JP2013034099A - Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program that are able to perform converting even image data having a large number of pixels, such as a photograph, into printing image data in a short time by using a small image converting memory.SOLUTION: An image printing apparatus 1 comprises: an original image data storage unit 43a that stores original image data 51; a reduced image generating unit 41a that performs compression processing on the original image data 51 to generate reduced image data 52; an image conversion processing unit 41b that performs image conversion from the reduced image data 52 into painterly image data 53 as converted reduced-image data on the basis of designated image conversion characteristics; a printing image data generating processing unit 41c that performs decompression processing from the painterly image data 53 into printing image data 54 whose number of pixels is greater than that of the reduced image data 52; and a printing processing unit 41d and a printer 47 that execute processing of printing the printing image data 54 on a medium for printing.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program.

  There is known an image printing apparatus having a function of editing an image taken from a portable storage medium such as a memory card without using a personal computer. With this image printing device, for example, a photograph taken with a digital still camera (DSC) or the like can be easily printed directly with an image printing device without using a personal computer, so it is very difficult for users who do not have a personal computer. Convenient.

  As an apparatus having an image processing function which is a function of editing an image, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, an image processing apparatus having a function of converting a photograph into a picture-like image is known.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-352794

  In the image processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, image conversion is performed on each pixel of the original image data to generate picture-like image data. Therefore, the processing time increases as the number of pixels to be converted increases. There's a problem. In addition, the working memory secured in the built-in memory in the apparatus has a problem that it increases as the number of pixels to be converted increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. Even image data having a large number of pixels such as photographs can be converted into image data for printing in a short time with a small image conversion memory. An object is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program capable of performing conversion processing.

  An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage device that stores original image data, a reduced image generation processing unit that compresses the original image data to generate reduced image data, and the reduced image data is designated and input. Based on the image conversion characteristics, an image conversion processing unit that performs image conversion on the converted reduced image data, and decompressing the converted reduced image data to generate print image data having a larger number of pixels than the reduced image data A printing image data generation processing unit for performing printing, and a printing processing unit for executing processing for printing the printing image data on a printing medium.

  An image processing method according to the present invention is an image processing method of an image processing apparatus having a storage device for storing original image data, and includes a process of compressing the original image data to generate reduced image data. The reduced image data has a number of pixels larger than that of the reduced image data by performing image conversion on the converted reduced image data based on the image conversion characteristics designated and inputted, and by expanding the converted reduced image data. And a process of generating image data for printing and a process of printing the image data for printing on a print medium.

  A program according to the present invention is a program for causing a computer to implement an image processing method of an image processing apparatus having a storage device that stores original image data, and compresses the original image data to reduce a reduced image. A process for generating data, a process for performing image conversion on the converted reduced image data based on an image conversion characteristic for which the reduced image data is designated and inputted, and a process for expanding the converted reduced image data to obtain the reduced image data And a process for generating image data for printing having a larger number of pixels and a process for printing the image data for printing on a print medium.

  According to the present invention, an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing apparatus capable of performing conversion processing to image data for printing in a short time with a small image conversion memory even for image data having a large number of pixels such as photographs. And programs can be provided.

1 is an external perspective view of an image printing apparatus as an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the keyboard in the image printing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a schematic side sectional view of an image printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the number of horizontal pixels of each image data processed with the image printing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the classification of the painting style conversion attribute of the image printing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the image printing apparatus which concerns on the modification of embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an image printing apparatus 1 as an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the keyboard 3 in the image printing apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic side sectional view of the image printing apparatus 1. Note that FIG. 3 is drawn without hatching for easy viewing.

  An image printing apparatus 1 as an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, for example, receives image data such as a photographic image or a scanned image taken with a digital still camera or the like from a removable portable storage medium such as a memory card. It has a painting style conversion function that reads and converts it into a painting style. Further, the image printing apparatus 1 is an apparatus that executes printing on a relatively small printing paper 10 such as a postcard (100 mm × 148 mm), L size (89 mm × 127 mm), 2L size (178 mm × 127 mm), or the like as a print medium. A function to create an address book, a function to automatically write addresses on the postcard from the address book, a function to print image data such as photos, a function to edit sentences, and a postcard that combines imported images and sentences It has various functions such as the function of printing on the printer.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image printing apparatus 1 includes a box-shaped housing 2, and a keyboard 3 as an input unit is disposed in front of the housing 2. The keyboard 3 is rotatably mounted near the lower front end of the housing 2, and is tilted forward as shown in the figure when in use, and stored in a state facing the front of the housing 2 when not in use. Has been.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the keyboard 3 has a power switch key 30 for turning the power on and off, a cursor key 32 for selecting an item and changing the setting contents of the selected item, and advancing the operation. For this purpose, the execution key 34 for confirming the selection target and the contents to be changed, the top menu key for displaying the top menu screen on the display unit 8, the print key for instructing the execution of printing, the character / number key 36 for entering characters and numbers, etc. Are arranged, and each key functions as an input unit, and transmits a predetermined operation signal to a control unit 41 described later based on an input operation of the user.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a paper discharge port 5 through which printing paper 10 such as postcards and photographs that have been printed is discharged and a portable storage medium such as a memory card can be inserted into the front surface of the housing 2. A storage medium insertion slot 6 is formed. This storage medium insertion slot 6 has a removable portable storage medium such as a memory card inserted therein, so that image data of a photograph taken with a digital camera, editing data such as text edited with a personal computer, Address data of an address book composed of a plurality of address data can be taken into the image printing apparatus 1, and data edited by the image printing apparatus 1 can be saved in a portable storage medium or the like.

