JP4398567B2 - Image processing system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing system that outputs an image by connecting an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, or a facsimile that prints an image over a network, and more particularly to an image processing system that is characterized by storing image data.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the development of networks and the rapid development of storage devices such as hard disks, image data can be handled easily, and image data can be stored and distributed in the past. In a network system having such a connection environment, when performing printer output, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-214019, the network system depends on the type and state of the printer connected to the personal computer (PC). A printer (including a copier) can be selected and output.
[0003]
However, in a scanned image such as a copy, such usage is impossible due to the problem of data amount. However, such image data is also disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 6-332636 and 10-224643. This is made possible by the technology disclosed in the publication.
[0004]
The former allows printing of raster image data without being aware of the data types that can be output by the printer used by the client user. Multiple client terminals, file servers, and printer servers are connected on the same network. In the configuration where the file server manages the raster image data to be printed and the queuing information for queuing the print command, the data type of the printer differs from the data type that can be output by the printer server. In this configuration, raster image data is converted into data of a data type that can be output by a printer server and printed.
[0005]
The latter includes profile storage means for storing a plurality of profiles corresponding to devices, color processing module storage means for storing color processing modules, and communication means for communicating with a network terminal via a network. Arbitrary stored image data, a color processing module, and an arbitrary profile are downloaded to a network terminal via a communication unit to realize color matching on the network system.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, if any processing is executed on the server side as in the technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-332636, the number of functions on the server side increases, and processing time is required before sending to the selected device. If each device has a function provided by the server, it may be wasted.
[0007]
In addition, as with the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-224643, it is difficult to suppress factors that vary with the time of the device by simply using the profile, and it is difficult to output the best image when the device is output. .
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the actual situation of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system capable of outputting image data stored in a storage device at any time with high quality from a network-connected printing device. It is to provide.
[0009]
Another object is to provide an image processing system that can increase the amount of data that can be stored in a storage device.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image reading device that reads an original image, an image processing device that performs image processing on at least one of filter processing and color correction processing on the read image data, and image processing In an image processing system in which a storage device that stores image data and a plurality of output devices that print image data read by the image reading device are network-connected, when the image data is stored in the storage device, Control means for storing in a data format that can correspond to the characteristics of each output device, the control means converts the image data from the image processing device into multi-value YMCK data, color conversion and γ conversion, and outputting the converted image data in the storage device, multivalued YMCK de image data from the image processing apparatus And after performing color conversion and γ conversion, further performing gradation processing, and processing for outputting processed image data to the output device at the same time. To do. The characteristics of each output device here refer to resolution, the number of gradations of one pixel, a density reproduction range, a color reproduction range, and the like, and a data format that can correspond to the characteristics of each of these output devices may be, for example, a bitmap. Need to be multi-valued data. In the case of color image data, a profile as image data is required.
[0011]
In this case, at the time of printing output, the control means outputs image data adapted to the characteristics of the output device at the time of printing output to the output device side. The image data to be stored is YMCK multi-value data.
[0012]
When outputting image data adapted to the characteristics of the printing apparatus, the gradation processing method of the output apparatus includes a multi-value dither method, a multi-value error diffusion method, a binary dither method, and a binary error. There are various methods such as a diffusion method. Since these processes are set in accordance with the characteristics of the output device (printer device), the gradation characteristics (γ curve) differ depending on these processing methods, and the density reproduction range varies depending on the output device. Therefore, in order to absorb these differences, if the original data has a data format or data range specialized for each individual model, it cannot be corrected well when converted. Therefore, it is necessary that the original data is data with gradation characteristics having a wide dynamic range as much as possible so that a distortion-free result can be obtained when converted according to the output device.
[0013]
For example, in the case where data is stored in one pixel 8-bit 256 gradation data and output to a binary output device of 1 pixel 1 bit according to the characteristics of the output device using the dither method, the processing order is as follows (1) to (5 )become that way.
[0014]
(1) 1 pixel 8 bit 256 gradation data (2) γ conversion (basically 8 bit → 8 bit conversion)
(3) Gradation processing (dither method)
(4) 1 pixel 1 bit (data)
(5) Output When color characteristics are taken into consideration in the above process, color conversion may be performed in accordance with not only γ but also the characteristics of image data. In this case, it is as follows.
[0015]
(1) 1 pixel 8-bit 256 gradation data (YMCK)
(1 ′) Color conversion YMCK → Y′M′C′K ′ (simulation of ink or toner color)
(2) γ conversion (basically 8bit → 8bit conversion)
(3) Gradation processing (dither method)
(4) 1 pixel 1 bit (data)
(5) Output If the image data to be stored or distributed is not converted into binary image data in this way but is stored in the form of multi-value YMCK data, the output device adjusts the gradation according to the γ characteristics unique to the device. In addition, it is not necessary to have the device-specific information in the accumulated data.
[0016]
The image data is compressed and stored. That is, when storing as multi-value data of YMCK, since a large amount of data can be accumulated, it is compressed and stored. At this time, the compression format is shared between the output devices. As a result, the data transfer time can be shortened and the amount of stored data can be increased.
