JPH07271533A - Image processing system and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To read an original image by a nearby scanner and to output this image through the proper one of color and monochromatic copying machines. CONSTITUTION:A color copying machine 18 and a monochromatic copying machine 20 are connected to a network 10, and the image scanners 24 and 26 are also connected to the network 10 via the computers 14 and 16. Both computers 14 and 16 decide whether the originals read by the scanners 24 and 26 are color or monochromatic ones. Then the color originals are outputted to the machine 18, and the monochromatic originals are outputted to the machine 20 respectively. When the machine 20 is previously designated as the output destination, the color parts of color originals are replaced with a specific pattern and supplied to the machine 20.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing system having a plurality of image output devices and a control method thereof,
More specifically, the present invention relates to an image processing system and a control method for supplying an input image to an appropriate image output device according to its characteristics.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When copying a document in which a monochrome image and a color image are mixed, in order to make the most of the color image, the page containing the color image is copied by a color copying machine or the entire page is copied by a color copying machine. I have no choice. The color copying machine has a disadvantage that not only the copying cost is much higher than that of the monochrome copying machine, but also the copying speed is slow. Therefore, the latter method cannot be used, and the document is usually copied by the former method.

[0003]

However, in the method of printing only a page having a color image (color page) by a color copying machine, only the color pages are separated and the color page is copied by the color copying machine. , The other pages are copied by a monochrome copying machine, and both copying papers are set in the order of the pages, so that a manual work is required, and the workability is poor.

It is an object of the present invention to eliminate such a trouble and provide an image processing system for supplying each page to be output to an image output device corresponding to the page and a control method thereof.

Further, due to recent improvements in computer technology and network technology, in a system in which a copying machine, a printer, an image scanner, a video camera, etc. are connected to a network directly or via a computer, an image data input / output device can be used. An environment is in place where you can make a great deal of choice.

Even in such a network system,
For example, it is desirable that a color image is output from a color copying machine or a color printer, a monochrome image is output from a monochrome copying machine or a monochrome printer, and
It is preferable to select an image output means suitable for the resolution of the image to be output. In the past, all of these selections depended on the operation of the operator, and not only there were trial and error elements, but also manual processing was required, which was troublesome.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system and a control method therefor which eliminates such inconvenience.

[0008]

In the image processing system according to the present invention, an input image is analyzed, and an image output device used for outputting the input image is selected according to the analysis result.

[0009]

By the above means, it is possible to output from an appropriate image output device according to the nature of the input image to be output, for example, whether it is color or black and white. This is very convenient because it is not necessary to go to the front of the image output device and directly operate. Whether it is a monochrome image or a color image can be determined by a simple circuit based on the component ratio of the color components.

By providing automatic / manual setting means for setting whether to manually specify the output destination of the input image or automatically by the analyzing means and the output device selecting means, it is possible to selectively use it according to the intention of the user. .

When the input image includes a color image and a color-incompatible image output device is designated as the output device, the color portion of the input image is replaced with a preset pattern image to perform monochrome output. However, it is possible to easily identify the originally colored portion.

By supplying the information specifying the image output device selected as the output destination to the source of the input image, the user can be notified of which device the image is output from.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall schematic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, three computers 12, 14, 16, a color copying machine 18, a monochrome copying machine 20 and a compound copying machine 22 in which a facsimile and a monochrome copying machine are combined are connected to a network 10. Image scanners 24 and 26 are connected to the computers 14 and 16, respectively. That is, the image scanners 24 and 26 are respectively the computers 14 and
Connected to the network 10 via 16.

In the past, when a manuscript was to be copied, it was necessary to go to each copier 18, 20 or 22 to perform a copying operation depending on the kind of the manuscript. Although details will be described later, in this embodiment, if a person who wants to obtain a copy is closer to the computer 14 or 16 than the copying machine 18, 20 or 22, the scanner 24 connected to the computer 14 or 16 or A copy can be obtained as before using 26. When reading images with the scanners 24 and 26, it is not necessary to consider whether or not the document is in color, and simply place the document on the document table of the scanners 24 and 26, and
The start button of the scanners 24 and 26 may be pressed after setting the copy to the computers 14 and 16 to be connected.