  Further, a display unit 8 such as a liquid crystal serving as a display means is disposed on the upper surface of the housing 2, and the display unit 8 is rotatable in the front direction of the housing 2. This display unit 8 displays the input content on the screen corresponding to the input signal from the keyboard 3, or displays a menu screen necessary for various settings, or a photographic image captured from the digital camera For example, various data necessary for the image printing apparatus 1 are displayed. The display unit 8 may be configured as a touch panel. By configuring the display unit 8 as a touch panel, a simple input operation can be performed on the display unit 8 without using the keyboard 3.

  Furthermore, a handle (gripping part) 15 that is rotatable from the rear side of the housing 2 to the top of the housing 2 is attached to the upper portion of the housing 2. The handle 15 is formed in a substantially U shape and is used by being gripped when the image printing apparatus 1 is transported.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image printing apparatus 1 has a cavity portion 16 that opens at the back of the housing 2, and a paper feed tray 18 is disposed so as to close the opening of the cavity portion 16. Yes. This paper feed tray 18 is pivotally mounted at a position near the lower part of the rear side of the housing 2 and is rotatable so as to move the upper end in the front-rear direction. Be able to.

  In addition, a pickup roller 19 that sends the printing paper 10 stored in the paper feed tray 18 downward one by one is disposed inside and above the paper feed tray 18. Further, in the vicinity of the lower end of the paper feed tray 18, transport rollers 20a and 20b for transporting the print paper 10 sent downward by the pickup roller 19 in the direction of the paper discharge port 5 of the housing 2 are arranged. Further, a print head 21 serving as a printing mechanism is disposed inside the housing 2 and in the vicinity of the front of the transport rollers 20a and 20b. In addition, paper discharge rollers 22 a and 22 b for discharging the print paper 10 that has been printed from the paper discharge port 5 are disposed inside the housing 2 and in front of the print head 21. The rotation of the transport roller 20a and the paper discharge roller 22a is controlled by a stepping motor (not shown) to transport the printing paper 10 at a predetermined speed. The pickup roller 19, the transport rollers 20a and 20b, and the paper discharge rollers 22a and 22b function as a transport mechanism in the image printing apparatus 1.

  A print head 21 serving as a printing mechanism is an inkjet print head 21 having respective nozzles for ejecting Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) color inks. Printing is performed by jetting to 10. Although the inkjet type print head 21 has been described, the present invention is not limited to the inkjet type.

  Then, the printing paper 10 accommodated in the paper feed tray 18 is sequentially sent downward from the printing paper 10 positioned in front by the pickup roller 19 and is sandwiched between the conveyance rollers 20a and 20b in the print head 21. After the printing is completed, the sheet is sandwiched between the discharge rollers 22a and 22b and discharged from the discharge port 5 to the outside.

  Next, the control circuit of the image printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the image printing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the image printing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 41 serving as a control unit that controls the entire system, a storage device including a portable storage medium 44 such as a ROM 42, a RAM 43, and a memory card, a display unit, A display unit 8 that is input, an input unit 45 that is an input unit, a painting-like conversion processing unit 46, a printing unit 47, and a card slot 48 that is an input / output unit.

  The input unit 45 is the above-described keyboard 3 used for an input operation by the user, and includes a power switch key 30, a cursor key 32, an execution key 34, a print key, and the like. The display unit 8 is the above-described liquid crystal or the like that displays various operation screens, and is controlled by the control unit 41 that has received a predetermined operation signal to display a predetermined operation screen among the plurality of operation screens. In addition, as the input part 45, when a touch panel is provided in the surface of the display part 8, this touch panel is included.

  The control unit 41 is a CPU, and in accordance with a key operation signal from the input unit 45 or automatically, a program (PRG) 42a stored in advance in the ROM 42, and a control program stored in the portable storage medium 44 And the like, and the operation of each part of the circuit is controlled using the RAM 43 as a work memory.

  The ROM 42 has character fonts and print fonts used when editing text, standard information of the printing paper 10 to be edited, control programs when the control unit 41 controls various means, and functions for realizing the functions according to the present invention. A program 42a is included. As will be described later, the program 42a is executed by the control unit 41, whereby a reduced image generation processing unit 41a, an image conversion processing unit 41b, a print image data generation processing unit 41c, a print processing unit 41d, The reduced image pixel number determining unit 41e, the original image pixel number detecting unit 41f, and the compression processing determining unit 41g are realized in the image printing apparatus 1.

