JPH0644803B2 - Image data processing system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image data processing system.

[Prior Art] For example, a digital color copying machine is given as an example of an image data processing system. In such a device, each color signal obtained by reading a document with a color reader or the like is sent to a signal processing circuit through a separate signal line corresponding to a color, and a process such as γ correction (tone correction) masking (color correction) is performed to obtain a full color image. Play the image.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In such an apparatus, a function different from the color reader, for example, a function of receiving data input from a host computer and forming an image has not yet been obtained.

In the host computer, when the color image data is separated and output for each color component, the color component is output for each line, that is, so-called color components are output line-sequentially.
There is one that outputs a color component for each frame, that is, a so-called color component is output in a frame sequential manner.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image data processing system capable of excellently processing various color image data output forms in view of the above point.

[Means for Achieving the Object] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the image data processing system of the present invention is configured such that image data in which a plurality of color components are serially provided and a transmission format of the plurality of color components are line units or frames. Data indicating whether it is a unit and 1
Receiving means for receiving a data format signal (corresponding to A, M and N in FIG. 5 in this embodiment) including size data indicating the number of pixels in a line or the number of vertical and horizontal pixels in one frame (also selector 101 in FIG. 6). ), If the transmission format is a line unit based on the data format signal received by the receiving means, the image data received by the receiving means is repeatedly separated for each number of pixels of one line of the size data, If the transmission format is a frame unit, the image data received by the receiving means is repeatedly separated for each color component for each pixel number corresponding to one frame of the size data (also the command register 1).
06, CPU100, FIG. 7, step 15, step 1
6, step 23), storage means (also selector 101, registers 107, 108, respectively) for storing the image data for each color component separated by the separation means in the memories (also 102, 103, 104) corresponding to each color component. 10
9) and are included.

〔Example〕

The present invention separates each color signal sent in time series through one signal line, rearranges them in parallel as color signals of a predetermined dot, and processes them for color reproduction output. It masks each color signal in parallel at the same time, also performs background color removal (UCR) processing, etc., performs real-time reproduction output processing, or stores them in the page memory for each color. It is something that

Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given with reference to the drawings.

Below, B, G, R, Y, M, C, and BK are assumed to be the colors of bull, green, red, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.

This embodiment is shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 1 is a color separator, 2 is an image signal processing circuit such as masking, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are memories Y for storing Y, M and CBK signals obtained by processing, memory M, memory C, memory Bk, 7 is 4
With a drum laser beam printer, Y, M, C, and Bk images are formed on each drum, and the images are sequentially transferred onto paper through a color resist. Reference numeral 8 is a digital color printer composed of 1 to 7, and 10 is a host computer.
Note that 7 does not have to be 4 drums.

As a signal sent from the host 10, for example, the second
As shown in the figure, a blue image signal B ₁ in one pixel, then a green image signal G ₁ , and then a red image signal R ₁ are sent, and subsequently, a blue image signal B _{2 in} one pixel. Then, when the green image signal G ₂ and then the red image signal R ₂ are sent, they are sent out to the telephone line serially in time. Note that B, G, and R in one pixel may be the same point, or three points B, G, and R may form one pixel.

The digital color printer 8 receiving this signal rearranges the signals sent in series by the separator 1 in parallel for each pixel as shown in FIG. 3 and separates them for each color of B, G, R, and outputs the image signal. It is sent to the processing circuit 2 and well-known UCR, masking, etc. are added and stored in the memory Y (3), memory M (4), memory C (5) and memory Bk (6), and a 4-drum laser is provided for each color signal. A reproduced image of each color is created on each drum of the beam printer (LB printer) 7, and all of each color is transferred onto one sheet of paper with color registration timing. It is also valid for 1-bit serial data from the host.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the separator 1. The B, G and R signals each have gradation data composed of 8 bits. Therefore, it is assumed that a digital signal of 3 × 8 → 24 bits per pixel is sent as the data D. Numerals 20 to 22 are 8-bit registers for storing B, G, and R color data. 23
.About.25 are 8-bit latch circuits for sending the data in the register to the processing circuit 2, and 26 is a counter for controlling the registers and the latch, which counts the clock .phi. 27 is the counter 26-2
This is an inverter for outputting the latch at the trailing edge of the signal at the 4th bit.

