JP4109785B2 - Image processing apparatus and method, and computer-readable memory - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method for processing and outputting input image data, and a computer-readable memory.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, an image processing method, in particular, an example of a method and an image processing system for improving the quality of an output image when image data is digitally generated and printed out will be described with reference to FIG.
[0003]
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional image processing system.
[0004]
The image processing system shown in FIG. 15 is a system that uses a host computer 101 to create a page layout document such as DTP, a word processor, a graphic document, and the like, and outputs a hard copy using a laser beam printer, an inkjet printer, or the like. Reference numeral 102 denotes an application that runs on the host computer 101. Typical examples include word processor software such as Microsoft Word (Microsoft Word: registered trademark) of Microsoft Corporation and page maker (PageMaker: registered trademark) of Adobe Corporation. Page layout software is famous. Digital document data created by these software is transmitted to the printer driver 103 via an operating system (OS) (not shown).
[0005]
Digital document data is usually represented as a set of command data representing figures, characters, etc. constituting one page, and these command data are transmitted to the printer driver 103. A series of commands is expressed as a language system called PDL (page description language), and typical examples of PDL are GDI (registered trademark) and Postscript (registered trademark).
[0006]
The printer driver 103 transfers the transmitted PDL command to the rasterizer 105 in the raster image processor 104. The rasterizer 105 develops characters, graphics, and the like expressed by the PDL command into a two-dimensional bitmap image for actual printer output. A bitmap image is referred to in this way because it is an image formed by repeating a two-dimensional plane as a one-dimensional raster (line). The developed bitmap image is temporarily stored in the image memory 106. The bitmap image stored in the image memory 106 is transmitted to the color printer 108, and an image based on the bitmap image is formed on the recording medium by the image forming unit 108.
[0007]
FIG. 16 schematically shows the operation executed by the above configuration.
[0008]
A document image 111 displayed on the host computer 101 is transmitted as a PDL command string 112 to the rasterizer 105 via the printer driver 103. Next, the rasterizer 105 expands the two-dimensional bitmap image 113 on the image memory 106.
[0009]
The developed bitmap image 113 is transmitted to the color printer 107. The color printer 107 is equipped with a known electrophotographic system or ink jet recording system image forming unit 108. Using this image forming unit 108, a visible image is formed on a recording medium and printed out. Note that the bitmap image 113 in the image memory 107 is transferred in synchronization with a synchronization signal, a clock signal, or a transfer request for a specific color component signal necessary for operating the image forming unit 108.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional image processing system, it is clear that various problems arise when considering an image forming unit used for outputting a bitmap image.
[0011]
For example, normally, a color printer uses a four-color toner or ink of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) to form a color image on a print output. Colors in image formation are expressed based on the principle of so-called subtractive color mixing.
[0012]
On the other hand, when an application of a host computer displays an image, a color monitor is usually used. The color monitor uses three additive primary colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B). Express color.
[0013]
Accordingly, the colors of characters and figures constituting the document, or the color of the image obtained by laying out a photograph or the like read by a scanner are all expressed as a color in which R, G, and B are mixed at a certain ratio.
[0014]
That is, the rasterizer 105 converts the color information defined by R, G, and B as PDL and transferred from the host computer 101 into C, M, Y, and K, then generates a bitmap image and transmits it to the printer. There is a need.
[0015]
However, the method for converting RGB signals into CMYK signals is not uniquely determined, and the optimum conversion method differs depending on the graphic attributes defined in PDL.
[0016]
For example, referring to the example of FIG. 16, the image 114 is a natural image read by a scanner or the like, the image 115 is an electronically generated graphic image such as a circle or a rectangle, and the image 116 is a different attribute such as a character (TEXT) image. have. When rasterizing an image having these attributes, there is a method of switching different image processing to different attributes by creating an attribute map that stores the attributes in association with the pixels on the image. However, if only a natural image such as the image 114 is used, this method can be used. However, if a natural (TEXT) image is included in the natural image as shown in FIG. Since it is determined as an image, there is a possibility that the processing does not match the character (TEXT) image.
