JP5304422B2 - Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image processing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program. The present invention particularly relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program for arranging a plurality of objects in a print output page memory and outputting them as print data.

  Variable printing is known as a printing technique for mass printing. Variable printing refers to printing in which the output contents of each sheet can be partially replaced as necessary.

  In such variable printing, for example, white characters / graphics may be overlaid and printed on a black background image. In this case, if the logical sum of the two is taken for each pixel and printing is performed, the entire surface becomes a black background image, so that white characters / graphics cannot be printed in the background image.

  Thus, for example, by generating mask data indicating that a white character / graphic part is a meaningful and effective part, and arranging pixels of the character / figure effective by the mask data in the background image A technique has been proposed that enables printing in which characters / graphics are drawn in a background image (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-163238 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, mask data for each of all objects to be arranged with respect to the background image is generated as auxiliary data.

  Accordingly, there is a problem in that the memory capacity is excessively consumed for storing the mask data, and it takes time to generate the mask image data and to use the mask image data.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to perform printing in which a character / figure is represented in a background image while consuming memory capacity and improving the efficiency of image processing time. An object is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program.

  The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.

(1) An image processing apparatus for arranging a plurality of objects in a print output page memory and outputting them as print data, wherein the plurality of objects are variable objects output only once by the image processing apparatus. And whether or not one variable object to be arranged in the memory overlaps each reuse object based on layout information indicating a layout in the page of the plurality of objects. A determination unit that determines whether the one variable object overlaps each reuse object, and the pixel of the one reuse object that is a pixel of each reuse object. The effective pixel position to be placed Auxiliary data indicating that the pixels that are enabled by the auxiliary data of the one variable object are preferentially arranged in the memory with respect to the pixels of each reusable object based on the layout information, When the determining means determines that the one variable object does not overlap each reuse object, the one variable object is arranged in the memory based on the layout information without generating the auxiliary data. An image processing apparatus.

(2) said determination means, from the layout information, and obtains the position coordinates within the page of the one variable object and wherein each of the reusable objects, the one variable object based on the position coordinates of the obtained two The image processing apparatus according to (1), wherein it is determined whether or not each overlaps with each of the reuse objects.

(3) An image processing method for arranging a plurality of objects in a print output page memory and outputting them as print data, wherein the plurality of objects are variable output that is output only once by a predetermined image processing apparatus. Whether or not one variable object to be placed in the memory overlaps each reuse object based on layout information indicating the layout in the page of the plurality of objects and the reuse object that is output a plurality of times If it is determined in step (a) whether the one variable object overlaps each reusable object in step (a), the pixels of the one variable object are Priority should be placed on the pixels of the reuse object. Auxiliary data indicating the position of valid pixels is generated, and the pixels that are valid by the auxiliary data of the one variable object are preferentially assigned to the pixels of each reusable object based on the layout information. And when it is determined in step (a) that the one variable object does not overlap with each reuse object, the one variable object is generated as the layout information without generating the auxiliary data. And (b) arranging in the memory on the basis of the image processing method.

( 4 ) In the step (a), position coordinates in the page of the one variable object and each of the reusable objects are acquired from the layout information, and based on the acquired position coordinates of the one, The image processing method according to ( 3 ), wherein it is determined whether or not a variable object overlaps each of the reuse objects.

(5) An image processing program for arranging a plurality of objects in a print output page memory and outputting them as print data, wherein the plurality of objects are variable output that is output only once by a predetermined image processing apparatus. Whether or not one variable object to be placed in the memory overlaps each reuse object based on layout information indicating the layout in the page of the plurality of objects and the reuse object that is output a plurality of times If it is determined in the procedure (a) that determines whether or not the one variable object overlaps each reuse object in the procedure (a), the pixels of the one variable object Should be placed with priority over the pixels of the reuse object Auxiliary data indicating the position of effective pixels is generated, and the pixels that are enabled by the auxiliary data of the one variable object are prioritized with respect to the pixels of each reusable object based on the layout information. If the one variable object is determined not to overlap each reuse object in the step (a), the one variable object is replaced with the layout information without generating the auxiliary data. An image processing program for causing a computer to execute image processing having the procedure (b) for arranging in the memory based on

( 6 ) In the step (a), position coordinates in the page of the one variable object and each of the reuse objects are acquired from the layout information, and the one position is based on the acquired position coordinates of both. The image processing program according to ( 5 ), wherein it is determined whether or not a variable object overlaps each of the reuse objects.

