JP2710350B2 - Image processing apparatus and image processing method of image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method for performing a filling process of a figure based on vector information.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, as this type of image processing method, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 60-1322
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 50-14230, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 50-14230, as described in JP-A-50-14230,
When pixels are painted on a memory corresponding to a section between dots 1 to 1 on a scan line obtained by scanning contour information, and "Computer Graphics" (July 15, 1984) ( Japan Computer Association) P466 ~
As shown in P472, a representative method has been proposed in which pixels are painted on a memory based on each created contour table.

4 (a) to 4 (e) are schematic diagrams for explaining an example of a conventional closed figure painting process. In FIG. 7A, a closed figure 50 is constituted by four boundary lines 51 to 54.
55 indicates a fill pattern, and the fill pattern 55
Is performed by exclusive OR processing with the boundary lines 51 to 54.

The boundary lines 51 to 54 constituting the closed figure 50 are represented by three or more vector data using the start point 61 and the end point 62 as parameters, and are filled based on the start point and end point parameters of these vector data. A range (within a dashed line area in the figure) is defined.

In this method, the boundary lines 51 to 54 are sequentially written directly to a full dot memory (not shown), and at the same time, a writing pattern is also written.

FIG. 4 (b) shows that only the boundary line 51 is written in the full dot memory, and the filling pattern is obtained from the boundary line information.
Indicates the state where 55 is written, and the boundary 51 is from the start point 61 to the end point
A dot generation process is performed for each of the dots up to 62 one dot at a time to draw a line. At this time, every time one dot is generated, writing processing of one raster in the horizontal direction (x-axis direction) and the filling pattern 55 is performed within the previously defined filling range from the adjacent right dot position. At this time, the exclusive OR with the data written to the memory is calculated, and the process of writing to the full dot memory is performed. Therefore, when the pattern to be written is “1” and the data already stored in the memory is “1”, the data “0” is written in the memory.

In this way, from the start point 61 to the end point of each of the above boundary lines 51 to 54
When dots are generated up to 62, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the closed figure
Dot information is written in 50.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the conventional principle of filling a closed figure. Reference numeral 65 denotes a memory, which corresponds to a state where the closed figure 66 is expanded.

Numeral 77 denotes a scan line, which converts "0" data between the intersection of the scan line 77 and the closed figure 66 into "1" signals by converting "0" signals of ~, ~, ~ to "1" signals in the figure. The filling on the line is executed, and this is sequentially executed in the scanning direction to fill the inside of the closed figure 66.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a painting process using a conventional contour table.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a polygonal outline table defined by the vectors shown in FIG.

As can be seen from these figures, when filling the figure 80 surrounded by the vectors e _{1 to} e ₆ , first, all the vectors e _{1 to} e ₆ are turned downward as shown in FIG. Next, a contour table 81 as shown in FIG. 7 is created. This means that for each y coordinate, after sorting by the smaller y coordinate of the vector,
This is performed by linking a vector starting at the y coordinate.
Here, the information of the linked vector includes the maximum value of the y coordinate value, the minimum value and the change amount of the x coordinate value of the vector, the point of the next vector, and the like. The contour table 81 thus created is evaluated in order from a small y coordinate, and a portion sandwiched between two vectors, for example, a section on the scan line shown in FIG.
4 and 7 to 13).

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, the above-described conventional filling processing has the following problems.

In the filling processing for converting a “0” signal between “1” signals in a scan into a “1” signal, the processing and hardware configuration are simple, but a memory for developing a contour in advance for the processing is required. This required a large amount of memory to paint a large closed figure. As a result, the cost of the hardware circuit is greatly increased. Further, when the scan line and the vertex of the contour line intersect, that is, when the number of intersection points with the contour line is an odd number, exception processing must be executed at that point.

Also, when the filling process is performed by the exclusive OR process, the processing speed is fast because the process is simple, but the exclusive OR is performed on a portion that does not need to be filled, so there is not much problem in the case of a small figure. However, as the size of the figure increases, the area to be inverted increases in proportion to the square, and the processing time dramatically increases.
In addition, when a figure is complicated, the number of inversions increases and a processing time is required.

Further, in the filling process using the contour table, a large-sized figure can be filled with a relatively small memory, but the process takes time. Further, as the figure shape becomes more complicated, the number of contour points, that is, the number of vectors constituting the polygon increases, and when the number exceeds the set contour table capacity, a predetermined contour point thinning process is performed, and the original figure shape is reduced. However, there is a problem that the filling process of an approximate shape different from the above is performed, and the quality of printing is reduced.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem, and when filling a dot in a closed figure on a pattern memory, selecting an optimum filling process for an output size of the figure to be filled. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method of an image processing apparatus capable of outputting a graphic as quickly as possible by selectively using a filling means optimal for an output size of a closed graphic by efficiently using a memory. Aim.

