JP2008301114A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor which can judge whether a calibration chart is available or not more easily than before at the time of color calibration. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing section 100 comprises a reference sampling section 102 for recording the image value at a predetermined position obtained by reading a calibration chart as reference sample data 12a, a copy output section 103 for generating a copy image by compounding the image of calibration chart and a management image representing management information about calibration processing and outputting the compounded copy image from a printer, a comparison sampling section 105 for recording the image value at the predetermined position obtained by reading the outputted copy image as comparison sample data 12b, and a section calibration 107 performing calibration by comparing reference sample data 12a and the comparison sample data 12b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that processes document data obtained by optically reading a document.

  In recent years, network multifunction devices having a copy function, a network scanner function, and a network printer function as a single unit have been spreading toward space saving.

  Such a network multifunction device includes a scanner device, and image data obtained by optically reading a document with the scanner device is stored in a built-in printer device, and a terminal device and a printer device connected via a network. By transferring, a copy function, a network scanner function, and a network printer function are exhibited.

  In a network multifunction peripheral, it is desirable that adjustments (hereinafter also referred to as color calibration) for accurately representing colors (including color and monochrome gradation) on a document on a copy are performed in a timely manner.

  Color calibration is performed using a reference image (referred to as a calibration chart) in which a plurality of colors serving as a reference are represented.

  Commonly available calibration charts include CMYK (Cyan-Magenta-Yellow-Black) color space CMY chart, RGB (Red-Green-Blue) color space RGB chart, and multi-valued image K ( There are three types of Black) charts.

  For example, an expert performs color calibration by copying all three types of calibration charts with an apparatus that is the object of color calibration, and comparing the original and the copy with a naked eye for a large number of color samples. ing.

  In addition, it is well known that a general user can easily and appropriately perform color calibration without having to compare the original and the copy with the naked eye (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). ).

  The image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 causes read data obtained by reading a reference image including a reference gradation bar or a reference color bar with a scanner unit, and causes the printer unit to print the read data. The comparison image obtained by the above is compared with the read data obtained by reading with the scanner unit, and the correction value that approximates the gradation or color of the read data of the comparison image to the gradation or color of the read data of the reference image is determined. Control means for performing correction processing is provided.

  According to this configuration, since the correction value is determined by the image forming apparatus, it is not necessary to compare colors with the naked eye, and an ordinary user can easily and appropriately perform color calibration.

Such color calibration is particularly called copy calibration because it is performed by comparing the original calibration chart with its copy output. In copy calibration, an independent calibration result is obtained for each set of a scanner device that reads a calibration chart and a printer device that outputs a copy.
JP-A-7-273997 JP-A-7-274016

  According to the prior art, even a general user can easily and appropriately perform copy calibration. However, in order to correctly handle a plurality of types of calibration charts and similar documents such as copies thereof, You are forced to manage complicated manuscripts.

  Specifically, it is difficult to identify the type of chart and the original such as original or copy at first glance. For this reason, the user needs to perform management such as storing the order of the originals so as not to mistake the originals.

  In addition, even if a copy of a calibration chart read by another scanner device, a copy output by another printer device, or an old copy that is not the target of the copy calibration process being executed is mixed, There is no way to identify. If such a copy is used, correct copy calibration cannot be performed. For this reason, the user is required to pay close attention to correctly handle the document.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of performing copy calibration while reducing the burden of manuscript management of a user as compared with the conventional art.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus of the present invention is an image processing apparatus that optically reads a document, and is a reference that records an image value at a predetermined position obtained by reading a calibration chart as reference sample data. A sampling unit; a copy output unit configured to generate a copy image by synthesizing a management image representing management information related to calibration processing to an image of the calibration chart; and outputting the synthesized copy image by a printer device; Comparison sampling means for recording the image value at the predetermined position obtained by reading the copied image as comparison sample data, and calibration means for performing copy calibration by comparing the reference sample data and the comparison sample data Is provided.