[0017]
In order to solve such a problem, the rasterizer 105 develops a bitmap image using the RGB signal values without performing conversion to the CMYK signal, and the bits of the RGB signal transmitted on the image forming unit 108 side. A character image area is detected from a map image using a known image area separation process, and a conversion method from RGB signals to CMYK signals is switched between the detected character image area and other areas to generate a CMYK signal. It is also considered to output the output.
[0018]
However, in order to apply the image area separation processing used in this case to the entire image, it may take time. Also, it is erroneously determined even in a pixel that is originally a character, and is determined not to be a character. There was a problem that it might be.
[0019]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an image processing apparatus and method, and a computer-readable memory capable of efficiently and efficiently outputting an image in which images of a plurality of types of attributes are mixed. The purpose is to provide.
[0020]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
  An image processing apparatus that processes and outputs input image data,
  Input means for inputting image data composed of a plurality of objects;
  Expansion means for expanding the object into bitmap image data;
  Generation means for generating attribute map information indicating a configuration of the bitmap image data based on the bitmap image data expanded by the expansion means and the attribute of the object;,
  Based on the attribute map information generated by the generating means,Image area separationA determination means for determining a range to be processed;
  Is provided.
[0022]
Preferably, the attribute map information includes at least a vector flag and a bitmap flag.
[0023]
Preferably, the attribute map information is generated in association with a two-dimensional coordinate position of the bitmap image data.
[0024]
Preferably, the generation unit includes an attribute map memory for storing the generated attribute map information.
[0025]
Preferably, when the bitmap image data is managed for each RGB plane, the attribute map information is managed as an attribute map plane added to each plane.
[0026]
Preferably, when the RGB data of the bitmap image data is managed for each pixel, the attribute map information is managed by adding each pixel.
[0027]
Preferably, when the bitmap image data is managed for each RGB plane, the attribute map information is managed by being added to any one of the planes or each pixel of a plurality of planes. .
[0028]
Preferably, when the RGB data of the bitmap image data is managed for each pixel, the attribute map information is managed by being added to one or more color information of the RGB data for each pixel. The
[0029]
Preferably, the determining means includes image area separation processing means for performing image area separation processing on the bitmap image data.
Is provided.
[0030]
Preferably, the determination unit changes the attribute map information based on a processing result of the image area separation processing unit.
Preferably, the predetermined image processing is realized by software.
[0031]
  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing method according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
  An image processing method for processing and outputting input image data,
  An input process for inputting image data composed of a plurality of objects;
  A development step of developing the object into bitmap image data;
  A bitmap image data expanded in the expansion step, and a generation step of generating attribute map information indicating a configuration of the bitmap image data based on the attribute of the object;,
  Based on the attribute map information generated in the generation step, in the bitmap dataImage area separationA decision process to determine the range to be processed;
  Is provided.
[0032]
  In order to achieve the above object, a computer readable memory according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
  Image processing that processes and outputs input image dataFor running on a computerA computer readable memory storing a program,
  An input process for inputting image data composed of a plurality of objects;
  A development step of developing the object into bitmap image data;
  A bitmap image data expanded in the expansion step, and a generation step of generating attribute map information indicating a configuration of the bitmap image data based on the attribute of the object;,
  Based on the attribute map information generated in the generation step, in the bitmap dataImage area separationA decision process to determine the range to be processed;
  TheStores programs to be executed by the computer.
[0033]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing system according to the first embodiment.
[0034]
Reference numeral 10 denotes a host computer. Reference numeral 11 denotes an application such as a word processor, draw software, or graphic software used in the host computer 10. A printer driver 12 manages an interface with the color printer 18 when outputting characters, graphics, and bitmap images from the application 11 to the color printer 18.
[0035]
A raster image processor 13 expands data output through the printer driver 12 into image data. The raster image processor 13 includes a rasterizer 14, an image memory 15 for storing image data, and an attribute map memory 16.
