JP4363291B2 - Image processing apparatus, printer including the same, and control method of image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a printer including the image processing apparatus, a control method for the image processing apparatus, and a program for the image processing apparatus.

Conventionally, this type of image processing apparatus detects whether or not an input image file includes an object such as a human face, determines the image content based on the detection result, and sets a correction parameter. There has been proposed one that sets and corrects an image file (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-236110

  However, in the above-described image processing apparatus, processing for detecting an object or the like needs to be performed by acquiring pixel information of the entire image file and the like, which may increase processing time. On the other hand, considering the case where such an image processing apparatus is applied to a printer, such an increase in processing time leads to an increase in waiting time until the start of printing. Therefore, it is desirable to shorten the processing time and increase the processing efficiency as much as possible.

  An image processing apparatus, a printer including the image processing apparatus, a control method for the image processing apparatus, and a program for the image processing apparatus according to the present invention are intended to reduce processing time when image processing is performed on an image file. . Another object of the image processing apparatus, the printer including the image processing apparatus, the control method for the image processing apparatus, and the program for the image processing apparatus of the present invention is to perform image processing more efficiently.

  The image processing apparatus, the printer including the image processing apparatus, the control method for the image processing apparatus, and the program for the image processing apparatus of the present invention employ the following means in order to achieve at least a part of the above-described object.

The image processing apparatus of the present invention
An image processing apparatus that performs predetermined image processing on an image file and outputs the image file,
Information storage means for storing, in association with the image file, pre-collected information that is used when performing predetermined image processing on the image file and can be collected based on the image file;
When an instruction to perform predetermined image processing is given to an image file designated from among image files stored in a predetermined storage medium, pre-collected information related to the image file does not exist in the information storage unit In this case, pre-collection information is collected based on the image file, the pre-collection information collected is stored in the information storage means in association with the image file, and a predetermined image is stored in the image file using the pre-collection information. Image processing means for performing processing and outputting, and when pre-collection information related to the image file is present in the information storage means, the image file is subjected to predetermined image processing using the pre-collection information and output When,
It is a summary to provide.

  In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, pre-collected information used when performing predetermined image processing on the image file is stored in the information storage means in association with the image file, and predetermined image processing is performed on the image file. When pre-collection information related to the image file does not exist when an instruction is given, pre-collection information is collected based on the image file, stored in the information storage means, and subjected to predetermined image processing and output. If pre-collected information related to the image file exists, the pre-collected information is used to perform predetermined image processing and output. Accordingly, since the pre-collected information is stored in association with the image file, the next image processing can be performed using the pre-collected information for the image file in which the pre-collected information has been collected once. As a result, since it is not necessary to repeat the process of collecting the pre-collection information, it is possible to shorten the processing time when performing image processing on the image file and to perform image processing more efficiently. .

  Such an image processing apparatus of the present invention may further include an information clear unit that clears the pre-collected information stored in the information storage unit at a predetermined timing. In this way, unnecessary pre-collected information can be cleared. In this case, the predetermined storage medium is detachably attached to the image processing apparatus, and the predetermined timing includes a time when the predetermined storage medium is attached and / or removed. In this way, the pre-collection information can be cleared at the timing of attaching or removing the detachably mounted storage medium. In addition, examples of the “predetermined timing” include timing for turning on / off the power of the image processing apparatus.

  In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the information storage means stores the pre-collected information using a correspondence management table that manages the correspondence between the identification information of the image file and the identification information of the pre-collected information. It may be a means for storing in association with the image file. In this way, the pre-collection information and the image file can be associated using the correspondence management table. In this case, the identification information of the image file is address information indicating a physical position of the image file in the predetermined storage medium, or the identification information of the pre-collection information is the pre-collection information. It may be address information indicating a physical position in the information storage means. In this way, the access speed to the image file and the pre-collected information can be improved.