The computer 14 or 16 connected to the scanner 24 or 26 that has read the image determines whether the read document is black and white or color, and from the copying machine 18, 20, 22 connected to the network 10, according to the determination result. An appropriate one is selected and the image data from the scanners 24, 26 is transferred to the selected copying machine 18, 20 or 22.
For example, a monochrome original is transferred to the monochrome copying machine 20, and a color original is transferred to the color copying machine 18. The copying machine 18, 20 or 22 to which the image data is input forms a visible image on the paper. Which output device it was transferred to
The image is displayed on the display unit of the scanner 24 or 26.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the scanners 24 and 26 with the original pressure plate removed. Reference numeral 30 is a platen made of transparent glass, 32 is a start button for instructing to start image reading of a document placed on the platen 30, and 34 is a platen 30.
Under the document table 3 while moving in the direction of arrow 36.
A line sensor 38 for reading an image of the original on the image pickup device 2 is in an operating state (such as during reading and data transfer) and information from the computers 14 and 16 (for example, the computer 1).
Reference numeral 40 denotes a mode setting switch for setting operation modes of the scanners 24 and 26, and a display 40 for displaying processing in progress on the screens 4, 16 and outputting to the output device.

In the present embodiment, the information to be set by the mode setting switch 40 includes, in the present embodiment, whether the output device is automatically set or manually set according to the reading result, and the decision parameter (type of original, device The amount of jobs held, the resolution, etc.) and the output destination in the case of manual setting are specified. Obviously, this setting may be input by the computers 14 and 16 instead of the scanners 24 and 26.

The image scanners 24 and 26 are color image scanners, and output the image data of the read original document to the computers 14 and 16 in the RGB format as they are or after they are compressed.

The control of the output device in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 3 shows the computer 14, 1.
6 is a block diagram of an image processing circuit incorporated in FIG. An image date read by the line sensor 34 and a control signal corresponding to the operation of the start button 32 and the mode setting switch 40 are input to the mode selection circuit 50 from the image scanner 24 or 26. The mode selection circuit 50 mainly performs on / off of an automatic / manual switch for setting automatic selection or manual selection of an output device, on / off of a high-speed output mode switch, and setting of determination parameters. The setting result is supplied to the black-and-white / color determination circuit 52, the color area determination circuit 54 and the output device selection circuit 56 in the subsequent stage,
Control these.

The automatic / manual switch is turned on when the output device is automatically switched, and is turned off when the output device is manually switched. Automatic /
When the manual changeover switch is on, the black / white / color determination circuit 52 determines whether or not the original includes a color portion, and the output device selection circuit 56 determines the three output devices 18, 20, 22 connected to the network 10. Determine the output device to use while monitoring the operating status of. When the automatic / manual switch is off, the output device selection circuit 56 selects the output device determined by the user as the output destination.

The output high speed mode switch is turned on when high speed output of a color original is desired. Color has a large amount of data compared to monochrome, and is used in a situation where it takes too much time to simply output a color original document. Whether or not to operate the monochrome / color determination circuit 52 and the color area determination circuit 54 is controlled by logical synthesis of the output high-speed mode switch and the automatic / manual switch.

The determination parameters set by the mode selection circuit 50 determine the operating conditions of the monochrome / color determination circuit 52 and the color area determination circuit 54.

The mode selection circuit 50 includes the scanner 24 or 2
Image data from 6 as it is, monochrome / color determination circuit 5
Supply to 2. The monochrome / color determination circuit 52 determines whether or not a color is included in one input page.
For example, in the RGB format of the image output of the scanners 24 and 26, if the component values of R, G, and B vary, it is a chromatic color, and if the variation is small, it becomes an achromatic color. This determination may be performed using the input RGB data as it is, or may be performed using CMY data obtained by logarithmic conversion.

FIG. 4 shows an example of determination of chromatic color and achromatic color based on RGB data. FIG. 4 (1) is mainly a green image or pixel, and is chromatic because the three component values vary.
In (2), since the three component values are almost similar, achromatic white, gray or black is represented.

A method of discriminating between chromatic color and achromatic color will be specifically described. For example, a method of determining from the difference between the maximum component value and the minimum component value and a method of determining from the ratio of the minimum component value to the maximum component value can be considered. In the former method, the difference between the maximum component value and the minimum component value is obtained, and if the difference is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, it is determined as chromatic color, and if it is less than the threshold value, it is determined as achromatic color. This method can be realized by a circuit having a simple structure of a subtractor and a comparator. However, when the absolute levels of the three components are low or high, there is a possibility of misjudgment. Preferably, the threshold value should be adaptively changed according to the absolute level or average level of the three components. That is, the latter method is less likely to make an erroneous determination. In the latter method,
The ratio of the minimum component value to the maximum component value is calculated, and the ratio is compared with one threshold value to determine the chromatic color / achromatic color. Compared with the former method, the circuit becomes large by the amount of the multiplier required, but as described above, it does not depend on the absolute level.

The determination of chromatic color / achromatic color does not have to be performed in pixel units, and may be performed in units of a region or block consisting of a certain number of pixels, one line, or a part of one line. In addition, noise (paper stains, etc.) on the original document may be detected as a chromatic color. Therefore, if the portion determined to be chromatic color occupies a certain area or more in the original document, it is finally judged as a color original document. It is desirable to make a judgment.