[0017]
The image data reflects the result of image quality processing instructed to be output, and does not reflect device-specific gradation processing. That is, the accumulated data is accumulated as the read data itself and is not dependent on the output device. Although it is possible to construct an image data server, it is not possible to perform the same processing even if the scanned image and the image quality setting mode specified by the user are placed in the output device in the presence of copiers and printers. . For example, in a copying machine, a character portion can be highlighted by applying a spatial filter to a scanned image, but in the case of a printer, only gradation processing is applied to input image data. For this reason, if the data format is such that only the final gradation process can be performed by each output device by performing spatial filter processing, etc. when storing, the same scanned image output can be obtained even in a copier / printer mixed state. realizable.
[0018]
The control means performs gradation processing on the image data from the image processing apparatus and outputs the processed image data to the output device, and simultaneously outputs image data not subjected to gradation processing to the storage device side. To do. As a result, by extracting and storing the image data before gradation processing, it is possible to output with high image quality on other machines, or on the same copying machine in accordance with changes in γ characteristics due to process fluctuations at a later date. .
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the image processing apparatus according to this embodiment includes a scanner unit 1, an image processing unit 2, a bus control unit 3, a gradation processing unit 4, an accumulation control unit 5, and a storage device 6. Are connected to the printer 7, and the storage control unit 5 is connected to the network 8.
[0021]
The scanner unit 1 reads an original image with a CCD, corrects the output from the CCD, performs signal processing, and outputs it as RGB. The image processing unit 2 performs filter processing on the RGB data from the scanner unit 1 to perform edge enhancement and moire removal, and performs optimum image processing by switching between filter processing and color correction processing by distinguishing between characters and photo sections. , YMCK data is output. Therefore, the scanner unit 1 and the image processing unit 2 constitute a color image processing unit. The bus control unit 3 controls switching of the image data (YMCK data) from the image processing unit 2 and the accumulation control unit (network I / F unit) 5 with respect to the color printer unit 7, and at the time of data accumulation, the image processing unit 2 Is output to the accumulation control unit 5. As a control mode of the bus control unit 3,
(1) Image processing unit → Simultaneous output to accumulation control unit and gradation processing unit (2) Image processing unit → gradation processing unit (3) Storage control unit → gradation processing unit (4) Image processing unit → accumulation control unit There are four modes. The storage control unit 5 compresses / decompresses / stores image data and transmits / receives data to / from the network, and the storage device 6 stores image data.
[0022]
In the image processing apparatus generally configured in this way,
(1) When outputting as a copy,
(2) When performing network distribution,
(3) When receiving and printing via the network,
The operation differs in each of the three cases.
[0023]
That is, in the case of (1), the image data read out as RGB data from the scanner unit 1 is sent to the image processing unit 2, where after processing such as a spatial filter for correcting the image, color processing is performed. In the case of copying, color conversion is performed from RGB to YMCK data, and in the case of black-and-white copying, it is sent to the bus control unit 3 as grayscale data after being converted to luminance data or subjected to spatial filter processing. The data is sent to the color printer unit 7 via the processing unit 4 ((2)), and the color printer unit 7 prints an image based on the received data.
[0024]
In the case of {circle around (2)}, the image data read out as RGB data from the scanner unit 1 is sent to the image processing unit 2, where after processing such as a spatial filter for correcting the image, black-and-white copy is performed. In this case, the data is sent to the bus control unit 3 as grayscale data after being converted into luminance data or subjected to spatial filter processing. The bus control unit 3 sends the data sent from the image processing unit 2 to the accumulation control unit 5 ((( 4) The accumulation control unit 5 temporarily stores the received data in a memory or the like, stores the data in a secondary storage medium 6 such as an HD after necessary compression processing, and transmits / receives data to / from the network 8 as necessary. Process.
[0025]
In the case of {circle around (3)}, the storage processing unit 5 sends the raster data after necessary data decompression processing to the bus control unit 3 after confirming data reception ((3) above). The bus control unit 3 sends the data to the gradation processing unit 4, corrects the printer-specific γ characteristics, and sends the data to the color printer unit 7. The color printer unit 7 prints an image.
[0026]
When performing the sort processing, the bus control unit 3 sends it to the gradation processing unit 4 and simultaneously sends it to the accumulation control unit 5 and stores it as compressed image data in the storage device 6 while performing the operation shown in (1). (1)). When a series of copies of the document is completed, the compressed image data stored from the image storage unit 5 is sequentially decompressed and sent to the bus control unit 3 to perform correction processing for the printer-specific γ characteristics and then the color printer unit. The color printer unit 7 sends the image to the printer 7. This image data is reused as copy data. This is a function called electronic sort processing. When it is desired to print the old output data again after these operations, an operation to call from the storage device 6 is performed. Even if the γ characteristic of the printer changes at this time, it can be printed according to the state.
[0027]
In addition, the printer unit is in a poor state for some reason, and when data stored in the storage device 6 is output by another device, it can be distributed to the other device through the network 8 and correction processing for the inherent γ characteristic of the output device can be performed. High quality output can be obtained.
