JP2003330241A - Color image input/output device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To forcibly change a discrimination result at the time of print or transmission output of a stored image independently of an ACS discrimination result by changing the ACS discrimination result of the stored image. <P>SOLUTION: A color image input/output device has an image input part for inputting a document image, a document color discrimination part for discriminating whether the inputted document image is color or black-and-white, a storage memory part for storing the inputted image and a discrimination result obtained in the document color discrimination part, an image processing part for image processing of printing a color image in the case of a color document and printing a black-and-white image in the case of a black-and-white document on the basis of the discrimination result stored in the storage memory part, and a print part for printing the image subjected to image processing, and the color image input/output device has a discrimination result forcibly changing means for forcibly changing the discrimination result stored in the storage memory part, and image processing is performed in the image processing part on the basis of the changed discrimination result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to image control of a color image input device and a color image print output device, or a color image input device and a color image transmission output device, and in particular, it automatically determines a document color. , Image processing when printing, or transmitting and outputting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, Auto Color Sel
(section: ACS below), there is a digital color copying machine that outputs a color printout when it is determined to be a color original and a monochrome printout when it is determined to be a monochrome original. In the case of a digital color copier, even if the ACS judgment was different from the user's expectation, it output according to the judgment result.

[0003]

If a document is originally a black and white document but is judged to be a color document due to the background color of the document, stains, yellowing, etc., and it is printed out, not only does it take time to print. Charges were made for color copying. In addition, there is a problem that a color original is determined to be a black and white original because of a small number of color portions, and a black and white copy is made even though it is a color original.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the judgment result can be forcibly changed at the time of printing or transmission output regardless of the ACS judgment result, and the accumulated image can be used as a desired document. An object of the present invention is to provide a color image input / output device capable of printing and transmitting as a color.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a color image input / output device according to a first aspect of the present invention has an image input section for inputting an original image, and whether the input original image is a color image. The original color is determined based on the original color determination unit that determines whether it is black and white, the input image and the storage memory unit that stores the determination results determined by the original color determination unit, and the determination result that is stored in the storage memory unit. In a color image input / output device that has an image processing unit that performs image processing for printing in color in the case of, and a monochrome in the case of black and white, and a printing unit that prints the image-processed image It is characterized by having a judgment result forcible changing means for forcibly changing the judged result, and performing image processing in the image processing unit based on the changed judgment result.

A color image input / output apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is an image input section for inputting an original image, an original color determining section for determining whether the input original image is color or black and white, and an input. Based on the stored image portion and the determination result stored in the storage memory portion for storing the image and the determination result determined in the original color determination portion, in the case of the original document in color, in the case of monochrome image In a color image input / output device that has an image processing unit that performs image processing for printing in black and white and a transmission unit that transmits an image-processed image, a determination result that forcibly changes the determination result stored in the storage memory unit. It is characterized in that it has a forced change means, and performs image processing in the image processing unit based on the changed determination result.

Therefore, by changing the ACS judgment result by the judgment result forcible changing means for forcibly changing the judgment result, the judgment result can be forcibly changed at the time of printing or transmission output regardless of the ACS judgment result. Therefore, the accumulated image can be printed and transmitted as a desired document color.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiment described below, a copying operation by a color image input / output device,
A plurality of color image input / output devices are used, and one image input device transmits to the other image output device or transmits to a PC.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus system showing an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 200 includes a scanner unit 2070 which is an image input device and a printer unit 209 which is an image output device.
5. It consists of Controller Unit 2000 and operation unit 2012 which is a user interface. The scanner unit 2070, the printer unit 2095, and the operation unit 2012 are Controller Uni
Connected to t 2000, Controller Unit 2000 is LAN 2011
It is connected to the network transmission means such as the public line. It is possible to send by G3 and G4 fax including color image transmission from the public line. Further, other image forming apparatuses 220 and 230 having the same device configuration as the image forming apparatus 200 can be connected to the LAN 2011. A personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 240 is connected, and FTP, S
You can send and receive files and send and receive e-mail using the MB protocol. The image forming apparatuses 220 and 230 have scanner units 2270 and 2370, printer units 2295 and 2395, and operation units 2212 and 2312, which are Controller Unit 2200 and
It is connected to the 2300.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the structure of the image forming apparatus. The Controller Unit 2000 is connected to the scanner 2070 which is an image input device and the printer 2095 which is an image output device, while the LAN 2011 and public line (WAN) 20
It is a controller for inputting and outputting image information and device information by connecting 51. The CPU 2001 is a controller that controls the entire system. The RAM 2002 is a system work memory for the CPU 2002 to operate and also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. ROM2003 is a boot ROM, which stores a system boot program. HDD2004 is a hard disk drive that stores system software and image data. Operation part I /
F2006 is an operation unit (UI) 2012 and an interface unit that outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 2012 to the operation unit 2012. Also, it plays a role of transmitting information input by the system user from the operation unit 2012 to the CPU 2001.

