JP2750115B2 - Image processing method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
Image to be processed and combined for each color image formation target
The present invention relates to a processing device and an image processing method. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, halftone reproduction using dot images
An image processing apparatus configured to perform
Printer system, thermal transfer printer system, laser beam
Devices using a multi-printer system or the like are known. Take
In order to reproduce the halftone, the device
The dither method that reproduces halftones by modulating the
The turn method is used. In particular, the color
The beam printer mainly uses the dither method, etc.
Is being reproduced. [0003] By the way, color video
Color pre-processing from camera or image files
Image data sent to the color printer
Printed once after being stored in the buffer memory
It is. At this time, how to combine with the character code
It is a big problem. Performs dithering and changes the image
However, one type of image buffer memory does not
Character and halftone image are mixed,
The disadvantage is that the character image loses sharpness due to
Seen. In particular, characters and lines can be clearly shaded
In the image, the edge part is
Blurred or reduced solid density
It has the disadvantage of losing sharpness. Also, color image data and characters are displayed.
It is proposed to combine with open image data
Input each image data from multiple independent devices.
Therefore, there has been a problem that the configuration is complicated. Or
The problem is that color printers are nowadays colorized.
This is particularly noticeable in conjunction with the diversification of sources of image information.
Had become. A plurality of color image forming pairs to be synthesized
When elephants are represented in different color spaces,
The problem that it is difficult to combine each color with good reproducibility
There was a title. The present invention differs from one another in view of such a problem.
Combine color image formation targets in color space with good color reproducibility
It is an object to enable output to an image output device. [0006] In order to achieve the above object,
In order for the image processing apparatus of the present invention to have the same interface,
From a first color space (for example, an embodiment of the present invention described below).
Is represented by color designation signals C0, C1, C2, C3 indicating C, M, Y, K
(Corresponding to the rendered character image)
A color image forming object and the first color image forming object
A color image forming object to be outputted
A second color space different from the space (also represented by R, G, B)
The second color represented by the rendered halftone image)
Input means for inputting an image forming object (I /
F45), input by the input means.
The first color image forming object and the second color image forming
Separation means for separating the target (also the selector 46 or
Is the selector 250 in FIG. 13),
Separated first color image forming object and second color image
Each image forming object is stored in the color space of the color image output unit.
Synthetic processing means (same
For example, in FIG.
And the like).
The first color image forming object and the second color image form
Supply means for supplying an object to be formed to the color image output means
(Also the line buffer 6).
You. In addition, the image processing method of the present application uses the same interface.
Color image represented by the first color space from the first color space
The object to be formed and the first color image forming object are combined and output.
Color image formation target, and the first color space
Second color image represented by a different second color space
And inputting the first color to be formed.
Separating the image forming object and the second color image forming object,
The separated first color image forming object and the second
Color image output means and the color sky
Processed in time and synthesized, the synthesized process
The first color image forming object and the second color image
Supplying the object to be formed to the color image output means.
It is characterized by having. [0007] The image processing method of the present invention can be applied to a host computer.
Color image data and character codes from the
Input from the same channel and input by the input means
Color image data and character code
The color image data separated by the separation means
Color conversion according to the characteristics of the force means, by the separation means
Expand the separated character code into a raster image
Output to the image output means, and color conversion by the conversion means.
The converted color image data and
And synthesizing the extracted raster image. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
This will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a color diagram showing an entire embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an image recording apparatus. Illustrated color image
The recording device has the character image data 101 shown in FIG.
Such as a character code string signal as color image data
R (red), G (green), B as shown in FIG.
(Blue) color identification signal 104 and vertical and horizontal synchronization signals
No. 106V, 106H and the image signal 105
Supplied from an external device such as a computer. In addition,
Signal 102, 103, 107, 108
Is also provided from an external device. The number on each line in FIG.
Each value represents the number of bits. Also, 12,
Reference numeral 29 denotes text image data and halftone image data, respectively.
Character code decoder 11 and image buffer memory 28
This is an interface circuit for inputting. FIG. 4 shows a character image data string signal.
The sentence on the first line following the image top identification code ITOP
Character string data C _Ten , C ₁₁ , C ₁₂ …… is included. Also,
The RET code is inserted after the last character of each line.
