JP3117975B2 - Image processing method - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing method in an image processing apparatus that performs image processing on a line-by-line basis.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image processing apparatus that has a plurality of processing functions necessary for performing image processing and executes desired image processing on an input image signal and outputs the image signal is conventionally selected for each image processing. The processing function to be executed is uniquely determined, and each time the image processing to be executed is selected, the processing function uniquely determined is selected and executed.

 FIG. 11 shows an example of such a conventional image processing apparatus.

In FIG. 11, Z is an image processing system having three different image processing units A, B, and C.

The image processing system Z can perform image processing for three functions, for example, I, II, and III. For example, as shown in Table 1, the image processing unit B is used for the function I, the image processing unit A is used for the function II, and the image processing unit B is used for the function III.

In such a case, since functions I and II and II and III use different image processing units, they can be combined and executed simultaneously.

 FIGS. 12 and 13 show still another example of image processing.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 12, image information to be processed is divided into an area a, an area b, an area c, and a back d, and each area can be subjected to image processing by a different function.

FIG. 13 shows an image processing system for performing image processing for each area shown in FIG.

Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 13, for example, three image processing units D, E, and F are provided, and each of the image processing units D, E, and F is provided with two banks to correspond to two types of data. D1 / D2, E1 / E2,
Equipped with F1 and F2.

Each bank is switched by a bank switching signal from a control unit (not shown) indicated by reference numerals 1, 2, and 3 in the figure.

Here, the function I for the area a shown in FIG.
Function II for area b, function for area c
III, it is assumed that the normal image processing that does not particularly use the function is set as shown in Table 2 for the back d.

It is assumed that the image signal is input as a serial scan signal in which the main scanning is performed in the X direction and the sub scanning is performed in the Y direction in FIG. At this time, data such as processing parameters of normal image processing data (back d) is set in the bank 1 of each of the image processing units DF, and data such as parameters for each image processing is set in the bank 2.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the conventional example has the following disadvantages because the image processing method for a certain function is uniquely determined.

That is, in the conventional example shown in FIG. 11, the same image processing unit B must be used for the combination of the functions I and III. Therefore, function I and function III
Cannot be executed simultaneously. If function I and function III are to be executed at the same time, a new parameter for this combination must be created and provided. Particularly when the number of parameters to be set is large, the load on the parameter storage memory is reduced. Become.

Further, in the configuration of FIG. 13, for example, when the area setting as shown in FIG. 12 is performed, the same image processing unit E is set for the area a and the area c. However, image processing cannot be performed at the same time.

It is conceivable to reset the data for the area c in the bank E2 of the image processing unit E after the processing in the area a is completed in the image processing unit E. Since it takes a long time to set data in the image processing unit E as compared with (coming speed), the processing timing in the image processing unit E comes before the data is set, which is impossible. It is also conceivable to provide as many banks of image processing units as the number of areas. However, the scale of the image processing unit increases and the cost also increases.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above problems, and one embodiment according to the present invention has the following configuration as one means for solving the above problems. .

That is, the image processing apparatus includes an image processing unit that can execute image processing of different functions by setting parameters, and performs image processing on a line-by-line basis, and can be realized by the same image processing unit on the same line of an image. At least 2
When performing some kind of image processing, first image processing to be executed by the first image processing means is set for a first area on the image, and the same line as the first area on the image is set. A second image processing is set for a second area that is different from the first area, and the second area is set using the first image processing means for the first area. 1 can be executed by using the first image processing means for the second area using the second image processing means having a different function from the first image processing means. And a means for executing a second image processing.

Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external view of a digital color copying machine to which an embodiment of an image signal processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied.

The digital color copying machine 10 is roughly composed of two components.

That is, as a first roughly classified element, there is provided a color image scanner section (hereinafter abbreviated as "leader section") 12 for reading a document image positioned above in color and outputting digital color image data. The reader unit 12 includes a controller unit 14 that performs various image processing of digital color image data and has a processing function such as an interface with an external device.

Further, as a second roughly classified element, there is provided a printer unit 20 which is located below the reader unit 12 and records a color digital image signal output from the controller unit 14 of the reader unit 12 on recording paper. ing.

