JP3346051B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus capable of reproducing a document created in a personal computer (DTP) or the like and described in a PDL or other image data format with high quality.

[0002]

[Prior art]

(Background) In recent years, multimedia and DTP (Desk Top Pub)
lishing) has led to the creation of very complex and sophisticated documents in offices and various other applications. As the demand for outputting such a document at higher speed, higher image quality, and easier is increasing, various image processing apparatuses have been developed. Such an image processing apparatus receives a document file described in PDL (Page Description Language) by various standard interfaces, interprets the document file, interprets the document file, and faithfully reproduces the document file in a target image forming apparatus. Is performed. 2. Description of the Related Art As an image forming apparatus, there is generally known an apparatus which forms an image of an electrophotographic system.

In recent years, color electrophotographic printers and the like have been remarkably popularized, and the PDL described above has been widely used.
Some image processing apparatuses for interpreting document files corresponding to color printers have been announced. The basic configuration thereof includes an image expansion unit that interprets a PDL document file and performs expansion processing, and a binary or multi-value full-page image memory, and temporarily stores a raster image in the image memory. Is formed and sent to a printer.

Here, the image memory has a resolution of, for example, 400 dpi (dot / inch) and an A3 size (420 m).
Assuming one page of image data of m × 297 mm), a binary image has a capacity of 4 megabytes, and one pixel has a multi-value of 8 pixels.
In the case of bits, a capacity of 32 megabytes is required. In the case of a color image, K (black),
Since each page of four colors of Y (yellow), M (magenta) and C (cyan) is required, an enormous capacity of 128 megabytes is required as an image memory.

In general, when developing / generating a multivalued image by an image processing apparatus having a binary image memory, an area gradation method such as a halftone dot, dither or error diffusion method is used. Many. In an image forming apparatus that handles a multi-valued image, one pixel is represented by 8 bits, thereby obtaining 2 bits.
In an image forming apparatus having 56 gradations and handling a color image, each color of K (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta) and C (cyan) is composed of 8 bits, and 1 Typically, a pixel is treated as 32 bits.

(Resolution) In recent years, with the advent of various input devices (scanners, video still cameras, etc.) and document editors due to advances in DTP hardware / software technology, various spatial resolutions or gradation resolutions have been developed. Image elements can be incorporated into one document (one page), and a document that is more complex, sophisticated, and combines image elements with various spatial or gradation resolutions can be created. Have been. Here, the image element refers to an image block classified by data having similar properties, and can be divided into, for example, a character / line drawing area, a graphic area, and a natural image area.

[0007] Documents that are complex and sophisticated and have various spatial resolutions or gradation resolutions are also available in PDL.
Can be easily expressed and generated as a simple file. At the time of generating the PDL file, various different spatial resolutions and gradation resolutions included in the document are described in a unique logical coordinate space that does not depend on the input / output device, according to the rules of the PDL. On the other hand, the image processing apparatus interprets those PDL descriptions and performs the expansion processing at the spatial resolution and the gradation resolution of the image memory of the image processing apparatus. Normally, the spatial resolution and the gradation resolution at which the expansion processing is performed here are the same as the spatial resolution and the gradation resolution of the target image forming apparatus such as a printer.

When a color image or the like is handled, an enormous image memory is required as described above. Therefore, an image processing method utilizing various information amount compression methods has been proposed.
Such a proposal is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-87460. According to the method described in this publication, basically, DCT (Discrete
An image compression method such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) based on Cosine Transform (Discrete Cosine Transform) is employed. In an image compression method such as JPEG based on DCT, a region requiring high spatial resolution such as a character / line image and a region requiring high gradation resolution of a halftone image such as a natural image are used. There is also a problem that the compression efficiency and the image deterioration are different, and in the technology described in the above publication, proposals for solving this problem are made at the same time.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-63064 discloses a method for solving the same problem, in which a character / line drawing area that can be binarized is treated as a binary image, and is encoded using an MMR encoding method. Area is coded by DCT, and each area is expanded or stored in a separate image memory, merged at the time of output, and output to the target image forming apparatus to improve compression efficiency. 2. Description of the Related Art An image processing apparatus capable of causing a good image to be obtained has been proposed.

Further, in the character / line image area and the natural image area, since the spatial resolution and the gradation resolution are basically in conflict with each other, a high-resolution binary image memory for the character / line image area is required. A low-resolution multi-valued image memory, and a technique for obtaining a good image by merging and outputting the image data stored in each image memory at the time of output. Several methods have been proposed that can reduce the amount of water.

(About color space)
With the advancement of technology, image elements having various color spaces can be incorporated into one document (one page), and a document having more complex, advanced and various color space image elements can be created. It has become. For example, in some PDL, the CIE-based color space (CIE 1931 (XYZ) space ^{XYZ, CIE1976 (L * a *} b *) space L ^* a ^*
b ^* , RGB in calibrated RGB space), device KYMC, and other special color space image elements can be incorporated into a one-page document.

Here, when importing image elements each having a different color space as a PDL file,
All of the CIE-based color bases are loaded into a one-page PDL file in a form converted into the XIE color space, which is the CIE tristimulus value, and the other color spaces are left as they are.

Normally, when one page of a PDL file includes image elements having a plurality of different color spaces, the conventional image processing apparatus uses the same color space as that of the target image forming apparatus. Perform processing to convert to space. The color space conversion process performed at this time is, for example, a general device R
The complete conversion process from GB to device KYMC is represented by the following formula, which is performed by software.

[0014]

(Equation 1)

In these equations, BG (k) and UCR
(K) is a Sumi-version composition function and a UCR function, respectively, and these functions differ depending on the characteristics of the target image forming apparatus. Various calculations and comparison processing of the color space conversion processing shown in these equations are performed for all image pixels constituting the image for each pixel.

A document having a plurality of image elements input by different image input devices can be easily expressed by using PDL and can be generated as a file. When a PDL file is generated, image elements input by different image input devices are:
It is determined by PDL and converted and described in a unique color space and format independent of the input / output device. Then, in the image processing device, those PDLs
The description is interpreted, and expansion processing is performed at the spatial resolution and the gradation resolution of the image memory included in the image processing apparatus.