[Means for solving the problem]

The image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes: a plurality of filling processing units that execute a filling process in the closed figure based on contour information of the closed figure; and a plurality of filling units based on an output size of the closed figure. Selecting means for selecting the filling processing means; and developing means for developing a closed figure pattern to be output to the pattern memory using the filling means selected by the selecting means.

Further, when the output size is equal to or smaller than the first size, the selection unit writes a contour based on the contour information,
Selecting a filling processing means for performing exclusive OR operation in a predetermined direction with a predetermined pattern from the position of the written contour and performing the filling, and the output size is larger than the first size and
If the output size is larger than the second size, a contour is written based on the contour information, and a filling means for filling between the written contour and the contour is selected. Then, a filling means for performing filling based on the created contour table is selected.

An image processing method for an image processing apparatus according to the present invention is the image processing method for an image processing apparatus having a plurality of filling processing means for executing a filling process in the closed figure based on contour information of the closed figure. And a developing step of developing a closed graphic pattern to be output in the pattern memory using the selected filling means.

Further, the selecting step writes an outline based on the outline information when the output size is equal to or smaller than a first size,
Selecting a filling processing means for performing exclusive OR operation in a predetermined direction with a predetermined pattern from the position of the written contour and performing the filling, and the output size is larger than the first size and
If the output size is larger than the second size, a contour is written based on the contour information, and a filling means for filling between the written contour and the contour is selected. Then, a filling means for performing filling based on the created contour table is selected.

[Action]

In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the selecting means selects one of the plurality of filling means based on the output size of the closed figure, and stores the closed figure pattern to be output by the developing means in the pattern memory. Since the expansion is performed, the memory is efficiently used, and the figure is output as fast as possible by selectively using the filling means optimal for the output size of the closed figure.

Further, when the output size is equal to or smaller than the first size, the selection unit writes a contour based on the contour information,
Selecting a filling processing means for performing exclusive OR operation in a predetermined direction with a predetermined pattern from the position of the written contour and performing the filling, and the output size is larger than the first size and
If the output size is larger than the second size, a contour is written based on the contour information, and a filling means for filling between the written contour and the contour is selected. Then, a filling means for performing filling based on the created contour table is selected, and a filling means optimal for the output size of the closed figure is automatically selected.

In the image processing method of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, any one of different fill processing means is selected based on the output size of the closed graphic, and the closed graphic pattern to be output is selected using the selected fill means. The figure is developed in a memory, and the figure is output as fast as possible by using the memory efficiently and selectively using the filling means optimal for the output size of the closed figure.

Further, the selecting step writes an outline based on the outline information when the output size is equal to or smaller than a first size,
Selecting a filling processing means for performing exclusive OR operation in a predetermined direction with a predetermined pattern from the position of the written contour and performing the filling, and the output size is larger than the first size and
If the output size is larger than the second size, a contour is written based on the contour information, and a filling means for filling between the written contour and the contour is selected. Then, a filling means for performing filling based on the created contour table is selected, and a filling means optimal for the output size of the closed figure is automatically selected.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a designating means, which is a figure to be filled in a fixed figure (closed polygon figure) memory 2. Enter the code. The fixed figure (closed polygon figure) memory 2 stores contour information and its attribute information (for example, the number of contour points) in order to form a closed polygon figure. Reference numeral 3 denotes a determination unit that extracts attribute information of the closed polygonal figure selected from the fixed figure memory 2 and outputs the filling processing unit selection information to the selection unit 5.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a filling processing unit, which is a first filling processing means 4a,
Second filling processing means 4b, third filling processing means 4c
The first filling processing means 4a performs a filling process while taking an exclusive OR of a previously stored filling pattern and contour line information on the work memory 4d, and selects filled graphic data by the selecting means 5a. Output to
A work memory 4d for developing a dot image of at least one character exists in the filling processing unit 4,
Fill processing means 4a, second fill processing means 4b, third
1 created by being filled by the filling processing means 4c
It is divided and used as needed for developing and storing dot images for characters, storing outline tables, and filling patterns. The selecting means 5 transfers the transferred dot image or contour table to the developing means or the pattern memory 7 described later.

The second filling processing means 4b develops the contour information read out from the fixed figure memory 2 as a bit map on the work memory 4d, and further processes the line information with the detected "1" bit and "1". Is converted to “1” between bits “1” and “1” to perform a filling process, and the filled graphic data is output to the selecting unit 5.

