JP2865937B2 - Color still image transmission method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention enables transmission of high-definition color still images between various color image input / output devices such as digital copiers, scanners and printers, and various types of color still image processing devices such as workstations. And a color still image transmission method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional color still image transmission method, communication is performed by connecting a dedicated communication device to a dedicated image processing device on both the transmitting and receiving sides. For this reason, it is not necessary to pay particular attention to the image format and image size of the color image. However, transmission to image processing apparatuses other than dedicated apparatuses has been extremely difficult due to the existence of many image formats and differences in image sizes.

[0003]

However, with the advent of various types of color still image processing devices, there has been an increasing demand for transmission between various types of image processing devices. In order to make it possible, a function to absorb differences in image formats and image sizes that can be handled is required.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a color still image transmission method which enables color still images to be transmitted between different types of image processing apparatuses.

[0005]

A color still image transmission method according to the present invention is a method for transmitting a color still image from a color still image processing device on the transmission side to an image transmission device on the reception side via the image transmission device on the transmission side. In the color still image transmission method for transmitting and inputting to the color still image processing apparatus on the receiving side, when transmitting the color still image, the image is stored in the color still image processing apparatus on the transmitting side via the color still image processing apparatus on the transmitting side. Set the image format and image size of the image being sent, perform negotiation between transmission and reception by the communication protocol, and if the image format and image size on the receiving side are different from those on the sending side,
The screens of the sender and receiver are
An image transmission apparatus performs image conversion processing in a shared manner, and performs image transmission .

[0006] Further, image conversion processing is performed only by an image transmission device.
Instead, the transmission and reception color still image processing devices and the image transmission device are shared.

[0007]

According to the present invention, no communication function is provided.
The operator can efficiently transmit a high-definition color still image between various color still image processing apparatuses having different image formats without being aware of differences in image format and image size.

Further, since the image conversion processing is performed by the image transmission apparatus and the color still image processing apparatus, the processing speed is increased.

[0009]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the transfer of main signals for explaining its operation, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing between the receiving-side image processing apparatuses.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a color still image processing device on the transmission side, 4 is a color still image processing device on the reception side,
Reference numerals 2 and 3 denote an adapter-type image transmission device of the present invention, 5 denotes a color scanner connected to the color still image processing device 1 on the transmission side, and 6 denotes a color printer similarly connected. Reference numerals 7 and 9 denote interfaces for connecting the image transmission devices 2 and 3 with the respective color still image processing devices 1 and 4, reference numeral 8 denotes a communication line, and reference numeral 10 denotes the transmission color still image processing device 1 and the color scanner 6; 7 is an interface for connecting the.

The operation of one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Transmission-side color still image processing device 1
Then, a color image is input using the color scanner 5, various processes are performed, and output to the color printer 6 is performed. When an image subjected to such processing is encoded and transferred by JPEG encoding or the like to a color still image processing device 4 (for example, a digital color copying machine or the like) of a different model installed at a remote location on the receiving side, both devices are used. It is customary that the image attributes are different between. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the transmitting function of the transmitting side and the receiving function of the receiving side are transmitted to each other, and the image data is transmitted after notifying the other party. FIG. 2 is a more detailed flowchart of FIG. Hereinafter, FIG. 4 is an example of a case where the image attribute of the sender and receiver of the color still image processing apparatus 1 and 4 different, FIG. 5, <br/> be described with reference to FIG.

When the color still image processing apparatus 1 on the transmitting side is RG
B, component interleave, RAW data (uncoded data), image data of image size 2560 * 1600 pixels only, and receiving side YCbCr, pixel interleave, RAW data, image size 640 * 400
It is assumed that only the data of can be received. In this case, the interleaving, the color coordinates, and the image size are different, and it is more effective to perform the conversion on the transmission side from the viewpoint of the code transmission efficiency. Therefore,
The image transmission device 2 on the transmission side performs color conversion processing, interleave conversion, reduction of the image size, performs encoding, and transmits the image. Negotiation process in this case, setting of the image data becomes as shown in the normal 4.

That is, the color still image processing apparatus 1 on the transmission side can handle image format parameters (RGB, component interleave, RAW data) and image size (2560 * 160) that can be handled by the image transmission apparatus 2.
0), and the image transmission device 2 notifies the image transmission device 3 on the receiving side of the parameters and the size. The image transmission device 3 on the receiving side also sets the image format size that can be handled by itself in the image transmission device 3 (YCbCr, pixel interleave, RAW data, 640 * 400). Inform the parameter.

