JP3884890B2 - Image processing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus and method for performing color determination on input image data.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an image processing apparatus that reads a document image and outputs it to a recording medium, a function called a reduced layout is known. According to this function, each of a plurality of read document images is reduced to 1 / n size, and the reduced n document images are laid out on a recording sheet having the same size as the document image. .
[0003]
A function for restoring individual reduced document images layout-output by the reduced layout function to the original document size is called an enlarged layout.
[0004]
Further, in an image processing apparatus that inputs image data by reading a document image, an auto color select (ACS) function that automatically detects a color mode indicating whether the read document image is monochrome or color. What is provided with is known.
[0005]
When performing ACS in a conventional image processing apparatus, a document is pre-scanned to determine whether the document is a color document or a monochrome document, and the document image is determined based on a color mode corresponding to the determination result. Appropriate image processing was applied to the image.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the ACS is executed in the conventional image processing apparatus, the entire surface of the document is a determination target. Therefore, for example, when the enlargement layout process is executed together with ACS for all of the plurality of images that have been laid out on one recording sheet by the reduction layout process, at least one color image exists in the plurality of images. As a result, even if all the other images were black and white, all the images were subjected to image processing in the color mode. As a result, inconveniences such as a decrease in image quality after an enlarged layout and an increase in processing time have occurred.
[0007]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides an image processing apparatus and method, and an image processing system capable of performing image processing in an optimal color mode during enlarged layout processing. Objective.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a means for achieving the above object, an image processing apparatus of the present invention comprises the following arrangement.
[0010]
That is, an image processing apparatus having an enlarged layout mode for enlarging and outputting each reduced image from a target image in which a plurality of reduced images are arranged, and an input unit for inputting the target image; The number of divisions of the enlargement layout of the target image and the output order of the plurality of reduced images to be enlarged are set, and based on the number of divisions and the output order, the target image is subject to enlargement output Image area First setting means for setting Let the user set an ACS determination area that is an ACS determination target in the effective image area. A second setting means; Only for the ACS determination area Make a chromatic / achromatic decision ACS judgment Determination means for obtaining a color mode in the region, and image processing based on the color mode obtained by the determination means Of the effective image area in the target image. image portion Applied to Enlarge the image part Output means for outputting.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
The basic configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.
[0016]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus of this embodiment is roughly divided into a scanner unit 380 and a printer unit 3871. Hereinafter, each configuration will be described in detail.
[0017]
<Scanner configuration>
First, the configuration of the scanner unit 380 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
[0018]
[Outline of device configuration]
In the scanner unit 380, reference numeral 101 denotes a CCD for detecting a color image signal. Even if the RGB color filters are arranged in-line in RGB order on a one-line CCD, each of the three-line CCDs has an R The filter, G filter, and B filter may be applied, or the filter may be on-chip or the filter may be configured separately from the CCD. Reference numeral 311 denotes a substrate on which the CCD 101 is mounted.
[0019]
A scanner CPU 300 controls the entire scanner unit 380 using a RAM (not shown) as a work area based on a control program stored in a ROM (not shown). Reference numeral 312 denotes a digital image processing unit configured on the image processing substrate to perform digital image processing after digitizing an analog image signal sent from the CCD substrate 311.
[0020]
Reference numeral 301 denotes an original platen glass, and 302 denotes an original feeder (DF). A configuration in which a pressure plate (not shown) is mounted instead of the document feeder 302 is also possible.
[0021]
Reference numerals 303 and 304 denote light sources (such as halogen lamps or fluorescent lamps) that illuminate the original; 305 and 306, reflectors that condense light from the light sources 303 and 304 onto the original; and 307 to 309, originals set on the platen. , A lens for condensing the projection light of the mirror on the CCD 101, a first mirror base for housing the halogen lamps 303 and 304, the reflectors 305 and 306, and the mirror 307. (Hereinafter referred to as a first carriage) 315 is a second mirror base (hereinafter referred to as a second carriage) that accommodates mirrors 308 and 309, and 316 is a sub-scanning direction (horizontal direction in the figure). Stepping motor driving unit that drives the motor.
