JP3906964B2 - Image processing apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that processes digitally generated image information, that is, image data, so as to represent a high-quality image, and an electronic image reader in combination with the image processing apparatus to generate high-quality image data. And an image forming apparatus for forming an image represented by image data processed by the image processing apparatus on a sheet by combining the image processing apparatus or the image reading apparatus with an image recording apparatus. , Regarding. These are implemented in, for example, a document scanner, a facsimile, an image printer, or a digital copying machine.
[0002]
  More specifically, the present invention relates to SIMD (Single Instruction Stream Multi-Data Stream) type image processing operation by temporarily storing image data in a memory device and performing image processing on the stored image data. Image processing that cannot or cannot be realized by arithmetic processing means using a processor, such as edge extraction with reference to a wide image range, pattern matching, frequency analysis, and average value calculation of a wide image range, etc. The present invention relates to the efficiency of image processing performed by a memory access control unit capable of referring to a range and assisting image processing in a SIMD type image processing arithmetic processor.
[0003]
[Prior art]
  Conventionally, a programmable image processing LSI (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-50651) that can perform feature extraction and pattern matching processing has been invented as preprocessing of image processing. Both preprocessing (feature extraction) for image processing and image processing based on feature amounts can be performed.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  However, in order to increase the reliability of feature extraction and / or to further improve the quality of image processing, it is desirable to perform feature extraction and pattern matching with reference to image data over a wide range. When trying to do so, it is necessary to secure a large memory capacity for image processing on the image processing arithmetic processor.
[0005]
  In MFPs (multifunction machines with various functions such as copying, faxing, printers, and scanners), they are relatively large for the purpose of copying multiple copies in addition to the image processing LSI memory. A memory device having a capacity is provided, and image data for one document or more is stored. While image data is stored in the memory device, image reference over a wide range is possible.
[0006]
  The first object of the present invention is to improve the quality of image data, and the second object is to facilitate the quality improvement processing by the arithmetic processing means. More specifically, a programmable arithmetic processing unit having a SIMD type image processing arithmetic processor as a main element realizes image processing with reference to a wide range of image areas that is impossible or difficult to realize. The fourth object is to efficiently perform the image processing by the SIMD type image processing arithmetic processor. A fifth object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus that stores image data that can be easily subjected to high-quality processing in a memory device, and an image forming apparatus that performs high-quality processing and prints out the image data stored in the memory device It is a sixth object to provide
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  (1) Image dataTProgrammable processing means (IPP) to process;
  Data bus (Pb) ;
  Memory device (MEM);
  The image data given by the image data input means (200, FCU, PC)Said arithmetic processing means (IPP) Given to , The arithmetic processing means (IPP) The image data processed by the data bus (Pb) The memory device (MEM) To the data bus (Pb) The operation processing means (IPP) Give to,TheFor arithmetic processing means (IPP)SaidData bus(Pb)Image bus management means (CDIC) that collectively manages image data transmission and reception;
  The data bus (Pb) The arithmetic processing means sent to (IPP) ProcessedImage data is stored in the memory device (MEM), and the stored image dataPerform image feature extraction processing The memory device by adding extracted data to image data (MEM) And the stored image data with the extracted data added is stored in the data bus. (Pb) Send to the aboveA memory management means (IMAC) that collectively manages image data transmission / reception of the data bus with respect to the memory device (MEM);
  Said arithmetic processing means (IPP) The memory management means (IMAC) By the memory device (MEM) To the data bus (Pb) The image bus management means sent to (CDIC) By the data bus (Pb) To the arithmetic processing means (IPP) The image data to which the extracted data given to the image data is added is adapted to the image characteristics based on the extracted data.Apply image processingPictureImage processing device.
[0008]
  In order to facilitate understanding, reference numerals or corresponding matters of corresponding elements in the embodiments shown in the drawings and described later are added in parentheses for reference. The same applies to the following.
[0009]
  According to this image processing apparatus, the image data stored in the memory device (MEM) connected to the memory management means (IMAC) is sequentially extracted by the memory management means (IMAC), and feature amount extraction is performed.OutgoingImage processing is performed, the image processing result is added to the image data, stored again in the memory device (MEM), and when all the image processing by the memory management means (IMAC) is completed, that is, the memory management means (IMAC ) When all the image data added with the image processing results performed in () is arranged on the memory device (MEM), the image data is sent to the arithmetic processing means (IPP) via the image bus management means (CDIC). In the sending and calculation processing means (IPP), the image processing result in the memory management means (IMAC) added to the image data is used as the image feature amount, or the image processing method is switched. it can.
[0010]
  Programmable processing means (IPP)Is realReferencing a wide range of image areas that are currently impossible or difficult to achieveImage feature extraction processingWhile the image data is stored in the memory device (MEM), access to the memory device (MEM) is managed collectively.Memory managementIt is performed in the means (IMAC), and the image processing in the arithmetic processing means (IPP), for example, the SIMD type image processing arithmetic processor is assisted to realize efficient image processing.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  (2) The memory management means (IMAC)Image feature extraction processingIs an edge extraction process of the image, and when the memory management means (IMAC) sends the image data to the arithmetic processing means (IPP), the edge extraction result is added to the image data and sent; IPP) processes image data using the edge extraction result as a feature amount.