  The RAM 43 is a work memory that stores document editing information such as characters input by the input unit 45, display data displayed on the display unit 8, image information during image processing, variables used for calculation, registers, and the like. Further, the portable storage medium 44 stores image data as original image data 51 such as a photograph or a scanned image taken with a digital camera.

  The RAM 43 stores the original image data storage unit 43a, the reduced image data storage unit 43b, the painting tone data storage unit 43c, the printing image data storage unit 43d, and the like in order to realize the painting-like conversion function in the present embodiment. An area is provided.

  The original image data storage unit 43a, for example, replicates original image data 51 such as a photographic image or a scanned image taken with a digital still camera or the like from the portable storage medium 44 via a card slot 48 as an input / output unit. Can be remembered.

  The reduced image data storage unit 43b can store reduced image data 52 obtained by compressing the original image data 51. The painting style data storage unit 43c can store painting style image data 53 as converted reduced image data which is painting style image data. The printing image data storage unit 43d can store printing image data 54 having a predetermined number of pixels obtained by expanding the painting-like image data 53.

  The printing unit 47 includes a printing mechanism 47a that is a printing unit and a transport mechanism 47b. The printing mechanism 47a is the above-described print head 21, and performs printing on the printing paper 10 that is a printing medium. Perform the process. The transport mechanism 47b includes the above-described pickup roller 19, transport rollers 20a and 20b, paper discharge rollers 22a and 22b, and a stepping motor that rotates the rollers, and performs a process of transporting the printing paper 10. In addition, a voice guidance unit (not shown) is electrically connected to the control unit 41 and outputs voice messages such as error sounds and voice guidance for operations.

  The program 42a stored in the ROM 42 described above performs a process of compressing the original image data 51 into the reduced image data 52 having a smaller number of pixels than the print image data 54 as the reduced image generation processing unit 41a. Let it run. At this time, the reduced image generation processing unit 41a converts the original image data 51 into reduced image data 52 having the number of pixels determined by the reduced image pixel number determining unit 41e.

  Further, the program 42a converts the reduced image data 52 to the control unit 41 as the image conversion processing unit 41b, and converts the reduced image data 52 into the painting-like image data 53 as the converted reduced image data based on the painting conversion attribute as the image conversion attribute. Execute the process. In addition, the image printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a painting-style conversion processing unit 46 that is a dedicated circuit for performing painting-style conversion. The painting-style conversion processing unit 46 is, for example, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and can perform painting-style conversion processing at high speed in cooperation with the image conversion processing unit 41b.

  In addition, the program 42a causes the control unit 41 to print the print-like image data 53 as the print image data generation processing unit 41c, and print image data 54 having a prescribed number of pixels larger than the reduced image data 52. To execute the decompression process.

  Further, the program 42a causes the control unit 41 to execute a process of printing on the printing paper 10 as a printing medium based on the printing image data 54 as the print processing unit 41d.

  Further, the program 42a causes the control unit 41 to perform a process of determining the number of pixels of the reduced image data 52 based on the number of pixels of the print image data 54 and the painting-like conversion attribute as the reduced image pixel number determination unit 41e. Let it run. The number of pixels of the reduced image data 52 is set to a quarter of the number of pixels of the print image data 54 by a specified value, and is increased or decreased according to the number of pixels of the print image data 54 and the painting-like conversion attribute. It may be set.

  Further, the program 42a causes the control unit 41 to execute a process of detecting the number of pixels of the original image data 51 as the original image pixel number detection unit 41f.

  In addition, the program 42a, based on the number of pixels of the original image data 51 and the number of pixels of the reduced image data 52 detected by the original image pixel number detection unit 41f as the compression processing determination unit 41g, is sent to the control unit 41. Then, a process for determining whether or not to execute the compression process on the original image data 51 is executed. The compression processing determination unit 41g determines that the compression processing is not executed when the number of pixels of the original image data 51 is smaller than that of the reduced image data 52. When this compression processing is not executed, the image conversion processing unit 41b converts the original image data 51 into painting-like image data based on the painting-like conversion attribute as the image conversion characteristic, and generates the painting-like image data 53. Process.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the number of horizontal and vertical pixels of each image data processed by the image printing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5A, the original image data 51 according to the present embodiment has a horizontal pixel number of A pixels and a vertical pixel number of B pixels.

  The reduced image data 52 has fewer pixels than the print image data 54. As shown in FIG. 5B, the reduced image data 52 according to the present embodiment has a horizontal pixel number of X / 2 pixels and a vertical pixel number of Y / 2 pixels. That is, the number of pixels of the reduced image data 52 is ¼ of the number of pixels of the printing image data 54.

  The painting-like image data 53 is image data obtained by performing painting-like conversion processing on the reduced image data 52. As shown in FIG. 5C, the number of horizontal pixels is X / 2 pixels and the number of vertical pixels is Y. / 2 pixels.