[0028]
A schematic configuration of this type of network system is shown in FIG. This type of network system includes, for example, a plurality of personal computers (PCs) 101, 102, 103, and 104, a printer 105 (corresponding to the color printer unit 7 in FIG. 1) that performs print output of the PCs 101 to 104, and a print function. The copying machines 106 and 107 and the file server 108 are connected via a network 109 (corresponding to the network 8 in FIG. 1) and perform necessary processing by communicating data between them. . That is, it is indicated that the storage device 6 can be placed outside as the file server 108 in the connection environment in such a network system.
[0029]
In this embodiment, when a large amount of data is distributed and a copy function is realized on the network 8 (109), image data to be stored or distributed is not a binary image data such as a facsimile, but a lot of data. The value is stored in the YMCK data format. That is, in the accumulation control unit 5. When accumulating in the storage device 6, it accumulates by forming multi-valued YMCK data. As a result, the output device can perform gradation adjustment in accordance with the γ characteristic unique to the device, and it is not necessary to have the device-specific information in the accumulated data. For example, when storing as multi-valued data, a large amount of data can be stored, so that it is compressed and stored. At this time, by sharing the compression format among the output devices, the data transfer time can be shortened and the amount of stored data can be increased. In this case, if the stored data is stored as the scanned data itself, it does not depend on the output device.
[0030]
On the other hand, although it is possible to construct an image data server, even if the copiers 106 and 107 and the printer 105 are mixed, the same processing is performed even if the scan image and the image quality setting mode instructed by the user are placed on the output device. It is not possible. For example, in a copying machine, it is possible to make a character part stand out by applying a spatial filter to a scanned image. However, in the case of a printer, usually only gradation processing is applied to input image data. For this reason, as shown in the present embodiment, a spatial filter process or the like is performed at the time of storage, and the copying machines 106 and 107 have a data form in which only the final gradation process can be performed by each output device. Even in a mixed state of the printer 105 and the printer 105, the scan image output can be realized in the same manner.
[0031]
The copiers 106 and 107 perform gradation processing according to the copier at the same time as scanning and output to paper. However, the copiers 106 and 107 have a function of storing them so that they can be output at a later date or another machine. At this time, if the image data before the gradation processing of the copying machines 106 and 107 is stored in the storage device 6 from the path control unit 3 so that it can be extracted from the storage device 6, at the time of subsequent output. High-quality output on other machines and the same copier can be output at a later date in accordance with changes in γ characteristics due to process fluctuations. Note that tone processing tailored to the device means that a binary writing printer performs dither processing and error diffusion processing from multi-value data, performs tone processing according to the writing device, and prints out. However, at this time, γ conversion processing is also performed in accordance with the gradation processing method and the writing characteristics of the device. Here, these are collectively referred to as gradation processing. There are many examples of gradation processing tailored to such an inexpensive printer as described above, and after being binarized, it is not possible to correctly express gradation for another model. difficult. For this reason, the information stored in the storage device 6 is multi-value data before gradation processing.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when image data is stored in a storage device, it is stored in a data format that can correspond to the characteristics of each output device, so that characteristics specific to the output device can be reflected at any time. It is possible to obtain a high-quality output at any time by retrieving stored image data.
[0033]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when printing out, image data adapted to the characteristics of the output device at the time of printing is output to the output device, so that the characteristics specific to the output device are always reflected. You can always get high quality output.
[0034]
Further, according to the first aspect of the invention, the image data to be stored because YMCK multi-value data, it is possible to avoid waste of retaining the image data in a state close to a scan Kyanadeta.
[0035]
According to the invention described in claim 2 , since the image data is compressed, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1 , the data capacity that can be stored in the storage device can be increased.
[0036]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the image data reflects the result of the image quality processing instructed to output and does not reflect the device-specific gradation processing, the characteristics specific to the output device are always reflected. You can always get high quality output.
[0037]
Furthermore , according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image data from the image processing device is subjected to gradation processing and output to the output device, and at the same time, the image data not subjected to gradation output is output to the storage device side. Even when an image is read and printed, the read image can be stored, and efficient processing can be performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a main part of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a network-connected image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Scanner part 2 Image processing apparatus 3 Bus control part 4 Gradation processing part 5 Accumulation control part 6 Storage apparatus 7 Color printer part 8,109 Network 101-104 Personal computer 105 Printer 106,107 Copier 108 File server (storage apparatus)

Claims (2)

An image reading device that reads a document image, an image processing device that performs image processing on at least one of filter processing and color correction processing on the read image data, a storage device that stores image processed image data, and the image In an image processing system in which a plurality of output devices that print image data read by a reading device are network-connected,
When storing the image data in the storage device, comprising a control means for storing in a data format corresponding to the characteristics of each output device,
The control means converts the image data from the image processing device into multi-value YMCK data, performs color conversion and γ conversion, and then outputs the converted image data to the storage device; and the image processing Converts image data from the device into multi-value YMCK data, performs color conversion and γ conversion, performs gradation processing, and simultaneously performs both processing of outputting the processed image data to the output device An image processing system configured as described above.   The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image data is compressed.

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