[0036]
An image area separation processing unit 20 is controlled so as to process only a range of image data that is effective for image area separation processing in accordance with the attribute map stored in the attribute map memory 16. Reference numeral 17 denotes an image processing unit for converting the image data stored in the image memory 15 into a higher quality image and image data that can be output by an image forming unit 19 described later. It is comprised so that a process may be switched with the signal of. A color printer 18 includes an image forming unit 19 for printing image data on a recording medium. The image forming unit 19 employs a recording system such as an electrophotographic system or an inkjet system.
[0037]
Details of the attribute map will be described later. In the first embodiment, the description will be made on the case of the color printer 18, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be easily applied to a monochrome printer.
[0038]
In order to make the explanation easy to understand, the image memory 15 and the attribute map memory 16 are written in separate blocks, but the image data and the attribute map may be stored in a single storage medium so that they can be read out. Is possible.
[0039]
The digital document data created by the application 11 is expressed by a command system called PDL as described in the conventional example, and the PDL is roughly divided into three objects. One is a character object, the second is a graphic object such as vector data such as a figure or a free curve, and the third is a bitmap object such as image data obtained by reading a photograph or printed matter with a scanner or the like.
[0040]
If an object is a character, it consists of data such as a character code for identifying the character, a font that defines the character shape, size information that indicates the size of the character, and color information that indicates the color of the character. As it is, the information cannot be interpreted by the image forming unit 19. The printer driver 12 controls the interface with the color printer 18 and plays a role such as synchronizing so that an appropriate image can be output by the image forming unit 19 which is the final stage. A command sequence representing an object such as is sent. The rasterizer 14 converts the received command sequence into two-dimensional bitmap image data that can be properly interpreted by the image forming unit 19, and simultaneously outputs an attribute map that is a feature of the present invention.
[0041]
The attribute map is a two-dimensional information in which attribute information of each pixel is provided for each pixel. The attribute map memory 16 stores the two-dimensional image data and the attribute map in association with each pixel. And store as possible.
[0042]
Here, an example of the format of the attribute map will be described with reference to FIG.
[0043]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an attribute map format according to the first embodiment.
[0044]
It has 1-bit information of only the 0th bit, and the 0th bit is a bit map (Bitmap) flag. 1 indicates a pixel generated from a bitmap object, and 0 indicates a pixel generated from a vector object, that is, a character or graphic image. When the rasterizer 14 converts an object into two-dimensional bitmap data, the rasterizer 14 determines for each pixel whether the object is finally generated from a character, graphic, or natural image, and displays the two-dimensional image in the attribute map. Store it so that it can be associated with the data.
[0045]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an attribute map associated with each pixel according to the first embodiment.
[0046]
FIG. 3 shows an image in which the number “1”, which is a character object, is superimposed on a bitmap object. When converting to a two-dimensional bitmap, 1 is output for each pixel generated by a vector object (character or graphic object) for each pixel according to the attribute map format, and 0 is output for a bitmap object. Then, an attribute map as shown in FIG. 3 is generated. Here, it should be noted that the attribute map information is reversed from FIG. Depending on how the format is created, it may be 1 for a bitmap, 0 for a vector (character or r graphic), as shown in FIG. 2, or 0 for a bitmap, 1 for a vector (character or graphic), as shown in FIG. It may be as follows.
[0047]
The attribute map may be configured in any way as long as the attribute map is stored so as to be associated with each pixel. For example, the image data may be stored in the image memory 15 as an attribute map plane as shown in FIG. 3, and the attribute map may be stored in the attribute map memory 16, or may be stored in the same storage medium. For example, an attribute map plane is added to each RGB plane as shown in FIG. 4, or when RGB data is configured in one pixel as shown in FIG. 5, it is added to the RGB information of each pixel. It may be embedded with. Also, in order not to increase the data amount, as shown in FIG. 6, the attribute map is embedded in the lower bits for each pixel of any one plane or a plurality of planes of RGB. In addition, when RGB data is configured in one pixel as shown in FIG. 7, one or more of the 8-bit color information of each RED, GREEN, and BLUE for each pixel or the lower bits of the plurality of color information. You may comprise so that an attribute map may be embedded. FIG. 7 shows an example in which an attribute map is embedded in the lower 3 bits of 8 bits of BLUE information.