  The print image data 54 is image data obtained by decompressing the painting-like image data 53, and as shown in FIG. 5D, the number of horizontal pixels is X pixels and the number of vertical pixels is Y pixels. The number of horizontal and vertical pixels of the print image data 54 is set before executing the painting-like conversion process, and corresponds to, for example, the size of the print paper 10 and the print area in the print paper 10.

  The above-described picture-like image data 53 is obtained by performing predetermined image processing on the original image data 51 to obtain an image drawn with a brush, a colored pencil, or the like. Examples of the parameter condition as the painting style conversion attribute include a filter, a processing condition, a color ratio, and a brightness condition. By setting these parameter conditions, for example, the change in the density value of the image is emphasized to obtain a clear image, or random noise in the image is removed to reduce fine changes in the density value for each pixel. Thus, an easy-to-view image can be obtained. Note that the description of the relationship between the setting values such as filters and processing conditions and the processing method is omitted, and only the characteristics of the painting-style conversion will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the painting style conversion attribute is pattern conversion information about how the expression style of a picture is to be converted, such as a watercolor style, an oil painting style, a colored pencil style, and a pastel style. Specifically, when converting the original image data 51 of a photograph as shown in FIG. 6A, a pattern for converting into a watercolor image as shown in FIG. 6B, shown in FIG. 6C. There are a pattern to be converted into an oil painting tone, a pattern to be converted into a color pencil drawing as shown in FIG. 6D, and a pattern to be converted into a pastel drawing as shown in FIG.

  Next, processing for converting the original image data 51 into a painting style and printing by the image printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image printing apparatus 1.

  First, the user operates the keyboard 3, the touch panel, or the like to select a painting style conversion mode. When a portable storage medium 44 such as a memory card is inserted into the storage medium insertion slot 6, the control unit 41 uses the original image data 51 as image data in the portable storage medium 44 as a card slot 48 serving as an input / output unit. And processing to store in the original image data storage unit 43a of the RAM 43 (step S101).

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the original image data 51 according to the present embodiment has a horizontal pixel number of A pixels and a vertical pixel number of B pixels. For example, when a photograph taken with a digital still camera is adopted as the original image data 51, the original image data 51 is about 4000 pixels wide and 3000 pixels long.

  Next, the control unit 41 performs processing for displaying the original image data 51 on the display unit 8 (step S105). At this time, when a plurality of image data is read from the portable storage medium 44, a process for displaying the plurality of image data is performed.

  Next, the user operates the keyboard 3, the touch panel, etc., and selects the original image data 51 that is subject to painting-like conversion processing from the image data displayed on the display unit 8 (step S110). Specifically, the control unit 41 sets the image data selected by the user as the original image data 51 to be subjected to the painting-style conversion process in response to the operation signal from the input unit 45.

  Next, the control unit 41 detects the number of pixels of the original image data 51 and stores it in the RAM 43 (step S113).

  Next, the user operates the keyboard 3, the touch panel, etc. to set the number of horizontal and vertical pixels of the print image data 54 (step S115). For example, L size (89 mm × 127 mm) is set as the print paper size, and printing on the entire paper is selected as the print area, for example. At this time, if the resolution at the time of color printing is set to about 300 dpi, the control unit 41 calculates that the number of vertical pixels of the printing image data 54 is 1087 pixels and the number of horizontal pixels is 1385 pixels, and the RAM 43 To remember.

  Next, the control unit 41 determines that the number of pixels of the original image data 51 that is subject to painting-like conversion is less than the specified number of pixels than the printing image data 54, in this embodiment, the number of 1/4 pixels or more of the printing image data 54. It is discriminate | determined whether it is (step S120). That is, it is determined whether or not the number of horizontal pixels and the number of vertical pixels of the original image data 51 are ½ or more of the number of horizontal pixels of the printing image data and ½ or more of the number of vertical pixels.

  In step S120, when the number of pixels of the original image data 51 is equal to or greater than the number of 1/4 pixels of the print image data 54, the control unit 41 executes the reduced image generation processing unit 41a, thereby performing the original image data 51. Is reduced to the reduced image data 52 (step S125), the reduced image data 52 is stored in the reduced image data storage unit 43b, and the process proceeds to step S130. The number of horizontal pixels and the number of vertical pixels of the reduced image data 52 are respectively ½ of the number of horizontal pixels and the number of vertical pixels of the printing image data 54. That is, the number of vertical pixels is 544 pixels, and the number of horizontal pixels is 693 pixels.

  Next, the control unit 41 executes the image conversion processing unit 41b to convert the reduced image data 52 into painting-like image data 53 that is converted reduced image data based on the painting-like conversion attribute as an image conversion attribute. Is performed (step S130).

  Next, the control unit 41 executes the print image data generation processing unit 41c to decompress the painting-like image data 53 as the converted reduced image data, and the print image data 54 having the number of pixels described above is obtained. The generation process is performed (step S135).

  Next, the control unit 41 controls the printing unit 47 by executing the print processing unit 41d, and executes processing for printing the printing image data 54 on the printing paper 10 that is a printing medium.