  Preferably, the copy output unit specifies information indicating that the calibration chart is a copy, information specifying the type of the calibration chart, and the scanner device that has read the calibration chart in the image of the calibration chart. A management image representing at least one of the information, the information specifying the printer device that output the copy, and the information indicating the date and time when the copy was output may be combined.

  According to this configuration, the management information related to the calibration process is printed on the copy of the calibration chart, so that the user can specify the content of the original by looking at the management information, and does not need to manage the complicated original. As a result, it is possible to perform copy calibration while reducing the burden of manuscript management on the user compared to the conventional art.

  Further, the comparative sampling means may cancel the recording of the comparative sample data when the management image is not included in the read copy image.

  Furthermore, when the read copy image includes a management image, the comparison sampling unit restores management information from the management image included in the copy image, and records the comparison sample data according to the restored management information. You may cancel.

  According to this configuration, the image processing apparatus itself can detect that the wrong copy has been read according to management information acquired from the read copy image, and can stop acquiring the comparison sample data. Inappropriate copy calibration based on wrong copy can be prevented in advance. As a result, the reliability of the copy calibration process is increased.

  Note that the present invention can be realized not only as such an image processing apparatus but also as a network complex machine including such an image processing apparatus. Further, the present invention also includes a method in which a characteristic operation performed by such an image processing apparatus is used as a step.

  Furthermore, the present invention can also be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute the above steps. Such a program can also be distributed via a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a transmission medium such as the Internet.

  The image processing apparatus of the present invention prints management information related to the calibration process on a copy of the calibration chart during copy calibration, so that the user can specify the content of the document by looking at the management information. Therefore, it is not necessary to manage complicated manuscripts. As a result, it is possible to realize an image processing apparatus that can perform copy calibration while reducing the burden of user manuscript management as compared with the prior art.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
First, the outline of the configuration of a network multifunction peripheral including the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system including a network multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment.

  The communication system includes network multifunction peripherals 1 and 2, terminal devices 3 and 4, PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Networks) 5, and LAN (Local Area Network) 6.

  Here, the network multifunction peripheral 1 is an example of a network multifunction peripheral including the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. The network multifunction device 1 is connected to the network multifunction device 2 via the PSTN 5, and is connected to the terminal devices 3 and 4 via the LAN 6.

  The network multifunction device 1 can transmit a document read by the scanner device by facsimile to the network multifunction device 2 via the PSTN 5 and to the terminal devices 3 and 4 via the LAN 6, for example. Further, it can be printed out by a built-in printer device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the network multifunction device 1.
As shown in FIG. 2, the network MFP 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a modem 13, an NCU (Network Control Unit) 14, and an operation panel 15. , A display 16, a scanner device 17, a printer device 18, and a LAN I / F (LAN interface) 19.

  The CPU 10 controls the entire network multifunction peripheral 1 by executing a control program 11 a stored in the ROM 11.

  As a characteristic process, the CPU 10 determines whether the document read by the scanner device 17 can be used as a calibration chart. Specific processing contents will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The ROM 11 is a read-only memory that holds a control program 11a executed by the CPU 10.

  The RAM 12 is a readable / writable memory that holds work data used when the CPU 10 executes the control program 11a, image data obtained from the scanner device 17, and the like.

  The modem 13 modulates the original data and the like held in the RAM 12 into a facsimile signal and transmits it, and demodulates the facsimile signal received from the outside into line data. The modem 13 is a fax modem compliant with the G3 standard, for example.

The NCU 14 is a network control device that controls the connection between the modem 13 and the PSTN 5.
The operation panel 15 is a touch panel that receives an operation from a user.

  The display 16 is a display device that displays an operation guide to the user and an operation state of the network multifunction device 1, and is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).

  The scanner device 17 is an image reading device, and generates document data by optically reading a document using a CCD under the control of the CPU 10.

  The printer device 18 is a printing device, and prints out a document image represented by document data held in, for example, the RAM 12 under the control of the CPU 10.