( 7 ) A computer-readable recording medium on which the image processing program according to ( 5 ) or ( 6 ) is recorded.

  In the present invention, auxiliary data is generated when one object to be arranged in the memory for the print output page overlaps with another object, and auxiliary data is generated when the one object does not overlap with another object. It is dynamically controlled so that it is not generated. .

  Therefore, according to the present invention, unnecessary auxiliary data is not generated, so that the memory capacity is not consumed, and mask image data generation processing and processing using mask image data are performed. It takes less time to complete. As a result, it is possible to perform printing in which characters / graphics are represented in the background image while consuming memory capacity and improving the efficiency of image processing time.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic front view showing a configuration of an MFP. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an MFP. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of PC. It is an example of layout information definition data of variable print data. It is an example of object definition data of variable print data. It is a figure which shows the printing output result of the image based on the variable printing data shown by FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of image processing in the MFP. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the analysis process of layout information. It is an example of layout information definition data of variable print data. FIG. 11 shows an example of layout information definition data of variable print data continued from FIG. 10. FIG. It is an example of an analysis result table. (A) is a diagram illustrating an example of a RIP memory in which RIP-completed data is stored, and (B) is a mask image data memory in which mask image data generated corresponding to an object is stored as necessary. It is a figure which shows an example. It is a figure which shows an example of the frame memory for print output pages in which an object is arrange | positioned. It is a figure which shows an example of the frame memory for print output pages in which an object is arrange | positioned. It is a figure which shows an example of the frame memory for print output pages in which an object is arrange | positioned.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system of this embodiment includes an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) 100 and a PC (personal computer) 200 as a network terminal, which communicate with each other via a network 300. Connected as possible.

  The network 300 includes a LAN in which computers and network devices are connected according to standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, and FDDI, and a WAN in which LANs are connected by a dedicated line. The type and number of devices connected to the network 300 are not limited to the example shown in FIG. Further, the MFP 100 and the PC 200 may be directly connected (locally connected) between devices without going through the network 300.

  2 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of the MFP shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the MFP shown in FIG.

  2 and 3, the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, an operation panel unit 103, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 104, an image reading unit 105, a paper feeding unit 106, an image. A forming unit 107, a communication interface 108, and a paper discharge unit 109 are provided, and these are connected to each other via a bus 110 for exchanging signals.

  The control unit 101 includes a CPU, and controls the above units and performs various arithmetic processes according to a program. The storage unit 102 includes a ROM that stores various programs and various data in advance, a RAM that temporarily stores programs and data as a work area, a hard disk that stores various programs and various data including an operating system, and the like.

  The operation panel unit 103 includes a touch panel, a numeric keypad, a start button, a stop button, and the like, and is used for displaying various information and inputting various instructions.

  The ADF 104 sequentially conveys one or more set originals one by one to a predetermined reading position of the image reading unit 105, and sequentially discharges the originals after image reading.

  The image reading unit 105 irradiates the original set at a predetermined reading position or the original conveyed to the predetermined reading position by the ADF 104 with a light source such as a fluorescent lamp, and reflects the reflected light with an imaging device such as a CCD image sensor. Photoelectric conversion is performed to generate image data from the electrical signal.

  The paper feeding units 106a to 106c accommodate paper as a recording medium used for printing. A paper feeding unit 106 (a general term for 106a to 106c) sends out the stored paper to the image forming unit 107 one by one.

  The image forming unit 107 prints an image based on various data on a sheet using a known image forming process such as an electrophotographic process including charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing processes.

  The communication interface 108 is an interface for communicating with an external device, a network interface according to standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, and FDDI, a serial interface such as USB and IEEE1394, a parallel interface such as SCSI and IEEE1284, and BLUETOOTH. (Registered trademark), IEEE802.11, HomeRF, IrDA and other wireless communication interfaces, a telephone line interface for connecting to a telephone line, and the like can be used.

