JP2014027599A - Image processing device, image processing method, and program for executing image processing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that it is difficult to understand the meaning of an original color document only by monochrome decoration output having lost color information.SOLUTION: An image processing device comprises: decoration output means that applies decoration to a color character detected from color image data, and performs monochrome output of the color image data; and monochrome decoration guide output means that outputs information on a color of the detected color character and the decoration applied to the color character having the color.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing method, in which, when color image data input to an image processing apparatus is printed out in monochrome, a color character portion of the color image data is subjected to a decoration process and printed in a single black color, and The present invention relates to a program for executing image processing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, there is a color document 101 composed of characters 102 output in black, characters 103 output in red, and characters 104 output in blue.

  When the color image data obtained by reading this is converted to gray scale and output in a single black color (hereinafter referred to as monochrome output (copying or PDL output)), a monochrome output product 105 is obtained.

  In the monochrome output product 105, it is difficult to distinguish the character 102 originally output in black, the character 103 output in red, and the character 104 output in blue in the color document 101. In general, when a document creator indicates an important part in a document, the character part of the important part is often indicated in color. However, because the important parts shown in this color are output in black and white, it is not possible to alert the user who distributed the document from the document creator to which part of the manuscript is the important part. There is a risk that.

  With respect to such a problem, in Patent Document 1, an output product 106 (hereinafter referred to as a monochrome decoration output product) that gives decorations formed at the same density as characters at the time of monochrome output is output. There is a way to take over the information that a character is an important part. For example, the character 102 output in black is the black character 107 as it is, but the character 103 output in red is converted into a character 108 decorated with a black underline, and the character 104 output in blue is Are converted into black bold characters 109.

JP2008-244619

  However, if there are many monochrome decorated parts in the manuscript, even if the document creator, each part is shown in what color before being converted to monochrome, and what color is shown There is a problem that it is difficult to remember if the point indicated that it was the most important.

  Also, even if you are not a document creator, users who have been distributed with monochrome decoration output will be distributed by knowing what color was used in the original before being converted to monochrome. In some cases, understanding of the output is deepened. That is, there is a problem that it is difficult to understand the meaning of the contents described in the original color document only by the monochrome decoration output product in which the color information is damaged.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image processing apparatus of the present invention decorates a color character detected from color image data, and outputs a decoration output means for monochrome output of the color image data, and the detected color character. And monochrome decoration guide output means for outputting information about decoration applied to the color character having the color.

  By using the present invention, the monochrome decoration guide is output in order to understand the meaning of the contents described in the monochrome decoration output material in which the color information is damaged, so that the contents described in the monochrome decoration output document are output. You can deepen your understanding.

It is a figure which shows the difference between normal monochrome output and monochrome decoration output. It is a figure regarding a monochrome decoration guide output. It is a block diagram which shows a system configuration. It is a block diagram which shows an image process part. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example displayed on UI screen. It is a figure which shows an example displayed on UI screen. It is a figure which shows an example displayed on UI screen. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example displayed on UI screen. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example displayed on UI screen. It is a block diagram explaining the whole outline | summary.

(Embodiment 1)
In the first embodiment, a description will be given of outputting a monochrome decoration guide when performing monochrome decoration output.

[Monochrome output and monochrome decoration output]
In monochrome output, the color image data obtained by reading the color document 101 is converted to gray scale, and the gray scale converted data is output. On the other hand, in monochrome decoration output, character (color character) data indicated by a user-specified color is extracted from the color document 101, and gray scale conversion is performed on the extracted color character data. At the same time, a decoration formed at the same density as the grayscale converted character data is applied and output in monochrome. In the monochrome decoration output, portions other than the extracted color character data are converted to gray scale as in the case of monochrome output execution.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a monochrome decoration guide output product.

  When the color document 101 composed of the characters 102 output in black, the characters 103 output in red, and the characters 104 output in blue is output in monochrome decoration, a monochrome decoration output 106 is obtained.

  The character 103 output in red is converted into a character 108 decorated with a black underline having the same density as the character converted into monochrome. Similarly, the character 104 output in blue is converted into a black thick character 109 having the same density as the character subjected to monochrome conversion.

  The color characters to be decorated are determined in advance, and the color characters other than those to be decorated are not decorated. The correspondence between the color of the character to be converted into monochrome and the decoration applied to the character displayed in this color is determined in advance.

