JP3486533B2 - Image display device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image display device for creating a document and displaying the created document, and more particularly to an image display device for displaying an image which is substantially the same as the image to be printed out.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a document creating system, a system in which a printer is connected to an information device such as a word processor or a personal computer has been used in an office or a general home.

To create a document using such a system, an information device is used to create a document while confirming its appearance on a display, and the created document is printed out by a printer.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional system, the resolution of the display of the information equipment and the resolution of the printer are largely different from each other. This causes a difference between the font displayed on the display and the font printed on the printer. For example, the text displayed in one line on the display is 2
It was sometimes printed out on the line. Also,
When printing out a photo as a document, it is necessary to perform image processing such as enlarging or reducing depending on the difference in resolution, but some dots may occur depending on the size of the image and the magnification of enlarging / reducing, and on the display Sometimes the photo displayed on page 1 was printed out on page 2.

When the document displayed on the display is different from the document printed out as described above, it is necessary to correct the document again after printing out, and it is difficult to obtain the desired document. In addition, waste of paper and time was generated with the printout.

Some information devices are capable of displaying an image image when printed out (hereinafter referred to as "print image") on the display in advance before being printed out. Since the resolution is inferior to that of the printer, the document to be printed out cannot be displayed in detail, and the above problem has not been solved yet.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image display device that reduces the complexity of document creation work.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an image display device which reduces waste of paper and waste of time when creating a document.

[0009]

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and is provided with a data input means for inputting document data, and by connecting a printer to the data input means. An image display device capable of printing out an image based on the document data, comprising image display means connected to the data input means for displaying an image based on the document data, and wherein the document data is converted from luminance data. The data input means includes an input-side data conversion unit that converts the brightness data into density data, and an N-value conversion processing unit that performs N-value conversion processing of the density data (where N is a natural number of 2 or more). , The density data is transmitted from the data input means to the image display means, and the image display means is transmitted. In the case where the output side data conversion unit for re-converting the degree data into the luminance data and the image display unit for displaying the image based on the luminance data are provided, the image displayed on the image display unit is printed out. Image having substantially the same resolution as that of the printer, and the number of gradations in the image display unit is set so that the image display unit corresponds to the N-value conversion process in the N-value conversion unit. It is characterized by changing.

[0010]

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 1 and FIG.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image display device 1 according to the present embodiment comprises a data input means 2 for inputting document data. The data input means 2 is
An image based on the document data can be printed out by connecting a printer. An image display means 3 is connected to the data input means 2 to display an image based on the document data. The image thus displayed is almost the same as the image when printed out, and has the same resolution as that of the printer.

Here, the data input means 2 may be a personal computer, a word processor or the like.

Further, the above-mentioned document data includes at least luminance data. As shown in FIG. 2, the data input unit 2 has an input side data conversion unit 10 for converting the luminance data into density data, and the data input unit 2 to the image display unit 3 are provided.
The concentration data is transmitted to.

Further, the image display means 3 has an output side data conversion section 21 and an image display section 23, and the output side data conversion section 21 reconverts the density data into luminance data for image display. The section 23 displays an image based on the brightness data.

In this case, the data input means 2 has an N-value conversion processing section 11 for performing N-value conversion processing of density data (where N is a natural number of 2 or more), and the image display means 3
However, the number of gradations in the image display unit 23 may be changed so as to correspond to the N-value conversion process in the N-value conversion unit 11.

It should be noted that the brightness data may be brightness data of RGB three colors, but the density data may be YMCK4.
It may be color density data or YMC three-color density data.

Further, the image display unit 23 may display an image that is substantially the same as the image that is printed out and the shape of the paper that is printed out.

Further, the image display section 23 is preferably a high-definition liquid crystal element, for example, a simple matrix type liquid crystal element using a liquid crystal exhibiting a ferroelectric state (hereinafter referred to as "ferroelectric liquid crystal"). .

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

When the document data is input to the data input means 2, the brightness data is converted into density data and the converted density data is transmitted to the image display means 3. Then, the image display means 3 reconverts the density data into luminance data, and then displays an image that is substantially the same as the image to be printed out.

Next, the effect of this embodiment will be described.

According to the present embodiment, the image display means 3 displays almost the same image as the image to be printed out, so that a document can be created while looking at the image and checking its appearance. . Therefore, it is not necessary to perform printout for checking the appearance of the document, and it is possible to avoid waste of paper and waste of time at the time of printout.

[0024]

【Example】

(Embodiment 1) An ultra-high-definition display display system (image display device) 1 according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, is an information device (data input means) such as a personal computer or a word processor into which document data is input. Two
And an ultra-high-definition display device (image display means) 3 connected to the information device 2,
The document is created while checking the appearance on the ultra high definition display device 3.

A printer can be connected to the information device 2 as needed, and an image (document) based on document data is connected to the printer.
Can be printed out.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the ultra-high definition display system 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the information device 2 includes the application software 5 for creating a sentence and the character input and the like. An input unit 7 corresponding to a mouse or keyboard (or a unit for receiving document data via a network) for inputting coordinates, and a display unit 8 for displaying a document being created are provided. 5, input unit 7 and display unit 8
Are controlled by the operating system 6.

In addition, the information device 2 transmits data (hereinafter referred to as “print data”) for transmission to the ultra-high definition display device 3.
And a detailed description will be given later). The display control unit 12 processes the document data to create density data.
An N-valued processing unit 11 for performing N-valued processing of the density data,
And a control unit 9 for controlling these processing units 10 and 11,
It is composed of.

