JPH10302075A - Information processing method and device and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide information processing method and device capable of obtaining a printed result high in quality. SOLUTION: A CPU 9 separates picture information inputted from a picture input device and stored in an RAM 8 into character information, graphic information and image information. The CPU 9 recognizes and stores the layout of the separated character information, graphic information and image information, selects page description language to be converted from the picture information inputted from the picture input device based on the recognized and stored layout information and describes the picture information inputted from the picture input device by the selected page description language.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing method and apparatus for analyzing image information input from an image input device and converting the image information into a print control command group capable of obtaining a high quality print output. And a storage medium used in these information processing methods and apparatuses.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image information including characters, figures, images and the like printed or displayed on paper or panels is
The image is captured and printed out by an image input device such as a scanner or a digital camera.

[0003]

Conventionally, in such a case, the quality of the input image information depends on the resolution of the image input device. There was a problem that occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and a first object of the present invention is to provide an information processing method capable of obtaining a high-quality print result. And a device.

[0005] A second object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium capable of smoothly controlling the above-described information processing apparatus.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method comprising: analyzing image information input from an image input device; An information processing method for performing a conversion process into a print control command group capable of obtaining a print output, comprising: an information storage step of storing image information input from the image input device; and analyzing the image information stored by the storage step. Separating information into character information, graphic information, and image information, and recognizing and storing the layout of the character information, graphic information, and image information separated by the information separating step. Which page description language is to be used to convert the image information input from the image input device based on the layout information recognized and stored in the step. A selection step of-option, and having a description steps describing the selected page description language by the selection step the image information input from the image input device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method according to the first aspect, wherein the image input device is a scanner.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method according to the first aspect, wherein the image input device is a digital camera.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method according to the first aspect, wherein a group of print control commands for describing image information input from an image input device in a page description language for a printing device. A dividing step of dividing image information input from the image input device into character information, graphic information, and image information; and one page of each information divided by the dividing step. A recognition step of recognizing the layout above, a character recognition step of performing character recognition of the character information, a calculation step of calculating an area of the information, and calculation information of the information obtained by the calculation step. A selecting step of selecting an optimal page description language for printing image information input from the image input device with high quality; and Characterized in that the information obtained Ri and a description steps describing the selected page description language by the selection step the image information input from the image input device.

In order to achieve the first object, an information processing method according to a fifth aspect is characterized in that, in the information processing method according to the fourth aspect, the image input device is a scanner.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method according to the fourth aspect, wherein the image input device is a digital camera.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus which analyzes image information input from an image input device and obtains a high quality print output of the image information. An information processing device that performs a conversion process into a print control command group, wherein the information storage means stores image information input from the image input device, and character information is obtained by analyzing the image information stored by the storage means. Information separating means for separating graphic information and image information, recognition storage means for recognizing and storing the layout of character information, graphic information and image information separated by the information separating means;
Selecting means for selecting which page description language is to be used to convert the image information input from the image input device based on the layout information recognized and stored by the recognition storage means, and the image information input from the image input device. And description means for description in a page description language selected by the selection means.

In order to achieve the first object, an information processing apparatus according to claim 8 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image input device is a scanner.

In order to achieve the first object, an information processing apparatus according to claim 9 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image input device is a digital camera.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus, comprising: a print control command group for describing image information input from an image input device in a page description language for a printing device; An information processing device for converting the image information input from the image input device into character information, graphic information, and image information; and one page of each information divided by the division means. A recognition unit for recognizing the layout above, a character recognition unit for performing character recognition of the character information, a calculation unit for calculating an area of each of the information, and a calculation information of each of the information obtained by the calculation unit. Selecting means for selecting an optimum page description language for printing image information input from the image input device with high quality; and inputting the image information from information obtained by the recognizing means. The image information input from the apparatus; and a description means for describing the page description language selected by the selection unit.

In order to achieve the first object, an information processing apparatus according to claim 11 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image input device is a scanner.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method according to the tenth aspect, wherein the image input device is a digital camera.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to the thirteenth aspect analyzes image information input from an image input device and obtains a high quality print output of the image information. A storage medium that stores a program that controls an information processing apparatus that performs conversion processing into a print control command group, comprising: an information storage module that stores image information input from the image input device; and an image stored by the storage module. An information separation module that analyzes information and separates it into character information, graphic information, and image information; and a recognition storage module that recognizes and stores the layout of the character information, graphic information, and image information separated by the information separation module. An image information input from the image input device based on the layout information recognized and stored by the recognition storage module; A program having a selection module for selecting which page description language is to be converted and a description module for describing image information input from the image input device in the page description language selected by the selection module are stored. It is characterized by.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 14 is the storage medium according to claim 13, wherein the image input device is a scanner.

