JPH04301964A - Data base image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To instruct entire required information in the processor without executing the preparation of a projector or the like by cutting a required image area part from digital image data stored in a large capacity storage device. CONSTITUTION:Information for specifying an image to be used again is inputted/ selected by an image specifying means 3 and based on this image, coarse thinned image data is read out of a large capacity storage device 1 by an image thinning/displaying means 4 and displayed on a monitor screen 2. In respect to these thinned image data, image processing items such as trimming and color correction or the like are instructed by an image processing item instructing means 5 and based on the instructed image processing items, the required image processing instruction item such as the number of cut lines/ columns or the like is calculated by an image processing item deciding means 6 and stored as a parameter file. Based on this parameter file, the required image area part is cut from the desired image data in the large capacity storage part 1 and outputted or transmitted to a recording medium after executing the designated image processing to the cut part.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a database image processing device, and particularly to a database image processing device that is necessary for reusing digital image data stored as a database in a mass storage device such as an optical disk, which is an external storage device of a computer. The various items necessary to extract the image area at the required resolution and instructions for post-processing (color correction, etc.) can be easily specified on the monitor screen in advance, and then the image data can be processed using batch-type image processing. The present invention relates to a database image processing device that can perform processing to create desired image data.

0002

[Prior Art] In recent years, in the plate-making field, it has become increasingly common to perform tasks such as color separation, layout collection, and film output, which are called total scanners, using computers as digital image data. . That is, this is a color scanner that separates the colors into yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), and each sampling pitch is 1 byte, 25
The image data is digitized into an image (pixel) with about 6 gradations, and this is temporarily stored in an auxiliary storage device such as a magnetic disk. After laying out the image in a location and creating the final page image in memory, it is exposed and output onto film using a color scanner.

Furthermore, for image data that is likely to be reused (for example, the same original may be reused in catalogs, etc.), it is possible to save the entire image of each image to an external large-capacity storage device such as an optical disk. Store it as a database,
Work is also being done on so-called image database applications, in which the data is read out and the necessary image areas are reused as necessary.

By the way, in order to use the image data for printing purposes, it is necessary to create the image data at a resolution of about 14 lines per millimeter, and assuming that the image data is 100 mm x 100 mm, Approximately 7.5Mb
yte capacity, and it takes time to read it from the mass storage device. Therefore, conventionally, when creating a database system, a characteristic location within an image pattern called a reference point is specified using a pointing device such as a digitizer, and the coordinate data of the reference point is stored in a large capacity along with the image data. It is stored in the device. When reusing the stored image data, the trimming size of the required area from this reference point is determined by another means, and the image of the desired size is saved from a large-capacity storage device such as an optical disk. By cutting out data into memory and avoiding reading unnecessary portions of data, we aim to save memory capacity and shorten loading time.

In this case, the method for determining the trimming size from the reference point when reusing image data is as follows:
Conventionally, when constructing a database, a copy of the original color film was created using a dupe film, or a separate negative version separated by color using a color scanner was selected, from which the magenta image could be best identified. (M) Take a plate, print reference points on it, keep it, and use this and the layout designation paper on which the pattern reuse designation is drawn to enlarge/reduce the image using a projector and project it onto the layout designation paper. The general method is to match the image with a rough sketch, and then use a pointing device such as a digitizer to enter a reference point and a cropping frame for reuse, and calculate the image size to be cropped from the reference point. It is adopted as follows.

[0006] However, in such a method, it takes time and expense to create a duplicate image.
There are other problems, such as the need to store the duplicate film (negative M version), and the negative version's pattern is dark, making it difficult to match the pattern to the specified layout paper.

On the other hand, recently popular CD-ROM and CD-I
When reusing stocked image data for new media purposes such as, in many cases, instructions are not given using clearly specified layout sheets, as is the case with traditional plate-making processes. It is often a rough designation, such as a frame marked with a red line. For this reason,
There is a problem in that it is often impossible to perform work using a projector, which is the step of adjusting the magnification angle in conventional printing plate making.

