JP4840604B2 - Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing unit capable of preventing performance from deteriorating when drawing all overlay images after obtaining a normal print result even if requiring the redrawing of the overlay images. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing unit 12 has: a drawing data generation section 36 for drawing a binary image of each color component based on print data for generating binary image data; a first data storage section 38 for storing the binary image data; and a second data storage section 40 for storing intermediate data generated in a process of drawing the binary image data. The drawing data generation section 36 has a drawing control section 362 for drawing an output image by overlapping an overlay image stored in a first data storage section 38 and for drawing an output image based on intermediate data stored in a second data storage section 40, when an image drawn by overlapping the overlay image stored in the first data storage section 38 is and is not a correct output image, respectively. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that draws an output image by overlaying overlay images.

  This type of image processing apparatus stores an overlay image drawn in advance and generates an output image using the stored overlay image when print data is received. Accordingly, since the overlay image drawing process is omitted, the output image is generated at a higher speed.

  In Patent Document 1, print data is switched by switching between a first drawing process for directly drawing overlay data on a page bitmap and a second drawing process for developing the overlay data on an overlay bitmap and copying it to the page bitmap. A method of drawing is disclosed.

JP 2002-67423 A

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, an output image generated using a stored overlay image may be different from an output image generated without using this overlay image.

  The present invention is an image processing apparatus capable of preventing deterioration in performance as in the case of drawing all overlay images after obtaining a normal printing result even when the overlay image needs to be redrawn. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention receives intermediate data storage means for storing intermediate data generated in the process of drawing an overlay image, and an instruction for developing the overlay image into an output image. And a drawing unit for drawing an output image based on the intermediate data stored in the intermediate data storage unit. According to the present invention, even when the overlay image needs to be redrawn, it is possible to prevent the performance from being deteriorated as much as when all the overlay images are drawn after obtaining a normal printing result.

  Preferably, the intermediate data storage means stores image data generated in the process of drawing an overlay image. According to the present invention, even when it is necessary to perform processing such as compression / decompression, rotation, size conversion, and resolution conversion on image data, it is possible to further prevent performance degradation.

  Preferably, the intermediate data storage means stores partial image data of the overlay image generated in the process of drawing the overlay image. According to the present invention, the chance that a plurality of partial image data stored for each image portion is used as a partial overlay image is increased, so that deterioration in performance can be further prevented.

  An image processing method according to the present invention receives an instruction to expand an overlay image into an output image in an image processing apparatus having intermediate data storage means for storing intermediate data generated in the process of drawing the overlay image, and The output image is drawn based on the intermediate data generated in the process of drawing the overlay image corresponding to the given instruction and stored in the intermediate data storage means.

  The program according to the present invention provides an instruction to develop an overlay image into an output image in an image processing apparatus having a computer and intermediate data storage means for storing intermediate data generated in the process of drawing the overlay image. A receiving step for receiving, and a drawing step for drawing an output image based on the intermediate data generated in the process of drawing an overlay image corresponding to the received instruction and stored in the intermediate data storage means. The computer of the processor is executed.

  According to the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, even when the overlay image needs to be redrawn, the performance is deteriorated as when all the overlay images are drawn after obtaining a normal print result. Can be prevented.

First, the background of the present invention will be described.
In many cases, an image processing apparatus first draws an overlay image and then draws variable page data to generate an output image. The image processing apparatus may use a plurality of overlay images in a page, or may use an overlay image corresponding to the page data after drawing the page data. Therefore, variable page data and overlay images, or overlay images may overlap.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an output result generated using a stored overlay image and a page image based on variable page data.
FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating overlay images 1 to 4 and a page image used for generating an output image for one page. As shown in FIG. 1A, the overlay image 1 is a hatched background image, the overlay image 2 is a table ruled line image, and the overlay images 3 and 4 are advertisement images. Here, the frame of the overlay image 2 is an image area that is not designated white, the overlay image 3 is an image that is designated white, and the overlay image 4 is an image drawn in a predetermined color. It is. A page image is an image drawn based on variable page data.