  When the monochrome decoration output product 106 is output, the monochrome decoration guide output product 201 is also output. The monochrome decoration guide output 201 indicates that the character 103 output in red is decorated with an underline. Similarly, it is shown that the character 104 output in blue is converted into a bold character and decorated. In this way, monochrome decoration information including information on the color of the character and decoration applied to the character displayed in this color is created, and this is output as a monochrome decoration guide output. Further, as the monochrome decoration information, a description regarding the importance level designated by the creator of the original color document 101 may be written in the monochrome decoration guide output.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, in the monochrome decoration guide output 201, characters written in blue in the color document are written in bold in the monochrome decoration output, and are important among the information shown in color characters. The degree is the highest.

[Description of overall configuration overview]
FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram relating to an image processing apparatus 1401, a host computer 1402, and a host computer 1403 that realize monochrome decoration output.

  The image processing apparatus 1401 can receive print output instructions from the host computer 1402 and the host computer 1403 via the network 1404 and execute print output. In addition, by using an image reading apparatus attached to the image processing apparatus 1401, the read image data can be transmitted to the host computer 1402 and the host computer 1403. Further, by using a printing apparatus attached to the image processing apparatus 1401, it is possible to print out the read image data (copy operation).

  In the present embodiment, the description is made on the assumption that an instruction from the host computer 1402 or 1403 is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 1401, and the image processing apparatus 1401 prints out in accordance with the transmitted instruction. For example, it is also effective in a copy operation using a printing apparatus.

[Monochrome decoration output and monochrome decoration guide output method]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the image processing apparatus 1401, each of which includes an input unit 301, a system control unit 302, a ROM 303, an image processing unit 304, a UI unit 305, a monochrome decoration guide rendering unit 306, and a monochrome decoration guide creation unit. 307 and a printing unit 308.

  6 and 7 are diagrams illustrating examples of screens displayed on the monitors of the host computers 1402 and 1403 and the UI unit 305 of the image processing apparatus 1401.

  There are two methods for setting the monochrome decoration output and setting the monochrome decoration guide output. One is a method for setting print settings with a printer driver installed in the host computer 1402 or 1403. When the user outputs a color document to be processed in monochrome, monochrome decoration output is enabled by pressing a button 602 on the screen shown in FIG. 6 and displayed to determine the output setting. When the button 601 is pressed, normal monochrome output is performed. When canceling monochrome output, a button 603 is pressed. Next, when performing monochrome decoration guide output related to monochrome decoration output, a button 701 on the screen displayed for the user to determine whether or not to output the monochrome decoration guide at the time of monochrome decoration output is shown in FIG. Press. When button 701 is pressed, information indicating what kind of decoration is applied to what color character during monochrome decoration output and information indicating the most important character in the color character is created. And output. When the monochrome decoration guide output is not output, the button 702 is pressed. Another setting method is a method of setting monochrome decoration output and monochrome decoration guide output in the same manner as the printer driver, using FIGS. 6 and 7 displayed on the UI unit 305 of the image processing apparatus 1401.

[Determination of importance when outputting monochrome decoration guide]
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the monitor of the host computers 1402 and 1403 and the UI unit 305 of the image processing apparatus 1401.

The user can set the importance indicated by the monochrome decoration in the output monochrome decoration guide. When the button 701 is pressed, the character color to be output in monochrome decoration is detected from color image data obtained by reading the color document to be processed, and the importance for that color is set. For example, in the case of the monochrome decoration output product 106, the character 103 output in red and the character 104 output in blue are displayed in the color selection area 801. For the color displayed in the color selection area 801, the user selects the importance using the importance switch 802. The higher the number, the higher the importance. The example shown in FIG. 8 indicates that the importance of characters output in blue rather than red in a color document is higher. When the importance is determined, the user presses a button 803. If more color characters are detected from the color image data, the options displayed in the color selection area 801 increase. When the monochrome decoration guide output is not output, the user presses a button 804. The system control unit 302 transmits information on the determined importance to the monochrome decoration guide creation unit 307. If the image processing apparatus 1401 is a model that can identify the user's login, the importance is set once. When a certain user logs in again, the importance level set for the first time is used even after logging in again, so the screen of FIG. 8 may not be displayed.

[Outline of monochrome decoration output and monochrome decoration guide output]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart regarding the processing of the image processing unit 304, the monochrome decoration guide rendering unit 306, and the monochrome decoration guide creation unit 307. This flowchart is realized by the system control unit 302 of the image processing apparatus executing the program stored in the ROM 303.

  In step S <b> 501, the system control unit 302 transmits to the image processing unit 304 information indicating whether monochrome decoration output has been set in advance via the host computers 1402 and 1403 and the image processing apparatus 1401. Here, when monochrome decoration output is set, decoration output setting information for each color character is transmitted to the monochrome decoration guide creation unit 307. The transmitted information is received by the image processing unit 304 and the monochrome decoration guide creation unit 307, respectively.