[0012]
  According to this, in the memory management means (IMAC) that collectively manages access to the memory device (MEM), by performing edge extraction processing on the image data stored in the memory device (MEM), a wide range of Edge extraction processing with reference to an image is enabled, and the calculation result is sent together with image data to an arithmetic processing means (IPP), for example, a SIMD type image processing arithmetic processor, thereby performing image processing in the SIMD type image processing arithmetic processor. It can be more effective and efficient.
[0013]
  (3) The memory management means (IMAC)Image feature extraction processingIs the average value calculation of the image data of the target pixel and the surrounding pixels, and the memory management means (IMAC) adds the average value calculation result to the image data when sending the image data to the calculation processing means (IPP). The calculation processing means (IPP) processes the image data using the average value calculation result as a feature amount.
[0014]
  According to this, in the means (IMAC) for collectively managing access to the memory device (MEM), the average value calculation of the peripheral pixels including the target pixel is performed on the image data stored in the memory device (MEM). Thus, it is possible to calculate an average value for a wide range of image data, and send the calculation result together with the image data to an arithmetic processing means (IPP) such as a SIMD type image processing arithmetic processor. The processing can be made more effective and efficient.
[0015]
  (4) The memory management means (IMAC)Image feature extraction processingIs a pattern matching process, and when the memory management means (IMAC) sends the image data to the arithmetic processing means (IPP), the pattern matching result is added to the image data and sent; the arithmetic processing means (IPP) The image data is processed using the pattern matching result as a feature amount.
[0016]
  According to this, a wide range of image data can be obtained by performing pattern matching processing on the image data stored in the memory device (MEM) in the means (IMAC) that collectively manages access to the memory device (MEM). The image processing in the SIMD type image processing arithmetic processor is more effective by sending the result of the calculation together with the image data to the arithmetic processing means (IPP) such as the SIMD type image processing arithmetic processor. And efficient.
[0017]
  (5) The memory management means (IMAC)Image feature extraction processingIs a frequency analysis process of image data, and when the memory management means (IMAC) sends the image data to the arithmetic processing means (IPP), it adds the frequency analysis result to the image data and sends it; the arithmetic processing means (IPP) processes image data using a frequency analysis result as a feature quantity.
[0018]
  According to this, a wide range of image data can be obtained by performing frequency analysis processing on the image data stored in the memory device (MEM) in the means (IMAC) for collectively managing access to the memory device (MEM). The frequency analysis process can be performed with reference to the image processing result, and the calculation result is sent together with the image data to the calculation processing means (IPP), for example, the SIMD type image processing calculation processor. It can be effective and efficient.
[0019]
  (6) The image processing apparatus according to (1), (2), (3), (4) or (5); and an image represented by the image data processed by the arithmetic processing means (IPP) on a sheet An image forming apparatus comprising: an image recording apparatus (400) to be formed.
[0020]
  According to this, it is possible to print out image data with high image quality on paper.
[0021]
  (7) The image processing apparatus according to the above (1), (2), (3), (4) or (5); and the image is read and converted into digitized image data, and the image processing apparatus The image bus management means (CDIC) collectively manages the image reading means (200) and image data transmission / reception of the data bus to the arithmetic processing means (IPP). Reader.
[0022]
  According to this, the image data obtained by the image reading means (200) is read and corrected by the arithmetic processing means (IPP), then stored in the memory device (MEM), and the image data stored in the memory device (MEM). Can be sequentially extracted by the memory management means (IMAC), image processing such as feature extraction and pattern matching can be performed, and the image processing result can be added to the image data and stored again in the memory device (MEM).
[0023]
  (8) An image forming apparatus comprising: the image reading apparatus according to (7); and an image recording apparatus (400) that forms an image represented by the image data processed by the arithmetic processing unit (IPP) on a sheet. According to this, the image data obtained by the image reading device can be printed out on the high quality paper.
[0024]
  (9) The arithmetic processing means (IPP) of (2) above uses the edge extraction result as a feature quantity, performs edge enhancement filter processing on edge region image data, and smoothing filter on non-edge region image data. Processing is performed (15a in FIG. 3). Thereby, the character image is clearly displayed, and the density change of the halftone image is smoothly expressed.
[0025]
  (10) The arithmetic processing means (IPP) of (3) above uses a mean value calculation result as a feature value, and performs filter processing for emphasizing shading in high density image data, and shading in low density image data. A filter process for smoothing the change is performed (15c in FIG. 12). Thereby, the contrast of the high density part is high, and the density change is smoothly expressed in the low density part.
[0026]
  (11) The arithmetic processing means (IPP) of (4) above uses the pattern matching result as a feature amount and replaces the image data of the isolated point in the region matching the isolated point pattern with the surrounding image data (FIG. 15). 15d). As a result, isolated points (noise) on the image disappear.
[0027]
  (12) The arithmetic processing means (IPP) of (5) performs a filter process for improving the image quality of the image component of the main frequency component on the image data using the frequency analysis result as a feature amount (15e in FIG. 17). The main components of the image are clearly represented.
[0028]
  Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.