[0008] Furthermore, with regard to such rough trimming, there is a growing desire to eliminate the need for a projector operation in a separate process as a preparatory step for image cutting out.

Furthermore, when trying to read out an image or perform various image processing such as color correction on the read out image, it takes a very long time to process one image, and it is difficult to perform all the processing for each point. However, there is a problem in that work efficiency decreases.

0010

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As described above, in the conventional method, when reusing digital image data stored as a database in a mass storage device, a duplicate film is made and the There are problems in that it is necessary to store images, preparatory work for a projector, etc. must be carried out, and image processing takes time.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it provides information necessary for cutting out a necessary image area from digital image data stored as a database in a mass storage device. , an extremely reliable database that allows all instructions to be given within the device without preparatory work for the projector, etc., as well as efficient plate-making work and shortening of overall image processing time. The purpose is to provide an image processing device.

0012

[Means for solving the problem] In order to achieve the above object, desired image data is created by cutting out a necessary image area from a digital image stored in a mass storage device and performing various image processing. In the database image processing device configured to perform an image thinning/display means for reading coarse thinned image data from the capacity storage device and displaying the same on a monitor screen;
An image processing item instruction means for instructing image processing items such as trimming, color correction, and output format for the thinned image data displayed on the monitor screen by the image thinning/display means; an image processing item determining means that calculates necessary image processing instructions such as the number of lines/columns to be cut out based on the image processing items determined, and storing the image processing instructions calculated by the image processing item determining means as a parameter file. Based on the storage means for storing and the parameter file stored in the storage means, a necessary image area portion is cut out from the desired image data in the mass storage device, and a specified image is created for the cut out portion. The image processing apparatus includes an image processing means for performing processing, and an output means for outputting image data subjected to image processing by the image processing means to a recording medium based on a designated format stored in the storage means. .

[0013] Furthermore, in the invention according to claim 2, image specifying means for inputting/selecting information for specifying an image;
image thinning/display means for reading coarse thinned image data from a mass storage device and displaying the coarse thinned image data on a monitor screen based on the image specified by the image specifying means;
An image processing item instructing means for instructing image processing items such as trimming, color correction, and output format for the thinned image data displayed on the monitor screen by the display means, and an image instructed by the image processing item instructing means. An image processing item determining means for calculating necessary image processing instructions such as the number of cutting lines/columns based on the processing item, and storing and storing the image processing instructions calculated by the image processing item determining means as a parameter file. Based on the storage means for storing data and the parameter file stored in the storage means, a necessary image area portion is cut out from the desired image data in the mass storage device, and specified image processing is performed on the cut out portion. an image processing means; an output means for outputting the image data subjected to the image processing by the image processing means to a recording medium based on a specified format stored in the storage means; The apparatus also includes plate inspection means for checking on a monitor screen whether the image data created as desired has been created.

Furthermore, in the invention described in claim 3, there is provided an image specifying means for inputting/selecting information for specifying an image, and a roughly thinned-out image from a mass storage device based on the image specified by the image specifying means. Image thinning/display means reads out data and displays it on the monitor screen, and image processing items such as trimming, color correction, output format, etc. are applied to the thinned image data displayed on the monitor screen by the image thinning/display means. An image processing item specifying means for issuing instructions; an image processing item determining means for calculating necessary image processing instructions such as the number of lines/columns to be cut out based on the image processing item specified by the image processing item specifying means; A storage means for storing the image processing instruction items calculated by the processing item determination means as a parameter file, and a storage means for storing the image processing instructions calculated by the processing item determination means as a parameter file, and processing from desired image data in the mass storage device based on the parameter file stored in the storage means. An image processing means that cuts out a necessary image area and performs designated image processing on the cut out portion; and an image processing means that cuts out the necessary image area and performs specified image processing on the cut out portion; and image data that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing means in a designated format stored in a storage means. and a communication means for transmitting data via a communication line based on the communication information. Furthermore,
The invention according to claim 4 is configured to include the following.

