JP6516224B2 - IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program.

  In recent years, digitization of image forming apparatuses such as single function printing apparatuses and multifunction peripherals (MFPs) has been rapidly progressing, and digital image forming apparatuses are mainly used in offices and the like at present. Further, many image forming apparatuses are compatible with not only monochrome printing but also color printing.

  Further, by the above-mentioned digitization, a document file created by application software such as presentation software can be easily printed in an office or the like by an instruction from the information processing apparatus in an external information processing apparatus such as a personal computer (PC). It is supposed to be. If the document file is stored in a Universal Serial Bus (USB: registered trademark, hereinafter the same) memory or the like, the same printing can be performed by reading it by the image forming apparatus.

  However, when the created document file is actually printed, characters and line images may be different from the result displayed on a display device or the like provided in the information processing apparatus. For this reason, the line width adjustment function is added to the printer driver or the like incorporated in the information processing apparatus, which makes it possible to adjust the line width thick.

  Normally, when drawing a line, a line drawing command is used by a PDL (Page Description Language) command included in print data, and the line width is determined by specifying a line width setting value using application software. The line width is adjusted by adding the adjustment value designated by the printer driver to this setting value. However, depending on application software, drawing of a line may not be performed by a line drawing command of PDL, and in such a case, adjustment to increase the line width can not be performed by the printer driver.

  In Patent Document 1, the type of drawing object is determined, and the information of the determined type of object is added to the rendering result obtained by rendering the drawing object in pixel units, and the processing method of the halftone or the type of filter A technique for changing the

  Further, according to Patent Document 2, the input image data and its attribute data are analyzed, and when the image determined as a character is adjacent to a pixel having an attribute other than a character, it is determined to be the contour of the character. Techniques for emphasizing contours are disclosed.

JP 2001-121756 A JP, 2013-239819, A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, only the halftone processing method and the type of filter are changed according to the information on the type of object, and the thickness of characters and lines is not adjusted.

  Further, in the technology described in Patent Document 2, the outline of the character is emphasized only when the image determined as the character is adjacent to the pixel having the attribute other than the character, and the attribute other than the character such as a line Contour emphasis processing is not performed for pixels having a < ' > and contour emphasis processing for attributes specified by the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described actual situation, and its object is to outline the outline of a drawing object of a type desired by the user when outputting bitmap data converted from page description language data It is about making things possible.

In order to solve the above problems, a first technical means of the present invention is an image processing apparatus for outputting bitmap data obtained by converting page description language data, and accepts a selection operation for selecting a type of drawing object. An intermediate data generation unit that generates intermediate data including information on the type of each drawing object in the output target page based on an object selection unit, and an input drawing command included in the page description language data; Based on the obtained intermediate data, a bit map generating unit that generates bit map data of the output target page, and the bit map data based on the intermediate data obtained by the intermediate data generating unit An attribute consisting of attribute information corresponding to each pixel and indicating the type of each pixel An attribute bit map generating unit for generating dot map data; an edge detecting unit for detecting an edge portion of a pixel of a type selected by the object selecting unit from the attribute bit map data obtained by the attribute bit map generating unit; A border adding unit for adding a border to a part or all of the contour portion of the bit map data obtained by the bit map generation unit corresponding to the contour portion detected by the contour detection unit; and the page description A line operation unit that receives a line width change operation for a line drawn by a line drawing command included in language data ; and a width change unit that changes the line width according to the change operation; The type includes a vector graphic, and the vector graphic is selected in the object selection unit and the vector graphic is selected. If the change operation on the operation unit is received, wherein the or cancel the selection of the vector graphic in the object selection unit, or to reduce the cancel or change the width changes in the width changing part.

  A second technical means according to the first technical means, wherein the contour detection unit executes the detection of the contour portion by pattern matching according to a first predetermined pattern, and the border adding unit performs the first detection on the target pixel. It is characterized in that the pixel values of the adjacent pixel group at the position indicated by the two predetermined patterns are used for calculation of the border color and the border position.

  A third technical means further includes a changing unit that changes the border processing in the border adding unit by switching the first predetermined pattern and / or the second predetermined pattern in the second technical means. It is characterized by

  A fourth technical means is characterized in that, in any one of the first to third technical means, bit map data generated by the bit map generation unit is data in RGB format or CMYK format.

  A fifth technical means according to any one of the first to fourth technical means is characterized in that the type of the drawing object includes text, vector graphics and rasters.

A sixth technical means is an image processing method for outputting bit map data obtained by converting page description language data, wherein the object selecting unit receives an selecting operation of selecting a type of drawing object, and intermediate data An intermediate data generation step of generating intermediate data including information on the type of each drawing object in the output target page based on an input drawing command included in the page description language data; A bitmap generation step of generating bitmap data of the output target page based on the intermediate data obtained in the intermediate data generation step; and the intermediate bit obtained in the intermediate data generation step of an attribute bitmap generation unit Based on the data, the bitmap data is Attribute bitmap generation step of generating attribute bitmap data including attribute information indicating the type of each pixel corresponding to each pixel to be extracted, and a contour detection unit obtained in the attribute bitmap generation step A contour detection step of detecting a contour portion of the pixel of the type selected in the object selection step from the attribute bitmap data; and a border adding unit corresponds to the contour portion detected in the contour detection step. A border adding step for adding a border to a part or all of the contour part of the bit map data obtained in the bit map generating step, and a width operation unit are drawn by a line drawing command included in the page description language data for that line, comprising the steps of: accepting an operation of changing the line width, the width change part, Changing the line width according to the change operation, the type of the drawing object includes vector graphics, the vector selection is selected by the object selection unit, and the change operation is performed by the width operation unit. If accepted, the selection of the vector graphic in the object selection unit is canceled, or the change in the width change unit is canceled or the change width is reduced .