  Furthermore, in the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the image file may be compressed by a predetermined method, and the pre-collection information may be information that can be collected by sequentially restoring the image file from the top. it can. In this way, it is not necessary to repeatedly perform the process of restoring the image file in order from the top, so that the effects of shortening the processing time and improving the efficiency of the process are more prominent. In this case, the predetermined image processing restores the image file from the top in order to acquire pixel information, calculates characteristic information indicating characteristics of the image file based on the acquired pixel information, and converts the calculated characteristic information into the calculated characteristic information. Calculating a correction parameter based on the calculated correction parameter, generating a lookup table for converting pixel information based on the calculated correction parameter, and converting the pixel information of the image file based on the generated lookup table An image automatic correction process for correcting an image file, wherein the pre-collection information is one of the pixel information, the characteristic information, the correction parameter, and the lookup table, or the predetermined image processing is The image file is restored in order from the beginning, and the image file is restored starting from a predetermined position of the image file. Rotation image generation for acquiring point restoration information and generating images after rotation in a predetermined direction and angle by restoring the image file starting from the predetermined position based on the acquired starting point restoration information Processing, and the pre-collection information may be the origin restoration information. By doing so, it is possible to shorten the processing time when performing the image automatic correction process and the rotated image generation process on the image file, and it is possible to perform such image processing more efficiently.

  In such an image processing apparatus of the present invention, the information storage means is means for storing the pre-collected information in association with a combination of the image file and the processing pattern of the predetermined image processing, and the predetermined image processing is performed. The instruction to be applied is an instruction that is accompanied by specification of the processing pattern of the predetermined image processing, and the image processing means has pre-collected information related to the combination of the image file and the processing pattern in the information storage means. If not, pre-collected information is collected based on the image file and the processing pattern, the collected pre-collected information is stored in the information storage means in association with a combination of the image file and the processing pattern, and The image file is subjected to predetermined image processing using the pre-collected information and output, and the image file and the processing pattern are output. When the pre-collection information associated with the combined saw is present in the information storage means it can also be assumed to be a means for outputting performs predetermined image processing to the image file using The pre collect information. In this way, it is possible to cope with the case where the pre-collection information is associated with the combination of the image file and the processing pattern (that is, when the pre-collection information varies depending on the processing pattern of the predetermined image processing). Here, as the “processing pattern”, for example, when the predetermined image processing is an image automatic correction process, a processing pattern for correcting an image file is applicable, and when the predetermined image processing is an image rotation generation process. Corresponds to the pattern of rotating the image file and the angle pattern.

  The gist of the printer of the present invention is that it includes any one of the above-described image processing apparatuses of the present invention and print execution means for printing an image file output from the image processing apparatus.

  Since the printer according to the present invention includes the printer according to the present invention in any of the above-described aspects, the effects of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, for example, reduction in processing time when image processing is performed on an image file. An effect that can be achieved, an effect that image processing can be performed more efficiently, and the like can be achieved.

The control method of the image processing apparatus of the present invention includes:
A control method for an image processing apparatus comprising an information storage means for storing information,
When an instruction to perform predetermined image processing is given to an image file designated from among image files stored in a predetermined storage medium, pre-collected information related to the image file does not exist in the information storage unit In this case, pre-collection information is collected based on the image file, the pre-collection information collected is stored in the information storage means in association with the image file, and a predetermined image is stored in the image file using the pre-collection information. When the pre-collected information related to the image file exists in the information storage means, the pre-collected information is used to perform predetermined image processing on the image file and output.
This is the gist.

  In the control method of the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the pre-collected information used when performing predetermined image processing on the image file is stored in the information storage means in association with the image file, When pre-collection information related to the image file does not exist when an instruction to perform image processing is given, pre-collection information is collected based on the image file and stored in the information storage means, and predetermined image processing is performed. If pre-collected information related to the image file exists, the pre-collected information is used to perform predetermined image processing and output. Accordingly, since the pre-collected information is stored in association with the image file, the next image processing can be performed using the pre-collected information for the image file in which the pre-collected information has been collected once. As a result, since it is not necessary to repeat the process of collecting the pre-collection information, it is possible to shorten the processing time when performing image processing on the image file and to perform image processing more efficiently. .