[0015]

[Operation] Therefore, in the database image processing device of the present invention, the information necessary for cutting out the necessary image area portion from the digital image data stored in the mass storage device can be obtained by preparatory work such as using a projector. without doing
In other words, storage of color image reproduction films made into a database, and trimming for reuse can be all instructed within the apparatus without the need for layout designation sheets or the like instructing rough sketches. In addition, the obtained data and instructions for image processing after cutting out can be temporarily stored as a parameter file, and later time-consuming image processing such as cutting out, rotation, color conversion, etc. can be performed unmanned. By performing batch continuous processing using batch processing, it is possible to achieve efficient plate-making work and shorten the overall image processing time. Furthermore, since cropping and trimming can be performed visually on a monitor screen using a thinned-out image, errors are less likely to occur and the need for rework can be reduced.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a database image processing apparatus according to the present invention. That is, the database image processing apparatus of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. , image processing item instruction means 5 such as a keyboard or digitizer, image processing item determination means 6, storage means 7 such as a magnetic disk, image processing means 8, plate inspection means 9, and output means 10. are doing. Note that the image thinning/displaying means 4, the image processing item determining means 6, the image processing means 8, and the plate inspection means 9 constitute a computer main body.

The mass storage device 1 stores desired digital image data as a database. Further, the monitor 2 is used to display various information necessary for image processing on a screen. Further, the image specifying means 3 is for inputting or selecting information for specifying an image to be reused. Furthermore, the image thinning/displaying means 4 reads coarse thinned image data corresponding to the number of points from the mass storage device 1 based on the image specified by the image specifying means 3 and displays the same on the screen of the monitor 2.

On the other hand, the image processing item instruction means 5 instructs image processing items such as trimming, color correction, output format, etc. on the thinned image data displayed on the screen of the monitor 2 by the image thinning/display means 4. This is what we do. Further, the image processing item determining means 6 includes the image processing item specifying means 5.
Based on the image processing items specified by
It calculates necessary image processing instructions such as the number of pixels in the axial direction. Furthermore, the storage means 7 is for storing a plurality of image processing instructions calculated by the image processing item determining means 6 as a parameter file.

On the other hand, the image processing means 8 continuously cuts out the necessary image area portions from the desired image data in the mass storage device 1 based on the parameter file stored in the storage means 7, and Specified image processing is performed on images in batch processing. Further, the plate inspection means 9 checks on the screen of the monitor 2 whether the image data subjected to the batch type image processing by the image processing means 8 has been created as desired image data. Furthermore, the output means 10 outputs the image data subjected to the image processing by the image processing means 8 to the storage means 7.
This is for outputting to a recording medium (not shown) based on a designated format stored in the . Further, instead of this output means 10, a communication means for transmitting data to another system or the like via a communication line may be provided. Next, the operation of the database image processing apparatus of this embodiment configured as described above will be explained using FIGS. 2 and 3.

First, from among the digital real image data stored as a database in the mass storage device 1,
By specifying the image to be diverted this time using a keyword, file name, etc. using the image specifying means 3, the entire image is read out on the computer at a resolution coarser than the actual image data, thinned out by the necessary number of points, and displayed on the screen of the monitor 2. to be displayed. In this case, for example, if the actual image has a resolution of 14 lines/m
If the thinned-out image has a resolution of 4 lines/mm, the image size will be reduced to about 1/12, and the readout time will be shortened by that much.