[0029]
【Example】
  -1st Example-
  An outline of the mechanism of one embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. This embodiment is a digital full-color copying machine. A color image reading apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a scanner) 200 forms an image of a document 180 on a contact glass 202 on a color sensor 207 through an illumination lamp 205, mirror groups 204A, 204B, 204C, and a lens 206. The color image information of the original is read for each color separation light of, for example, blue (hereinafter referred to as “B”), green (hereinafter referred to as “G”), and red (hereinafter referred to as “R”), and converted into an electrical image signal. In this example, the color sensor 207 includes a 3-line CCD sensor, and reads B, G, and R images for each color. Based on the color separation image signal intensity levels of B, G, and R obtained by the scanner 200, color conversion processing is performed by an image processing unit (not shown) to obtain black (hereinafter referred to as Bk), cyan (hereinafter referred to as “black”). C), magenta (hereinafter referred to as “M”), and yellow (hereinafter referred to as “Y”) color image data including recording color information is obtained.
[0030]
  Using this color image data, Bk, C, M, and Y images are formed on an intermediate transfer belt by a color image recording apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a color printer) 400 described below, and transferred onto transfer paper. The scanner 200 receives a scanner start signal based on the operation and timing of the color printer 400, and the illumination / mirror optical system including the illumination lamp 205 and the mirror groups 204A, 204B, and 204C scans the document in the left arrow direction. One color image data is obtained for each scanning. Each time, the color printer 400 sequentially visualizes the images and superimposes them on the intermediate transfer belt to form a full-color image of four colors.
[0031]
  A writing optical unit 401 as an exposure unit of the color printer 400 converts color image data from the scanner 200 into an optical signal, performs optical writing corresponding to the original image, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 414. Form. The optical writing optical unit 401 includes a laser light emitter 441, a light emission drive control unit (not shown) that drives the light emission, a polygon mirror 443, a rotation motor 444 that rotationally drives it, an fθ lens 442, a reflection mirror 446, and the like. Has been. The photoconductive drum 414 rotates counterclockwise as indicated by an arrow, and around the photoconductive drum cleaning unit 421, the charge eliminating lamp 414M, the charger 419, and the latent image potential on the photoconductive drum are detected. A potential sensor 414D, a selected developing device of the revolver developing device 420, a developing density pattern detector 414P, an intermediate transfer belt 415, and the like are arranged.
[0032]
  The revolver developing device 420 includes a BK developing unit 420K, a C developing unit 420C, an M developing unit 420M, a Y developing unit 420Y, and a revolver rotation driving unit (not shown) that rotates each developing unit in a counterclockwise direction as indicated by an arrow. (Omitted). Each of these developing units assembles a developing sleeve 420KS, 420CS, 420MS, 420YS, which rotates by bringing the ears of the developer into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 414 in order to visualize the electrostatic latent image. -It consists of a development paddle that rotates to stir. In the standby state, the revolver developing device 420 is set at a position where development is performed by the BK developing device 420. When the copying operation is started, the scanner 200 starts reading BK image data from a predetermined timing. Based on the data, laser writing and latent image formation are started. Hereinafter, an electrostatic latent image based on Bk image data is referred to as a Bk latent image. The same applies to C, M, and Y image data. In order to enable development from the leading edge of the Bk latent image, before the leading edge of the latent image reaches the developing position of the Bk developing device 420K, the developing sleeve 420KS starts to rotate, and the Bk latent image is developed with Bk toner. . Thereafter, the developing operation of the Bk latent image area is continued. However, when the trailing edge of the latent image passes the Bk latent image position, the developing operation of the next color from the developing position by the Bk developing unit 420K is promptly performed. The revolver developing device 420 is driven and rotated to the position. This rotation operation is completed at least before the leading edge of the latent image by the next image data arrives.
[0033]
  When the image forming cycle is started, the photosensitive drum 414 is rotated counterclockwise as indicated by an arrow, and the intermediate transfer belt 415 is rotated clockwise by a drive motor (not shown). As the intermediate transfer belt 415 rotates, BK toner image formation, C toner image formation, M toner image formation, and Y toner image formation are sequentially performed. Finally, intermediate transfer is performed in the order of BK, C, M, and Y. A toner image is formed over the belt 415. The BK image is formed as follows. That is, the charger 419 uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 414 to about −700 V with a negative charge by corona discharge. Subsequently, the laser diode 441 performs raster exposure based on the Bk signal. When the raster image is exposed in this way, the charge proportional to the exposure light amount disappears in the exposed portion of the uniformly charged photosensitive drum 414, and an electrostatic latent image is formed. The toner in the revolver developing device 420 is negatively charged by stirring with the ferrite carrier, and the BK developing sleeve 420KS of the developing device is connected to the metal base layer of the photosensitive drum 414 by a power supply circuit (not shown). It is biased to a potential in which a negative DC potential and an AC are superimposed. As a result, toner does not adhere to the portion where the charge of the photosensitive drum 414 remains, and Bk toner is adsorbed to the portion without charge, that is, the exposed portion, and Bk visible similar to the latent image. An image is formed. The intermediate transfer belt 415 is stretched around a drive roller 415D, a transfer counter roller 415T, a cleaning counter roller 415C, and a driven roller group, and is rotated by a drive motor (not shown). Now, the Bk toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 414 is applied to a belt transfer corona discharger (hereinafter referred to as a belt transfer unit) 416 on the surface of an intermediate transfer belt 415 that is driven at a constant speed in contact with the photosensitive member. Is transcribed by. Hereinafter, toner image transfer from the photosensitive drum 414 to the intermediate transfer belt 415 is referred to as belt transfer. Some untransferred residual toner on the photoconductor drum 414 is cleaned by the photoconductor cleaning unit 421 in preparation for reuse of the photoconductor drum 414. The toner collected here is stored in a waste toner tank (not shown) via a collection pipe.