In order to achieve the second object, a storage medium according to claim 15 is the storage medium according to claim 13, wherein the image input device is a digital camera.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium for converting image information input from an image input device into a print control command group described in a page description language for a printing device. A storage module for storing a program for controlling an information processing device for performing a conversion process, wherein the division module divides image information input from the image input device into character information, graphic information, and image information; and A recognition module for recognizing a layout of each divided information on one page, a character recognition module for performing character recognition of the character information, a calculation module for calculating an area of each information, and the calculation module. Optimal page description for printing image information input from the image input device with high quality from the calculated information of the respective information A selection module that selects a word; and a description module that describes image information input from the image input device from information obtained by the recognition module in a page description language selected by the selection module. I do.

In order to achieve the second object, a storage medium according to claim 17 is the storage medium according to claim 16, wherein the image input device is a scanner.

In order to achieve the second object, a storage medium according to claim 18 is the storage medium according to claim 16, wherein the image input device is a digital camera.

[0024]

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

(First Embodiment) First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system including an information processing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This printing system includes an image input device 1 for transmitting image data,
Image data analysis & PDL as information processing device of the present invention
(Page description language) It is composed of a data generation device 2 and a printing device 3.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image data analysis & PDL data generation device 2 which is an information processing device of the present invention. The image data analysis & PDL data generation device 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 4, first and second interfaces (I / F) 5, 6, ROM (Read Only Memory) 7, RAM (Random Access Memory) 8 And a bus (BUS) line 9.

The CPU 4 is in the form of a microprocessor, for example, in the form of a sequential circuit having a clock pulse generating circuit, a delay circuit, a gate circuit, and other logic circuits. The first interface 5 is an input interface for receiving image data by connecting to the image input device 1 of FIG. The second interface 6 is an output interface for outputting print data by connecting to the printing apparatus 3 of FIG. The ROM 7 is a read-only memory, and stores a microinstruction group necessary for sequentially informing the CPU 4 of the control signal when the CPU 4 supplies the control signal to each unit. RAM
Reference numeral 8 denotes a readable / writable memory, which has an area for storing an operation state of each device and an area for storing input image data. When the power is turned on, the contents stored in the RAM 8 are all "0". Bus line 9 is PU4
Are electrically connected to the interfaces 5 and 6, the ROM 7 and the RAM 8, and are used to transfer memory addresses and data.

Next, the operation of the image data analysis & PDL data generation device 2 as the information processing device according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of original image data taken in by the image input device 1, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of image data transferred from the image input device 1 to the image data analysis & PDL data generation device 2. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing a control process of the image data analysis & PDL data generation device 2 when data is received.

The processing shown in FIG. 5 and FIG.
7 is executed by the CPU 4 according to the program stored in the CPU 7.

Image data analysis & PDL data generation device 2
When the power supply is turned on, the reception buffer (BUF) and the buffer pointer (BFPNT) of the image data are cleared in step S501 in FIG.
It is determined whether or not image data has been received until it is received. Here, first, the original image data shown in FIG. 3A is fetched by the image input device 1, and as the first page image data of FIG. 4 through the first interface 5, the image data analysis & PDL data generation device 2 Is forwarded to

Therefore, the process proceeds from step S502 to step S503 in FIG.
T), the received first page image data is stored in a buffer pointer (BFPN) of a reception buffer (BUF).
T), the next data is received, and in the next step S504, it is determined whether or not the received data is a page end. If the received data is not the page end, the process returns to the step S503. If the received data is the page end, the process proceeds to the next step S505.

In this step S505, a subroutine of image processing and conversion processing, which will be described later, is executed to convert the input image data into data described in PDL (page description language). Since it corresponds to (A), it is converted to PDL code data “LIPS”. Next, the process proceeds to step S506, where the PDL code data converted in step S505 is transferred to the printing device 3 via the second interface 6 and printing is performed, and then returns to step S501.

Thereafter, when the second page image data and the third page image data of FIG. 4 are transferred,
The same processing as that of the first image data is performed on the image data shown in (B) and (C), and each of the “HPG
After being converted to PDL code data of “L” and “PostScript”, the data is transferred to the printing device 3 and printing is performed.