You. Therefore, the receiving side (that is, the present color image recording apparatus)
If a RET code is detected on
I do. In FIG. 4, R ₁ Is the RET on the first line
Mode, R _Two Is the RET code on the second line. Character image
Is followed by the end code IE of the character image
ND is inserted to end the character image data. Book color
The image recording apparatus receives this IEND code.
Thus, the end of the character image is identified. Character image data 1 supplied as described above
01 is stored in the character code buffer 10 for one screen.
You. At this time, the special code (for example, ITOP code)
Code, RET code, IEND code) are character codes
Decoded by the decoder 11 and opened for storing character images.
A start / line feed command signal 109 and a storage end signal 110 are transmitted.
Will be issued. According to this storage start / line feed command signal 109
And the write address generator 19
Occur. FIG. 6 shows a character image stored in this manner.
An example of a surface is shown. Here, each character A, B,... A, b,
... are represented by, for example, an 8-bit ASCII code.
Have been forgotten. This color image recording device
The laser beam method that expresses the cut image is adopted.
It is necessary to convert the above-mentioned character code string into dot form
There is. Therefore, in this embodiment, the character generator is used.
The dot conversion is performed using the data 9. Normal
As shown in FIG. 7 (a), the character generator
Is provided with a character portion CP and a margin portion WP. Therefore
For example, according to the figure, the character "A" is dot-converted.
Then, the inside of the 9 × 9 pixel is as shown in FIG. Ma
Which area of the one-character image supplied from the external device
Area information signal 102 indicating whether to print out
(That is, information specifying the row and column of the character code image)
Is given from an external device. For example, in the character code image shown in FIG.
And the printout start character and end character are (m ₁ ,
n ₁ )-(M _Two , N _Two ), Within the thick line shown
Are read from the character code buffer 10. You
That is, the printout finger included in the area information signal 102
Constant information (m ₁ , N ₁ ), (M _Two , N _Two Read)
Position specifying circuit 17 and read address generator
Reference numeral 18 generates a read address of a designated area. On the other hand, the character image area designated as described above
Should be printed out to which area of the printed image
Is designated by the designation signal 103.
You. Write area for printout starts writing
Position pixel number, scan line number (m ' ₁ , N ' ₁ ),writing
End position same number (m ' _Two , N ' _Two )
Image memory write position designating circuit 15 and image
Image memory by memory address generator 14
A write address to 8 is generated. In this way, the character code buffer 10
The character code image in the specific area read from
Is converted into dot data by the
The designated area to be printed out in the image memory 8 is stored.
Will be delivered. This situation is shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Next, as density data of each of R, G and B colors,
The processing of the supplied color halftone image will be described. this
As shown in FIG. 5, the color halftone image has R, G, and B color identification.
Signal 104, vertical and horizontal synchronization signals 106V, 106
H and 8-bit density data for each pixel of the image
(Ie, an image signal) 105. Book
In the embodiment, the density data is transmitted in parallel for each pixel of 8 bits.
However, the density data may be sent serially. Each color image
Are the colors for each color according to the R, G, B color identification signals 104.
Buffer memory 28-1, 28-2, 28-3 respectively
Is stored. The synchronization signals 106V and 106H are for storage.
The address select 32
Required address from the image buffer memory
28-1, 28-2, 28-3. Hide
Each color image is stored in the image buffer memories 28-1 and 28.
-2, 28-3. Thereafter, reading from the character code buffer 10 is performed.
In the same way as the
Of the halftone image stored in the buffer memory
An area to be printed out is designated. this is,
With printout start point, pixel number and scan line number
And corresponding image memories 28-1 and 28-
2, 28-3 addresses are read address generator
Generated from the data 31. At the time of reading, the image for yellow (Y) is read.
Buffer memory (stores the B signal) 28-1,
Image buffer memory for magenta (M) (G signal
Store) 28-2, image buffer for cyan (C)
Same image from memory (store R signal) 28-3
The elements are read out simultaneously as Y, M and C components, respectively.
(Here, for example, take the complement of each signal of B, G, R
(Output as Y, M, C signals)
The output color signal is finally processed after being subjected to predetermined processing.
The image is stored in the halftone image image memory 21.
The image area specified as
Supplied from an external device (not shown)
The write start position is designated by the signal 108.
