JP2908469B2 - Image editing device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image editing apparatus for synthesizing color image data and black-and-white image data. The present invention relates to an image editing apparatus that compares the size of two image data so as to be able to perform the calculation of image data correction on one of the two.

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the outline of the configuration of a conventionally known color copier, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the operation principle thereof. Person: Ricoh Co., Ltd.).

As shown in FIG. 7, the original image is
While scanning line by line, R (red), G
The three primary colors (green) and B (blue) are read out and supplied to the image processing unit 702. The image processing unit 702 performs various corrections for each image signal corresponding to each pixel, and then applies the correction to the complementary color signal (C for each of the R, G, and B signals).
(Cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) signals), and further extracts a B _k (black) color signal.
Store as dimensional image data. These image data are sequentially read from the storage unit 703 at appropriate timing for each color component, and supplied to the printing unit 704. Printing unit 704
Is usually configured as an aggregate of four laser printers,
These share the printing process of each color image of B _k , C, M, Y. In many cases, the printing unit is provided with a gradation processing circuit on the input side.

Next, the operation of the color copying machine will be described with reference to FIG. The upper transfer (hereinafter abbreviated as “paper”) 605 is taken out one by one from the paper feed tray 602, placed on the conveyor belt 606, moved in the direction of the arrow, and sequentially moves the photosensitive drums 603B _k , 603.
After passing through C, 603M and 603Y, each color image of B _k , C, M and Y is transferred and superimposed at each position.
Is discharged on top. The transfer unit and the fixing unit are not shown.

The photoconductor drums 603B _k , 603C, 603M, and 603Y are laser printers (not shown) for respectively performing printing processes of B _k , C, M, and Y colors.
To form an electrostatic latent image on each surface. These latent images are visualized by toners of respective colors B _k , C, M and Y (development unit is not shown), and are sequentially transferred to the same position on the same sheet.

The original image is read simultaneously for each of the primary colors R, G, and B by the scanner 701, and the image data of each color is read by the image processing unit 70.
2, the C, M, and Y images are sequentially processed on the paper with a certain time delay (the time when the paper moves between adjacent photosensitive drums in FIG. 5). Is transferred to The storage unit 703 is provided with a delay memory (buffer memory) for each color image data in order to rationally perform color matching on the paper at the time of transfer.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the memory area in the delay memory 703. The C memory 501C, the M memory 501M, and the Y memory 501Y are C, M, and Y, respectively.
Image data. When the _Bk image is first transferred as in the configuration of FIG. 6, a delay memory is not always necessary for the _Bk image data, and is often omitted as shown in FIG.

Now, the width of the document and 297 mm (A3 edition shorter dimension), if the distance between adjacent photosensitive drums of Figure 6 and 110 mm, C memory capacity = 297 × 110 (mm ²⁾ amount in the capacitance M Memory capacity = 297 × 220 (mm ² ) capacity Y memory capacity = 297 × 330 (mm ² ) capacity, so total memory capacity = 297 × (110 + 220 + 330) (mm ^{2) = 297 × 660 (mm} 2) the capacity of the component.

In addition to the above-described color image data, by adding a configuration for synthesizing a single image data for displaying another black image, a black image (characters, figures, etc.) of the second original is added on the color image. Can be superimposed on a sheet of paper.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, the memory in the storage section of the color copying machine merely functions as a delay memory, and does not function as a frame memory.
Further, there is no technical idea to correct data before printing processing or to perform image editing.

In particular, when the color image data by combining the B _k image data of the second primary color is printed on the paper, because there is no concept of image data correction, B _k contained color image data (C, M, Y) to component of the data is larger than B _k data of the second document, the image of the second document had a defect that it is difficult to identify buried in a color image.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, the boundary of the color image and B _k image printed on a sheet to sharp, possible to easily identify the two images even when a color image is dark The purpose is to be able to.

[Means for solving the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image editing apparatus for synthesizing first image data comprising image data representing a plurality of chromatic images and second image data representing a black image. Black level detection means for detecting the level of a black component included in the data, comparison means for comparing the level detected by the black level detection means with the level of the second image data, and the second image data from the first image data. Image data correcting means for subtracting a value corresponding to the image data; and, according to the result of the comparison by the comparing means, either the image data corrected by the image data correcting means or the uncorrected image data is converted into a color image. And a selection unit for selecting and outputting as data.

[Action]

Image editing apparatus according to the present invention detects the level of B _k components contained in the three-color image data, which the second original image
The levels of the _Bk image data are compared, and based on the result, level correction is applied to either the three-color image data or the _Bk image data (image data of the second document).

〔Example〕

 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, in which a comparator compares data input to three input terminals A, B, and C, selects the minimum level data, and transmits the selected data to a min terminal. 101 and P
And the data input to the Q terminal are compared, and if P ≧ Q, H, if P <Q, L, their output terminals (upper terminal)
Data input to the three terminals A, B, and C in response to data input to the X terminal (parallel data)
Performs a predetermined correction operation on the
Select the image data correction circuit 102 that outputs to the outside via the Y _A , Y _B , and Y _C terminals and the data (three parallel data) that is input to the A terminal group if the input data to the SEL terminal is L And the selector 104 selects the input data to the B terminal group if the input data to the SEL terminal is H and outputs it from the Y terminal group.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing the internal configuration of the comparator 101.
The comparator 20 compares the data input to the P terminal and the Q terminal and outputs L if P ≧ Q, and H if P <Q.
Based on a combination (having a total information amount of 3 bits) of data (H or L) inputted to each terminal of C, B, and A, input terminals D _0,1,2, A multiplexer 202 selects parallel data to be input to _{3 ‥‥‥ 7} and outputs the selected data to the outside via the Y terminal. 201
A to C and 202 select the minimum level data among the three data (all of which are parallel data) of data A, B, and C which are input to the comparator groups 201A to 201C in cooperation with each other. Output from the Y terminal.