Next, with respect to the image processing and conversion processing called as a subroutine from step S505 in FIG. 5, the first image data and the first image data corresponding to the image data corresponding to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C will be described. The processing of the second image data and the third image data will be described as an example with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S601 in FIG. 6, pre-processing is performed. In order to correct or remove geometric distortion, noise, gradation characteristics, and the like included in the input image data, a geometric transformation and a gradation process are performed. Image correction such as tone conversion, smoothing, and sharpening is performed. Next, in step S602, feature extraction processing is performed, and edge and line segment extraction, binarization, area division by texture identification, pattern matching, integration of similar areas,
The feature extraction process of the image data is performed by calculating the area of each region.

In the next step S603, a character recognition process is performed. If a character region has been cut out in the region dividing process in step S602, the character recognition process is performed on this region.

Next, in step S604, a feature branching process is performed. From the calculated values of the respective regions executed in the feature extraction process in step S602, the image data as a whole is character center, figure center, or image center. Is determined. Then, in the case of the character center, the LIPS in step S605
If the figure is centered on the code generation process, step S60
In the step of generating the HPGL code in step S607, and in the case of the image center, the process proceeds to the step of generating the PostScript code in step S607.

For example, the first image data corresponding to FIG. 3A is character data except for the horizontal line of the line next to "Introduction" in the first line, and therefore, in the feature branching process of step S604 in FIG. Is determined to be character-centered image data, and the flow advances to step S605 to be converted to LIPS code data.

Since the second image data corresponding to FIG. 3B is graphic data except for "FIG. 1" on the first line, in the feature branching process of step S604 in FIG.
It is determined that the image data is image data centered on the figure, and step S6 is performed.
Proceeding to step 06, the data is converted into HPGL code data.

Further, the third image data corresponding to FIG. 3 (C) is image data except for "FIG. 1" on the first line, and therefore, in the feature branching process of step S604 in FIG. Is determined, and the process advances to step S607 to be converted into PostScript code data.

Steps S605 to S607
Is executed, the present processing operation ends.

As described in detail above, according to the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, digital image data input from an image input device such as a scanner or a digital camera is converted into a PDL suitable for the characteristics of the image data. Since it is converted into the described print code data, a high quality print result is obtained.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a storage medium according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

A storage medium for storing a program for controlling an information processing apparatus for analyzing image information input from an image input device and converting the image information into a print control command group capable of obtaining a high quality print output. At least
As shown in (1), a program code having an "information storage module", an "information separation module", a "recognition storage module", a "selection module", and a "description module" may be stored.

Here, the "information storage module" is a program module for storing image information input from the image input device. "Information separation module"
Is a program module that analyzes image information stored by the storage module and separates the information into character information, graphic information, and image information. The "recognition storage module" is a program module that recognizes and stores the layout of the character information, graphic information, and image information separated by the information separation module. The “selection module” is a program module that selects a page description language to convert the image information input from the image input device based on the layout information recognized and stored by the recognition storage module. Also,
The “description module” is a program module that describes image information input from the image input device in a page description language selected by the selection module.

Further, this is different from FIG. 7 which stores a program for controlling an information processing apparatus for converting image information input from an image input apparatus into a print control command group described in a page description language for a printing apparatus. As shown in FIG. 8, the storage medium has a program code including at least the following modules: a “division module”, a “recognition module”, a “character recognition module”, a “calculation module”, a “selection module”, and a “description module”. Should be stored.

Here, the "division module" is a program module for dividing the image information input from the image input device into character information, graphic information and image information. The “recognition module” is a program module for recognizing the layout of each piece of information divided by the division module on one page. The “character recognition module” is a program module that performs character recognition of the character information. "Calculation module"
Is a program module for calculating the area of each piece of information. The “selection module” is a program module that selects an optimal page description language for printing image information input from the image input device with high quality from the calculation information of the information obtained by the calculation module. It is. The “description module” is a program module that describes image information input from the image input device from information obtained by the recognition module in a page description language selected by the selection module.

The image input device is a scanner or a digital camera.

[0050]

As described above, according to the information processing method and apparatus of the present invention, digital image data input from an image input device such as a scanner or a digital camera is converted into a PDL suitable for the characteristics of the image data. Since it is converted into the described print code data, there is an effect that a high quality print result can be obtained.