The third filling processing means 4c creates a contour table in the work memory 4d based on the contour information read from the fixed figure memory 2, and outputs the filling data corresponding to the contour table to the selecting means 5. Reference numeral 6 denotes a developing means. The selecting means 5 outputs from the first filling processing means 4a, the second filling processing means 4b, and the third filling processing means 4c based on the filling processing means selection information output from the determining means 3. Any one of the filled graphic data is selected and output. Deployment means 6
Causes the output filled graphic data to be bit-mapped in the pattern memory 7 in accordance with the filling method.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a display device which displays a graphic pattern developed in the pattern memory 7 on a bit map. 9 is a printing device,
The figure pattern developed in the bit map in the pattern memory 7 is printed as a dot image on a recording medium.

 Next, the operation will be described.

When the closed figure filling process and the code of the figure stored in the fixed figure memory 2 are input from the instructing means 1, the determining means 3 determines the graphic attribute of the closed figure, and the selecting means 5 based on the determination result. First to third filling processing means 4a
Select any one of .about.4c. The selection conditions include the shape difficulty, size (figure area),
Judgment is made from combination conditions such as the number of sharp vertices, and if the figure area is usually large enough, the third filling processing means 4c
If the figure area is relatively small or the number of sharp vertices is large (there are many points where the contour points intersect an odd number with the scanning line), the first filling processing means 4a is selected. When the size of the figure area is intermediate or when the degree of difficulty of the contour information is high, the second filling processing means 4b is selected. Then, the developing means 6 develops a dot pattern in the pattern memory 7 and causes the display device 8 to print a bitmap display or a dot image from the printing device 9 on the closed graphic pattern output from the selected filling processing means.

In the case of a vector font (character outline defined by a vector) as a selection condition, JIS code 2
If the radical of the vector font is complicated like a level, the first filling processing means 4a is selected. If the vector font is simple like a symbol or parenthesis, the second filling processing means 4b is selected. You may comprise so that it may be selected.

Furthermore, when there is a change request to enlarge the character size, the third filling processing means 4c may be preferentially selected.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a document device for generating and outputting a vector font based on outline information. Reference numeral 11 denotes a control unit, which is a microcomputer or the like for controlling the CPUs 11a, 11a and 11a (a flowchart shown in FIG. ), A ROM 11b for storing various data, etc., a RAM 11c for temporarily storing various data as a work area of the CPU 11a, a font memory (contour information memory) 11d, and the like. The font memory 11d stores font data such as characters corresponding to the character codes as vector fonts (vector information indicating character outlines) together with attribute information. In addition, a work area (work memory 4d) that develops a dot image for one character with a size of 128 points in the RAM 11c
Is resident, and a desired character is generated in the work memory 4d by the first to third filling processing means 4a to 4c.

Reference numeral 12 denotes an image memory configured as a bit map, in which a dot image of a character is developed. Reference numeral 13 denotes a CRT device which displays the bit image developed in the video memory 17 with high definition. A printer device 15a prints a dot image received via the interface unit 15b.

In addition, the keyboard 14a, the pointing device 14b
Is an instruction unit of the document processing apparatus, and functions as a data input source.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, a description will be given of the selection processing for switching the filling processing means according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing procedure for switching and selecting a filling processing means from character size information by applying the present invention. Note that (1) to (20) indicate each step.

First, it waits for a character code to be input from the keyboard 14a or an external memory (not shown) or the host (1), and when it is input, accesses the contour processing memory 11d (2), and determines the attribute information and the contour information. , Is output to the filling processing unit 4 (3).

Next, the reception of the attribute information is waited for (4). When the reception is completed, the analysis of the attribute information is started (5), and it is determined whether or not the size of the character is, for example, 64 points or less (6). If NO, it is determined whether the character size is, for example, 128 points or less (7). If NO, since the character size is larger than 128 points, the third filling means 4c is selected and the work is performed. An outline table is created in the memory 4d (9). Next, data is developed in the pattern memory 7 according to the contour table (10). Next, the generated vector font data is displayed as a bit map on the CRT device 13 (11). Next, the process waits for a print command input (12), and when the command is input, executes a print process (13) and terminates the process.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (7) is YES, the character size is greater than 64 points and less than or equal to 128 points, so the second filling means 4b is selected (14), and the outline is developed into dots in the work memory 4d. (15), the 1 bit is changed from 1 bit of the line output of the contour bit to 1 (16), developed in the pattern memory 7, and the process returns to step (11).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (6) is YES, the size of the character is determined to be an intermediate size, and the first filling means is set.
4a is selected (17), the outline information for one character is loaded into the work memory 1 (18), and the fill pattern is inserted into the work memory 2 of the RAM 11c (19). Next, the pattern of the work memory 2 and the work memory 3 are exclusive-ORed (EXOR) while tracing the contour using the data of the work memory 1 in the work memory 3 of the RAM 11c (20) to become the pattern memory 7. The image is expanded in the image memory 12 or the video memory 17, and the process returns to the step (11).

