JPH04191740A - Halftone image processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To correct the halftone image of an original image by halftone picture element units by converting the halftone picture element data converted from continuous image data of the original image into bit map data, and processing the image based on the bit map data. CONSTITUTION:Continuous image data read on an input device 1 are converted into halftone picture element data by a halftone-conversion processing unit 51, and stored in an image memory 53 through a run-length compression processing unit 52. The picture element data are then converted into bit map data by bit map conversion processing unit 54 to be stored in a display memory 61, and the halftone image of an original image is displayed on a CRT 63. While observing the displayed image, an operator commands an indication input unit 7 to perform image processing such as brush correction processing, drawing processing, etc. An image processing unit 55 performs rewriting of data stored in a memory 61 based on the command. After confirming the corrected image reflected on the CRT 63, the operator commands a processing unit 55 to process the data, and the processing unit processes the data stored in a memory 53 similarly.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention provides a human-powered LiF such as an input scanner that reads continuous tone image data of an original image, and an output device that records a halftone image of the original image on a luminous material or the like. After intervening between an output device such as a scanner, halftone the continuous tone image data read by the input device, and performing various image processing such as retouching on the halftone pixel data. , relates to a halftone direct image processing device that provides halftone pixel data to an output device.

<Conventional technology> As is well known, a color scanner is used to print the yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and ink (K) necessary for color printing.
), the original image data is corrected using the color correction and gradation correction functions provided by the color scanner.

However, just by modifying the original image data, it was not always possible to completely reproduce the original image, or the color tone and contrast desired by the customer could not be obtained. A desired color tone was obtained by dot-etching a part or all of the color separation film by applying a uni-strengthening agent.

In addition, the printing plate-making field, which handles images with a coarse screen line count (
For example, in newspapers, in order to correct or emphasize the contours of output images, processing such as manually cutting halftone dots on color separation film obtained with a scanner is performed.

Since such retouching work such as dot etching is extremely complicated and requires a lot of effort, the applicant has proposed an image scanning and recording method that eliminates the need for manual retouching (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Showa 58-2
(See Publication No. 11154).

This method writes image data for displaying the original image into a buffer memory in order to simulate and display the original image on a display device as a monitor image, before recording the exposure of a reproduced image based on the image signal obtained by reading the original image. Then, the image data is read from the buffer memory, a monitor image is displayed, and a retouching processing range such as dot etching and its processing amount are specified based on the monitor image, and a retouching processing range corresponding to the retouching processing range and its processing amount is specified. The processing data read out from the retouching memory is added to and subtracted from the image data read out from the buffer memory to obtain retouched confirmation image data, and the confirmation image data is written into the retouching memory. After displaying the processed monitor image on a display device and checking the processed monitor image, adding and subtracting the processed data read from the retouching memory to the image signal obtained by reading the original image,
A retouched recording image signal is obtained, and a duplicate image is exposed and recorded using the recording image signal.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, even with such a conventional example, there are the following problems.

As shown in Part 14, one halftone dot is made up of a large number of halftone pixels DP, but it is not efficient to read the original image in units of minute areas corresponding to one halftone pixel DP. , usually, a partial overlay on the original image corresponding to one halftone dot area is divided into several blocks B + "'-Ba!"
It is divided into parts and read, and one of the parts divided in this way is used as a single pixel.

In the conventional example described above, since retouching is performed on continuous tone image data corresponding to the human-powered pixels, the retouched continuous tone image data is converted into halftone dots by a halftone dot forming device provided in an output scanner. In this case, the recorded halftone dot image necessarily changes for each input pixel (that is, the above-mentioned block). Therefore, the wobble of the halftone dot image is particularly noticeable in the outline part of the recorded image, so the processed data read from the retouch memory is added or subtracted to the image signal obtained by reading the original image to generate the retouched image signal for recording. When calculating, it is necessary to take measures such as applying smoothing processing to the processed data.