The program for an image processing apparatus of the present invention is:
A program for an image processing apparatus comprising information storage means for storing information,
When an instruction to perform predetermined image processing is given to an image file designated from among image files stored in a predetermined storage medium, pre-collected information related to the image file does not exist in the information storage unit In this case, pre-collection information is collected based on the image file, the pre-collection information collected is stored in the information storage means in association with the image file, and a predetermined image is stored in the image file using the pre-collection information. An image processing module that performs processing and outputs, and when pre-collected information related to the image file exists in the information storage means, performs a predetermined image processing on the image file using the pre-collected information ,
It is a summary to provide.

  In the image processing apparatus program of the present invention, pre-collected information used when performing predetermined image processing on an image file is stored in an information storage means in association with the image file, and a predetermined image is stored in the image file. When there is no pre-collection information related to this image file when an instruction to perform processing is given, pre-collection information is collected based on the image file and stored in the information storage means, and predetermined image processing is performed. If there is pre-collection information related to the image file, the pre-collection information is used to perform predetermined image processing and output. Accordingly, since the pre-collected information is stored in association with the image file, the next image processing can be performed using the pre-collected information for the image file in which the pre-collected information has been collected once. As a result, since it is not necessary to repeat the process of collecting the pre-collection information, it is possible to shorten the processing time when performing image processing on the image file and to perform image processing more efficiently. .

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described using examples.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a printer 20 equipped with an image processing apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the printer 20 according to the embodiment includes an interface unit 22 that controls connection between a control unit 21 that controls the entire apparatus and a storage medium 30 such as a removable memory card, a digital still camera 31, and a personal computer 32. An image processing unit 23 that performs various types of image processing on the image file read from the storage medium 30, a data buffer 24 that temporarily stores data, and color conversion processing and binarization of the read image file A print data generation unit 25 that generates print data by performing processing, an image buffer 26 that stores the generated print data, and a printer engine 27 that executes printing based on the print data stored in the image buffer 26. It is configured as an inkjet printer that prints by ejecting ink of each color onto paper It has been. The image processing unit 23 also performs processing for restoring an image file stored in the storage medium 30 or the like and compressed by the JPEG method or the like. A JPEG image file is compressed through steps such as block division, discrete cosine transform (hereinafter abbreviated as DCT) operation, quantization processing, and Huffman coding. Such a JPEG image file is a general image file and does not form the core of the present invention.

  Next, an operation of the printer 20 configured as described above, particularly an operation when printing is performed by performing automatic correction processing and rotation processing on an image file read from the storage medium 30 or the like will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the image rotation printing process executed by the control unit 21, the image processing unit 23, the print data generation unit 25, and the like when a print instruction including an automatic correction process and a rotation process is performed. . As a case where such a print instruction is given, for example, when a print instruction is given by setting automatic correction processing or setting a print layout requiring rotation processing via an operation panel (not shown) of the printer 20. And so on. In the embodiment, a case where the image file is rotated 90 degrees rightward will be described as a specific example.

  In the image rotation printing process, first, as shown in the figure, as the pre-collected information corresponding to the image file related to the print instruction, the automatic correction processing parameters used for the image file automatic correction process and the rotated image are generated in order from the upper end. It is determined whether or not the starting point restoration information used for the processing to be performed exists in the pre-collected information storage area of the data buffer 24 (steps S100 and S110). In the embodiment, the presence / absence of the pre-collection information is determined using the pre-collection information management table illustrated in FIG. 3 stored in the data buffer 24. In the pre-collection information management table, as shown in the figure, an index for identifying each image file stored in the storage medium 30 or the like, an image file pointer indicating the physical position of the image file on the storage medium 30, and A starting point restoration information pointer indicating the physical position of the starting point restoration information on the data buffer 24 and a correction parameter pointer indicating the physical position of the automatic correction processing parameter on the data buffer 24 are managed. It is configured. Of these pieces of information, the index and the image file pointer assign an index to all image files stored in the storage medium 30 and the like when the printer 20 is turned on or the storage medium 30 is attached. The file pointer is acquired and registered. The starting point restoration information pointer and the correction parameter pointer are set to empty values (Null values) when the printer 20 is turned on or the storage medium 30 is attached. This is based on the fact that the pre-collection information in the data buffer 24 is cleared when the printer 20 is turned off or when the storage medium 30 is attached / removed. Therefore, when the image file is printed for the first time after the printer 20 is turned on or the storage medium 30 is attached, no corresponding pre-collection information exists for any image file. The processing for updating the starting point restoration information pointer and the correction parameter pointer will be described later.

