JPH02228654A - Scanner system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To avoid the deterioration of image quality by enlarging or reducing mask information for special processing so that new mask information may be formed and performing it to image information if necessary. CONSTITUTION:The Fourier transform of the image information outputted from a color scanner 1 is performed and the information is registered as data base in an optical disk 10 after the mask information for the special processing and the attribute information are added to the information. In a layout scanner system, when the image information of a color photograph being an original is registered as the data base, it is registered in a state where the mask information for the special processing for specifying an area where image processing is performed, the attribute information and additional information are added to the information. Furthermore, whether the special processing must be performed or need not is decided, and the mask information for the special processing registered in the optical disk 10 is enlarged or reduced so as to form the new mask information and perform the special processing in the case that the special processing must be performed. Thus, the processing for an area where the processing need not be performed is eliminated and the deterioration of the image quality is avoided.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a layout scanner system used for plate making of manuscripts such as color photographs, and is particularly concerned with a layout scanner system that is optimized for output conditions and has little quality deterioration. This invention relates to a scanner system that can efficiently obtain images.

[Prior Art] Currently, in the field of plate making, layout scanner systems have been developed and put into practical use when making plates of manuscripts such as color photographs. This layout scanner system has an editing function that can output one or more images in a desired layout on one film. This type of layout scanner system is sold by many manufacturers.
This is an extremely innovative plate-making system.

Its common uses include, for example, special processing such as erasing acne, wrinkles, etc. from human images, and plate making (block collection). Additionally, although color photo printing is generally treated as a temporary process, catalogs, pamphlets, leaflets, etc.
Perform image processing such as reduction, rotation, etc., or reuse by changing cropping.

Often reused. In general, the former is often referred to as a collection work, and the latter is referred to as a database-based prepress work.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] By the way, commonly used (appropriated, reused) color photographs can be saved and reused on external recording media such as magnetic tapes and magnetic disks. When reusing (
When operating a database), changing the image size (
Image enlargement/reduction, etc.) processing is involved. In this case, when considering deterioration from the aspect of image quality, the first thing to consider is the deterioration of the image information itself during enlargement/reduction, but by determining the scaling method according to the enlargement/reduction ratio (%), It is possible to maintain a certain level of quality in an economical time.

The next important thing is the quality of the image after halftone dotting. Here, moiré (interference fringes) and jaggies (step-like backlashes) are particularly problematic. In order to eliminate moiré and jaggies in current layout scanner systems, many of them directly perform special processing (various image processing) on image information when registering it in a database. According to this method, when the magnification ratio is close to 100% when reusing (operating) an image after registering it in a database, the same quality as the printed matter at the time of registration can be obtained;
If the image size is significantly different from 0% (for example, 20% or 200%), moiré or jaggies may appear on the printed matter (these are caused by changing the image size, causing the halftone dots to collide with the pattern (moiré)) , caused by small jaggies becoming enlarged and noticeable).

Further, when the magnification ratio is large, it is possible that the blur becomes larger than necessary. It is believed that by solving these problems, the layout scanner system can become a truly effective system.

On the other hand, some recent layout scanner systems have only a cut-out mask, and the mask body can also be scaled according to the image, but they are not suitable for so-called special processing (various image processing). Since it is not registered, it does not have any particular attribute information (including additional information if necessary).

For this reason, for example, in the case of image information such as an air conditioner (one with many straight lines and a fine pattern) as shown in Figure 2 (a), it is necessary to prevent moiré and jaggies from being output, or to remove them if they appear. In many cases, images are corrected and registered in the database so that they do not appear. According to such a layout scanner system, the same conditions (application: prepress or CD-printing) as when registering in the database are used.
I.

When using images on CD-ROM, VIDEO, 1x resolution, etc.), images with stable quality can be obtained; however, if this is not the case, image information captured from a scanner cannot be used. It may even happen that it is better to register and use the image as is than to perform image processing and then register and use it. The reason for this is that the image processing to be performed cannot be optimized unless it matches the operational conditions, and once image processing is performed, it is difficult to restore the image information captured from the scanner. This can be mentioned.

