JP4854344B2 - Image processing apparatus and image processing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that reads data from a scanner or a digital camera, performs sharpness processing on the read image, and prints the image with high quality, a control method for the image processing apparatus, and a storage medium.

  An image read and photographed by a scanner or a digital camera is often stored in a file by a high compression method such as JPEG compression in consideration of a load on a communication network.

  In this case, there is a high possibility that quantization noise due to compression is generated, and particularly when an image having a small size is enlarged and printed, the quantization noise due to the compression is conspicuous. In order to suppress quantization noise due to this compression, some noise removal processing has been proposed, but this noise removal has a disadvantage that sharpness is lost.

In recent years, a system that efficiently performs noise removal, sharpness processing, and enlargement processing has been proposed to deal with these drawbacks (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-295236 A

  When a user captures an image captured by a scanner or digital camera and prints the captured image, the user temporarily captures the image using image editing software (retouch software) for performing color adjustment of the image, and visually operates the monitor. This visual operation can remove noise by color adjustment, sharpness processing, and various filter processing.

  In particular, with the recent evolution of PCs, complex image processing can be realized on software. In addition, a built-in memory provided in a digital camera or the like has increased in capacity, and handling of uncompressed data called RAW data is becoming common.

  Then, the user instructs the printer driver that controls the printer to print the image data in order to print the image edited on the image editing software. At this time, the output size to be printed is often set by using the paper setting and the enlargement ratio setting on the printer driver side.

  In recent years, the number of types of media that can be printed by printers has increased, so if you use settings on the printer driver side, you can easily change the size of the original image on the image editing software side without changing the original image size each time. Can be printed on.

  In addition, there is a problem that the sharpness effect is difficult to appear when large enlargement processing is performed. In recent years, not only the enlargement setting but also the sharpness setting can be made on the printer driver side, and the user can adjust the sharpness according to the enlargement ratio. The value can be changed.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a conventional image processing apparatus 200.

  In the conventional image processing apparatus 200, when sharpness processing is performed at two places, such as the sharpness processing 85 of the image editing software 80 and the sharpness processing 92 of the printer driver 90, deterioration in image quality becomes a problem.

  In other words, the conventional example has a problem that there are a plurality of sharpness processes, and print quality cannot be improved during printing accompanied by an enlargement process.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, a control method for the image processing apparatus, and a storage medium that have a plurality of sharpness processes and can improve the print quality during printing accompanied by an enlargement process.

An image processing apparatus according to the present application includes editing software capable of editing image data while displaying a preview, and a printer driver that converts image data transferred from the editing software into print data and transmits the print data to a printer. In the image processing apparatus, a first acquisition unit that acquires a sharpness value designated by the user for the image data while performing preview display of the image data to be edited in the editing software; The second acquisition means for acquiring the sharpness value set independently of the sharpness value acquired by the acquisition means, the sharpness value acquired by the first acquisition means, and the second acquisition means Means for combining the sharpness value and the sharpness value in the above editing software Third acquisition means for acquiring designated image data that has not been subjected to sharpness processing according to the designated sharpness value, and the third synthesis means based on the value synthesized by the synthesis means. And processing means for performing sharpness processing on the image data obtained by the obtaining means.

According to the present invention, the sharpness value specified by the user and the sharpness value set on the printer driver side are synthesized while performing preview display on the editing software , and the batch processing is performed. In addition, there is an effect that a high-quality result can be obtained in terms of image quality.

  The best mode for carrying out the invention is the following embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an image processing apparatus 100 that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The image processing apparatus 100 includes an image editing software 10, a printer driver 20, a scanner 31, a digital camera 32, an external storage device 33, and a printer 34.

  The image editing software 10 reads image data from the scanner 31 or the digital camera 32. The image editing software 10 includes an image data reading / generating process 12, a preview display process 13, a sharpness value setting process 14, a sharpness information transfer process 15, an image transfer process 17, and an image data storage process 18.

  It is also possible to create a new image on the image editing software 10. The read data and the created data are stored in the external storage device 33 such as a hard disk by the image data storage process 18.