  When both the starting point restoration information and the automatic correction processing parameter exist in the data buffer 24, the starting point restoration information specified by the starting point restoration information pointer and the correction parameter pointer in the pre-collected information management table, When the parameters for automatic correction processing are read from the pre-collected information storage area of the data buffer 24 and copied to the work area of the data buffer 24 (step S120), and either the starting point restoration information or the parameters for automatic correction processing do not exist In step S130, a pre-collection information acquisition process for acquiring the starting point restoration information and the automatic correction processing parameter is executed. Here, the description of the image rotation printing process is interrupted, and the pre-collection information acquisition process illustrated in FIG. 4 will be described.

  In the pre-collection information acquisition process, first, as shown in FIG. 4, the data of one access unit of the image file related to the print instruction is read from the storage medium 30 or the like (step S400), and the process of decompressing the read data is executed. (Step S410). Here, the access unit is a data reading unit predetermined according to the specifications of the storage medium 30 and the like, and corresponds to a sector in the flash memory, for example. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the data size of each block of the image file compressed by the JPEG method does not necessarily match the access unit, and the data size between the blocks is different. Across multiple access units.

  Then, the process of reading access unit data and performing Huffman decompression is repeatedly executed until the data for one block is decompressed, and when the data for one block is decompressed (step S420), the decompressed data (block Inverse quantization processing is performed on the (quantized DCT coefficient) (step S430). By executing the inverse quantization process, the DCT coefficients of the block are obtained. Here, in the JPEG image file, since the difference value between blocks is quantized for the quantized DC component of the quantized DCT coefficient, the difference value of the quantized DC component obtained by Huffman decompression is accumulated. As a result, a quantized DC component is acquired, and a DC component is acquired by applying an inverse quantization process to the quantized DC component.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the current block is a starting block (step S440). Here, the starting block is a block that is a starting point for restoring the image file from the middle, and in the embodiment, the leftmost block that is the upper end when the image is rotated 90 ° rightward is the starting block (see FIG. 6).

  If the current block is the starting block, starting point restoration information for restoring the image file starting from this block is stored in the work area of the data buffer 24 (step S450). Specifically, the origin restoration information includes a file pointer indicating the physical position of the access unit where the data of the origin block is started, and decompression intermediate information for decompressing the data of the origin block from the access unit. And the DC component of the starting block. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for conceptually explaining the decompression intermediate information. As described above, since the data size of each block does not necessarily match the access unit, and the data size between the blocks is different, the access unit in which the data of the starting block is started includes the data of the previous block. It will be. Therefore, in order to perform Huffman decompression on the data of the starting block, information on Huffman decompression of the data of the previous block (for example, the number of bits decompressed by Huffman as data of the previous block) is necessary, and such information is in the middle of decompression. Applicable to information.

  Subsequently, the inverse DCT calculation process is performed on the DCT coefficient acquired by the inverse quantization process in step S430 to acquire pixel information of the block (step S460), and the color conversion that converts the color space of the acquired pixel information The process is executed (step S470). Here, the color conversion process is a process of converting the YCC color space used in the JPEG image file into the RGB color space.

  When the pixel information converted into the RGB color space is obtained in this manner, a histogram indicating the distribution of RGB values of the entire image file is accumulated and stored in the work area of the data buffer 24 (step S480). Note that the pixels for which histograms are to be accumulated may be pixels sampled according to an appropriate rule.