Further, according to the storage medium of the present invention, there is an effect that the above-mentioned information processing apparatus can be smoothly controlled.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system including an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of input original image data by the printing system illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of digital image data input to the information processing device from the image input device of the printing system illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing each module of a program stored in a storage medium of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing each module of a program stored in a storage medium of the present invention different from FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 image input device 2 information processing device (image data analysis & PDL data generation device) 3 printing device 4 CPU (central processing unit) 5 first interface (first IF) 6 second interface (second IF) 7 ROM 8 RAM 9 bus ( BUS) line

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. An information processing method for converting image information input from an image input device into a group of print control commands described in a page description language for a printing device, comprising: An information storing step of storing information, an information separating step of analyzing the image information stored in the storing step and separating the image information into character information, graphic information, and image information; and a character information separated by the information separating step. A recognition and storage step of recognizing and storing the layout of the graphic information and the image information; and a page description language for converting the image information input from the image input device based on the layout information recognized and stored by the recognition and storage step And selecting image information input from the image input device in the selecting step. And a description step of describing the selected page description language. 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein said image input device is a scanner. 3. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein said image input device is a digital camera. 4. An information processing method for converting image information input from an image input device into a print control command group described in a page description language for a printing device, the image processing device comprising: A dividing step of dividing information into character information, graphic information, and image information; a recognition step of recognizing a layout of each piece of information divided by the dividing step on one page; and a character performing character recognition of the character information A recognition step, a calculation step of calculating the area of each piece of information, and an optimal step for printing image information input from the image input device from the calculation information of each piece of information obtained in the calculation step with high quality. A step of selecting a page description language; and selecting image information input from the image input device from the information obtained in the recognition step. A description step of describing the page description language selected by the selection step. 5. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the image input device is a scanner. 6. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the image input device is a digital camera. 7. An information processing apparatus for analyzing image information input from an image input device and converting the image information into a print control command group capable of obtaining a high-quality print output, the image input device comprising: An information storage unit for storing image information input from the storage unit; an information separation unit for analyzing the image information stored by the storage unit to separate the image information into character information, graphic information, and image information; Recognition storage means for recognizing and storing the layout of the extracted character information, graphic information, and image information; and a page description describing the image information input from the image input device based on the layout information recognized and stored by the recognition storage means. Selecting means for selecting whether to convert to a language, and a page description language selected by the selecting means for image information input from the image input device. An information processing apparatus, comprising: description means for describing in words. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said image input device is a scanner. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said image input device is a digital camera. 10. An information processing apparatus for converting image information input from an image input device into a print control command group described in a page description language for a printing device, wherein the image information is input from the image input device. Dividing means for dividing information into character information, graphic information, and image information; recognizing means for recognizing a layout of each piece of information divided by the dividing means on one page; and characters for performing character recognition of the character information Recognition means, calculation means for calculating the area of each piece of information, and optimal for printing image information input from the image input device with high quality from the calculation information of each piece of information obtained by the calculation means. Selection means for selecting a page description language; and image information input from the image input device based on information obtained by the recognition means. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a description unit that describes in a predicate language. 11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said image input device is a scanner. 12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said image input device is a digital camera. 13. A storage for storing a program for controlling an information processing device that analyzes image information input from an image input device and converts the image information into a print control command group capable of obtaining a high-quality print output. An information storage module for storing image information input from the image input device, and information separation for analyzing image information stored by the storage module and separating the information into character information, graphic information, and image information. A module, a recognition storage module that recognizes and stores the layout of the character information, the graphic information, and the image information separated by the information separation module; and the image input device based on the layout information recognized and stored by the recognition storage module. A selection module for selecting which page description language to convert the input image information to; And a description module that describes image information input from the image input device in a page description language selected by the selection module. 14. The storage medium according to claim 13, wherein said image input device is a scanner. 15. The storage medium according to claim 13, wherein said image input device is a digital camera. 16. A storage medium for storing a program for controlling an information processing apparatus for converting image information input from an image input apparatus into a print control command group described in a page description language for a printing apparatus, A division module that divides image information input from the image input device into character information, graphic information, and image information; a recognition module that recognizes a layout of one piece of information divided by the division module on one page; A character recognition module that performs character recognition of the character information, a calculation module that calculates the area of each piece of information, and image information input from the image input device from calculation information of each piece of information obtained by the calculation module. A selection module for selecting an optimal page description language for high quality printing; and a recognition module obtained by the recognition module. A description module that describes image information input from the image input device from the information input by the page description language selected by the selection module. 17. The storage medium according to claim 16, wherein said image input device is a scanner. 18. The storage medium according to claim 16, wherein said image input device is a digital camera.