As described above, in the image processing apparatus, in the image expansion processing, the color space conversion processing and the color matching processing depending on the device unique to the image processing apparatus are performed, and a color output image faithfully reproducing the input screen is obtained. Are performed.

As a well-known technique of such processing, there is, for example, one described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-282965.
The technique described in this publication converts an image element input by an input device such as a scanner into an RG that depends on the input device.
The image data is received as image data of a color space such as B, and the received image data is converted into tristimulus values XYZ that do not depend on the input / output device. Then, L ^* a ^* b ^{* of} CIE1976 is used ^.
, And perform gamut matching processing / color matching processing to perform Y,
The amount of each color ink such as M and C, the amount of background removal and the amount of inking for K (black) generation are calculated and generated, and gradation control processing is performed to faithfully reproduce the color of the input screen. An image output is obtained.

In the above-mentioned specific PDL, color matching processing of the same concept is performed. That is, when an image input / output / generation / editing device such as a host computer generates a PDL file for image formation, a color space dependent on various image input devices on the host computer side depends on the device. The CIE-based tristimulus values are converted into PIE files, and a PDL file is generated. On the image processing apparatus side, when performing image development / generation processing, image input / output is performed by referring to a CIE-based color rendering dictionary. A color space conversion process and a color matching process are performed in which a color space that does not depend on the image input / output device is converted into a color space that depends on the image input / output device. This makes it possible to obtain an output image that faithfully reproduces the color of the input image without depending on each image input / output device.

Recently, various color matching framework software called a color management system has been provided from each DTP software maker or the like for the purpose of performing color matching processing in the same manner.

The frame software itself of such a color management system owns information called a device profile corresponding to an image input / output device. It is possible to convert a space into a device-independent (for example, CIE 1976 L ^* a ^* b ^* , XYZ, etc.) color space, and vice versa.

Here, the color management system is
Based on the device profile, image data input / output from each image input / output device is converted into a device-independent color space of various image input / output devices, and input / output processing is performed, whereby each image input / output process It is intended to easily perform a color matching process between devices.

[0023]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

(Problems Related to Resolution) However, when such a conventional image processing apparatus basically performs PDL interpretation processing and performs expansion processing, it has a unique spatial resolution and gradation that the image processing apparatus or image forming apparatus has. It can only be processed at the resolution. The image data subjected to the expansion processing at the spatial resolution and the gradation resolution specific to the image processing apparatus are all supplied to a target image forming apparatus such as a printer as a single spatial resolution and a gradation resolution. Whether various image processes are performed on the image forming apparatus side,
Alternatively, image formation is performed without any operation.

As described above, the image elements constituting the document can be divided into a character / line drawing area, a graphic area, and a natural image area. The spatial resolution and gradation required for each image element are described. The resolution is different. For example, in a character / line drawing area, a high spatial resolution is required, but in most cases, it can be expressed as a binary, so a low gradation resolution may be used. In the graphic region, since the same value is likely to appear successively, it is possible to represent the image with a low spatial resolution. The spatial resolution is the spatial resolution of an image forming apparatus such as an image processing apparatus or a printer. Is very low, and in most cases it can be expressed in binary, so a low gradation resolution is sufficient. On the other hand, a high gradation resolution is required for a halftone image such as a natural image, but a high spatial resolution is not required.In addition, high resolution becomes oversampling and deteriorates image quality. Good.

Originally, in order to form a true high-quality image on image elements having different spatial resolutions and gradation resolutions which are required respectively, the image processing apparatus needs to perform image formation. With the attributes of the image elements stored up to the stage, the data is sent to the target image forming apparatus such as a printer, and the image depending on each image forming apparatus in a format suited to each characteristic. Alternatively, image formation should be performed.

For example, when a natural image read by a scanner includes small characters of 7 pt (point) or less and other line drawings, the conventional image processing apparatus uses an image of a character region and a natural image region. The attribute of the image cannot be stored and transmitted to an image forming apparatus such as a printer. For this reason, even if the image forming apparatus is a printer having a function of drawing two types of line screens, for example, 200/400 lines, 200/400 lines can be formed as a single image for all areas. In the case of 200 lines fixed, the outline of the character becomes unclear or the halftone character becomes slightly blurred, whereas in the case of 400 lines fixed, the area of the natural image is fixed. Causes oversampling, and in general, the halftone reproducibility deteriorates.

In recent copiers / printers, etc.,
There are several methods for designating an area in a certain document and switching between screens or performing various kinds of image processing. However, in the case where the character area and the natural image area overlap each other as described above, the physical limitation (the amount of memory for designating the area) and the limitation of the area designating means There is a problem that it cannot be specified due to the above.

(Problems Concerning Color Space) On the other hand, in the conventional image processing apparatus, when interpreting the PDL and performing the expansion processing, the image processing apparatus or the image processing apparatus which processes all image data is basically used. It must be converted to a specific color space that the image forming device has,
There is a problem that the color space conversion process in this case takes a very long time. This problem will be described below with an example.

Regarding the colors and color spaces of various graphic elements described in PDL, in most cases,
In the PGB color space, a color is designated by a color palette or the like, and the color hardly changes for one image element. Thus, for example, 1
If the proportion of each image element in the page document is small, the color space conversion process and the expansion process do not spend much time.

However, in the case where almost the entire surface of a one-page document is a raster natural image read and input by a scanner or the like, at the time of image development, color space conversion processing is performed on almost all pixels of one page. Therefore, an enormous amount of time is required for image development processing of a one-page document, and the performance of the image processing apparatus is reduced.

For example, an image memory having a resolution of 400 dpi and an A3-size page required for one page has a capacity of as much as 4 megabytes in binary, and a multi-valued 8-bi in one pixel.
t requires 32 Mbytes each. Furthermore, in the case of a color image, four of K, Y, M, and C
The need for color pages requires a huge amount of image memory of 128 megabytes in total. In this case, if the document to be processed is a natural image in its entirety, it is necessary to perform as many as 128 million (mega) operations in the above-described color space conversion processing.