A seventh technical means is a program for causing a computer to execute image processing for outputting bit map data obtained by converting page description language data, and the image processing includes a selection operation for selecting a type of drawing object. An intermediate data generation step of generating intermediate data including information on types of drawing objects in the output target page based on an object selection step of receiving, an input drawing command included in the page description language data, and the intermediate data generation step Forming the bit map data on the basis of the intermediate data obtained in the bit data generation step of generating the bit map data of the output target page on the basis of the intermediate data obtained in step b. Corresponding to each pixel It is selected in the object selecting step from an attribute bit map generating step of generating attribute bit map data composed of attribute information indicating the type for each of them, and the attribute bit map data obtained in the attribute bit map generating step. A contour detection step of detecting contour portions of different types of pixels, and a part of contour portions of the bitmap data obtained in the bitmap generation step corresponding to the contour portions detected in the contour detection step Changing the line width in accordance with the changing operation of the line width changing step of the line drawing command including the border drawing step of adding the border to all, the line drawn by the line drawing command included in the page description language data , and the changing operation And the type of the drawing object is When the vector graphic is selected in the object selection unit and the change operation is accepted in the width operation unit, the selection of the vector graphic in the object selection unit is canceled or the width is included. It is characterized in that the change in the change unit is canceled or the change width is reduced .

  According to the present invention, when outputting bitmap data obtained by converting page description language data, it is possible to perform outline on a drawing object of a type desired by the user.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of an image forming apparatus including a part or all of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a system including the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1 and an information processing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram for explaining an example of image processing in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a user interface (UI) image displayed by the information processing apparatus of FIG. 2; FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of attribute data in attribute bitmap data generated in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 2; It is a figure which shows an example of the mask pattern used with the object detection part in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the mask pattern used with the image addition process part in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the image addition process using the mask pattern of FIG. 6B. It is a figure which shows an example of the result of the process which used the mask pattern of FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the image processing method in the image processing apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the object detection / image addition process in the image processing method of FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of the mask pattern used with the object detection part in FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of the mask pattern used with the image addition process part in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the image addition process using the mask pattern of FIG. 9B. It is a figure which shows an example of the result of the process using the mask pattern of FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B. It is a figure which shows an example of UI image displayed on an information processing apparatus in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the UI image which displayed the pull-down menu in UI image of FIG. 10A. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process example in the information processing apparatus in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the other processing example in the information processing apparatus in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the other processing example in the information processing apparatus in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the other processing example in the information processing apparatus in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the other processing example in the information processing apparatus in the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

The image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus for outputting bit map data obtained by converting page description language (PDL) data, and includes all information incorporated in the image forming apparatus and information such as a PC connected to the image forming apparatus. It is possible to incorporate everything into the processing apparatus, or to share functions into the image forming apparatus and the information processing apparatus. Examples of the image forming apparatus include a single function printing apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, a single function copying machine, and a multifunction machine. The above-described multifunction peripheral is, for example, a device having a plurality of types of functions such as an original reading function in a scanner device, a copy function, a print function, and a facsimile (FAX) function.
Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, an image forming apparatus (digital multi-functional peripheral) will be described based on FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of an image forming apparatus including a part or all of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 30 illustrated in FIG. 1 forms a full-color or monochrome image on a sheet (referred to as a sheet Pa) based on image data supplied from a scanner device or the outside of the device (for example, an information processing device such as a PC). Output a sheet (called sheet Pb). Therefore, the image forming apparatus 30 includes an exposure unit 1, developing devices 2 (2a to 2d), photosensitive drums 3 (3a to 3d), cleaning units 4 (4a to 4d), charging rollers 5 (5a to 5d), An intermediate transfer belt unit 8 including primary transfer rollers (intermediate transfer rollers 6a to 6d), a sheet feeding cassette 10, a secondary transfer roller 11, a fixing unit 12, a sheet discharging tray 15, a sheet conveyance path SA, etc. Is equipped. In FIG. 1, the conveyance paths SA and SB are indicated by alternate long and short dashed lines, and the sheet is guided by the predetermined rollers including the conveyance rollers 17-1 to 17-8, but the detailed description will be omitted. . The transport path SB is a switchback transport path used for printing on the back side.

  The image forming apparatus 30 forms an image based on image data corresponding to each of four hues of black (K) and cyan (C), magenta (M) and yellow (Y) which are three primary colors of subtractive color mixture. I do. For example, the image forming apparatus 30 includes the developing device 2a, the photosensitive drum 3a, the cleaning unit 4a, and the charging roller 5a in order to form a black image, and in order to form an image of other three colors. , A similar configuration is provided. These components are arranged in a line as shown in FIG. 1 along the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 7 of the intermediate transfer belt unit 8.

  The charging rollers 5a to 5d are contact type chargers that uniformly charge the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d, which are image carriers, to a predetermined potential. In the present embodiment, the charging roller 5 is used as the charging device, but the charging device used is not limited to the charging roller 5, and, for example, a fur brush, a magnetic brush, or a corona wire is used. It is possible to use a saw-tooth-like one, an ion generator, or the like as long as it imparts a desired charging potential to the photosensitive member.

  The exposure unit 1, which is a laser beam scanning device, includes a semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror, a plurality of reflection mirrors, etc., and is modulated based on image data corresponding to each of black, cyan, magenta and yellow hues. Each of the laser beams is irradiated onto the surface of the corresponding photosensitive drums 3a to 3d. As a result, electrostatic latent images based on image data corresponding to the respective hues of black, cyan, magenta and yellow are formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d. In place of the semiconductor laser, for example, a known write head in which EL (Electro Luminescence), LED (Light Emitting Diode) and the like are arranged in an array may be used.

  The developing devices 2a to 2d respectively supply toners to the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d on which electrostatic latent images are formed, and visualize the electrostatic latent images into toner images which are developer images. Specifically, the developing devices 2a to 2d receive the toner corresponding to the above hue from the supply port of the toner cartridge attached to the upper portion, and the electrostatic corresponding to the hue formed on the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d by this toner The latent image is developed into a toner image corresponding to the hues of black, cyan, magenta and yellow. The toner cartridge is detachably mounted in the vicinity of the top of the developing devices 2a to 2d, and stores toner, which is a developer corresponding to the hues of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. Further, the cleaning units 4a to 4d respectively remove and collect toner remaining on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d after development and image transfer.

  An intermediate transfer belt unit 8 disposed above the photosensitive drum 3 includes an intermediate transfer belt 7, a drive roller 7-1, an intermediate transfer belt tension mechanism 7-3, a driven roller 7-2, and a primary transfer roller. The intermediate transfer rollers 6 (6a to 6d) and a cleaning unit 9 for an intermediate transfer belt are provided. The intermediate transfer belt 7 has a structure in which a film having a thickness of about 100 μm to 150 μm is formed endlessly, and is stretched between the driving roller 7-1 and the driven roller 7-2 and is shown in FIG. Form a loop-like moving path. The outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7 faces the photosensitive drums 3d, 3c, 3b and 3a, and the intermediate transfer belt 7 rotates so as to face each of the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d in this order. Intermediate transfer rollers 6a to 6d are disposed at positions facing the respective photosensitive drums 3a to 3d with the intermediate transfer belt 7 interposed therebetween. These intermediate transfer rollers 6a to 6d are rollers based on a metal (for example, stainless steel) shaft having a diameter of 8 to 10 mm and whose surface is covered with a conductive elastic material (for example, EPDM or urethane foam). It is. A high voltage can be applied uniformly to the intermediate transfer belt 7 by the conductive elastic material. In addition, although the thing of roller shape is used as a transfer electrode here, a brush etc. may be used.