In response to this, the image memory write position designating circuit 2
3 and image memory address generator 22
Is the address of the image memory 21 corresponding to the designated position.
Raise the dress. This operation is based on the character image data
Is the same as in the case of This situation is shown in FIGS. 8C and 8D.
You. The image buffer memories 28-1 and 28-1
28-2, 28-3, the color density data for each pixel.
The data is recorded in the gamma correction circuit 27 in the main color image recording mode.
Receive gamma conversion (density conversion) according to the characteristics of the device,
In addition, masking processes well known in the printing arts are used.
The UCR processing (below)
Color removal processing) by the UCR processing circuit 25,
After being subjected to dither processing by the
At a specific position in the image memory 21 designated as
Packet data (binary data of "1" and "0")
Will be delivered. Here, dither processing is a well-known halftone
To reproduce the density data and the threshold value for each image.
Determine the recording dots to be output by comparing
Electrical processing. In this example, one pixel and a plurality of thresholds are used.
To determine the recording dot by comparing
Process may be performed, and this process
Called processing. The dither processing circuit 24 is stored in a memo such as a ROM.
Memory directly using the density data as an address.
Access and perform dither processing (dither conversion)
No. The present color image recording apparatus is first
Raw image, second magenta image, third image
An un-image and a fourth black image are successively placed on the photoconductor 1.
Color images, and superimpose each color image on the transfer paper.
-Since the image has been obtained, the storage capacity of the image memory 21
Is sufficient for one image. Then, each color image is placed on the photoconductor 1.
Each time it is formed, the above-mentioned color processing and each color density data
Transfer of (Y, M, C, Bk) to the image memory 21
Done. Image memory 8 for character images and halftone
Read data from the color image image memory 21
These image data are transmitted to the laser light modulation circuit 5.
The dot data are stored in the image memories 8 and 21 respectively.
And the same address for the same pixel.
Les is assigned. In this embodiment, both images
The address designation of the memory 8 and 21 is performed by the image memory.
-It is controlled by the address generator 14. Sand
That is, the images are stored in both image memories 8 and 21.
At this point, a read address is generated, and
The corresponding character and halftone image dot data are sent out.
It is. Read from image memories 8 and 21
The dot data is superimposed by the OR gate 7 and
Input to the in-buffer 6. And line buffer 6
The dot data output from the device is input to the laser light modulation circuit 5.
The laser light modulation circuit operates the laser 4 according to the dot data.
Drive. Laser light modulated according to dot data
Is scanned by the rotating polygon mirror 3 and exposed through the lens 2.
An electrostatic latent image is formed on the drum 1. Create print image
Process is the same as that of a normal laser beam printer.
And four types of development for Y, M, C, Bk (black)
Vessels (both not shown) are optionally used. Also,
The signal 113 indicates that the laser beam is
When illuminated, the horizontal
Signal (BD signal), the image memories 8 and 2
The reading of the image data from 1 is performed synchronously. FIG. 3120 shows a 4-view image for specifying the color of a character image.
It is a signal of the unit. This signal is sent to the host
Even signals from a computer, etc.
A switch may be used. Here is a 4-bit color finger
Constant signal C ₀ ~ C _Three Are sequentially assigned to Y, M, C, and Bk.
I am responding. Latent image of the color corresponding to the specified bit
By controlling the character image output by the
Thus, a character image of a desired color can be obtained. For example
(C ₀ , C ₁ , C _Two , C _Three ) = (1,1,0,0)
And the character image is stored in the image memory 8 when forming the Y and M latent images.
The output character is a red image. Normally, a character image is synthesized with black Bk.
Character images appear more clearly in halftone images.
You. In this case, the color designation signal (C ₀ , C ₁ , C _Two , C _Three ) Is
(0,0,0,1). Similarly, image memory 2
When reading a halftone image from 1, only the desired color image
Controlling readout to obtain single or composite color image
It is also possible. FIG. 8 shows designation of a character image and a halftone image.
While moving the area individually,
An example of synthesis is shown. That is, the input images A and
Image obtained by moving the area for each of
An image B + D is obtained by combining B and D. FIG. 9 shows a detailed diagram of the control circuit 16 in FIG.
The control circuit 16 includes a CPU 40 such as a microcomputer.
Input / output port 43 and address timing
The generator 44 is roughly divided into two functions.