  The user performs various color adjustments and noise reduction processing while watching the preview display processing 13 on the monitor, and sets the sharpness value by the sharpness value setting processing 14. At this stage, the user sets the sharpness value of the original image while looking at the image on the monitor without being aware of the size of the output paper.

  The printer driver 20 includes a sharpness process 22, a sharpness value setting process 23, an enlargement ratio notification process 24, an enlargement process 25, and a sharpness value composition process 26.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the user interface UI1 of the image editing software 10.

  A preview image of the data read by pressing the “read from scanner” button 54 or the “read from digital camera” button 55 is displayed in the preview frame 52. The user adjusts the sharpness value with the sharpness value setting button 53 while viewing this preview.

  When the approximate sharpness adjustment is completed, by pressing the data transfer button 56, the target image data and the sharpness value set by the image editing software are transferred to the printer driver 20.

  Here, what is important is to transfer the sharpness value set by the image editing software and the actual image not subjected to the sharpness processing to the printer driver 20. Note that an image for printing is referred to as an actual image to distinguish it from a preview image.

  The printer driver 20 receives a sharpness value (hereinafter referred to as “sharpness value A”) by the sharpness information transfer processing 15 of the image editing software 10. Also, real image data not subjected to sharpness processing is received from the image transfer processing 17.

  The printer driver 20 can set the sharpness value by the sharpness value setting process 23 separately from the image editing software 10.

  The reason for having the sharpness setting in both the image editing software 10 and the printer driver 20 is as follows.

  In other words, the sharpness setting in the image editing software 10 is only for editing the original image, and is intended to perform defocusing of the original image and image enhancement processing, and is adjusted without considering the characteristics of the output device such as a printer. The On the other hand, the sharpness setting on the printer driver 20 side is a setting conscious of the output to the printer 34. In general, a medium with a narrow color reproduction range is less likely to exhibit the sharpness effect, and therefore, it is necessary to set a sharpness value larger than that for a medium with a wide color reproduction range. Further, when the output media size is large, the sharpness effect tends to be weakened. In this case, the sharpness value is set to be large.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the user interface UI2 of the printer driver 20.

  A sharpness value is set by a sharpness setting button 63 on the printer driver 20 (this value is hereinafter referred to as “sharpness B”). The sharpness B can be set independently of the sharpness value A transferred from the printer driver 20.

  The enlargement ratio of the image to be printed is set by the enlargement ratio setting button 64.

  When the printer driver 20 finishes setting the sharpness value and the enlargement ratio, the print button 65 is pressed to print.

  Next, the operation of this printing process will be described.

  In the sharpness value synthesis process 26, the sharpness value A in the image editing software 10 and the sharpness value B in the printer driver 20 are synthesized. In the composition process, the composition process is performed in consideration of the enlargement ratio set by the printer driver 20 obtained by the enlargement ratio notification process 24, and the final sharpness value C is obtained.

The following is a typical example of this synthesis process. When y is a function of x, it is assumed that y = f (x),
Sharpness value C = f (magnification ratio) * (sharpness value A + sharpness value B)
It is.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of y = f (x), which is a relationship between the multiplier to the sharpness value and the enlargement ratio.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the magnification rate exceeds 100%, the multiplier to the sharpness value is gradually increased, and when a certain threshold value (500% in this example) is exceeded, the multiplier to the sharpness value is kept constant. To do. When the sharpness value becomes too large, sharpness processing is applied too much, and white spots occur at the edges.

  Using the sharpness composite value C obtained in the sharpness value composite processing 26, the sharpness processing 22 in the printer driver 20 performs the sharpness processing collectively. Thereafter, the image is enlarged by the enlargement processing 25 and the print data is transferred to the printer 34.

  In this way, high-quality image quality can be obtained by performing the sharpness processing in a lump and calculating by taking into account the enlargement ratio at the time of output when synthesizing the sharpness processing.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, sharpness processing for an actual image, which has been conventionally performed in the image editing software, is unnecessary, so that processing can be performed efficiently.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an image processing apparatus 100 that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface UI1 of the image editing software 10. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface UI2 of the printer driver 20. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of y = f (x) which is the relationship between the multiplier to a sharpness value, and a magnification. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a conventional image processing apparatus 200.