That is, the B register 20 counts 1 by the counter 26.
8 to 8 store the data D, and the 8-bit data of the B signal in the data D is stored. The next G signal is stored in the G register 21 with a count number of 9 to 16, and the next R signal is stored in the R register 22 with a count number of 17 to 24. 8 bits of each color data is latched in each latch 23 to 25 by storing in each register. Then, in response to the end of storing 24 bits, that is, the falling edge of the pulse of the count 24 by the counter, the latches 23 to
The B, G, and R data are simultaneously output in parallel from 25. The counter thereafter repeats counting from 0 to 23, and stores B, G, and R data relating to the next pixel in each register. By repeating this, the B, G, and R data are simultaneously output in parallel for each pixel, and the conversion processing circuit 2 outputs γ for the processed outputs of B, G, and R.
Correction, masking and UCR processes are performed, the signals are converted into Y, M, C and BK signals, each signal is dithered and gradation reproduction is performed.
It can be stored in the memories 3 to 6 or output to the printer.

The counter 26 is reset by a command signal sent at the beginning of the B, G, R data transmitted as shown in FIG. 2 and starts counting. Since the latch is simultaneously output only at the falling edge of the 24th pulse of the counter 26, the error in the processing circuit 2 is small. If Y, M, C, BK simultaneous output of 1 pixel 4 dot type printer, memory 3-6
Is unnecessary. The masking process and UCR process may be performed in either order, and BK is the minimum level of Y, M, C or
It is calculated from the B, G, R maximal levels and output.

Next, the format of data transmission will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a signal form as in FIGS. 2 and 3. As described above, command data (control code) is added in addition to color data. Referring to FIG. 5 (a), the control code is the control signal (L).
And the number of lines (M) and the number of pixels (N). Next, the control signal (L) will be described. Control signal (L) is data format (A), CO
It has a LOR signal (D), a black monochrome signal (C) and a start signal (K). The start signal (K) is "1,1,1" in this embodiment. The black monochromatic signal (C) is "1" if it is a black monochromatic signal. The data format (A) is “0, if the unit of transmission data is a pixel unit.
0 "," 0,1 "for line units," 1,0 "for frame units, and" 0,0 "for R, and G for COLOR signal (D). “0,1”, B is “1,0”,
If it is R, G, B, it is "1,1".

Next, the number of lines (M) is data indicating how many lines of data are to be transmitted, and the number of pixels (N) is how many pixels of data is to be transmitted (number of pixels / line).

FIG. 5 (b) shows a transmission mode in which the data format (A) is a pixel unit and the COLOR signal is R, G, and B and 1 line N pixels are transmitted. Similarly, FIG. 5 (c) shows a transmission mode in which a B (BLUE) signal is sent in N pixels for one line in a line unit. In (d), it is the same as (c), but R in line units
A transmission mode is shown in which G and B signals are sent by N pixels in one line. FIG. 5 (e) shows a mode in which the B signal is transmitted by M lines (1 frame M lines, 1 line N pixels) in frame units. Figure 5 (f) shows the R, G, and B signals (e)
In the same manner as the above, the transmission mode is shown. Note that a signal indicating the end of transmission may be further provided. If the host asks the terminal for READY / BUSY before transmission,
Be prepared to start the transmission.

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a color processing system which can also support various types of transmission as partially shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 shows the control code described in FIG.
6 is a control flow chart of the CPU 100 for storing and outputting data in the memories 102 ', 103 and 104 of FIG. First, if the terminal is READY, in step 1, the CPU 100 selects the selector 1 (101) in FIG.
Is selected and the data is received, the data is input to INTI in step 2, and the sync signal is output in step 3 to generate the oscillator 1.
The oscillation of 05 is started. The received data is also input to the command register 106. When the number of clocks is 8 in step 4, the CPU 100 takes in the 8-bit data stored in the command register 106 in step 5.