  When a full-color image is to be formed, the toner images carried on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 7 on the primary transfer rollers (intermediate transfer rollers 6a to 6d). A primary transfer bias is applied which is a constant voltage of the charge polarity (−) and the reverse polarity (+). The primary transfer roller is in pressure contact with the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7 at a predetermined nip pressure. By this, the toner images corresponding to the respective hues formed on the photosensitive drums 3a to 3d are transferred so as to be sequentially superimposed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7, and a full color toner image is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7. Is formed. Further, when forming a monochrome image, only the primary transfer roller disposed at the position facing the black photosensitive drum 3a is charged, and the primary transfer roller is disposed at the position facing the other photosensitive drums 3b to 3d. The primary transfer roller is not charged, and is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 7 by a predetermined distance by a predetermined separation mechanism. As a result, only a black toner image is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7.

  The toner image transferred to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7 as described above is conveyed to a position facing the secondary transfer roller 11 by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 7. The secondary transfer roller 11 is in pressure contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7 whose inner peripheral surface is in contact with the peripheral surface of the drive roller 7-1 at the time of image formation with a predetermined nip pressure. In the case of such pressure contact, one of the pair of rollers is made of a hard material such as metal, and the other is made of an elastic material such as an elastic rubber roller or a foamable resin roller.

  On the other hand, the sheet Pa as the recording sheet is pulled out of the sheet feeding cassette 10 or the manual feed tray 18 one by one by the pickup roller (sheet separating roller) 16-1 or 16-2 and fed, and conveyed by the conveyance path SA Be done. Further, the registration roller 14 temporarily holds the sheet Pa being conveyed by the conveyance path SA. Then, the sheet Pa is transferred to the transfer portion (the secondary transfer roller 11 and the drive roller 7-1) in timing so that the leading end position of the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7 is positioned from the Function of conveying to the nipping portion).

  Then, when the sheet Pa passes between the secondary transfer roller 11 and the intermediate transfer belt 7, a high voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied to the sheet Pa by the secondary transfer roller 11. Thus, a full color or monochrome toner image is transferred from the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7 to the surface of the sheet Pa. Among the toner attached to the intermediate transfer belt 7, the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 7 without being transferred onto the sheet Pa is a cleaning provided so as to be in sliding contact with the driven roller 7-2 in order to prevent color mixing. It is collected by the cleaning unit 9 including the blade 9-1.

  The sheet onto which the toner image, which is a full color or monochrome image, has been transferred is guided to the fixing unit 12 and passes between the heating roller 12-1 and the pressure roller 12-2 constituting the fixing unit 12 to be heated and Receive pressure. The heating roller 12-1 is set to have a predetermined fixing temperature by the control unit based on a signal from a temperature detector (not shown). By the operation of the fixing unit 12, the toner image is fixed firmly on the surface of the sheet. The sheet Pb on which the toner image is fixed is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 15 (with the printing surface facing downward) by the conveyance rollers 17-2 and 17-3 which are sheet discharge rollers.

  The image forming operation as described above is performed by a plurality of drive units including an electric motor and gears not shown and a control unit that controls these drive units, and the function of the control unit is not shown, for example. It is realized by a microcomputer that receives information such as a sensor and an operation input unit. Hereinafter, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 30 including the function of the control unit will be described with reference to FIG. Here, an example in which the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is dispersed and incorporated in the information processing apparatus 20 and the image forming apparatus 30 (hereinafter, referred to as embedded example I) will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a system including the image forming apparatus 30 and an information processing apparatus. The system illustrated in FIG. 2 is one in which an image forming apparatus 30 and an information processing apparatus 20 such as an external PC are communicably connected to each other via a network N. The network N includes a LAN (Local Area Network) comprising a predetermined cable (communication line) and a hub, but instead of the LAN, a well-known mutual communication network such as WAN (Wide Area Network) or the Internet or USB connection Communication connection means such as various parallel interfaces may be used.

  The image forming apparatus 30 can receive print data supplied from the information processing apparatus 20 via the network N, and can output an image corresponding to the received print data onto a predetermined sheet.

  Specifically, the print data is a file including PDL data described in a page description language (PDL) interpretable by the image forming apparatus 30. The file includes PJL (Printer Job Language) data including control commands not directly related to image drawing, such as information on selection of a paper feed tray and information on post-processing such as stapling and punching. It should be noted that instead of PJL data, data having an equivalent function can be included in the file, and the equivalent function can be realized by adopting PCL (Printer Control Language) data as PDL data.

  The image forming apparatus 30 includes a printer controller (substrate) 32 including a central processing unit (CPU) 32 d, a memory (semiconductor memory) 32 c, and various interfaces, and a display device such as a liquid crystal display and a touch panel and buttons. An operation display unit 33 including an input device, a hard disk storage device (hereinafter abbreviated as "HDD") 34 including a disk-shaped magnetic storage medium, and an image formed on a sheet and discharging the sheet out of the apparatus And an image forming unit 31.

  The image forming unit 31 receives bitmap data for printing via the video controller 32a, and forms a corresponding image on a predetermined sheet. The detailed configuration of the image forming mechanism in the image forming unit 31 is as described above with reference to FIG.

  The printer controller 32 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a CPU 32 d, a memory 32 c, an operation display interface 32 e that is a connection interface with the operation display unit 33, an HDD interface 32 f that is a connection interface with the HDD 34, and a bitmap described later. Color determination / compression / decompression circuit 32g that performs color determination processing to determine whether data is color and compression / expansion processing to compress or decompress bitmap data, and color conversion processing to convert RGB color space to CMYK color space And a color conversion / halftone processing circuit 32h for performing halftoning, a video controller 32a that is a connection interface with the image forming unit 31, and a network interface 32b for communicating with the information processing apparatus 20 via the network N. And.

