JP3129717B2 - Image processing apparatus and image processing method - Google Patents

Description

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

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, as this type of image processing method, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 60-1322
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 50-14230 discloses a method of writing in a memory by exclusive OR processing of boundary line information and a predetermined paint pattern, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 71230/1995. Representative methods have been proposed, such as a case where pixels are painted on a memory corresponding to the 1-1 section obtained as described above, and a case where pixels are painted on a memory based on a created contour table or the like.

9 (a) to 9 (e) are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of a conventional closed figure painting process. In FIG. 7A, a closed figure 50 is constituted by four boundary lines 51 to 54.
55 indicates a fill pattern, and the fill pattern 55
Is performed by exclusive OR processing with the boundary lines 51 to 54.

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

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

FIG. 9 (b) shows that only the boundary line 51 is written in the full dot memory, and the filling pattern is obtained from the boundary line information.
Indicates the state where 55 is written, and the boundary 51 is from the start point 61 to the end point
A dot generation process is performed for each of the dots up to 62 one dot at a time to draw a line. At this time, every time one dot is generated, a writing process of a fill pattern 55 for one raster in the horizontal direction (x-axis direction) is performed in the fill range defined in advance from the adjacent right dot position. At this time, an exclusive OR operation with the data written in the memory is performed, and a process of writing the data in the full dot memory is performed. Therefore, when the pattern to be written is “1” and the data already stored in the memory is “1”, the data “0” is written in the memory.

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

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the conventional principle of filling a closed figure. Reference numeral 65 denotes a memory corresponding to a state where the closed figure 66 is expanded.

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

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

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

In the filling process of converting a “0” signal between “1” signals in a scan into a “1” signal, the processing and the hardware configuration are simple, but when the scan line and the vertex of the contour line intersect, If the number of intersections with the contour line is an odd number, painting is not performed normally, and exception processing must be performed at that point, requiring a processing time depending on the figure shape.

Further, when the filling process is performed by the exclusive OR process, since the logical operation time per unit dot increases,
In many cases, the processing speed is reduced as a whole, and the handling of the fill pattern is complicated.

Further, in the filling processing using the contour table, the number of contour points increases as the figure shape becomes more complicated. However, when the capacity exceeds the set contour table capacity, a predetermined contour point number thinning process is performed and the original figure shape is reduced. However, there is a problem that the filling process of an approximate shape different from the above is performed, and the quality of printing is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and one contour line defined by vector data stored in a contour information memory storing a plurality of contour lines constituting a closed figure as vector data. The writing of the dot data of the pattern memory opposite to the pattern is performed while sequentially inverting the dot data along the development direction, such as "0" for "1" and "1" for "0". By performing the fill processing inside the closed figure by performing the contour line of the closed figure, the conventional fill pattern data is closed from the fill processing of the closed figure which is written while taking the exclusive OR with the already written fill pattern data. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method capable of filling a figure at high speed.

[Means for solving the problem]

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention develops a contour information memory for storing a plurality of contour lines constituting a closed figure as vector data, and expands dot data of a pattern memory opposed to one contour line defined by the vector data. Inversion filling processing means for performing filling processing inside the closed figure by performing writing while sequentially inverting along the direction for a plurality of contour lines constituting the closed figure, wherein the reverse filling processing means comprises a pattern If the dot data in the memory is "1", it is written as "0", and if it is "0", it is written as "1".

The image processing apparatus further includes an output unit that outputs the dot data written in the pattern memory as an image.

An image processing method according to the present invention is directed to a dot data of a pattern memory opposed to one contour defined by vector data stored in a contour information memory storing a plurality of contours constituting a closed figure as vector data. Has a reverse fill processing step of performing a fill process inside the closed figure by performing writing while sequentially inverting along the development direction for a plurality of contour lines constituting the closed figure, and the reverse fill processing step includes: If the dot data in the pattern memory is "1", it is set to "0",
If it is "0", it is written as "1".