If the upper 3 bits of the input command data are "1, 1, 1" as described in FIG. 5, it is detected in step 6 that the signal is a start signal. Next, in step 7, the lower 5 bits of the command data are detected, and the control signal having the data format (A), the COLOR signal (D), and the black monochromatic signal (C) is recognized as described in FIG. To do. Next, in step 8 or step 11, the number of lines and the number of pixels are recognized. In steps 12 and 13, it is recognized whether the mode is changed to the white / black mode, the data is in pixel units, or the data is in frame units. In FIG. 7, only the case of transmission in units of lines after step 14 will be described.

In step 14, the oscillator 105 is restarted (synchronous signal) as described above.

Next, in step 15, the CPU 100 selects the port V of the selector 101 shown in FIG. In steps 16 to 18, 8 bits of the R signal are fetched into the R register 107 via the port V of the selector 101, the memory R102 is selected, and in step 17, the R signal of 8 bits is sent to the CPU.
The data R is written in parallel to the memory R 102 by the WRITE signal from 100. This continues until step 18 detects that a predetermined number of lines have been transmitted.

Next, in steps 19 to 22, the selector 1
Memory G from the G register 108 via the W port 01
Data G is written in 103 in parallel.

Similarly, in steps 23 to 26, the data B is written in parallel from the B register 109 to the memory B 104 via the X port of the selector 101.

In step 27, if the predetermined M lines have undergone the above steps, the process ends.

Note that, in FIG. 6, description of the output unit (printer 7) and the image processing circuit 2 is omitted.

FIG. 8 shows another example in which the memory (Y) 3, the memory (M) 4, the memory (C) 5, and the memory (BK) 6 in FIG. 1 are rewritten into an optical disk or a magneto-optical disk 3. Is. Since the optical disk is detachable, the received color data can be reproduced by a digital color printer and stored semipermanently.

It is also possible to connect and switch the color reader by CCD to X and Y in FIG. 1 to input B, G and R. In that case, the processing circuit 2
It is necessary to make the processing speed of 1 correspond to the output speed of the reader. FIG. 9 shows an external view of a part of a color system to which the present invention can be applied, in which the reader and printer 7 are connected.
E is a reader, E-1 is an operation unit of the reader, 11 is a document cover, and 12 is a document table. E-1 is provided with a key for editing such as storing each data in a memory.

As described above, the reader does not have to be provided at the XY position in FIG. 1, but may be provided at the front end portion (close distance) of the separating portion, like the host. In this case, data from the reader is serially input to the printer 8 in the same manner as signals from the host. Also in this case, a reader and a printer having the same external view as in FIG. 9 can be used.

By the way, the above-described techniques of separating serial image data and parallel image processing can be applied to the following examples. First
Figure 2 shows its configuration. 201 is a reader, 202 is a key for inputting date, time, etc., 203 is ASCII
It is an encoder. Further, 204, 205 and 206 are memories, and a large capacity file memory such as an electronic file may be used.

That is, as a series of image data sent from the host 10 in FIG. 1, a document image is compressed by the MH encoder (MH encoder) 200 and encoded.
There is a combination of H code data and ASCII code data obtained by encoding management data indicating date and time with ASCII code. Then, if these are repeatedly sent periodically for each line or frame, these two types of code data can be transmitted by one data line. In this case, the two types of code data can be separated (separator 210) by the same register and counter configuration as described above. Then, the separated MH code data is input to the MH decoder MH decoder 207 and converted into the original document image data, that is, the bit image data represented by one bit and one bit, and the ASCII code data is collected by the character generator 208. And is converted into management image data of numerical values or symbols indicating dates and times, that is, bit image data similar to the above.

In this way, one of the document images of the data converted into bit image data in parallel in this way is subjected to halftone reproduction processing such as dither and printed and reproduced. The other management image data is displayed by the display of the system of FIG. 9 which can receive the data from the host.