[0048]
For example, using an attribute map enables the following. Referring to the example of FIG. 16, the image 114 has a natural image read by a scanner or the like, the image 115 has an electronically generated graphic image such as a circle or a rectangle, and the image 116 has a different attribute such as a character (TEXT) image. ing. Here, there may be a case where the image forming unit 19 can reproduce only binary dots. In this case, the rasterizer 14 develops a multi-value bitmap image of Y, M, C, and K in the image memory 15. The image forming unit 19 that has received the bitmap image performs a known binarization process such as an error diffusion method or a dither process, converts the multi-value image signal into a binary image signal, and outputs the print image. Become. At this time, the optimum binarization method changes depending on the attribute of the image. In other words, graphics such as characters and figures are preferably binarized by reducing the dither matrix size and emphasizing resolution, and natural images such as photographs emphasize the tone reproducibility by increasing the matrix size. Is preferred.
[0049]
Therefore, when the attribute map shown in FIG. 2 is used, the character image of the image 116 and the graphic image of the image 115 are 0 in the 0th bit of the attribute map, and the natural image (bitmap) of the image 114 is the attribute. The 0th bit of the map is 1. Therefore, a natural image, a character image, and a graphic image can be easily separated for each pixel. However, some bitmap objects that are assigned to attribute maps as natural images are images read from the original using a reading device such as an image scanner, and are present on the original in addition to so-called natural images such as photographs and printed materials. The character image that has been read may be read. In this case, according to the attribute map described so far, all the information is uniformly stored as a natural image, and binarization processing with an emphasis on gradation reproducibility is performed on the entire surface. The character image existing in the object has a low resolution and is difficult to read.
[0050]
Therefore, in the first embodiment, the image area separation processing unit 20 is used to detect a character image area existing in the bitmap object. The image area separation processing unit 20 is a means for determining whether each pixel or each block is a character part or other than a character part. However, the image area separation processing unit 20 cannot completely determine characters on the document. When an image area separation process such as a character object is not necessary, there is a possibility that a portion that is not recognized as a character due to a misjudgment may appear, so it is desirable not to perform the process. In general, since the image area separation processing has a large calculation scale, it is important to limit the range in order to shorten the processing time. In particular, in the case of software, it also means that the load on resources such as a CPU is reduced. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the range of image data to be subjected to the image area separation processing by the image area separation processing unit 20 is limited according to the attribute map.
[0051]
Hereinafter, a specific example of the image area separation processing executed by the image area separation processing unit 20 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0052]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an image after the image data is expanded into a bitmap image.
[0053]
7a is a vector object with characters such as “ABC” and “Iroha”, and 7b is a bitmap object. FIG. 9 shows an attribute map generated from the image of FIG. The part drawn in black is displayed as 1 in the attribute map and is generated from the bitmap object 7b. Here, the alphabet “H” is drawn inside the bitmap object 7b. However, since the character is drawn in the original image, it is a bitmap object on the attribute map. Therefore, the image area separation processing unit 20 prevents the misjudgment of determining the vector object 7a as a bitmap object and reduces the amount of calculation on the attribute map of the bitmap object on the attribute map corresponding to the image of FIG. The image area separation process is performed only on the range of.
[0054]
For the pixels or blocks that are determined to be characters other than the range in which the image area separation process is performed and the image area separation process, for example, a dither matrix as shown in FIG. 10 is used. This range is shown in FIG. A white part is a range which uses the dither matrix of FIG. Compared with FIG. 9, it can be seen that the character “H” portion in the bitmap object is added. Further, the dither matrix shown in FIG. 12 is used for the pixels determined to be natural images by the image area separation processing. This is the black part in FIG.
