JPH1051653A - Image processing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To improve color reproducibility in an output image by performing color processing corresponding to the type of object. An image processing apparatus that performs color processing according to the type of an object on a plurality of object images constituting an input image, comprising: an input unit configured to input a drawing instruction indicating an object image; Analyzing means for expanding the object image on a memory, storing an identifier indicating the attribute of the object in association with each pixel constituting the object image, and image data expanded on the memory; An image processing apparatus comprising: a color processing unit that performs color processing according to an identifier corresponding to a pixel indicated by the image data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method for performing color processing according to the type of an object.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional output control device, when color correction processing or binarization processing is performed on print data,
The print requester determines whether the print data contains an image or data consisting only of characters, and specifies color correction processing and binarization processing according to the characteristics of the print data. , Printing operation.

In the printing operation, as shown in FIG. 9, a drawing command is developed (10), and drawing data is written in a band memory (11). Then, for the entire band memory, designated color correction processing and one pixel are assigned to C (Cyan), M
(Magenta), Y (Yellow), (K (bl
In order to represent each color by one bit, color conversion is performed, and each color is binarized to represent each color (12), and an image is output using a printer (13).

[0004]

However, in the conventional output control device, the color correction processing of the drawing data or the 2
Since the binarization process and the like are performed on the entire band memory, the color correction process and the binarization process of the drawing data with respect to the band memory can be performed by only one method. There has been a problem that the value processing and the like cannot be changed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to improve color reproducibility in an output image by performing color processing corresponding to the type of an object.

It is another object of the present invention to allow a user to arbitrarily set color processing for each object or area.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is characterized in that it has the following components.

[0008] The first invention of the present application is an image processing apparatus for performing color processing according to the type of an object on a plurality of object images constituting an input image, and an input means for inputting a drawing command indicating the object image. Analyzing means for analyzing a drawing command, expanding the object image on a memory, and storing an identifier indicating an attribute of the object in association with each pixel constituting the object image; and analyzing the image on the memory. The image processing apparatus further includes a color processing unit that performs color processing on the image data according to an identifier corresponding to a pixel indicated by the image data.

A second invention of the present application is an image processing apparatus for performing color processing on a plurality of object images constituting an input image in accordance with the type of the object, and an input means for inputting a drawing command indicating the object image Analyzing means for analyzing the drawing command, determining the type of the object image, setting color processing according to the type, and expanding the object image on a temporary processing memory based on the drawing command; And a storage unit for performing color processing on the developed object image based on the set color processing and storing the processed color in the memory.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus for setting a desired color processing for a plurality of object images constituting an input image, wherein information indicating the setting of the color processing indicating the object image is provided. Input means for inputting a drawing command including, drawing means for expanding an object image on a memory based on the drawing command, and generating an image; display means for displaying the generated image; and Changing means for changing color processing for an arbitrary region of the image and an arbitrary object image.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(Embodiment 1) An output control device and method of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a printing process for converting a drawing command to a printing command to which the output control device and method of one embodiment of the present invention are applied, and FIG. 2 shows a printing process flow showing a printing process flow. 3 shows a flowchart.

First, in step s3-1, a drawing command input from an application or the like via an OS (operation system) is developed (1-3-1).
2). In step s3-2, it is determined whether or not the rendering command has been expanded in step s3-1. If the rendering command has been expanded in step s3-2, the process proceeds to step s3-3. Write drawing data on the memory (1-4).

Next, in s3-4, it is determined whether or not the user sets different color processing for each pixel. In step s3-4, if a different color processing request is received for each pixel, the rendering command developed in steps s3-1 to s3-2 is developed again using the following method. First, step s3
At -5, the identifier corresponding to the drawing command is read from the table. Then, in step s3-6, the drawing command expanded in step s3-1 is expanded again (1-2),
Write to band memory (1-4). Then, in step s3-7, it is determined whether or not the development of the drawing command in step s3-6 has been completed.
If the development of the rendering command is completed in -7, in step s3-8, the number read in step s3-5 is written to the pixel having the rendering data in the flag memory (1-6).