You. 41 is a ROM for storing a program of the CPU 40.
42, a RAM for storing data of the CPU 40;
This is an input / output port. The input / output port 43 includes a CPU 4
0 and the following signals controlled by the program ROM 41:
Line is connected. First, the character code buffer 10
Write and read enable signals
Lactor buffer enable signal (hereinafter referred to as CBE)
You. 122) Writing and reading to / from the character image memory 8
The character image that is the
Memory enable signal (hereinafter referred to as CME)
112, writing to the halftone image image memory 21;
The color image that is the readable image signal
Memory enable signal (hereinafter referred to as CLME) 1
21, writing to and reading from character code buffer 10
Address switching signal for
Lactor buffer address select signal (CBAS and
Call it. ) 123, writing to character code buffer 10
And the character buffer that is the read start signal
A read / write control signal (hereinafter CBRWC and
Call it. 124) Writing and writing to the character image memory 8
And read start signals of the image memories 8 and 21
Roller character image memory read / write controller
Roll signal (hereinafter referred to as CMRWC) 125, halftone
If it is a write start signal to the image memory 21 for images,
Roller color image memory write control signal
(Hereinafter referred to as CLMWC) 126
Line is connected. These signals are output from the output port
Is output. Note that the memory enable signal is set to "1".
Read or write from the memory becomes possible.
You. The input port has the color of the character image to be printed.
Color specification signal 120 for specifying the
One page which is the detection signal of end code IEND
Storage end signal 110 and a print mode (for example,
For example, if only a character image is used, or if a character image and a halftone image are combined
Or print start or print stop etc.)
Print control signal (command) 127 for controlling
Is forced. Further, the address timing generation circuit 44
Character code read timing signal (hereinafter CCRT)
Called. 129) and character dot timing signal
(Hereinafter referred to as CDWT) 130 is generated, and CCRT1 is generated.
29 is an address in the read address generator 18
Count signal and read timing of the generation counter
As a signal, the CDWT 130 is an image memory
To the address generation counter in the dress generator 14
Signal and timing signal for writing or reading
Used as a number. CCRT129 and CDWT
130 enters the address generators 18 and 14, respectively.
(Not shown in FIG. 3). Image data (for example, text
Code images and halftone color images)
All controls such as delivery and printout
PU 40 receives data from an external device on the host side.
Perform according to the control command. The data control command is shown in FIG.
0, character image or color image
Lint-out command and external device host
And an image data transfer start command. data
The operation of the CPU 40 after receiving the control command is shown in FIG.
This will be described according to the flowchart of FIG. First, in steps S200 to S204, the data
Data control command (see Fig. 10)
The processing A to E corresponding to the command is performed. Command = 001
(Step S200) In the character print command,
If so, the process moves to processing A, and CME (character image
(Memory enable) 112 = "1" (step S20)
As 5), the character image memory 8 can be accessed.
While the color halftone image memory 21 is
CLM to make it inaccessible (disabled)
It is assumed that E121 = "0" (step S206). And
Address generation to the character image memory 8 should be performed.
CMRWC125 = "1" (step S207)
You. Further, the address generation circuit 14 includes the image memory 8
This is shared when writing to and reading from
In this case, specify the memory read mode. With the above operation
Image transfer in synchronization with the image reading synchronization signal 113.
Character image data is read by a clock (not shown).
This image data is sent to the line buffer 6 for communication with the printer.
Synchronous matching is performed, modulates the laser light, and is used for image formation
Contribute. Also, in step S201, command = 010
When it is determined that only halftone images are printed out
Yes, the process proceeds to processing B. In process B, CLM is executed in step S208.
E121 = “1” and the color halftone image memory 21
In an accessible state, and the CME is
112 = “0” and activates the character image memory 8
Inaccessible state. And color halftone image memo
CMRWC = "1" to generate an address to the memory 21
(Step S210). And as in process A
The address generator 14 is set to the memory read mode. Further, a synthetic pudding of a character image and a halftone image
Out (command = 011, step S202, processing
In C), the character image memory 8 and the color halftone
When both of the image memories 21 are enabled, the image
Output is performed (steps S211 to S213). Cap
In this embodiment, the lacquer image is a predetermined image of Y, M, C, and Bk.