Explanation of symbols

100: Image processing apparatus,
10 ... Image editing software,
12: Image data reading / generating process,
13 ... Preview display processing,
14: Sharpness value setting process,
15 ... Sharpness information transfer processing,
17 ... Image transfer processing,
18 ... Image data storage processing,
20 ... Printer driver,
22 ... Sharpness processing,
23: Sharpness value setting process,
24 ... enlargement ratio notification processing,
25 ... enlargement processing,
26: Sharpness value synthesis processing,
31 ... Scanner,
32 ... Digital camera,
33 ... an external storage device,
34 ... Printer,
UI1: User interface of the image editing software 10,
UI2: A user interface of the printer driver 20.

Claims (6)

And editing software capable of editing the image data while performing a preview display, an image processing apparatus for and a printer driver for transmitting the image data transferred from the editing software to convert the print data printer,
A first acquisition means for acquiring a sharpness value specified by the user on the image data while performing a preview display of the image data of Oite edited in the editing software;
A second acquisition means for acquiring the sharpness value is set independently of the sharpness value acquired by Oite the first acquisition unit to the printer driver;
Combining means for combining the sharpness value acquired by the first acquisition means and the sharpness value acquired by the second acquisition means ;
Third acquisition means for acquiring image data for which a sharpness value has been specified in the editing software and which has not been subjected to sharpness processing in accordance with the specified sharpness value;
Processing means for performing sharpness processing on the image data acquired by the third acquisition means based on the value synthesized by the synthesis means ;
An image processing apparatus comprising: In claim 1,
The printer driver has an enlargement ratio setting means for setting an enlargement ratio of the image,
The synthesizing unit adds the sharpness value acquired by the first acquisition unit and the sharpness value acquired by the second acquisition unit until the enlargement rate set by the enlargement rate setting unit reaches 100%. An image processing apparatus characterized in that the value is a sharpness value when the processing means performs sharpness processing . In claim 2,
When the enlargement ratio set by the enlargement ratio setting means exceeds a predetermined enlargement ratio greater than 100%, the synthesizing means performs a sharpness process with a value obtained by multiplying the added value by a predetermined value. A value obtained by monotonically increasing a value larger than 1 and smaller than the predetermined value as the enlargement ratio increases until the enlargement ratio becomes greater than 100% and reaches the predetermined enlargement ratio. An image processing apparatus characterized in that a value obtained by multiplying is used as a sharpness value when the sharpness processing is performed . And editing software capable of editing the image data while performing a preview display, the image processing method using the printer driver for transmitting the image data transferred from the editing software to convert the print data printer,
A first acquisition step of acquiring a sharpness value designated by the user for the image data while displaying a preview of the image data to be edited in the editing software ;
A second acquisition step of acquiring a sharpness value set independently of the sharpness value acquired in the first acquisition step in the printer driver ;
A synthesis step of synthesizing the sharpness value acquired in the first acquisition step and the sharpness value acquired in the second acquisition step ;
A third acquisition step of acquiring image data for which a sharpness value has been designated in the editing software and which has not been subjected to sharpness processing in accordance with the designated sharpness value;
A processing step of performing sharpness processing on the image data acquired in the third acquisition step based on the values combined in the combining step ;
An image processing method comprising: In claim 4,
An enlargement ratio setting step for setting an enlargement ratio of the image in the printer driver;
In the synthesis step, the sharpness value acquired in the first acquisition step and the sharpness value acquired in the second acquisition step are added until the enlargement rate set in the enlargement rate setting step reaches 100%. An image processing method characterized in that a value is a sharpness value when sharpness processing is performed in the processing step . In claim 5,
In the synthesis step, when the enlargement ratio set in the enlargement ratio setting step exceeds a predetermined enlargement ratio greater than 100%, a value obtained by multiplying the added value by a predetermined value is used for performing the sharpness processing. A value obtained by monotonically increasing a value larger than 1 and smaller than the predetermined value as the enlargement ratio increases until the enlargement ratio becomes greater than 100% and reaches the predetermined enlargement ratio. An image processing method characterized in that a value obtained by multiplying is used as a sharpness value when performing the sharpness processing.

Images