Next, the operator compares the thinned-out image displayed on the screen of the monitor 2 with the rough notes given by the designer, and inputs the coordinate input instruction device (such as a digitizer) of the image processing item instruction means 5. ) to input a cropping frame that specifies the area of the image to be used. in this case,
To input the trimming frame, you can input two diagonal vertices of a rectangular trimming frame, or
When displaying an image on a monitor, such as OM, the required image size is often specified by the number of vertical and horizontal pixels, and in this way, the number of vertical and horizontal pixels is known in advance. For example, as shown in FIG. You may also use to enlarge/reduce the image and move the frame to an arbitrary location to determine the trimming. In addition, if the trimming has a certain slope with respect to the database image that is stored, cut out the circumscribed frame of the cropping frame of the required image, rotate this circumscribed frame, and then create the final cropping frame that you need. to retrieve the image.

After the operator instructs the above operations, the image processing item determining means 6 determines the number of lines/columns (number of pixels in the y-axis direction/number of pixels in the y-axis direction) of the start/end of image cutting, as shown in FIG. 3, for example. Calculates necessary image processing instructions such as the number of pixels in the x-axis direction), final thinning rate (converts the cropped image to the pixel ratio specified in the layout specification (thinning or enlargement)), rotation angle, etc. death,
The cutting parameters are determined. That is, in the case of FIG. 3, the cutout parameters are determined as follows.

[0024]X1=min(x1~x4)=x4Y1=
min(y1-y4)=y1 X2=max(x1-x4)=x2 Y2=max(y1-y4)=y1 X3=X2=x2Y
3=max(y1~y4)=y3 X4=X1=x4Y
4=Y3=y3

0
[025] Cutting start column in constructed image: sc=
X1*kres/mres Extraction end column in constructed image: ec=X2*k
res/mres Cutting start line in constructed image: sl=Y1*k
res/mres Cutout end line in constructed image: el=Y4*k
res/mres

α=tan-1 {(y2-y1)/(x2-x1)}
Rotation matrix [cos(-α) sin(-α) −s
in(-α) cos(-α)]
= [cosα−sinα sinα c
osα] lre
s=[{(cosα*x2-sinα*y2)-(co
sα*x1
-sinα*y1)}*kres/mres]/wpi
x

Here, x, y, etc. are coordinate values where 1 pixel = 1 scale as the lower left origin of the thinned image. Also, kres: Resolution at the time of database construction mres: Resolution of thinned display hpix: Desired number of finished pixels in the vertical direction wpix: Desired number of finished pixels in the horizontal direction lres: Final cutting resolution

After that, the operator judges the thinned image displayed on the screen of the monitor 2 and gives instructions for post-processing such as applying sharpness or correcting the color system, or changing Y, M, and Y of the printing system. From C, K4 colors to new media R, G,
Instructions are given from the image processing item instruction means 5, such as specifying the B3 colors, specifying the output format (color sequential method or line sequential method), specifying the output medium, etc. so that the desired image is finally obtained. In this way, each time the work for one image is completed and the parameters of various processing items are determined, the data is stored in the storage means 7 in the form of a parameter file.

[0029] When the instruction work such as trimming is completed for the number of work points, the image processing means 8 extracts data from the actual image data in the mass storage device 1 while referring to the parameter file stored in the storage means 7. A necessary image area portion is cut out, and image processing specified for the cut out portion is continuously performed in a batch processing manner. In addition,
Although this process is relatively time consuming, the operator can leave the apparatus and perform other tasks during this time. Further, these processes can be performed even at night when the operator is not present.

Next, the plate inspection means 9 checks on the screen of the monitor 2 whether the image data subjected to batch image processing by the batch image processing means 8 has been created as desired image data. Will be checked. Further, the output means 10 outputs the image data subjected to the batch type image processing by the batch type image processing means 8 to a designated recording medium (for example, halftone For example, the data is outputted in R, G, and B format sequentially onto a film, magnetic tape, floppy disk, etc.).