Moreover, the conventional image processing apparatus described above
Basically, when interpreting the PDL and performing the expansion processing, only the color matching processing for a predetermined image input / output device can be performed. For this reason, in one document, it is input by different image input devices,
When image data dependent on the image input device is included, the color matching process is performed only for the determined image input / output device, and different color matching processes may be performed for each image element. You can't.

Further, in the processing device corresponding to the above-mentioned specific PDL, even if a single document includes a plurality of image elements input from different image input devices, a color rendering dictionary relating to the image input device is used. By attaching a color matching process.
It is possible to perform the processing differently for each image element. However, since these color matching processes only provide a polynomial operation method as a color matching operation, a high-precision color matching process cannot be performed. In order to obtain high accuracy, it is necessary to have conversion tables for all color spaces, which leads to an increase in file size and waste, and all processing is performed by software. In addition, the color matching process requires an enormous amount of time.

On the other hand, even a color matching framework software called a color management system provides only a simple color matching calculation process, so that a high-precision color matching process cannot be performed. For this reason, similarly to the processing apparatus corresponding to the specific PDL, it is necessary to have conversion tables for all color spaces in order to obtain high accuracy, which leads to an increase in the file size and a large waste. At the same time, all the processes are performed by software, so that the color matching process requires an enormous amount of time.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of forming a higher quality image.

[0036]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a predetermined format is provided.
Files in different formats
Input method for inputting files with similar color spaces
Interpret and expand the file and color
Expansion means for generating a plurality of types of attribute information indicating a space
And the file expanded by the expansion unit
Image data to be converted to image data matching the space
Data conversion means, and image data for storing the image data.
Storage means for storing the attribute information in the same location as the image data;
Attribute information storage means for storing in a target space, and the attribute information
The attribute information and the image data stored by the storage means;
The image data stored by the data storage means is stored in a coordinate space.
Data output means for reading and outputting correspondingly;
To the image data output by the
According to the attribute information output by the data output means.
Image processing means for performing a color space conversion process .

[0037]

[0038]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, input means
Is a file written in a predetermined format.
Files with different types of color spaces
Is input, and then this file is extracted by the extracting means.
Multiple that are interpreted and expanded and indicate the color space
Type attribute information is generated. In addition, the expanded files
Image is converted to a color space by the image data conversion means.
It is converted into matching image data. This image data
Data and attribute information, the image data storage means and the attribute information storage
And the data output means.
It is read and output in accordance with the coordinate space. Soshi
And the image processing means, according to the attribute information at that time,
Perform color space conversion processing on image data
U.

[0039]

[0040]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) An image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment
The image data processing apparatus 1 and the image forming processing apparatus 3 are roughly classified. Therefore, first, the image data processing device 1 will be described.

(Configuration of Image Data Processing Apparatus) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image data processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. In this figure, reference numeral 12 denotes a data communication unit, which inputs a document file described in a specific PDL (hereinafter, simply referred to as “PDL file”). This PDL file has been created by the host computer 11. Reference numeral 13 denotes an image development unit that performs image development processing, interprets a PDL file, and creates an object list of each image element.
When performing font expansion, the image expansion unit 13 performs font expansion processing with reference to data stored in the font memory 14.

Here, the object list indicates at which position in the image coordinate space of the image data processing apparatus 1 each object (image element) exists.
Further, the structure is a structure that indicates what kind of configuration the image element has, what kind of attribute the image element has, and what kind of color the object has. The position in the image coordinate space is, for example, (x min, y mi
n), (x min, y max), which can be represented by diagonal coordinates.
Circles, lines, and other image elements can be represented. Attributes can be represented by characters, line drawings, natural images, graphic elements, and the like.
By indicating to the color pallet that 3 has internally, those expressions are possible.

Next, reference numeral 15 denotes an image data conversion unit, which performs processing for expanding or converting the image data described in the object list into various data by the image expansion unit 13. Reference numeral 16 denotes a control circuit for controlling each unit, and a detailed operation will be described later. Reference numeral 17 denotes an image storage unit, which is roughly classified into image memories 18 a to 18 d and a tag bit memory 19.

The image data in this embodiment is such that each pixel is 8 bits, the resolution is 400 dpi, and the size is A
Three sizes (4 megapixels) are assumed. Therefore, each of the image memories 18a to 18d stores image data corresponding to color K, Y, M, and C, respectively, and the total of these capacities is 128 megabytes. On the other hand, the tag bit memory 19 includes the image memories 18a to 18a.
8d is a memory having the same image coordinate space (4 megapixels), and stores tag bits corresponding to each coordinate. Here, the tag bits in the present embodiment classify image elements into the following four types with 2 bits as shown in FIG. That is, the tag bits are classified into a natural image area (3), a graphic area (2), a character / line drawing area (1), and another area (0). Here, the numbers in parentheses indicate the 2-bit notation in decimal. Reference numeral 20 denotes an image interface, which exchanges image data with the image forming processing apparatus 3.

(Classification of Image Data in this Embodiment) Here, an example of classification of image data in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Original image 3 shown in this figure
00 can be decomposed into a character / line drawing image 301, a graphic image 302, and a natural image 303, and each image can be classified into image elements of a character / line drawing area, a graphic area, and a natural image area.

(Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus) Next, an image forming apparatus 3 according to the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming processing device 3. In this figure, reference numeral 31 denotes an image interface, which exchanges data with the image data processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, interprets tag bits, and selects data.

Gamma correction unit 32, color space conversion unit 3
3, each image processing unit of the filter 34, the UCR / black generation unit 35, the gradation generation unit 36, and the screen processing unit 37
It has an image processing function for performing different image processing in accordance with the designation of each tag bit, and an LUT (Look Up Table) for performing the processing therefor. Reference numeral 38 denotes a laser drive circuit for forming an image according to data. Note that the image formation in this embodiment may be an electrophotographic system, an inkjet system, a thermal transfer system, or other systems. In this case, the reference numeral 38 is appropriately changed.