In other words, according to the conventional method, although it is possible to modify the size of halftone dots in units of input pixels (block units), it is not possible to modify the size of halftone dots in units of halftone pixels that make up the halftone dots. It is difficult to perform retouching.

Furthermore, according to conventional method S:, halftone dot conversion of continuous tone image data is performed using a single halftone dot conversion device equipped with an output scanner.
It is also impossible to perform various image processing on halftone pixel data, such as changing the number of screen lines or halftone angle to create special effects in design.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to modify not only the size of the halftone dots but also the shape of the halftone dots, smoothing the outline of the recorded image, and modifying the halftone dot pixel data. The object of the present invention is to provide a halftone image processing device that can directly perform two types of image processing.

<Means for Solving the Problem> In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.

That is, the present invention provides a w4ton image processing device interposed between an input device for reading continuous tone image data of an original image and an output device for recording a halftone image of the original image, the device comprising: halftone processing means for converting continuous tone image data into halftone pixel data; first storage means for storing the halftone pixel data; and bitmap conversion means for converting the halftone pixel data into bitmap data. , a second display storage means for storing the bitmap data; a display means for displaying a halftone dot image of the original image based on the bitmap data stored in the second storage means; An instruction manual means for instructing necessary image processing on the point image, and based on instructions from the instruction input means, first perform the necessary image processing on the bitmap data stored in the second storage means. , image processing means that performs processing similar to the image processing of the bitmap data on the halftone dot pixel data stored in the first storage means, based on a subsequent execution command from the instruction input means; It is equipped with the following.

The contents of the image processing are not particularly limited, but include, for example: (i) By moving a blank cursor displayed together with a halftone image on the screen of a display means, halftone pixels within the moving area are erased; (1) A drawing process that projects a desired figure along with a halftone image on the screen of the display means, and erases or draws halftone dot pixels within the figure area; Thickening/thinning processing that thickens or thins the halftone dot image within a specified area, ■ Composite of another halftone image with the halftone dot image displayed on the display means. There is a compositing process that involves

<Effect> The effects of the present invention are as follows.

The continuous tone image data of the original image read by the input device is converted into halftone pixel data by the halftone processing means, and then stored in the first storage means. Further, this halftone dot pixel data is converted into bitmap data by the Pino I map conversion means and stored in the second storage means for display. Based on the bitmap data stored in the second storage means, both halftone images of the original image are displayed on the display means.

While looking at the halftone dot image displayed on the display, the operator inputs the processing area and desired image processing such as brush correction processing, drawing processing, fattening/thinning processing, composition processing, etc. via the instruction input means. command.

Based on this command, the image processing means performs a process of rewriting the bitmap data stored in the second storage means. After confirming the corrected halftone dot image displayed on the display means, the operator issues a command to execute processing of the halftone dot pixel data via the instruction manual means. Based on this execution command, the image processing means performs the same processing as the previously performed image processing on the bitmap data on the halftone dot pixel data stored in the first storage means. The halftone pixel data subjected to image processing in this manner is sent to an output device.

<Example> Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a halftone image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an input device such as an input scanner that scans an original image to read continuous tone image data, 2 an output device such as an output scanner that records a halftone image of the original image on a photosensitive material by exposure, and 3 a interposed between the input device l and the output device 2,
This is a halftone image processing device according to this embodiment which provides halftone pixel data that has been subjected to necessary image processing to an output device 2. Note that 1a and 2a are interface units for the input device 1 and the output device 2. As will be described later, the halftone image processing device 3 has a function of converting continuous tone image data read by the input device 1 into halftone pixel data.
The output device 2 does not necessarily need to be equipped with a dot forming device.

The halftone image processing device 3 is composed of the following sections. That is, the halftone image processing device 3 transfers the continuous tone image data read by the input device 1 to the interface section 1a.
and an input disk device 4 such as an optical disk or a magnetic disk that is captured and temporarily stored via the input disk device 4a, and performs various image processing as described later on the continuous tone image data read from the input disk device 4. It consists of an image processing system 5, a display system 6 for displaying the halftone image of the read original image, a coordinate input device such as a digitizer, a keyboard, etc. An instruction input section 7 for setting various instructions and conditions related to processing; a system controller 8 that manages various image processing instructions from the instruction input section 7 and sends these instructions to the image processing system 5; It includes an output disk device 9 such as an optical disk or a magnetic disk that takes in the halftone dot pixel data output from the system 5 via an interface section 9a and temporarily stores it.