  In step S120, if the number of pixels of the original image data 51 is smaller than the specified number of pixels less than the printing image data 54, in this embodiment, the number of pixels is less than 1/4 of the printing image data 54, the control unit 41 Then, the compression process by the reduced image generation processing unit 41a is not performed, and the process proceeds to the process of step S130, and the original image data 51 is converted into the painting style image data 53 which is the converted reduced image data based on the painting style conversion attribute as the image conversion attribute. Image conversion is performed, and the processing in steps S135 and S140 is performed in the same manner. In other words, when the number of pixels of the original image data 51 is relatively small, the processing time required for the painting-style conversion is short. Therefore, the original image data 51 is converted into the painting-style without changing the original size, thereby preventing deterioration of the image quality. To do.

  In the above-described embodiment, the reduced image data 52 is 544 vertical pixels × 693 horizontal pixels. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, after compressing the original image data 51 into a predetermined number of pixels, for example, the number of pixels of the display unit 8, specifically, the reduced image data 52 of 800 pixels wide by 600 pixels high, and then performing a painting-like conversion process, The painting-like image data 53 may be decompressed into printing image data 54 having a predetermined number of pixels such as L size, postcard size, and 2L size. By doing so, it is possible to reduce processing loads such as processing related to display processing of the display unit 8 and image conversion processing.

  For example, in the apparatus according to the comparative example, when the original image data 51 of horizontal 4000 pixels × longitudinal 3000 pixels is subjected to the painting-like conversion process to generate the print image data 54, the processing time per image is from 16 minutes to 20 minutes. It is about a minute. In the image printing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the original image data 51 of horizontal 4000 pixels × vertical 3000 pixels is resized into reduced image data 52 having a pixel size of horizontal 800 pixels × vertical 600 pixels, and then painting-style conversion processing is performed. When the image-like image data 53 is decompressed and the print image data 54 is generated, the processing time per image is about 40 to 50 seconds, and the processing time can be greatly shortened.

  Further, the reduction ratio of the reduced image data 52 may be determined based on the number of pixels of the original image data 51, the number of pixels of the printing image data 54, and the processing load corresponding to the type of painting-like conversion processing. . Specifically, for example, by default, the number of pixels of the reduced image data 52 is specified to be ¼ that of the print image data 54, and the number of pixels of the original image data 51 is set to be printed. When the number of pixels is determined and the number of pixels of the original image data 51 is sufficiently larger than the number of pixels of the print image data 54, the reduced image data 52 The number of pixels may be increased or decreased from ¼ with respect to the number of pixels of the printing image data 54.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 41 determines the type of painting tone conversion processing (step S201), for example, a relatively large processing load such as a watercolor painting tone, an oil painting tone, and a color pencil painting tone. In the case of painting-like conversion with a relatively long conversion time, the original image data 51 is compressed to the reduced image data 52 at a large reduction ratio. For example, the number of pixels of the reduced image data 52 is the default for the print image data 54. (Step S205), the reduced image data 52 is subjected to painting-like conversion processing to the painting-like image data 53 (step S215), and then the decompression shown in FIG. Processing (step S135) and printing processing (step S140) are performed.

  In step S201, the control unit 41 converts the original image data 51 into the reduced image data 52 at a small reduction rate in the case of a painting-like conversion with a relatively small processing load such as a pastel image tone and a relatively short conversion time. Compression processing, for example, compression processing is performed to make the number of pixels of the reduced image data 52 larger than the default 1/4 number of pixels for the print image data 54 (step S210), and the reduced image data 52 is converted into a painting-like image. A painting-like conversion process is performed on the data 53 (step S215), and then the expansion process (step S135) and the printing process (step S140) shown in FIG. 7 are performed. By doing so, the processing speed can be increased when the painting-style conversion type having a long processing time is selected. When the compression rate is reduced, the compression rate is determined within a range in which the number of pixels of the reduced image data 52 does not exceed the number of pixels of the print image data 54.

  The reduction ratio is preferably set to an optimal value according to the type of painting-like conversion, the number of pixels of the original image data 51, and the number of pixels of the printing image data 54. Further, branch processing in the vicinity of each reduction ratio may be set as appropriate.

  In the above-described embodiment, the original image data 51 is compressed into the reduced image data 52, and then the reduced image data 52 is converted into the painting-like image data 53. It is not limited. For example, the original image data 51 having a large number of pixels is thinned and read out as a compression process of the painting-like image data 53, while the painting-like conversion process is performed to reduce the number of pixels of the original image data 51 and the image conversion process. May be performed simultaneously. By doing so, the processing time can be further shortened.