Reference numeral 39 denotes a control unit, which controls synchronization, system control, and UI in the image forming processing apparatus 3.
In addition to performing various controls such as control, image processing control, and communication control, an instruction such as what kind of image processing is to be performed when what kind of tag bit is given before starting the operation by software.

The image forming processing device 3 may be of a copier type having an image input device 40.
In this case, the original is read in three colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) by the CCDs 41a to 41c, and these read signals are read by the A / D converters 42a to 42c.
c, the signal is converted into a digital signal. Then, the shading correction unit 43 corrects the sensitivity variation for each pixel and corrects the illumination unevenness, and finally outputs the output signal line 44a.
The data is supplied to the image interface 31 as data having the R, G, and B color spaces through.
In this case, the image interface 31 selects the data from the image input device 40 instead of the image data from the image data processing device 1, and performs the image forming process.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of this embodiment. First, the operation of the image data processing device 1 will be described.

(Operation of Image Data Processing Apparatus)
In step Sa1, the PDL file created by the host computer 11 is received by the data communication unit 12, and is interpreted by the image development unit 13. In the next step Sa2, an object list is generated by the interpretation of the image developing unit 13. In this generation, main scanning is performed by moving forward by one line in the (+) direction of x from the smallest (x = 0, y = 0) position in the image coordinate space.
A backward scan is performed in the y direction while moving backward, and again (x = 0, y
= 1), the main scanning is performed by moving forward one line in the x (+) direction, and the same scanning is repeated for the object. Thus, 1
An object is created for each line on the page.

Next, the image data, which has become the object list, is passed to the image data conversion unit 15, and the process proceeds to step Sa.
3 is virtually rasterized (developed), and in step Sa4, all scan lines of one page are converted into a byte map rasterized for each of K, Y, M, and C colors, and in next step Sa5 K, Y, M and C image memories 18a to 18
d is temporarily stored.

On the other hand, at the same time as performing the above processing, the image data converter 15 generates an object tag in step Sa7. As described above, the location of objects having different attributes and the attributes of the objects can be clearly determined from the object list passed to the image data converter 15. Based on this information, the image data conversion unit 15 performs a tag bit generation process on the tag bit memory 19. In generating the tag bits, the image data conversion unit 15 performs the image data expansion / conversion processing, and at the same time, knows the characteristics of each image element and the position where the image element exists, and sets the tag bit shown in FIG. As shown by the function table, tag bits are written to the tag bit memory 19 (step Sa8). In the case where image elements having different attributes overlap during the expansion processing, the attribute of the image element located at the uppermost layer is applied.

As described above, the image data conversion processing by the image data conversion unit 15 into the image memories 18a to 18d is performed.
When the tag bit generation processing to the tag bit memory 19 is completed, communication is performed by the image interface 20 with the target image forming processing apparatus, and an image output synchronization signal is supplied via the communication / synchronization signal line 23. Is done.
Then, the image interface 20 determines in step Sa6
In, the image data stored in the image memories 18a to 18d are read out, and the raster decoding process is performed, and the image interface 20 instructs the control circuit 16 to output image data. Thus, in step Sa9, the image memories 18a to 18a-1
The image data in 8d and the tag bits in the tag bit memory 19 are output to the image forming processing device via the image interface 20. At that time, the image data and the tag bit are respectively stored in the image interface 2
0 is transmitted to the communication partner image forming processing device 3 via the image data output signal lines 21a to 21d and the tag bit output line 22.

At this time, the image data and tag bits are sequentially scanned line by line in the x direction from the smallest position (x = 0, y = 0) in the image coordinate space of the image memories 18a to 18d. Here, the image memories 18a to 18d and the tag bit memory 19 have the same image coordinates and the size of one surface is the same, so that at the time of output, the image data and the tag bits are completely synchronized for each same coordinate data. The image is output to the image forming processing apparatus in the form. These processes in the image data processing apparatus are instructed by the control circuit 16 in a synchronized manner.

(Operation of Image Forming Apparatus) Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 3 will be described. Image input device 4
When the data according to 0 is not used, the image interface 31 selects the image data from the image data processing device 1 and supplies the selected image data to the subsequent image processing units together with the tag bits supplied at the same time. Performs image processing for each image element based on. As shown in FIG. 2, the tag bits are classified into a natural image area (3), a graphic area (2), a character / line drawing area (1), and another area (0), and are thus supplied at the present time. Which image element the image data is is determined by the tag bit supplied at that time.

Thus, when the image element corresponding to the image data is classified into the character / line drawing area (1) by the tag bit supplied at the same time, the screen processing section 37 outputs the image element with 400 lines. In the case of classification into other areas, processing is performed so as to output 200 lines.

Similarly, the γ correction unit 32 switches the γ correction coefficient according to the tag bit, and the color space conversion unit 33 switches the LUT during the color space conversion processing according to the tag bit. , Filter processing unit 3
Reference numeral 4 denotes switching of a filter coefficient at the time of filter processing according to the tag bit, UCR / black generation unit 35 switches a coefficient at the time of UCR / black generation in accordance with the tag bit, and gradation control unit 36 switches the tag bit. Control LU during gradation control
Switching of T is performed. That is, each image processing unit 32
In steps 37 to 37, the supplied image data is subjected to optimal processing for the image element indicated by the tag bit, and the processing results are sent to the laser drive circuit 208.
In step Sa11, image formation is performed.

According to the first embodiment, image formation is performed on a plurality of image elements having different characteristics in a document of one page while maintaining their attributes. It is possible to do.

(Modification of First Embodiment) Next, the first
Various modifications of the embodiment will be described.