The present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to efficiently obtain an image with little quality deterioration that is optimized for the output conditions, and also allows for easy application to other media. The purpose is to provide a scanner system that can perform

[Means for Solving the Problem] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes an image input means for inputting an image of a document, color-separating the image information, and outputting the image information; A storage means for separately registering image information, mask information for special processing for specifying an area for image processing, and its attribute information as a database, and storage means for registering image information, enlargement/reduction magnification at the time of image registration, and diversion of one image ( A function that determines whether special processing is necessary based on the magnification/reduction magnification during operation) and attribute information, and if special processing is necessary as a result of the determination, a function for special processing. It has the function of enlarging/reducing mask information to create new mask information, applying special processing indicated by the attribute information to the image information in consideration of the conditions at the time of image reuse (operation), and outputting it to the output target. It is equipped with an image processing means for output.

[Function] Therefore, in the scanner system of the present invention, when registering image information as a database, mask information for special processing for specifying an area for image processing and its attribute information are added and separately stored. When registering and reusing (operating) an image registered as a database, please check the enlargement/reduction magnification at the time of image registration and the reuse (operation) of the image.
Determines whether special processing is necessary using the time enlargement/reduction magnification and attribute information, and if necessary, enlarges/reduces the mask information for special processing and creates new mask information. By applying the special processing indicated in the attribute information to the image information, taking into consideration the conditions at the time of image reuse (operation), processing in areas where special processing is unnecessary can be deleted and image quality deterioration can be prevented. It is possible to avoid this.

[Embodiment] In the present invention, when image information is registered as a database, mask information for special processing for specifying an area for image processing and its attribute information are added and registered separately. In other words, when registering image information as a database, mask information for special processing and its attribute information are added and registered as a database, and when the image is reused (operated), the enlargement/reduction magnification at the time of image registration and Determine whether or not special processing is necessary using the enlargement/reduction magnification and attribute information when reusing (using) the image, and if necessary, enlarge or reduce the mask information for special processing. new mask information is created, special processing indicated by the attribute information is applied to the image information in consideration of the conditions at the time of diversion (use) of the image, and the image information is output to the output target.

An embodiment of the present invention based on the above concept will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of output when the present invention is applied to a layout scanner system. The layout scanner system of this embodiment is as shown in FIG.
A color scanner 1 as an image input means, a magnetic disk 2 as a first storage means, a digitizer 3 as an interactive input means, a graphic display 4, and a magnetic disk 5 as a second storage means. A floppy disk 6, a magnification angle setting position 7 as a magnification angle setting means, a floppy disk 8, a color display 9 as an image display means, an optical disk 10 as a third storage means, and a computer as an image processing means. 11 and
It is output from an output device 12 which is an output means.

Here, the color scanner 1 inputs an image of a color photograph as a document, and converts this image information into Y (yellow) 1M (
The image is separated into four colors: magenta), C (cyan), and BK (black) and output. Also, magnetic disk 2
is for storing image information output from the color scanner 1. On the other hand, the digitizer 3 reads positional information such as plate making size and mask information shown on the layout designation sheet or the master copy, and displays this on the graphic display 4. Further, the magnetic disk 5 or floppy disk 6 is used to store position information output from the digitizer 3. Furthermore, the magnification angle measuring position 7 measures the magnification and inclination angle of the original in the finished state, and stores these on the floppy disk 8.

On the other hand, the optical disc 10 subjects the image information output from the color scanner 1 to Fourier transform, and registers the image information as a database in the form of adding mask information for special processing and its attribute information.

Here, the mask information is information for specifying an area for image processing, and specifically is coordinate information. Further, the attribute information is information indicating what kind of mask the mask is, such as a spatial filter mask, an anti-aliasing mask, etc. In this case, one mask information may have two or more pieces of attribute information, but in this embodiment, a case will be described in which a spatial filter mask as shown in FIG. 2(b) is provided. Furthermore, the attribute information includes additional information as necessary, that is, depending on the content of the attribute, and in this embodiment (spatial filter), information on the power spectrum near the spatial frequency, which greatly affects moiré, is included. There is.