The color area determination circuit 54 will be described. When the mode selection circuit 50 specifies the monochrome copying machine 20 as the output device regardless of whether the original is color or black and white, or when the original is color in response to the designation of the high-speed output mode, the color image portion is also output in monochrome. , The color image part is not reproduced. On the other hand, a technique of replacing the color image portion with a specific pattern corresponding to the color is known, and the color area determination circuit 54 changes the color image portion according to the control signal from the mode selection circuit 50. , The pattern is replaced with a preset pattern according to the color.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of the color area determination circuit 54. Since a finite number of monochrome pattern images are assigned to color images, it is necessary to classify colors into the number of patterns. The code generation circuit 60 is
The color image part of the input image signal is determined for each color of a finite number of colors for each area of a predetermined size, and a color code corresponding to the corresponding color is generated to generate a pattern generation circuit. Apply to 62.

The code generation circuit 60 detects, for example, the maximum component of the three color components, and determines the color code by the ratio of the remaining two component values to the maximum component value. In another method, the minimum component of the three color components is detected, and the color code is determined by the ratio of the two values obtained by subtracting the minimum component value from the remaining two component values.

The pattern generation circuit 62 is the code generation circuit 6
A bit map pattern signal corresponding to the color code from 0 is generated and applied to the selector 64. The code generation circuit 60 supplies the image signal from the monochrome / color determination circuit 52 to another input of the selector 64 as it is, and applies the switching control signal of the selector 64 to the selector 64. Under the control of the code generation circuit 60, the selector 64 selects the output of the pattern generation circuit 62 for the color image portion and the code generation circuit 60 for the non-color image portion.
Select the image signal from. The signal selected by the selector 64 is supplied to the output device selection circuit 56.

By this function of the color area determination circuit 54, even when a color original is output in monochrome, it is possible to output the color image portion in a form in which the color image portion can be easily identified to some extent. Also,
When a color original is output in monochrome, the amount of data is drastically reduced, so high speed output is possible.

The output device selection circuit 56 constantly outputs or outputs output devices on the network 10 (see FIG. 1).
In the embodiment shown in (1), the copiers 18, 20, 22) are monitored to check which device is in an empty state and which device has a light load. The output device selection circuit 56 determines the setting mode and setting parameters of the mode selection circuit 50, the determination result of the monochrome / color determination circuit 52,
In addition, the output device to be used is determined according to the load state of the output device, and the image data from the color area determination circuit 54 is transferred to the output device.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart for determining the output device. First, it is judged from the signal from the mode selection circuit 50 whether or not the color / monochrome automatic switching is performed (S
1). In the case of automatic switching (S1), it is first checked whether or not the output high speed mode is set (S2). The output high speed mode is set by the mode setting switch 40.
When the output high speed mode is not set (S2) and the original is color (S6), the color copying machine 18 is selected as the output destination (S8), and when the original is not color (S6), the monochrome copying machine is set as the output destination. 20 is selected (S5). Whether the original is color or not can be known by outputting the determination result of the monochrome / color determination circuit 52.

The output high speed mode is set (S
2) If the original is in color (S3), the color area determination circuit 54 replaces the chromatic color portion with the corresponding specific pattern (S4).
The replacement process of S4 is passed. And in both cases,
The monochrome copying machine 20 is selected as the output destination (S
5).

In the case of manual switching (S1), if color output is designated (S7), the color copying machine 16 is selected as the output destination regardless of whether the original is color or black and white (S8). When the color output is not designated, that is, when the monochrome output is designated (S7), and the original is in color (S9), the color region determination circuit 54 determines the color region and determines the chromatic portion. The pattern is replaced with the corresponding pattern (S10). If the original is not in color, the process passes S10, and in either case, the monochrome copying machine 20 is selected as the output destination (S11).

In S5, S8 and S11, the image data is transferred to the selected color copying machine 18 or monochrome copying machine 20 via the network 10 and printed out.

The output device selection circuit 56 outputs the image data of the image to be printed to the output device selected by the above processing, and at the same time, outputs the information for specifying the output device to the display signal generation circuit 58. The display signal generation circuit 58 generates a character image indicating the output device according to the information specifying the output device from the output device selection circuit 56, and supplies the character image to the scanner 24 or the scanner 26.
The scanner 24 or the scanner 26 displays the image information supplied from the display signal generation circuit 58 as an image on the display 38. As a result, the output destination is displayed on the display 38 of the scanner 24 or the scanner 26.

The output device selection circuit 56 is a device connected to the network 10, especially the output device 1
8, 20, 22 information (on / off and load status, etc.)
Is periodically supplied to the display signal generation circuit 58, and the display signal generation circuit 58 generates bitmap image data to be displayed in characters or the like in the information and outputs the information to the scanner 24 or the same.
Output to 6. As a result, the display 38 of the scanner 24 or 26 displays the on / off status and load status of the devices connected to the network, in particular, the output devices 18, 20, 22 and the mode selection switch 40.
Will help you select a mode.