  The LAN I / F 19 is a communication adapter that connects the network multifunction device 1 and the LAN 6, and transmits, for example, image data held in the RAM 12 to the terminal device 3 or the like under the control of the CPU 10.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the main part of the scanner device 17. The hardware configuration of the scanner device 17 will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

  The scanner device 17 is a scanner device that can read a document by a flat bed scanning method and an automatic document feeding method, and includes a reading mechanism unit 170, a document placing unit 180, and a document feeding unit 190.

  The reading mechanism unit 170 includes a contact glass 171, a slit glass 172, a full rate carriage 173, a half rate carriage 178, a condenser lens unit 179, a CCD 175, a driving belt 176 a, a driving belt 176 b, and a moving motor 177.

  The full-rate carriage 173 has a light source 174 and a first mirror 173a inside, and is attached to a driving belt 176a driven by a moving motor 177. As a result, the full rate carriage 173 moves in the left-right direction in the figure.

  The half-rate carriage 178 includes a second mirror 178a and a third mirror 178b that form an angle of 90 ° with each other, and is attached to a driving belt 176b driven by a moving motor 177.

  The driving belt 176a and the driving belt 176b are coaxially mounted on the driving pulley having a diameter of 2: 1 and are driven by the same moving motor 177.

  Accordingly, the full-rate carriage 173 connected to the drive belt 176a and the half-rate carriage 178 connected to the drive belt 176b are reciprocated so as to follow each other at a speed ratio of 2: 1 by the rotational drive of the moving motor 177. To do.

  The condenser lens unit 179 and the CCD 175 are fixed to the housing of the reading mechanism unit 170.

The document placing portion 180 is attached to the reading mechanism portion 170 so as to be capable of rotating and opening.
The document feeding unit 190 includes a feeding roller 191 and a feeding motor 192. The feeding roller 191 forms a passage for a document passing through the slit glass 172, and transports the document along the passage according to the operation of the feeding motor 192.

  In this configuration, when the original is read by the flat bed scanning method, the original is pressed against the contact glass 171 by the original placement unit 180 functioning as a presser lid. Thereafter, the full-rate carriage 173 and the half-rate carriage 178 waiting on the left side in the housing of the reading mechanism 170 are moved to the right by the rotational drive by the moving motor 177.

  During this movement, the reflected light emitted from the light source 174 and reflected by the original is reflected in the order of the first mirror 173a, the second mirror 178a, and the third mirror 178b, and passes through the condenser lens unit 179 to the CCD 175. Incident light is imaged.

  Further, in this configuration, when reading an original by the automatic original feeding method, the full-rate carriage 173 is stopped under the slit glass 172, and then the original feeding unit 190 takes in the original from the original placing unit 180 and passes the passage. Transport along.

  During this transfer, the reflected light irradiated from the light source 174 through the slit glass 172 and reflected by the original is reflected in the order of the first mirror 173a, the second mirror 178a, and the third mirror 178b, and the condensing lens unit 179. Then, the light enters the CCD 175 and forms an image.

  In any system, the CCD 175 converts the formed optical information into a digital electric signal and outputs it. In this way, document data for the document is generated.

  The configuration of the scanner device 17 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a configuration in which the CCD directly captures the reflected light from the original when a single carriage in which the light source and the CCD are installed moves under the original is also possible.

The above is the outline of the configuration of the network MFP 1 according to the present embodiment.
Next, the functional configuration and operation of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a characteristic functional configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. In FIG. 4, among the functions of the network MFP 1 that are exhibited by the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 2, functions mainly related to the image processing apparatus of the embodiment are shown as the image processing unit 100. That is, the image processing unit 100 is an example of an image processing apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the image processing unit 100 according to the embodiment includes a reading unit 101, a reference sampling unit 102, a copy output unit 103, a management information adding unit 104, a comparison sampling unit 105, a management information verification unit 106, and a calibration. The processing unit 107 is provided.

  The reading unit 101 generates image data by optically reading a document with the scanner device 17. The reading unit 101 first reads a calibration chart to generate reference image data, and then reads a copy of the calibration chart output from the printer device 18 to generate comparison image data.