As described above, in this embodiment, in order to reuse the digital image data stored as a database in the mass storage device 1, necessary image areas are cut out and various image processing is performed to create the desired image. Image specifying means 3 for inputting or selecting information for specifying an image to be reused; and a large capacity storage device based on the image specified by the image specifying means 3; An image thinning/display means 4 reads coarse thinned image data from 1 to 1 and displays it on the screen of the monitor 2, and for the thinned image data displayed on the screen of the monitor 2 by the image thinning/display means 4, Image processing item instructing means 5 instructs image processing items such as trimming, color correction, output format, etc. Based on the image processing items instructed by the image processing item instructing means 5, necessary information such as the number of cutting lines/columns etc. An image processing item determining means 6 for calculating image processing instructions; a storage means 7 for storing a plurality of image processing instructions calculated by the image processing item determining means 6 as a parameter file; Image processing means for continuously cutting out necessary image area parts from desired image data in the mass storage device 1 based on the parameter file stored in the means 7, and performing designated image processing on the cut out parts. 8, a plate inspection means 9 for checking on the screen of the monitor 2 whether the image data subjected to image processing by the image processing means 8 has been created as desired image data; The apparatus is configured to include an output means 10 for outputting the processed image data to a recording medium (not shown) based on a specified format stored in the storage means 7.

Therefore, the information necessary for cutting out the necessary image area from the digital image data stored as a database in the large-capacity storage device 1 can be obtained without performing preparatory work for a projector or the like as in the past. In other words, this device can be used without having to store duplicate films of color images created in a database (no need for duplicate films, etc.), without requiring layout designation sheets with rough sketches for trimming to be reused, etc. It becomes possible to give all instructions within the system. As a result, the recently popular CD-
Stocked image data can be used extremely easily for new media applications such as ROM and CD-I. In addition, the obtained data and image processing instructions after cropping can be temporarily stored and stored in parallel files for multiple points, so that later the time-consuming cropping, rotation, etc.
Image processing such as color conversion can be performed in batches and continuously in unmanned batch processing, making it possible to carry out efficient plate-making work and shorten the overall image processing time. becomes. Furthermore, since cropping and trimming can be performed visually using a thinned-out image on the screen of the monitor 2, errors are less likely to occur and it is possible to reduce the number of reworks.

In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which the apparatus is constructed by adding plate inspection means 9 and output means 10, but these plate inspection means 9 are not necessarily essential to the present invention. Further, instead of the output means 10, it is also possible to provide communication means and transmit the final data to another system via a communication line.

[0034]

As explained above, according to the present invention, information for specifying an image to be reused is input/selected, and coarse thinned image data is read out from a mass storage device based on the specified image. The thinned image data displayed on the monitor screen is displayed on the monitor screen, and instructions are given for image processing items such as cropping and color correction, and cutting lines/columns are The necessary image processing instructions such as numbers are calculated, the calculated image processing instructions are stored as a parameter file, and based on the stored parameter file, the desired image data in the mass storage device is Continuously cut out the necessary image area parts, perform specified image processing on the cut out parts in a batch process, and if necessary, convert the image data that has undergone image processing into desired image data. In addition to checking whether the image data has been created on the monitor screen, the image data that has undergone image processing is output to a recording medium based on a specified format stored in the storage means, or via a communication line. Since we have made it possible to transmit the necessary information to cut out the necessary image area from the digital image data stored in the mass storage device, all information can be instructed within the device without any preparatory work such as using a projector. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an extremely reliable database image processing apparatus that can perform efficient plate-making work and shorten the overall image processing time.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a database image processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining trimming instruction work in the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining various cutout data in the same embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1... Mass storage device, 2... Monitor, 3... Image identification means,
4... Image thinning/display means, 5... Image processing item instruction means, 6... Image processing item determining means, 7... Storage means, 8... Image processing means, 9... Plate inspection means, 10... Output means.