  Next, an object area such as a person's face is extracted from the pixels of the current block and stored in the work area of the data buffer 24 (step S490). In the embodiment, the object area is extracted by extracting a skin color area composed of skin color pixels from the pixels of the current block. The extraction of the skin color region is performed by previously determining a range of RGB values corresponding to the skin color and extracting pixels within the range of RGB values.

  If the current block is not the last block of the image file, the process returns to step S400 (step S500), and the processes of steps S400 to S490 are repeatedly executed for the next block. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of starting point restoration information when the processes of steps S400 to S490 are repeatedly executed. As shown in the figure, since the leftmost block of the image is set as the starting block in the embodiment, the starting point restoration information (file pointer, decompression intermediate information and DC component) for the leftmost block is stored in order from the upper block. Has been. Thus, by restoring the image file in order from the top, the information for starting point restoration and the histogram of RGB values are acquired, and the object area is extracted and stored in the work area of the data buffer 24.

  When the processes in steps S400 to S490 are repeatedly executed up to the last block of the image file in this way, next, object recognition for determining whether the image content is a person image or a landscape image based on the object area extracted in step S490. Processing is executed (step S510). Various rules can be applied to the object recognition processing. In the embodiment, the object area is arranged with respect to the entire image (for example, whether it touches the upper side or the left side or the right side), and corresponds to both eyes and mouth in the object area. It is determined whether the image is a person image or a landscape image based on whether or not there is a pixel area to be processed.

  When the image content is determined by the object recognition processing in this way, an automatic correction processing parameter for performing automatic correction processing on the image file is calculated based on the determined image content, a histogram of accumulated RGB values, and the like, and the data buffer 24 is calculated. Are stored in the work area (step S200). The calculation of the parameters for automatic correction processing can be performed by applying various rules. In the embodiment, when the image content is a human image, the parameters are set so as to perform a skin color correction process and a soft focus process for correcting the skin color to be a better skin color, a brightness correction process for correcting the brightness to be slightly brighter, and the like. When the image content is a landscape image, a new green correction process that corrects the new green color to be a better new green color, a saturation correction process that corrects the saturation to be vivid, etc. The parameters were calculated. Regardless of whether the image content is a person image or a landscape image, parameters are calculated such that various image correction processing (contrast correction processing, γ correction processing, etc.) is performed according to the RGB value histogram. It is.

  The starting point restoration information and the automatic correction processing parameters stored in the work area of the data buffer 24 are copied to the pre-collection information storage area and reflected in the pre-collection information management table (step S530). The acquisition process ends. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating the work area and the pre-collected information storage area of the data buffer 24. As shown in the figure, the work area of the data buffer 24 stores various types of data acquired by executing the above-described pre-collection information acquisition process. Among these, the origin restoration information, the automatic correction process parameters, Is copied to the pre-collected information storage area. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the pre-collection information management table is updated. This example is an example in the case where the pre-collection information acquisition process is executed for the image file with the index “002”, and physical information of the starting point restoration information and the automatic correction process parameters copied to the pre-collection information storage area is shown. Each pointer indicating a correct position is registered as a starting point restoration information pointer and a correction parameter pointer.

  In this way, when the pre-collection information acquisition process is executed, or when the starting point restoration information and the automatic correction process parameters as the pre-collection information are acquired by reading from the pre-collection information storage area of the data buffer 24, the image rotation printing process includes the following: Then, the file pointer of the first starting block in the acquired starting point restoration information is read, and the data of the access unit specified by the read file pointer is read from the storage medium 30 and the like and Huffman decompressed (steps S140 and S150). At this time, by using the decompression intermediate information of the origin restoring information, the data of the origin block can be decompressed from the data in the access unit.

  When the data for one block is decompressed (step S160), inverse quantization processing, inverse DCT calculation processing, and color conversion processing are executed (steps S170 to S190). Here, when the DC component of the DCT coefficient is acquired, the DC component of the starting point restoration information is read.