The image processing apparatus further includes an output step of outputting the dot data written in the pattern memory as an image.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes an instruction means, which instructs a closed figure to be subjected to a filling process from a code or draws it on a display device 5 by code. Specify a closed figure. Reference numeral 2 denotes an outline information memory which stores vector information of a plurality of outlines constituting the closed figure as vector data or vector data of the closed figure drawn on the display device 5 and inputs a code from the instruction means 1 or a cursor or the like. The vector data of the target closed graphic is output to the reverse filling processing means 3 according to the graphic instruction.

The reverse filling processing means 3 writes while sequentially inverting the write dots in the pattern memory 4 facing one outline defined by the vector information along the development direction,
The inside of the closed figure in the pattern memory 4 is developed with black dots, and a filling process is performed. Note that the inversion filling process is to invert each dot data A in the pattern memory 4 (1
0,01) and rewrites the pattern memory 4.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a printing device which prints dot data developed into a bit map on the pattern memory 4 as a dot image.

Next, the reverse filling process according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a contour of a figure to be filled. A closed figure 11 shows a state composed of contours 11a to 11d, and vector information defining the contours 11a to 11d is stored in a contour information memory. 2 is stored.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the transition of the reverse filling processing by the reverse filling processing means 3 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 (a) shows the state before the writing and the initialization (all "0"). FIG. 13B corresponds to the first reverse filling processing state, in which each dot is reversed and developed in the x direction (writing direction) with respect to the contour line 11a. FIG. 11C corresponds to the second reverse filling processing state, in which each dot is reversed and developed in the x direction (writing direction) with respect to the contour line 11b. FIG. 14D corresponds to the third reverse filling processing state, and corresponds to a state where each dot is reversed and developed in the x direction (writing direction) with respect to the contour line 11c. FIG. 11E corresponds to the fourth inversion filling processing state, in which each dot is inverted and developed in the x direction (writing direction) with respect to the contour line 11d, and as a result, the filled figure 12 is formed. Generated and expanded.

First, when an instruction for the closed graphic 11 is given by a code or a pick from the instruction means 1, vector information defining the outlines 11 a to 11 d is sent from the outline information memory 2 to the reverse filling processing means 3.

Therefore, the reverse filling processing means 3 is provided with the pattern memory 4
Are initialized as shown in FIG. 3 (a). Then, a reverse filling process is performed on the contour line 11a (see FIG. 3B). Next, the reverse filling process for the contour line 11b is performed. Since the dot data shown in FIG. 3B has already been written in the pattern memory 4, the reverse filling process for the contour line 11b is performed. 3 As shown in FIG. 3C, the dot on the writing direction side of the contour line 11b is inverted to "0".

Next, when the inversion writing process is performed on the contour line 11c, as shown in FIG. 3D, the dot on the writing direction side of the contour line 11c is inverted to "1". In addition, contour 11
When the reverse writing process is performed on d, as shown in FIG. 3E, the dot on the writing direction side of the contour line 11d becomes “1”.
The figure is inverted to “0” or “0” or “1”, and the filled figure 12 is expanded and stored in the pattern memory 4.

Here, when a display or print request is made for the filled figure 12 developed by the instructing means 1, it is displayed on the display device 5 (however, a thinned-out display in accordance with the resolution) or
The image is output from the printing device 6 as a dot image.

Note that, in the above-described reverse filling processing, white spots as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (c) may occur at the end of the reverse filling at each vertex or the contour line on the end side of the painting. The writing is performed by shifting one dot with respect to the painting scanning direction.

4 (a) to 4 (c) are schematic diagrams for explaining an unpainted phenomenon in the paint-out processing, where ● indicates a painted (black) dot and ○ indicates an unpainted dot.

As shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C, if the above-described inversion processing is performed while tracing the contour in the direction of the arrow, the contour on the end side of the painting disappears. Therefore, in order to perform higher-quality filling, after finishing the filling process, the outline is drawn by OR, or when tracing the end side, processing such as starting inversion from a position shifted in the one-dot scanning direction is performed. I need. However, if such a painting process is performed, the vertex cannot be painted as a result, so that a process of painting the vertex from the original position is required.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the filling process is executed for the simple figure has been described. However, the above-described inverting filling process is also used for the filling process of the outline font defined by the vector information (this generates the vector font). Can be performed.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a document device for generating and outputting a vector font based on contour information. Reference numeral 21 denotes a control unit which stores a CPU 21a such as a microcomputer, a control program for the CPU 21a, various data, and the like. ROM21b, CPU
R that temporarily saves various data as a work area for 21a
AM21c, vector font memory (contour information memory) 21e
And an address table 21d. In the vector font memory (outline information memory) 21e, vector font data (vector information indicating the outline of the character) such as a character corresponding to the character code is stored together with attribute information.

The address table 21d stores font data addresses corresponding to character pattern codes.

Reference numeral 22 denotes an image memory configured as a bit map. The character generator 26 converts outline character data composed of vectors into dots, and then develops a dot image of the character. Further, the character generator 26 has a bitmap memory RAM 26a, and operates as a work memory when developing from vectors to dots. Then, the CRT described later via the video memory 27
The display is performed on the device or the interface unit 25b
The contents of the RAM 26a are sent to the printer 25a via the printer and the printing process is performed.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a CRT device which displays the bit image developed in the video memory 27 with high definition. For example, when displaying a vector font, the vector information is developed into dots by the character generator 26 and transferred to the video memory 27.

24a is a keyboard, 24b is a pointing device,
Together with the keyboard 24a, it operates as a data input source of the document device. 28 is a bus.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the vector font data stored in the vector font memory (contour information memory) 21e shown in FIG. 5 and the print pattern. For example, the character code is JIS-C-6226. This shows the case of the character "love" of "3026" in the code system, and 31 is vector font data, which stores love and contour points (in the figure) of the character as coordinate data. Reference numeral 32 denotes a print output character, which corresponds to a character output by performing the above-described filling process on the contour defined by the vector font data 31.

Next, referring to FIG.
Will be described.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining an example of a procedure of a filling output process based on the vector font data 31 according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (9) indicate each step.

First, the character generator 26 is instructed by the CPU 21a.
Initializes the bitmap memory RAM 26a (1), waits for completion of inputting document information for one page (2), and when initialized, performs character code analysis stored in the RAM 21c (3) Referring to the address table 21d based on the analyzed character code (4), a plurality of contour data are read from the vector font memory 21e (5), and each contour data is inverted and developed in the bitmap memory RAM 26a. It is transferred to the image memory 22 (6). Next, it is determined whether or not the inversion of all the outline data for all the character codes has been completed (7). If NO, the process returns to step (3). If YES, the process waits for a print command to be input. (8) If YES, the bitmap data in the image memory 22 is transferred to the printer 25a for printing (9).

As a result, much higher processing can be expected than the conventional filling processing by exclusive OR processing, and it is possible to display a vector font on a bitmap or print out a dot image at high speed.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the character data of the outline font composed of the vector of the character generator 26 is expanded into dots, the bit map memory of the work is used.
Calculate the middle point address from the top development address and the last development address in the development direction of the RAM 26a, and perform the top development on the middle point address or the middle bit of the bit map area of, for example, about 128 points set in the work. If control is performed so that the filling process is performed from the address in the direction of the midpoint address or the intermediate bit, and from the final expanded address, the processing is performed in the direction of the midpoint address or the direction of the intermediate bit (see FIG. 8), an extra You can restrict the filling process for addresses. Therefore, the filling process can be completed even more rapidly than in the above embodiment, and the printing speed and the display speed can be remarkably improved.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the contour information memory that stores the plurality of contours that form the closed figure as vector data and the one that is opposed to one contour defined by the vector data Reverse writing processing means for performing a filling process inside the closed graphic by performing writing while sequentially inverting the dot data of the pattern memory along the development direction to perform a plurality of contour lines constituting the closed graphic, The reverse fill processing means writes "0" if the dot data in the pattern memory is "1" and writes "1" if the dot data is "0". Therefore, the conventional fill pattern data is written in the previously written fill data. The closed figure can be filled faster than the fill processing of the closed figure written while taking exclusive OR with the pattern data. Kill.