  The paper discharge unit 109 discharges the paper conveyed from the image forming unit 107 after finishing processing desired by the user in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 101. The finishing process includes a stapling process for binding a bundle of sheets with staples, a punching process for punching filing holes at the end of the sheet, a bookbinding process for bundling sheets to form a book, a folding process for folding a sheet, and For example, a trimmer process for cutting the edge of the paper. Note that the paper discharge unit 109 may simply discharge the paper without the finishing function.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the PC shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the PC 200 of this embodiment includes a control unit 201, a storage unit 202, an input device 203, a display 204, and a communication interface 205, which have a bus 206 for exchanging signals. Are connected to each other. Note that, among the above-described units of the PC 200, descriptions of portions having functions similar to those of the above-described units of the MFP 100 are omitted to avoid duplication of description.

  The storage unit 202 is installed with a printer driver for generating variable print data.

  The input device 203 includes a pointing device such as a mouse and a keyboard, and is used for performing various inputs. The display 204 is a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays various types of information.

  MFP 100 and PC 200 may include components other than the above-described components, or some of the above-described components may not be included.

  In the printing system of the present embodiment configured as described above, variable printing is executed by the MFP 100 in accordance with the variable print data transmitted from the PC 200. Hereinafter, the operation of the printing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, an example of variable print data transmitted from the PC shown in FIG. 1 to the MFP will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a case where a PPML (Personalized Print Markup Language) format is used as variable print data is shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the variable print data 400 of the present embodiment includes layout information definition data 410 and object definition data 420. The object definition data 420 is data in the PDF file format, and is also referred to as a PDF file 420 here for convenience of explanation.

  The layout information definition data 410 defines layout information indicating an object used on each page and a layout (position) of the object in the page.

  In the layout information definition data 410, the first page 421 (see FIG. 6) of the PDF file 420 is defined as the reuse object 411, and the third page 423 (see FIG. 6) of the PDF file 420 is defined as the variable object 412. Yes. A reusable object is an object that is used multiple times in variable printing, and a variable object is an object that is used only once in variable printing (non-reusable object).

  Being a reuse object can be determined by a <REUSABLE_OBJECT> tag. Also, the page number of the PDF can be determined from the value of “Index” of the <EXTERNAL_DATA_ARRAY src = “object.pdf” Index = “1” /> tag. Further, the rectangular area in which the object is defined can be determined from the “Rectangle” value of <CLIP_RECT Rectangle = “50.0 550.0 300.0 800.0” />. The format of “Rectangle” is “lower left x lower left y coordinate upper right x coordinate upper right y coordinate” of the rectangular area. The coordinate value is defined in 1/72 inch with the origin at the lower left of the page.

  The object definition data 420 defines an object for defining a part or all of a specific page.

  As shown in the object definition data 420, the first page 421, the second page 422, the third page 423, the fourth page 424, the fifth page 425, the sixth page 426,. Defined on each page.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a print output result of an image based on the variable print data illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the print output result 500 includes a first page 501, a second page 502, and so on. Here, the reuse objects of the first page 421 and the second page 422 of the PDF file 420, the variable objects of the third page 423, the fourth page 424, the fifth page 425, and the sixth page 426 of the PDF file 420 are used. ing.

  Hereinafter, the variable printing process performed by the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining image processing in the MFP shown in FIG. Note that the algorithm shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is stored as a program in the storage unit 102 of the MFP 100 and executed by the control unit 101.

  The image processing in this embodiment is image processing for arranging a plurality of objects in a frame memory that is a memory for print output pages and outputting the print data as print data.

  Here, for example, network printing will be described. In network printing, a print job received via the communication interface 108 is generally called a print job. The received print job is temporarily stored in the memory of the storage unit 102 or the hard disk, and is converted in the memory of the storage unit 102 into print data in a format that can form an image on a sheet in the image forming unit 107. Various programs for converting a print job into print data that can be formed by the image forming unit 107 (hereinafter referred to as “RIP”) are stored in the hard disk of the storage unit 102 and are required by the CPU of the control unit 101. The program is read.

  First, when receiving a print job, the control unit 101 performs layout information analysis processing (S101).

  In the layout information analysis process, it is determined whether it is necessary to generate mask image data for each object in the received print job based on the layout information. That is, when one object to be arranged in the frame memory overlaps another object, it is determined that it is necessary to generate mask image data. Mask image data is auxiliary data indicating the positions of valid pixels of one object. Here, an effective pixel is a pixel to be rendered that is meaningful as an image, and is a pixel that is arranged in place of (priorly) a pixel of another object serving as a background. Details of the layout information analysis process will be described later.