  If it is determined that the monochrome decoration output is set, the process proceeds to step S502. In step S <b> 502, the system control unit 302 transmits the color image data input to the input unit 301 to the image processing unit 304. The image processing unit 304 that has received the color image data performs grayscale conversion on the entire color image data. Among them, the decoration of the same density as the character converted to grayscale is applied to the color character portion to be processed. As the decoration method, a method designated in advance is used. In this way, normal monochrome conversion processing is performed on the color image data, and the color image data is converted into monochrome decoration output bitmap data. In the system control unit 302, the image processing unit 304 converts the monochrome decoration output bitmap data into binarized data. In step S <b> 503, the system control unit 302 prints out monochrome decoration binary data using the printing unit 308. Next, in step S504, the system control unit 302 determines information regarding whether or not monochrome decoration guide output is instructed. As a result of the determination, if the monochrome decoration guide output is not instructed, the printing operation ends. On the other hand, if monochrome decoration guide output is instructed, the process proceeds to step S505. In step S505, the system control unit 302 causes the monochrome decoration guide creation unit 307 to generate monochrome decoration guide output drawing data. At this time, monochrome decoration guide output drawing data is generated by using monochrome decoration output setting information (including importance information set for monochrome decoration) for each color set in advance. Next, in the monochrome decoration guide rendering unit 306, the system control unit 302 expands the monochrome decoration guide output drawing data and creates bitmap data. In the system control unit 302, the image processing unit 304 converts the monochrome decoration guide output bitmap data into binary image data. In step S506, the system control unit 302 prints the monochrome decoration guide output binarized data in the printing unit 308.

  If it is determined in step S501 that monochrome decoration output is not performed, the process advances to step S507, and the system control unit 302 performs normal monochrome image binary processing on the color image data input by the image processing unit 304. Create structured data. Then, the created monochrome image binarized data is printed by the printing unit 308.

[Image processing for monochrome decoration output and monochrome decoration guide output]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the image processing unit 304. The input unit 401, the designated color detection unit 402, the normal monochrome processing unit 403, the monochrome decoration processing unit 404, the gamma processing unit 405, the image formation processing unit 406, and the output A unit 407 and a monochrome decoration creating unit 408.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart regarding processing of the components 402 to 408 of the image processing unit 304. This flowchart is realized by the system control unit 302 of the image processing apparatus executing the program stored in the ROM 303.

  First, image processing related to monochrome decoration output will be described.

  In step S <b> 901, the system control unit 302 detects color character information constituting the color image data input to the input unit 401 by the designated color detection unit 402. In step S <b> 902, the system control unit 302 detects whether or not the designated color detection unit 402 includes color characters for monochrome decoration specified in advance in the input color image data. If it is determined in step S902 that a color character for monochrome decoration is not detected in the input color image data, the process advances to step S907. In step S907, the system control unit 302 performs normal monochrome processing on the color image data input by the normal monochrome processing unit 403, thereby generating normal monochrome image bitmap data. If a color character for monochrome decoration is detected in the input color image data in step S902, the process proceeds to step S903. In step S 903, the system control unit 302 applies a predesignated decoration to the color character portion to be monochrome decorated in the color image data input by the monochrome decoration processing unit 404, and monochrome decoration output bitmap data. Create For the other parts, the system control unit 302 performs normal monochrome conversion processing in the normal monochrome processing unit 403 to create normal monochrome bitmap data. The system control unit 302 then combines the monochrome decoration output bitmap data with the normal monochrome bitmap data at the monochrome decoration creation unit 408 to create monochrome decoration output bitmap data. In step S <b> 904, the system control unit 302 transmits information related to monochrome decoration (monochrome decoration information) to the monochrome decoration guide creation unit 307. In step S905, the system control unit 302 performs the gamma processing unit 405 on the monochrome decoration output bitmap data generated in step S903 or the monochrome image bitmap data generated in step S907. Perform gamma processing. In step S906, the monochrome decoration output bitmap data or monochrome image bitmap data subjected to the gamma processing is subjected to image formation processing by the system control unit 302 in the image formation processing unit 406. Then, binarized image data is created from the monochrome decoration output bitmap data or monochrome image bitmap data subjected to the image forming process, and the monochrome decoration binary image data or monochrome binary image data is output to the output unit 407. Send. Finally, the system control unit 302 causes the printing unit 308 to print out monochrome decorative binary image data or monochrome binary image data.

  Next, image processing related to monochrome decoration guide output will be described.