Color or a combination of these colors
It is possible to print out, but this color specification
Color designation signal 120 sent from an external device such as a computer
Given by the color printer of a given color
At the time of out (development), processing A or C is performed to
Print out with. Next, the image transfer start command will be described.
I do. External devices such as the host computer
Before transferring image data to the image recording device,
Character code transfer start command, color image transfer start
You need to send one of the commands. For example,
Command = 101 in case of lacquer code is received by this device
Then, processing D is performed from step S203. That is
CBE (character buffer enable) = "1" (s
Step S214), CBRWC (character buffer
Mode / line control) = "1" (step S21)
5), and the write address
Given a dress, sent one character at a time from an external device such as a host.
Outgoing character code is character code buffer 1
0 are sequentially stored. At this time, the
CBAS (character buffer address select)
The signal causes the address selection circuit 20 to write as an address.
Select the embedded address. End of character code transfer
Indicates the IEND code inserted at the end of one page
The code decoder detects and sends a character to the CPU 40.
Send a code code transfer end signal 110 and
Notifies the end of data transfer. Next, in the case of transferring a color halftone image,
Step S204 is followed by a transition to processing E. In processing E
The color specified by the color identification signal 104 of the color image to be sent
To make the image buffer memory accessible
Buffer memory enable signal (CLBE) 134
Is output to the memory 28 (steps S217 to S22).
1) Each color image data is stored in a predetermined image buffer memory.
To be stored. When writing, the image buffer memory
Address select signal to give write address
(Referred to as CLBAS) 132 is output from the CPU.
You. CLBAS is input to the address selection circuit 30.
(Not shown in FIG. 3). The write address is
And in synchronization with the horizontal synchronization signals 106V and 106H.
And a predetermined number of lines (4752 lines in this embodiment).
When the delivery is completed, the write address generator 30 finishes storing.
And outputs an end signal CIEND 133 (not shown in FIG. 3).
Notify CPU40. As described above, the character code and the color
The halftone images are stored in the buffer memories 10 and 28, respectively.
Then, each image data undergoes a predetermined process, and
It is transferred to the image memories 8 and 21. First, reading from the character code buffer 10
And writing to the image memory 8
In the read buffer 10, the read address generation circuit 18
Reading is performed according to the address output from.
At this time, read which area on one page to print out.
It is specified by the protruding position specifying circuit 17. For example, FIG.
In A, the upper left address (Cx ₁ , Cy ₁ ) And the lower right address
(Cx _Two , Cy _Two ) Is set in the read position designation circuit 17
By doing so, only the area in the figure (the area enclosed by the rectangle)
An address is generated to read and the character code buffer
10 given. Similarly, in the case of a color image, in FIG.
Upper left address (CLx ₁ , CLy ₁ ), Lower right address (C
Lx _Two , CLy _Two ) Is set in the readout position designation circuit 33.
As a result, only the area shown in FIG.
A read address is generated. Next, read the image data
When the data is stored in the image memories 8 and 21,
Where the printed image should be printed on the copy paper
Need to be set in the write position designating circuit 15 or 23.
is there. For example, in FIG. 8B, the upper left address (CX ₁ , C
Y ₁ ), Lower right address (CX _Two , CY _Two ) Write position finger
The character image read out by setting the
8B. FIG. 8D
Then the address (CLX ₁ , CLY ₁ ), (CLX _Two , CL
Y _Two ) Is set in the write position designation circuit 23 to read
The output color halftone image is transferred to the position shown in FIG. 8D.
Things. Therefore, these transferred image data are combined.
Then, the image laid out as shown in FIG.
It is something that is done. Note that an address for designating the above-mentioned area is provided.
Are signals 102, 103, 107,
108. FIG. 11 shows a data input unit of the present apparatus. Book
In the device, images transferred from external devices such as a host
Image data 100 (character image data and color halftone image data
Are all interfaced by one cable.
Is supplied through the switch circuit 45, and is internally separated.
And divided into two data processing systems (character
Code processing system and color halftone image processing system). transfer
Characters sent by an external device such as a host prior to
Code transfer start command or color image transfer command
CPU 40 causes the data select DS signal 14
0 is sent to the data selector 46 to switch the data processing system.
Do. Therefore, more types of data, for example, image data
Data compression code sequence, other codes, or command sequence
Data identification signal (this implementation
In the example, a data control command as shown in FIG.