(Modification) FIG. 6 is a view showing a function table of tag bits according to a modification of the first embodiment. This modification is a system having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. However, the tag bits classify the image elements into the following eight types using three bits. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the tag bits include a color gradation (natural image) region (7), a monochrome gradation (natural image) region (6), a background color region (5), and a foreground color region. (4) Image elements are classified into image elements of a halftone character area (3), a color character area (2), a black character area (1), and other areas (0). Therefore, the tag bit memory 19 in this modification is
It is composed of a memory having a size of 3 bits × 4 mega pixels (12 mega bits). In this modification, the operations of the image data processing apparatus 1 and the image forming processing apparatus 3 are the same as those of the first embodiment, and show an image processing apparatus in which the corresponding image elements are classified differently.

(Modification) FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image data processing apparatus according to a modification of the first embodiment. Elements having the same functions as those of the first embodiment are the same. The code is attached. This modification shows a screen data processing apparatus having an image memory 18e corresponding to monochrome multivalued image output in a system having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. In this modification, a 32-megabyte image memory 18e capable of storing an image of 8 bits per pixel, a resolution of 400 dpi, and a size of A3 is provided in correspondence with image data output of a monochrome multi-valued image. This shows an image data processing apparatus having a function corresponding to multi-valued image output as in the first embodiment. In this modification, since the image data from the image interface 20 is not a color image but a monochrome multi-value, the output line of the image data is one of the image data output signal lines 21e.

(Modification) FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image data processing apparatus according to a modification of the first embodiment. Elements having the same functions as those of the first embodiment are the same. The code is attached. This modification is different from the first embodiment in a system having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment.
1 shows an image processing apparatus having image memories 18f to 18h corresponding to multivalued image output in a color space.
That is, in this modified example, each pixel has 8 pixels corresponding to the output of image data having the R, B, and G color spaces.
96 megabytes of image memory 18f, 18 capable of storing an image of 400 dpi, bit size, and A3 size
This figure shows an image data processing apparatus having the functions of g, 18h, and corresponding to multi-valued R, G, B image output as in the first embodiment.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image data processing apparatus according to a second embodiment. Elements having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. It is attached. The image data processing device 2 in the second embodiment does not have a continuous image memory space of a required size in the one-page image memory 18i, but has a smaller virtual memory space than that. At the same time, when developing an image, an optimal encoding conversion process is performed on each of a character / line drawing area, a graphic area, and a natural image area.

(Image Data Conversion Unit of Second Embodiment) The image data conversion unit 15b of the second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment in that image elements are classified into respective attributes according to an object list. However, the functions required when decoding the data together with the image data of the intermediate format generated as a result of performing, by software or hardware, the optimum encoding conversion processing for each of the classified image elements. The first point is that data is stored in the image memory 18i of the image storage unit 17.
This is different from the embodiment. Here, the optimal encoding conversion processing is, for example, a binary encoding method for a character / line drawing area, a run-length encoding encoding method for a graphic area, and a natural image area. Indicates the JPEG system.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the memory map of the image memory 18i and the image data in the intermediate format. As shown in FIG.
For example, image data indicated by the memory map 400 is stored in i. The character / line drawing data 401 is a binary bitmap data format 405 of a binary coding system.
The color data 402 is a color pair data format consisting of 8 bits of FG (foreground) color / BG (background) as color data of the binary coding system and the run-length encoding coding system. The natural image data 403 is stored as a data format 407 of the JPEG encoding method, and the function data 404 is stored as a data format 408 including function data and run-length data. Here, the function data is stored in a data format 408 of 4 bits, and the run length data is stored in a data format 408 of 12 bits in total.

(Image Interface of Second Embodiment) The image interface 20b of the second embodiment is
The image data in the intermediate format stored in the image memory 18i is read out according to the function data, decoded (decompressed), and supplied to the image forming processing device. Therefore, next, the configuration of the image interface 20b will be described. FIG. 11 shows the image interface 2
0b is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG.

In this figure, reference numeral 201 denotes a read / write controller, which stores character / line image data, color data, natural image data stored in the image memory 18i.
And the function data at the address referred to by the ARs 202 to 205. Here, AR2
02 to AR 205 are a character / line image data pointer register, a color data pointer register, a natural image data pointer register, and a function data pointer register, respectively. In the memory map 400 (see FIG. 10), a non-fixed length The correspondence between the image data of each intermediate format stored in the rule and the address thereof is stored. At the time of initial setting, the top address where the image data of each intermediate format of the first page exists is set.

Reference numeral 206 denotes a multiplexer, which distributes the intermediate format image data supplied from the image memory 18i under the control of the read / write controller 201. Each of reference numerals 207 to 210 is FI
An FIFO (First-In First-Out) memory, the FIFO memory 207 stores function data, the FIFO memory 208 stores character / line drawing data, the FIFO memory 209 stores color data, and the FIFO memory 210 stores natural image data. Remember.

Reference numeral 214 denotes a communication controller, which communicates with an image forming processing apparatus as a destination. Sign 2
A function controller 15 reads function data from the FIFO memory 207, decodes the data, determines what data is necessary, and what kind of function is to be performed, and outputs expanded image data.

(Function Controller) Next, the detailed configuration of the function controller 215 will be described with reference to FIG. In this figure, a binary data register 215a is a register for temporarily storing and holding the character / line image data expanded by the expander 211, and similarly, a color data register 215b is
The natural image data register 215c is a register for temporarily holding the color data delayed by 12 and the natural image data expanded by the expander 213, respectively.

Reference numeral 215d denotes a function decode controller, which reads function data from the FIFO memory 207, decodes the data, and controls each unit. The function decode controller 215d has a built-in counter for counting the number of execution pixels of the function, and counts the number of execution pixels of the same function indicated by the run length field of the function data. Reference numerals 215e and 215f denote multiplexers for selecting and outputting one input under the control of a function decode controller 215d via a controller 215g. Here, the content of the decoding performed in the function decode controller 215d will be described with reference to FIG.

In this figure, use of character data (0)
Indicates a data area of a character / line drawing area,
In particular, when this bit is "0", the character / line drawing data is expanded using the character data and output as image data. The number of output pixels at this time is the number of pixels indicated in the run length field in the function data.