[0034]
  The intermediate transfer belt 415 sequentially aligns the Bk, C, M, and Y toner images formed on the photosensitive drum 414 on the same surface to form a four-color superimposed belt transfer image. Thereafter, batch transfer is performed on the transfer paper with a corona discharge transfer device. By the way, on the photosensitive drum 414 side, the process proceeds to the C image forming process after the BK image forming process. At a predetermined timing, reading of the C image data by the scanner 200 starts, and laser light writing by the image data is performed. Then, a C latent image is formed. The C developing device 420C rotates the revolver developing device after the rear end of the previous Bk latent image has passed with respect to the developing position and before the front end of the C latent image has arrived. Develop the image with C toner. Thereafter, the development of the C latent image area is continued. When the trailing edge of the latent image passes, the revolver developing device 420 is driven in the same manner as in the case of the previous Bk developing device, and the C developing device 420C is sent out. The M developing device 420M is positioned at the developing position. This operation is also performed before the leading edge of the next M latent image reaches the developing unit. It should be noted that the image forming process for each of the M and Y images will not be described because the image data reading, latent image forming, and developing operations are in accordance with the Bk image and C image processes described above.
[0035]
  The belt cleaning device 415U includes an inlet seal, a rubber blade, a discharge coil, and a contact / separation mechanism for the inlet seal and the rubber blade. After transferring the first color Bk image to the belt, while transferring the second, third, and fourth color images to the belt, the blade seal mechanism separates the inlet seal, rubber blade, etc. from the intermediate transfer belt surface. deep.
[0036]
  A paper transfer corona discharger (hereinafter referred to as a paper transfer unit) 417 is a corona discharge method for transferring the superimposed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 415 to the transfer paper. This is applied to the transfer belt.
[0037]
  The transfer paper cassette 482 in the paper supply bank stores transfer paper of various sizes, and is fed in the direction of the registration roller pair 418R by the paper supply roller 483 from the cassette storing the paper of the specified size.・ Conveyed. Reference numeral 412B2 denotes a paper feed tray for manually feeding OHP paper, cardboard, or the like. At the time when the image formation is started, the transfer paper is fed from one of the paper feed trays and stands by at the nip portion of the registration roller pair 418R. When the leading edge of the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 415 approaches the paper transfer unit 417, the registration roller pair 418R is driven so that the leading edge of the transfer paper coincides with the leading edge of the image, and the paper and the image are transferred. Matching is done. In this way, the transfer paper is superimposed on the color superposition image on the intermediate transfer belt and passes over the paper transfer device 417 connected to a positive potential. At this time, the transfer paper is charged with a positive charge by the corona discharge current, and most of the toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper. Subsequently, when the paper passes through a separation static eliminator (not shown) disposed on the left side of the paper transfer unit 417, the transfer paper is neutralized, separated from the intermediate transfer belt 415, and transferred to the paper conveyance belt 422. The transfer paper onto which the four-color superimposed toner images have been transferred from the intermediate transfer belt surface is conveyed to the fixing device 423 by the paper conveying belt 422, and the toner is transferred to the nip portion between the fixing roller 423A and the pressure roller 423B controlled to a predetermined temperature. The image is melted and fixed, sent out of the main body by a pair of discharge rollers 424, and stacked face up on a copy tray (not shown).
[0038]
  The surface of the photosensitive drum 414 after the belt transfer is cleaned by a photosensitive member cleaning unit 421 including a brush roller, a rubber blade, and the like, and is uniformly discharged by a discharging lamp 414M. The intermediate transfer belt 415 after transferring the toner image to the transfer paper again cleans the surface by pressing the blade with the blade contact / separation mechanism of the cleaning unit 415U. In the case of repeat copying, the operation of the scanner and the image formation on the photosensitive member are continued to the fourth color image process for the first sheet, and then proceed to the first color image process for the second sheet at a predetermined timing. In the intermediate transfer belt 415, the second Bk toner image is belt-transferred to the area where the surface is cleaned by a belt cleaning device following the batch transfer process of the first four-color superimposed image to the transfer paper. So that After that, the operation is the same as the first sheet.
[0039]
  The color copier shown in FIG. 1 can print out (image output) with a color printer 400 when print data is given from a host such as a personal computer through a LAN or parallel I / F. This is a color copier with a combined function capable of transmitting image data read by the scanner 200 to a remote facsimile machine and printing out received image data. This copier is connected to a public telephone network via a private branch exchange PBX, and can communicate with a facsimile server or a service center management server via the public telephone network.
[0040]
  FIG. 2 shows an electric system of the copying machine shown in FIG. In the document scanner 200 that optically reads a document, the reading unit 4 condenses the reflected light of the lamp irradiation on the document on the light receiving element 207 by a mirror and a lens. The light receiving element (CCD in this embodiment) is in a sensor board unit SBU (hereinafter simply referred to as SBU), and an image signal converted into an electrical signal in the CCD is a digital signal, that is, a read image. After being converted to data, the data is output from the SBU to the compression / decompression and data interface control unit CDIC (hereinafter simply referred to as CDIC).