The image processing system 5 includes a halftone processing section 51 that converts continuous tone image data read from the input disk device 4 into halftone pixel data, and a run length compression processing section 52 that compresses the halftone pixel data into run length data. and an image memory 53 as a first storage means for storing the run length data.
A bitmap conversion processing unit 54 converts the halftone dot pixel data into bitmap data for display, and performs necessary image calculation processing on the bitmap data or halftone dot pixel data based on instructions from the system controller 8. and an image processing unit 55 that performs image processing.

The display system 6 also includes a display memory 61 serving as a second storage means for storing bitmap data that has been subjected to bitmap conversion, and Y, which is stored in this display memory 61.
M, C, each pitman button red (R), green (
G) A color table 62 for converting into 1 blue (B) display image data, and R, G.

CRT6 that displays the halftone image converted to 8 image data
3, and a display memory 6 based on instructions from the instruction input section 7.
1 and a display control unit 64 that controls the color table 62.
including.

The operation of the embodiment apparatus will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

Y, M, of the original image read by step Sl input device 1,
Continuous tone image data of C and C is taken in via interfaces Ia and 4a and stored in the human-powered disk device 4.

Step Sl input disk device i! Continuous tone image data of each color is read out from 4, and each of these data is converted into halftone pixel data by a halftone processing section 51.

Specifically, the halftone processing unit 51 includes a plurality of types of screen pattern memories (SPM) having different numbers of screen lines and different shapes of halftone dots.6 As is well known, the screen pattern memory Compares the continuous tone image data given to this table with the density values of each halftone pixel in memory using a comparison reference table that has a density distribution similar to that of a contact screen, in association with the halftone dot pixel groups that make up the screen. By doing so, continuous tone image data is converted into a large number of halftone dot pixel data expressed in binary levels.

The number of screen lines and dot shape are specified by the operator by operating the instruction input section 7, and the specified information is given to the halftone processing section 51 via the system controller 8, so that the screen pattern memory is stored in a predetermined screen pattern memory. is selected.

Step S3: Since the halftone pixel data of the original image output from the halftone processing section 51 has a huge amount of data, it is run-length compressed in the run-length compression processing section 52 and then stored in the image memory 53. Ru.

FIG. 3 shows the format of run length data used in this embodiment. In other words, when bit 7 of data consisting of 8 bits is rO,
Indicates that the data is run-length data, r
When it is lJ, it indicates that the data is for other purposes.

Bits 3 to 6 are flags for indicating whether the run length data is Y, M, or C. Furthermore, bits 0 to 2 are data indicating how many of the same color continue in the main scanning direction.

Step S4: The run-length compressed halftone dot pixel data is stored in the image memory 53 and is also sent to the bitmap conversion processing section 54. The bitmap conversion processing unit 54 thins out the run length data so that the entire original image falls within the display area of the CRT 63, and then converts the run length data into Y.

Convert to bitmap data for display on M, C, and so on.

Pit map data for each color is written into the display memory 61. One display memory 61 has a depth of 4 bits.
Each bit from bit O to focus 3 is assigned to each color version of Y, M, C, respectively, and bitmap data of halftone dot shapes for four colors is stored.

When displaying the halftone image on the CRT 63, the display control unit 6
In synchronization with the display control signal given from 4, 4 focus data is output to the color table 62 in parallel in Y, M, and C in the depth direction of the display memory 6.

In the printing process with process ink Y, M, C, 4 editions,
The overlapping portion of each color ink becomes a color according to subtractive color mixing.