The computer 11 also reads the image information and position information stored on the magnetic disk 2 and the magnetic disk 5, respectively, and displays this information on a color display based on the magnification and tilt angle information stored on the floppy disk 8. 9, the resolution and enlargement/reduction ratio at the time of image registration, the enlargement/reduction ratio, resolution, screen line count, angle, and additional information included in the above attribute information when reusing (using) the image. A function that determines whether or not special processing is necessary based on the judgment, and if it is necessary to perform special processing as a result of the judgment, new mask information is created by enlarging/reducing the mask information for special processing. The width and strength of the filtering is determined based on the function to be used, the conditions at the time of diversion (operation) of the image, and the information on the power spectrum as additional information, the special processing is applied to the image, and the image is output to the output device 12. It is something that whitens the function. Further, the output device 12 outputs processing information (formulation calculation result information) in the computer 11 onto a plate-making film. Here, the special processing refers to correction processing for eliminating moiré, jaggies, and the like.

Next, in the layout scanner system output as described above, the image information of the color photograph color-separated by the color scanner 1 is once stored on the magnetic disk 2. Further, positional information such as the plate making size and mask information shown on the layout designation sheet or the master plate is read by an appropriate means such as the digitizer 3 and stored on the magnetic disk 5 or floppy disk 6, and is also stored on the graphic disk. Displayed on Spray 4. Furthermore, the magnification and inclination angle of the finished document are measured at the magnification angle position 7 and stored on the floppy disk 8. Furthermore, the image information output from the color scanner 1 is, in principle, unmodified except for removing wrinkles and dirt, and is then Fourier-transformed and registered in the optical disc 10 as a database. At this time, the file name of the image information is recorded on the magnetic disk 2 or optical disk 10.

Search information etc. are registered, but in addition to this, mask information for special processing and its attribute information (spatial filter mask)
, and additional information (information on the power spectrum near the frequency that greatly affects moiré) are also registered.

On the other hand, in the computer 11, the image information and position information stored in the magnetic disk 2 and the magnetic disk 5 are respectively read out, and this information is read out from the floppy disk 8.
The image is displayed on the color display 9 based on the magnification and tilt angle information stored in the . In this case, the computer 11 adjusts the relative position between the line indicating the mask displayed on the color display 9 and the color-separated image information, and the color-separated image information is automatically placed at a predetermined position. The image information and position information are combined. By performing such image processing on each color-separated image, the positions of all images to be output on -sheets of film are determined, and the positions of all images to be output on the -sheet of film are determined and outputted from the output device 12 onto a film for plate making. Further, if necessary, the image may be output as a color hard copy using a color hard copy machine (not shown).

On the other hand, when the image information registered as a database on the previous disk 10 is to be used (used), the computer 11 uses the resolution at the time of image registration.

Enlargement/reduction magnification, enlargement/reduction magnification when reusing (operating) images, resolution, screen line count, angle, and optical disc 1
Based on the additional information (power spectrum information) included in the attribute information (spatial filter mask) registered in 0, it is determined whether it is necessary to perform special processing (spatial filter mask processing). , is inversely proportional to the magnification ratio,
(proportional to resolution). As a result, if it is determined that special processing is necessary, new mask information is created by enlarging or reducing the mask information for special processing registered on the optical disc 10. After that, the width and strength of the filtering is determined based on the conditions at the time of diversion (operation) of the above image and the additional information on the power spectrum, and based on this, special processing (spatial filter mask processing) is applied to the image. administered.

Then, in the computer 11, information on the result of editing the image is stored in the magnetic disk 2, and then the laid out image is outputted from the output device 12 onto a film for plate making.

As described above, in the layout scanner system of this embodiment, when registering image information of a color photograph as a document as a database, mask information for special processing to specify an area for image processing and its attribute information are stored. (spatial filter mask) and additional information (power spectrum information near the frequency that greatly affects moiré), and when reusing (operating) the registered image as a database, the image The resolution, enlargement/reduction magnification when registering images, and the enlargement/reduction ratio when reusing (operating) images.
Reduction ratio, resolution, screen line count.

It is determined whether or not it is necessary to perform special processing (spatial filter mask processing) using the angle and power spectrum information that is additional information, and if it is necessary, the special processing registered in the optical disc 10 is Expand mask information for processing
Create new mask information by reducing the size, determine the width and strength of filtering using the conditions at the time of image reuse (operation) and power spectrum information, and apply special processing (spatial filter mask processing). This makes it possible to eliminate processing in areas where special processing (spatial filter mask processing) is unnecessary and avoid deterioration in image quality. Thereby, it is possible to efficiently and easily obtain an image with little quality deterioration that is optimized for the output conditions (plate-making film). In addition, in special processing, parts that do not depend on the sensibilities of the human operator (moiré, etc.) can be fully automated. Furthermore, since it is optimized to the output conditions, it can be easily applied to other media such as CD-1, CD-ROM, and Video.