[0041]
  That is, the image data output from the SBU is input to the CDIC. The CDIC controls all image data transmission between the functional device and the data bus. That is, the CDIC relates to image data, a data transfer between the SBU, the parallel bus Pb, and the image signal processing device IPP (hereinafter simply referred to as IPP), and a system controller 6 that controls the overall control of the digital copying machine shown in FIG. Communication regarding image data transfer and other control between the controllers 1 is performed. The system controller 6 and the process controller 1 communicate with each other via the parallel bus Pb, CDIC, and serial bus Sb. The CDIC performs data format conversion for the data interface between the parallel bus Pb and the serial bus Sb.
[0042]
  The read image data from the SBU is transferred to the IPP via the CDIC, and the IPP performs signal deterioration due to quantization into an optical system and a digital signal (signal deterioration of the scanner system: read image data due to scanner characteristics). The distortion is corrected and output to the CDIC again. The CDIC transfers the image data to the copy function controller MFC and writes it in the memory MEM. Or, return to the IPP processing system for printer output.
[0043]
  That is, the CDIC stores the read image data in the memory MEM for reuse, and outputs it to the video data control VDC (hereinafter simply referred to as VDC) without storing it in the memory MEM. There is a job for creating and outputting an image with the printer 400. As an example of storing in the memory MEM, when copying a plurality of originals, the reading unit 4 is operated only once, the read image data is stored in the memory MEM, and the stored data is read out a plurality of times. is there. As an example in which the memory MEM is not used, when only one original is copied, the read image data may be processed as it is for printer output, so there is no need to write to the memory MEM.
[0044]
  First, when the memory MEM is not used, the image data transferred from the IPP to the CDIC is returned from the CDIC to the IPP again. In the IPP, image quality processing (15 in FIG. 3) for converting luminance data from the CCD into area gradation is performed. The image data after the image quality processing is transferred from the IPP to the VDC. With respect to the signal changed to the area gradation, post-processing relating to dot arrangement and pulse control for reproducing the dots are performed by the VDC, and a reproduced image is formed on the transfer paper in the image forming unit 5 of the laser printer 400. To do.
[0045]
  When additional processing such as rotation in the image direction, image synthesis, etc. is performed when reading from the memory MEM, data transferred from the IPP to the CDIC is transferred from the CDIC to the image via the parallel bus Pb. It is sent to the memory access control IMAC (hereinafter simply referred to as IMAC). Here, based on the control of the system controller 6, access control of image data and a memory module MEM (hereinafter simply referred to as MEM), development of print data (character code / Character bit conversion) and compression / decompression of image data for effective use of memory. The data sent to the IMAC is stored in the MEM after data compression, and the stored data is read out as necessary. The read data is expanded, returned to the original image data, and returned from the IMAC to the CDIC via the parallel bus Pb.
[0046]
  After transfer from the CDIC to the IPP, image quality processing by the IPP and pulse control by the VDC are performed, and a visible image (toner image) is formed on the transfer paper in the image forming unit 5.
[0047]
  In the flow of image data, the composite function of the digital copying machine is realized by the bus control by the parallel bus Pb and the CDIC. The FAX transmission function, which is one of the copying functions, performs image processing on the scanned image data of the scanner 200 by IPP and transfers it to the FAX control unit FCU (hereinafter simply referred to as FCU) via the CDIC and the parallel bus Pb. To do. The FCU performs data conversion to a public line communication network PN (hereinafter simply referred to as PN), and transmits the data to the PN as FAX data. In FAX reception, line data from the PN is converted to image data by the FCU, and transferred to the IPP via the parallel bus Pb and CDIC. In this case, special image quality processing is not performed, dot rearrangement and pulse control are performed in the VDC, and a visible image is formed on the transfer paper in the image forming unit 5.
[0048]
  In a situation where a plurality of jobs, for example, a copy function, a FAX transmission / reception function and a printer output function operate in parallel, the system controller allocates the reading unit 4, the image forming unit 5, and the right to use the parallel bus Pb to the job. 6 and the process controller 1.
[0049]
  The process controller 1 controls the flow of image data, and the system controller controls the entire system and manages the activation of each resource. The function selection of this digital copying function copying machine is selected and input by the operation board OPB, and processing contents such as a copying function and a FAX function are set.
[0050]
  The FAX transmission function performs image processing on the read image data by IPP, and transfers it to the FCU (FAX control unit) via the CDIC and the parallel bus. Data conversion to the communication network is performed by the FCU, and the data is transmitted to the PN (public line) as FAX data. In FAX reception, line data from the PN is converted into image data by the FCU, and transferred to the IPP via the parallel bus and CDIC. In this case, special image quality processing is not performed, dot rearrangement and pulse control are performed in the VDC, and a reproduced image is formed on the transfer paper in the image forming unit.
[0051]
  FIG. 3 shows an outline of the image processing function of IPP. The read image data is transmitted from the IPP input I / F (interface) 11 to the scanner image processing 12 via the CDIC from the SBU. The scanner image processing 12 performs shading correction, scanner γ correction, MTF correction, and the like mainly for the purpose of correcting deterioration of image information due to reading. Although not correction processing, enlargement / reduction scaling processing is also performed. After the read image data correction processing is completed, the image data is transferred to the CDIC via the output I / F 13. When outputting to transfer paper, the image data from the CDIC is received from the input I / F 14, first the filter processing 15a is executed, and then the area gradation processing is performed in the image quality processing 15b. The data after the image quality processing is output to the VDC via the output I / F 16.