Therefore, in order to display a color image close to that of a printed matter on the CRT 63, it is necessary to convert the overlapping portion of pit map data of each color into a color according to the subtractive color mixture described above. The color table 62 is used for such color change, and is composed of a conversion table as schematically shown in FIG. 4.

That is, the color table 62 uses the 4-pint data of Y, M, and C given from the display memory 61 as input addresses, and each of the 8 bits and 8 bits set in advance at each address.
Outputs R, G, and B data.

Specifically, ■ In areas with no halftone dots (YMCK = 0 (100)), white (RGB 1000 FF FF FF) is output, and ■ KW
Overlapping parts of dots and other color halftone dots (YMCK=***l:
T*) is fOJ or! "IJ" means any of the following: black (RGB=000000) is output;
=FF FF 00), and only M (YMCK=
0100), magenta (RGB=FF 00
FF”), if only C (YMCK=0010), outputs cyan (ROB-00FF FF), and if only K (YMCK=OO01), outputs black (RG
B = 000000), and ■ In the overlapping area of the two halftone colors, Y,! :M (YMCK=1100), outputs red (RGB=FF 0000), and outputs Y and C (YMCK=FF0000).
CK=1010), green (RGB=00 FF
00), and in the case of M and C (YMCK=0110), outputs blue (RGB-0000FF), and
Overlapping area of 3 colors of Y, M, and C halftone dots (YMCK=1
110) outputs black (RC, B=000000).

Note that the configuration of the color table 62 is not limited to that shown in the fourth section, and by setting arbitrary color data in advance, it is also possible to perform so-called spot color display.

Step S5: FIG. 5 shows a halftone image of the entire original image displayed on the CRT 63. When performing the retouching process, the operator inputs the magnification rate of the displayed image from the instruction input section 7, and an enlarged frame A corresponding to the magnification rate is displayed on the screen of the CRT 63. The operator uses the mouse of the further instruction input section 7 to move the enlarged frame A to the desired correction location. The above-mentioned magnification ratio of the display image and the coordinates of the setting location of the magnification frame A are given to the system controller 8 and stored therein.

When the operator operates a mouse switch to command enlargement processing of the displayed image, the bitombu conversion processing unit 54 converts the image memory 53 based on the coordinates ia of the enlargement frame A given from the system controller 8. A corresponding area is specified, and the run length data in that area is read out at a thinning rate corresponding to the specified enlargement rate and converted into bitmap data.

The bitmap data thus obtained is written into the display memory 61, so that the enlarged halftone dot image within the enlarged frame A is displayed on the entire surface of the CRT 63. Figure 6 (a
l indicates an enlarged halftone dot image displayed on the CRT 63.

When the halftone dot image in the specified SN area of the CRT 63 is displayed in an enlarged manner as described above, the operator operates the instruction input section 7 to perform brush correction processing (step S6), drawing processing [Step S7], Fattening/thinning processing (step S8),
Alternatively, by specifying image processing such as compositing processing (step S9), each processing can be performed on the halftone dot pixel DP (14th [F
(Reference) unit is carried out as follows.

The plano correction process will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7.

Step S61: First, when the operator operates the instruction input unit 7, a display frame (hereinafter referred to as T brush cursor j) indicating the area to be corrected on the CRT screen is displayed.
Specify parameters such as the size and shape of the brush cursor, and which version of halftone dots are to be drawn or removed for Y, M, and C within the brush cursor.

Step S62: Based on the specified parameters, CR
For example, a plano cursor BC as shown in FIG. 6(a) is displayed on the T screen.

Step S63: When the operator uses the mouse of the instruction input unit 7 to move the brush cursor BC displayed on the CRT screen to the area where brush correction is to be performed and presses the mouse switch, the brush cursor BC at that time
The coordinate values of C are given to the image processing section 55 from the instruction input section 7 via the system controller 8. The image processing unit 55 rewrites (draws or deletes) the bitmap data of the corresponding page area in the display memory 61 based on the coordinate values of the plano cursor BC. Figure 6(b) shows
By moving the plano cursor BC along the outline of the enlarged halftone image, Y, M, and C within the movement area are
, shows the state in which all the halftone dot pixels of the plate have been deleted and the outline of the halftone image has been smoothed.

Step S64: The operator, via the instruction manual section 7,
When the V correction OKJ instruction (execution command) is issued, the retouching process of the bitmap data on the CRT screen is completed and the process moves to the next step SlO. On the other hand, if an instruction to invalidate j modification J is issued, the process advances to step S65.

Step S65: Here, the image processing section 55 returns the bitmap data in the display memory 61 to the state before processing, and displays the enlarged halftone dot image before processing on the CRT 63. This allows the operator to perform brush correction again.

The drawing process will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8.

Step S71: The operator operates the instruction input unit 7 to determine the shape of halftone dots when filling in the area surrounded by the drawing lines, the width of the drawing lines, the type of figure used for drawing (for example, straight line, circular arc, etc.) Y,M.

Parameters such as which version of halftone dots should be drawn or removed are specified in C1. These parameters are provided to the system controller 8 as described above.

Step S72: The operator moves the cursor displayed on the CRT screen by operating the mouse or the like on the instruction input unit 7, specifies multiple points at which the drawing line is to be drawn, and then switches the mouse. Press to issue a command to display the specified figure. Based on this labeling directive,
The image processing unit 55 displays the specified figure passing through the specified point on the CRT screen. Fig. 9(a) shows an enlarged halftone dot image projected on the CRT 63 during drawing processing, and the same figure (a) shows a state in which a specified figure (here, a straight line) is displayed on the enlarged halftone image. It shows. The same figure (b
The "xJ" mark in l indicates the point designated by the operator, and W indicates the width of the drawing line.

Step S73: When the operator issues a command to enable the designated figure displayed on the CRT 63, step S7
If you proceed to step 5 and issue a command to invalidate, step S74 is also given.

Step S74: After erasing the specified figure on the CRT screen, the process returns to step S71 and waits for new parameters to be specified.

When a command is issued indicating that the specified figure is valid, the image processing section 55 refers to the parameters stored in the system controller 8 and updates the display memory 6.
Rewrites the Pino←Manbu data belonging to the specified graphic area in 1. The 91st ffl (C1) indicates a state in which halftone dots within the designated graphic area have been deleted.

Step S76: When the rewriting of the binotomabu data is completed, the operator instructs whether the drawing process is valid or invalid. When a command (execution command) indicating that the drawing process is valid is issued, the process moves to the next step SIO.

Step S77: When instructed that the drawing process is invalid, the image processing unit 55 converts the enlarged halftone dot image before processing into a CR
It is displayed at T63 and the process returns to step 571.

This allows the operator to redo the drawing process by specifying the parameters again.

゛ ・ ′ 几su −
°S The thickening/thinning process will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

Step S81: By operating the instruction input unit 7, the operator specifies how many pixels the halftone dots of which version of YlM, C, and YLM are to be made thicker or thinner.

Step S82: By operating the mouse or the like on the instruction input section 7, the area to be thickened/thinned is specified on the CRT screen.

Step S83: If the operator issues a command indicating that the designation is valid, the process advances to step S85; if the operator gives a cancellation command, the process advances to step S84.

Step S84: If a cancellation command is given, the CRT
Erase the display frame indicating the processing area on the screen and proceed to step S8.
1 and waits for new parameters to be specified.

Step S85: When a designation valid command is given, the image processing unit 55 rewrites the binotoma and pdata belonging to the designated area in the display memory 61 to make the halftone dots thicker or thinner. Figure 11 (al is the enlarged halftone dot image before processing, the same [D (b) is the halftone dot image after thickening processing, the same figure (C
) show the halftone dot images after the thinning process.

Step S86: If the operator gives an instruction to enable modification (execution instruction), the process proceeds to the next step S104, and if the operator gives an instruction to disable modification, the process proceeds to step S87.

Step S87: When an instruction to invalidate the modification is given, the image processing section 55 displays the unprocessed enlarged halftone image on the CRT 63, and returns to step S81. This allows the operator to redo the fattening/thinning process.

Note that the method for specifying the area for thickening or thinning halftone dots is not limited to specifying a frame as described above; for example, displaying a movable cursor on the CRT screen as in the case of brush correction. However, by moving this cursor, the processing area may be designated.

Further, for the above-mentioned thickening/thinning processing, the logical sum processing/logical product processing disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 1-170169 by the present applicant can be used.

At this time, with the halftone dot pixel DP shown in FIG. 14 as a reference, logical sum processing and logical product processing are performed on, for example, 3×3 pixels.

Furthermore, it is also possible to draw and delete halftone dot pixels DP one by one, and in the halftone dot in Fig. 14, since 100% halftone dot is made up of 100 halftone dot pixels DP, every 1% can be corrected.

For example, the first
The figure P1 shown in FIG. 3(a) and the concave shape P2 shown in FIG. Let me explain the case.

By the processing of steps S1 to 54 shown in FIG.
Each figure P1. The continuous-tone image data of the original image P2 is converted into halftone pixel data having a designated screen line number, and then run-length compressed and stored in the image memory 53. In addition, the run length data of each figure PI and P2 is converted to bitmap data,
Each figure P1, P2 is stored in the display memory 61.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 12 will be referred to below.

Step S91: First, a halftone image of the figure P1 to be cut out is displayed on the CRT 63. This halftone image does not necessarily need to be displayed in an enlarged manner.

Step S92: The operator moves the cursor displayed on the CRT screen along the outline of the figure P1 by operating the instruction input unit 7, and plots points on the outline at appropriate intervals. The r× marks in FIG. 13(a) indicate plotted points. A line diagram connecting the plotted points is highlighted on the CRT screen.

Step S93: If the operator instructs "designation valid", the process advances to step S95. If there is an instruction to invalidate the designation j, the process advances to step S94, where the diagram on the CRT screen is erased, and then the process returns to step S92.

Step S95: When there is an instruction "r designation valid," the coordinates of each point on the specified contour are given from the instruction manual section 7 to the image processing section 55 via the system controller 8. Mask data as shown in FIG. 13(C) is created in this way.

Here, the r I J jI area in the figure means the readout area of the image data of the figure PI, and the "0" area is the area for reading the image data of the figure PI.
This means the image data readout area of No. 2.

Step S96: With reference to the mask data, the bitmap data of the designated versions of the figures Pi and P2 in the display memory 61 are read out, and a composite halftone image as shown in FIG. 13(d) is displayed on the CRT 63. indicate.

Step S97: When the operator issues a command (execution command) to enable the composition process, the process advances to step S510. On the other hand, if a command to disable the compositing process is issued, step 5
Proceed to 98.

Step S98: The composite halftone dot image on the CR screen is erased, and the original figure P1 to be cut out is displayed on the CRT 63. This allows the operator to specify the cutout area of the figure P1 again.

After the above steps S6 to S9 have been performed on the halftone dot image on the CRT screen, when the operator issues an execution command, the step 510 shown in FIG.
Proceed to.

Step S10: The system controller 8 stores the image processing parameters input from the instruction input section 7 in each of the above-mentioned steps 36 to S9. When an execution command is given by the operator, these image processing parameters are sent to the image processing section 55.
Based on its parameters, the operator
The same image processing as that performed on the halftone image on one surface is performed on the run range compressed halftone pixel data read out from the image memory 53. As a result, bitmap data is added to the halftone pixel data. The same brush correction processing, drawing processing, fattening/thinning processing, and compositing processing are performed.

Regarding the processing of run length data here,
Patent application No. 1-119055 filed by Mainland Applicant Uni can be used.

Stenob Sll: The halftone dot pixel data that has been subjected to the necessary image processing as described above is stored in the output disk device 9. The single halftone dot pixel data stored in the output disk device 92 is transmitted to the output device 2L for exposure recording, if necessary.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, as image processing of the halftone image,
Plano correction processing, drawing processing, enlarging/reducing processing, and compositing processing are shown as examples, but in addition to these processing, it is also possible to perform processing such as halftone image rotation processing, scaling processing, transplant processing, etc. It is.

<Effects of the Invention> As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the halftone image processing device interposed between the input device and the output device,
Continuous tone image data of the original image read by the input device is converted into halftone pixel data and stored, and this halftone pixel data is converted into halftone dot pixel data.

By converting the original image into Tomanob data, displaying the halftone dot image of the original image, performing various image processing on the halftone dot image, and having the operator confirm the processing, issue an execution command. Since the stored halftone pixel data is subjected to the same processing as the display halftone image described above, the halftone image of the original image can be corrected in units of halftone pixels.

Specifically, in the case of brush correction, it is possible to smooth the outline of halftone dot pixels, and in the case of drawing processing, it is possible to create a halftone dot image of an arbitrary shape on the original halftone dot image. It is possible to add or delete images, and in the case of widening or thinning processing, it is possible to modify the gradation and color tone of arbitrary areas on the halftone image, and it is possible to In this case, it is possible to create special effects in the design by compositing multiple figures with different screen line counts and mesh types.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 13 relate to an explanation of an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a halftone image processing device, the second is an operation flowchart, and FIG. 3 is a run diagram. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of the length data format, Figure 4 is a schematic review of the color table, Figure 5 is an overall diagram of a halftone image displayed on a CRT, Part 6 is an illustration of plano correction of an enlarged halftone image, Figure 7 is a flowchart of the bran correction process;
The figure is a flowchart of the drawing process, Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram of the enlarged halftone image drawing process, Figure 10 is a flowchart of the thickening/thinning process, and Figure 11 is an explanation of the thickening/thinning process. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the compositing process, and FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the compositing process. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of halftone dots for explaining the problems of the conventional example. ■...Human power device 2...Output device 3...
- Halftone image processing device Completed...Instruction manual department 51...
Halftone processing unit 52...Run length compression processing unit 53...Image memory (first storage means) 54...Binotomamp conversion processing unit 55...Image processing unit 61...Display memory (first memory) 2 storage means) 63...C
RT (Display means) Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 (a) Figure 6 (b) Figure 7 Figure 8! Figure 9 Figure 10 Figure 11

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) An input device that reads continuous tone image data of the original image;
A halftone image processing device interposed between an output device for recording a halftone image of the original image, and halftone processing means for converting continuous tone image data read by the input device into halftone pixel data. a first storage means for storing the halftone dot pixel data; a bitmap conversion means for converting the halftone dot pixel data into bitmap data; a second display storage means for storing the bitmap data; a display means for displaying a halftone image of the original image based on the bitmap data stored in the second storage means; an instruction input means for instructing necessary image processing for the displayed halftone image; , Based on a command from the instruction input means, first perform necessary image processing on the bitmap data stored in the second storage means, and then based on an execution command from the instruction input means, perform the necessary image processing on the bit map data stored in the second storage means. A halftone image processing device comprising: image processing means for performing processing similar to image processing of map data on halftone pixel data stored in the first storage means. (2) In the halftone image processing device according to claim (1), the image processing is carried out by moving a brush cursor displayed together with the halftone image on the screen of the display means, so that the brush cursor is moved within the movement area. A halftone image processing device that performs brush correction processing to erase or draw halftone pixels. (3) In the halftone image processing device according to claim (1), the image processing includes projecting a desired figure together with a halftone image on the screen of the display means and erasing halftone pixels within the figure area. , or a halftone image processing device that performs drawing processing. (4) In the halftone image processing device according to claim (1), the image processing includes thickening or thinning the halftone image within a designated area on the screen of the display means. A halftone image processing device that performs thinning and thinning processing. (5) In the halftone image processing apparatus according to claim (1), the image processing is a synthesis process of synthesizing another halftone image on the halftone image displayed on the display means. Processing equipment.