The reader unit 12 reads image information from originals of various shapes and sizes, such as a three-dimensional, sheet-like, or large-size sheet-like original, placed downward on an original table (not shown) below the original pressing plate 16. It also has a built-in mechanism.

Also, on one side of the upper surface of the reader unit 12, a controller unit is provided.
An operation unit 18 connected to 14 is provided. This operation unit
Numeral 18 is for inputting various information as a copying machine, operating fingers, and the like.

Further, the controller unit 14 is configured to give an operation instruction to the reader unit 12 and the printer unit 20 according to the information input via the operation unit 18. When it is necessary to perform a complicated editing process or the like, the document holding plate 16
Alternatively, a digitizer or the like can be attached and connected to the controller unit 14, thereby enabling more advanced image processing.

On the other hand, in the printer section 20 of this embodiment,
A full-color ink jet printer using a recording head of an ink bubble jet recording system as described in Japanese Patent No. 59936 is used.

The two major elements described above are separable from each other, and are set so that they can be installed at locations separated from each other by extending the connection cable.

 The following is a detailed description of the roughly divided elements.

FIG. 2 shows the digital color copier 10 shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal configuration of the device viewed from the side.

(Reader Unit 12) First, the configuration of the reader unit 12 of the copying machine 10 will be described.

The reader unit 12 is placed on a platen glass 28 by an exposure lamp 22, a lens 24, and an image sensor 26 (in this embodiment, a CCD sensor is used) capable of reading a full-color line image. The image of the original, the image projected by the projector, or the image of the sheet original by the sheet feeding mechanism 30 is read.

Next, various types of image processing are performed on the image information read by the reader unit 12 in the reader unit 12 and the controller unit 14. Thereafter, the read and image-processed information is transmitted to the printer unit 20. Then, it is recorded on the recording paper.

(Printer Unit 20) Next, in the printer unit 20, the recording paper is a paper feed cassette 32 for storing cut paper of a small fixed size (in this embodiment, A4 to A3 size) and a large size (A2 in this embodiment).
(Up to A1 size) is selectively supplied from the roll paper 34 for recording.

Paper feed is started by a print start instruction from the controller unit or by the unit, and is first conveyed to the position of the first paper feed roller 44 through the following route. In this embodiment, the recording paper is fed along the paper feed unit cover 38 into the manual feed slot 36.
Further, manual paper feeding (paper feeding from outside the apparatus) performed by manually inserting recording paper one by one is also possible.

When recording paper is fed from the paper cassette 32 mounted on the printer unit 20, one sheet of paper is fed from the paper cassette 32 on the upper surface of the recording paper set surface of the paper cassette 32 at the paper feeding end. A pick-up roller 40 for taking out is provided. For this reason, by driving the pick-up roller 40, the uppermost recording sheet set in the sheet cassette 32 is taken out, sent to the cut sheet feed roller 42, and further fed by the first sheet feed roller 44. Transported to

On the other hand, in the case of the roll paper 34, the roll paper feed roller 46
, Are cut into a fixed length by a cutter 48, and are conveyed to the above-described first sheet feeding roller 44 position.

Similarly, when the paper is fed manually through the manual feed slot 36, the manually fed recording paper is conveyed by the manual feed roller 50 to the first paper feed roller 44.

Here, a pick-up roller 40, a cut paper feed roller 42, a roll paper feed roller 46, a first paper feed roller 44, and a manual feed roller 50 are provided by a feed motor (not shown) (not shown).
A DC servo motor is used), and an on / off control of the rotational drive can be performed at any time by an electromagnetic clutch attached to each roller.

The recording paper selectively fed from any of the above-described paper feeding paths is conveyed to the first paper feeding roller 44.
In order to remove the skew of the recording paper, a predetermined amount of paper loop is formed on the recording paper, and then the first paper supply roller 44 is turned on to rotate the recording paper. The recording paper is conveyed to the paper second roller 52.

A paper feed roller 64 disposed above the recording head 56 is disposed between the first paper feed roller 44 and the second paper feed roller 52.
The recording paper is slacked by a predetermined amount to form a buffer in order to perform an accurate paper feeding operation between the recording paper and the second paper feeding roller 52 disposed below. The buffer is provided with a buffer amount detection sensor 54 for detecting a buffer amount as a slack amount of the recording paper.
Since the buffer is always formed on the recording paper while the paper is being conveyed, the load applied to the paper feed roller 64 and the second paper supply roller 52 particularly when conveying large-sized recording paper can be reduced. And an accurate paper feeding operation can be performed.