In addition, since there is output means for outputting the dot data written in the pattern memory as an image, the conventional fill pattern data is written while taking an exclusive OR with the already written fill pattern data. The closed figure can be filled and output faster than the processing.

Further, according to the image processing method of the present invention, a pattern facing one contour defined by vector data stored in a contour information memory storing a plurality of contours forming a closed figure as vector data. A step of inverting the dot data in the memory while sequentially inverting the dot data in the development direction for a plurality of contour lines constituting the closed figure to thereby perform a filling process inside the closed figure; In the processing step, if the dot data in the pattern memory is "1", it is set to "0", and if the dot data is "0", it is set to "1", so that the conventional fill pattern data is written with the already written fill pattern data. Filling closed figures faster than filling closed figures written while taking the exclusive OR of Kill.

Further, since the method has an output step of outputting dot data written in the pattern memory as an image, the conventional fill pattern data is written with exclusive OR with the already written fill pattern data while the closed figure is written. The closed figure can be filled and output faster than the processing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a contour of a graphic to be painted, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrated in FIG. FIGS. 4A to 4C are schematic diagrams illustrating the transition of the reverse painting process by the reverse painting process unit, FIGS. 4A to 4C are schematic diagrams illustrating the unpainted phenomenon in the painting process, and FIG. 5 generates and outputs a vector font based on contour information. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a document device which performs the above-described operation. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between vector font data stored in the vector font memory shown in FIG. 5 and a print pattern. FIG. FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining an example of a paint output processing procedure based on vector font data. FIG. 8 is a schematic view for explaining another reverse fill development processing of the present invention, and FIGS. 9 (a) to 9 (e). Is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of processing narrowing coating conventional closed figure, FIG. 10 is a schematic view for explaining the principle fill conventional closed figure form. In the figure, 1 is an instruction means, 2 is an outline information memory, 3 is a reverse filling processing means, 4 is a pattern memory, 5 is a display device,
Reference numeral 6 denotes a printing device.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masaki Hamada 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Kunio Seto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Incorporated (72) Inventor Akashi Shirasaka 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (56) References JP-A-63-26773 (JP, A) JP-A-62-6381 (JP) , A) JP-A-60-132271 (JP, A)

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A contour information memory for storing a plurality of contour lines constituting a closed figure as vector data, and dot data of a pattern memory opposed to one contour line defined by the vector data along a developing direction. Inversion filling processing means for performing a filling process inside the closed graphic by performing writing while sequentially inverting a plurality of contour lines constituting the closed graphic, wherein the inversion filling processing means includes dot data in a pattern memory. An image processing apparatus, wherein if "1" is set to "0", and if "0" is set to "1", writing is performed. 2. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising output means for outputting dot data written in said pattern memory as an image. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of contour lines forming a closed figure are stored as vector data, and dot data of a pattern memory facing one contour line defined by vector data stored in a contour information memory is stored in a developing direction. A reverse filling process step of performing a filling process inside the closed graphic by performing writing while sequentially inverting along the plurality of contour lines constituting the closed graphic, wherein the reverse filling processing step includes a dot of the pattern memory. An image processing method characterized in that when data is "1", it is set to "0", and when it is "0", it is set to "1" and written. 4. The image processing method according to claim 3, further comprising an output step of outputting dot data written in said pattern memory as an image.