1 system by having a switching circuit such as
Can be transmitted and received on the data line. For example, the shape as shown in FIG.
In other words, if you receive the facsimile compression code,
Character image, color halftone image and facsimile
You can combine images. That is, the command shown in FIG.
Add FAX code identification command to command
U40 transmits the identification command before transmitting the compression code.
Receiving the select signal DS to the data selector 250.
255 to output a facsimile compression code such as M
H code can be selected and received. And ki
In the same way as character image data and color halftone images
The MH code is stored in the buffer memory 251. MH
After the code is stored, it is read out and the MH decoder circuit
252 and decode it into a dot image
It is stored in the next-stage FAX image memory 253. On this occasion,
Specify an area and print only to a specific area or to a specific area
Can be done in the same way as described above.
is there. Finally, for example, through the OR gate 254,
By outputting dot data to the printer,
Image and color halftone image and facsimile image
Image can be synthesized, and an image as shown in FIG. 14 can be obtained.
In FIG. 14, A is a character image area, and B is a color intermediate area.
The toned image area C is a facsimile image area. In FIG. 13, character codes are processed.
3 and a circuit for processing halftone image data are the same as those in FIG.
It is omitted because it is like. FIG. 15 is a view for explaining the third embodiment.
It is. In addition, about what has the function similar to FIG.
Are given the same numbers, and their description is omitted. So here
Will be described mainly with respect to parts different from the circuit of FIG. In the figure, 335 and 336 are
Dark tone extraction circuit and dark tone section
This is a memory for ktone. Dark tone extraction circuit 335
Are the comparison circuits 342, 343, 3 as shown in FIG.
44, switches 346, 347, 348, etc.
You. Switches 346, 347 and 348 have dark tone
Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (red)
(A) Set the amount of each concentration component. Comparison circuit 342,3
Reference numerals 43 and 344 denote Y, M, and C components of the input image density, and a switch.
Switches 346, 347, and 348
And the pixels whose input image density component amount exceeds the set value
, "1" is output. All input images for Y, M, C
When the image density exceeds the set value, the comparison circuits 342, 343,
344 outputs 342-1, 343-1 and 344-1 are all
This pixel is regarded as a dark part,
"1" is stored in the dark tone memory 336 shown in FIG.
Is stored. At this time, the dark tone memory
Data writing to the halftone image image memory 21 is performed.
In the same way as the storage,
Address 118 generated by the address generation circuit 22
Therefore, it is written. Therefore, the dark tone memory 33
6 has the same capacity as the image memory 21. In addition,
In the operation, the switches 346 and 34 shown in FIG.
By changing the setting value of 7,348, dark tone and
The colors considered can be changed freely. For example, Sui
Switches 346 and 347 are set to high density,
When 8 is set to zero, Y and M have high density and C has low density.
Part, that is, the "red" part becomes a dark tone,
Can be used as the “ground color”. Image memory 8 for character images and halftone
Reads data from the image memory 21 for
These image data are sent to the user light modulation circuit 5.
Is the memo for image memory 8, 21 and dark tone
Are stored as dot data in the
The same address is assigned to the same pixel.
You. In the present embodiment, both image memories 8, 21 and
And the dark tone memory 336
Is controlled by the memory address generator 14.
That is, images are stored in both image memories 8 and 21.
Read address is generated at the time of
Characters corresponding to pixels, halftone images and dark tone parts
Dot data is sent. Character image read from image memory 8
Image dot data read from image memory 21
Dot data of halftone images
I do. In other words, when printing or printing out characters
If the character part is a print dot (115 = “1”),
Read from the ground part, that is, the memory for dark tone
The value for the same pixel is “1” (that is, the ground is dark
), The output of the AND gate 337 becomes “0”.
And white characters are output. The ground part is “0”
That is, when the color is white or light, the output of the AND gate 337 is
It becomes "1" and the character is printed. On the other hand, when printing a halftone image,
Character dot, that is, if signal 115 = "1", AND
The output of gate 338 is independent of image data 116
Since it is "0", no image appears at the place where there is a character. Follow
White blank is realized. That is, halftone image data is output.
Is deleted when there is no character (115 = "0").