  Overlay image 1 is first superimposed on the output image and combined, and then the page image is superimposed and drawn. After the page image is drawn, overlay images 2 to 4 are further superimposed and combined in random order.

  1B to 1D show the generated output results 1 to 3. FIG. The output result 1 shown in FIG. 1B is a correct output result. As shown in FIG. 1B, character information such as numerical values is drawn in the frame of the overlay image 2, and the overlay images 3 and 4 are drawn in correct colors.

  The output result 2 shown in FIG. 1C shows an output result obtained by overlaying the overlay images 1 to 4 and combining them by the overwrite pasting method. As shown in FIG. 1C, in the output result 2, the character information included in the page image disappears because the overlay image 2 is overwritten and overlaid. As described above, when overlay images are overwritten, information existing in the overwritten area is erased.

An output result 3 shown in FIG. 1D shows an output result in which overlay images 1 to 4 are superimposed and synthesized by the transparent pasting method. As shown in FIG. 1D, in the output result 3, the overlay images 3 and 4 are watermarked and overlapped, so that in the image area of the overlay image 3, the background color covers the white portion. In the image area 4, the color of the advertisement image changes depending on the background color. As described above, when the overlay image is overlaid and watermarked, information existing in the overlapped area does not disappear, but the background color and the color of the overlay image are mixed.
Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 including the image processing apparatus 12 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image processing apparatus 12 and a printing unit 28 that prints an image generated by the image processing apparatus 12. The image processing apparatus 12 includes a CPU 14, a memory 16, a storage device 18 such as a hard disk drive, a user interface (UI) device 20, a communication interface (IF) 22, and a printing IF 24. These components are connected via a bus 26.

  The UI device 20 includes, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display and an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse. The UI device 20 may be configured with a touch panel. The communication IF 22 performs data communication with an external computer via a network (not shown). The printing IF 24 outputs image data to the printing unit 28.

  For example, the printing unit 28 includes printing means corresponding to each color component of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The printing unit may be realized by an electrophotographic method or an ink jet method.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image processing program 30 that runs on the CPU 14 and implements the image processing method by the image processing apparatus 12 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 3, the image processing program 30 includes a reception unit 32, a data distribution unit 34, drawing data generation units 36C, 36M, 36Y, 36K, a first data storage unit 38C, 38M, 38Y, 38K, and a second Data storage units 40C, 40M, 40Y, and 40K. Note that all or part of the functions of the image processing program 30 may be realized by hardware provided in the image processing apparatus 12.

  In the image processing program 30, the receiving unit 32 receives print data transmitted from an external host computer (not shown) via the communication IF 22. In the print data, characters, graphics, images, and the like are described in a predetermined page description language (PDL). The receiving unit 32 outputs the received print data to the data distribution unit 34. The receiving unit 32 may receive print data read via a recording medium such as a CD or a DVD.

  The print data includes at least one of resource data and page data. The resource data is data for drawing a reusable image such as an overlay image. The page data is variable data for drawing each page image, such as numerical values, characters, symbols, and the like.

  The data distribution unit 34 distributes the print data to the drawing data generation units 36C, 36M, 36Y, and 36K.

  The drawing data generation units 36C, 36M, 36Y, and 36K draw a binary image of each color component based on the print data, and generate binary image data. For example, the drawing data generation unit 36C generates binary image data related to cyan. The drawing data generation units 36C, 36M, 36Y, and 36K output the generated binary image data to the printing units 28C, 28M, 28Y, and 28K for each page. The drawing data generation units 36C, 36M, 36Y, and 36K store binary images (overlay images) generated based on the resource data in the first data storage units 38C, 38M, 38Y, and 38K.