[0052]
  In the filter processing 15a of this embodiment, when the edge extraction data generated by the IMAC by the edge extraction processing described later is attached to the image data, the edge enhancement filtering processing is performed if the edge extraction data represents an edge. If it is applied to the data and represents a non-edge, a smoothing filter process that smoothly represents a halftone is applied to the image data. When no edge extraction data is attached to the image data, a neutral characteristic filtering process is applied to the image data slightly between edge enhancement and smoothing.
[0053]
  The area gradation processing includes density conversion, dither processing, error diffusion processing, and the like, and mainly performs area approximation of gradation information.
[0054]
  Once the image data subjected to the scanner image processing 12 is stored in the memory MEM, various reproduced images can be confirmed by changing the processing performed in the image quality processing 15. For example, the atmosphere of the reproduced image can be changed by changing the density of the reproduced image or changing the number of lines in the dither matrix. At this time, it is not necessary to read the image again by the scanner 200 every time the processing is changed, and if the stored image is read from the MEM, different processing can be performed on the same data any number of times.
[0055]
  FIG. 4 shows an outline of the functional configuration of the CDIC. The image data input / output control 21 inputs the read image data from the SBU and outputs the data to the IPP. The image data input control 22 receives image data that has been subjected to scanner image correction by the scanner image processing 12 using IPP. The input data is subjected to data compression in the data compression unit 23 in order to increase the transfer efficiency on the parallel bus Pb. The compressed image data is sent to the parallel bus Pb via the parallel data I / F 25. Image data input from the parallel data bus Pb via the parallel data I / F 25 is compressed for bus transfer and is expanded by the data expansion unit 26. The expanded image data is transferred to the IPP by the image data output control 27. CDIC has both parallel data and serial data conversion functions. The system controller 6 transfers data to the parallel bus Pb, and the process controller 1 transfers data to the serial bus Sb. For communication between the two controllers 6 and 1, the data conversion unit 24 and the serial data I / F 29 perform parallel / serial data conversion. The serial data I / F 28 is for IPP, and serial data transfer is performed with the IPP.
[0056]
  FIG. 5 shows an outline of the functional configuration of the VDC. The VDC performs additional processing on the image data input from the IPP according to the characteristics of the image forming unit 5. Dot rearrangement processing by edge smoothing processing and pulse control of image signals for dot formation are performed, and image data is output to the image forming unit 5. Apart from image data conversion, parallel data and serial data format conversion functions 33 to 35 are also provided, and a single VDC can support communication between the system controller 6 and the process controller 1.
[0057]
  FIG. 6 shows an outline of the functional configuration of the IMAC. In the parallel data I / F 41, input / output of image data to / from the parallel bus Pb is managed, storage / reading of image data to / from the MEM, and code data input mainly from an external PC to the image data. Control deployment. Code data input from the PC is stored in the line buffer 42. That is, the data in the local area is stored, and the code data stored in the line buffer 42 is received by the video control 43 based on the expansion processing instruction from the system controller 6 input via the system controller I / F 44. Expand to image data. The developed image data or the image data input from the parallel bus Pb via the parallel data I / F 41 is stored in the MEM. In this case, the data conversion unit 45 selects image data to be stored, the data compression unit 46 performs data compression to increase the memory usage efficiency, and the memory access control unit 47 manages the MEM address. The image data is stored in the MEM. When reading out the image data stored in the MEM, the memory access control unit 47 controls the read destination address, and the data expansion unit 48 expands the read image data. When the decompressed image data is transferred to the parallel bus Pb, the data is transferred via the parallel data I / F 41.
[0058]
  When the image data from the scanner 200 is subjected to the scanner image processing 12 by the IPP and stored in the MEM, the IMAC reads the stored image data, performs the memory image processing 49, and performs the processing on the image data that has been processed. The accumulated image data is updated. In the first embodiment, the contents of the memory image processing 49 are image data edge extraction.
[0059]
  That is, image data matrix generation as shown in FIG. 8 is performed on the image data read from the MEM by the matrix generation 49a in the IMAC. After the matrix is generated, a product-sum operation 49b performs a product-sum operation on each of the edge extraction filter coefficient matrices EDP1 to EDP8 shown in FIGS. If it is larger, it is determined that the target pixel (image data) at that time is an edge, and if it is less than the set value, it is determined that it is a non-edge.
[0060]
  The edge extraction filters EDP1 to EDP8 include a horizontal edge extraction filter, a vertical edge extraction filter, a left rising oblique edge extraction filter, and a right rising oblique edge extraction filter, all of which are the corresponding edges for EDP1 to EDP8. Process and determine.
[0061]
  That is, the product-sum operation result with each edge extraction filter is compared with a threshold value set in advance in the edge determination 49c. The edge determination result is code generation 49d, which is encoded as 100: horizontal edge, 101: vertical edge, 110: left-up diagonal edge, 111: right-up diagonal edge, 000: non-edge, and image data is regenerated. At 49e, the image data is added to the image data input from the MEM and stored in the MEM again. That is, the image data on the MEM is updated to composite image data obtained by adding an edge determination code to the image data.