[0022]
Reference numeral 313 denotes an external interface with another device. Although not shown in the present embodiment, the external interface 313 includes the scanner image such as a LAN interface device for connecting to a network, a SCSI interface device for connecting to a personal computer, a FAX device for operating as a FAX, and the like. Devices that are required to be used can be connected, and the scanner CPU 300 communicates with the CPU of the external device via this interface, whereby image data of a predetermined format is output to the external interface 313 at a predetermined timing. Can be output from.
[0023]
Reference numeral 353 denotes a dedicated interface for exchanging image data and various commands with a printer in charge of image output when the scanner unit 380 is used as a part of the image copying apparatus.
[0024]
Reference numeral 355 denotes an operation unit for displaying the status of the entire image forming apparatus including the scanner unit 380 and the printer unit 381 and inputting user instructions, and includes an LED panel and various operation buttons.
[0025]
[How to scan]
Hereinafter, a specific scanning method in the scanner 380 will be described.
[0026]
When a document is placed on the platen glass 301 by the DF 302 or the user, an instruction for the scanner CPU 300 to read an image is sent to various places in response to the occurrence of a document reading event such as pressing the copy button in the operation unit 355. give. Specifically, the light sources 303 and 304 are turned on to make the CCD substrate 311 operable, and image processing parameters are set in the digital image processing unit 312.
[0027]
When each preparation is completed, the stepping motor driving unit 316 is operated, the first carriage 314 is driven at a constant speed in the sub-scanning direction, and the entire surface of the document is sequentially irradiated. At this time, the second carriage 315 is designed to move at half the speed of the first carriage 314 so that the reflected light of the original is accurately focused on the CCD 101.
[0028]
The CCD 101 is configured by arranging light receiving sensors in the main scanning direction (from the front to the back in the figure), and sequentially applies an analog voltage proportional to the amount of light from a register corresponding to each light receiving sensor at regular intervals. Can be imported. By repeating this continuous voltage acquisition in the main scanning direction and the movement in the sub-scanning direction, it is possible to read the entire original surface as a two-dimensional image. The obtained two-dimensional image data forms a one-dimensional array on the time axis.
[0029]
The read image data is transferred from the CCD substrate 311 to the digital image processing unit 312, and after appropriate image processing, the image data is transferred to the outside of the scanner 380 via either the external interface 313 or the printer interface 353. Is output.
[0030]
[Scanner image processing details]
Hereinafter, digital image processing in the digital image processing unit 312 when the scanner unit 380 operates as part of the image copying apparatus will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the digital image processing unit 312, and each of these configurations is controlled by the scanner CPU 300.
[0031]
The document image on the platen glass 301 is guided to the CCD 101 and converted into an analog electric signal as described above, and then input to the digital image processing unit 312. In the digital image processing unit 312, the input analog image signal is first sampled and held (S / H) in the clamp & Amp & S / H & A / D unit 102, clamped with the dark level of the analog image signal as a reference potential, and a predetermined amount. A / D conversion after amplification is performed, for example, to convert the digital signal into 8-bit RGB signals. Note that the processing order in the configuration is not limited to this example, and can be changed as appropriate.
[0032]
The obtained RGB signals are subjected to shading correction and black correction in the shading unit 103, and then input to the stitching & MTF correction & document detection unit 104, where the stitching processing, MTF correction, and document detection processing are performed. Here, in the connecting process, when the CCD 101 is a three-line CCD, the reading positions between the lines are different. Therefore, the delay amount for each line is adjusted according to the reading speed so that the reading positions of the three lines become the same. This is a process of correcting the signal timing. The MTF correction is to correct the change because the reading MTF changes depending on the reading speed and the magnification. The document detection is a process of recognizing the document size by scanning the document on the platen glass 301. is there.