In the printer unit 20 having the recording paper transport system configured as described above, when printing is performed by the recording head 56, the scanning carriage 58 to which the recording head 56 is attached is moved by the scanning motor 62 on the carriage rail 60. The recording paper is configured to scan back and forth in the main scanning direction by reciprocating in the front and back directions of the drawing. Then, in the forward scan, an image is printed on the recording paper by the recording head 56, and in the backward scan, a feed operation in the sub-scanning direction for feeding the recording paper by a predetermined amount by the paper feed roller 64 is performed.

Here, the feed amount along the sub-scanning direction is defined as a constant movement amount to be described later.
, That is, the length corresponding to the arrangement width of the suction holes formed over the surface of the platen 74 facing the recording head 56, not shown. Is set. The suction holes are for bringing the recording paper into close contact with the platen 74.

Further, in the recording paper drive control by the scanning motor 62 at the time of scanning on the return path, the buffer amount is controlled via the buffer amount detection sensor 54 so as to always maintain a predetermined buffer amount.

Then, the printed recording paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 66, and a series of printing operations is completed.

(Configuration of Scan Carriage System) Next, a detailed description of the configuration around the scan carriage 58 will be given with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 68 denotes a paper feed motor as a drive source for intermittently feeding the recording paper along the sub-scanning direction. The paper feed motor 68 can arbitrarily set and change the amount of rotation, and is configured to drive the second paper feed roller 52 via the paper feed roller 64 and the second paper feed roller clutch 70. Have been.

The above-described scanning motor 62 is provided as a driving source for causing the scanning carriage 58 to reciprocally scan along the main scanning direction indicated by arrows A and B via the scanning belt 72.

In this embodiment, a pulse motor is used for the paper feed motor 68 and the scanning motor 62 because accurate paper feed control with an arbitrary feed amount is required.

In the present embodiment, a paper pressing member (not shown) is provided at a position facing the lower end of the platen 74, and the paper pressing member fixes the recording paper to the platen while the scanning carriage 56 is scanning. Control is performed so that paper movement or the like does not occur.

Here, when the recording paper reaches the second paper feed roller 52, the clutch 70 for the second paper feed roller and the paper feed motor 68 are turned on, respectively, until the leading end of the recording paper is nipped by the pair of paper feed rollers 64. Is transported on the platen 74. Then, the conveyed recording paper is detected by a paper detection sensor provided on a platen 74.
The sensor 76 detects that the sheet has been conveyed past the platen 74, and the sensor information is used for position control, jam control, and the like.

When the leading end of the recording paper reaches the paper feed roller 64, the clutch 70 for the second paper feed roller and the paper feed motor 68 are respectively turned off, and then the inner space of the platen 74 becomes negative by the activation of a suction motor (not shown). Pressure is applied and the suction operation is started.
By such a suction operation, the recording paper is brought into close contact with the platen 74. At this time, the above-described paper holding member also fixes the recording paper to the platen.

Here, prior to the image printing operation on the recording paper, the scanning carriage 58 is moved to the position where the home position sensor 78 is provided, and then the outward scanning is performed in the direction of arrow A. In this forward scanning, inks of cyan “C”, magenta “M”, yellow “Y”, and black “K” are ejected from the recording head 56 as appropriate from a predetermined position to record (print) an image. It is.

Then, when the image recording operation for a predetermined length along the main scanning direction is completed, the driving direction of the scanning motor 62 is reversed, and the scanning carriage 58 is moved in the reverse direction, that is, in the direction shown by the arrow B to perform the backward scanning. Start. The scanning motor 62 is driven in reverse until the scanning carriage 58 returns to the position where the home position sensor 78 is provided.

During the backward scanning, the paper feed motor 68 is activated to rotate the paper feed roller 64 to thereby rotate the paper feed roller 64 by the length along the sub-scanning direction recorded by the recording head 56 indicated by the arrow C (the recording head 56). (For the width). In this embodiment, the paper feed amount, that is, the movement amount in the sub-scanning direction is not limited to the constant movement amount corresponding to the width of the recording head 56, but is defined by the final line width. It may be set to the one-sided movement amount.