Accordingly, the image transmitting apparatus 2 on the transmitting side that recognizes that the image formats and image sizes of the image processing apparatuses 2 and 3 on the transmitting side and the receiving side are different from each other changes the image format of the image transmitting apparatus 3 on the receiving side. Also, interleave conversion processing from component interleave to pixel interleave, RG
A color conversion process is performed on B → YCbCr, and a reduction (thinning) process is performed on the image size 2560 * 1600 → 640 * 400, encoded, and transmitted. The receiving-side image transmission device 3 performs the decoding process, and since the transmitting side has already converted the image format according to the receiving side, the image is transferred to the receiving-side color still image processing device 4 as it is. Such a shape
This is basically done by an expression, but depending on the processing,
There are cases where it is better to do so and cases where it is better to do it on the receiving side.
For example, if you want to reduce the image size,
In this case, it is better to perform on the receiving side in terms of transmission efficiency. Inn
The same applies to tarry conversion and color conversion. these
More efficient sharing of processing between transmission and reception for items
That is the present invention.

FIG . 5 shows an example of such a case.
In the transmission device 2, a color still image processing device on the transmission side
In addition to the parameters specified from 1, parameters that can be converted
Parameters to add multiple parameters for each item.
Set and notify the other party's transmission device 3 and decide in advance
This is a case in which matching is performed in the order in which they are placed before conversion.
In this example, it is assumed that JPEG encoding is used.
The color coordinates are converted from RGB to YCbCR
Increases the coding efficiency. Therefore, the priority of color coordinates is
The order is YCbCr, RGB, YMCK, etc.
On the other hand, using the original data of component interleaving
In the case of interleaving conversion,
Components are the highest, followed by lines and pixels
The interleaving priority is component, line
And pixels. However, color coordinate change processing is performed
Need to change to pixel interleaved data
When performing color coordinate conversion,
Converting from tallies to pixel interleaves is more convenient
It is. The image transmission device 2 on the transmission side performs color still image processing.
RGB and component interfaces set from the
YCbCr and line
To the image transmission device 3 by adding pixel interleaving
send. Also on the receiving side, the image transmission device 3
Conversion and RGB → YCbCr color coordinate conversion are possible,
YCbCr and pixel interleave are set in the reception function setting.
RG that can be handled by simple color coordinate conversion
B and YCbCr are set in the reception function response information and transmitted. Sending
In the receiving-side image transmission device 2, the received reception function response information and
The information set in the transmission function information is compared. Color coordinates are RG
B and YCbCr can be selected.
YCbCr and interleave
Is not displayed, so select the pixel. Therefore,
In the image transmission device 2, RGB, component
The image received by the node is YCbCr pixel interleaved.
JPEG encoding with or without conversion
And sends it to the image transmission device 3. The image transmission device 3
It performs the encoding process and transfers it to the color still image processing device. Less than
As described above, select in a predetermined order called priority,
It enables more efficient transmission.

Further, the type of format of the image, if the person who conducted the conversion process on the reception side advantageous Ru mower. FIG.
For example, the receiving side is RGB, high resolution of components
The image on the transmitting side is YCbCr, pixel
This is a low-resolution image. Even if the resolution is increased on the sending side,
The amount of information as an image does not increase, but the amount of encoded information to be transmitted.
It is meaningless because it increases. Therefore, the image is enlarged on the receiving side.
Large processing will be performed. On the other hand, about the format of color coordinates
Can be converted by the image transmission device 3 on the receiving side.
Therefore, YCbCr and RGB are set in the reception function response information.
However, the sending data is YCbCr and the color coordinate priority is also
Since YCbCr is the highest, the transmission format is YCbCr.
Cr is selected, and color conversion is performed on the receiving side. I
The same is true for the interleave format.
Pixels and components are set, but transmission
Since YCbCr is used for the color coordinates,
Of the transmission color coordinate format or YCbCr
Pixel interleaving has the highest priority and the original
Data is also pixels, so pixel interleaving is selected.
It is. Therefore, JPEG decoding is performed by the image transmission device 3 on the receiving side.
Coding and YCbCr, R from pixel interleaved data
Conversion to GB, component interleave, further expansion
Large processing will be performed. In the above, image conversion on the receiving side
Although the case of performing the processing has been described, it is used in combination with the example of FIG.
You can use it.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention. It is assumed that the transmission side has RGB, pixel interleave, and raw (RAM) data as image files. On the other hand, it is assumed that the receiving side can only receive in RGB, component interleaved, or raw format. The conversion of color coordinates is easier to perform in the pixel interleaved state. The interleave conversion can be easily realized by changing the file reading method in the color still image processing apparatuses 1 and 4 having a file.
It requires a screen memory and is a serious process. Therefore, in the case of this communication, the color still image processing device 1 on the transmission side performs
After performing color conversion and interleave conversion, the image transmission device 2 performs JPEG encoding of the component interleaved image. The negotiation process in this case is shown in FIG. The color still image processing apparatus 1 on the transmission side sends the image transmission apparatus 2 its own file format, a function that can be converted therefrom, and information on whether or not to encode at the time of communication. The image transmission device 2 adds a function that can be processed by itself, for example, color conversion to YCbCr, and transfers the information to the image transmission device 3 on the receiving side as transmission function information. The transfer timing of this information is the time when the request for reading the partner function is received in the example of FIG. A data format that can be received at the time of setting a reception request is set in the image transmission device 3 on the reception side, and data corresponding to the data format is sent as transmission side information. In response, the color still image processing device 4 on the receiving side selects a receiving function. In the case of FIG. 8, there is only one type of information on the transmission side, which matches the receivable format, so that it is selected. Thereby, the reception function response information is determined,
The image is transferred to the image transmission device 2 on the transmission side. Based on this information, information necessary for determination in the color still image processing apparatus 1 on the transmission side is sent to the color still image processing apparatus 1 on the transmission side as partner function information. According to this, the communication function is set, and color conversion of image data (RGB → RGB ′),
The data is transferred to the image transmission device 2 while performing the interleave conversion (P → C). The image transmission device 2 performs JPEG encoding using the data and transfers the data to the image transmission device 3 on the receiving side via a communication line. Image transmission device 3 on the receiving side
Decrypts the data and transfers it to the color still image processing device 4 on the receiving side to enable communication of color image data. Details of the function allocation between the image transmission devices 2 and 3 are here
Are not shown, but are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0018]