[0033]
The digital signal whose reading position timing is corrected is corrected in the input masking unit 105 by the spectral characteristics of the CCD 101 and the spectral characteristics of the light sources 303 and 304 and the reflectors 305 and 306. The output of the input masking unit 105 is input to a selector 106 that can be switched to an external input signal via the external I / F unit 114. The signal output from the selector 106 is input to the color space compression & background removal & LOG conversion unit 107 and the background removal unit 115. The signal input to the background removal unit 115 is subjected to background removal processing, and then input to the black character determination unit 116 that determines whether the character is a black character in the document, thereby generating a black character determination signal. The color space compression & background removal & LOG conversion unit 107 to which another output of the selector 106 is input first determines whether or not the read image signal is within a range that can be reproduced by the printer. If it is, the color space compression processing is performed so that it is within the range. Then, after performing background removal processing, RGB signals are converted into CMY signals by LOG conversion.
[0034]
Then, in order to correct the timing deviation from the black character determination signal generated by the black character determination unit 116, the timing of the CMY signal output from the color space compression & background removal & LOG conversion unit 107 is adjusted by the delay unit 108. The These two types of signals are subjected to removal of moire by the moire removal unit 109, subjected to scaling processing in the main scanning direction by the scaling processing unit 110, and then input to the UCR & masking & black character reflecting unit 111. The UCR & masking & black character reflecting unit 111 generates a CMYK signal by performing UCR processing on the CMY signal, and further corrects the signal to match the output characteristics of the printer by performing masking processing. The black character determination signal is fed back to the CMYK signal. The CMYK signal output from the UCR & masking & black character reflecting unit 111 is subjected to density adjustment by the γ correction unit 112 and then subjected to smoothing or edge processing in the filter unit 113.
[0035]
The CMYK signal processed as described above is converted from an 8-bit multilevel signal to a binary signal in the binarization unit 117. Note that this conversion method may be any of a dither method, an error diffusion method, or a method obtained by improving them. Through these processes, an image signal is sent from the printer interface 353 or the external interface 313 to the printer or other device.
[0036]
Reference numeral 118 denotes an ACS unit, which is a feature of the present embodiment, and performs ACS processing based on the CMY signal output from the input masking unit 105. Details of the ACS unit 118 will be described later.
[0037]
[Generate image signal]
Hereinafter, image signal generation processing in the scanner unit 380 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0038]
FIG. 3A is a timing chart showing image signal reading timing in the scanner unit 380. In the figure, V-ENBL is a signal representing an effective image section in the sub-scanning direction, H-SYNC is a synchronizing signal in the main scanning direction, V-CLK is a synchronizing signal for one pixel in the main scanning direction, and DATA is read from the CCD 101. And AD converted image signals. Although only one signal is described as DATA, there are actually Data-R, Data-G, and Data-B for each color component of RGB.
[0039]
FIG. 3B is a diagram schematically showing correspondence between a document image and an image signal obtained by reading the document image. In the figure, the main scanning direction is the X direction, and the sub-scanning direction is the Y direction. That is, the CCD 101 includes pixels (light receiving sensors) in the X direction, and captures image signals while moving from the left to the right in FIG.
[0040]
As described above, since V-ENBL indicates the effective area of the image, V-ENBL is effective when the first carriage 314 is driven at a constant speed and the original reading start point in FIG. Level, indicating the beginning of the image data, that is, the effective area. At this time, the image projected by the first carriage 314 onto the CCD 101 corresponds to the first line in the main scanning direction indicated by 411 to 414 in FIG.
[0041]
At this time, the H-SYNC reads an image from the CCD 101 in synchronization with V-CLK using the effective edge of the synchronization signal in the main scanning direction as a trigger. The read image is converted into digital data in the digital image processing unit 312 and converted into image data DATA indicated by 411, 412, 413,.
[0042]
The first carriage 314 is accurately controlled so as to move to the next capture line for the time of 1H of H-SYNC. After the capture of the first line is completed, the DATA 415 to 417 of the second line is similarly captured. . This operation is repeated sequentially and successively, and the last lines DATA 418 to 420 are fetched. When capturing in the sub-scanning direction is completed, V-ENBL is turned off, indicating that the image data has become invalid. For example, in FIG. 3B, 421 indicates image data outside the effective image.