Network 2010 is connected to LAN 2011 to input / output information. The Modem 2050 connects to the public line 2051 and inputs / outputs image information. The above devices are the system bus 20
Placed on 07. Image Bus I / F 2005 is system bus 2
It is a bus bridge that connects 007 and the image bus 2008 that transfers image data at high speed, and converts the data structure. The image bus 2008 is composed of a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 2008. The Raster Image Processor (RIP) 2060 develops PDL code into a bitmap image. The device I / F unit 2020 connects the scanner 2070 or printer 2095, which is an image input / output device, and the controller 2000, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

The scanner image processing unit 2080 corrects, processes, and edits input image data. Further, it has a function of judging whether the input image is a color original or a black-and-white original from the saturation signal of the image and holding the result. Printer image processing unit
The 2090 corrects, processes, and edits output image data. Image rotation 2030 works in conjunction with scanner image processing to rotate an image at the same time as reading the image from the scanner and store it in the memory, or rotate an image in the memory and store it in the memory, or an image in the memory. Can be printed while rotating in cooperation with the printer image processing unit. The resolution conversion 2031 performs resolution conversion processing on the image in the memory and stores it in the memory.

Color space conversion 2032 is performed by matrix calculation.
For example, a YUV image in memory is converted into a Lab image and stored in memory. The gradation conversion 2033 converts, for example, an 8-bit, 256-gradation image on the memory into 1-bit, 2-gradation by a method such as error diffusion processing, and stores it in the memory. The image compression unit 2040 performs compression / expansion processing of JPEG for multi-valued image data and JBIG, MMR, MR, MH for binary image data.

The image rotation 2030, the resolution conversion 2031, the color space conversion 2032, the gradation conversion 2033, and the image compression 2040 can be connected and operated. For example, when the image in the memory is rotated and the resolution is converted, Both processes can be performed without using a memory.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed description of the scanner image processing 2080. The RGB 8-bit luminance signal input from the scanner is converted by the masking 2501 into a standard RGB color signal that does not depend on the CCD filter color. If it is necessary to change the magnification by the magnification change 2502, the magnification is changed. The filter 2503 blurs the image or adds sharpness to the image. With gamma 2504, processing is performed so as to make the density of the entire image darker or lighter. In order to determine whether the original is color or black and white, the image signal before scaling is known by color space conversion 2505.
Convert to Lab. Of these, a and b represent color signal components, and if they are above a predetermined level in the comparator 2505, chromatic colors,
Otherwise, the 1-bit judgment signal as an achromatic color is sent to the comparator 25.
Output from 05. The counter 2507 measures the output from the comparator.

The image input / output device is shown in FIG. The scanner unit 2070, which is an image input device, illuminates an image on paper, which is an original, and scans a CCD line sensor (not shown) to convert it into electrical signals as raster image data 2071. Original paper is set on the tray 2073 of the original feeder 2072, and the controller CPU 2001 causes the scanner CPU 207 to execute a reading start instruction from the operation unit 2012 by the apparatus user.
An instruction is given to 0 (2071), and the feeder 2072 feeds the document sheets one by one and reads the document image.

A printer unit 2095 which is an image output device
Is a part that converts raster image data 2096 into an image on paper.The method is an electrophotographic method using a photoconductor drum or photoconductor belt, and an image is directly printed on the paper by ejecting ink from a minute nozzle array. There is an inkjet method for printing, but any method may be used. The print operation is started by an instruction 2096 from the controller CPU 2001. The printer unit 2095 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and corresponding paper cassettes 2101, 2102, 2103,
There are 2104. The paper discharge tray 2111 receives the printed paper.