If this operation is performed for all drawing commands, it is possible to determine which pixel was written using which drawing command in the drawing data in the band memory.

Using the information in the flag memory created by the above processing, the drawing data in the band memory is subjected to color processing such as color conversion processing and binarization processing (1-9). Based on the information corresponding to each pixel of the band memory on the flag memory, a specific color process is applied to those written by the same drawing command, so that a color correction process and a binarization process are performed for each drawing object. And different color processing.

The output unit forms an output image on a recording medium based on image data color-processed for each object according to the type of the object (1-30).

In this embodiment, different color processing such as color correction processing and binarization processing is performed on a drawing object based on information corresponding to each pixel of the band memory on the flag memory. Instead, it can be applied to a method of performing different color processing for each pixel within a specific drawing object, such as printing the outline of a drawing object and confirming the position of the drawing object in a page. .

Hereinafter, the flow of the printing process in this method will be described with reference to FIG.

Processing for expanding a drawing command and writing drawing data on the band memory (steps s3-1 to s3-7)
Is the same processing as in the above embodiment. In the process of writing data to the flag memory, not only the type of the drawing object is indicated in step s3-8, but also information for identifying the drawing object to be written is written.

If this operation is performed for all drawing commands, the drawing data in the band memory is used to determine which pixel is written using which drawing command, and which drawing object is assigned to which pixel. It can be determined whether they correspond.

Based on the information corresponding to each pixel of the band memory existing on the flag memory created by the above-described processing, specific color processing is performed on the drawing data on the band memory, so that each drawing object The color processing such as the color correction processing and the binarization processing can be performed on the pixels according to the type of the drawing object.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 3 shows a process in which a drawing command is temporarily expanded in a temporary processing memory and then written in a band memory in the output control device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Next, the flow of the printing process will be described with reference to FIG.

In step s5-1, a request for performing different color processing for each drawing object is accepted. The s
If a different color processing request is received for each drawing object in 5-1, a temporary processing memory is reserved in step s5-2. Next, in step s5-3, the drawing data is developed on the temporary processing memory in RGB 24 bits per pixel (2-2), and written into the temporary processing memory (2-4). In step s5-4, it is determined whether or not the development of the drawing data in step s5-3 has been completed. If the development of the drawing data has been completed in step s5-4, the process proceeds to step s5-4.
In step 5, a method of performing color processing on the drawing data written in the temporary processing memory is selected, and in step s5-6,
Using the color processing method selected in step s5-5, the drawing data in the temporary processing memory is subjected to color correction processing, and after converting RGB 24 bits into CMYK 32 bits, 2 bits are used to represent the CMYK 4 bits. A value conversion process is performed (2-6). Then, in step s5-7, the color-processed drawing data (CMYK 4 bits)
Is written to the band memory (2-8).

Then, an output image is formed on the recording medium by the output unit based on the drawing data written in the band memory (2-10).

In step s5-1, when a request for performing different color processing for each drawing object is not received, predetermined color processing is performed for all drawing objects.

In the second embodiment, a rendering command is developed for each rendering command, and rendering data (RGB
24 bits), performs color processing on the temporary memory, writes the color-processed drawing data (CMYK 4 bits) to the hand memory, and temporarily performs processing while the same drawing command is issued. The drawing data (RGB 24 bits) on the memory is stored, and when a different drawing command is issued, the color processing is performed on the drawing data (RGB 24 bits) of the temporary processing memory stored up to that time at a time. After the application, the drawing data (CKYK 4 bits) is written into the hand memory, and thereafter, a new drawing command can be processed.

Hereinafter, the flow of the printing process of this method will be described with reference to FIG.