It is also possible to combine both data thus converted into bit images in parallel in this way (compositing unit 209) and print out on one sheet in a dot (printer 211). Since the management data is sent periodically between one frame and one frame of the document image data, when printing one frame on one sheet of paper, the date of the management data is displayed near the bottom corner of this paper. page,
Subscribe for transmission charges and print. For this purpose, a memory 206 for storing the data obtained by converting the ASCII code into a bit image is provided, and this memory data is outputted and synthesized by observing the end of the print reproduction of the document image. The MH may be another compression method such as MR, and the ASC11 code is not limited to this.

This point can be similarly applied to the example of terminal selection and polling.

FIG. 10 shows a color having a plurality of external terminals and capable of outputting a color image based on an image data signal such as a color from a reader provided in the printer or an image data signal from the external terminal. 1 shows a block diagram of a processing system. FIG. 11 shows a flow chart of data reception control by the CPU 100. Hereinafter, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 will be described. In step 1 of FIG. 11, firstly, in response to the select signal 2 of the CPU 100,
Select 2 (110) by switching and select the external terminal (116
~ 115) polling is performed. Next, in step 2, when there is a transmission request from the external terminal, in step 3, the state where the terminal at the request of the selector 1 (101) is selected by the select signal 1 is continued. If data can be received at step 4, a READY signal is sent from the SO terminal of the CPU to the selected external terminal via Y and Z of the selector 1 and the selector 2. The printer side 8 receives the signal from the external terminal selected in steps 5 and 6.

If there is no transmission request from the external terminal and there is a transmission (LOCAL transmission) request from the reader 116 in steps 2 and 7, the terminal of the selector 2 is connected to the READER 116 by the select signal 2 of the CPU 100 in step 8. If the READY signal is sent to the READER in step 9, the printer side 8 receives the signal from the reader in steps 10 and 11.

In the above explanation, the printer side had the control unit, but READ
The ER 116 may have a control unit and may be configured to transmit data from the outside to the printer side via the READER. It is also possible to transmit the data read by the reader to another external terminal.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a system capable of transmitting image data with a small number of transmission lines regardless of the type of image data to be processed and capable of processing the image data. .

It was also possible to provide a color processing system having a network mechanism for transmitting digital signals.

As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide the color processing system which can achieve the above object and can appropriately output the color image image to the serial input of the digital color signal.

Further, it was possible to provide a color processing system capable of appropriately selecting image data input from an image reader of a document or the like and from an external terminal and correspondingly processing the image data.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the color components of the input color image data are determined based on the received data format signal whether the transmission format is line unit or frame unit. Since they are separated separately and stored in the memory corresponding to each color component, good processing can be performed for each color component regardless of whether the transmission format of color image data is a line unit or a frame unit.

Further, regardless of whether the transmission format of the color component is a line unit or a frame unit, the number of pixels of the line or the vertical and horizontal sizes of the frame are input as size data according to the transmission format. The size data can be accurately stored in the memory for each color component without any trouble.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a color processing system to which the invention is applied, FIGS. 2 and 3 are signal form diagrams, FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the separator 1 in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 shows signal form. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a color processing system showing another embodiment to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 7 is a control flow chart for controlling the system by judging a control code, and FIG. 8 is another. It is a figure which shows the Example of. FIG. 9 is an external view of the color system. FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a color processing system to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 11 is a control flow chart for data reception. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another system configuration. 1 is a separator, 3, 4, 5, 6, 102, 103, 104
Is a memory, 100 is a CPU 116, E is a reader, 11
1, 112, 113, 114, 115 are external terminals, and 8 is a digital color printer.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An image data in which a plurality of color components are serially given, and data indicating whether the transmission format of the plurality of color components is a line unit or a frame unit and 1
Receiving means for receiving a data format signal including size data indicating the number of pixels of a line or the number of vertical and horizontal pixels of one frame, and if the transmission format is a line unit based on the data format signal received by the receiving means, The image data received by the receiving means is repeatedly separated for each color component for each number of pixels of one line of the size data, and if the transmission format is a frame unit, the image data received by the receiving means is divided into the size data. And a storage unit for separating the image data for each color component, which is separated by the separation unit, into a memory corresponding to each color component. Image data processing system.