symbol determination unit 704 creates a plurality of deformation candidates. In step S1603, the B / W symbol determination unit 704 compares the created deformation candidate with the data stored in the symbol storage unit 703, and determines whether there is a deformation candidate in the scanned document. . If it is determined that all of the deformation candidates are present and it does not exist, the process proceeds to step S1605. If it is determined that the deformation candidate exists, the process proceeds to step S1604.

  In step S1605, the B / W symbol determination unit 704 changes the symbol 101 to a non-existent modification candidate symbol 501 (FIG. 5). If all the transformation candidates exist in the scanned document, in step S1604, the B / W symbol determination unit 704 presents the symbol 101 in the scanned document among symbols previously registered in the symbol storage unit 703. The symbol 601 is changed to “No” (FIG. 6). If it is determined in step S1601 that the image cannot be deformed, in step S1604, the B / W symbol determination unit 704 places the symbol 101 in the document among the symbols registered in advance in the symbol storage unit 703. Change to a nonexistent symbol 601.

[Symbol storage unit 703]
Here, the configuration of the symbol storage unit 703 in FIG. 7 and the processing of the data will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13 shows the configuration of the symbol storage unit 703. FIG. 14 shows an example of a screen displayed on the UI unit 708 for setting a symbol to be changed by the user.

  As illustrated in FIG. 13, the symbol storage unit 703 includes a spool area 1301, a registration area A 1302, a registration area B 1303, and a registration area C 1304. In the present embodiment, each registration area is distinguished as follows. Symbols having a positive meaning are collected in the registration area A1302, symbols having a neutral meaning are collected in the registration area B1303, and symbols having a negative meaning are collected in the registration area C1304. . In other words, symbols with the same meaning are collected.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing how to select a symbol to be changed. First, in step S1801, the B / W symbol determination unit 704 stores the symbol detected by the symbol detection unit 702 in the spool area 1301. Compare saved symbols with each other and find duplicate symbols.

  In step S1802, the B / W symbol determination unit 704 compares the shape between the duplicated symbol 101 stored in the spool area 1301, and the symbols registered in the registration area A 1302, the registration area B 1303, and the registration area C 1304. I do. Here, it is assumed that the overlapping symbol 101 belongs to the registration area A. If it is determined that the duplicate symbol 101 exists in any registration area, in step S1803, the B / W symbol determination unit 704 exists in the spool area 1301 among the other symbols present in the registration area A1302. The symbol 601 which is not to be selected is selected.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1802 that the duplicated symbol 101 does not exist in any registration area, the UI unit 708 displays the screen in FIG. 14 in step S1804. The UI unit 708 displays a duplicate symbol in the space 1401. A pull-down menu 1402 displays candidate symbols to be changed. As a displayed symbol, a symbol that does not exist in the spool region 1301 is selected from each registered region. When button 1403 is pressed, B / W symbol determination unit 704 changes the symbol in step S1805 according to the user's selection. In step S1806, the B / W symbol determination unit 704 registers the duplicate symbol before change displayed in the space 1401 in the registration area including the selected symbol. When canceling the setting, the registration work is canceled when a button 1404 is pressed.

<Example 2>
In the first embodiment, the determination method of the symbol to be changed is automatically determined from the symbol information, but it is more desirable that the user can freely set the determination of the symbol to be changed. A configuration for this will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 19 shows an example of a screen displayed on the UI unit 708 for setting which of the overlapping symbols is changed.

The UI unit 708 displays a pull-down menu 1901. When a symbol is duplicated from the pull-down menu 1901, the user selects a color that is not changed. For example, assuming that the symbol 102 is red and the symbol 101 is blue, and the user selects a red system from the pull-down menu 1901, the B / W symbol determination unit 704 selects a symbol for changing the symbol 101 in step S805. Choose as. A button 1902 is pressed to determine the setting, and a button 1903 is pressed to cancel.

  FIG. 20 also shows an example of a screen displayed on the UI unit 708 for setting which of the overlapping symbols is changed, as in FIG. The UI unit 708 displays, in the preview area 2001, color bitmap image data that has been processed by the input image processing unit 701. The UI unit 708 blinks and displays a portion where a symbol expected to overlap exists in the preview area 2001. The user selects a symbol to be changed by selecting any of the blinking portions by means of a touch panel or the like. For example, if the symbol 101 and the symbol 102 are blinking and the user selects the symbol 101, the B / W symbol determination unit 704 selects the symbol 101 as a symbol to be changed in step S805. When canceling the setting, a button 2002 is pressed.

  FIG. 21 also shows an example of a screen displayed on the UI unit 708 for setting which of the overlapping symbols is changed, as in FIGS. 19 and 20. The UI unit 708 displays a pull-down menu 2101. The user determines a sign indicating the symbol to be changed. When canceling the setting, a button 2102 is pressed. The UI unit 708 transmits the set sign information to the symbol detection unit 702.

  A case where “underline” is set in the pull-down menu 2101 will be described. In step S801, the symbol detection unit 702 also detects the presence or absence of an underline when detecting a symbol. As shown in FIG. 22, when an underline 2201 is drawn under the symbol 101, the fact that there is an underline is described in the symbol information and stored in the symbol storage unit 703 in association with the symbol 101. In step S805, the B / W symbol determination unit 704 recognizes that the stored information includes an underline sign, and selects the symbol 101 as a symbol to be changed. When canceling the setting, a button 2102 is pressed.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, it becomes possible to select which one of the overlapping symbols is changed, so that the user has a degree of freedom in selecting the symbol to be changed.