  Subsequently, automatic correction processing is performed on this block in accordance with the automatic correction processing parameters acquired as the pre-collection information (step S200). Specifically, a process of converting pixel information is performed using a lookup table that is a conversion table of pixel information generated based on the parameters for automatic correction processing.

  Next, this block is rotated 90 ° rightward and output to the work area of the data buffer 24 (step S210). When outputting to the data buffer 24, the block itself is rotated and the position of the block is the position after the rotation (for example, the upper left corner block is the upper right corner).

  When the block is rotated and output in this way, the starting point restoration information of this block is updated to the starting point restoration information of the next block (the block on the right side) (step S220). That is, the file pointer of the access unit where the data of the next block is started, the decompression intermediate information, and the DC component are updated (see FIG. 11). The DC component here stores the quantized DC component of the current block. Therefore, when the next block is restored, the quantized DC component of the next block is obtained by accumulating the quantized DC component and the difference value obtained by Huffman decompressing the data of the next block. become. Here, when updating the starting point restoration information, the starting point restoration information stored in the work area of the data buffer 24 is updated. That is, the information on the starting point restoration stored in the pre-collected information storage area of the data buffer 24 holds the information regarding the leftmost block as the starting point block as it is.

  Then, the processes of steps S140 to S220 are repeatedly executed until the rotated blocks output in the work area of the data buffer 24 are accumulated and become a band unit, which is a unit for executing printing by the printer engine 27 (step S140). S230). FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing how the processes in steps S140 to S220 are repeatedly executed. As shown in the figure, by executing the processing of steps S140 to S220 with the left end block as the starting block in order from the top, the upper end block of the rotated image is output, and the processing for the left end block is performed. When the process is completed, the processes in steps S140 to S220 are repeatedly performed on the blocks in the column on the right side of the leftmost block in order from the top. As shown in FIG. 13, when the accumulated rotated block is in band units, print data is generated by the print data generation unit 25 based on the data in band units and output to the image buffer 26. Printing is executed by the printer engine 27 based on the print data (step S240). When the final block of the image file is reached (step S250), the image rotation printing process is terminated.

  According to the printer 20 of the embodiment described above, the starting point restoration information and the automatic correction processing parameters are stored as the pre-collected information in the pre-collected information storage area of the data buffer 24 in association with the image file. When pre-collection information corresponding to the image file related to the print instruction does not exist when a print instruction involving processing and rotation processing is made, pre-collection information is acquired by executing pre-collection information acquisition processing If the pre-collection information stored in the pre-collection information storage area of the data buffer 24 and corresponding to the image file exists, the pre-collection information is read and acquired from the pre-collection information storage area of the data buffer 24. Using the collected information, the image file can be subjected to automatic correction processing and rotation processing to be printed. Accordingly, since the pre-collection information is stored in the data buffer 24 in association with the image file, the next automatic correction process or rotation process is performed on the image file once obtained from the pre-collection information using the pre-collection information. be able to. As a result, since it is not necessary to repeatedly execute the process of acquiring the pre-collected information (pre-collected information acquiring process), it is possible to reduce the processing time when performing image processing on the image file and to perform image processing. It can be performed more efficiently.

  Further, according to the printer 20 of the embodiment, the association between the pre-collected information and the image file can be managed using the pre-collected information management table. Further, in the pre-collected information management table, an image file pointer that indicates a physical position of the image file on the storage medium 30, an origin restoration information pointer that indicates a physical position on the data buffer 24 of the origin restoration information, Since the correction parameter pointer indicating the physical position of the automatic correction processing parameter on the data buffer 24 is managed, it is possible to improve the access speed to the image file, the starting point restoration information, and the automatic correction processing parameter. it can.

  Here, in the printer 20 of the embodiment, the data buffer 24 corresponds to the information storage unit, and the control unit 21 and the image processing unit 23 that execute the processes of steps S100 to S230 of the image rotation printing process correspond to the image processing unit. The control unit 21, the print data generation unit 25, and the printer engine 27 that execute the process of step S240 of the image rotation printing process correspond to the print execution unit, the storage medium 30 and the like correspond to a predetermined storage medium, and the data buffer 24. The control unit 21 and the image processing unit 23 that perform processing for clearing the pre-collected information from the pre-collected information storage area correspond to information clearing means. The pre-collection information management table corresponds to the correspondence management table, the image file pointer corresponds to the address information of the image file, and the origin restoration information pointer and the correction parameter pointer correspond to the address information of the pre-collection information.