[0043]
In this manner, the scanner unit 380 can read a document and take it as two-dimensional image data.
[0044]
<Configuration of printer unit>
Next, the configuration of the printer unit 381 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
[0045]
[Outline of device configuration]
In the printer unit 381, a printer CPU 385 controls the entire printer unit 381 using a RAM (not shown) as a work area based on a control program stored in a ROM (not shown). An image processing unit 384 performs image processing for generating a signal used for image formation, which will be described later. A scanner interface 383 is an interface for connecting a scanner device when the printer unit 381 is used as a part of the image copying apparatus.
[0046]
Reference numeral 382 denotes an external interface. Although not shown in the present embodiment, the external interface 382 is a device that is required to output an image to the printer, such as a LAN interface device for connecting to a network, a SCSI interface device for connecting to a personal computer, or the like. The printer CPU 385 and the CPU of the external device communicate with each other via this interface, so that image data in a predetermined format can be output from the external interface 382 at a predetermined timing. .
[0047]
Reference numeral 317 denotes an M image forming unit, 318 denotes a C image forming unit, 319 denotes a Y image forming unit, and 320 denotes a K image forming unit. Since the configurations of the image forming units 317 to 320 are all the same, the configuration of the M image forming unit 317 will be described in detail below, and the description of the other image forming units is omitted.
[0048]
In the M image forming unit 317, reference numeral 342 denotes a photosensitive drum, which is irradiated with light from the LED array 210 to form a latent image on the surface thereof. Reference numeral 321 denotes a primary charger that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 342 to a predetermined potential to prepare for latent image formation. A developing device 322 develops a latent image on the photosensitive drum 342 to form a toner image. The developing device 322 includes a sleeve 345 for applying a developing bias for development. Reference numeral 323 denotes transfer band electricity, which discharges from the back surface of the transfer belt 333 and transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 342 to a recording sheet or the like on the transfer belt 333. In the present embodiment, since the transfer efficiency is high, a cleaner portion for cleaning residual toner is not particularly arranged. Of course, a cleaner portion may be attached.
[0049]
[Image forming method]
Hereinafter, each configuration will be described in view of an actual image forming procedure. The recording sheets and the like stored in the cassettes 340 and 341 are taken out one by one by the pickup rollers 339 and 338 and are supplied onto the transfer belt 333 by the paper feeding rollers 336 and 337. Reference numeral 348 denotes a transfer belt roller that drives the transfer belt 333 and charges the recording paper fed in pairs with the adsorption charger 346 to a predetermined potential, thereby attracting the recording paper to the transfer belt 333. . A paper leading edge sensor 347 detects the leading edge of the recording paper on the transfer belt 333. The detection signal of the paper leading edge sensor 347 is also sent to the scanner unit 380, and is used as a sub-scanning synchronization signal when the image signal is sent to the printer unit 381 in the scanner unit 380.
[0050]
Thereafter, the recording paper is conveyed by the transfer belt 333, and toner images are formed on the surface in the order of MCYK in the image forming units 317 to 320. The recording paper that has passed through the K image forming unit 320 is separated from the transfer belt 333 after being neutralized by the static eliminator 349 in order to facilitate separation from the transfer belt 333. A peeling charger 350 prevents image disturbance due to peeling discharge when the recording paper is separated from the transfer belt 333. The separated recording paper is charged by the pre-fixing chargers 351 and 352 and then the toner image is thermally fixed by the fixing device 334 and then discharged after the toner image is compensated to compensate for the toner adsorption force and prevent image disturbance. The paper is discharged to the tray 335.
[0051]
[Printer image processing details]
Hereinafter, the image processing in the image processing unit 384 will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the image processing unit 384, and each of these configurations is controlled by the printer CPU 385. The configuration illustrated in FIG. 4 is connected to the detailed configuration of the digital image processing unit 312 in the scanner unit 381 described above.
