JPH0285968A - Screen tint image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To efficiency generate a screen tint image with superior quality by performing the affine transformation of counter lines of arbitrary plural colors to natural shape in a state where raster data is compressed to color runlength data and the amount of data is reduced and also, in one time of processing. CONSTITUTION:When color splitted color image data is stored in a image storage means, a color runlength processing means 2a reads out of the color splitted color image data, and compresses it to the color runlength data. And the color runlength data is expanded so as to obtain prescribed resolution by a resolution change processing means 2b. Furthermore, expanded color runlength data is retrieved by a connection relation retrieval means 2c, and a smoothing processing means 2d generates smoothing color runlength data by thinning the edge of a contour which connects between arbitrary two points designated by the connection relation of the data, and stores it in a smoothing color splitted image storage means, and film-outputs it from an original edition output means as a screen tint film original edition. In such a manner it is possible to efficiently generate the image data with superior quality.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing a film original plate having a constant color area, so-called plain halftone area, in a printed matter, and particularly relates to a device for producing a film original plate having a constant color area, that is, a so-called plain halftone area, in a printed matter. The present invention relates to a plain mesh image processing device that creates a plain mesh image.

[Conventional technology]

There are many plain mesh portions in color printed matter, and the plate-making process for these plain mesh portions is performed in a special process that is different from the plate-making process for general color portions, so-called toned materials.

Conventionally, this type of device was disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-13005.
An apparatus for producing a plain mesh film original plate has been proposed as shown in Publication No. 9 and the like.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a conventional plain mesh film master production apparatus. Reference numeral 51 denotes a scanner that reads a line drawing image and inputs binary image data to a computer 53 via an interface 52.

54 is an external storage device that stores line drawing image data input from the scanner 51.

55 is an interface that outputs image data processed by the computer 53 to an output scanner 56; The output scanner 56 outputs the film original plate for each printing plate color based on the image data processed by the computer 53. A floppy disk device 57 mainly stores line drawing image data taken in from the scanner 5.1.

6o is a color separation device, computer 61 and computer 6
Display 621 connected to Tablet 63.1 for inputting position data. It is composed of a floppy disk device 64 and the like.

Next, processing of line drawing image data taken in from the scanner 51 will be explained.

The input line drawing image is converted into a binary image by the scanner 51, and then stored in the internal memory of the computer 53, read out line by line, and subjected to image processing such as removing dust data contained in the binary image data. The program is executed and stored in the external storage device 54.

Next, according to instructions from the computer 53, the external storage device 5
The line drawing image data stored in 4 is output to the color separation device 60, and a predetermined color separation process (coloring process for the inside and outside of the picture drawn by the line drawing) according to the color instruction sheet is executed.

Then, the color-separated data obtained by color-separating the line drawing image is transferred to the computer 53. This allows computer 5
3 outputs the plain mesh film original data for each plate color to the output scanner 56 while referring to the color separation data.

In this way, a plain mesh film master is output for each plate, but after the color separation data is created, a resolution change process is required to convert the pixel density of the color separation data to the pixel density for the film master.

Furthermore, if the resolution change processing is performed, the roughness of the outline becomes noticeable and the image cannot be used as a printed image as it is, so it becomes necessary to perform smoothing processing on the edges of the outline.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, in conventional devices, color separation color image data is compressed from raster data to color run length data, further decomposed into a plurality of binary images, and run length compressed to increase the resolution. Modification processing and smoothing processing were performed.For this reason, in order to smooth all contour lines, it is necessary to perform smoothing processing multiple times and then synthesize the data, which increases the amount of data. There were problems such as a large number of processes and a long processing time.

Furthermore, since each color is treated separately, it is no longer possible to perform smoothing processing on only the necessary colors.

This invention was made to solve the above problems, and when performing resolution change processing and smoothing processing on separated color image data, raster data is compressed into color run length data, and the amount of data is reduced. An object of the present invention is to obtain a plain mesh image processing device that can efficiently create a high quality plain mesh image by pseudo-converting contour lines of arbitrary plural colors into a more natural shape in a reduced state and in a single process. purpose.

[Means to solve the problem]

The plain mesh image processing device according to the present invention includes a resolution change information specifying means for specifying a change in the resolution of the separated color image stored in the separated color image storage means, and a separated color image stored in the separated color image storage means. a color run length processing means for compressing the data into color run length data; and a color run length processing means for enlarging the color run length data compressed and created by the color run length processing means based on the resolution specified by the resolution change information specification means. a resolution change processing means for generating enlarged color run length data; a connection relation search means for searching for a connection relation of the enlarged color run length data enlarged by the resolution change processing means;
smoothing color specifying means for specifying a smoothing color for the separated color image stored in the separated color image storage means;
Based on the mutual relationship between the smoothing color specified by the smoothing color specifying means and the enlarged color run length data searched by the connection relationship search means, the edge of the contour connecting two points is subdivided into a predetermined number of steps to create a smoothing color run. The apparatus is provided with a smoothing processing means for generating length data, and a smoothing color separation image storage means for storing the smoothing color run length data generated by the smoothing processing means.