Next, the color data inversion (1) means that when normal color data is referred to, the FG color data is referred to as the foreground color of a character or a figure, and the BG color data is the background of the character or a figure. While this bit is referred to as ground color, this bit is "1"
Indicates that the FG color data and the BG color data are referred to in a form inverted to the background color and the foreground color, respectively.

The graphic / natural image (2) indicates a graphic data area or a natural image data area.
In the case of a graphic data area (when this bit is “0”), run-length decoding is performed to output image data, while in the case of natural image data (when this bit is “1”), Decompress the natural image data and output the image data. Here, the run length to be run-length decoded and the number of pixels of the image data to be output after decompressing the natural image data are output by the number of pixels indicated in the run-length field in the function data.

When the use of character data (0) and the graphic / natural image (2) are both specified, use of character / line drawing data is output when both of character data use are specified. The foreground color and the background color are selected from FG color and natural image data, respectively. At the same time, when color data inversion (1) is instructed, the output of FG color and natural image data is inverted.

The white output (3) indicates that white data is output, and is used when outputting a margin or margin of one page. At this time, the number of pixels of the image data output is equal to the number of pixels indicated in the run length field of the function data.

(Operation of the Second Embodiment) As in the first embodiment, the PDL file received from the host computer 11 via the data communication unit 12 is transmitted to the image development unit 13 under the control of the control circuit 16. Image expansion processing is performed. At this time, the image development unit 13 creates an object list of each image element, and the image data conversion unit 15
b interprets this object list,
It is classified into each attribute. As in the first embodiment, the image element in the second embodiment includes a character / line drawing area,
It is classified into a graphic area and a natural image area. Each of the classified image elements is subjected to an optimal encoding conversion process for each of the image elements by the image data conversion unit 15b, and the resulting intermediate format image data is stored in the image memory 18.
i. The image data conversion unit 15 performs this process and, at the same time, generates function data for generating a raster image by combining the image data in the intermediate format at the time of decoding.
8i.

When the storage of the image data of one page or plural pages in the intermediate format is completed in the image memory 18i, communication / synchronization with the image forming processing apparatus is performed by the image interface means 20b as in the first embodiment. Communication is performed via the signal line 23, and an image output synchronization signal is output. At the same time, the image interface means 20
b instructs the control circuit 16 to output image data. Thus, the image data in the image memory 18i is output to the image forming processing device via the image interface 20b.

(Operation of Image Interface) Next, the operation of the image interface 20b will be described. When the control circuit 16 instructs the image processing / forming apparatus to output image data, in FIG. 11, image data in an intermediate format is supplied to the image interface 20b. Then, first, the FIFO memories 207 to 210
Are stored until the respective data is in the FULL state. That is, if the function data is FI
In the FO memory 207, the character / line drawing data is stored in the FIFO memory 208, and the color data is stored in the FIFO memory 209.
The natural image data is stored in the FIFO memory 210, respectively.

In the FULL state, a synchronization signal is output from the communication controller 214 to the image forming processing apparatus via the communication / synchronization signal line 23 to instruct data output. On the other hand, the image forming processing device that has received this outputs a synchronization signal for instructing image data output to the communication controller of the image interface 20b via the communication / synchronization signal line 13. Then, the communication controller 214 having received the synchronization signal instructs the function controller 215 to read data from the FIFO. Function controller 2 receiving this read instruction
15 reads function data from the FIFO memory 207 and determines what data is required next and what kind of function it is. Then, the function controller 215 outputs the image data according to the instruction of the function.

Here, the reading of data into the FIFO memory is repeatedly performed in order from the FIFO which is no longer in the FULL state, and is controlled so as to maintain the FULL state until image output of one page is completed.
These processes are basically performed for each line, and the output of one page of image data is completed by repeatedly outputting all the line data.

(Operation of Function Controller) Next, the function controller 215 shown in FIG.
The operation of will be described. The function decode controller 215d temporarily stores and holds the function data output from the FIFO memory 207, and
3, the function is decoded by the function table shown in FIG. 3, and the binary data register 215a, the color data register 215b, and the natural image data register 21 are decoded.
5c and the controller 215g.
Thereby, the decoded function is executed. At this time, data necessary for executing the function is read from any of the binary data register 215a, the color data register 215b, and the natural image data register 215c.

For example, in the case of a function for outputting color data, the function decode controller 2
15d gives an instruction to the color data register 215b, and the multiplexers 215e and 215f send the instruction to the color data register 215 via the controller 215g.
Command to select the output of b. As a result, the color data is read out from the color data register 215b, output sequentially through the multiplexers 215e and 215f, and the function is executed.

When the execution of the same function is counted by the given number of execution pixels by the counter in the function decode controller 215d, the execution of the function ends, new function data is read, and the next function data is read. Data necessary for executing the function is read into any of the binary data register 215a, the color data register 215b, or the natural image data register 215c,
The next function is performed in a similar manner. Needless to say, the data necessary for execution is read from any of the FIFOs 208 to 210 corresponding to the read destination from the decompressor 21.
1 or 213 or via a delay 212 to a corresponding register.

[0086] Even in the case of a function indicating the output of character / line image data, the output of natural image data, or a combination thereof, the same processing is performed, and it is possible to obtain a raster image of the target image data. Become.

The controller 215g recognizes which data among binary data, color data, and natural image data is to be output by the function to be executed, generates a raster image of the target image data, and The tag bit corresponding to the function shown in (1) is generated, and the tag bit is output in synchronization with the image data.

In the encoding system used in the second embodiment, M / M
In addition to using the MR coding method, a DCT coding method or the like may be used for a natural image area.

(Modification of Second Embodiment) Next, the second
A modification of the embodiment will be described.