[0052]
The CMYK image data output from the printer interface 353 of the scanner unit 380 illustrated in FIG. 1 is input to the scanner interface 383 of the printer unit 381. This means that a scanner image is input from the scanner interface 383 shown in FIG. The CMYK image data input from the scanner interface 383 is temporarily stored in the large-capacity image memory unit 201. Note that the image memory unit 201 may basically be a semiconductor memory, a fixed storage device, or a combination thereof, that is, any memory for storing images. It may be a simple configuration.
[0053]
Reference numeral 216 denotes an image information table, which holds information such as a color mode regarding image data stored in the image memory unit 201.
[0054]
At the same time as or after storing the image data in the image memory unit 201, the image data is read from the image memory unit 201 in response to an image output request such as a paper front end signal from the paper front end sensor 347, and edge enhancement is performed. Edge enhancement is performed in the unit 214, and table conversion is performed in the output gamma conversion unit 215 in accordance with the characteristics of the printer. The CMYK image data is sent to the delay units 202 to 205, and the difference in distance between the paper leading edge sensor and each image forming unit is adjusted by shifting the timing by a predetermined delay for each color. As a result, four colors can be printed at predetermined positions. And the LED drive parts 206-209 generate | occur | produce the drive signal of LED210-213 of each color, respectively.
[0055]
<Image copy function>
The operation when the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment realizes the image copying function will be described below. When a copy button arranged on the operation unit 355 is pressed, the scanner unit 380 issues an image output request to the printer unit 381. Then, an image reading request is given from the printer unit 381 to the scanner unit 380, and the scanner unit 380 starts reading the image as described above. At the same time or after completion of image reading, the printer unit 381 forms an image on a recording sheet based on the image data input from the scanner unit 380 as described above, and the recording sheet is placed on the discharge tray 335. To discharge.
[0056]
As described above, the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment enables a copying operation.
<Explanation of reduced / enlarged layout>
In the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, copying processing in the reduced layout mode and the enlarged layout mode is possible. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the concept of copy processing in the reduction / enlargement layout mode in the present embodiment.
[0057]
First, the reduced layout mode will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, it is assumed that there are four originals 1201 to 1204 as reduction layout targets. The process of reading the four originals by the scanner unit 380 and outputting the four images side by side on the recording paper 1205 by the printer unit 381 is called copying in the reduced layout mode. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 5, this is called a 4to1 reduced layout, that is, four original images are output on one recording sheet. In addition, a reduced layout such as 2to1, 9to1, or 16to1 can be set, and these are selected based on a user instruction from the operation unit 355, for example. It should be noted that in these plural reduced layout types, only the number of target documents is different, and there is no change in function and control. Therefore, hereinafter, a reduced layout by 4to1 will be described.
[0058]
Next, the enlarged layout mode will be described. The process of reading the recording paper output in the reduced layout mode as described above from the scanner unit 380 as a document, restoring a plurality of images in the document, and outputting each onto another recording paper in the printer unit 381 is enlarged. This is called copying in layout mode. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 5, it is assumed that images are formed in four areas 1206 to 1209 on one original 1205. The original 1205 is read by the scanner unit 380, and the printer unit 381 enlarges and outputs the images of the four areas 1206 to 1209 on each of the four recording sheets 1201 to 1204. In the example shown in FIG. 5, this is called a 1 to 4 enlarged layout, that is, one document image is output on four recording sheets.
[0059]
Note that the enlarged layout mode corresponds to the image output in the reduced layout mode, and has the effect of returning the original in the reduced layout output to the original original.
[0060]
Of course, the detailed layout setting can be changed in the enlarged layout mode by a user instruction from the operation unit 355.
[0061]
<General ACS explanation>
Hereinafter, a general auto color select (ACS) function for automatically determining whether a document image to be read is monochrome or color will be described.