  Further, the drawing data generation units 36C, 36M, 36Y, and 36K store the intermediate data generated in the process of drawing the overlay image in the second data storage units 40C, 40M, 40Y, and 40K. Here, the intermediate data is, for example, multi-value before and after predetermined image processing (rotation, size conversion, resolution conversion, etc.) is performed on the data generated based on the compressed / decompressed data and resource data Image data, binary partial image data for each partial image area of the overlay image, and the like.

  The drawing data generation units 36C, 36M, 36Y, and 36K will be described in detail later. Further, hereinafter, when any one of a plurality of components such as the drawing data generation units 36C, 36M, 36Y, and 36K is indicated without being specified, the drawing data generation unit 36 may be simply abbreviated.

  The first data storage units 38C, 38M, 38Y, and 38K store binary image data of each color component generated by the drawing data generation units 36C, 36M, 36Y, and 36K. More specifically, the data storage unit 38 stores an overlay image. Therefore, the first data storage unit 38 constitutes an overlay image storage unit. The first data storage unit 38 is realized by at least one of the memory 16 and the storage device 18.

  The second data storage units 40C, 40M, 40Y, and 40K store intermediate data generated in the process of drawing the overlay image. Therefore, the second data storage unit 40 constitutes intermediate data storage means. The second data storage unit 40 is realized in the same manner as the first data storage unit 38.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the drawing data generation units 36C, 36M, 36Y, and 36K.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the drawing data generation unit 36 includes a data reception unit 360, a drawing control unit 362, a determination unit 364, an overlay management table 366, a temporary storage unit 368, and an intermediate data management table 370.

  In the drawing data generation unit 36, the data reception unit 360 receives the print data distributed by the data distribution unit 34 and outputs it to the drawing control unit 362.

  The overlay management table 366 includes an identifier (overlay ID) for identifying an overlay image, a storage destination address of the overlay image in the first data storage unit 38, and a first data storage unit of resource data corresponding to the overlay image 38 is a table including the storage destination address in FIG. The overlay management table 366 is stored in at least one of the memory 16 and the storage device 18.

  The intermediate data management table 370 is a table including an identifier (intermediate data ID) for identifying intermediate data and a storage destination address of the intermediate data in the second data storage unit 40. The intermediate data management table 370 is realized in the same manner as the overlay management table 366.

  The temporary storage unit 368 stores a binary image and intermediate data in the process of being drawn by a drawing control unit 362 described later. For example, the temporary storage unit 368 stores an overlay image being generated, an output image, and the like. Note that the binary image or the like stored in the temporary storage unit 368 is deleted at a predetermined opportunity.

  The determination unit 364 determines whether the image drawn by overlaying the overlay image stored in the first data storage unit 38 is a correct output image. That is, the determination unit 364 determines whether or not an overlay image drawn and stored in advance can be used without affecting the output image.

  For example, when the overlay image stored in the first data storage unit 38 is first drawn on a page, the determination unit 364 overlays the overlay image on the page, and the image drawn with the overlay image is a correct output image. Judge that there is. In addition, for example, the determination unit 364 first applies an overlay image stored in the first data storage unit 38 to a logical page in layout printing (a printing mode in which a plurality of logical pages are collectively printed on one recording medium). In the case of drawing on the logical page, it is determined that the image drawn by overlaying the overlay image on the logical page is a correct output image. Here, the logical pages are laid out so as not to overlap each other. When a logical page is out of the area of each logical page, it is clipped and printed so as not to be drawn in another logical page area. In addition, for example, if the image is not drawn in the region where the overlay image stored in the first data storage unit 38 is superimposed and combined, the determination unit 364 corrects the image drawn by overlaying the overlay image. It is determined that the output image.

  The drawing control unit 362 controls other components included in the drawing data generation unit 36 and draws an image based on the print data received by the data receiving unit 360. More specifically, when the print data includes resource data, the drawing control unit 362 draws an overlay image based on the resource data and stores it in the first data storage unit 38. Further, the drawing control unit 362 assigns an overlay ID to the overlay image, and registers the overlay ID and the storage destination address of the image in the overlay management table 366.

  Furthermore, the drawing control unit 362 stores the intermediate data generated in the process of drawing the overlay image in the second data storage unit 40. The drawing control unit 362 assigns an intermediate data ID to the intermediate data, and registers the intermediate data ID and the storage destination address of the intermediate data in the intermediate data management table 370.

  When the print data includes page data, the drawing control unit 362 draws a page image based on the page data, generates an output image, and outputs the output image data to the printing unit 28 for each page. To do. Here, the drawing control unit 362 sequentially analyzes instructions / commands included in the print data to generate an output image.

  When the overlay development instruction is included in the print data, the drawing control unit 362 causes the determination unit 364 to execute the above determination process and receives the determination result. When the drawing control unit 362 receives a result indicating that the image drawn by overlaying the overlay image is a correct output image, the drawing control unit 362 refers to the overlay management table 366 and stores the result in the first data storage unit 38. The overlay image is read out, and the output image is drawn by superimposing the overlay image. Here, the drawing control unit 362 may superimpose the overlay image by the overwrite pasting method or the transparent pasting method.

  On the other hand, when receiving a result indicating that the image drawn by overlaying the stored overlay image is not a correct output image, the drawing control unit 362 refers to the intermediate data management table 370, and the second data storage unit An output image is drawn based on the intermediate data stored in 40. Accordingly, when the drawing control unit 362 cannot generate the output image by overlaying the entire overlay image, the drawing control unit 362 superimposes the stored partial image on the output image. In this case, the drawing control unit 362 may generate a binary image from the multivalued data that has been subjected to intermediate processing, and generate an output image.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the contents stored in the overlay management table 366 and the intermediate data management table 370.
As shown in FIG. 5A, the overlay management table 366 includes an overlay ID, a storage address of binary image (overlay image) data corresponding to the overlay ID, and resource data corresponding to the overlay image. Data including the storage destination is stored.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the intermediate data management table 370 stores data including an intermediate data ID and a storage destination address of the intermediate data. The intermediate data ID has, for example, a format in which a branch number is added to the overlay ID. For example, with respect to an overlay image with an overlay ID of 00001, two intermediate data (intermediate data IDs are 000001_001 and 00001_002) are stored.

Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus 12 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of image processing (S10) executed when the image processing apparatus 12 according to the embodiment of the present invention receives resource data.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, in step 100 (S100), the reception unit 32 of the image processing program 30 receives the transmitted resource data via the communication IF 22.
In step 102 (S102), the data distribution unit 34 distributes the resource data to the drawing data generation units 36C, 36M, 36Y, and 36K.

  In step 104 (S104), the data reception unit 360 of the drawing data generation unit 36 receives resource data, and the drawing control unit 362 interprets instructions / commands included in the resource data, and the drawing target image is an overlay image. It is determined whether or not there is. If the drawing target image is an overlay image, the drawing control unit 362 proceeds to the process of S106. On the other hand, when the drawing target image is not an overlay image, the drawing control unit 362 performs predetermined processing and ends the image processing.

  In step 106 (S106), the drawing control unit 362 determines whether the instruction / instruction included in the resource data is overlay end data. The drawing control unit 362 proceeds to the process of S116 when the instruction / command is overlay end data, and proceeds to the process of S108 otherwise.

  In step 108 (S108), the drawing control unit 362 performs RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing based on the resource data and draws an overlay image. Specifically, the drawing control unit 362 interprets resource data and develops an image bitmap.

  In step 110 (S110), the drawing control unit 362 determines whether the intermediate data generated in the process of S108 is a storage target. The drawing control unit 362 proceeds to the process of S112 when the intermediate data is to be stored, and returns to the process of S106 otherwise.

In step 112 (S112), the drawing control unit 362 stores the generated intermediate data in the second data storage unit 40.
In step 114 (S114), the drawing control unit 362 assigns an intermediate data ID to the intermediate data, registers the data related to the intermediate data in the intermediate data management table 370, and returns to the process of S106.

In step 116 (S116), the drawing control unit 362 stores the resource data in the first data storage unit 38.
In step 118 (S118), the drawing control unit 362 stores the drawn overlay image in the first data storage unit 38.
In step 120 (S120), the drawing control unit 362 registers data related to the drawn overlay image in the overlay management table 366.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of image processing (S20) executed when the image processing apparatus 12 according to the embodiment of the present invention receives page data.
As shown in FIG. 7, in step 200 (S200), the receiving unit 32 of the image processing program 30 receives the transmitted page data via the communication IF 22.
In step 202 (S202), the data distribution unit 34 distributes the page data to the drawing data generation units 36C, 36M, 36Y, and 36K.

  In step 204 (S204), the data reception unit 360 of the drawing data generation unit 36 receives page data, and the drawing control unit 362 interprets instructions / commands included in the page data, and the instructions / commands are overlay development instructions. It is determined whether or not there is. When the instruction command is an overlay development instruction, the drawing control unit 362 performs an overlay development process (S30) described later to draw an output image, and proceeds to the process of S208. On the other hand, when the instruction / command is not an overlay development instruction, the drawing control unit 362 proceeds to the process of S206.

In step 206 (S206), the drawing control unit 362 performs RIP processing based on the page data and draws an output image.
In step 208 (S208), the drawing control unit 362 interprets the page data and determines whether the generation of the output image for one page has been completed. The drawing control unit 362 proceeds to the process of S210 when the generation of the output image for one page is finished, and returns to the process of S204 otherwise.

  In step 210 (S210), the drawing control unit 362 outputs the generated output image data for one page to the printing unit 28. The printing units 28C, 28M, 28Y, and 28K print output images corresponding to the respective color components on a recording medium such as paper based on the output image data.

  In step 212 (S212), the drawing control unit 362 determines whether generation of output images for all pages included in the page data has been completed. The drawing control unit 362 ends the process when the generation of output images for all pages is completed, and returns to the process of S204 to perform the process for the next page.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of overlay development processing (S30) in the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 8, in S300 (S300), the determination unit 364 of the drawing data generation unit 36 determines whether or not the overlay image stored in the first data storage unit 38 can be used. . The drawing control unit 362 proceeds to the process of S302 when the stored overlay image can be used, and proceeds to the process of S304 otherwise.

  In step 302 (S302), the drawing control unit 362 reads the overlay image stored in the first data storage unit 38, and pastes the overlay image on the partial image region to be subjected to the overlay process in the output image. Add and compose and finish the process.

  In step 304 (S304), the drawing control unit 362 starts reading the resource data stored in the first data storage unit 38.

  In step 306 (S306), the drawing control unit 362 determines whether intermediate data corresponding to the overlay image to be drawn is stored based on the read resource data. The drawing control unit 362 proceeds to the process of S308 if the intermediate data is stored, and proceeds to the process of S310 otherwise.

In step 308 (S308), the drawing control unit 362 refers to the intermediate data management table 370, reads the intermediate data stored in the second data storage unit 40, and generates an overlay image based on the intermediate data. And paste it into the output image.
In step 310 (S310), RIP processing is performed based on the stored resource data to render an overlay image on the output image.

  In step 312 (S312), the drawing control unit 362 determines whether or not drawing of the overlay image has ended. If drawing has ended, the process ends. If not, the process returns to step S306.