  In the above-described embodiment, the original image data 51 is compressed into the reduced image data 52, the reduced image data 52 is converted into the painting-like image data 53, and the painting-like image data 53 is converted into the printing image. Although the data 54 has been decompressed, the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, the painting-like conversion processing and the decompression processing may be performed simultaneously by increasing the number of pixels so as to repeat the pixels of the image data obtained by converting the reduced image data 52 into the painting-like transformation. By doing so, the processing time can be further shortened.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the image printing apparatus 1 as the image processing apparatus stores the original image data 51 in the original image data storage unit 43a of the RAM 43 as the storage device, and Data 51 is compressed to generate reduced image data 52. Based on the painting-like conversion attribute as the specified image conversion attribute, the reduced image data 52 is converted into painting-like image data 53 as converted reduced-image data. Conversion is performed, the painting-like image data 53 is decompressed, print image data 54 having a larger number of pixels than the reduced image data 52 is generated, and the print image data 54 is printed on the printing paper 10. be able to.

  Therefore, even image data having a large number of pixels, such as a photograph, an image processing apparatus that is an image printing apparatus 1 that can perform conversion processing to print image data 54 in a short time with a small image conversion memory, An image processing method executed by the image processing apparatus and a program 42a for causing a computer to realize the image processing method of the image processing apparatus can be provided.

  In other words, according to the present invention, the painting-like conversion is not a process of displaying an image with high resolution but a process of blurring and displaying an outline, a boundary, a color tone, and the like. After resizing to a smaller number of pixels, painting-like conversion processing, decompression processing, and printing processing are performed in order, and the resulting print image is obtained as a result of direct image conversion of the original image data 51 and printing processing The image quality is almost the same as the printed image. For this reason, in the image printing apparatus 1 according to the present invention, the processing time can be shortened without deteriorating the picture-like image quality.

  In the above-described embodiment, the painting-style conversion process is performed as the image conversion process. However, the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, an image conversion process having low fidelity with respect to the original image data 51, such as a picture-like conversion process, may be used, and any image process may be performed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the image printing apparatus 1 includes the reduced image pixel number determination unit 41e that determines the number of pixels of the reduced image data 52 based on the number of pixels of the print image data 54 and the painting-like conversion attribute. Therefore, the optimum number of pixels of the reduced image data 52 can be determined according to the number of pixels of the print image data 54 and the painting-like conversion attribute, and the processing time can be shortened according to each image processing. Can do.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the reduced image pixel number determination unit 41e sets the number of pixels of the reduced image data 52 to a quarter of the number of pixels of the print image data 54 as a specified value. By doing so, image processing that can easily generate print image data 54 in a short time by performing expansion processing that simply doubles the number of horizontal pixels and vertical pixels of reduced image data 52 An apparatus, an image processing method, and a program 42a can be provided. That is, since the number of pixels of the reduced image data 52 is a quarter of the number of pixels of the printing image data 54, the image processing time and the size of the working memory used for the image processing are both about 1/4. can do.

  Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, based on the original image pixel number detection unit 41f that detects the number of pixels of the original image data 51, the number of pixels of the original image data 51, and the number of pixels of the reduced image data 52, Since the compression processing determination unit 41g that determines whether or not to perform compression processing on the original image data 51 is provided, processing time can be reduced by performing optimal processing according to the number of pixels of the original image data 51. Can be provided, an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program 42a.

  Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the compression processing determination unit 41g determines that the compression processing is not performed when the number of pixels of the original image data 51 is smaller than the reduced image data 52, and the image conversion processing unit 41b. Thus, the original image data 51 is converted into the painting-like image data based on the painting-like conversion attribute as the image conversion characteristic, and the painting-like image data 53 is generated as the converted reduced image data. The image processing apparatus, the image processing method, and the program 42a capable of preventing the image quality deterioration of the original image data 51 can be provided.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the painting style conversion attribute includes one or more of oil painting style, watercolor painting style, pastel painting style, and colored pencil painting style. Accordingly, the processing time can be shortened.

  Further, the processing shown in the flowchart in the embodiment of the present invention is applied to various apparatuses as a program that can be realized by a computer, for example, written in a storage medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, or It is also possible to apply to various devices by transmitting through a communication medium. As described above, by storing the processes described in the present embodiment in a desired storage medium and causing the program to be executed by another computer or the like, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as when the apparatus of the present embodiment is used. The computer is not limited to the computer built in the apparatus described in the present embodiment, but can read a program stored in a storage medium and can perform a control operation according to the read program, such as a CPU. Includes any computer equipped with a computing device.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof. Moreover, you may combine the said embodiment and modification.