In this modification, as shown in FIG. 14, when an image element such as a character requiring a high spatial resolution is present in a halftone image element area such as a photograph, For an existing image element, an image is generated on the image data processing apparatus side using an image screen (for example, an area gradation method such as a halftone dot or an error diffusion method) in which image deterioration does not occur. On the other hand, in this modified example, the image forming processing apparatus does not perform any processing for the area, and performs the screen generation processing in the image forming processing apparatus only for image elements such as characters. As a result, it is possible to prevent image deterioration occurring on the boundary line at which the screen is switched.

Further, in the same configuration as the second embodiment, the host computer 11 generates a low-noise screen without image degradation or an image screen with various image screen angles, and transmits the generated image screen to the data communication unit. 12 and a function to specify a different image screen for each image element.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described.
An example will be described. In the third embodiment, image elements having a plurality of different color spaces are managed for each image element, and its attributes can be stored.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image data processing apparatus 1C according to the third embodiment.
Elements having the same functions as those of the image data processing apparatus 1 in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. The image developing unit 13C in this figure performs an image developing process of a PDL file described in a specific PDL, and is different from the first embodiment in that the PDL file is interpreted and an object list of each image element is created. Similar to the example, but slightly different for the object list.

That is, the object list in this embodiment includes information as to where the image element exists in the image coordinate space of the image data processing device 1C, what kind of configuration the image element is, and what kind of image element. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it has a structure that indicates whether the object is a color object and also indicates what kind of color space attribute the image element has. Here, regarding the attribute of the color space, CIE
Although it can be expressed by the base tristimulus value XYZ, the device KYMC, the device RGB, etc., in the third embodiment, the device KYMC
It will be described as.

The image developing unit 13C performs rasterizing processing of raster image elements other than the color space of the target image forming apparatus 3C (described later).
The color space of the raster image element and the position of the image element are recognized from the object list, a color space conversion image element list indicating the existence of the image element is created, and the list is passed to the control circuit 15C. Control circuit 1
5C controls each unit and holds the color space conversion image element list until image data is output.

Here, the color space conversion image element list will be described. This color space conversion image element list is stored in the image memory 18a in which the image data is stored.
-18d have the same image coordinate space and include color space bits corresponding to each coordinate of the image data.

The color space bits in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, define the color space conversion function in the following four types with 2 bits. That is, the color space bit is the device KY
MC → Device KYMC (through) conversion (0), CIE
XYZ → device KYMC conversion (1), device YM
C → device KYMC conversion (2) and device RG
Each color space conversion of B → device KYMC conversion (3) is defined.

(Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus Applied to Third Embodiment) Next, an image forming apparatus 3C applied to the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming processing device 3C. The image forming processing apparatus 3C in this figure has the γ correction unit in FIG. 3 removed, and the other parts are the same.

(Operation of Third Embodiment) Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described. First, the PDL file created by the host computer 11 is received by the communication unit 12, and is subjected to image expansion processing by the image expansion unit 13C under the control of the control circuit 16C and is interpreted. Next, in the image developing unit 13C, an object list of each image element is created in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

Next, the image data that has become the object list is virtually rasterized (developed) by the image developing unit 13C, and is subjected to rasterization / conversion processing as a byte map rasterized based on the object list. At this time, the smallest (x = 0,
The existence of an object is checked for each scan line in the x direction from the position of (y = 0), and if the existence of the object is confirmed, the object is expanded and one scan in the x direction is performed. Data required for the line is calculated, and required data is obtained.

By performing the same processing for all objects existing on one scan line, a byte map of one scan line is obtained, and the byte map of one scan line is written into the image memories 18a to 18d. Then, the process of developing the next scan line is performed. In the same manner, the rasterization processing is performed on all the scan lines of one page, and the image memory 18a
-18d is written with rasterized image data.

Here, at the time of development / conversion processing, the image development unit 13C performs development processing of raster image elements other than the color space (here, device KYMC) of the target image forming processing apparatus, When performing the conversion, the color space of the raster image element and the position of the image element are recognized from the object list, and a color space conversion image element list indicating the existence of these image elements is created. Supply data. In response, the control circuit 16C holds the color space converted image element list until the image data is output.

The image developing unit 13C converts the image elements listed in the color space conversion image element list into a PDL file without performing the conversion process to the color space of the image data processing apparatus. The expansion process is performed in the sent color space. At this time, for image elements having a color space of three separations, expansion processing is performed on YMC in the image memories 18b to 18d. (For example, in the case of device RGB or CIE XYZ, the expansion processing is performed on the YMC image memory 16 respectively.)

When the image data conversion processing for the image memories 18a to 18d is completed by the image data conversion section 15C, communication with the target image forming processing apparatus 3C is performed by the image interface 20C. , An image output synchronization signal is supplied via a communication / synchronization signal line 23. When this is received, the image interface 2
0C instructs the control circuit 16 to output image data, whereby the image data in the image memories 18a to 18d is output to the image forming processing device via the image interface 20. At that time, the control circuit 16C
Refers to the color space conversion image element list created by the image expansion processing when outputting an image element requiring the color space conversion processing, and indicates that a color space bit indicating the color space conversion processing is to be generated. An instruction is given to the interface 20C. Upon receiving this, the image interface 20C generates and outputs a color space bit simultaneously with the output of the image data.

The output image data and color space bit are output signal lines 21a to 21a, respectively.
The image data is sent to the image forming processing device 3C via d and 22. At this time, the image data and the color space bits are
From the smallest (x = 0, y = 0) position in the image coordinate space of the image memories 18a to 18d, the image is sequentially scanned and sent for each scan line in the x direction. The memories 18a to 18d and the image coordinate space of the color space conversion image element list held by the control circuit 16C have the same image coordinates and the same size on one side. The bits are output to the image forming apparatus in a form completely synchronized with each other for the same coordinate data. The processing in the image data processing apparatus is instructed by the control circuit 16C in a synchronized manner.

Next, the operation of the image forming processing apparatus 3C will be described. In the image interface 31, the input image data is switched depending on whether or not the data from the image input device 40 is used. In the latter case, the image interface 31 selects the image data from the image data processing device 1C and supplies it to the subsequent processing converters together with the simultaneously supplied color space bits. At this time, the image interface 31
Also interprets the color space bits and supplies the interpretation result to the control unit 39. Color space converter 3
3 executes, from the color space bits, a color space conversion function classified by the table shown in FIG. 16 on the image data supplied at that time.