  In step S102, with reference to the analysis result in step S101, it is determined whether one object to be placed in the frame memory is an object that requires mask image data.

  If it is determined that the object of interest is an object that requires mask image data (S102: YES), the object of interest is RIPed (S103), and mask image data is generated for the object of interest (S104).

  Then, the control unit 101 arranges the pixels that are enabled by the mask image data of the RIP target object (RIPed data) in the frame memory based on the layout information (S105).

  Subsequently, based on the layout information definition data 410, it is determined whether or not the object of interest is a reuse object (S106). If it is determined that the object of interest is not a reuse object (S106: NO), the process proceeds to step S112. When it is determined that the target object is a reuse object (S106: YES), the RIP target object and the mask image data generated corresponding to the target object are associated with each other in the storage unit 102. Saved (S107), the process proceeds to step S112.

  In this way, when it is determined that one object overlaps another object, and one object is an object that can be reused elsewhere, it corresponds to one object and one object. The auxiliary data generated in this way are stored in relation to each other. Therefore, the generated auxiliary data can be reused at other locations, and the processing time can be further shortened.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the object of interest is not an object that requires mask image data (S102: NO), the object of interest is RIPed (S108).

  Then, the control unit 101 arranges the RIP target object (RIP-completed data) in the frame memory based on the layout information without generating mask image data for the target object (S109).

  Subsequently, based on the layout information definition data 410, it is determined whether or not the object of interest is a reuse object (S110). If it is determined that the object of interest is not a reuse object (S110: NO), the process proceeds to step S112. When it is determined that the target object is a reuse object (S110: YES), the RIP target object is stored in the storage unit 102 (S111), and the process proceeds to step S112.

  In step S112, it is determined whether or not the processing for all objects on one page has been completed (S112). If it is determined that the processing for one page has not been completed (S112: NO), the process returns to step S102.

  When it is determined that the processing for one page has been completed (S112: YES), the control unit 101 outputs (transfers) the data (page data) arranged in the frame memory to the image forming unit 107 as print data. (S113).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the transfer process for all pages in the print job has been completed (S114). If it is determined that the transfer process for all pages has not been completed (S114: NO), the process returns to step S101. When it is determined that the transfer process for all pages has been completed (S114: YES), the process of FIG. 8 is terminated.

  Next, layout information analysis processing (S101) will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the layout information analysis process, an analysis result table indicating whether or not mask image data needs to be generated is created for each object in the received print job based on the layout information and stored in the storage unit 102. The

  Hereinafter, the case where the analysis result table 700 shown in FIG. 12 is created based on the layout information definition data 600 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 will be described as an example. Here, the PDF file 420 shown in FIG. 6 is used as the object definition data.

  First, the control unit 101 takes up one object and analyzes the position information (coordinates) of the object (S201).

  As shown in FIG. 11, the output page information of the print job is defined by tags <PAGE> to </ PAGE> in the layout information definition data 600, and the first page 630,. Become. The object described first in the <PAGE> to </ PAGE> tag is the foreground of the page, and the object described last is the foreground.

  First, the description will be made by paying attention to the object 640.

  The object 640 is referred to in the description 642, and the reference destination is the object 610 from the description 612. The reference object 610 can be determined from the description 611 to be the first page of the PDF file 420. From the description 641 and the description 613, the lower left coordinates of the object on the output page are (50.0 + 125.0, 550.0 + (− 25.0)) = (175.0, 525.0), and similarly. The upper right coordinates are (300.0 + 125.0, 800.0 + (− 25.0)) = (425.0, 775.0).

  In step S202, it is determined whether there is an object already registered in the corresponding page.

  Since the object 640 is the first object registered in the corresponding page, “NO” is determined in the step S202, and the process proceeds to the step S205. That is, since the object 640 is the backmost object, it is determined that the mask image data is unnecessary.

  In step S205, “none” is written in the item “mask image data” in the first row of the analysis result table 700 for the object 640, and other data related to the object 640 is written to register the object 640. The

  Next, the description will be made by paying attention to the object 650.

  The object 650 is referred to in the description 652, and the reference destination is the object 610 from the description 612. The reference object 610 can be determined from the description 611 to be the first page of the PDF file 420. From the description 651 and the description 613, the lower left coordinates of the object on the output page are (50.0 + 125.0, 550.0 + (− 425.0)) = (175.0, 125.0), and similarly. The upper right coordinates are (300.0 + 125.0, 800.0 + (− 425.0)) = (425.0, 375.0).