[0062]
  The above processing is performed for all the image data stored in the MEM, and after the processing for all the image data is completed, the image data in the MEM is sent to the IPP via the CDIC. In the IPP (FIG. 3) filter processing 15a, the filter coefficient of filtering performed in the IPP is adaptively switched with the content (determination result) indicating whether it is added to the image data and input. That is, at 100: horizontal edge, the horizontal white edge enhancement filter or the horizontal black edge enhancement filter is selected and filtered according to whether the image data white edge (low density) or black edge (high density). 101: Vertical edge, 110: Left-up diagonal edge, or 111: Right-up diagonal edge, edge enhancement processing with the same direction is performed. 000: When non-edge, smoothing filtering is performed to smooth the change in shading.
[0063]
  Here, as shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, edge extraction using a 7 × 7 size matrix is given as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and matrix generation 49a and product-sum operation 49b in IMAC are not limited thereto. By changing the configuration, it is possible to perform processing using an edge extraction filter of an arbitrary size.
[0064]
  FIG. 7 shows a flow of processing for accumulating an image in the MEM and processing for reading an image from the MEM. (A) Writes image data generated by the image scanner 200 to the MEM, and processes or transfers the image data Ip1 until the above-described memory image processing 49 performs edge determination and stores a code indicating the determination result in the MEM. (B) shows processing or transfer processes Op1 to Op13 of the image data from reading out the image data from the MEM to outputting to the printer 400. The data flow between such buses and units is controlled by the control of the CDIC. The scanned image data is IPP scanner image processing Ip1 to Ip13 (12 in FIG. 3) and IMAC memory image processing (edge determination) Ip14 (49), and the image data for output to the printer 400 is IPP. The filter processing and the image quality processing Op1 to Op13 (15a and 15b in FIG. 3) are performed independently.
[0065]
  -Second Example-
  FIG. 11 shows an outline of the functional configuration of the IMAC used in the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the image processing performed by the IMAC on the image data stored in the MEM is an average value calculation. The pixel of interest and its surrounding pixels are extracted from the MEM for an arbitrary number of pixels, and the average value for the arbitrary number of pixels extracted by the average value calculation 50a in the IMAC is calculated. The average value of the target pixel and its surrounding pixels calculated by the average value calculation 50a is added to the image data by the image data regeneration 50b, and is stored again in the MEM. The above processing is performed for all the image data stored in the MEM, and after the processing for all the image data is completed, the image data in the MEM is sent to the IPP via the CDIC.
[0066]
  FIG. 12 shows an outline of the functional configuration of the IPP used in the second embodiment of the present invention. In the IPP, in the filter process 15c, the average value of the peripheral pixels added to the image data and input is used as the feature amount, and the filter coefficient of filtering performed in the IPP is adaptive in the high density portion and the low density portion of the image. Switch to. In other words, filtering that emphasizes shading is performed when the average value is high, and filtering that suppresses shading is performed when the average value is low.
[0067]
  In the above example, an example is shown in which the average value of the target pixel and its peripheral pixels is calculated for each pixel. However, an average value for one line is calculated for each line of image data, and one average value for each line. It is also possible to add data. Since the IMAC can randomly access the MEM, it is possible to calculate an average value for image data at an arbitrary position.
[0068]
  -Third Example-
  FIG. 13 shows an outline of the mechanism configuration of the IMAC used in the third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the image processing performed by the IMAC on the image data stored in the MEM is a pattern matching process. Here, pattern matching for detecting isolated points of the image is performed. Matrix generation is performed on the image data extracted from the MEM by the matrix generation 51a in the IMAC. After the matrix is generated, the pattern matching 51b is compared with various matching patterns shown in FIG.
[0069]
  As can be seen from the matching pattern in FIG. 14, in isolated point detection, a white pixel surrounded by black pixels or a black pixel surrounded by white pixels is detected as an isolated point. From the comparison result with the pattern, it is determined whether or not any matching pattern is hit in the matching determination 51c. The determination result is encoded by the code generation 51d such that 0: non-isolated point, 1: isolated point, and the image data re-generation 51e adds a code to the image data input from the MEM, and the MEM again. To accumulate. The above processing is performed for all the image data stored in the MEM, and after the processing for all the image data is completed, the image data in the MEM is sent to the IPP via the CDIC.
[0070]
  FIG. 15 shows an outline of the functional configuration of the IPP used in the second embodiment of the present invention. In the IPP, the isolated point removal process 15d is performed in the IPP based on the pattern matching determination result added to the image data and input. That is, when the image data group centered on or substantially at the center of the target pixel corresponds to one of the patterns in FIG. 14 and the target image data corresponds to the X mark pixel on the pattern, the average value of the peripheral pixels (◯ marks). To change the image data of the pixel of interest.
[0071]
  Here, the pattern matching for isolated point detection has been described as an example, but the matching pattern is not limited thereto, and can be applied to an arbitrary matching pattern of an arbitrary size.