The structure of the operation unit 2012 is shown in FIG. The LCD display unit 2013 has a touch panel sheet 2019 pasted on the LCD, displays a system operation screen and soft keys, and when the displayed key is pressed, transmits the position information to the controller CPU 2001. The start key 2014 is used when starting the reading operation of the original image. In the center of the start key 2014, there is a two-color LED 2018 of green and red, and the color indicates whether the start key 2014 is ready for use. The stop key 2015 works to stop the operation in progress. ID key 2016 is the user ID of the user
Used when inputting. The reset key 2017 is used when initializing the settings from the operation unit.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of the operation unit of the image forming apparatus system showing the embodiment of the present invention.
In the image forming apparatus, 2001 is a control CPU that comprehensively controls access to various devices connected to the system bus 2007 based on a control program or the like stored in a program ROM of 2003, and the image input unit interface 20
Input information is read from a scanner 2070 connected via 71, and an image signal as output information is output to a printing unit 2095 connected via a printing unit interface 2096. 2002
Is a RAM that functions as a main memory and a work area of the CPU of 2001. Receives user input from the 2019 touch panel and 2014-2017 hard keys
The operation contents are acquired through F20061. Based on the acquired operation contents and the control program described above, the CPU 2001
The display screen data is generated in, and through the output device controller 20062 that controls the screen output device,
The display screen is output to the screen output device 2013 such as LCD or CRT.

Next, regarding the embodiment of the present invention, the LCD display surface 2
This will be described using the screen displayed in 013. FIG. 7 is an initial screen in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, and is also a standard screen that returns after setting each image forming function. The 3101 switches screens for making copy settings. The 3102 performs screen switching for setting to send the scanned image by fax or e-mail. The 3103 performs screen switching for printing or transmitting the scan image stored in the built-in HD. Reference numeral 3104 is a window for displaying the settings at the time of image reading set by the 3105. 3105 sets the resolution and density when reading an image. 3106 is the timer setting when sending a timer, H
D or settings for printing on a printer are made.
3107 displays the transmission destination designated by 3108.
3109 displays detailed information of one destination displayed in 3107. The 3110 deletes one destination displayed in 3107.

FIG. 8 is a pop-up window displayed when 3105 is pressed. 3201 selects and inputs the read document size from the pop-up, and the set read size is displayed in 3202. 3203 is for selecting the scanning mode of the original, and when you press it, color /
You can select 3 types of black / automatic (ACS). Counter 25
If the measurement result of 07 is smaller than the specified value, it is judged as a black-and-white original, and if it is large, it is judged as a color original, and if it is color, a color image is displayed. Accumulate the result of distinguishing between black and white. 3204 is a selection input from a pop-up to specify the reading resolution. A slider 3205 is a slider for adjusting the reading density of the document, and can be adjusted in 9 steps. The 3206 is for automatically determining the density when reading an image with a background smeared like a newspaper.

FIG. 9 shows a software configuration diagram. 4010 is a UI control unit that controls the display operation unit, 4020 and 4021 are instructions from the UI control unit, and the device control unit executes a copy job, a copy application unit for executing a transmission job, a transmission application unit, and 4030 is a device A common interface part for absorbing the device-dependent part of the control part, 4040 is a job manager that organizes the job information received from the common interface and transmits it to the lower-layer document processing part.The document processing part scans if it is a local copy. Manager 4050 and print manager 4090, remote copy send job or scan manager 4050 and store manager 4100 for send job, file read manager 4060 and print manager 4090 for remote copy receive job, PDL such as LIPS or PostScript PDL money in print Turbocharger is 4070 and the print manager 4090. Requests for synchronization between the document managers and image processing are performed via the sync manager 4080. The image manager 4110 performs image processing at the time of scanning and printing and storage of image files.

First, the software processing of local copy will be described. Copy settings are copied along with the copy instruction from the UI control unit 4010 according to the user's instruction.
Passed down to 4020. The copy application unit 4020 receives information from the UI control unit 4010 via the common interface 4030,
Notify the job manager 4040 that controls the device. The job manager 4040 transmits job information to the scan manager 4050 and print manager 4090. The scan manager 4050 makes a scan request to the scanner 2070 via the device I / F 2020. Also at the same time Sync Manager 40
An image processing request is issued to the image manager 4110 via 80.

The image manager 4110 sets the scanner image processing unit 2080 according to the instruction of the scan manager 4050. When the setting is completed, the scan manager 4080 is notified that the scan is ready. After that, the scan manager 4050 instructs the scanner 2070 to scan. Completion of scan image transfer is transmitted to the image manager 4110 by an interrupt signal from hardware (not shown). Upon receiving the scan completion from the image manager 4110, the sync manager 4080 notifies the scan manager 4050 and the print manager 4090 of the scan completion. At the same time, the sync manager 4080 converts the image stored in the RAM 2002 into a file in the HDD 2004, so that the image manager 41
Direct to 10.