It is a figure which illustrates the output result produced | generated using the stored overlay image and the page image based on variable page data. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 including an image processing apparatus 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image processing program 30 that implements the image processing method by the image processing apparatus 12 according to the embodiment of the present invention and operates on the CPU 14. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of drawing data generation part 36C, 36M, 36Y, 36K. It is a figure which shows the content memorize | stored in the overlay management table 366 and the intermediate data management table 370. FIG. The flowchart of the image process (S10) performed when the image processing apparatus 12 which concerns on embodiment of this invention receives resource data is shown. The flowchart of the image process (S20) performed when the image processing apparatus 12 which concerns on embodiment of this invention receives page data is shown. The flowchart of the overlay expansion | deployment process (S30) in embodiment of this invention is shown.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Image processing apparatus 14 CPU
16 Memory 18 Storage device 20 UI device 22 Communication IF
28 Printing section 30 Image processing program 32 Reception section 34 Data distribution section 36 Drawing data generation section 38 First data storage section 40 Second data storage section 360 Data reception section 362 Drawing control section 364 Determination section 366 Overlay management table 368 Temporary Storage unit 370 Intermediate data management table

Claims (7)

Receiving means for receiving print data, which is print data described in a page description language, and includes at least one of resource data for drawing an overlay image and page data for drawing each page image;
When the resource data is accepted, the resource data is interpreted to draw an overlay image. When the page data is accepted, an output image output to the printing unit based on the page data Drawing data generation means for drawing
First data storage means for storing the rendered overlay image;
Second data storage means for storing intermediate data generated in the process of drawing an overlay image;
Have
The drawing data generation means determines whether or not the overlay image stored in the first data storage means can be used when an instruction to expand the overlay image into an output image is received ; When it is determined that the overlay image stored in the first data storage unit can be used, the overlay image stored in the first data storage unit is pasted to the output image and synthesized. When it is determined that the overlay image stored in the first data storage unit cannot be used , an overlay image is generated based on the intermediate data stored in the second data storage unit Image processing device that pastes and synthesizes the output image . When the overlay image stored in the first data storage unit is first rendered on a page, the drawing data generation unit uses the overlay image stored in the first data storage unit. Judge that it is possible
  The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The drawing data generation means, when an image is not drawn in a region where the overlay image stored in the first data storage means is superimposed and synthesized, the overlay stored in the first data storage means Determine that the image can be used
  The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second data storage unit stores image data generated in a process of drawing an overlay image. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second data storage unit stores partial image data of the overlay image generated in the process of drawing the overlay image. An image processing apparatus and a second data storage means a first data storage means and overlay images for storing the overlay image to store intermediate data generated in the process of being drawn,
Print data written in a page description language, which accepts print data including at least one of resource data for drawing an overlay image and page data for drawing each page image;
When the resource data is accepted, interpret the resource data and draw an overlay image,
Storing the rendered overlay image in the first data storage means;
Storing the intermediate data generated in the process of drawing the overlay image in the second data storage means;
When the page data is received, based on the page data, the output image output to the printing unit is drawn,
Accepts an instruction to expand the overlay image into an output image,
Determining whether an overlay image stored in the first data storage means can be used;
When it is determined that the overlay image stored in the first data storage unit can be used, the overlay image stored in the first data storage unit is pasted to the output image and synthesized. ,
When it is determined that the overlay image stored in the first data storage unit cannot be used , an overlay image is generated based on the intermediate data stored in the second data storage unit An image processing method for pasting and compositing to output images . An image processing apparatus comprising a computer and a second data storage means a first data storage means and overlay images for storing the overlay image to store intermediate data generated in the process of being drawn,
Receiving print data that is written in a page description language and includes at least one of resource data for rendering an overlay image and page data for rendering each page image;
When the resource data is accepted, interpreting the resource data and rendering an overlay image;
Storing the rendered overlay image in the first data storage means;
Storing intermediate data generated in the process of drawing an overlay image in the second data storage means;
Drawing the output image output to the printing unit based on the page data when the page data is received;
And Luz step receives an instruction to expand the overlay image to the output image,
Determining whether an overlay image stored in the first data storage means can be used;
When it is determined that the overlay image stored in the first data storage unit can be used, the overlay image stored in the first data storage unit is pasted to the output image and synthesized. Steps,
When it is determined that the overlay image stored in the first data storage unit cannot be used , an overlay image is generated based on the intermediate data stored in the second data storage unit A program that causes the computer of the image processing apparatus to execute the step of pasting and synthesizing the output image .

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