Details of the calibration chart will be described later with reference to FIG.
The reference sampling unit 102 records image values represented by reference image data at one or more predetermined positions (hereinafter referred to as sample points) in the calibration chart in the RAM 12 as reference sample data. The number of sample points is determined according to the accuracy required for color calibration.

  In the copy output unit 103, the management information adding unit 104 generates a management image representing management information related to calibration processing in a visible format such as a character, a barcode, and a two-dimensional code, and the management generated in the calibration chart image. A copy image is generated by combining the images.

Details of the management image will be described later with reference to FIG.
The copy output unit 103 causes the printer device 18 and the printer device 7 to output a copy of the calibration chart with management information by transferring the combined copy image to the printer device 18 and the LAN I / F 19.

  In the comparison sampling unit 105, the management information verification unit 106 attempts to extract a management image from the comparison image data obtained by reading the output copy. When the management image is extracted, the management information is restored from the extracted management image.

  The comparison sampling unit 105 acquires the image value at the position of the sample point of the comparison image data as comparison sample data only when the management image is extracted and the copy read from the restored management information is determined to be appropriate. . If the copy is not judged to be appropriate, the acquisition of the comparison sample data is stopped.

  The calibration unit 107 performs color calibration by comparing the reference sample data with the comparison sample data.

  Specifically, the color calibration is for converting various color data included in image data obtained by reading a document in the future into appropriate color data from the difference between the reference sample data 12a and the comparison sample data. This is a process for determining a conversion table and a conversion coefficient. Since the color calibration itself is a conventional process, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a calibration chart read by the image processing unit 100. In FIGS. 5A to 5C, the denser the line in each patch image, the darker the color, and the coarser the line, the lighter the color.

  FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a CMY (Cyan-Magenta-Yellow) chart.

  The CMY chart is a calibration chart for a CMYK (Cyan-Magenta-Yellow-Black) color space, and is a printed matter on which CMYK-based symbols and photographs are posted.

  The right diagram in FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of the region within the dotted line. As shown in this figure, patch images based on each of C, M, Y, and K are arranged in a line, and the color is dark from left to right.

  Further, for example, the darkest rightmost patch image among the patch images based on C is used for determining the type of the calibration chart.

  FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram illustrating a part of an RGB (Red-Green-Blue) chart. Specifically, it is an enlarged view of the region of the RGB chart corresponding to the region within the dotted line in FIG.

  The RGB chart is a calibration chart for the RGB color space, and is a printed matter on which RGB-based symbols, photographs, and the like are posted. The layout is almost the same as the CMY chart.

  As shown in this figure, patch images based on R, G, B, and K are arranged in rows, and the color is dark from left to right as in the CMY chart.

  FIG. 5C is a schematic diagram showing a part of the K (Black) chart. Specifically, it is an enlarged view of the area of the K chart corresponding to the area within the dotted line in FIG.

  The K chart is a calibration chart for multi-value images, and is a printed matter on which a design using only black ink is printed.

  As shown in this figure, the patch images based on K are arranged in a line, and the color is dark from left to right as in the CMY chart.

  Note that the size of these calibration charts is, for example, A3 size. These calibration charts are examples of calibration charts used for color calibration by the image processing unit 100 shown in the figure, and each patch image, target value, and other color space, pattern, and layout As long as they are associated with each other.

  The image processing unit 100 reads such various calibration charts, and can output a copy in which a management image representing management information related to calibration processing is added to the read calibration chart image on the printer device. Further, the copy can be read, and the copy calibration can be stopped depending on the presence / absence of the management image and the contents of the management information.

The operation of the image processing unit 100 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
6 and 7 are flowcharts illustrating an outline of the operation of the image processing unit 100 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the reference sample data 12 a recorded in the RAM 12.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the comparison sample data 12b recorded in the RAM 12.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management image.
11 to 15 are diagrams illustrating an example of a guide screen displayed on the display 16 in the copy calibration process.