Each control of the image forming processing apparatus 3C, for example, synchronization control, system control, UI control, image processing control, communication control, etc., is performed by the control unit 39. Is also instructed by the control unit 39 by software before starting the operation.

(Specific Processing in Third Embodiment) Here, how the document shown in FIG. 18 is processed by the third embodiment will be described. An original image 500 in this figure includes a plurality of image elements having different color spaces, that is, a device RGB data image element 501 and a device YMC data image element 50.
2. CIE XYZ data image elements 503 are classified, and when each image is output, color space conversion processing is performed on each image element.

In the third embodiment, the device RG
When outputting the B data image element 501, the device RGB
→ The color space bit of the device KYMC conversion (3) is generated and the RGB → device KYMC conversion process is performed. On the other hand, when the device YMC data image element 502 is output, the device YMC → device KYMC conversion (2)
Is generated and the device YMC →
Device KYMC conversion processing is performed, and CIE
When the XYZ data image element 503 is output, CIE X
A YZ → device KYMC conversion process is performed, and a color space bit of device KYMC → device KYMC conversion (0) is generated for other areas, and a device KYMC → device KYMC conversion (through) process is performed. .

According to the third embodiment, a document having a plurality of different color space image elements in one page is subjected to color space conversion processing by software on the image data processing device side. Don't
Since the image formation is performed by hardware pipeline processing, the time required for the color space conversion processing is shorter than before, and the image can be developed, formed, and output at a higher speed.

(Modification of Third Embodiment) Next, a modification of the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image data processing device according to this modification. The same reference numerals as in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 15 denote the same parts in FIG.

This modification has substantially the same configuration as that of the third embodiment, except that the color matching circuit 50 is provided on the output side of the image interface 20C. The color matching circuit 50 includes a device KY
The color space conversion LUT corresponding to each MC is provided, and the color space conversion LUT referred to in the color space conversion is switched according to the instruction of the switching signal to perform the color space conversion processing and the color matching processing. The color matching circuit 50 can be configured by a color matching LSI or the like using a general-purpose DLUT (direct look-up table method).

FIG. 20 is a table showing the correspondence between color space bits and color matching functions. In this modification, since the color space conversion and the color matching processing are performed inside the image data processing apparatus, the color space bit transmitted to the image forming processing apparatus is instructed by the color space conversion processing on the image forming processing apparatus side. Is performed, other image processing such as gradation correction is performed.

In this modification, as in the third embodiment, the image expansion processing is performed without performing the color space conversion processing and the color matching processing that are normally performed, while retaining the attributes of the image elements. Thereafter, in the same manner as in the third embodiment, the image data and the color space bit are output from the image interface 20C, and are sent to the color matching circuit 50 by the former as an image input signal and the latter as a color space conversion LUT switching signal. Supplied.

Since the color space bits are supplied in synchronization with the image data corresponding to the same coordinates, the color space conversion LUT referred to in the color space conversion of the image data is switched in real time, and differs for each image element. A color space conversion process and a color matching process are performed.

Next, the processing according to this modification will be described with reference to an example in which the document shown in FIG. 21 is used. The document 600 shown in FIG. 21 includes image elements input by three different image input devices A, B, and C on one page. Specifically, the image elements 601, 602, and 603 include Are input from the image input devices A, B, and C, respectively.

In this modification, the color matching circuit 50 performs a color space conversion process from the image input device A to the image output device at the time of outputting the image element 601, and at the time of outputting the image element 602. The color space conversion process from the image input device B to the image output device is performed. When the image element 603 is output, the color space conversion process from the image input device C to the image output device is performed. In this case, a default color matching process is performed.

According to this modification, even when image elements input by different image input devices are included in one document, image expansion / generation processing is performed while retaining the attributes of each image element. Since different color matching processing is performed for each image element, it is possible to obtain an image output that faithfully reproduces the color of a higher quality input image.

[0119]

According to the invention described above, the following effects can be obtained.

[0120]

At the time of image formation, appropriate image processing can be performed on image elements without depending on the color space unique to the apparatus, and such conversion processing can be performed by hardware. , It is possible to avoid the disadvantage that the conversion process takes time.
It works.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image data processing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a tag bit function table in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus applied to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating classification of image elements in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a tag bit function table in a modification of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image data processing device according to a modification of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image data processing device according to a modification of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image data processing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between a memory map of an image memory and image data of an intermediate format in the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image interface according to the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a function controller in the image interface according to the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the content of decoding performed in the function decode controller in the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a document applied to a modification in the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image data processing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a color bit function table in the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus applied to the embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the classification of image elements in the embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image data processing device according to a modification of the embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a color matching function table according to a modification of the embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining classification of image elements in a modification of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 data communication unit (input means), 13 image expansion unit (expansion means), 15 image data conversion unit (image data conversion means), 18a to 18d image memory (image data storage means) , 19 ... tag bit memory (attribute information storage means), 20 ... image interface (data output means), 32-37 ... image processing unit (image processing means)

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06T 1/00 G06T 11/60-17/50 H04N 1/00 H04N 1/38-1/393 H04N 1/40 H04N 1 / 46

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An input means for inputting a file described in a predetermined format and having a plurality of different types of color spaces, and a plurality of attributes indicating a color space while interpreting and expanding the file. Expanding means for generating information; image data converting means for converting a file expanded by the expanding means into image data matching a color space; image data storing means for storing the image data; Attribute information storage means for storing in the same coordinate space as the image data; read out the attribute information stored by the attribute information storage means and the image data stored by the image data storage means in correspondence with the coordinate space Data output means for outputting the image data, and image data output by the data output means. An image processing apparatus comprising: an image processing unit that performs a color space conversion process according to the attribute information output by the data output unit.