[0055]
Here, the multi-value data used in the first embodiment is 8 bits, 0 to 255 level, and when the value of the multi-value data of each pixel is larger than the threshold value of each cell of the dither matrix in FIGS. The dot is turned ON, and the dot is turned OFF when it is equal to or less than the threshold of each cell. FIG. 10 shows a dither matrix having a size of 3 × 3. If one pixel is assumed to be 600 dpi, it can be reproduced with a resolution of 200 dpi, and the number of gradations is 10. Therefore, although the number of gradations is small, high-resolution image reproduction is possible. On the other hand, FIG. 12 shows a dither matrix having an 8 × 8 size. If one pixel is assumed to be 600 dpi, it is 75 dpi and the number of gradations is 65 gradations. Although the resolution is low, the number of gradations is large, and a natural image can be reproduced with higher quality than the dither matrix shown in FIG. With this configuration, the characters in the bitmap object are output with high resolution and the other bitmap objects are output with high gradation while reducing the erroneous determination of the image area separation processing and the amount of calculation. be able to.
[0056]
Next, a processing flow of processing executed in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0057]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow executed in the first embodiment.
[0058]
First, in step S101, each object of image data composed of a plurality of input objects is developed into bitmap image data by the rasterizer 14. The developed bitmap image data is stored in the image memory 15. In step S102, an attribute map of bitmap image data is generated based on the developed bitmap image data and object attributes. The generated attribute map is stored in the attribute map memory 16. In step S103, based on the generated attribute map, a range to be subjected to image area separation processing in the bitmap image data is determined and executed by the image area separation processing unit 20. Then, the image forming unit 19 forms an image obtained by performing image processing in the image processing unit 17 on the bitmap image data subjected to the image area separation processing and the remaining bitmap image data.
[0059]
As described above, according to the first embodiment, a range effective in image area separation processing in the bitmap image data to be output is specified by the attribute map, and only the specified range is subjected to image area separation processing. . By doing so, it is possible to reduce erroneous determinations that determine pixels that are characters as natural images, and to reduce the amount of calculation of the image area separation processing itself. Further, by configuring the result of the image area separation processing so as to further specify the attribute map, it is possible to reproduce an image more preferable for the operator.
[Embodiment 2]
In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the character image area detected by the image area separation processing unit 20 is fed back to the attribute map in the attribute map memory 16 with respect to the image processing system shown in FIG. And configure to update.
[0060]
With this configuration, when the rasterizer 14 develops the input image data into bitmap data, after creating an attribute map, one or more attribute maps are generated according to the result of the image area separation process. Is created or updated, it is possible to construct a system capable of realizing a more advanced image product trade.
[0061]
Then, referring to the attribute map, the image processing unit 17 processes each pixel in the image data. That is, the image processing unit 17 switches the dither matrix used for each pixel according to the attribute map. As a result, the natural image in the image data can be reproduced with high resolution while maintaining the gradation, and the character and graphic image can be reproduced with high resolution.
[0062]
Further, even when characters exist in a natural image, the attribute map is updated by the image area separation processing unit 20 as described above, so that the resolution can be expressed high, and a higher quality image can be displayed. Can be reproduced.
[0063]
Also, by updating the attribute map, it is possible to define different image processing and finer attributes, and to achieve finer control and higher image quality.
[0064]
Note that the present invention can be applied to a system (for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, etc.) consisting of a single device even if it is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, interface device, reader, printer, etc.). You may apply.
[0065]
Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for implementing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the.
[0066]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0067]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.
[0068]
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating 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.
[0069]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board 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.
[0070]
When the present invention is applied to the above-described storage medium, the program code corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 13 described above is stored in the storage medium.
[0071]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus and method, and a computer-readable memory capable of outputting a high-quality and efficient image in which images of a plurality of types of attributes are mixed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing system according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a format of an attribute map according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an attribute map associated with each pixel according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an attribute map according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an attribute map according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an attribute map according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an attribute map according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an image after image data is expanded into a bitmap image.