The invention described in the first claim of the present application will be appended below.
[1] A storage device for storing original image data;
A reduced image generation processing unit that compresses the original image data to generate reduced image data;
An image conversion processing unit for performing image conversion on the converted reduced image data based on the image conversion characteristics designated and input to the reduced image data;
A print image data generation processing unit that decompresses the converted reduced image data and generates print image data having a larger number of pixels than the reduced image data;
A print processing unit for executing processing for printing the print image data on a print medium;
An image processing apparatus comprising:
[2] The image conversion processing unit converts the reduced image data into painting-like image data based on a painting-like conversion attribute that is the image conversion characteristic, and generates the converted reduced image data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.
[3] The reduced image pixel number determination unit that determines the number of pixels of the reduced image data based on the number of pixels of the print image data and the painting-like conversion attribute. Image processing apparatus.
[4] The image processing according to [3], wherein the reduced image pixel number determination unit sets the number of pixels of the reduced image data to a quarter of the number of pixels of the print image data. apparatus.
[5] An original image pixel number detection unit that detects the number of pixels of the original image data;
A compression processing determination unit that determines whether or not to perform compression processing on the original image data based on the number of pixels of the original image data and the number of pixels of the reduced image data;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
[6] The compression processing determining unit determines not to execute the compression processing when the number of pixels of the original image data is smaller than the reduced image data.
The image conversion processing unit generates the converted reduced image data by converting the original image data into picture-like image data based on a picture-like conversion attribute as the image conversion characteristic. 5. The image processing apparatus according to 5.
[7] The image according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the painting-style conversion attribute includes any of oil painting style, watercolor painting style, pastel painting style, and colored pencil painting style. Processing equipment.
[8] An image processing method of an image processing apparatus having a storage device for storing original image data,
Processing to compress the original image data to generate reduced image data;
A process of performing image conversion on the converted reduced image data based on the image conversion characteristics designated and input to the reduced image data;
A process of decompressing the converted reduced image data to generate image data for printing having a larger number of pixels than the reduced image data;
Processing for printing the print image data on a print medium;
An image processing method comprising:
[9] In the process of performing the image conversion, the reduced reduced image data is generated by converting the reduced image data into painting-like image data based on a painting-like conversion attribute that is the image conversion characteristic. The image processing method according to claim 8.
[10] The image processing method according to claim 9, further comprising a process of determining the number of pixels of the reduced image data based on the number of pixels of the print image data and the painting-like conversion attribute.
[11] The image processing method according to claim 10, wherein the number of pixels of the reduced image data is set to ¼ of the number of pixels of the print image data.
[12] A process of detecting the number of pixels of the original image data;
A process of determining whether or not to perform compression processing on the original image data based on the number of pixels of the original image data and the number of pixels of the reduced image data;
12. The image processing method according to claim 8, further comprising:
[13] When the number of pixels of the original image data is smaller than the reduced image data, a determination is made not to execute the compression processing;
13. The image processing method according to claim 12, wherein the original image data is converted into painting-like image data based on a painting-like conversion attribute as the image conversion characteristic to generate the converted reduced image data. .
[14] The image according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the painting-style conversion attribute includes any one of an oil painting style, a watercolor painting style, a pastel painting style, and a color pencil painting style. Processing method.
[15] A program for causing a computer to implement an image processing method of an image processing apparatus having a storage device for storing original image data,
Processing to compress the original image data to generate reduced image data;
A process of performing image conversion on the converted reduced image data based on the image conversion characteristics designated and input to the reduced image data;
A process of decompressing the converted reduced image data to generate image data for printing having a larger number of pixels than the reduced image data;
Processing for printing the print image data on a print medium;
A program characterized by causing a computer to execute.
[16] In the process of performing the image conversion, a process of generating the converted reduced image data by converting the reduced image data into painting-like image data based on a painting-like conversion attribute that is the image conversion characteristic The program according to claim 15, wherein the program is executed.
[17] The program according to claim 16, which causes a computer to execute a process of determining the number of pixels of the reduced image data based on the number of pixels of the print image data and the painting-like conversion attribute. .
[18] The program according to claim 17, which causes a computer to execute a process of setting the number of pixels of the reduced image data to a quarter of the number of pixels of the printing image data.
[19] A process of detecting the number of pixels of the original image data;
A process of determining whether or not to perform compression processing on the original image data based on the number of pixels of the original image data and the number of pixels of the reduced image data;
The program according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the program is executed by a computer.
[20] When the number of pixels of the original image data is smaller than the reduced image data, a determination is made not to execute the compression process;
20. The computer is configured to cause the computer to execute a process of converting the original image data into painting-like image data based on a painting-like conversion attribute as the image conversion characteristic and generating the converted reduced image data. The program described in.
[21]
The program according to any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein the painting style conversion attribute includes any of oil painting style, watercolor painting style, pastel painting style, and colored pencil painting style.

1 Image printing device (image processing device) 2 Housing
3 Keyboard 5 Output slot
6 Storage medium insertion slot (insertion slot)
8 Display 10 Printing paper (printing medium)
15 Handle (gripping part) 16 Cavity part
18 Feed tray 19 Pickup roller
20a, 20b Transport roller 21 Print head
22a, 22b Paper discharge roller
30 Power switch key 32 Cursor keys
34 Enter key 36 Character / number key
41 Control unit 41a Reduced image generation processing unit
41b Image conversion processing unit 41c Print image data generation processing unit
41d Print processing unit 41e Reduced image pixel number determination unit
41f Original image pixel number detection unit 41g Compression processing decision unit
42 ROM 42a program
43 RAM (storage device) 43a Original image data storage unit
43b Reduced image data storage 43c Painting data storage
43d Image data storage unit for printing 44 Portable storage media (memory cards)
45 Input unit 46 Painting-like conversion processing unit
47 Printing part 47a Printing mechanism
47b Transport mechanism 48 Card slot (input / output section)
51 Original image data 52 Reduced image data
53 Picture-like image data (conversion reduced image data)
54 Image data for printing