As described above, according to the present invention, a color still image from a color still image processing device on the transmission side is transmitted to the image transmission device on the reception side via the image transmission device on the transmission side. In the color still image transmission method input to the color still image processing device, the image of the image stored in the transmission side color still image processing device via the transmission side color still image processing device during the color still image transmission Set the format and image size, negotiate between transmission and reception by the communication protocol, and if the image format and image size on the receiving side are different from those on the transmitting side, follow the predetermined procedure.
Image conversion processing is shared between the transmitting and receiving image transmission devices.
And transmit the image, so that it can be
Optimal processing can be performed.

Further, the image conversion processing can be performed only by the image transmission device.
Instead, the color still image processing device on the transmission side and the reception side are shared with the image transmission device, so that quick processing can be performed with a simple configuration.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system used in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic procedure of communication control of the color still image transmission method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of negotiation control serving as a base for realizing an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of actual negotiation control in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of actual negotiation control in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of actual negotiation control in the embodiment of FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 color still image processing device on transmission side 2 image transmission device 3 image transmission device 4 color still image processing device on reception side 5 color scanner 6 color printer 7 interface 8 communication circuit 9 interface 10 interface

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H04N 1/46-1/64 H04N 1/32 H04N 1/393

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A color still image transmitted from a color still image processing apparatus on a transmitting side to an image transmitting apparatus on a receiving side via an image transmitting apparatus on a transmitting side and input to the color still image processing apparatus on a receiving side. in the still picture transmission method, when the color still picture transmission via said transmitting-side color still image processing apparatus, the image format and image size accumulating image transmitted to the transmitting side color still image processing apparatus ~ side
Of the image transmission device , and the color stationary of the receiving side
The image formats and image sizes available for the image processing device
Through the color still image processing device on the receiving side,
Set the image transmission device, and add
An image format that can be converted by the image transmission device is added, and negotiation between transmission and reception is performed by the communication protocol.
If the image format or image size is different,
According to the receiving color still image processing device
The image conversion process for transmitting and receiving
It is possible to perform color image transmission by sharing image transmission equipment.
And a color still image transmission method. 2. A color still image transmitted from a color still image processing device on the transmission side to an image transmission device on the reception side via the image transmission device on the transmission side and input to the color still image processing device on the reception side. in the still picture transmission method, when the color still picture transmission via said transmitting-side color still image processing apparatus, the image format and image size accumulating image transmitted to the transmitting side color still image processing apparatus ~ side
Of the image transmission device , and the color stationary of the receiving side
The image formats and image sizes available for the image processing device
Through the color still image processing device on the receiving side,
Set the image transmission device, and add
An image format that can be converted by the image transmission device is added, and negotiation between transmission and reception is performed by the communication protocol.
If the image format or image size is different,
According to the receiving color still image processing device
Color still image processing device on the transmission side for image conversion processing
And the image transmission device, and the receiving-side color still image processing device and the image
Perform color image transmission by sharing image transmission equipment
A color still image transmission method characterized by the above-mentioned .