[0072]
  -Fourth embodiment-
  FIG. 16 shows an outline of the functional configuration of the IMAC used in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, the image processing performed by the IMAC on the image data stored in the MEM is image data frequency analysis processing. here,ThisThe discrete wavelet is used for frequency conversion for frequency analysis ofLawIs used. The image data taken out from the MEM is subjected to frequency conversion by discrete wavelet conversion by the frequency conversion 52a in the IMAC. After the frequency conversion of the image data, the main frequency component determination 52b determines which frequency band the image data has many components. When the discrete wavelet transform is performed once, the image data is decomposed into four frequency components of LL (low / low), HL (low), LH (high), and HH (high / high). From these four frequency components, the frequency component with the most concentrated energy is selected in the main frequency component determination 52b, and the frequency component is set as the main frequency component of the image data. After determining the main frequency component, a code indicating whether the main frequency component determined by the code generation 52c is LL (low / low), HL (low), LH (high), or HH (high / high) is generated. Specifically, it is coded as 00: LL, 01: HL, 10: LH, 11: HH. The generated code is added to the image data input from the MEM in the image data regeneration 52d, and is stored again in the MEM.
[0073]
  The above processing is repeated for each block on which discrete wavelet transform is performed on the image data stored in the MEM. After the processing for all the image data is completed, the image data in the MEM is sent to the IPP via the CDIC.
[0074]
  FIG. 17 shows an outline of the functional configuration of the IPP used in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the IPP, the filter coefficient of the filtering process is switched in the IPP using the frequency analysis result by the discrete wavelet transform input by being added to the image data as a feature amount. In other words, a filter process that most clearly represents an image having a frequency of LL (low / low), HL (low), LH (high), or HH (high / high) represented by the code is performed.
[0075]
  Although the case where the frequency conversion method is the discrete wavelet transform has been described above, other frequency conversion methods such as a discrete Fourier transform may be used as the frequency conversion method.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an outline of the mechanism of a digital color copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of a configuration of an electric control system of the copying machine shown in FIG.
3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image signal processing device IPP shown in FIG. 2;
4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a compression / decompression and data interface control unit CDIC shown in FIG. 2; FIG.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the video data control VDC shown in FIG. 2;
6 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image memory access control IMAC shown in FIG. 2. FIG.
7A is a flowchart showing the flow and processing of image data until image data read by the scanner 200 shown in FIG. 2 is written in the image memory MEM, and further updated by the IMAC and written to the MEM; (B) is a flowchart showing the flow and processing of image data from the time when image data is read out from the image memory MEM and output to the printer 400.
8 is a plan view showing the distribution of corresponding pixels in the image data group extracted by the matrix generation 49a shown in FIG. 6. FIG.
9 is a plan view showing four types of distribution of multiplication coefficients addressed to the image data group in the product-sum calculation 49b shown in FIG.
10 is a plan view showing other four types of distribution of multiplication coefficients addressed to the image data group in the product-sum calculation 49b shown in FIG.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of IMAC used in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of IPP used in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of IMAC used in the third embodiment of the present invention.
14 is a plan view showing an isolated point distribution pattern that is checked whether it is the case with the pattern matching 51b shown in FIG. 13; FIG.
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of IPP used in the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an IMAC used in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an IPP used in a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
200: Document reading scanner 400: Full color printer
IPP: Image signal processing device
CDIC: compression / decompression and data interface controller
VDC: Video data control IMAC: Image memory access control
FCU: FAX transmission / reception unit SBU: Sensor board unit
PN: Public line

Claims (6)

Programmable processing means for processing the image data;
Data bus;
Memory device;
Image data provided by the image data input means is supplied to the arithmetic processing means, the image data processed by the arithmetic processing means is sent to the data bus, and the data read from the memory device to the data bus is processed by the arithmetic processing. gives the unit, the image bus management unit collectively manages image data transmission and reception, the data bus to said processing means; and,
The image data processed by the arithmetic processing means sent to the data bus is stored in the memory device, and the extracted image data is extracted from the stored image data and added to the image data. Memory management means for collectively managing image data transmission / reception of the data bus with respect to the memory device , wherein the memory device stores the image data with the extracted data added to the data bus.
The arithmetic processing means adds the extracted data to the image data to which the extracted data is sent from the memory device to the data bus by the memory management means and given from the data bus to the arithmetic processing means by the image bus management means. subjected compatible image processing on the image feature on the basis of the data; images processing device. The image feature extraction processing of the memory management means is image edge extraction processing, and when the memory management means sends image data to the arithmetic processing means, the edge extraction result is added to the image data and sent; The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arithmetic processing unit processes image data using an edge extraction result as a feature amount. The image feature extraction processing of the memory management means is an average value calculation of image data of a target pixel and peripheral pixels, and the memory management means outputs an average value calculation result when sending image data to the calculation processing means. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the calculation processing means processes the image data using the average value calculation result as a feature amount. The image feature extraction process of the memory management means is a pattern matching process, and when the memory management means sends the image data to the arithmetic processing means, the pattern matching result is added to the image data and sent; The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means processes the image data using the pattern matching result as a feature amount. The image feature extraction process of the memory management unit is a frequency analysis process of image data, and the memory management unit adds the frequency analysis result to the image data and sends the image data to the arithmetic processing unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arithmetic processing unit processes image data using a frequency analysis result as a feature amount.   An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 4, or claim 5; and an image recording apparatus that forms an image represented by the image data processed by the arithmetic processing unit on a sheet; An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images