This makes it possible to select the optimal filling processing means corresponding to the processing target and the attributes of the closed figure (including the vector font), and always performs the filling processing that is difficult to handle with a single filling processing means using the optimal filling method. It becomes possible.

In the above embodiment, the case of processing by the character processing device including the vector font has been described as an example.
If a closed graphic is defined as vector information, the present invention can be applied to a character or a pure polygonal graphic.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, based on the output size of the closed figure, the selecting unit selects one of the plurality of filling units from the plurality of filling units. Since the figure pattern is developed in the pattern memory, the figure can be output as fast as possible by using the memory efficiently and selectively using the filling means optimal for the output size of the closed figure.

Further, when the output size is equal to or smaller than the first size, the selection unit writes a contour based on the contour information,
Selecting a filling processing means for performing exclusive OR operation in a predetermined direction with a predetermined pattern from the position of the written contour and performing the filling, and the output size is larger than the first size and
If the output size is larger than the second size, a contour is written based on the contour information, and a filling means for filling between the written contour and the contour is selected. Then, since the filling means for performing the filling is selected based on the created contour table, the most suitable filling means for the output size of the closed figure can be automatically selected.

According to the image processing method of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, any one of the different filling processing means is selected based on the output size of the closed graphic, and the closed graphic pattern to be output using the selected filling means is selected. Since the pattern is developed in the pattern memory, the figure can be output as quickly as possible by using the memory efficiently and selectively using the filling means optimal for the output size of the closed figure.

Further, the selecting step writes an outline based on the outline information when the output size is equal to or smaller than a first size,
Selecting a filling processing means for performing exclusive OR operation in a predetermined direction with a predetermined pattern from the position of the written contour and performing the filling, and the output size is larger than the first size and
If the output size is larger than the second size, a contour is written based on the contour information, and a filling means for filling between the written contour and the contour is selected. Since the filling means for performing the filling is selected based on the created contour table, it is possible to automatically select the most suitable filling means for the output size of the closed figure.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a document apparatus that generates and outputs a vector font based on contour information, and FIG. 4 (a) to 4 (e) are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of a conventional closed figure painting process, and FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a conventional closed figure painting process according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of filling a figure, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional filling process using a contour table, and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a polygon contour table defined by the vectors shown in FIG. FIG. In the figure, 1 is an instruction means, 2 is a fixed figure memory, 3 is a judgment means, 4 is a filling processing unit, 4a is a first filling processing means, 4b is a second filling processing means, and 4c is a third filling processing. Means 5, a selecting means 6, a developing means 6, a pattern memory 7, a display device 8, and a printing device 9.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Kunio Seto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Akashi Shirasaka 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inside the corporation

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] A plurality of filling processing means for executing a filling process in the closed figure based on contour information of the closed figure;
Selecting means for selecting one of the plurality of filling processing means from the plurality of filling means based on the output size of the closed figure; and a closed figure pattern to be output using the filling means selected by the selecting means in the pattern memory. An image processing apparatus, comprising: a developing unit for developing. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, when the output size is equal to or smaller than the first size, the selection unit writes an outline based on the outline information, and performs an exclusive OR operation in a predetermined direction from a position of the written outline in a predetermined pattern. If the output size is greater than the first size and less than or equal to the second size, a contour is written based on the contour information, and a fill is written between the written contour and the contour. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: selecting a filling means to be performed; if the output size is larger than the second size, creating a contour table; and selecting a filling means to perform the filling based on the created contour table. The image processing apparatus according to (1). 3. An image processing method for an image processing apparatus having a plurality of filling processing means for executing a filling process in a closed figure based on contour information of the closed figure, wherein the image processing method is different based on an output size of the closed figure. An image processing apparatus comprising: a selecting step of selecting the filling processing means; and a developing step of developing a closed graphic pattern to be output using the selected filling means in a pattern memory. Method. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, if the output size is equal to or smaller than the first size, the contour is written based on the contour information, and exclusive OR is performed in a predetermined direction from a position of the written contour in a predetermined pattern. If the output size is greater than the first size and less than or equal to the second size, a contour is written based on the contour information, and a fill is written between the written contour and the contour. 4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising: selecting a filling unit to be filled; if the output size is larger than the second size, creating a contour table; and selecting a filling unit to fill based on the created contour table. The image processing method of the image processing apparatus described in (1)).