In this embodiment, the recording head 56 is an ink jet nozzle, and a total of 256 nozzles are assembled for each color of Y, M, C, and K.

On the other hand, when the scanning carriage 58 stops at the home position defined by the home position sensor 78, the recovery operation of the recording head 56 is performed. This recovery operation is a process for performing a stable recording operation.
This is a process for preventing non-uniformity at the start of ejection caused by a change in the viscosity of the ink remaining in the 56 nozzles. In this process, a pressurizing operation is performed on each nozzle of the recording head 56 in accordance with pre-programmed conditions such as a paper feeding time, a temperature in the apparatus, and a discharging time, and an ink discharging operation from each nozzle is performed.

By repeating the above operation, desired image recording is performed over the entire surface of the recording paper.

(System Configuration) Next, the processing and control of image signals by the control system in the digital color copying machine 10 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 100 denotes a main CPU that controls the entire apparatus. The main CPU 100 processes a printer control CPU 102 that controls a printer, a reader control CPU 104 that controls a reading operation, and processes an image display operation. Main image processing unit 106, operation unit 108 as an input unit by the operator
Is connected.

Here, the printer control CPU 102 and the reader control CPU 104
It controls the operation of the printer unit and reader unit, respectively.
The main CPU 100 is set in a master-slave relationship.

The above-described main image processing unit 106 performs image processing such as edge enhancement smoothing, masking, black extraction, binarization, and trimming. Further, a synchronous memory 110 is connected to the printer control CPU 102 and the main image processing unit 106.
The synchronous memory 110 is for absorbing the time variation of the input operation and correcting the delay due to the arrangement of the recording heads described above. The output of the synchronous memory 110 is connected to the recording head 56.

The printer control CPU 102 is connected to a printer unit drive system 114 that controls input driving of the printer unit.

The reader control CPU 104 is connected to an input system image processing unit 116 that performs necessary correction processing in a reading system such as shading correction, color correction, and γ correction, and a reader unit driving system 118 that controls input driving of the reader. ing.

Further, the input line image processing unit 116 includes a CCD line sensor 120.
Are connected, and the input system image processing unit 116 is connected to the main image processing unit 106.

Here, the reader unit 12 is a main CPU 100, a reader control CPU 1
04, a main image processing unit 106, an operation unit 108, an input system image processing unit 116, a reader driving system 118, and a CCD line sensor 26 as an image sensor.

The printer unit 20 includes a printer control CPU 102, a synchronous memory 110, a recording head 56, and a printer unit driving system 114.
It is composed of

Next, the configuration of the main image processing unit 106 and the input system image processing unit 116 that are particularly characteristic of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 121 denotes an input masking processing unit, and reference numeral 122 denotes a log conversion processing unit. These two processing units 121 and 122 constitute an input system image processing unit 116.

Reference numeral 120 denotes an editing processing unit for controlling each processing unit of a main image processing unit to be described later, and 120a denotes a parameter switching flag storage area built in the editing processing unit. 123 is a color conversion processing unit that performs color conversion processing of an image signal, 124 is an output masking processing unit that performs masking processing, 125 is a γ correction processing unit that performs γ correction, and 126 is edge enhancement processing that performs edge enhancement smoothing and other processing And 127, a binarization processing unit that performs binarization processing of the image, and 134, a black extraction unit that generates a black component (K) from C, M, and Y data. In the present embodiment, the main image processing unit is configured by the above configuration.

The data set to each image processing unit is performed from the main CPU 100 and the reader unit CPU 104 via the data bus 132.

Each image processing unit of this embodiment has two data banks.
The control signals 128 to
One of the data banks is selected according to 131, 135 to 137, and image processing is executed according to the parameters set in the selected data bank.

The selection pattern of each data bank of each image processing unit corresponds to the image processing to be executed, and is set by the main CPU 100 via the data bus 120.

Next, the main CPU 100 and the printer control in this embodiment
The details of the copy sequence executed by the CPU 102 and the reader control CPU 104 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, when a start key (not shown) on the operation unit 108 is pressed down, the copy sequence task program is called, and the processing shown in FIG. 6 is started.