9 is a diagram showing an attribute map generated from the image of FIG. 8. FIG.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dither matrix according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a range in which image area separation processing according to the first embodiment is performed.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dither matrix according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow executed in the first embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing system according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional image processing system.
FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a processing procedure executed in a conventional image processing system.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Host computer
11 Application
12 Printer driver
13 Raster image processor
14 Rasterizer
15 Image memory
16 Attribute map memory
17 Image processing section
18 Color printer
19 Image forming unit
20 Image area separation processor

Claims (22)

An image processing apparatus that processes and outputs input image data,
Input means for inputting image data composed of a plurality of objects;
Expansion means for expanding the object into bitmap image data;
Generation means for generating attribute map information indicating a configuration of the bitmap image data based on the bitmap image data expanded by the expansion means and the attribute of the object ;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines a range for performing image region separation processing in the bitmap data based on the attribute map information generated by the generation unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attribute map information includes at least a vector flag and a bitmap flag. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attribute map information is generated in association with a two-dimensional coordinate position of the bitmap image data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit includes an attribute map memory that stores generated attribute map information. The image processing according to claim 1, wherein when the bitmap image data is managed for each RGB plane, the attribute map information is managed as an attribute map plane added to each plane. apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the RGB data of the bitmap image data is managed for each pixel, the attribute map information is managed by adding each pixel. When the bitmap image data is managed for each of the RGB planes, the attribute map information is managed by being added to each pixel of the plane or a plurality of planes. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. When the RGB data of the bitmap image data is managed for each pixel, the attribute map information is managed by being added to one or more color information of RGB data for each pixel. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit includes an image area separation processing unit that performs image area separation processing on the bitmap image data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the determination unit changes the attribute map information based on a processing result of the image area separation processing unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image area separation process is realized by software. An image processing method for processing and outputting input image data,
An input process for inputting image data composed of a plurality of objects;
A development step of developing the object into bitmap image data;
Generating the attribute map information indicating the configuration of the bitmap image data based on the bitmap image data expanded in the expansion step and the attribute of the object ;
An image processing method characterized by comprising a determination step of determining a range based on the attribute map information generated by the generating step, the image area separation processing in the bit map data. The image processing method according to claim 12 , wherein the attribute map information includes at least a vector flag and a bitmap flag. The image processing method according to claim 12 , wherein the attribute map information is generated in association with a two-dimensional coordinate position of the bitmap image data. The image processing method according to claim 12 , wherein the generating step stores the generated attribute map information in an attribute map memory. The image processing according to claim 12 , wherein when the bitmap image data is managed for each RGB plane, the attribute map information is managed as an attribute map plane added to each plane. Method. The image processing method according to claim 12 , wherein when the RGB data of the bitmap image data is managed for each pixel, the attribute map information is managed by adding each pixel. When the bitmap image data is managed for each of the RGB planes, the attribute map information is managed by being added to each pixel of the plane or a plurality of planes. The image processing method according to claim 12 . When the RGB data of the bitmap image data is managed for each pixel, the attribute map information is managed by being added to one or more color information of RGB data for each pixel. The image processing method according to claim 12 . The image processing method according to claim 13, wherein the determining step includes an image region separation processing step of performing image region separation processing on the bitmap image data. 21. The image processing method according to claim 20 , wherein the determination step changes the attribute map information based on a processing result of the image area separation processing step. A computer-readable memory storing a program for causing a computer to execute image processing for processing and outputting input image data,
An input process for inputting image data composed of a plurality of objects;
A development step of developing the object into bitmap image data;
Generating the attribute map information indicating the configuration of the bitmap image data based on the bitmap image data expanded in the expansion step and the attribute of the object ;
Based on the attribute map information generated by said generation step, wherein the bitmap program for executing the determination process in the computer to determine the range to be image area separation processing in the data is stored Computer readable memory.

Images