You. The image output in this way is, for example, as shown in FIG.
become. As you can see from the figure, the ground is dark or
Solid black parts are white letters, white ground parts are black or
It can be printed out with other monochrome characters (described later)
Wear. Reference numeral 339 denotes a character / halftone image selector.
The character image is output by the signal 114 output from the path 16.
When A and C output halftone images, B
And C are controlled to be connected. In addition, replacement of the selector 39
Alternatively, an OR gate may be used. If you use an OR gate
Character images and halftone images can be output at the same time.
The number can be reduced. The present color image recording apparatus is, for example, the first
The yellow image is read out to the yellow developing device (not shown).
To form a yellow image on the photoreceptor.
To achieve. Then the yellow image on the photoconductor is transferred to the transfer drum.
Transfer of one color by transferring to rolled transfer paper
End the copying. Next, magenta, cyan, and blue
While aligning the racks one after another and stacking them,
I'm getting images. Then switch the selector 339
A character image is obtained in a desired color. The signal 112 is a character image as described above.
Is a signal that controls the color of the
Output data from the image memory 8 only when
You. Similarly, a halftone image is read from the image memory 21.
Control to read only the desired color image,
It is also possible to obtain single or composite color images. Therefore, as described above, for example, characters
When printing out with ero, switch 3 in FIG.
Set only 46 to high concentration and the other 347,348 to low concentration
Then, only the yellow part of the halftone image is considered as ground.
This makes it possible to clearly distinguish yellow text from halftone images.
You. That is, the yellow part of the halftone image and the yellow part
Even if the letters overlap, the yellow letters are represented white
The characters can be clearly recognized. FIG. 18 is a view for explaining the fourth embodiment.
It is. In addition, about what has the function similar to FIG.
Are given the same numbers, and their description is omitted. So here
In the following, parts different from the circuit of FIG. 3 will be mainly described. In FIG. 18, reference numeral 55 denotes a blank code
It is a raw circuit, and the area around the character to be output is whitened out
It is for. Outputs a halftone image with white outline
When the blank code generation circuit 55
The code is sent to the character generator via the selector 56.
9 and the position of the character in the image memory 8 where the character should be printed.
Is written with a blank. At the same time,
That is, the OR gate 5 is located outside the area where the blank is written.
19, "1" is written by the input 215 of FIG.
An image with a white outline as shown in (a) is an image memo
It is written in Li 8. On the other hand, when the halftone image is output
Data 57 is the input of the AND gate 67 and the image for the halftone image.
The output of the memory 21 is connected. Therefore,
FIG. 19 (b) shows the final image output from
As shown in FIG. 19A, only the white portion WH in FIG.
It becomes a halftone image or a solid image. Then output characters
When the character code buffer 10 is
It operates so as to be connected to the character generator 9. Obedience
In character generators, character codes are
Should be written to the character image memory 8
The dot data of the character image is written. This time oage
Since the input 215 of the port 54 is "0",
Only the character dot data is written to the
You. The selector 57 receives the input of the AND gate 67
Connected to be "1". Therefore, the text image
Only character dot data read from memory 8
Through the gate 67 and as the final image, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 19C, a predetermined sentence is set in the white frame of FIG.
You can get written characters. The blank code generation circuit 55 is
An image as shown in FIG. 19A is formed in the image memory 8.
The following operations are performed when First, characters are sequentially read from the character code buffer 10.
Enter the code (the signal line for character code input is not
), Blank code for parts other than blank code
Input to the other parts by input 215.
A signal is sent to the control circuit 16 to write "1" to the image memory 8.
No. (not shown). The control circuit 16
When a signal is input from the
Controls the generator 14 to generate “1”
You. In this manner, the image memory 8 shown in FIG.
An image as shown in FIG. In this embodiment,
The character code buffer contains control codes.
It is assumed that all character codes are stored. Note that the data stored in the memories 8 and 21 shown in FIG.
Display the image once on the CRT display
You can check the position and color of the composite character.
Upper printing can be started. The present color image recording apparatus uses a yellow image.
Image, magenta image, cyan image, black image, character image
Images are sequentially formed on the photoconductor 1, and each image is positioned on a transfer sheet.
To obtain a full-color image.
ing. The color of the character image is determined by printing the character image.
Out (development) by selecting a developing unit.
It is just a choice. It should be noted that the blank code generation circuit
Character codes with different codes
Output from the character generator and blank from the character generator.