The image manager 4110 uses the image compression 2040 according to the instruction, and when the black is designated in the UI, the file of TIFF-JBIG or TIFF-MMR, and when the color is designated in the UI, the file of JPEG. HDD20
Store in 04. After storing in HDD2004, scanner
After receiving the scan completion from 2070, Sync Manager
The scan manager 4050 is notified of the completion of filing via 4080. The scan manager 4050 returns an end notification to the job manager 4040, and the job manager 4040
Returns to the copy application unit 4020 via the common interface 4030.

The print manager 4090 sends a message to the printer 2095 via the device I / F2020 when an image is stored in the memory.
Send a print request to. A print image processing request is issued to the sync manager 4080. When the sync manager 4080 receives a request from the print manager 4090, it requests the image manager 4110 for image processing settings. Image manager 4110
Configures the printer image processing unit 2090, and notifies the print manager 4090 via the sync manager 4080 that print preparation is completed. The print manager 4090 issues a print instruction to the printer. Completion of print image transfer is transmitted to the image manager 4110 by an interrupt signal from hardware (not shown).

Upon receiving the print completion from the image manager 4110, the sync manager 4080 notifies the print manager 4090 of the print completion. Print manager 4090
Is the job manager
The end notification is returned to 4040, and the job manager 4040 returns it to the copy application unit 4020 via the common interface 4030. The copy application unit 4020 notifies the UI control unit of the end of the job when scanning and printing are completed.

In the case of a remote copy scan job or transmission job, the store manager 4100 receives a request from the job manager 4040 instead of the print manager 4090. Upon completion of storing the scan image in the HDD, the storage manager 4080 receives a storage completion notification from the sync manager 4080, and notifies the copy application unit 4020 for remote copy and the transmission application unit 4021 for transmission job via the common interface 4030. After this notification, the copy application unit 4020 and the transmission application 4021 request the network application 4420 to transmit the file stored in the HDD. The requested network application 4420 sends the file.

The network application 4420 receives the setting information regarding copying from the copy application unit 4020 at the start of the job, and also notifies it to the remote side.
In the case of remote copy, the network application 4420 transmits using a device-specific communication protocol. For send jobs, use standard file transfer protocols such as FTP and SMB. When sending by fax, the file is stored, then the sending application 4021
From the common interface 4030 and the job manager 4040, the FAX manager 4041 is instructed to send. Also,
When the destination has a printer, the transmission application issues a print instruction as a print job via the common interface 4000. The operation at that time is similar to that of the remote copy print job described below. If the transmission destination is the box destination in the device, it is stored in the file system in the device.

In the case of a remote copy print job, the image from the sender is sent to the network application.
The 4420 saves it in the HDD and issues a job to the copy application unit 4020. The copy application unit 4020 submits a print job to the job manager 4040 via the common interface 4030. Unlike local copy, File Manager 4060 replaces Job Manager 4040 instead of Scan Manager 4050.
Received a request from.

A request for expanding the received image from the HDD into the memory is issued to the image manager 4110 via the sync manager 4080. The image manager 4110 decompresses TIFF-JBIG, TIFF-MMR, or JPEG using the image compression 2040 and expands the image in the memory. The image manager 4110 notifies the file read manager 4060 and the print manager 4090 of the completion of the expansion via the sync manager 4080 when the expansion is completed. The print manager 4090 will print to the device once the image is in memory.
Through the I / F2020, the printer 2095 selects a paper feed tray instructed by the job manager or a tray having the paper size, and issues a print request. In the case of automatic paper, the paper feed stage is determined from the image size and a print request is issued.

A print image processing request is issued to the sync manager 4080. When the sync manager 4080 receives a request from the print manager 4090, it requests the image manager 4110 for image processing settings. (At this time, for example, if the optimum size paper runs out and rotation is necessary, a separate rotation instruction is requested. If there is a rotation instruction, the image manager rotates the image using the image rotation 2030.) The image manager 4110 Set the printer image processing unit 2090,
Print Manager 4090 via Sync Manager 4080
Notify that the print is ready. Print manager 4090
Issues a print instruction to the printer.

Completion of the print image transfer is performed by the image manager by an interrupt signal from hardware (not shown).
It is transmitted to 4110. Upon receipt of the print completion from the image manager 4110, the sync manager 4080 notifies the print completion of the file read manager 4060 and the print manager 4090.
Tell. The file read manager 4060 returns an end notification to the job manager 4040. Print manager 4090
Is the job manager
Returns the end notification to 4040. The job manager 4040 returns an end notification to the copy application unit 4020 via the common interface 4030. Copy application section
4020 is a job end UI after scanning and printing
Notify the control unit.