  In step S202, it is determined whether there is an object already registered in the corresponding page. Since the object 650 is the second object registered in the corresponding page, “YES” is determined in the step S202, and the process proceeds to the step S203. In step S203, it is determined whether or not the registered object overlaps. That is, whether or not to generate and output mask image data is determined based on whether or not there is an overlap with an object on the back.

If the lower left coordinates of the back object are (x1, y1), the upper right coordinates are (x2, y2), the lower left coordinates of the objects to be compared are (x3, y3), and the upper right coordinates are (x4, y4). When the following expression (1) is satisfied, it can be determined that the two objects overlap each other.
((X3 ≦ x1 ≦ x4) OR (x3 ≦ x2 ≦ x4)) AND ((y3 ≦ y1 ≦ y4) OR (y3 ≦ y2 ≦ y4)) (1)
In this way, the position coordinates of one object and the other object in the page are acquired from the layout information, and it is determined whether one object overlaps the other object based on the acquired position coordinates of both. The Therefore, the overlap of objects can be determined by a simple process by using the position coordinates of the objects.

  Since the object 650 does not satisfy Expression (1) with respect to the object 640 on the back surface, “NO” is determined in step S203, and the process proceeds to step S205. That is, since the object 650 does not overlap with other objects, it is determined that mask image data is unnecessary.

  In step S205, “none” is written in the item “mask image data” in the second row of the analysis result table 700 for the object 650, and other data related to the object 650 is written to register the object 650. The

  Next, the object 660 will be described with attention.

  The object 660 is referred to in the description 662, and the reference destination is the object 620 from the description 622. The reference object 620 can be determined from the description 621 to be the second page of the PDF file 420. From the description 661 and the description 623, the lower left coordinates of the object in the output page are (50.0 + 225.0, 550.0 + (-140.0)) = (275.0, 410.0), and similarly. The upper right coordinates are (300.0 + 225.0, 800.0 + (-140.0)) = (525.0, 660.0).

  In step S202, it is determined whether there is an object already registered in the corresponding page. Since the object 660 is the third object registered in the corresponding page, “YES” is determined in the step S202, and the process proceeds to the step S203. In step S203, it is determined whether or not the registered object overlaps.

  Since the object 660 satisfies the expression (1) with respect to the object 640 on the back surface, “YES” is determined in step S203, and the process proceeds to step S204. That is, since the object 650 overlaps with other objects, it is determined that mask image data is necessary.

  In step S204, “Yes” is written in the item “Mask image data” in the third row of the analysis result table 700 for the object 660, and other data related to the object 660 is written to register the object 660. The

  Next, the description will be made by paying attention to the object 670.

  Object 670 can be determined from description 672 to be the third page of PDF file 420. From the descriptions 671 and 673, the lower left coordinates of the object on the output page are (50.0 + 210.0, 750.0 + (− 515.0)) = (260.0, 235.0), and similarly. The upper right coordinate is (137.5 + 210.0, 785.0 + (− 515.0)) = (347.5, 270.0).

  In step S202, it is determined whether there is an object already registered in the corresponding page. Since the object 670 is the fourth object registered in the corresponding page, “YES” is determined in the step S202, and the process proceeds to the step S203. In step S203, it is determined whether or not the registered object overlaps.

  Since the object 670 satisfies the expression (1) with respect to the object 650 on the back surface, “YES” is determined in the step S203, and the process proceeds to the step S204. That is, since the object 650 overlaps with other objects, it is determined that mask image data is necessary.

  In step S204, “Yes” is written in the item “Mask image data” in the fourth row of the analysis result table 700 for the object 670, and other data related to the object 670 is written, and the object 670 is registered. The

  Next, the object 680 will be described with attention.

  Object 680 can be determined from description 682 to be the fourth page of PDF file 420. From the description 681 and the description 683, the lower left coordinates of the object on the output page are (50.0 + 210.0, 750.0 + (− 685.0)) = (260.0, 65.0). The upper right coordinate is (137.5 + 210.0, 785.0 + (− 685.0)) = (347.5, 100.0).

  In step S202, it is determined whether there is an object already registered in the corresponding page. Since the object 680 is the fifth object registered in the corresponding page, “YES” is determined in the step S202, and the process proceeds to the step S203. In step S203, it is determined whether or not the registered object overlaps.

  Since the object 680 does not satisfy the expression (1) for all the objects 640, 650, 660, and 760 on the back side, “NO” is determined in step S203, and the process proceeds to step S205. That is, since the object 680 does not overlap with other objects, it is determined that mask image data is unnecessary.

  In step S205, “none” is written in the item “mask image data” in the fifth row of the analysis result table 700 for the object 680, and other data related to the object 680 is written, and the object 680 is registered. The

  In step S206, it is determined whether or not the registration process for all objects on one page has been completed. If it is determined that the registration process for one page is not completed (S206: NO), the process returns to step S201. If it is determined that the registration process for one page has been completed (S206: YES), the process proceeds to step S102 in FIG.

  Then, in step S102 of FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not mask image data is necessary for the object to be RIP, based on “present / absent” of the item “mask image data” in the created analysis result table 700. it can.

  For example, when objects having the same contents (reuse object 610) such as the objects 640 and 650 are used a plurality of times, the item “mask image data” is “none” for all the objects having the same contents. If it is determined that the mask image data is unnecessary for the object to be RIP, and if even one item of “mask image data” is “Yes”, it is determined that the mask image data is necessary for the object to be RIP. .

  Next, a method for arranging each object in the frame memory when the analysis result table 700 shown in FIG. 12 is obtained will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 13A shows an example of a RIP memory (area) 800 in which RIP objects (RIP-completed data) are stored. In the example shown in FIG. 13A, data 801, 802, 803 obtained by RIPing the objects of the first page 421, the second page 422, the third page 423, and the fourth page 424 of the PDF file 420, respectively. , 804 are stored. Note that the RIP-completed data 803 indicates white characters “Text1”. FIG. 13B is a diagram illustrating an example of a mask image data memory (area) 810 in which mask image data generated corresponding to an object as necessary is stored. In the example shown in FIG. 13B, mask image data 811 and 812 corresponding to the objects of the second page 422 and the third page 423 of the PDF file 420 are stored. 14 to 16 are diagrams showing examples of frame memories 820, 820a, and 820b for print output pages on which objects are arranged.

  From the analysis result table 700, mask image data is not generated for the first page 421 of the PDF file 420. Therefore, the RIP-completed data 801 is arranged in the frame memory based on the coordinates shown in the analysis result table 700 (see FIG. 14). The arrangement processing when the mask image data is not generated and output is performed by memory copy.

  For the second page 422 of the PDF file 420, mask image data is generated and output. That is, the RIP-completed data 802 is arranged in the frame memory based on the mask image data 811 and the coordinates shown in the analysis result table 700 (see FIG. 15). In the arrangement process in the case of outputting mask image data, the mask image data is referred to, and if the mask image data of the corresponding pixel is shown to be valid, the RIP-completed data is written in the frame memory.

  Such a process is repeated until one page of output pages is completed. When the processing for one page is completed, the data (page data, see FIG. 16) arranged in the frame memory is transferred to the image forming unit 107, and when the transfer for all pages is completed, the processing shown in FIG. .

  As described above, in this embodiment, the MFP 100 determines whether one object to be arranged in the frame memory overlaps another object based on layout information indicating the layout of the object in the page. When it is determined that one object overlaps another object, mask image data indicating the position of a valid pixel of the one object is generated, and the pixel that is valid by the mask image data of the one object Is placed in the frame memory based on the layout information, and if it is determined that one object does not overlap another object, the one object is frame memory based on the layout information without generating mask image data. To place.

  As described above, when one object to be arranged in the memory for the print output page overlaps another object, mask image data is generated. When the one object does not overlap another object, the mask image is generated. It is dynamically controlled so that no data is generated.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, unnecessary mask image data is not generated, so that the memory capacity is not consumed, and mask image data generation processing and mask image data are used. Less time is required for the processing. As a result, it is possible to perform printing in which characters / graphics are represented in the background image while consuming memory capacity and improving the efficiency of image processing time.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

  For example, in the above embodiment, an image forming apparatus such as an MFP is exemplified as the image processing apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to a print control apparatus such as a printer controller separated from the image forming apparatus.

  In the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described by taking as an example the case where variable printing is executed. However, the present invention is not limited to variable printing, and can be applied to an arbitrary print process in which a plurality of objects are arranged in a print output page memory and output as print data.

  The means and method for performing various processes in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment can be realized by either a dedicated hardware circuit or a programmed computer. The program may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk and a CD-ROM, or may be provided online via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium is normally transferred to and stored in a storage unit such as a hard disk. The program may be provided as a single application software, or may be incorporated in the software of the apparatus as a function of the image processing apparatus.

100 MFP,
101, 201 control unit,
102, 202 storage unit,
103 Operation panel section,
105 image reading unit,
106 paper feed unit,
107 Image forming unit,
108, 205 communication interface,
109 discharge section,
110,206 bus,
200 PC,
203 input device,
204 display,
300 network,
400 variable print data,
410,600 layout information definition data,
411, 610, 620 Reusable object,
412 670 680 variable object 420 object definition data,
640, 650, 660, 670, 680 objects,
800 RIP memory,
801-804 RIPed data,
810 mask image data memory,
811,812 mask image data,
820, 820a, 820b Frame memory.

Claims (7)

An image processing apparatus for arranging a plurality of objects in a print output page memory and outputting them as print data,
The plurality of objects include a variable object that is output only once by the image processing apparatus and a reuse object that is output a plurality of times.
Determining means for determining whether one variable object to be arranged in the memory overlaps each reuse object based on layout information indicating a layout in a page of the plurality of objects;
When it is determined by the determining means that the one variable object overlaps each reuse object, the pixels of the one variable object are preferentially arranged with respect to the pixels of each reuse object. Auxiliary data indicating the position of an effective pixel to be generated is generated, and the pixels that are enabled by the auxiliary data of the one variable object are preferentially given to the pixels of each reusable object based on the layout information. When the determination unit determines that the one variable object does not overlap each reuse object, the one variable object is included in the layout information without generating the auxiliary data. Placement means for placing in the memory based on,
An image processing apparatus comprising:   The determination means acquires position coordinates in the page of the one variable object and each reuse object from the layout information, and the one variable object is determined based on the acquired position coordinates. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus determines whether or not the object overlaps a reuse object. An image processing method for arranging a plurality of objects in a memory for a print output page and outputting the print data as print data,
The plurality of objects includes a variable object that is output only once by a predetermined image processing apparatus and a reuse object that is output a plurality of times.
Determining whether one variable object to be arranged in the memory overlaps each reuse object based on layout information indicating a layout of the plurality of objects in a page; and
When it is determined in the step (a) that the one variable object overlaps each reuse object, the pixels of the one variable object are arranged with priority over the pixels of each reuse object. Auxiliary data indicating the positions of valid pixels to be generated is generated, and the pixels enabled by the auxiliary data of the one variable object are prioritized over the pixels of each reusable object based on the layout information. In the step (a), if it is determined that the one variable object does not overlap each reuse object, the one variable object is generated without generating the auxiliary data. Placing in the memory based on the layout information (b);
An image processing method comprising:   In the step (a), position coordinates in the page of the one variable object and each reuse object are acquired from the layout information, and the one variable object is obtained based on the acquired position coordinates. 4. The image processing method according to claim 3, wherein it is determined whether or not each of the reuse objects overlaps. An image processing program for arranging a plurality of objects in a print output page memory and outputting them as print data,
The plurality of objects includes a variable object that is output only once by a predetermined image processing apparatus and a reuse object that is output a plurality of times.
A procedure (a) for determining whether one variable object to be placed in the memory overlaps each reusable object based on layout information indicating a layout in the page of the plurality of objects;
When it is determined in the step (a) that the one variable object overlaps each reuse object, the pixels of the one variable object are arranged with priority over the pixels of each reuse object. Auxiliary data indicating the positions of valid pixels to be generated is generated, and the pixels enabled by the auxiliary data of the one variable object are prioritized over the pixels of each reusable object based on the layout information. In the step (a), when it is determined that the one variable object does not overlap each reuse object, the one variable object is generated without generating the auxiliary data. A procedure (b) of arranging in the memory based on the layout information;
An image processing program for causing a computer to execute image processing having   In the procedure (a), position coordinates in the page of the one variable object and each reuse object are acquired from the layout information, and the one variable object is obtained based on the acquired position coordinates. 6. The image processing program according to claim 5, wherein it is determined whether or not each of the reuse objects overlaps.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the image processing program according to claim 5 is recorded.