  First, the process from the calibration chart reading process to the copy output process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The image processing unit 100 displays a guide screen as shown in FIG. 11 on the display 16 and accepts designation of a printer device to be subjected to copy calibration from the user via the operation panel 15 (S11).

  When a plurality of printer devices are designated, the image processing unit 100 executes a copy calibration process for the designated plurality of printer devices at a time.

  In the example of FIG. 11, the printer devices specified by the printer names PRN000 and PRN001 are designated. In the following description, it is assumed that the printer name PRN000 specifies the built-in printer device 18 and the printer name PRN001 specifies the printer device 7 connected via the network.

  Further, the scanner device 17 built in the network multifunction device 1 is implicitly subjected to copy calibration processing. Hereinafter, the scanner name that identifies the scanner device 17 will be described as SCN000 for convenience.

  The image processing unit 100 stores a scanner name SCN000 and printer names PRN000 and PRN001 (not shown) as targets of copy calibration processing.

  These scanner name and printer name are also printed on the copy as management information. When the copy is read later, the scanner name and printer name printed on the copy are compared with the scanner name and printer name stored in the image processing unit 100 to verify the appropriateness of the copy.

  When the designation of the printer device is received, the reading unit 101 prompts the user to read the calibration chart by displaying a guide screen as shown in FIG. 12 on the display 16.

  The reading unit 101 reads one or more types of calibration charts set by the user with the scanner device 17 to generate reference image data (S12).

  The reference sampling unit 102 records the image value of the reference image data at a predetermined sample point of each calibration chart in the RAM 12 as the reference sample data 12a (S13).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the reference sample data 12 a recorded in the RAM 12. Such reference sample data 12a is recorded when two types of calibration charts (for example, RGB chart and CMY chart) are read.

  The reference sample data 12a includes a processing date and time, a chart number, a sample number, a position, and a reference value.

  Here, the process date and time represents the date and time when the copy calibration process was started. The chart number is a serial number that specifies one or more types of calibration charts to be read in the copy calibration process. The sample number is a serial number that identifies each sample point in the calibration chart.

  The position is a coordinate value representing the position of the sample point. The reference value is the image value of the reference image data at the sample point. The reference value is represented by a coordinate value in a well-known color space for specifying a color (including black and white gradation).

  The reference value is represented by, for example, coordinate values in an RGB color space, which is an example of a color space, or a CMY color space. Further, for example, the coordinate value of the LAB color space that expresses the color with three values of the lightness index (L), the perceptual chromaticity (A), and the perceptual chromaticity (B), or the luminance signal (Y) and two It may be expressed by a coordinate value of a YCC color space composed of color difference signals (Cr and Cb).

  Next, the management information adding unit 104 generates a management image (S14). This management image is, for example, information indicating that it is a copy of a calibration chart, information specifying the type of calibration chart, information specifying the scanner device that has read the calibration chart, and specifying the printer device that has output the copy. At least one of the information and the information indicating the date and time when the copy is output is represented in a visible format such as a character, a barcode, or a two-dimensional code.

  The management information adding unit 104 generates a copy image by combining the generated management image with the calibration chart image (S15).

  This combining process can be performed, for example, by replacing a portion that is not used for copy calibration of the reference image data (that is, a portion where a sample point of the calibration chart is not set) with image data of the generated management image.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management image and a copy image. An image of a calibration chart is shown in the upper part of FIG. A dotted line frame represents a portion that is not used for copy calibration. This part is replaced with the management image shown in the lower part of FIG. 10, thereby generating a copy image. In the management image, the above-described information is displayed as characters and barcodes. Of course, in place of such a one-dimensional barcode, a two-dimensional barcode (not shown) can be used.

  The copy output unit 103 transfers image data representing the generated copy image to the printer device 18 and the LAN I / F 19, thereby copying a copy of the calibration chart to which the management information is added to the printer device 18 and the printer device 7. Output (S16).

  The image processing unit 100 sequentially executes the above-described processing for all calibration charts to be used (YES in S17).