Next, a method of accumulating an image, which is the central part of this embodiment, will be described. FIG. 10 shows a flowchart at the time of scan accumulation in image transmission. In 4101, an RGB color image is read from a scanner into a memory at a specified magnification and a specified resolution. If the color mode in the UI is not automatic in 4102, it is further determined in 4103 whether it is black. In the case of “black” in 4104, the color image scanned in the scanner image processing 2080 is converted into a monochrome image file using 2032 color space conversion, and is stored in the HDD 2004. At this time, the accompanying ACS determination result information is “no ACS determination”. When the color mode is “color”, the RGB color image scanned by the scanner image processing 2080 in 4105 is stored in the HDD 2004. At this time, the accompanying ACS determination result information is “no ACS determination”. these
The ACS determination result information is managed in SRAM (not shown) in association with the files in the HDD 2004.

4106 when the color mode is automatic (ACS)
In, the counter 2507 is read, and if the counter value read in 4107 is smaller than a predetermined value, it is determined that the original is black and white, and the RGB color image scanned in the scanner image processing 2080 is stored in the HDD 2004. At this time, the accompanying ACS determination result information is “ACS determination is monochrome”.

If the counter value read in 4107 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, it is determined that the original is color, and the scanner image processing 2080 is performed.
The RGB color image scanned by is stored in HDD2004. At this time, the accompanying ACS judgment result information is “ACS judgment is color”
And

Next, the operation for forcibly changing the ACS determination result of the stored image will be described. When the destination is a box in the device as described above, the stored file can be confirmed on the box screen of FIG. A box number 4201 indicates a folder in which stored documents can be managed for each user. 4202 is a unique name of a box, and 4203 is a memory usage amount of each box. Figure 1
2 shows an example of the inside of the box. When the box number of 4201 is pressed, the screen as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed. In this, as shown by 4301, two documents are stored. Edit the 4302 by pressing the screen and selecting the document,
You can print 4303 and send 4304. When the document "Material 1" is selected and the edit button is pressed, the result is as shown in FIG. The ACS result of the image of three pages included in the document “Material 1” is displayed, and as shown by 4401, the ACS result of each page is displayed. The ACS result becomes a pop-up window by pressing like 4402, and you can change it to any value of color or black and white. Before changing, it is also possible to select a page, display thumbnails of page data by the thumbnail display of 4403, check the image, and then operate the ACS result.

After forcibly changing the ACS results, FIG.
Send from and print. If the ACS judgment result is forcibly changed to black and white and sent or printed, HDD2004
The RGB color image read out from the device is converted into a black and white image by passing through the color space conversion 2032, and the black and white image can be transmitted and printed. In addition, if the ACS judgment result is forcibly changed to black and white and sent or printed,
Color space conversion of RGB color image read from HDD2004 2032
It can be sent and printed as a color image by sending and printing as it is without passing through. In the present invention, the description was made using the transmission function, but the same can be applied to the copy function.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Forcibly changing the judgment result Automatic judgment of the original document color (ACS)
Regardless of the determination result, the determination result can be forcibly changed at the time of printing or transmission output, so that the accumulated image can be printed and transmitted as a desired document color.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing scanner image processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an external view of an input / output device of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is an external view of the operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a software configuration diagram showing a software configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart when storing scan images according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a box operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram when a document is displayed on the box operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram when a page is displayed on the box operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

200, 220, 230 image forming apparatus 240 personal computer 2000, 2200, 2300 Controller Unit 2011 LAN 2012, 2212, 2312 Operation unit 2070, 2270, 2370 Scanner 2095, 2295, 2395 Printer

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image input section for inputting an original image, an original color determining section for determining whether the input original image is color or black and white, and an input image and a determination result determined by the original color determining section. An image for performing image processing for printing in color when the original is in color and in black and white when the original is in color, based on a storage memory unit for storing In a color image input / output device including a processing unit and a printing unit that prints an image that has undergone image processing, the color image input / output device includes a determination result forcibly changing unit that forcibly changes the determination result stored in the storage memory unit. A color image input / output device, wherein the image processing unit performs image processing based on the determined result. 2. An image input section for inputting an original image, an original color determining section for determining whether the input original image is color or black and white, and an input image and a determination result determined by the original color determining section. An image for performing image processing for printing in color when the original is in color and in black and white when the original is in color, based on a storage memory unit for storing In a color image input / output device including a processing unit and a transmission unit that transmits an image-processed image, the color image input / output device includes a determination result forcibly changing unit for forcibly changing the determination result stored in the storage memory unit. A color image input / output device, wherein the image processing unit performs image processing based on the determined result.