  In the printer 20 of the embodiment, the pre-collection information in the data buffer 24 is cleared when the printer 20 is turned off or when the storage medium 30 is attached / detached, but may be cleared at other timings. I do not care.

  In the printer 20 of the embodiment, the pre-collection information is stored in the pre-collection information storage area of the data buffer 24, but the pre-collection information may be stored on a memory other than the data buffer 24. For example, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory may be mounted and the pre-collected information and the pre-collected information management table may be stored in the non-volatile memory. In this way, it is possible to prevent the pre-collection information from being cleared even when the printer 20 is turned off.

  In the printer 20 of the embodiment, the association between the pre-collection information and the image file is managed using the pre-collection information management table, but it is sufficient that the pre-collection information can be stored in association with the image file. The association between the pre-collection information and the image file may be managed.

  In the printer 20 of the embodiment, the image file is identified by using the index or the image file pointer in the pre-collection information management table. However, it is sufficient that the image file can be identified. For example, the file name of the image file is used. Also good. Similarly, the starting point restoration information pointer and the correction parameter pointer are used, but it is only necessary to identify the starting point restoration information and the automatic correction processing parameter, and other information may be used.

  In the printer 20 of the embodiment, the parameters for automatic correction processing are exemplified as the pre-collection information used for the automatic correction processing, but other information may be used as the pre-collection information. For example, pixel information converted into the RGB color space, a histogram of RGB values, a lookup table generated based on parameters for automatic correction processing, and the like may be used as the pre-collection information.

  In the printer 20 of the embodiment, when either the starting point restoration information or the automatic correction processing parameter does not exist, the pre-collected information acquisition process is executed even if either one exists. If either of them exists, the pre-collection information is skipped by skipping the processing for acquiring the starting point restoration information (steps S440 to S450) and the processing for calculating the parameters for automatic correction processing (steps S460 to S490, S510, and S520). The acquisition process may be executed.

  In the printer 20 of the embodiment, the starting point restoration information and the automatic correction processing parameters are stored as the pre-collection information and used for the rotation processing and the automatic correction processing. However, only the starting point restoration information is stored. It is also possible to store only the parameters for automatic correction processing. Furthermore, information used for image processing other than rotation processing and automatic correction processing may be stored as pre-collected information and used for next image processing.

  In the printer 20 of the embodiment, the image file compressed by the JPEG method has been described as an example, but it is needless to say that the printer 20 can be applied to an image file compressed by another method. In this case, according to the compression method, information necessary for restoring the image file from a predetermined position (for example, the leftmost pixel) may be stored as the starting point restoration information.

  In the printer 20 of the embodiment, the case where it is rotated 90 ° in the right direction has been described as a specific example, but it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the case of 180 ° rotation, the leftmost block as the starting block can be restored in order from the bottom to sequentially output from the uppermost block of the rotated image. Furthermore, in the case of 90 ° rotation in the left direction, as illustrated in FIG. 14, in addition to the leftmost block, the column located at the approximate center of the image file is used as the starting block as the starting block, The upper half may be restored starting from the starting block of the column located substantially in the center, and the lower half of the rotated image may be restored starting from the leftmost starting block. In this case, since the starting point restoration information differs depending on the rotation direction and angle, the starting point restoration information as the pre-collection information is managed in association with the combination of the image file and the rotation pattern (direction and angle). What should I do? Similarly, when the parameters for automatic correction processing differ depending on the processing pattern of automatic correction processing, the parameters for automatic correction as the pre-collection information should be managed in association with the combination of the image file and the processing pattern. Good. In this way, it is possible to cope with the case where the pre-collection information is associated with the combination of the image file and the processing pattern (that is, when the pre-collection information varies depending on the processing pattern).