  When reading of all the calibration charts and copy output are completed (NO in S17), the image processing unit 100 displays a guide screen as shown in FIG. 13 on the display 16 to read the output copy. Encourage the user to

  Next, the process from the copy reading process to the calibration process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  A copy of the calibration chart output to the printer device 18 and the printer device 7 is carried by the user and read by the scanner device 17.

  The reading unit 101 reads a copy of the calibration chart with the scanner device 17 and generates comparison image data (S21).

  The management information verification unit 106 determines whether or not a management image is included in the comparison image data. This determination process can be performed, for example, by searching for the above-described barcode design from the comparison image data.

  If the management information verification unit 106 determines that the management image is not included in the comparison image data (NO in S22), for example, an error message “This document is not a copy of the calibration chart” is displayed on the display 16. (S23), the process proceeds to the processing of the next document without obtaining comparison sample data from the document.

  If the management information verification unit 106 determines that the management image is included in the comparison image data (YES in S22), the management image included in the comparison image data (specifically, for example, a barcode pattern). Management information is restored from (S24). Then, the suitability of the read copy image is determined from the restored management information (S25).

  For example, the management information verification unit 106 determines that the read copy image is inappropriate when any of the following conditions is satisfied.

(1) A predetermined period has elapsed from the processing date and time indicated by the management information to the present.
(2) It is not a copy of a calibration chart read by a scanner device to be subjected to copy calibration processing (in this example, the scanner device 17 incorporated in the network multifunction device 1).

  (3) It is not a copy printed by a printer device subject to copy calibration processing (in this example, the printer device 18 incorporated in the network multifunction peripheral 1 and the printer device 7 connected via the network).

  If the management information verification unit 106 determines that any of the above conditions is met (NO in S26), for example, an error message such as “This copy is not the current copy calibration processing target” is displayed on the display 16. (S27), the process proceeds to the processing of the next document without obtaining comparison sample data from the document.

  When the management information verification unit 106 determines that none of the above conditions is applicable (YES in S26), the comparison sampling unit 105 displays the image of the comparison image data at each sample point recorded in the reference sample data 12a. The value is recorded as comparison sample data 12b in association with the printer device indicated by the management information (S28).

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of recorded comparison sample data 12b.
In the comparison sample data 12b of FIG. 9, the image value of the comparison image data at the position of each sample point of the reference sample data 12a of FIG. 8 is shown as a comparison value for each printer.

  Here, it is noted that each time one copy is read, the comparison value corresponding to the chart number indicated by the management information included in the copy and the printer device is recorded as the comparison sample data 12b. Therefore, the user can obtain complete comparison sample data 12b as long as, for example, all the copies are read by the scanner device 17 in random order.

  The image processing unit 100 sequentially executes the above-described processing for all the documents given to the scanner device 17 (YES in S29). At this time, the image processing unit 100 displays a guide screen as shown in FIG. 14 on the display 16 so that a correctly read copy and a copy that has not yet been read are clearly indicated by check marks and blanks, respectively. And present it to the user.

  When there are no more documents to be read (NO in S29), the image processing unit 100 determines that all copies are not read correctly (NO in S30). For example, “Please let me read a copy that has not yet been checked” Is displayed on the display 16 (S31) to prompt the user to read the missing copy.

  The user can immediately find and read a missing copy by using the management information indicated by the management image printed on the copy as a clue.

  When all the copies are read correctly (YES in S30), the calibration unit 107 performs copy calibration for each printer device by comparing the reference sample data 12a and the comparison sample data 12b (S32). The image processing unit 100 displays a guide screen as shown in FIG. 15 on the display 16 to notify the user that the calibration process has been completed.

  As described above, the network multifunction peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment prints management information related to calibration processing on a copy of a calibration chart at the time of copy calibration. The contents of can be specified. Therefore, it is not necessary to manage complicated manuscripts. As a result, it is possible to realize an image processing apparatus that can perform copy calibration while reducing the burden of user manuscript management as compared with the prior art.