[0062]
[ACS Overview]
ACS determines whether the document image is color or monochrome. Therefore, the saturation for each pixel is obtained, and color determination may be performed depending on how many pixels are above a certain threshold. However, even for a black and white document, for example, since there are many color pixels around the edge due to the influence of various processes such as MTF, it is generally difficult to simply perform ACS determination on a pixel basis. . For this reason, various methods are provided as the ACS method. However, since the present embodiment is not characterized by the ACS method itself, the following description will be given on the assumption that ACS is performed by a very general method.
[0063]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the ACS unit 118 shown in FIG. As can be seen from FIG. 6, the ACS unit is controlled by the scanner CPU 300.
[0064]
As described above, since there are a large number of color pixels even in a black and white image when viewed microscopically, it is necessary to determine whether or not the pixel is actually a color pixel based on information on the color pixels around the pixel of interest. . For this purpose, a FIFO structure that refers to the peripheral pixels of the target pixel by the filter 1401 is adopted. Reference numeral 1402 denotes an area detection circuit that creates an ACS area signal 1405 indicating an area to be subjected to ACS based on values set in the registers 1407 to 1410 set by the scanner CPU 300. The details of the process of creating the ACS area signal 1405 will be described later.
[0065]
A color determination unit 1403 uses the input ACS area signal 1405 as an enable signal and refers to the peripheral pixel held in the filter 1401 with respect to the target pixel, thereby determining whether the target pixel is a color pixel or black and white. It is determined whether the pixel is a pixel, and a color determination signal 1406 is output. Specifically, for the ACS region indicated by the ACS region signal 1405, first, the minimum value of DATA-R, DATA-G, and DATA-B is subtracted from the values of the other two components, and the two values obtained are obtained. The absolute value of the difference between is obtained as saturation. Then, only when a specific continuity of a pixel having a saturation greater than a certain threshold value can be confirmed for the target pixel, the color determination signal 1406 is output indicating that the target pixel indicates a color pixel.
[0066]
Reference numeral 1404 denotes a counter that counts the color determination signal 1406 output from the color determination unit 1403. The count result is sent to the scanner CPU 300 as an ACS determination signal 1411. After the entire document is scanned, the scanner CPU 300 can determine whether the document is color or monochrome based on the ACS determination signal 1411 output from the counter 1406.
[0067]
As described above, the scanner CPU 300 determines an area to be subjected to ACS with respect to the reading range, and sets a value indicating the area in the registers 1407 to 1410. In the present embodiment, the ACS area can be set independently regardless of the size and position of the document placed on the document table glass 301.
[0068]
[ACS area setting]
Hereinafter, the creation processing of the ACS region signal 1405 based on the values set in the registers 1407 to 1410 in the region detection circuit 1402 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
[0069]
FIG. 7A is a timing chart showing how an ACS area signal is created based on the signals shown in FIG. 3A and the values set in the registers 1407 to 1410. In the figure, reference numeral 1501 denotes a sub-scanning ACS area signal indicating the ACS area in the sub-scanning direction. H-SYNC starts counting at the timing of the effective edge of V-ENBL, and is compared with the value set in the register 1407. When a match occurs, an effective level H is output. Then, it returns to the invalid level L at the timing when a compare match with the value set in the register 1408 occurs. In the example of FIG. 7A, it can be seen that “2” and “5” are set in the registers 1407 and 1408, respectively.
[0070]
1502 is a main scanning ACS area signal indicating the ACS area in the main scanning direction, and starts counting V-CLK at the timing of the effective edge of H-SYNC, and a compare match with the value set in the register 1409 occurs. When it occurs, the effective level H is output. Then, the level returns to the invalid level L at the timing when a compare match with the value set in the register 1410 occurs. In the example of FIG. 7A, it can be seen that “4” and “10” are set in the registers 1409 and 1410, respectively.
[0071]
An ACS area signal 1405 is generated by a logical AND operation of the sub-scanning ACS area signal 1501 and the main-scanning ACS area signal 1502.
[0072]
FIG. 7B is a diagram showing the correspondence of the ACS area signal 1405 in the document image, in which the main scanning direction is the X direction and the sub-scanning direction is the Y direction. In the figure, the outer square indicates a normal image reading area, and the inner square indicates an ACS area. In the same figure, each size indicated by 1504 to 1509 changes according to the contents of the registers 1407 to 1410. That is, the sizes 1504 to 1509 correspond to ranges indicated by the same numbers in FIG.