(Operation) In this invention, when the separated color image data is stored in the separated color image storage means, the color run length processing means reads out the separated color image data and compresses it into color run length data. The color run length data is enlarged to a predetermined resolution by the resolution change processing means.Furthermore, when the enlarged color run length data is searched by the connection relation search means, the smoothing processing means is specified from the connection relation. Smoothing color run length data is generated by subdividing the edge of the contour connecting any two points in a predetermined number of stages.Then, this smoothing color run length data is stored in the smoothing color separation image storage means, and is output from the original output means. Output the film as a plain mesh film original.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a plain mesh image processing apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention, in which 1 is an image processing means, a controller 21, a color separation image display means 3. The controller 2 is composed of an input section 4, and has a color run length processing means 2a activated based on a program stored in a program memory 5, a resolution change processing means 2b, a connection relationship search means 2c, and a smoothing processing means 2d.

Note that the color run length processing means 2a is an external storage device 5 which also serves as a smoothing color separation image storage means of the present invention.
4 or the separated color image data stored in the floppy disk device 64 is read out via the computer 53, and color run length data 21 (described later) is created by compressing the separated color image.

The resolution change processing means 2b enlarges the color run length data created by the color run length processing means 2a to the change resolution specified from, for example, the keyboard 4a of the input section 4, which is the resolution change specification means of the present invention.

Further, the connection relationship search means 2C includes the resolution change processing means 2.
The connection relationships of the enlarged color run length data enlarged by b are searched, and each connection relationship is defined.

Furthermore, the smoothing processing means 2d generates smoothing color run length data by segmenting the edges of the contour connecting any two points based on the connection relationship defined by the connection relationship search means 2c as described later. Hand over to 53. Next, the computer 53 stores the smoothing color run length data in the external storage device 54 or floppy disk device 64, which serves as the smoothing color separation image storage means of the present invention.

Note that 4b is a pointing device serving as a smoothing color specifying means of the present invention, and inputs to the controller 2 an instruction of a smoothing color for the separated color image data displayed on the separated color image display means 3.

FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are schematic diagrams explaining the enlargement process of color run length data. In FIG. 2(a), 21 is color run length data, the numerical values indicate column numbers, and ~■ indicates color. 21a is a color run length value, which corresponds to the color run length 21 expressed by colors ■ to ■ and column numbers.

In the figure (b), 22 is enlarged color run length data, which is the color run length data 2 shown in the figure (a).
This corresponds to data in which 1 is enlarged twice in the vertical and horizontal directions and the resolution is doubled.

22a is a color run length value, which corresponds to the enlarged color run length data 22 expressed by colors ■ to ■ and column numbers.

FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of connection relationship data, and particularly show connection relationship data for color run length value 22a.

In the same figure (a), 31 is connection relationship data, connection data 3ta to 31 obtained according to a predetermined algorithm.
This figure shows the case where it is composed of e.

In the same figure (b), 32a to 32e are subdivided data, and edges of a contour connecting two points are divided by a predetermined number of stages according to a predetermined algorithm for the connection data 31a to 31e shown in the same figure (a). Compatible with segmented data.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the relative relationship between smoothing data and segmented connection data 31a to 31e,
41 is color run length data, the numerical value indicates the column number, and .about. indicates the color. 41a indicates the color run length value, and subdivision data 32a shown in FIG. 3(b)
~32e.

As can be seen from these figures, when the color run length data 21 is generated by the color run length processing means 2a, a color run length value 21a is obtained, and the resolution change processing means 2b changes the color run length to these data. If the data 21 is enlarged, for example, twice in the vertical and horizontal directions and subjected to resolution change processing, the enlarged color run length data 2
2 is generated, resulting in a color run length value of 22a. Next, the connection relation search means 2C performs a connection relation search for the color run length value 22a in consideration of the colors ■ to ■, and generates connection data 31a to 31e (see FIG. 3(a)).
)reference).

The connection data 31a to 31e constitute the outline of the enlarged color run length data 22.

Next, the smoothing processing means 2d converts the connection data 31
a to 31e are corrected to subdivided data 32a to 32e to obtain subdivided color run length values 41a.

In this way, resolution changing processing and smoothing processing are performed, and high-quality separated color image data can be obtained.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a plain mesh image processing procedure according to the present invention. In addition, (1) to (11)
indicates each step.