FIG. 3 is an illustration C, M, Y, the size relationship of levels (corresponding to concentration in printing process) before and after the correction operation of the image data of B _k. C, M, and Y are data of three colors constituting the color image data, and are data before _Bk component extraction. Here, the level (density) of the _Bk component included in the color image data of the three colors C, M, and Y is equal to that of the smallest of the three color data.

In the example shown in FIG. 3 (a) M is the minimum, also the levels significantly smaller than that of B _k. In such a case, there is no problem even if the two image data are superimposed and printed on paper.

On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG.
Slightly larger than that of B _k, if print processing on a sheet on top of both data, the identification of the black image (second original image) is impossible.

Fig. 3 (c) shows that (b)
3 illustrates an example of a result after performing a correction operation on the color image data.

The contents of this correction operation is to subtract Y, M, the level of B _k from each data C of (b).

Next, the operation of the image editing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG.

The image data read from each of the C, M, and Y memories 501C, 501M, and 501Y is supplied to a comparator 101, an image data correction circuit 102, and a selector 10.
Input to 4 in parallel. The comparator 101 selects the minimum level of the three data of C, M, and Y input from the A, B, and C terminals, and outputs the Q terminal of the comparator 103 and the image data correction circuit via the Y terminal. Output to the 102 X terminal. The _Bk data is also input to the image data correction circuit 102 from the X 'terminal.
This circuit performs a predetermined data correction operation on each of the C, M, and Y data based on these input data.
The results Y _A, Y _B, via the A _C terminal outputs toward the terminal group A of the selector 104. On the other hand, the comparator 103 compares the B _k data
Of the C, M, and Y3 data, the smallest data is compared, and the result is output to the SEL terminal of the selector 104 as an H signal or an L signal. Here, if the minimum of the C, M, and Y color data is indicated by D _min , if B _k > D _min , the B terminal group data (uncorrected C, M, Y data) ) Is selected and B _k <D _min
In this case, the data of the A terminal group (C, M, Y after correction) is selected and output via the Y terminal of the selector 104.

The contents of the correction calculation are not limited to those shown in FIG. In the case of (c), B _{k is obtained} from each data of C, M and Y.
The 100% value of the data was subtracted.
You can change the value to ~ 70%. This can be realized by incorporating a rewritable element such as a BPROM into the correction circuit 102.

 FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention.

In the configuration of FIG. 1 C, M, subjected to three-color image data correction operation of the Y, the B _k data while has been outputted directly to the next step, in the configuration of FIG. 4 B _k data Is a remarkable difference in that the color image data of the three colors C, M, and Y are directly output. The functions of the comparators 401 and 403 are the same as those of the corresponding circuit elements in FIG. The function of the selector 404 is not different from that of 104 in FIG. 1 except that it is responsible for a single image data switching operation. Image data correction circuit 402, in consideration of the input data D _min to the X terminal, and executes the correction calculation with respect to a single B _k data. The content of the correction operation is that the adaptation target is single and that the _Bk data is increased as shown in FIG.
Different from 2.

The operation of the configuration of FIG. 4 is similar to that of FIG. 1, and B _k > D
_{If min} , the _Bk data is output to the next process without being corrected, and if _Bk < _Dmin , the corrected data is output.

FIG. 3D shows the data correction circuit 402 shown in FIG.
Describes the case where 100% of the _Bk data has been deleted. Even in this case, the deletion rate can be arbitrarily changed to, for example, 50% or 70% by incorporating a rewritable element such as an EPRPM into the data correction circuit 402.

Although the above description has been directed to a color copying machine, the application of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, facsimile, reading of data from a database storing image data, and the like, digital image data It can be widely applied to editing.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the image editing apparatus of the present invention, in the image editing apparatus that combines the first image data composed of image data representing a plurality of chromatic images and the second image data representing a black image, Black level detection means for detecting a level of a black component included in the first image data, comparison means for comparing the level detected by the black level detection means with the level of the second image data, and the first image data Image data correction means for subtracting a value corresponding to the second image data from the image data, and image data corrected by the image data correction means or uncorrected image data depending on the result of comparison by the comparison means. the order having a selection means for selecting and outputting a color image data, or, in the case of synthesizing the color image and B _k image, a color that is printing on a sheet Boundaries of the image and B _k image becomes clearer, even when a color image is dark, an effect that the identity of the two images can be easily performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of the comparator in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 shows the level of color image data before and after correction. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a memory area for three-color image data, and FIG. 6 is a conventional diagram. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the outline of the configuration of the color copying machine, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining the operation of the configuration shown in FIG. EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS 101: comparator, 102: image data correction circuit 103: comparator, 104: selector 201A, 201B, 201C ... comparator 202: multiplexer, 401: comparator 402: image data correction circuit 403 ...... comparator, 404 ...... selector 501C ...... C memory, 501M ...... M memory 501Y ...... Y memory, 602 ...... feed tray 603B _k, C, M, Y ...... photosensitive drum 604 ...... discharge tray 605: Copy paper, 606: Conveying belt 701: Scanner, 702: Image processing unit 703: Storage unit, 704: Printing unit

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A color image data (hereinafter, referred to as "first image data") comprising image data representing a plurality of chromatic images, and a single image data (hereinafter, referred to as "second image data") representing a black image. A black level detecting means for detecting a level of a black component contained in the first image data; and a level detected by the black level detecting means and a level of the second image data. Comparison means for comparing; image data correction means for subtracting a value corresponding to the second image data from the first image data; and correction by the image data correction means according to a result of the comparison by the comparison means Selecting means for selecting and outputting either image data or uncorrected image data as color image data.