  While the image processing apparatus of the present invention has been described based on the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Unless it deviates from the meaning of the present invention, those in which various modifications conceived by those skilled in the art have been made in the present embodiment are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  In the embodiment, the position of the sample point is not specifically illustrated. However, for example, the sample point may be determined at the center of the patch image that is considered to represent a stable color on the calibration chart. . By doing so, it is possible to perform good calibration using the image value at the center of the patch image as the reference value of the reference sample data 12a.

  Further, the reference value of the reference sample data 12a may be calculated by statistically processing a plurality of pixel values included in the patch image area. Specifically, in the frequency distribution (histogram) of the plurality of pixel values, if only the pixel values included in a predetermined range from the median (median) are averaged, a good reference value with reduced influence of noise can be obtained. It is done.

  The present invention can be used as an image processing apparatus that processes pixel data obtained by optically reading a document, for example, in a network multifunction peripheral, a scanner apparatus, or the like.

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the communication system containing the network multifunction peripheral of embodiment. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the network multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the scanner apparatus of embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the characteristic function structure of the image process part of embodiment. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the calibration chart which the image processing part of embodiment reads. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement outline | summary of the image processing part of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement outline | summary of the image processing part of embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of reference | standard sample data. It is a figure which shows an example of comparison sample data. It is a figure which shows an example of the management image added to a copy. It is a figure which shows an example of a guide screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a guide screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a guide screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a guide screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a guide screen.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2 Network MFP 3, 4 Terminal device 5 PSTN
6 LAN
7 Printer device 10 CPU
11 ROM
11a Control program 12 RAM
12a Reference sample data 13 Modem 14 NCU
15 Operation Panel 16 Display 17 Scanner Device 18 Printer Device 19 LAN I / F
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image processing part 101 Reading part 102 Reference sampling part 103 Copy output part 104 Management information addition part 105 Comparison sampling part 106 Management information verification part 107 Calibration part 170 Mechanism part 171 Contact glass 172 Slit glass 173 Full rate carriage 173a Mirror 174 Light source 175 CCD
176a, 176b Drive belt 177 Movement motor 178 Half-rate carriage 178a, 178b Mirror 179 Condensing lens unit 180 Document placement unit 190 Document feeding unit 191 Feeding roller 192 Feeding motor

Claims (5)

An image processing apparatus for optically reading a document,
A reference sampling means for recording an image value at a predetermined position obtained by reading a calibration chart as reference sample data;
A copy output unit that generates a copy image by combining a management image representing management information related to calibration processing with an image of the calibration chart, and outputs the combined copy image by a printer;
Comparison sampling means for recording the image value at the predetermined position obtained by reading the output copy image as comparison sample data;
An image processing apparatus comprising: calibration means for performing copy calibration by comparing the reference sample data and the comparison sample data. The copy output means, on the image of the calibration chart,
Information indicating that it is a copy of the calibration chart,
Information identifying the type of calibration chart,
Information identifying the scanner device that read the calibration chart,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a management image representing at least one of information specifying a printer apparatus that outputs a copy and information indicating a date and time when the copy is output is synthesized. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the comparison sampling unit cancels recording of the comparison sample data when a management image is not included in the read copy image. When the read copy image includes a management image, the comparison sampling unit restores the management information from the management image included in the copy image, and cancels recording of the comparison sample data according to the restored management information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: By transferring image data obtained by optically reading a document to at least one of a built-in printer device, and a terminal device and a printer device connected via a network, a copy function, a network scanner function, and a network A network multifunction device that exhibits at least one of the printer functions,
A reference sampling means for recording an image value at a predetermined position obtained by reading a calibration chart as reference sample data;
A copy output unit that generates a copy image by combining a management image representing management information related to calibration processing with an image of the calibration chart, and outputs the combined copy image by a printer;
Comparison sampling means for recording the image value at the predetermined position obtained by reading the output copy image as comparison sample data;
A network multifunction device comprising: calibration means for performing copy calibration by comparing the reference sample data and the comparison sample data.

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