Claims (21)

A storage device for storing original image data;
A reduced image generation processing unit that compresses the original image data to generate reduced image data;
An image conversion processing unit for performing image conversion on the converted reduced image data based on the image conversion characteristics designated and input to the reduced image data;
A print image data generation processing unit that decompresses the converted reduced image data and generates print image data having a larger number of pixels than the reduced image data;
A print processing unit for executing processing for printing the print image data on a print medium;
An image processing apparatus comprising:   The image conversion processing unit generates the converted reduced image data by converting the reduced image data into painting-like image data based on a painting-like conversion attribute that is the image conversion characteristic. The image processing apparatus according to 1.   The image processing according to claim 2, further comprising a reduced image pixel number determination unit that determines the number of pixels of the reduced image data based on the number of pixels of the print image data and the painting-like conversion attribute. apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the reduced image pixel number determination unit sets the number of pixels of the reduced image data to a quarter of the number of pixels of the print image data. An original image pixel number detection unit for detecting the number of pixels of the original image data;
A compression processing determination unit that determines whether or not to perform compression processing on the original image data based on the number of pixels of the original image data and the number of pixels of the reduced image data;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The compression processing determining unit determines that the compression processing is not performed when the number of pixels of the original image data is smaller than the reduced image data;
The image conversion processing unit generates the converted reduced image data by converting the original image data into picture-like image data based on a picture-like conversion attribute as the image conversion characteristic. 5. The image processing apparatus according to 5.   The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the painting style conversion attribute includes any of oil painting style, watercolor painting style, pastel painting style, and colored pencil painting style. An image processing method of an image processing apparatus having a storage device for storing original image data,
Processing to compress the original image data to generate reduced image data;
A process of performing image conversion on the converted reduced image data based on the image conversion characteristics designated and input to the reduced image data;
A process of decompressing the converted reduced image data to generate image data for printing having a larger number of pixels than the reduced image data;
Processing for printing the print image data on a print medium;
An image processing method comprising:   The processing for performing the image conversion includes generating the converted reduced image data by converting the reduced image data into painting-like image data based on a painting-like conversion attribute that is the image conversion characteristic. Item 9. The image processing method according to Item 8.   The image processing method according to claim 9, further comprising a process of determining the number of pixels of the reduced image data based on the number of pixels of the print image data and the painting-like conversion attribute.   The image processing method according to claim 10, wherein the number of pixels of the reduced image data is set to a quarter of the number of pixels of the printing image data. Processing for detecting the number of pixels of the original image data;
A process of determining whether or not to perform compression processing on the original image data based on the number of pixels of the original image data and the number of pixels of the reduced image data;
12. The image processing method according to claim 8, further comprising: When the number of pixels of the original image data is smaller than the reduced image data, a determination is made not to execute the compression process,
13. The image processing method according to claim 12, wherein the original image data is converted into painting-like image data based on a painting-like conversion attribute as the image conversion characteristic to generate the converted reduced image data. .   The image processing method according to claim 9, wherein the painting style conversion attribute includes any of oil painting style, watercolor painting style, pastel painting style, and colored pencil painting style. A program for causing a computer to implement an image processing method of an image processing apparatus having a storage device for storing original image data,
Processing to compress the original image data to generate reduced image data;
A process of performing image conversion on the converted reduced image data based on the image conversion characteristics designated and input to the reduced image data;
A process of decompressing the converted reduced image data to generate image data for printing having a larger number of pixels than the reduced image data;
Processing for printing the print image data on a print medium;
A program that causes a computer to execute.   In the image conversion processing, the reduced image data is converted into painting-like image data based on the painting-like conversion attribute that is the image conversion characteristic, and the computer is caused to execute processing for generating the converted reduced-image data. The program according to claim 15.   17. The program according to claim 16, causing a computer to execute a process of determining the number of pixels of the reduced image data based on the number of pixels of the print image data and the painting-like conversion attribute.   18. The program according to claim 17, further causing a computer to execute a process of setting the number of pixels of the reduced image data to a quarter of the number of pixels of the printing image data. Processing for detecting the number of pixels of the original image data;
A process of determining whether or not to perform compression processing on the original image data based on the number of pixels of the original image data and the number of pixels of the reduced image data;
The program according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the program is executed by a computer. When the number of pixels of the original image data is smaller than the reduced image data, a determination is made not to execute the compression process,
20. The computer is configured to cause the computer to execute a process of converting the original image data into painting-like image data based on a painting-like conversion attribute as the image conversion characteristic and generating the converted reduced image data. The program described in. The program according to any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein the painting style conversion attribute includes any of oil painting style, watercolor painting style, pastel painting style, and colored pencil painting style.

Images