  In step S904, the monochrome decoration guide creation unit 307 having received the monochrome decoration information creates monochrome decoration guide output bitmap data from the monochrome decoration information.

  In the gamma processing unit 405, the system control unit 302 performs gamma processing on the monochrome decoration guide output bitmap data created by the monochrome decoration guide creation unit 307. Thereafter, the system control unit 302 performs image formation processing in the image formation processing unit 406, and generates monochrome decoration guide output binarized data.

  According to the present embodiment, the monochrome decoration guide output is performed to understand the meaning of the contents described in the monochrome decoration output product in which the color information is damaged, thereby understanding the contents described in the document that is output as the monochrome decoration. You can deepen.

  In this embodiment, monochrome decoration output is performed on color image data obtained by reading a color document. However, color image data transmitted from a host computer or color image data stored in an image forming apparatus is used. Alternatively, monochrome decoration output may be performed.

(Embodiment 2)
When implementing the first embodiment, it may be desirable for the user to be able to select a method for outputting monochrome decoration guide output. This case will be described in Embodiment 2.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart regarding the processing of the image processing unit 304 and the monochrome decoration guide creation unit 307. This flowchart is realized by the system control unit 302 of the image processing apparatus executing the program stored in the ROM 303.

  Since steps S501 to S507 are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

  In step S <b> 1201, the system control unit 302 transmits information related to a preset monochrome decoration guide output method to the monochrome decoration guide creation unit 307. If it is determined in step S1201 to print the monochrome decoration guide output product and the monochrome output product on separate sheets, the process advances to step S506. In step S506, the system control unit 302 outputs the monochrome decoration guide and the monochrome decoration guide by the image processing unit 304, the monochrome decoration guide creation unit 307, the printing unit 308, and the monochrome decoration guide rendering unit 306 as in the first embodiment. Perform decorative output. If it is determined in step S1201 that monochrome decoration guide output is not performed on a separate sheet, printing on the back side of the monochrome decoration output is selected. In step S1202, the system control unit 302 determines whether the output method of the color image data to be processed is the duplex printing setting. If double-sided printing is not set, the process advances to step S1203. In step S1203, the system control unit 302 prints the monochrome decoration output binarized data created by the image processing unit 304 by the printing unit 308, and then passes the paper through the reverse path mechanism of the image processing apparatus 1401. Set it so that it can be printed on the back side. After the monochrome decorative output binarized data created by the image processing unit 304 is printed by the printing unit 308, a display instructing the user via the UI unit 305 or the like to place the output paper again in the paper feeding unit. May be.

  Next, the system control unit 302 sets the monochrome decoration guide output binarized data created by the monochrome decoration guide creation unit 307, the monochrome decoration guide rendering unit 306, and the image processing unit 304 at the printing unit 308. Print on the back of the paper.

  If it is determined in step S1202 that the output method is duplex printing, the process advances to step S1204. In step S1204, the system control unit 302 uses the monochrome decoration guide creation unit 307 and the monochrome decoration guide rendering unit 306 to create monochrome decoration guide output bitmap data that is laid out in a size that can be printed in the margin of printing. . In the system control unit 302, the image processing unit 304 converts the monochrome decoration guide output bitmap data into monochrome decoration guide binary data. Similarly, the system control unit 302 uses the image processing unit 304 to generate monochrome decoration output binarized data. Finally, the system control unit 302 synthesizes the monochrome decoration guide output binarized data with the monochrome decoration output binarized data by the monochrome decoration creation unit 408 and prints the synthesized binarized data by the printing unit 308. Output. Further, instead of printing the monochrome decoration guide output binarized data in the margin, a two-dimensional code including information indicated by the monochrome decoration guide output binarized data or information indicating the thumbnail of the color image data is printed. Also good.

  As described above, since the monochrome decoration guide output method can be selected, when the monochrome decoration guide output is printed on the same paper as the main body, it is possible to avoid the consumption of extra paper.

(Embodiment 3)
When implementing the first embodiment, even when monochrome decoration guide output is specified, it may be desirable not to perform monochrome decoration guide output if there is no monochrome decoration output location in the color image data to be processed. This case will be described in Embodiment 3.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart regarding the processing of the image processing unit 304 and the monochrome decoration guide creation unit 307. This flowchart is realized by the system control unit 302 of the image processing apparatus executing the program stored in the ROM 303.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the monitor of the host computers 1402 and 1403 and the UI unit 305.

  In the present embodiment, monochrome decoration guide output is specified, but the character 103 output in red and the character 104 output in blue, which indicate monochrome decoration (underline, bold), are present in the color image data. The case where it does not do is demonstrated.