In step s4-1, a request for performing different color processing for each drawing object is accepted. If a different color processing request is received for each drawing object in step s4-1, it is checked in step s4-2 whether the temporary processing memory is in use. If it is determined in step s4-2 that the temporary processing memory is in use, step s4-
In step 3, information indicating which drawing command is used is read. Then, in step s4-4, the drawing command specified in step s4-3,
It is determined whether or not the current drawing command is different. If it is determined in step s4-4 that the previous drawing command is different from the current drawing command, a color processing method corresponding to the previous drawing command is selected in step s4-5, and in step s4-6, A color correction process, a binarization process, and the like are performed on the drawing data (RGB 24 bits) on the temporary processing memory. In step s4-7, the color-processed drawing data (CMYK 4 bits) is written to the hand memory. Next, in order to perform processing for the current drawing command, the temporary processing memory is cleared in step s4-8, and the drawing command is developed on the temporary processing memory in step s4-9. Then, step s4-1
In step s4-9, it is determined whether or not the development of the drawing data (RGB 24 bits) has been completed in step s4-9. If the development of the drawing data has been completed in step s4-10, the temporary processing is performed in step s4-11. To indicate the use status of the memory, it indicates that the temporary processing memory is being used, and in step s4-12, the type of the rendering command using the temporary processing memory is set as the current rendering command.

At the end of the current hand process, it is checked whether the temporary processing memory is in use. If the temporary processing memory is in use, the drawing data (RGB2
(4 bits), and the resulting drawing data (CMYK 4 bits) is written to the hand memory.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, before writing the drawing data on the band memory, the color processing such as the color correction processing or the binarization processing according to the drawing command is performed on the temporary processing memory. This has the effect that different color processing can be performed for each drawing object.

(Embodiment 3) In the first and second embodiments, the type of a drawing object is determined according to a drawing command, and color processing is performed according to the type of the drawing object.

On the other hand, in the third embodiment, an object is to allow a user to arbitrarily set color processing by enabling color processing to be set based on display.

FIG. 6 shows an output control device to which the third embodiment is applied. In the third embodiment, the image processing 61 described below is performed before the image data generated by the application 60 is passed to the printer driver 62 and the printing device 63 described in the first and second embodiments. FIG. 7 illustrates the flow of the printing process.

First, in step s8-1, a print request is received to print the data created on the computer. If a print request is accepted in step s8-1, in step s8-2, setting information in the printing operation and information unique to the printing apparatus are read, and
In step s8-3, the information is reflected on the drawing command. Next, in step s8-4, a request as to whether or not to display on the display device based on the drawing command is accepted.
If a request to display on the display device based on the drawing command is received in step s8-4, step s8-
The image is displayed on the display device based on the drawing command created in step 5. Next, a request for a color correction process or a request for designating a binarization method is received for the result displayed on the display device in step s8-6. If a request to change the display on the display device has been received in step s8-6, an input such as a request for color correction processing or designation of a binarization method is received in step s8-7. Then, the process returns to step s8-5 to display the changed drawing command.

In step s8-4, when the request not to display on the display device is received based on the drawing command, and when the display on the display device is not changed in step s8-6, the process proceeds to step s8-8. The command is converted into a command unique to the printing device, and the printing command is transferred to the printing device in step s8-9.

In the third embodiment, the image processing is performed on the print data based on the information and the print mode of the printing apparatus, the print result is confirmed on the display device, and the print data after the image processing is output. Instead, the user can check and correct the print result on the display device, pass the setting information at that time to the printer driver, and apply the printing method.

Hereinafter, the flow of the printing process in this method will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step s8-1, a print request is received to print the data created on the computer. If a print request has been received in step s8-1, the drawing command is stored in a file in step s8-2. Next, in step s8-3, a request as to whether or not to display on the display device based on the drawing command and the setting information is accepted. In step s8-3, when a request to display on the display device based on the drawing command and the setting information is received, in step s8-4, the setting information in the printing operation and the information unique to the printing device are read. An image is displayed on the display device in step s8-5 based on the drawing command stored in s8-2 and the information unique to the printing device obtained in step s8-4. Next, a request for a color correction process or a request for designating a binarization method is accepted for the result displayed on the display device in step s8-6. Step s8-6
In step s8-7, if a request to change the display on the display device is received, an input such as a request for a color correction process or designation of a binarization method is received. And
Returning to step s8-5, the changed image is displayed on the display device.