First, in step S1, a copy area is set based on data such as the original size, the magnification in the main scanning direction, the magnification in the sub-scanning direction, and the paper size set by the operation unit 108. The next step
In S2, data necessary for the initial setting is transmitted to the reader control CPU 104. That is, initial communication to the reader unit 12 is performed.

In the copy sequence described above, the following steps
In S3, data necessary for the initial setting is transmitted to the printer control CPU 102.

Then, in step S4, a parameter setting to a data bank of each image processing unit for executing each image processing such as edge enhancement, smoothing, masking, and binarization, and a setting of an operation instruction to the editing processing unit 121 are performed. . Then, in step S5, a calculation of the start time of each scan for synchronizing the reader unit 12 and the printer unit 20 is performed. As a result, the editing processing unit 12
The respective image processing units are manually controlled, and the input information is subjected to necessary image processing and output.

Therefore, in the next step S6, the reader unit 12 and the printer unit
Wait until the initial operations such as shading correction and paper feeding by each of the 20 are completed and the scan ready. If the scan ready state with both is reached, go to step S7 from step S.
And a start signal is transmitted based on the start time calculated in step S5. Then, in step S8, it is monitored that the reader unit 12 and the printer unit 20 start the main scanning operation, and when this is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S.

In this step S9, the reader unit next scanning mode communication is performed, and then in step S10, the process proceeds to the printer unit next scanning mode communication. These respectively read data for one scan of the copy source document and print data for one scan.

Then, it waits for the main scanning scan to end in step S11. When the main scanning scan ends, the process proceeds to step S12, and the sub-scanning, that is, the sheet feeding operation of the recording sheet is started.
Thereafter, in step S13, the process waits until the sub-scan is completed. When the sub-scan is completed, the scanning for one line is completed. For this reason, in the following step S14, the image processing parameters for the scan of the next line are set, and in step S15, it is determined whether or not the scan of the entire area has been completed. If scanning of all areas has not been completed, step S7
Then, if the scanning of all areas is completed, the control operation of the copy sequence is completed.

Next, details of the image processing parameter set processing and the image processing in accordance with the parameters in the above description will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing processing types and processing areas in which image processing is to be performed in the present embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of use and parameters of each image processing unit in the present embodiment when performing the image processing in FIG. It is a figure showing the example of a set.

In the example of FIG. 7, the normal image mode is set for the back a, the color conversion mode is set for the area b, the mono color mode is set for the area c, and the photograph mode is set for the area d. In this embodiment, parameters different from those of normal image processing are set in each mode in the layout shown in FIG. 7 in the following manners: color conversion mode; color conversion processing section 123, photograph mode; log conversion section 122 and output masking processing. Unit 124, mono color mode; masking processing unit 124, color conversion processing unit 123, and γ correction processing unit 1
25. In the normal image processing mode, all image processing units are used.

In the mono-color mode of this embodiment, two types of patterns using different processing units are prepared as described above.

As described above, in this embodiment, an image is formed by repeating the scan for the head width, and the image processing parameters are set when each scan is lost. This is the processing of steps S4 and S14 in FIG.

First, the setting of the image processing parameters in each bank in the line indicated by "A" in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

The image processing conditions included in the “A” line include three processing conditions (functions) of a normal image mode, a color conversion mode, and a mono color mode.

First, in step S20, parameters for the normal image processing area a are set in each bank 1 of each image processing unit. In step S21, decoding of processing conditions for determining whether there is an image processing area different from the normal image processing is sequentially performed in the main scanning direction. When the process proceeds to the setting of the parameters of the area b, the process proceeds from step S21 to step S22, where the boundary position of the area b is set and the processing conditions in the area b are decoded. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, a usable bank is determined based on the decoding.

In this embodiment, each image processing unit has two banks, and occupies one of the image processing units in normal image processing. Therefore, each of the image processing units can register only one type of the remaining parameters. That is, in one line process, only one other process can be executed.

For this reason, in the processing in step S22, the same image processing unit is allocated so that three types of image processing are not performed in one line. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S23, and the step S
The parameters are registered in the bank 2 of the image processing unit selected in 22.

In the example of FIG. 7, the parameters of the processing are registered in the bank 2 of the color conversion processing unit 123 to execute the color conversion mode as shown in FIG. Then, in the subsequent step S24, it is checked whether or not the registration of the parameters of one line has been completed. If not completed, the process proceeds to step S21, and if completed, the process ends.