[0073]
<ACS Description of this Embodiment>
The general ACS has been described above, but the characteristic ACS in the present embodiment will be described in detail below.
[0074]
[ACS sequence in enlarged layout mode]
Hereinafter, a flowchart of the ACS processing in the enlarged layout mode in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that this flowchart shows processing in the scanner unit 380, and is therefore controlled by the scanner CPU 300.
[0075]
The copy mode of the enlarged layout is set in the operation unit 355, and the job is started by pressing the copy button or the like, whereby the ACS sequence of this embodiment is started. FIG. 8 shows an ACS sequence for one original.
[0076]
First, in step S1602, the number of layout divisions is set in a variable N. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5, “4” is set. In step S1603, for example, “1” is set as an appropriate initial value in a scan counter indicating the number of scans performed on the same document.
[0077]
In step S1604, based on the layout division number N and the scan counter described above, an effective image area that is actually an enlargement output target is set on the document.
[0078]
Here, a method for setting an effective image area will be described with reference to FIG. With respect to the original 1205 created by sequentially reading the four originals 1201 to 1204 in the reduced layout mode, output is performed in the reverse order in the order of the originals 1204 to 1201 (corresponding to the order of the areas 1209 to 1206 in the original 1205) in the enlarged layout mode. Consider a case where the user has instructed to do so via the operation unit 355. In this case, as the effective image area of the document 1205, if the scan counter is “1”, the area 1209, if “2”, the area 1208 is “3”, the area 1207 is “4”, and the area 1206 is “4”. Are set as effective image areas.
[0079]
In step S1605, an ACS determination area that is an ACS determination target is set in the effective image area. For example, it is assumed that the ratio or the like is set in advance as a range of a predetermined position in the set effective image area. Of course, the setting by the user via the operation unit 355 may be possible. By setting a value indicating the ACS range in the registers 1407 to 1410 in the ACS unit 118, the ACS determination area is set as shown in FIG. Since the ACS unit 118 performs ACS determination only on the area defined by the registers 1407 to 1410, when the area 1206 is set as the ACS area on the document 1205, the other areas 1207 to 1209 are determined. Not applicable. Accordingly, ACS is applied only to the area 1206, that is, only the document 1201.
[0080]
Next, in step S1606, a scan (pre-scan) for performing ACS on the ACS area set in step S1605 is executed, and by performing ACS, a color mode in the ACS area is obtained.
[0081]
In step S1607, a back scan is performed as preparation for reading a document, and the first carriage 314 is moved to the image reading position (home position). In step S1608, by scanning only the area set as the effective image area in step S1604 (main scan), the image data of the effective image area is imaged based on the color mode obtained in step S1606. The processed enlarged layout output can be performed.
[0082]
In step S1609, a back scan is performed to the home position as preparation for the next scan. Next, in step S1610, after the scan counter is incremented, in step S1611, the layout division number N is compared with the scan counter to determine whether the scan has been completed for the number of layout divisions. As a result, if it is still necessary to perform scanning, control is passed to step S1604, and if completed, the ACS sequence for one enlarged layout document is terminated.
[0083]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when performing a copying process in the enlarged layout mode, only an area to be output in the document is subjected to ACS, so that an appropriate color mode can be applied to the output image. Can be formed based on the above. Therefore, the image quality of each image that is output in an enlarged layout is improved.
[0084]
Since only the necessary area is scanned, an enlarged layout output with the highest image quality can be obtained with a minimum processing time.
[0085]
Note that the order of the enlarged layout output in this embodiment can be arbitrarily specified by the user, and of course, the scan order can be determined according to the set order.
[0086]
In the present embodiment, the size of an image to be output in an enlarged layout is not necessarily the same size as the original, and may be output after being enlarged to a size different from that of the original.