In step s8-3, when the request not to display on the display device is received based on the drawing command, and when the display on the display device is not changed in step s8-6, the process proceeds to step s8-8. Save the print setting information. Then, based on the drawing command stored in the step s8-2, the information unique to the printing device obtained in the step s8-4, and the print setting information stored in the step s8-8, the unique printing device is determined in a step s8-9. Into the instruction of step s8-10
The printer transmits a print command to the printer.

According to the third embodiment, in order to determine what kind of image processing should be performed on the data to be printed, the properties of the ink of the printing device and the image data are converted into data unique to the printing device. Various settings relating to printing can be performed on an arbitrary area or an arbitrary drawing object while observing an image displayed on the display device without understanding the flow of processing. Therefore, there is an effect that a printing result desired by the printing requester can be obtained by one printing.

In addition, since the above-described effect eliminates useless printing, there is an effect that unnecessary consumption of printing paper and ink of a printing apparatus can be suppressed.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention, color reproduction in an output image can be improved by performing color processing corresponding to the type of an object.

Further, the user can arbitrarily set color processing for each object or area.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an output control device according to a first embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow in the first embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an output control device according to a second embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of processing in Embodiment 2 of the present application.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a processing flow in a modification of the second embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an output control device according to a third embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flow of processing in Embodiment 3 of the present application.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a processing flow in a modification of the third embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional output control device.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Agency reference number FI Technical display location H04N 1/40 A

Claims (12)

[Claims] An image processing apparatus that performs color processing according to the type of an object on a plurality of object images constituting an input image, comprising: input means for inputting a drawing instruction indicating an object image; Analyzing means for expanding the object image on a memory and storing an identifier indicating the attribute of the object in association with each pixel constituting the object image; and analyzing the image data expanded on the memory. An image processing apparatus having color processing means for performing color processing according to an identifier corresponding to a pixel indicated by the image data. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color processing includes a color correction process and a binarization process. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on the color-processed image data. 4. An image processing apparatus for performing color processing according to the type of an object on a plurality of object images constituting an input image, comprising: input means for inputting a drawing instruction indicating an object image; Analyzing means for determining the type of the object image, setting color processing according to the type, and expanding the object image on a temporary processing memory based on the drawing instruction; and Storage means for performing color processing on the developed object image and storing the processed color in a memory based on the image data. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the color processing includes a color correction process and a binarization process. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on the color-processed image data. 7. An image processing apparatus for setting a desired color processing for a plurality of object images constituting an input image, the apparatus comprising: an input unit for inputting a drawing command including information indicating a setting of color processing indicating an object image; Means, an object image is expanded on a memory based on the drawing command, and an expansion means for generating an image; a display means for displaying the generated image; and an arbitrary area and any area of the image based on the display image Changing means for changing the color processing for the object image. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the color processing includes a color correction process and a binarization process. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on the color-processed image data. 10. An image processing method for performing color processing according to the type of an object on a plurality of object images constituting an input image, 11. An image processing method for performing color processing according to the type of an object on a plurality of object images constituting an input image, wherein: an inputting step of inputting a drawing instruction indicating an object image; Analyzing the object image, determining the type of the object image, setting color processing according to the type, and expanding the object image on a temporary processing memory based on the drawing instruction; and analyzing the set color processing. And performing a color process on the developed object image and storing the processed color image in a memory. 12. An image processing method for setting a desired color processing for a plurality of object images constituting an input image, the method comprising inputting a drawing command including information indicating a setting of color processing indicating an object image. A step of developing an object image on a memory based on the drawing command to generate an image; a display step of displaying the generated image; and an arbitrary area and an arbitrary area of the image based on the display image. And a changing step of changing color processing for the object image.