  Note that the CPU 32d, a memory 32c consisting of a RAM (Random Access Memory) which is a freely readable and writable memory, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) which is a read only memory, and the various interfaces mentioned above They are connected by a bus, a system bus, or a peripheral bus). The connection by these buses is a known configuration in a general computer, and thus the detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The printer controller 32 forms an image represented by image data read by a scanner device (not shown) optically reading an image of a target document on a predetermined sheet and outputs the image, and an external information processing apparatus The printer 20 has various known functions such as a so-called printer function that forms and outputs print data (image data) received from the page 20 on a predetermined sheet.

  These functions are typically realized by the CPU 32 d executing a predetermined program stored in the ROM of the memory 32 c or expanded in the RAM. Here, the program is provided, for example, by a recording medium such as a CD-ROM in which the program is recorded. That is, the recording medium of the program is mounted on a recording medium drive (not shown) built in the image forming apparatus 30 as an auxiliary storage device, and the program is read from the recording medium and installed in the HDD 34. In addition, the program may be provided via a recording medium other than a CD-ROM or a communication line. Then, when a predetermined operation for starting the image forming apparatus 30 is performed, a predetermined program installed in the HDD 34 is transferred to the RAM, developed there, and executed by the CPU 32 d. Thereby, the above-mentioned various functions are realized.

  Next, main features of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram for explaining an example of image processing (processing for printing PDL data) in the image forming apparatus 30, and FIG. 4 is an example of a user interface (UI) image displayed on the information processing apparatus 20. FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of attribute data in attribute bitmap data generated by the attribute bitmap generation unit 46 of the image forming apparatus 30. As shown in FIG.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is an apparatus that outputs bitmap data obtained by converting PDL data as described above, and includes an object selection unit, an intermediate data generation unit, a bitmap generation unit, and an attribute bitmap generation described later. The main feature is to provide a part, a contour detection part, and a border addition part.

  In the embedded example I, the object selection unit is provided in the information processing apparatus 20 so as to display a UI image for selection and receive a user operation on the UI image. The intermediate data generation unit 44, the bitmap generation unit 45, the attribute bitmap generation unit 46, and the object are provided for the intermediate data generation unit, the bitmap generation unit, the attribute bitmap generation unit, the contour detection unit, and the border addition unit, respectively. An example in which the detection unit 51 and the image addition processing unit 52 are provided in the image forming apparatus 30 will be described. As described above, in the case of the built-in example I, the above-described feature is included in the above-described printer function of the image forming apparatus 30 except for the object selection unit. Roughly explaining, the above-mentioned feature is to perform object detection processing and image addition processing on PDL data given from the information processing apparatus 20 via the network N, and printing of image data after these processing is It will be executed.

  Each part mentioned above is explained. First, the object selection unit displays a UI image such as the UI image 21 of FIG. 4 at a portion that receives a selection operation for selecting the type (type) of the drawing object to which the user wants to perform the border processing. Accept user operation. The information processing apparatus 20 transmits information indicating the selected type to the printer controller 32 of the image forming apparatus 30 via the network N together with the print job.

  The UI image 21 is an image displayed when a print instruction is issued, and includes, for example, a selection field 22, an OK button 23, a cancel button 24, and an application button 25. The selection field 22 is a field for selecting the type that the user wants to carry out the edging process from among characters, vector graphics and rasters, and a check box for selection is provided. The OK button 23 is a button for accepting processing in a selected or non-selected state to hide the UI image 21. The cancel button 24 is a button for canceling the selection process to hide the UI image 21. The apply button 25 is a button for reflecting the state of selection or non-selection. As exemplified here, the types of drawing objects to be subjected to the outline processing preferably include text, vector graphics, and rasters.

  The image forming apparatus 30 includes, for example, a PDL interpreter 40, an image control unit 50, and a print control unit 60 shown in FIG. 3 for various processes until printing PDL data received from the information processing apparatus 20. The PDL interpreter 40 generates intermediate data by receiving and interpreting PDL data, and generates bitmap data for printing and attribute bitmap data indicating attribute information of each pixel. The image control unit 50 receives the bitmap data generated by the PDL interpreter 40, compresses the image data, and stores the compressed data in the HDD 34. The print control unit 60 performs control to print the stored image data.

  The processing contents will be specifically described. First, the PDL interpreter 40 includes an input interface unit 41, a reception buffer 42, a command analysis unit 43, an intermediate data generation unit 44, a bitmap generation unit 45, and an attribute bitmap generation unit 46. As described above, these programs consist of predetermined programs, but some or all of them may consist of predetermined hardware.

  The input interface unit 41 temporarily stores a file including PDL data sent from the information processing apparatus 20 in the reception buffer 42. The file including the PDL data stored in the reception buffer 42 is passed to the command analysis unit 43. The command analysis unit 43 sequentially extracts and analyzes PDL commands included in the PDL data.

  The intermediate data generation unit 44 generates intermediate data including information on the type of each drawing object in the output target page based on the input drawing command (PDL command) included in the PDL data. For example, the intermediate data generation unit 44 receives the analyzed PDL command, and generates known intermediate data for printing classified in band data units to be generated based on the PDL command. In the intermediate data, data for configuring an object (drawing object) representing an object to be drawn and its attribute (type of drawing object, coordinates, etc.) are described.

  The bitmap generation unit 45 generates bitmap data (bitmap image) of the output target page based on the intermediate data obtained by the intermediate data generation unit 44. The bitmap data generated by the bitmap generation unit 45 is preferably data that is generally used, and thus is preferably data in RGB format or CMYK format. For example, the bitmap generation unit 45 generates 8-bit bitmap data of each color of RGB or CMYK from the intermediate data.

  The attribute bitmap generation unit 46 is an attribute that corresponds to each pixel that constitutes the bitmap data based on the intermediate data obtained by the intermediate data generation unit 44 and indicates the type of each pixel. Attribute bitmap data (attribute bitmap image) composed of information is generated. This attribute bit map data is, for example, 2-bit data for each pixel described using the attribute data 47 shown in FIG. The attribute data 47 defines 2-bit values for each type of drawing object. The attribute bitmap data describes the value (one of the values "00", "01", "10", and "11") indicated by the attribute information described in the intermediate data for each pixel of the intermediate data. It becomes a thing.

  The image control unit 50 includes an object detection unit 51, an image addition processing unit 52, a bitmap data compression unit 53, and an image storage processing unit 54. The object detection unit 51 (the contour detection unit) detects the contour portion of the pixel of the type selected by the object selection unit from the attribute bitmap data obtained by the attribute bitmap generation unit 46. That is, the object detection unit 51 detects, from the attribute bitmap data generated by the PDL interpreter 40, a drawing object specified at the time of print instruction.

  The image addition processing unit 52 (the above-mentioned border addition unit) performs bordering on a part or all of the contour part of the bitmap data obtained by the bitmap generation unit 45 corresponding to the contour part detected by the object detection unit 51. Add For example, the image addition processing unit 52 changes the density of the pixel based on the bitmap data at the coordinates detected by the object detection unit 51 and the density information of the adjacent image data, and the attribute bitmap of the changed bitmap data Change attribute information of.

  The bitmap data compression unit 53 individually compresses the bitmap data and the attribute bitmap data by a compression method suitable for each bitmap, and the image storage processing unit 54 stores them in the HDD 34.

  The print control unit 60 includes an image reading unit 61, a bit map decompression unit 62, a color conversion / halftone processing unit 63, and a print processing unit 64. When one page of data is stored by the image storage processing unit 54, the image reading unit 61 reads out from the HDD 34 the bitmap data of the page to be printed, the attribute bitmap data, and various information necessary for printing. .

  At this time, various information is set to the video controller 32 a included in the print processing unit 64. When the operation mode set in the video controller 32a is a color mode, the image forming unit 31 is set to operate in the color mode by transmitting a command for operating the image forming unit 31 in the color mode.

  The bit map expanding section 62 individually expands the read out compressed bit map data and attribute bit map data read by the color determination / compression expansion circuit 32g, and the color conversion / halftoning section 63 extracts each color of CMYK four colors. And transfer to the video controller 32a. When a transfer request for image data is issued from the image forming unit 31, the video controller 32 a transmits image data of each color of CMYK to the image forming unit 31 in accordance with a predetermined synchronization signal.

  Hereinafter, such processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6D by taking a specific example of an image. 6A shows an example of a mask pattern used by the object detection unit 51, FIG. 6B shows an example of a mask pattern used by the image addition processing unit 52, and FIG. 6C shows the mask pattern of FIG. 6B. FIG. 6D is a diagram showing an example of the image addition process performed, and FIG. 6D is a diagram showing an example of the result of the process using the mask pattern of FIGS. 6A and 6B.

  Here, the object detection unit 51 performs detection of the contour portion by pattern matching using a first predetermined pattern, and the image addition processing unit 52 detects an adjacent pixel group at a position indicated by the second predetermined pattern with respect to the pixel of interest. The pixel values of are used for the calculation of the border color and the border position. By applying such processing, processing can be simplified and processing speed can be increased.

  The mask pattern 71 illustrated in FIG. 6A is an example of the first predetermined pattern handled by the object detection unit 51, and a target pixel of attribute bitmap data is C_TAG, and a pixel adjacent to the target pixel C_TAG is R_TAG. Express. Similarly, the lower adjacent pixel is expressed as B_TAG.

  The mask pattern 72 illustrated in FIG. 6B is an example of the second predetermined pattern handled by the image addition processing unit 52, and the pixel of interest of bitmap data is C_PIX, and the pixel adjacent to the pixel of interest C_PIX is R_PIX. Express. Similarly, the lower adjacent pixel is represented as B_PIX, and the lower right adjacent pixel is represented as BR_PIX.

  In FIG. 6C, density change processing (pixel addition processing) is performed using the mask pattern 72 in the image addition processing unit 52 for the density value 73 of four pixels corresponding to the mask pattern 72 and the target pixel among these four pixels. The concentration value 74 of the applied result is illustrated. In this example, the density value takes values from 0 to 255, with 0 being black and 255 being white (RGB color space). First, the image addition processing unit 52 calculates the minimum value from three pixels other than the target pixel (upper left). In the example of the density value 73, since it is 255, 0, 0, 0 becomes the minimum value. Then, when the pixel of interest is larger than the minimum value, the image addition processing unit 52 replaces the pixel of interest with the minimum value. In the example of the density value 73, 255 (target pixel)> 0 (minimum value), and the target pixel is set to 0 as indicated by the density value 74.

  The result will be described using the case where the border addition object is a character as an example. In the example of FIG. 6D, the border 75b is applied to the letter "A" (the part before the border is the part of the letter 75a) and becomes like the letter 75. In this example, the border 75b is shown in another color to make it easy to understand, but in the above example, since the character 75a is black, the border 75b is also black. It is also possible to carry out processing as exemplified by the border 75b in another color, in which case the target pixel may be added by a predetermined value instead of being replaced with the minimum value.

  Next, focusing on object detection / image addition processing among the above processing, an example of processing in the image forming apparatus 30 including these processing will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. Do. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the image processing method in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of object detection / image addition processing in the image processing method of FIG. FIG.

  In FIG. 7, the top of PDL data sent from the host includes the object type information selected in FIG. 3, and the information is stored (step S1). Next, the command is analyzed by the PDL interpreter (step S2). An intermediate code is generated according to the PDL command (step S3), and steps S2 to S4 are repeated until analysis of one page is completed (step S4). When intermediate data for one page is generated, RGB bitmap data is generated from the intermediate code (step S5), and attribute bitmap data is generated from the intermediate code as in the case (step S5).

  Next, object detection / image addition processing is performed from each bit map generated in steps S5 and S6 (step S7). For details, referring to FIG. 8, first, the top pixel of the attribute bitmap is set to the target pixel C_TAG shown in FIG. 6A (step S11). Next, the target pixel C_TAG, the pixel R_TAG on the right side, and the B_TAG on the lower side are referred to, and it is checked whether or not the attribute specified in step S1 matches (step S12). If NO in step S12 (if it does not match the specified attribute), the process proceeds to step S18. In step S18, it is determined whether or not the attribute data is the last data. If NO, the process returns to step S11, and the next attribute data is set to the target pixel C_TAG.

  On the other hand, if YES in step S12 (if it matches the designated attribute), the bitmap data at the same position as the target pixel C_TAG of the attribute data is set in the target pixel C_PIX shown in FIG. The minimum value is calculated from the three pixels R_PIX, L_PIX, and BR_PIX (step S13).

  Next, the minimum value calculated in step S13 is compared with the value of C_PIX (step S14). If C_PIX is smaller than the minimum value (in the case of NO), the process proceeds to step S18. Also here, if the attribute data is not the last data, the process returns to step S11, and the next attribute data is set to the target pixel C_TAG. If YES in step S14, that is, if C_PIX is larger than the minimum value, the minimum value is set to C_PIX (step S15). Next, it is checked whether C_TAG is a designated attribute (step S16).

  In the case of YES at step S16, that is, in the case of the attribute in which C_TAG is designated, the process proceeds to step S18. If NO in step S16, that is, if C_TAG is not the designated attribute, the designated attribute information is set in C_TAG (step S17), and the process proceeds to step S18. In any case, if the attribute data is not the last data, the process returns to step S11, and the next attribute data is set to the target pixel C_TAG. If the attribute data is the last data, the object detection / image addition process is ended.

  After such object detection / image addition processing, RGB bitmap data, attribute data bitmap data, each color flag, gray print setting, and information necessary for printing are stored in the HDD 34 (step S8). Finally, print processing is executed on the stored data (step S9), and the processing is ended.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when outputting bitmap data obtained by converting PDL data, pixels in an outline portion of an image with respect to a drawing object of a type desired by the user, such as characters, vector graphics, rasters, etc. Can be added (that is, the outline can be bordered), whereby the thickness of characters and line widths can be changed and printed. Also, the border can be added simultaneously to a plurality of types of drawing objects by the user specifying a plurality of types of drawing objects (for example, characters and rasters).

  As mentioned above, although the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment has been described with reference to the embedded example I, when all the image processing apparatuses are included in the information processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as embedded example II) When all the functions of the image processing apparatus are incorporated, the image processing apparatus including the image processing apparatus transmits the image data after border addition to a general image forming apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus. You just have to print. On the other hand, when all the image processing apparatuses are included in the image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as embedded example III), the operation selection of the object is displayed for the image data read by the scanner apparatus provided in the image forming apparatus. It suffices to accept by the section 33 and add a border.

Second Embodiment
The second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9A to 9D, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment, but various application examples described in the first embodiment will be described. Is also applicable. 9A shows another example of the mask pattern used in the object detection unit in FIG. 4, FIG. 9B shows another example of the mask pattern used in the image addition processing unit in FIG. FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams showing an example of the image addition process using the mask pattern of FIG. 9B, and FIG. 9D is a diagram showing an example of the result of the process using the mask pattern of FIGS.

  Unlike the example of FIG. 6D, it is also possible to border on the entire periphery of the drawing object, for example by using another pattern as the first predetermined pattern and / or the second predetermined pattern. Although one such example is given in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this.

  The mask pattern 81 illustrated in FIG. 9A is another example of the first predetermined pattern handled by the object detection unit 51, and a pixel of interest of attribute bitmap data is C_TAG, and a pixel adjacent to the right of the pixel of interest C_TAG is R_TAG, a pixel adjacent to the left side of the target pixel C_TAG is expressed as L_TAG. Similarly, the lower adjacent pixel is expressed as B_TAG, and the upper adjacent pixel is expressed as T_TAG.

  The mask pattern 82 illustrated in FIG. 9B is another example of the second predetermined pattern handled by the image addition processing unit 52, and the pixel of interest of bitmap data is C_PIX, and the pixel adjacent to the right of the pixel of interest C_PIX is R_PIX, the pixel adjacent on the left is expressed as L_PIX. Similarly, the lower adjacent pixel is expressed as B_PIX, and the upper adjacent pixel is expressed as T_PIX.

  In FIG. 9C, density change processing (pixel addition processing) is performed using the mask pattern 82 in the image addition processing unit 52 for the density value 83 of five pixels corresponding to the mask pattern 82 and the target pixel among these five pixels. The concentration value 84 of the applied result is illustrated. In this example, the density value takes values from 0 to 255, where 0 is white and 255 is black (CMYK color space). First, the image addition processing unit 52 calculates the maximum value from four pixels other than the target pixel (center). In the example of the density value 83, since it is 0, 0, 0, 255, 255 is the maximum value. Then, when the pixel of interest is smaller than the maximum value, the image addition processing unit 52 replaces the pixel of interest with the maximum value. In the example of the density value 83, 0 (target pixel) <255 (maximum value), and the target pixel is set to 255 as indicated by the density value 84.

  The result will be described using the case where the border addition object is a character as an example. In the example of FIG. 9D, the border 85b is applied to the letter "A" (the part before the border is the part of the letter 85a) to become like the letter 85. In this example, the border 85b is shown in another color to make it easy to understand, but in the above example, since the character 85a is black, the border 85b is also black. It is also possible to carry out processing as exemplified by the border 85b in another color, in which case the target pixel may be subtracted by a predetermined value instead of being replaced with the maximum value. As described above, the position (the number of pixels) of the pixel to be added can be changed by using different mask patterns or the like.

Third Embodiment
The image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment performs the border processing in the border adding unit (image adding processing unit 52) by switching the first predetermined pattern and / or the second predetermined pattern (mask pattern to be used). It further comprises a change unit to change.

  For example, the user may select a first predetermined pattern desired by the user from the mask pattern 71 of FIG. 6A and the mask pattern 81 of FIG. 9A, and / or the user from the mask pattern 72 of FIG. 6B and the mask pattern 82 of FIG. It is possible to select a second predetermined pattern desired by the user. As a result of this, the result of the border processing becomes different. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to add pixels at the position and size desired by the user, that is, to allow the user to desire the thickness of characters and line widths. It can be said that it can be adjusted.

  In the case of incorporation example I, the change unit causes the information processing apparatus 20 to display a UI image for change, accepts a user operation, and includes the changed information in a job (for example, in PJL data). Then, the information may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30, and the image forming apparatus 30 may reflect on the border processing. In the case of the incorporation example II, the change unit may cause the information processing apparatus to display a UI image for change, receive a user operation, and reflect it in the border processing. In the case of the incorporation example III, the change unit may cause the operation display unit 33 or the like to display a UI image for change, receive a user operation, and reflect it in the border processing.

Fourth Embodiment
The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment with reference to FIGS. 10A to 11E in combination, but various ones described in the first to third embodiments will be described. Application examples are also applicable. FIG. 10A is a view showing an example of a UI image displayed by the information processing apparatus 20 in the present embodiment, FIG. 10B is a view showing an example of a UI image in which a pull-down menu is displayed in the UI image of FIG. FIG. 11E is a flowchart for explaining various processing examples in the information processing apparatus 20 in the present embodiment.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, a width operation unit that receives a line width change operation and a line width change unit that changes the line width according to the line width change operation for a line drawn by a line drawing command included in PDL data And further comprising Here, a built-in example II in which the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is entirely incorporated in the information processing apparatus 20 will be described. The width operation unit and the width change unit may be incorporated in the printer driver on the information processing apparatus 20 side.

  The width operation unit displays, for example, the UI image 101 illustrated in FIG. 10A on the display unit of the information processing apparatus 20 and receives an operation on the UI image 101 as in the case of displaying the UI image and receiving the operation in the object selection unit. The UI image 101 is an image displayed when a print instruction is issued, and includes a line width adjustment field 102 having a pull-down menu selection button 102 a for line width adjustment. When the user selects the pull-down menu selection button 102a, as shown in FIG. 10B, the pull-down menu 102b is displayed, and the user can select a desired adjustment range. In this example, it is possible to select the width from among the normal line width (0) setting to increase the line width (+1, +2) and the narrow setting (−1, −2). The OK button 103, the cancel button 104, and the apply button 105 are the same as the OK button 23, the cancel button 24, and the apply button 25 in FIG. 4, respectively.

  In the information processing apparatus 20, the width change unit transmits the information indicating the adjustment width received in the UI image 101 to the printer controller 32 of the normal image forming apparatus via the network N together with the print job. Set the change. As a result, the line width can be adjusted in accordance with the settings in a normal image forming apparatus. Specifically, the line thickness can be changed when converting PDL data into a bitmap for an object indicated by a line drawing command.

  However, since the attribute of the line image after conversion to bitmap is taken as the bitmap attribute of "vector graphic", if "vector graphic" is checked in the UI image 21 of FIG. 4, the line object The line image of is also bordered on the outline and drawn thick. Therefore, for example, when the line width is set to be as thick as +1 in FIG. 10B and “vector graphic” is checked, there is a possibility that the drawing line of the line object becomes too thick.

  In order to prevent such a situation, the image processing apparatus exemplified by the information processing apparatus 20 in the present embodiment is configured such that the object selection unit is selected when the vector graphic is selected by the object selection unit and the change operation is accepted by the width operation unit. Cancel the selection of the vector graphic in or cancel the change in the width change unit or reduce the change width. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the type of drawing object to be selected by the object selection unit includes vector graphics.

Such a specific processing example will be described.
For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, the information processing apparatus 20 determines whether “vector graphic” is checked (step S21), and determines “YES” at the time of YES when the line width changing operation is performed. (Step S22) Only in the case of YES, the change of the line width is canceled and returned to 0 (Step S23). Conversely, as shown in FIG. 11B, the information processing apparatus 20 determines whether or not the line width has been changed (step S31), and when YES is determined, whether "vector graphic" is checked or not The determination may be made (step S32), and the vector graphic may be unchecked (step S33) only when the determination is YES.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11C, the information processing apparatus 20 determines whether "vector graphic" is checked (step S41), and determines whether the line width is changed only in the case of YES. (Step S42) Only in the case of YES, the user is warned by displaying a dialog as to whether or not the change is to be canceled (Step S43). The information processing apparatus 20 may determine whether the user desires to cancel the change and perform such an operation (step S44), and in the case of YES, the line width change may be canceled and returned to 0. . Conversely, as shown in FIG. 11D, the information processing apparatus 20 determines whether or not the line width has been changed (step S51), and determines whether or not "vector graphic" is checked only in the case of YES. (Step S52) Only in the case of YES, the user's attention is drawn by displaying a dialog as to whether or not the check is to be canceled (Step S53). The information processing apparatus 20 determines whether the user desires to cancel the check and performs such an operation (step S54), and in the case of YES, makes the vector graphic unchecked (step S55). May be

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11E, on the assumption that the line width is changed, the information processing apparatus 20 determines whether or not “vector graphic” is checked (step S61). The numerical value may be changed (step S62) so as to make it thinner. For example, the line width may be reduced from 1 to 0, 0 to -1, and so on. Also in this case, as shown in FIG. 11C and FIG. 11D, the user may be warned by displaying a dialog.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment has been described above with reference to the example II. However, a group in which the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is dispersed and incorporated into the information processing apparatus 20 and the image forming apparatus 30 The same applies to the embedded example I and the embedded example III in which the image forming apparatus includes all the image processing apparatuses. In the case of the embedded example III, object selection and line width change may be accepted by the operation display unit 33 or the like for the file of the image data read by the image forming apparatus.

(Others)
As described in the first to fourth embodiments, as the flow of processing in the image processing apparatus installed in the image forming apparatus and / or the information processing apparatus, the present invention outputs bitmap data obtained by converting PDL data. An embodiment as an image processing method and an embodiment as a program for causing a computer such as a control unit of an image processing apparatus to execute the image processing method can also be adopted.

  In the image processing method, the object selecting unit receives an selecting operation for selecting the type of drawing object, and the intermediate data generating unit generates an output target page based on an input drawing command included in the PDL data. An intermediate data generation step of generating intermediate data including information on the type of each drawing object, and a bitmap generation unit, based on the intermediate data obtained in the intermediate data generation step, bitmap data of the output target page And an attribute bitmap generation unit corresponding to each pixel constituting the bitmap data based on the intermediate data obtained in the intermediate data generation step, and for each pixel Attribute attribute information indicating the above type of The contour portion of the pixel of the type selected in the object selecting step is selected from the attribute bit map data obtained in the attribute bit map generating step of generating attribute map data and the contour detecting unit in the attribute bit map generating step. A part or all of the contour portion of the bit map data obtained in the bit map generating step, wherein the edge detecting step to detect and the edge adding unit correspond to the edge portion detected in the edge detecting step, And edging steps of adding edging. The other application examples are as described in the first to fourth embodiments, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The program is a program for causing a computer to execute image processing for outputting bitmap data obtained by converting PDL data. The image processing is an intermediate process including an object selection step of receiving a selection operation for selecting the type of drawing object, and information on the type of each drawing object in the output target page based on the input drawing command included in the PDL data. Obtained at the intermediate data generation step of generating data, at the bit map generation step of generating bitmap data of the output target page based on the intermediate data obtained at the intermediate data generation step; An attribute bitmap generating step of generating attribute bitmap data corresponding to each pixel constituting the bitmap data and including attribute information indicating the type of each pixel based on the intermediate data; The above attribute bitmap generation procedure A contour detection step of detecting a contour portion of the pixel of the type selected in the object selection step from the attribute bitmap data obtained in step b), and the contour portion corresponding to the contour portion detected in the contour detection step And a border adding step for adding a border to part or all of the contour portion of the bitmap data obtained in the bitmap generation step. The other application examples are as described in the first to fourth embodiments, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In addition, it is possible to easily understand the form as a computer readable recording medium (non-temporary recording medium) recording the various forms of programs described above. The computer is not limited to a general-purpose PC, and various types of computers such as a microcomputer functioning as a control unit of an image forming apparatus as described above, and a programmable general-purpose integrated circuit / chipset can be applied. Examples of the recording medium include various media such as an optical disc such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a memory card, and a hard disk. Moreover, these programs can be distributed not only through a portable recording medium, but also through a network such as the Internet or through a broadcast wave. “Receiving via a network” means receiving by downloading or the like a program recorded in a storage device or the like of an external server device.

N: Network, 20: Information processing device, 21: UI image, 22: Selection column, 23: OK button, 24: Cancel button, 25: Application button, 30: Image forming device, 31: Image forming unit, 32: Printer Controller, 32a: Video controller, 32b: Network interface, 32c: Memory, 32d: CPU, 32e: Operation display unit interface, 32f: HDD interface, 32g: color determination / compression / expansion circuit, 32h: color conversion / halftone processing circuit 33: operation display unit 34: HDD 40: PDL interpreter 41: input interface unit 42: reception buffer 43: command analysis unit 44: intermediate data generation unit 45: bitmap generation unit 46: attribute Bit map generation unit, 47 ... attribute data, 50 ... image control unit, 1 object detection unit 52 image addition processing unit 53 bitmap data compression unit 54 image storage processing unit 60 print control unit 61 image reading unit 62 bitmap expansion unit 63 color Conversion / halftone processing unit, 64 ... print processing unit.

Claims (7)

An image processing apparatus for outputting bit map data obtained by converting page description language data, comprising:
An object selection unit that receives a selection operation for selecting a type of drawing object;
An intermediate data generation unit that generates intermediate data including information on types of drawing objects in the output target page based on an input drawing command included in the page description language data;
A bitmap generating unit that generates bitmap data of the output target page based on the intermediate data obtained by the intermediate data generating unit;
Based on the intermediate data obtained by the intermediate data generation unit, attribute bitmap data corresponding to each pixel constituting the bitmap data and including attribute information indicating the type of each pixel is generated. Attribute bitmap generator,
A contour detection unit for detecting a contour portion of a pixel of a type selected by the object selection unit from the attribute bitmap data obtained by the attribute bitmap generation unit;
A border adding unit for adding a border to a part or all of the contour portion of the bitmap data obtained by the bitmap generation unit, which corresponds to the contour portion detected by the contour detection unit;
A width operation unit that receives a line width change operation for a line drawn by a line drawing command included in the page description language data ;
And a width change unit that changes the line width according to the change operation.
The type of drawing object includes vector graphics,
When the vector graphic is selected by the object selection unit and the change operation is accepted by the width operation unit, the selection of the vector graphic by the object selection unit is canceled or the change by the width change unit is made. An image processing apparatus that cancels or reduces the change width . The contour detection unit executes detection of the contour portion by pattern matching according to a first predetermined pattern,
The image according to claim 1, wherein the border adding unit uses pixel values of a group of adjacent pixels at a position indicated by a second predetermined pattern for calculating a border color and a border position with respect to a pixel of interest. Processing unit.   The image processing according to claim 2, further comprising: a changing unit configured to change the border processing in the border adding unit by switching the first predetermined pattern and / or the second predetermined pattern. apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bitmap data generated by the bitmap generation unit is data in RGB format or CMYK format.   The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the type of the drawing object includes text, vector graphics, and a raster. An image processing method for outputting bit map data obtained by converting page description language data, comprising:
An object selection step in which the object selection unit receives a selection operation of selecting a type of drawing object;
An intermediate data generation step of generating intermediate data including information on the type of each drawing object in the output target page based on an input drawing command included in the page description language data;
A bitmap generation step of generating bitmap data of the output target page based on the intermediate data obtained in the intermediate data generation step;
An attribute bit map generation unit comprises attribute information corresponding to each pixel constituting the bit map data and indicating the type of each pixel based on the intermediate data obtained in the intermediate data generation step. An attribute bitmap generation step of generating attribute bitmap data;
An edge detecting step of detecting an edge portion of a pixel of a type selected in the object selecting step from the attribute bitmap data obtained in the attribute bit map generating step;
A border adding step for adding a border to a part or all of the contour part of the bitmap data obtained in the bit map generation step corresponding to the contour part detected in the contour detection step When,
A step of the width operation unit receiving a line width change operation for a line drawn by a line drawing command included in the page description language data ;
And a width changing unit changing the line width in accordance with the changing operation.
The type of drawing object includes vector graphics,
When the vector graphic is selected by the object selection unit and the change operation is accepted by the width operation unit, the selection of the vector graphic by the object selection unit is canceled or the change by the width change unit is made. An image processing method characterized by canceling or reducing the change width . It is a program for performing the image processing which outputs the bitmap data which converted page description language data to a computer, Comprising: The said image processing is
An object selection step of receiving a selection operation for selecting a type of drawing object;
An intermediate data generation step of generating intermediate data including information on types of drawing objects in the output target page based on an input drawing command included in the page description language data;
A bitmap generation step of generating bitmap data of the output target page based on the intermediate data obtained in the intermediate data generation step;
Based on the intermediate data obtained in the intermediate data generation step, attribute bit map data corresponding to each pixel constituting the bit map data and including attribute information indicating the type of each pixel is generated. Attribute bitmap generation step,
An edge detecting step of detecting an edge portion of a pixel of a type selected in the object selecting step from the attribute bit map data obtained in the attribute bit map generating step;
Applying a border to a part or all of the contour part of the bit map data obtained in the bit map generation step, which corresponds to the contour part detected in the contour detection step;
Accepting a line width change operation for a line drawn by a line drawing command included in the page description language data ;
Changing the line width according to the changing operation;
The type of drawing object includes vector graphics,
When the vector graphic is selected by the object selection unit and the change operation is accepted by the width operation unit, the selection of the vector graphic by the object selection unit is canceled or the change by the width change unit is made. A program characterized by canceling or reducing the change width .

Images