First, the computer 53 waits for the color separation process to be completed (1), and when the color separation process is completed, the color separation color image data is stored in the external storage device 54 or the floppy disk device 64 (2).

Next, the external storage device 54 or floppy disk 6
The separated color image data stored in step 4 is compressed into color run length data (step 3). Next, the process waits for the changed resolution, which is the resolution change information for the color run length data, to be input manually (4), and when the changed resolution is input, the size of the color run length data is enlarged and the resolution is changed (5). .

Next, the connection relationship of the enlarged color run length data is examined (6), and the connection relationship is defined (a). Here, the controller 2 displays the separated color image data stored in the external storage device 54 or the floppy disk device 64 in color on the separated color image display means 3 (8).

Next, the system waits for a smoothing color, which is smoothing information for the color run length data, to be specified and input using the pointing device 4b on the color separated color image data displayed in color on the color separated image display means 39).
, Once the smoothing color is input, smoothing color image data is created by subdividing the edges in an arbitrary section corresponding to the outline of the color image based on the connection relationship investigated in step (6) (10). do. When the subdivision is completed, the smoothed color image data is stored in the external storage device 54 or the floppy disk device 64 (11), and the process ends. The smoothed color image data stored in the external storage device 54 or the floppy disk device 64 in this manner is transferred to the computer 53 and output from the output scanner 56 via the interface 55 as film originals of each color.

In the above embodiment, the smoothing color is input and specified using the pointing device 4b, but unless otherwise specified, smoothing processing can be performed on all colors.

Further, if smoothing colors are automatically set in consideration of the conspicuousness of edges during printing due to differences in colors, it becomes possible to generate separated color image data of high quality more efficiently.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention includes a resolution change information specifying means for specifying a change in the resolution of a separated color image stored in a separated color image storage means, and a A color run length processing means for compressing the color image data into color run length data, and a color run length data compressed and created by the color run length processing means based on the resolution specified by the resolution change information specification means. A resolution change processing means for enlarging and generating enlarged color run length data, a connection relation search means for searching for a connection relation of the enlarged color run length data enlarged by the resolution change processing means, and storage in a color separation image storage means. 2 based on the mutual relationship between the smoothing color specifying means for specifying the smoothing color for the divided color image, the smoothing color specified by the smoothing color specifying means, and the enlarged color run length data searched by the connection relationship search means. Smoothing processing means for generating smoothing color run length data by subdividing edges of a contour connecting points by a predetermined number of stages, and smoothing color separation image storage means for storing smoothing color run length data generated by the smoothing processing means. , it is possible to change the resolution of the separated color image data to an arbitrary resolution, and furthermore, it is possible to perform smoothing processing on a plurality of color images at the same time. Therefore, an excellent effect is achieved in which high-quality separated color image data can be efficiently generated while suppressing the increase in data.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a plain mesh image processing apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are schematic diagrams illustrating enlargement processing of color run length data. 3(a) and (b) are schematic diagrams explaining an example of connection relationship data, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram explaining the relative relationship between smoothing data and subdivided connection data, and FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram explaining an example of connection relationship data. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a conventional plain mesh film master production apparatus. In the figure, 1 is an image processing means, 2 is a controller, 2a is a color run length processing means, 2b is a resolution change processing means, 2C is a connection relationship search means, 2d is a smoothing processing means, 3 is a color separation image display means, 4 5 is an input section, and 5 is a program memory. Figure u'l u'l Ll"l 11 Rino to N to ~ to ~ ◎Oo◎ooo. @@@@l@@l@@

Claims (1)

[Claims] A color separation image storage means for storing color separation image data for the line drawing image read from the image reading means; and a color separation image display means for displaying color separation color image data stored in the color separation image storage means. , and an original output means for outputting a plain mesh film original based on the color separation color image data displayed on the color separation image display means, in which the color separation image data stored in the color separation image storage means is stored in the color separation image storage means. resolution change information specifying means for specifying a change in the resolution of the color separation image; color run length processing means for compressing the color separation image data stored in the color separation image storage means into color run length data; resolution change processing means for generating enlarged color run length data by enlarging the color run length data compressed and created by the length processing means based on the resolution specified by the resolution change information specifying means; and this resolution change processing a connection relation search means for searching for a connection relation of the enlarged color run length data enlarged by the means; a smoothing color specifying means for specifying a smoothing color for the separated color image stored in the color separation image storage means; Based on the correlation between the smoothing color specified by the smoothing color specifying means and the enlarged color run length data searched by the connection relationship search means, the edge of the contour connecting two points is subdivided by a predetermined number of stages to obtain a smoothing color run length. What is claimed is: 1. A plain mesh image processing device comprising: smoothing processing means for generating data; and smoothing color separation image storage means for storing smoothing color run length data generated by the smoothing processing means.