As described above, in this embodiment, the color copying machine and the monochrome copying machine can be automatically selected according to the image to be output, that is, according to the color or the black and white.
Eliminates the hassle of manually selecting output.

Needless to say, all or some of the functional blocks shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 can be realized by either hardware or software.

Further, a part or all of the start switch 32, the display 38 and the mode setting switch 40 of the image scanners 24 and 26 are replaced by the computers 14 and 1.
6 may have it. On the contrary, the scanners 24 and 26 may have the functions shown in FIG.

In addition to the above, output devices connected to the network include printers, electronic file devices, facsimiles, and the like, and the system configuration having these is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Further, in the present embodiment, although the color and the black and white are distinguished, the output device is selected according to the expression color, such as full color and a small number of colors, for example, about 256 colors. The configuration is also included in the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, it is also apparent that the technique of automatically selecting the output device according to the resolution is included in the scope of the present invention.

[0045]

As can be easily understood from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically select an appropriate one according to an image to be output from a plurality of output devices having different performances, and to perform an operation. Sex is greatly improved. Of course, it goes without saying that the output devices can be individually selected by turning off the automatic selection.

Further, the copying work which had to be carried out in front of the copying machine having the necessary functions and can be carried out can be realized by the image input means connected to the nearby computer, for example, the image scanner, and immediately. You'll be able to get the copy you need.

By providing an automatic / manual setting means for setting whether the output destination of the input image is manually designated or automatically designated, it is possible to selectively use the output destination according to the intention of the user.

When the input image includes a color image and a color-incompatible image output device is designated as the output device, the color portion of the input image is replaced with a preset pattern image to perform monochrome output. However, it is possible to easily identify the originally colored portion.

By supplying the information specifying the image output device selected as the output destination to the supply source of the input image, it is possible to inform the user of which device the image is output from.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the image scanners 24 and 26.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration block diagram of an image processing circuit of computers 14 and 16.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory example of a monochrome / color determination method.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a color area determination circuit 54.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for determining an output destination according to this embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: Network 12, 14, 16: Computer 18: Color copying machine 20: Monochrome copying machine 22: Compound copying machine 24, 2
6: image scanner 30: document table 32: start button 34: line sensor 36: moving direction of line sensor 34 3
8: Display 40: Mode setting switch 50:
Mode selection circuit 52: Monochrome / color determination circuit 54:
Color area determination circuit 56: Output device selection circuit 58: Display signal generation circuit 60: Code generation circuit 62: Pattern generation circuit 6
4: Selector

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Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An image processing system comprising a plurality of image output devices, wherein the input image is output from the plurality of image output devices according to an analysis means for analyzing the input image and an analysis result of the analysis means. An image processing system, comprising: an output device selecting means for selecting a desired one. 2. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the analysis result of the analysis means includes information indicating whether the input image is a monochrome image or a color image. 3. The image processing system according to claim 2, wherein the analyzing unit analyzes a monochrome image or a color image based on a component ratio of color components of the input image. 4. The automatic / manual setting means for setting whether to manually specify the output destination of the input image or to automatically specify the output destination of the input image by the analyzing means and the output device selecting means. The image processing system according to any one of claims. 5. A replacement for replacing a color portion of the input image with a preset pattern image when the input image includes a color image and a color-incompatible image output device is designated as the output device. The image processing system according to claim 4, further comprising means. 6. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the output device selection unit supplies information specifying an image output device selected as an output destination to a source of the input image. 7. An image processing system comprising a plurality of image output devices, which is a control method for selecting an image output device to be used for outputting an input image, the analysis step of analyzing the input image, and the analysis step. And a step of selecting an output device that outputs the input image from the plurality of image output devices according to the analysis result of the step. 8. The method for controlling an image processing system according to claim 7, wherein the analyzing step identifies at least one of the number of display colors of the input image, the depth of the display colors, the resolution, and the size. 9. The control method of an image processing system according to claim 8, wherein the analyzing step analyzes a monochrome image or a color image based on a component ratio of color components of the input image. 10. The image processing system according to claim 7, wherein the analysis step and the output device selection step are passed when the output destination of the input image is manually designated. Control method. 11. When the input image includes a color image, and when a color-incompatible image output device is designated as the output device, the color portion of the input image is replaced with a preset pattern image. The control method of the image processing system according to claim 10, further comprising steps. 12. The image processing system according to claim 7, further comprising a display step of displaying information specifying the image output device selected in the output device selection step at a source of the input image. Control method.