In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which spatial filter mask processing is performed as the special processing, but it goes without saying that other methods may be used. For example, anti-aliasing mask processing may be performed as special processing, and in this case, an anti-aliasing mask as shown in FIG. 2(C) is added to the image information as attribute information of the special processing mask information. It is sufficient to register it on the optical disc 10 in this form. Note that in this case, there is no need to register the above-mentioned additional information (power spectrum information). When reusing (operating) image information, all you have to do is enlarge or reduce the mask information for special processing to create new mask information, search for contours, and perform interpolation. It is possible to eliminate the occurrence of jaggies.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the original is a color photograph has been described, but it goes without saying that other types may be used.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a case was described in which image processing by the computer 11 is outputted from the output device 12 onto a plate-making film.
In the case of outputting to other media such as magnetic tape, floppy disk, etc.

Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the present invention is applied to a layout scanner system, but it can be similarly applied to other scanner systems.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, when image information is registered as a database, mask information for special processing for specifying an area for image processing and its attribute information are added and registered separately, and When reusing (using) images registered as a database, special processing must be performed using the enlargement/reduction ratio at the time of image registration, the enlargement/reduction ratio at the time of image reuse (operation), and attribute information. If necessary, enlarge or reduce the mask information for special processing to create new mask information, and use the special processing indicated in the attribute information of the image (operation). Since the output is performed taking into account the conditions at the time, it is possible to efficiently obtain images with little quality deterioration that are optimized for the output conditions, and it is also possible to easily use them for other media. We can provide a scanner system.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention applied to a layout scanner system, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing image information, a spatial filter mask, and an anti-aliasing mask. 1...Color scanner 2...Magnetic disk, 3
... Digitizer 4... Graphic display, 5... Magnetic disk, 6... Floppy disk, 7... Magnification angle position, 8... Floppy disk, 9... Color display, 10... Optical disk, 11... Computer, 12... Output device. Figure 2 (a) Figure 2 (b) Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 2 (c)

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) An image input means for inputting an image of a document, color-separating the image information, and outputting the image information; and an image input means for inputting the image information outputted from the image input means, and a special processing unit for specifying an area for image processing. a storage means for separately registering mask information and its attribute information as a database; an enlargement/reduction magnification at the time of registration of the image, an enlargement/reduction magnification at the time of diversion (operation) of the image, and the attribute information; A function that determines whether or not special processing is necessary based on the base, and if it is necessary to perform special processing as a result of the determination,
New mask information is created by enlarging or reducing the mask information for special processing, and the special processing indicated in the attribute information is applied to the image information in consideration of the conditions at the time of diversion (operation) of the image to be output. What is claimed is: 1. A scanner system comprising: an image processing means having a function of outputting images; (2) In a layout scanner system that has an editing function that can output at least one image in a desired layout on a single sheet of film, the image of the original is input, the image information is separated into colors, and the image information is output. an image input means; a first storage means for storing image information output from the image input means; and an input means for reading positional information such as plate making size and mask information shown on the layout designation sheet or the block copy; , a second storage means for storing the position information output from the input means; a magnification angle determining means for measuring the magnification and tilt angle of the document in the finished state; an image display means; and a second storage means for storing the position information output from the image input means. a third storage means for separately registering image information to be processed, mask information for special processing for specifying an area for image processing, and its attribute information as a database; and storage in the first and second storage means. A function of reading the image information and position information that have been displayed and displaying this information on the image display means based on the magnification and tilt angle information output from the magnification angle determining means, and enlarging/reducing the image during registration. A function that determines whether or not special processing is necessary based on the magnification, the enlargement/reduction magnification when reusing (operating) the image, and the attribute information, and the need to perform special processing as a result of the determination. If so, create new mask information by enlarging or reducing the mask information for special processing, and apply the special processing indicated in the attribute information taking into account the conditions at the time of diversion (operation) of the image. A scanner system comprising: an image processing means having a function of processing image information and outputting it on film;