  In the embodiment, the present invention in which the pre-collected information is stored in the data buffer 24 in association with the image file has been described as a form of the printer 20, but may be a form of an image processing apparatus that performs such image processing. Further, it can be in the form of a control method for such an image processing apparatus or in the form of a program for an image processing apparatus.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course, it can be implemented in the form.

1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a printer 20 equipped with an image processing apparatus of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of image rotation printing processing. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of a pre-collection information management table. The flowchart which shows an example of a prior collection information acquisition process. Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the block of an image file, and an access unit. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of a starting point block. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating conceptually decompress | decompressing intermediate information. An explanatory view showing an example of information for starting point restoration. Explanatory drawing which illustrates each area | region of the data buffer 24 notionally. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of a mode that the prior collection information management table was updated. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of a mode that the information for starting point restoration is updated. Explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the process of step S140-S220 is performed. Explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the block after rotation accumulate | stored becomes a band unit. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the starting point block of a modification.

Explanation of symbols

  20 printer, 21 control unit, 22 interface unit, 23 image processing unit, 24 data buffer, 25 print data generation unit, 26 image buffer, 27 printer engine, 30 storage medium, 31 digital still camera, 32 personal computer.

Claims (6)

A images processing device,
Information storage means capable of storing pre-collected information used in performing predetermined image processing on an image in association with the image;
Processing means for performing the predetermined image processing on the image;
An instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction to perform the predetermined image processing on the image;
With
When the instruction receiving unit receives the instruction and the pre-collection information associated with the image is stored in the information storage unit, the processing unit uses the pre-collection information for the image. When the pre-collection information associated with the image is not stored, the pre-collection information is acquired from the image, and the acquired pre-collection information and the image are associated with each other Storing the information in the information storage means, and applying the predetermined image processing to the image using the acquired pre-collected information;
An image processing apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1,
  Information deleting means for deleting the pre-collected information stored in the information storage means at a preset timing;
  Image reading means for reading the image from a storage medium attachable to and detachable from the image processing apparatus;
  With
  The predetermined timing is a timing at which the image processing apparatus is turned off or a timing at which the storage medium is removed from the image processing apparatus.
  An image processing apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
  The image is compressed by a predetermined method,
  The predetermined image processing is processing for correcting the image or processing for rotating the image,
  The pre-collection information is a correction parameter used for the correction when the image processing is processing for correcting the image, and the pre-collected information is when the image processing is processing for rotating the image. It is information for starting point restoration used to restore and generate images after rotation from the top.
  The information storage unit stores the pre-collected information, and associates information indicating a physical position of the pre-collected information on the information storage unit with an image from which the pre-collected information is acquired, and an information management table And storing the pre-collected information and the image in association with each other.
  An image processing apparatus.   An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
  Print execution means for printing the image subjected to the image processing by the image processing apparatus;
  Printer with. A control method for an image processing apparatus comprising information storage means capable of storing pre-collected information used in performing predetermined image processing on an image in association with the image,
When the pre-collection information associated with the image is stored in the information storage means when receiving an instruction to perform the predetermined image processing on the image, the image is stored using the pre-collection information. If the pre-collected information associated with the image is not stored, the pre-collected information is acquired from the image, and the acquired pre-collected information and the image Are stored in the storage unit in association with each other, and the predetermined image processing is performed on the image using the acquired pre-collection information.
A method for controlling an image processing apparatus. A program for an image processing apparatus including information storage means capable of storing pre-collected information used when performing predetermined image processing on an image in association with the image,
When the pre-collection information associated with the image is stored in the information storage means when receiving an instruction to perform the predetermined image processing on the image, the image is stored using the pre-collection information. If the pre-collected information associated with the image is not stored, the pre-collected information is acquired from the image, and the acquired pre-collected information and the image Is stored in the storage means, and the predetermined image processing is performed on the image using the acquired pre-collection information ,
An image processing apparatus program comprising:

Images