Output a blank pattern according to the size
Thus, white frames having different sizes can be made. In this embodiment, the characters of the characters are stored in the image memory.
Stores a pattern, but stores the pattern of another line drawing
You may do. In this embodiment, a laser is used as an output device.
Although the beam printer has been described as an example, the present invention
Without limitation, for example, ink jet, thermal pre
It can also be used for printers and the like. Also, using a disk instead of the output device,
The generated image may be filed. In this embodiment, the character data, the position finger
The fixed signal was sent from an external device, but the color image recording
Input by those data input keys provided on the
It is also possible. The R, G, and B color image data are stored in a CCD.
It can also be sent from a scanner or the like. Further, a synthesized image memory (for example, Y, M,
C, Bk). As described above, according to the present embodiment,
Combine with halftone image without losing sharpness of character image
Can be performed, and character images and halftone images can be
You can move the designated area separately for each
Efficiently replaces text and halftone images
It is possible to obtain the desired composition. According to the present embodiment, for example,
Can be used to input character images, etc.
Can be connected to other devices, providing a versatile imaging device.
Can be According to this embodiment, the character image is backed up.
Any color according to the background halftone image
Can improve the reproducibility of character images and halftone images.
can do. According to this embodiment, the identification code of the input data is
Just by adding a command, the pressure from a facsimile
It is also possible to receive compressed codes. Therefore various machines
Various images input from the instrument can be combined
Becomes Further, according to this embodiment, a halftone image and
Any color can be applied to at least one of the line images
Therefore, paperwork after printing (for example, data
Change the color of the text for each)
Can be. Also, according to the present embodiment, a line drawing
Clearly draw line drawings such as characters regardless of color, image tone, and density
It can be reproduced, for example, in the solid part of the image, etc.
Can solve the inconvenience of invisible characters
You. According to the present invention, the same interface
1st and 2nd expressed in different color spaces
Combine the two color image formation targets and use them as color image output means
Output to the color image output means in a suitable color space
Can be done. Therefore, input from the same interface
Color image formation objects in different color spaces
Combining with good color reproducibility to obtain a high quality color composite image
Can be. Also color upstream from the interface
Since there is no need to perform processing to match the space,
The effect is that the processing load on the computer side can be reduced.
You.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a multifunction copying apparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which characters are superimposed on an image having many black portions. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a color image recording apparatus showing the entire embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of character image data. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of color image data. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a character screen stored in a character code buffer. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state of a character input to a character generator and a state of a character after dot conversion. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which designated areas of a character image and a halftone image are individually moved, and these two screens are combined. FIG. 9 is a detailed diagram of a control circuit 16; FIG. 10 is a view for explaining various commands. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a data input unit. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a program stored in a ROM 41. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a second embodiment in which compressed code data can be input. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example in which a character image, a color halftone image, and a facsimile image are combined. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a color image recording apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a specific configuration diagram of a dark tone extraction circuit. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an image state obtained by the embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a color image recording apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a view for explaining an image state in which a white frame is removed. [Description of Signs] 7 OR gate 8, 21 Image memory 9 Character generator 10 Character code buffer 16 Control circuit 24 Dither processing circuit 28-1 to 28-3 Image buffer memory 40 CPU 46, 250 Data selector 251 Buffer memory 252 MH decoder circuit 253 FAX image memory

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A first color image forming object represented by a first color space from the same interface, and a color image forming object to be synthesized and output with the first color image forming object; Are input means for inputting a second color image forming object represented by a different second color space, and the first color image forming object and the second color image forming object input by the input means Separating means for separating the first color image forming object and the second color image forming object separated by the separating means according to the color space of the color image output means. Supply means for supplying the first color image forming object and the second color image forming object synthesized by the synthesizing processing means to the color image output means; The image processing apparatus characterized by. 2. A first color image forming object represented by a first color space from the same interface, and a color image forming object to be synthesized and output with the first color image forming object; Inputs a second color image forming object represented by a different second color space, and the input first color image forming object and the second
The first color image forming object and the second color image forming object which are separated are processed according to the color space of the color image output means and combined, and An image processing method, comprising: supplying the first color image formation target and the second color image formation target that have been subjected to the synthesis processing to the color image output unit.