  Since steps S501 to S507 are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

  When monochrome decoration guide output is instructed in step S504, in step S1001, the system control unit 302 includes color characters to be monochrome decorated by the image processing unit 304 in the color image data input to the input unit 301. It is determined whether or not. If the input color image data does not include color characters for monochrome decoration, the system control unit 302 displays a screen as shown in FIG. 11 on the monitor of the host computers 1402 and 1403 or the UI unit in step S1002. It is displayed in 305.

  In the area 1101 on the screen, monochrome bitmap data that has been subjected to normal monochrome conversion is displayed as a preview. After explaining that the user does not need monochrome decoration guide output, pressing the button 1102 stops monochrome decoration guide output.

  As described above, even when the monochrome decoration guide output is instructed, if the monochrome decoration target color character does not exist in the input color image data, the monochrome decoration guide output is not performed, so that extra paper is consumed. It can be avoided.

(Embodiment 4)
When implementing the first embodiment, it may be desirable for the user to be able to set the monochrome decorative print output number and the monochrome decorative guide output number independently. This case will be described in Embodiment 4.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the monitor of the host computers 1402 and 1403 and the UI unit 305.

  In some cases, the user does not need monochrome decoration guide output for all monochrome decoration output products during monochrome decoration output. For example, although a 10-color monochrome decoration output is generated, only the print instructor needs the monochrome decoration guide output, and there may be a case where only 1 monochrome decoration guide output is required.

  If the user desires monochrome decoration guide output through the screen of FIG. 7, the user can instruct the number of copies of the monochrome decoration guide output through the screen of FIG.

  By depressing the up / down button of the button 1301, the user instructs the required number of monochrome decoration guide output copies. When the button 1302 is pressed, the system control unit 302 uses the monochrome decoration guide creation unit 307, the monochrome decoration guide rendering unit 306, and the image processing unit 304 to create the specified number of monochrome decoration guide output binarized data. Then, the system control unit 302 prints out the generated monochrome decoration guide output binarized data at the printing unit 308.

  As described above, the user can set the monochrome decorative print output number and the monochrome decorative guide output number independently.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is also 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 the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads out and executes the program. It is processing to do.

  The image processing apparatus of the above embodiment may be an electrophotographic apparatus, an ink jet printer, a thermal print, or the like, and the gist of the present invention is not limited to the type of printer. The recording agent used for printing may be a recording agent such as toner or ink, and the gist of the present invention is not limited to the type of recording agent.

  Also, black toner is used for monochrome monochrome printing. However, when the black toner falls below a threshold value, monochrome printing may be performed using cyan toner or magenta toner that is monochromatic and has good visibility.

Claims (13)

Decoration output means for performing decoration on color characters detected from color image data and outputting the color image data in monochrome;
Monochrome decoration guide output means for outputting information about the color of the detected color character and the decoration applied to the color character having the color;
An image processing apparatus comprising:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an output method selection unit that selects an output method by the monochrome decoration guide output unit.   The monochrome decoration guide output means outputs information about decoration applied to the detected color characters on the same paper as the paper on which the color image data is output in monochrome by the decoration output means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The monochrome decoration guide output means outputs information about decoration applied to the detected color characters on a paper different from the paper on which the color image data is output in monochrome by the decoration output means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: When the decoration is not applied to the detected color character by the decoration output means,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein output by the monochrome decoration guide output unit is not performed.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of copies output by the monochrome decoration guide output unit and the number of copies output by the decoration output unit can be set independently. A decoration output step of performing decoration on the color characters detected from the color image data and outputting the color image data in monochrome;
A monochrome decoration guide output step of outputting information about the color of the detected color character and the decoration applied to the color character having the color;
An image processing method comprising:   The image processing method according to claim 7, further comprising an output method selection step of selecting an output method in the monochrome decoration guide output step.   The monochrome decoration guide output step outputs information about decoration applied to the detected color character on the same paper as the paper on which the color image data was output in monochrome by the decoration output step. The image processing method according to claim 7.   The monochrome decoration guide output step outputs information about decoration applied to the detected color character on a paper different from the paper on which the color image data is output in monochrome by the decoration output step. The image processing method according to claim 7, wherein: When the decoration is not applied to the detected color character by the decoration output step,
The image processing method according to claim 7, wherein output in the monochrome decoration guide output step is not performed.   8. The image processing method according to claim 7, wherein the number of copies output by the monochrome decoration guide output step and the number of copies output by the decoration output step can be set independently of each other.   A program for causing a computer to execute the image processing method according to claim 7.

Images