Specifically, the registration processing of the parameters in the area b is completed, the normal image processing mode area is set again, and the monochromatic mode area of the area c is eventually set. Under the processing conditions of the mono color mode, the eighth
Both banks of the color conversion processing unit 123 to be selected in the figure have already been used. Therefore, it is not possible to select a color conversion processing unit 123 that can perform this processing. Therefore, in this case, the pattern of FIG. 8 is selected, the output masking processing section 124 is selected, and data such as parameters in the processing are set in the bank 2 of the output masking processing section 124 so as to execute this processing. I do.

On the other hand, the editing processing unit 120 prepares parameter conversion coordinates for each line according to the area boundary coordinates in step S21. The parameter conversion coordinates set a parameter switching flag 120a which is a flag for controlling ON / OFF of each processing unit and bank switching in accordance with the flow of processing of input data.

Then, each image processing unit is controlled according to the parameter switching flag.

During the scan in the Y direction, the data in area b is
When the data has flowed to 123, the color conversion processing unit 123 outputs the switching signal 130 so as to execute the color conversion mode, and selects the bank 2 of the color conversion processing unit 123. When the data of the area c flows, the switching signal 131 is output and the bank 2 of the masking processing unit 124 is selected so that the masking processing unit 124 can perform the processing in the mono color mode. In the areas other than the above-mentioned areas, each switching signal is controlled so as to select the bank 1 of each image processing unit.

Next, a specific example of the image processing parameter set for the "B" line shown in FIG. 7 will be described.

In the “B” line, normal image mode, mono color mode,
Three functions of the photo mode are set. The parameters for the normal image are set in bank 1 of each image processing unit. The parameters in the area d are stored in the log conversion unit 122.
And the output masking processing section 124. For the parameters in area c,
In this line, the output masking processing unit 124 has two banks.
Data is set in the bank 2 of the color conversion processing unit 123 and the γ correction processing unit 125 using the pattern which is used for both.

During the scan in the Y direction, the edit processing unit 121 selects the bank of the color conversion processing unit 123 and the γ correction processing unit 125 for area c in area 2 and the log conversion processing unit 122 and the output masking processing unit 124 for area d. Select bank 2. Then, in another normal processing mode, data is set so as to be in bank 1.

As described above, when a plurality of image processing patterns for one function are provided as in the mono color mode described in the present embodiment, and the function is selected according to the processing menu registered in advance, the circuit scale does not increase. , The degree of freedom of editing can be increased.

Another Embodiment Next, another embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 10 shows a configuration in which the editing processing unit in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is omitted, and each image processing unit has a simple structure having only one bank. It is a figure showing the example of.

In the second embodiment, a case is considered where a plurality of functions are set in one area instead of setting a plurality of areas as in the first embodiment.

First, a case in which the photograph mode + monochrome mode is set will be described as an example.

Note that the image processing units used in each processing mode are the same as those in FIG. Therefore, in order to realize the photograph mode, it is necessary that the log conversion unit 122 and the output masking processing unit 124 have different parameters from those of the normal image.

In order to realize the mono color mode, two combinations of patterns and patterns shown in FIG. 8 can be considered. Here, if a parameter set only for the pattern is provided, the output masking will be duplicated for the two functions, and a new parameter must be prepared.

However, in the present embodiment, since a pattern using another image processing unit is provided to realize the mono color mode, this pattern can be used. Accordingly, here, the parameters for the mono color mode are set for the color conversion processing section 123 and the γ correction processing section 125.

Thus, the function of the photograph mode can be realized by the log conversion unit 122 and the output masking processing unit 124, and the function of the mono color mode can be realized by the color conversion processing unit 123 and the γ correction processing unit 125. Mode is possible.

Next, consider the mono-color mode when the input image is not a reflection original but a projector.

In the Projector mode, the input masking processing unit 12
1. The log conversion processing unit 122 and the γ correction processing unit 125 are set with parameters different from normal parameters.

Therefore, in this case, the output masking processing section 124 is not used. Therefore, a pattern is selected for the mono color mode, and the parameters for the mono color mode are set in the output masking processing unit 124.