Claims (4)

[Claims] Claim 1: A database image processing device that cuts out a necessary image area from digital image data stored in a large-capacity storage device and performs various image processing to create desired image data. image specifying means for inputting/selecting information for specifying, and image thinning/display for reading coarse thinned image data from the mass storage device and displaying it on a monitor screen based on the image specified by the image specifying means. means for instructing image processing items such as trimming, color correction, and output format for the thinned image data displayed on the monitor screen by the image thinning/displaying means; an image processing item determining means for calculating necessary image processing instruction items such as the number of lines/columns to be cut out based on the image processing item instructed by the item specifying means; and an image processing instruction calculated by the image processing item determining means. A storage means for storing information as a parameter file, and a necessary image area portion is cut out from desired image data in the mass storage device based on the parameter file stored in the storage means, and an image processing means for performing specified image processing on the cut-out portion; and outputting the image data subjected to the image processing by the image processing means to a recording medium based on a specified format stored in the storage means. A database image processing device comprising: an output means. 2. A database image processing device that cuts out a necessary image area from digital image data stored in a mass storage device and performs various image processing to create desired image data. image specifying means for inputting/selecting information for specifying, and image thinning/display for reading coarse thinned image data from the mass storage device and displaying it on a monitor screen based on the image specified by the image specifying means. means for instructing image processing items such as trimming, color correction, and output format for the thinned image data displayed on the monitor screen by the image thinning/displaying means; an image processing item determining unit that calculates necessary image processing instructions such as the number of lines/columns to be cut out based on the image processing item instructed by the item specifying unit; and an image processing instruction calculated by the image processing item determining unit. A storage means for storing information as a parameter file, and a necessary image area portion is cut out from desired image data in the mass storage device based on the parameter file stored in the storage means, and an image processing means for performing specified image processing on the cut-out portion; and outputting the image data subjected to the image processing by the image processing means to a recording medium based on a specified format stored in the storage means. It is characterized by comprising an output means, and a plate inspection means for checking on the monitor screen whether the image data subjected to image processing by the image processing means is created as desired image data. database image processing device. 3. A database image processing device that cuts out a necessary image area from digital image data stored in a mass storage device and performs various image processing to create desired image data. image specifying means for inputting/selecting information for specifying, and image thinning/display for reading coarse thinned image data from the mass storage device and displaying it on a monitor screen based on the image specified by the image specifying means. means for instructing image processing items such as trimming, color correction, and output format for the thinned image data displayed on the monitor screen by the image thinning/displaying means; an image processing item determining unit that calculates necessary image processing instructions such as the number of lines/columns to be cut out based on the image processing item instructed by the item specifying unit; and an image processing instruction calculated by the image processing item determining unit. A storage means for storing information as a parameter file, and a necessary image area portion is cut out from desired image data in the mass storage device based on the parameter file stored in the storage means, and an image processing means that performs specified image processing on the cut-out portion; and image data subjected to image processing by the image processing means via a communication line based on a specified format stored in the storage means. A database image processing device comprising: a communication means for transmitting data. 4. A database image processing device that cuts out a necessary image area from digital image data stored in a large-capacity storage device and performs various image processing to create desired image data. image specifying means for inputting/selecting information for specifying, and image thinning/display for reading coarse thinned image data from the mass storage device and displaying it on a monitor screen based on the image specified by the image specifying means. means for instructing image processing items such as trimming, color correction, and output format for the thinned image data displayed on the monitor screen by the image thinning/displaying means; an image processing item determining unit that calculates necessary image processing instructions such as the number of lines/columns to be cut out based on the image processing item instructed by the item specifying unit; and an image processing instruction calculated by the image processing item determining unit. A storage means for storing information as a parameter file, and a necessary image area portion is cut out from desired image data in the mass storage device based on the parameter file stored in the storage means, and an image processing means that performs specified image processing on the cut-out portion; and image data subjected to image processing by the image processing means via a communication line based on a specified format stored in the storage means. and a plate inspection means for checking on the monitor screen whether the image data subjected to image processing by the image processing means is created as desired image data. A database image processing device characterized by: