JP4692169B2 - Image processing apparatus, image processing method, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing technique, and more particularly to a technique for performing image processing on an input image using software.

Among the input images input to the device during copying and scanning, not only characters but also photos, pictures, backgrounds, etc. (hereinafter, characters, photos, pictures, backgrounds, etc. are referred to as “attributes” or “image attributes”) Pixels with different attributes are mixed. For this reason, conventionally, image processing using hardware such as ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) is performed on an input image, thereby realizing image processing in a fixed time regardless of the attribute of the input image. However, if image processing suitable for image attributes that are diversified every day is realized by hardware, there is a problem that it takes time to produce a product and the cost increases. In view of this, techniques for realizing image processing using image processing software instead of hardware have been proposed in recent years. For example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are techniques for performing image processing according to the attribute of an input image using software.
JP 2003-191539 A JP 2004-166172 A

When image processing is realized using image processing software, the processing time required for image processing differs depending on the type of image attribute in the input image. For this reason, when an input image that requires a large amount of computation for image processing, such as a photograph or a picture, is processed, there is a problem that the processing speed is lowered and the image transfer speed of the image forming apparatus is not in time. Therefore, it is conceivable to prevent a reduction in processing speed by reducing the image data capacity in accordance with the image attribute using the technique of Patent Document 1 described above. However, when the image data capacity is reduced, the image quality of the output image is degraded. The technique of Patent Document 2 proposes a technique for appropriately downloading an image processing module in accordance with the input image attributes such as resolution and color space. Even if this technique is used, the technique depends on the attribute type of the input image. Since the module to be used is uniquely determined, the processing speed cannot be controlled.
The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and an image processing apparatus capable of reliably performing image processing within a requested time while realizing a high-quality output result according to the attribute of the input image, An object is to provide an image processing method and an image processing program.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides an attribute specifying unit that specifies an attribute of the input image for each block of a predetermined size composed of at least one pixel for an input image in page units, and the attribute specifying unit. Attribute ratio acquisition means for calculating, as an attribute ratio, the ratio of the specified block for each attribute to the entire input image, a plurality of different attribute ratios, and image processing using the input image with the attribute ratio Is stored in association with image processing programs that can be realized in a processing time that does not exceed a predetermined allowable time limit, and a plurality of different processing modes and image processing programs. Second storage means, a processing mode receiving means for receiving a processing mode instruction signal for the user to instruct the processing mode, and the input image Is included in the second storage unit in association with the processing mode indicated by the processing mode instruction signal received by the processing mode receiving unit. The image processing program is determined as an image processing program used for image processing of the input image of the first page, and the input images of the second and subsequent pages are associated with the attribute ratio calculated by the attribute ratio acquisition unit. an image processing program stored in the first storage means, providing an image processing apparatus characterized by having a program determining unit that determines an image processing program used in the image processing of the input image of the second page and subsequent To do.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an attribute specifying step for specifying an attribute of the input image for each block of a predetermined size composed of at least one pixel for the input image in page units, and the attribute specifying step. An attribute ratio acquisition step for calculating, as an attribute ratio, a ratio of each identified block for the entire input image, a processing mode reception step for receiving a processing mode instruction signal for instructing a processing mode by the user, In the case where the input image includes a plurality of pages, the input image of the first page has a plurality of processing modes and images that are different from each other based on the processing mode indicated by the processing mode instruction signal received by the processing mode reception step. By referring to the second storage means for storing the processing program in association with each other The image processing program to be used for the image processing of the input image of the first page is determined, and for the input images of the second and subsequent pages, a plurality of attributes that are different from each other based on the attribute ratio calculated in the attribute ratio acquisition step. Reference is made to a first storage means for storing the ratio and an image processing program capable of realizing image processing using the input image having the attribute ratio in a processing time that does not exceed a predetermined allowable time limit in association with each other. Thus , an image processing method comprising: a program determining step for determining an image processing program used for image processing of the input image of the second and subsequent pages .

In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides a computer with an attribute specifying function for specifying an attribute of the input image for each block of a predetermined size composed of at least one pixel for an input image in page units, and the attribute An attribute ratio acquisition function for calculating, as an attribute ratio, a ratio of blocks for each attribute specified by the specifying function to the entire input image, and a processing mode reception function for receiving a processing mode instruction signal for the user to instruct a processing mode In the case where the input image includes a plurality of pages, the input image on the first page has a plurality of different processes based on the processing mode indicated by the processing mode instruction signal received by the processing mode reception function. By referring to the second storage means for storing the mode and the image processing program in association with each other, An image processing program to be used for image processing of the input image of the first page is determined, and for the input images of the second and subsequent pages, a plurality of different attribute ratios are set based on the attribute ratio calculated in the attribute ratio acquisition function. By referring to the first storage means for storing in association with an image processing program capable of realizing image processing using the input image having the attribute ratio in a processing time not exceeding a predetermined allowable limit time A program for realizing a program determination function for determining an image processing program to be used for image processing of input images of the second and subsequent pages . And a computer-readable recording medium storing the program.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, when image processing is performed on input images having different image attributes and attribute ratios, processing is performed within a requested time while realizing high image quality according to the attributes of the input image. It becomes possible to complete. Furthermore, it is possible to obtain a high-quality output result according to the processing mode desired by the user.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment. The attribute specifying unit 1 divides the input image data for each page into blocks of a predetermined size that is an aggregate of a plurality of pixels, and extracts the relationship between the shade of each pixel constituting each block and the surrounding pixels. To specify the attribute in block units. Then, an attribute flag for identifying each attribute such as “background”, “character”, “photo”, “picture”, etc. is assigned to each block according to the specified attribute. The block count totaling unit 2 counts the number of blocks for each attribute flag. The attribute ratio acquisition unit 3 calculates a ratio (%) of the number of blocks for each attribute to the total number of input image data blocks (hereinafter referred to as “attribute ratio”). The program determination unit 4 refers to the processing determination table TB1 (see FIG. 3 and will be described in detail later) that stores image processing programs corresponding to different attribute ratios and processing modes in advance, and the attribute ratio obtained by the attribute ratio acquisition unit 3 The image processing program stored corresponding to the processing mode designated by the user is determined as the image processing program used for the image processing of the input image of each page.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment. The multi-function device 100 reads an image formed on a document and forms image data, an image processing device 120 that performs image processing on input image data, and image data that has undergone image processing. An image forming apparatus 130 that forms an image on a sheet (recording material), an interface (I / F) section 160 for communicating with an external apparatus, an operation input section 170, a display section 180, and a bus 190 And a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 140 that controls these units. The multifunction device 100 controls the CPU 140 to copy the image input from the image reading device 110 by the image forming device 130 and send the image to the other FAX device via the communication I / F unit 160 and the network. Functions as a multifunction machine such as a FAX function and a printing function for printing an image input from a PC connected via a LAN or the like via the communication I / F unit 160 by the image forming apparatus 130 can be realized.

As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 150 includes a volatile memory 150a and a nonvolatile memory 150b. The volatile memory 150a is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), and is used as a work area by the CPU 140 operating according to software. Volatile memory 150a, the image attribute data G _{k 'and} the like according to the image reading is inputted from the device 110 the input image data G _k and the embodiment is temporarily stored. On the other hand, the non-volatile memory 150b is, for example, a hard disk, and stores a processing determination table TB1 according to the present embodiment. The non-volatile memory 150b stores image processing programs A1 to A6, B1 to B6, and C1 to C6 that define different image processing procedures. In this embodiment, “A” is an image processing program specialized for processing an image having a character attribute, “B” is an image having a photo attribute, and “C” is at least two types of images of a character photograph. An image processing program suitable for processing an image having an attribute. The type and number of image processing programs stored in the non-volatile memory 150b are not limited to the above-described modes, and can be arbitrarily set.

Further, the non-volatile memory 150b stores an image processing determination program PGM for determining which of these image processing programs is used in accordance with the attribute of the input image and its ratio. In the present embodiment, the CPU 140 reads out the image processing determination program PGM when the multifunction peripheral 100 executes copying, and realizes functions corresponding to the components in the functional configuration described above.
The image processing apparatus 120 performs image processing on the input image of each page in accordance with the image processing program determined by the CPU 140 executing the image processing determination program PGM.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the processing determination table TB1 according to the present embodiment. The processing determination table TB1 has a data configuration as shown in FIG. 3A, for example, data indicating the attribute ratio of the attribute image to the entire input image, and an image used when image processing is performed on the input image data. Data for identifying the processing program (hereinafter referred to as “program ID”) is stored in association with each other. Further, as shown in the figure, the image processing program is set for each processing mode such as “character photo”, “character”, “photo”, etc., which are further subdivided corresponding to each attribute ratio data. The processing determination table TB2 has a data configuration as shown in FIG. 3B, for example, and stores the above-described processing modes and program IDs in association with each other.

Subsequently, the operation of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, a case where the multifunction peripheral 100 executes a copy function will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of image processing according to the present embodiment. First, when the user sets one or a plurality of documents on an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) and presses the start button of the operation input unit 170, the input image data G _k (the processing target) is input via the image reading device 110. However, k is stored in the volatile memory 150a for each page as a number indicating the reading order of each page in one reading job (S1). When the user of the multi-function peripheral 100 performs an operation input for instructing the image reading apparatus 110 to read an original, according to a menu displayed on the display unit 180, the user can input “character photograph”, “ Either “text” or “photo” processing mode is selected in advance. “Character photo” designates image processing suitable for a document in which characters and images are mixed. “Character” designates image processing giving priority to the print image quality of the character portion of the document, and “Photo” designates image processing giving priority to the print image quality of the photograph portion of the document. Selected processing mode is temporarily stored in the volatile memory 150a associated with the respective input image data G _k. In the following operation example, it is assumed that the user selects the “photo” mode.

Next, CPU 140 sequentially applies scanning correction processing such as shading correction for each of the input image data G _k (S2), the input image data G _k scan correction process is completed, the input image data G _k is It is determined whether or not it is the first page of the input image data, that is, whether or not k = 1 (S3). When the input image data _Gk is the first page, that is, when k = 1 (S3; Yes), the CPU 140 refers to the processing determination table TB2 ((b) of FIG. 3) and inputs the input image data G An image processing program corresponding to the processing mode associated with ₁ and stored in the volatile memory 150a is determined (S8). Such control is performed because the first page of the input image data may take time to warm up before the image forming process by the image forming apparatus 130 becomes possible. Therefore, for the first page, it is not necessary to make the image processing time in time for the image transfer speed of the image forming apparatus 130, and the image processing can be performed in the processing mode desired by the user. In this operation example, since the "picture" mode is selected by the user, the image processing program B6 is selected in step S8, the image processing is performed on the input image data G ₁ by using the image processing program B6 ( S5). Then, an image is formed and output on the recording paper (S6). Then CPU140 determines whether there is input image data G _k is the next processing target (S7), and terminates the routine upon obtaining a negative determination result.
On the other hand, when there is input image data G _k (in this case, k ≠ 1) (S7; Yes, since k ≠ 1, S3; No), the CPU 140 performs an image processing determination process (S4). Execute.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of the image processing determination process (S4) according to the present embodiment. First, CPU 140 in step S41, identifies the attribute in block units for the input image data _{G k.}

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a processing example of this embodiment. In the present embodiment, when the input image data G _k is given, it is divided into the M × N blocks, each of the input image data G _k consists m × n pixels (in FIG. 6 (a)), each block Determine its attributes. The size of each block can be arbitrarily set, for example, a square of 6 × 6 mm, for example. However, the more accurate the image attribute can be determined, the more the image processing determination process takes time. Accordingly, it is preferable to comprehensively determine the function of the multifunction peripheral 100, the required processing speed, and the image quality, and to set the blocks so as to be divided into blocks of an appropriate size. In attribute determination, regardless of the attributes of characters, photos, pictures, etc. that are visually recognized on the original, mechanically according to the shade of each pixel obtained as a result of the above-described edge detection processing and the degree of change thereof Assign attributes. Therefore, even if it is a block that constitutes a photograph on a document, if the degree of change in shading between pixels is abrupt (that is, if the outline is sharp), it is determined that the character attribute is present, and the shading gradually changes. When the outline is not clear, it is determined that the image has a photo attribute. Also, in the case of a picture attribute, the amount of change in shading between pixels is relatively small, such as changing from a lighter color to a slightly darker color than the character attribute, but the outline is clearer than the picture, so it has a picture attribute. judge. If the brightness of the pixels in the block is uniformly high and no contour is detected, it is determined that the block has the “background attribute”. Based on the determination result, the CPU 140 determines that the attribute flag “0” is assigned to a block having “background attribute”, the attribute flag “1” is assigned to a block having “text attribute”, and the attribute flag is assigned to a block having “photo attribute”. An attribute flag “3” is assigned to a block having “2” and “picture attribute”. As a result, image attribute data G _k ′ as shown in FIG. 6B is generated and temporarily stored in the volatile memory 150a.

Next, in step S42, the CPU 140 determines the number of blocks of the attribute flag “1” indicating “character attribute”, the number of blocks of the attribute flag “2” indicating “photo attribute”, and the attribute flag “3” indicating “picture attribute”. The number of blocks is counted. In this embodiment, a block having “background attribute” is treated as a blank portion that does not require image processing, and the number of blocks is not counted. Then CPU140 in step S43, the acquisition of the number of blocks obtained by aggregating the respective image attribute, the ratio number of blocks of the input image data G _k (M × N blocks) as an attribute ratio of each attribute. As a result, a character attribute ratio “x%”, a photo attribute ratio “y%”, and a pattern attribute ratio “z%” are obtained.

  Subsequently, in step S44, the CPU 140 refers to the process determination table TB1 (FIG. 3A) based on each attribute ratio acquired in the attribute ratio acquisition process and the process mode stored in the volatile memory 150a. Among the image processing programs A1 to A6, B1 to B6, and C1 to C6, a program predetermined as an image processing program that is most suitable for processing the input image data is selected.

Here, "optimal" image processing program, the input image data G _k with a specific image attributes and attribute ratio according to the program when the image processing tolerance limits in consideration of the image transfer speed of the image forming apparatus 130 This is an image processing program capable of realizing a processing time not exceeding the time (T). Further, the image processing program is allowable limit time (T) of the image processing program capable of executing image processing of the input image data G _k in a program for realizing the image quality suitable for the processing mode designated by the user is there. Note that the image processing time is determined based on the amount of calculation determined by the presence / absence and extent of various image processing options such as resolution and gradation conversion processing, color conversion processing, filter processing, and the like, and the processing capability of the CPU 140. Details of the image processing options and the image processing time of each image processing program are within the obvious range for those skilled in the art, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, as the attribute ratio data of the processing determination table TB1, a large number of records composed of combinations of two types of attribute ratios of “character (%)” and “photograph (%)” are stored. For example, in the illustrated example, in the first record of the processing determination table TB1, when the “character (%)” and “photo (%)” fields are “90%” and “0%”, respectively, the input image data G _k is In the second record, “character (%)” and “photograph (%)” fields are “80%” and “10%”, respectively. ”Indicates that the input image data G _k is composed of a character attribute portion of 80%, a photograph portion of 10%, and a margin portion of 10%.

Returning to the description of step S44 again, the CPU 140 converts each attribute ratio (x%, y%, z%) acquired in step S43 to each record (the stored value of the “character (%)” field, The record having the most approximate value is specified by comparing with the value stored in the “photo (%)” field. In the present embodiment, all image attributes other than “character” are handled as being included in “photo attributes”. Therefore, the picture attribute ratio (z%) is added to the photograph attribute ratio (y%) and compared with each stored value in the “photo (%)” field. As a result, it is determined that the record whose input image has the closest value to each attribute ratio (x%, y% + z%) is the fifth record (character, photo) = (60%, 30%). . For the input image data _Gk , since the processing mode “photo” is designated in advance by the user, the image processing program B3 is selected, and the image processing determination processing (S4) ends.

Returning to FIG. 4, CPU 140 reads the input image data _{G k} from the volatile memory 150a, reads out and executes the image processing program B3 from the non-volatile memory 150b (S5). As a result, an image processing image processing to the input image data G _k according to the procedure prescribed in the program B3 is performed, which is printed on the paper as the recording material outputted by the image forming apparatus 130 (S6).
Then CPU140 determines whether there is input image data _{G k} is the next to be processed, the determination result is negative; until (S7 No), and repeats the steps until the above steps S3~S6 .

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the optimum image processing program is selected according to the attributes of the input image data and the ratio thereof, so that the input image data is processed at a processing speed suitable for the image transfer speed of the image forming apparatus. Image processing can be executed. Furthermore, since the image processing program is selected according to the processing mode designated by the user, it is possible to obtain a high-quality output result for the attribute desired by the user while keeping the image processing time within a certain limit. .

Variations:
As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, A various deformation | transformation implementation is possible.

(1) In the embodiment described above, by dividing the input image data G _k into blocks of a predetermined size, had determined the image attributes for each block is not limited to, determining the image attributes for each pixel You may make it do. According to this modification, since the image attribute ratio can be grasped more accurately, it becomes possible to select a more appropriate image processing program for the feature of each input image data G _k , and finely Control can be performed.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the case where three types of “character photo”, “character”, and “photo” are used as the processing modes that can be specified by the user has been described. Various modes such as “color”, “two colors”, and “map” can be designated. In addition, a desired resolution, gradation, etc. may be set for each mode. This makes it possible to select an image processing program whose processing time is optimal for the transfer speed of the image forming apparatus according to various requests from the user. In the above-described embodiment, a record including a combination of two types of attribute ratios of “character (%)” and “photo (%)” is stored in the “attribute ratio data” field of the processing determination table TB1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and records including other attribute ratios such as “picture” and “graphic” may be stored.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, a mode has been described in which image processing is performed on input image data by causing a general-purpose CPU to execute an image processing program. However, a configuration may be adopted in which a part of image processing is assigned to hardware such as an ASIC and other image processing is assigned to software that is an image processing program. Accordingly, it is possible to execute optimum image processing according to the print image quality desired by the user and the processing capability of the image forming apparatus while realizing a stable processing time by hardware to some extent.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, the aspect in which the image processing determination program PGM is installed in the image processing apparatus has been disclosed. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, and the image processing determination program PGM may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed to general users. Alternatively, the program may be distributed to general users via a network.

(5) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the multifunction peripheral 100 realizes the image processing method according to the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a simple copying machine may be used. In the above-described embodiment, the image processing program used for processing the input image is determined based on both the attribute ratio of the input image of each page and the processing mode specified by the user. However, if the multifunction device or copier does not have a means for allowing the user to specify a specific processing mode, or if the processing mode is not specified by the user, the input image of each page The image processing program may be determined only based on the attribute ratio. In the above-described embodiment, the attribute ratio with respect to the entire input image data of each page is calculated based on the number of blocks of each attribute. However, the attribute ratio may be calculated based on the area occupied by each attribute. Good.

(6) In the above-described embodiment, the first page is subjected to image processing using an image processing program corresponding to the processing mode. However, the processing may be performed using a predetermined program. In short, the selection of the program based on the attribute specification may be omitted for the first program.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a multifunction peripheral 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a data structure of process determination table TB1 and TB2 which concern on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the image processing which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed flow of the image determination process which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the process example of this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Attribute specific | specification part, 2 ... Block number totaling part, 3 ... Attribute ratio acquisition part, 4 ... Program determination part, 100 ... Multifunction machine, 110 ... Image reading apparatus, 120 ... Image processing apparatus, 130 ... Image forming apparatus, 140 ... CPU, 150 ... storage unit, 150a ... volatile memory, 150b ... nonvolatile memory, 160 ... communication I / F unit, 170 ... operation input unit, 180 ... display unit, 190 ... bus, TB1, TB2 ... processing determination table , G _k ... input image data, G _k '... image attribute data, PGM ... image processing determination program.