As described above, in the present embodiment, a plurality of image processing patterns for one function are provided, for example, in a mono color mode, and one of the plurality of image processing patterns is selected by a combination of functions. ,
It is possible to prevent a new parameter setting process or the like during the process due to the combination of functions.

In the above two examples, an example was described in which two patterns of parameters were prepared for the mono-color mode. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described pattern. Obviously, a plurality of processing unit patterns can be prepared.

Further, the hardware configuration of the image processing units is not limited to this example, and the arrangement order of each image processing unit can be any combination. In addition, it is naturally included in the present invention to enable these image processing units to operate in parallel and to combine necessary processing units in series.

Further, in the above description, the description has been given based on the image processing in the digital color copying machine. However, the present invention can naturally be applied to other devices having a similar image processing system.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in an image signal processing apparatus having a plurality of image processing units and capable of combining a plurality of functions, preparing a plurality of patterns of settings of the image processing units used in each function, By selecting the pattern according to the combination of functions, there is an effect that the degree of freedom of the combination of functions can be increased without increasing the circuit scale and the parameter pattern.

[Effect of the Invention] Conventionally, the same image processing is performed on a first area on an image and a second area different from the first area including the same line as the first area on the image. In the case where different image processing (for example, image processing with changed parameters) is performed by using the means, the image processing means is subjected to a high load in order to perform the different image processing. However, according to the present invention, the first region is not provided with the first region.
Executes the first image processing using the image processing means of
Since the second image processing which can be executed by using the first image processing means is executed by using the second image processing means having a different function from that of the first image processing means, Thus, it is possible to prevent the processing from being delayed due to a high load on the image processing means, and it is possible to reliably obtain a desired image processing result.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a digital color copying machine to which an embodiment of an image signal processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the internal configuration of the embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration around a scanning carriage of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control system unit in the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an image processing unit of the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing details of the copy sequence of the present embodiment, FIGS. 7 and 12 are diagrams showing examples of processing types and processing areas where image processing is to be performed, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of use of each image processing unit of this embodiment and an example of setting of parameters when performing the image processing shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process of setting image processing parameters to each bank in this embodiment FIG. 10 shows an image processing unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional image processing apparatus, and FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of use of each conventional image processing unit when performing the image processing of FIG. In the figure, 10: a digital color copier, 12: a reader unit, 14: a controller unit, 16: a document holding plate, 18 ...
Operation unit, 20 ... Printer unit, 22 ... Exposure lamp, 24 ...
Lens, 26 image sensor, 28 platen glass, 30 sheet feed mechanism, 32 paper feed cassette, 36
… Manual insertion slot, 38… Paper feed cover, 40… Pick-up roller, 42… Cut paper feed roller, 44,52… Paper feed roller, 46… Roll paper feed roller, 48… Ivy,
50: Manual feed roller, 54: Buffer amount detection sensor, 56
… Recording head, 58… Scan carriage, 60… Carriage rail, 62… Scan motor, 64… Paper feed roller, 66… Paper discharge tray, 68… Paper feed motor, 70… Paper feed Second roller clutch 72 scanning belt 74 platen 76 paper detection sensor 78 home position sensor 100 main CPU 102 printer control C
PU, 104: Reader control CPU, 106: Main image processing unit, 108: Operation unit, 110: Synchronous memory, 114: Printer drive system, 116: Input image processing unit, 118: Reader Unit drive system, 120: edit processing unit, 120a: parameter switching flag storage area, 121: input masking processing unit, 1
22 log conversion processing unit 123 color conversion processing unit 124
Output masking processing unit, 125 ... gamma correction processing unit, 126 ...
An edge enhancement processing unit, 127... A binarization processing unit, and 134... A black extraction unit.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/40-1/409 H04N 1/46 H04N 1/60

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image processing method in an image processing apparatus comprising an image processing means capable of executing image processing of a different function by setting a parameter, and performing image processing on a line-by-line basis. When at least two types of image processing that can be realized by the image processing unit are performed, first image processing to be performed by the first image processing unit is set for a first area on the image, and the first image processing is performed on the image. The second image processing is set for a second area different from the first area, including the same line as the first area, and the second image processing is set for the first area. The first image processing is executed by using one image processing means, and the first image processing is performed on the second area by using a second image processing means having a function different from that of the first image processing means. Can be executed using image processing means Image processing method, characterized in that to execute the second image processing.