<Example 3>
In the first embodiment, the symbol is changed and then printed out by a printer. It is more desirable to show the changed symbol. A configuration for this will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 shows an example of the result when the color data of FIG. 1 is output in monochrome.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of a screen displayed on the UI unit 708 for the user to set whether or not to notify that there is a changed part at the time of print output. The UI unit 708 displays a pull-down menu 1201. The user selects whether to notify in the pull-down menu 1201 and presses a button 1202 to decide. When canceling the setting, a button 1203 is pressed.

  FIG. 15 shows the configuration of a data processing device 2302 used in this embodiment. The difference from the configuration of FIG. 7 is that it further includes a message creation unit 1501 that creates a message indicating that the symbol has been changed as monochrome binary image data. Other components are the same as those in FIG.

  In step S809 of FIG. 16, when the monochrome image processing is completed, the user determines whether or not a message suggesting that there has been a change is entered at the time of print output. When the user selects “notify” in the pull-down menu 1201 of FIG. 12, the message creation unit 1501 creates a message indicating that the symbol 101 has been changed as monochrome binary image data. For example, in the case of FIG. 3, the message creation unit 1501 creates a message “Changing ○ to ●”. The message creation unit 1501 combines the created message with the monochrome binary image data space 301, and the transmission unit 709 transmits the message to the printer. The printer that has received the monochrome binary image data prints it out.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, it is possible to know how the user has been changed by specifying how the changed symbol has been changed.

<Example 4>
In the first embodiment, the symbol is changed and then printed out by the printer. However, it is more desirable to display a preview before printing and to change the symbol to be changed. A configuration for this will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen displayed on the UI unit 708 for confirming the finished monochrome image processed image. FIG. 10 shows an example of a screen displayed on the UI unit 708 for the user to change the symbol when the change is necessary in FIG.

  When the monochrome image processing is completed in step S809 in FIG. 16, a preview screen is displayed in the preview area 901 in FIG. If there is no problem with the preview, the user presses the button 903. In response to this, print output is started by the printer. On the other hand, if there is a problem with this preview, the user presses the button 902. As a result, the changed symbol can be changed again. A space 1001 in FIG. 10 displays a symbol 101, and displays a changeable symbol in a pull-down menu 1002. When the user selects a desired symbol in the pull-down menu 1002 and presses the button 1003, the symbol is changed to the selected symbol, and the preview screen is displayed again in the space 901 in FIG. When the button 1004 is pressed, the change is canceled and print output is started by the printer. When canceling the setting, a button 904 is pressed.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the symbol changed by the preview can be changed again, so that the user has a degree of freedom in selecting the symbol to be changed.

<Other examples>
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

702 Symbol detection unit 703 Symbol storage unit 704 B / W symbol determination unit 708 UI unit

Claims (9)

Detection means (702) for detecting symbols in the document read in color;
Storage means (703) for storing the symbols detected by the detection means;
A first determination unit (704) that compares the shape and size of the symbols stored in the storage unit and determines whether or not there is the same symbol;
Whether or not the density is close by converting a plurality of symbols regarded as the same symbol by the first determination means into monochrome and comparing the densities of the plurality of symbols after the monochrome conversion to determine whether the density difference is smaller than a threshold value Second determination means (704) for determining whether
When the first and second determination means determine that the shapes and sizes of the plurality of symbols are equal and the density after monochrome conversion is close, which symbol of the plurality of symbols is to be changed A determination means (704) for determining;
Change means (704) for changing a symbol determined to be changed by the determination means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: monochrome conversion means (705) for monochrome conversion of the document after the change by the change means.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the changing unit includes a unit for enlarging or reducing the symbol according to a space of a region around the symbol, or a unit for changing the shape of the symbol.   The image formation according to claim 1, further comprising means (1201) for setting whether or not to notify that the symbol has been changed in the image data after the monochrome conversion of the document by the monochrome conversion means. apparatus.   Preview means (901) for previewing image data after monochrome conversion of the document by the monochrome conversion means, means for selecting a symbol to be changed in the image data displayed by the preview means, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for changing to a symbol.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means (1901) for selecting a color of a symbol that is not changed, wherein the determining means determines to change a symbol having a color different from the selected color. apparatus.   Preview means (2001) for previewing image data before monochrome conversion by the monochrome conversion means, and means for selecting a symbol to be changed in the image data displayed by the preview means, wherein the decision means is selected The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined to change the symbol.   The image according to claim 1, further comprising means (2101) for a user to select a signature for a symbol to be changed, wherein the determining means determines a symbol to be changed based on the selected signature. Forming equipment. The detection means detects a symbol in the document read in color (S801),
The detected symbol is stored by the storage means (S802),
The first determination means compares the shape and size of the stored symbols to determine whether there is the same symbol (S803),
The second determination means performs monochrome conversion on a plurality of symbols regarded as the same symbol by the first determination means, and compares the densities of the plurality of symbols after the monochrome conversion to determine whether the density difference is smaller than a threshold value. To determine whether the density is close (S804),
When the determining means determines that the first and second determining means have the same shape and size of the plurality of symbols and that the densities after the monochrome conversion are close, which symbol of the plurality of symbols is Decide whether to change (S805),
The symbol determined to be changed by the determining unit is changed by the changing unit (S807, S808, S1605),
An image forming method, wherein the monochrome conversion unit converts the document into monochrome after the change by the change unit (S809).   A program for causing a computer to execute the image forming method according to claim 8.

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