Claims (4)

Attribute specifying means for specifying an attribute of the input image for each block of a predetermined size composed of at least one pixel for the input image in page units;
Attribute ratio acquisition means for calculating, as an attribute ratio, a ratio of blocks for each attribute specified by the attribute specifying means to the entire input image;
A plurality of attribute ratios that are different from each other and an image processing program that can realize image processing using the input image with the attribute ratio in a processing time that does not exceed a predetermined allowable limit time are stored in association with each other. Storage means;
Second storage means for storing a plurality of different processing modes and image processing programs in association with each other;
Processing mode receiving means for receiving a processing mode instruction signal instructing the processing mode by a user;
In the case where the input image includes a plurality of pages, the input image of the first page is stored in the second storage unit in association with the processing mode indicated by the processing mode instruction signal received by the processing mode receiving unit. The stored image processing program is determined as an image processing program used for image processing of the input image of the first page, and the input image for the second and subsequent pages corresponds to the attribute ratio calculated by the attribute ratio acquisition unit. And an image processing program for determining the image processing program stored in the first storage means as an image processing program to be used for image processing of the input image for the second and subsequent pages. apparatus. An attribute specifying step for specifying an attribute of the input image for each block of a predetermined size composed of at least one pixel for the input image in units of pages;
An attribute ratio acquisition step of calculating, as an attribute ratio, a ratio of blocks for each attribute specified in the attribute specifying step to the entire input image;
A process mode receiving step for accepting a process mode instruction signal by which the user instructs the process mode;
In the case where the input image includes a plurality of pages, the input image of the first page has a plurality of different processing modes based on the processing mode indicated by the processing mode instruction signal received by the processing mode reception step. By referring to the second storage means that stores the image processing program in association with each other, the image processing program to be used for the image processing of the input image of the first page is determined. Based on the attribute ratio calculated in the attribute ratio acquisition step, a plurality of different attribute ratios and image processing using the input image of the attribute ratio are realized in a processing time that does not exceed a predetermined allowable limit time. By referring to the first storage means for storing the associated image processing programs in association with each other, Image processing method characterized by having a program determining step of determining an image processing program used in the image processing of di subsequent input image. On the computer,
An attribute specifying function for specifying an attribute of the input image for each block of a predetermined size composed of at least one pixel for the input image in page units;
An attribute ratio acquisition function for calculating, as an attribute ratio, a ratio of blocks for each attribute specified by the attribute specifying function to the entire input image;
A processing mode reception function for accepting a processing mode instruction signal by which a user instructs a processing mode;
In the case where the input image includes a plurality of pages, the input image of the first page has a plurality of different processing modes based on the processing mode indicated by the processing mode instruction signal received by the processing mode reception function. By referring to the second storage means that stores the image processing program in association with each other, the image processing program to be used for the image processing of the input image of the first page is determined. Based on the attribute ratio calculated by the attribute ratio acquisition function, a plurality of different attribute ratios and image processing using the input image of the attribute ratio are realized in a processing time that does not exceed a predetermined allowable limit time. By referring to the first storage means for storing the associated image processing programs in association with each other, Program for realizing a program determination function for determining an image processing program used in the image processing of the input image. On the computer,
An attribute specifying function for specifying an attribute of the input image for each block of a predetermined size composed of at least one pixel for the input image in page units;
An attribute ratio acquisition function for calculating, as an attribute ratio, a ratio of blocks for each attribute specified by the attribute specifying function to the entire input image;
A processing mode reception function for accepting a processing mode instruction signal by which a user instructs a processing mode;
In the case where the input image includes a plurality of pages, the input image of the first page has a plurality of different processing modes based on the processing mode indicated by the processing mode instruction signal received by the processing mode reception function. By referring to the second storage means that stores the image processing program in association with each other, the image processing program to be used for the image processing of the input image of the first page is determined. Based on the attribute ratio calculated by the attribute ratio acquisition function, a plurality of different attribute ratios and image processing using the input image of the attribute ratio are realized in a processing time that does not exceed a predetermined allowable limit time. By referring to the first storage means for storing the associated image processing programs in association with each other, Computer readable recording medium recording a program for implementing the program determination function for determining an image processing program used in the image processing of the input image.

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