[0087]
Note that an enlarged continuous shooting mode is known as a copy mode similar to the enlarged layout mode. In this enlarged continuous shooting mode, it is the same as the enlarged layout mode that a single original is divided into a plurality of copies, but all of the output recording sheets are formed so that adjacent images overlap. That is, it is a mode for enabling image output of a size exceeding the maximum output paper size of the image output apparatus. That is, in the enlarged continuous shooting mode, since one original image is divided and output in an enlarged manner, it is not appropriate to determine the color mode by ACS for each divided area and to change the image processing. Therefore, the ACS processing described in this embodiment is not appropriate for the enlarged continuous shooting mode.
[0088]
[Other Embodiments]
Note that the present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, and a printer), and a device (for example, a copying machine and a facsimile device) including a single device. You may apply to.
[0089]
Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or recording medium) in which a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or CPU) of the system or apparatus. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.
[0090]
Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is determined based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0091]
When the present invention is applied to the above-described storage medium, the program code corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 described above is stored in the storage medium.
[0092]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform image processing in an optimum color mode at the time of enlarged layout processing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing unit in the scanner unit;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state of generation of an image signal in the scanner unit;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing unit in the printer unit;
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an enlargement / reduction layout in the embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ACS unit;
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a relationship between an image signal and an ACS area in the scanner unit;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing ACS processing in an enlarged layout mode.
[Explanation of symbols]
101 CCD
118 ACS Department
201 Image memory unit
214 Edge enhancement part
215 Output gamma converter
300 Scanner CPU
312 Digital Image Processing Unit
353 Printer Interface
380 Scanner unit
381 Printer section
383 Scanner interface
384 Image processing unit
385 Printer CPU

Claims (3)

An image processing apparatus having an enlarged layout mode for enlarging and outputting each reduced image from a target image in which a plurality of reduced images are arranged,
Input means for inputting the target image;
The number of divisions of the enlargement layout of the target image and the output order of the plurality of reduced images to be enlarged are set, and based on the number of divisions and the output order, the target image is subject to enlargement output First setting means for setting an image area ;
A second setting means for allowing a user to set an ACS determination area as an ACS determination target in the effective image area ;
Determination means for performing a chromatic / achromatic determination only on the ACS determination area to obtain a color mode in the ACS determination area;
An image processing apparatus comprising: an output unit that performs image processing based on the color mode obtained by the determination unit on an image portion of the effective image region in the target image and outputs the image portion in an enlarged manner . An image processing method in an image processing apparatus having an enlarged layout mode for enlarging and outputting each reduced image from a target image in which a plurality of reduced images are arranged,
An input step of inputting the target image;
The number of divisions of the enlargement layout of the target image and the output order of the plurality of reduced images to be enlarged are set, and based on the number of divisions and the output order, the target image is subject to enlargement output A first setting step for setting an image area ;
A second setting step for allowing the user to set an ACS determination area to be an ACS determination target in the effective image area ;
A determination step of performing a chromatic / achromatic determination only on the ACS determination region to obtain a color mode in the ACS determination region;
An image processing method comprising: an output step of performing image processing based on the color mode obtained in the determination step on an image portion of the effective image region in the target image and outputting the enlarged image portion. . A recording medium recording a program code of an image processing method in an image processing apparatus having an enlarged layout mode for enlarging and outputting each reduced image from a target image in which a plurality of reduced images are arranged, the program code being at least
An input process code for inputting the target image;
The number of divisions of the enlargement layout of the target image and the output order of the plurality of reduced images to be enlarged are set, and based on the number of divisions and the output order, the target image is subject to enlargement output A code of a first setting step for setting an image area ;
A code of a second setting step for allowing a user to set an ACS determination area to be an ACS determination target in the effective image area ;
A code of a determination step of performing a chromatic / achromatic determination only on the ACS determination region to obtain a color mode in the ACS determination region;
And a code of an output step for performing image processing based on the color mode obtained in the determination step on the image portion of the effective image area in the target image and outputting the enlarged image portion. Medium.

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