Further, the image processing unit 10 described above is
B brightness data (NTSC (National Tel)
(evision System Committee)
The density conversion unit (input side data conversion unit) 15 for converting the luminance data which is the data of the method into the density data C, M, Y, and the gray components of the density data C, M, Y are undercolored. Removed as (UCR; Under Colo
r removal) and a lower color removal unit 17 for adding density data K corresponding to the gray component, a black generation unit 16, and a γ conversion unit 18 for γ conversion (details will be described later).

The ultra-high-definition display device 3 includes a control unit 20 for controlling the entire device, a conversion unit (output side data conversion unit) 21 for performing various controls based on print data from the information device 2, And a display unit (image display unit) 23 that displays a print image. The display unit 23 has a high definition (about 300
A simple matrix type liquid crystal panel having a display density of dpi) was used.

The printer interface is a Centronics I / F or an RS232C serial I.
/ F should be used.

Next, the operation of displaying a print image which is an ultra-high definition image on the display section 23 of the ultra-high definition display device 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining the outline of the operation of the entire system, and FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a procedure for converting GB luminance data to density data, and FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of print data transmitted from the information device 2 to the ultra-high definition display device 3. 6 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of each command in the print data, FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the content of each command in the print data based on the print image, and FIG. 8 is FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing inside the ultra high definition display device 3. [1] Operation of the entire system Person who operates the system 1 (hereinafter referred to as "operator")
When the user inputs the document data in the input unit 7 on the information equipment side (S1 in FIG. 3), the print image on the display unit 23 on the display device side (almost the same image as when printed out) has the same resolution as the printer. Is displayed at (S4 in FIG. 3). The shape of the paper when printing out is also displayed (details will be described later).

The operator can correct the document data after confirming the appearance of the document with this print image (S2 in FIG. 3). When the document data is corrected, the corrected print image is displayed on the display unit 23. It is displayed (S4 in FIG. 3).

Further, in the present system 1, the control for matching the color number of the print image and the color number of the original data is performed so that the color of the print image is close to the color of the original data such as a photograph. Together with (will be described in detail later),
Halftone processing is also possible. Moreover, in the present system 1, the operator can select from various halftone processing methods such as the error diffusion method and the pattern dither method according to his / her preference (FIG. 3S3). In that case, the selection is made. The print image intermediately processed by the method is displayed on the display unit 23 (S4 in FIG. 3).

If it is unnecessary to input or specify in each of the above steps, that step may be deleted or skipped. Moreover, you may add the step which performs other specification etc. as needed. [2] Details of Each Action [2-1] Action of Information Equipment When an operator inputs document data from the input unit 7, the RGB luminance data is input to the image processing unit 10 via the operating system 6 ( Figure 4 (b) S1
0).

Then, the density converter 15 uses the non-linear conversion such as logarithmic conversion to convert the RGB brightness data into the density data C,
Convert to M and Y (see S12 in FIG. 4 (b)).

Next, the undercolor removal section 17 and the black generation section 16 perform the undercolor removal processing and the black generation processing by using the density data C, M, Y and the following calculation formula (FIG. 4). (b) S1
4).

[0038]

Formula 1 C (1) = C−β × MIN (C, M, Y) M (1) = M−β × MIN (C, M, Y) Y (1) = Y−β × MIN (C , M, Y) K (1) = α × MIN (C, M, Y) where MIN (C, M, Y) is the minimum density data value of the three density data C, M, Y Means that β is
The ratio of undercolor removal for MIN (C, M, Y)
Where α is a value indicating the ratio of black amount generation.

Next, in the γ conversion section 18, C (1), M
Output gamma adjustment (γ conversion) is performed on (1), Y (1), and K (1) to obtain data C (2), M (2), and Y.
(2) and K (2) are converted (see S16 in FIG. 4 (b)).
Here, the data C (2), M (2), Y (2), K
Density correction is performed so that a linear relationship is established between the respective signals of (2) and the image density displayed on the ultra-high definition display device 3 corresponding thereto.

By the way, these data C (2), M
(2), Y (2), K (2) are multi-valued data, but N
These data are N-valued by the value-processing section 11 to obtain data C ', M', Y ', K' (FIG. 4).
(b) See S18).

Then, the print data is sent from the control unit 9 to the ultra high definition display device 3.

This print data is, as shown in FIG.
It consists of "page start", "resolution", "format", "paper size", "margin", "raster data", "raster skip", and "page end". Each command will be described below. “Page start” As shown in FIG. 6A, this command is composed of a character (SC) representing the beginning of the command and a command type code of 00, and means the start of transfer of print data. "Resolution" This command consists of SC, command type code 01, vertical resolution, and horizontal resolution, as shown in Fig. 6 (b).
It specifies the vertical resolution and the horizontal resolution of the print image. "Format" As shown in Fig. 6 (c), this command is SC, command type code 02, bit length (that is, "N" value of N-value conversion process, where N is 2, 3, 4). ,….). When the print image is displayed on the "paper size" display unit 23, it is preferable to display the shape of the paper as an image, and for that purpose, the information on the paper size needs to be input to the ultra-high definition display device 3. . This command is for designating the paper size (specifically, the length of the paper (see reference numeral 30 in FIG. 7) and the width (see reference numeral 31 in FIG. 7)). ), SC, command type code 03, paper length, paper width.

The "paper shape" is displayed centered on the central portion of the display unit 23 regardless of the paper size. "Margin" This command is composed of SC, command type code 04, upper margin, lower margin, left margin, and right margin, as shown in FIG.
3 (the width of the blank area where characters and the like are not printed at the upper edge of the paper), the lower margin 34 (the width of the blank area at the lower edge of the paper), the left margin 35 (the width of the blank area at the left edge of the paper), and the right margin 36 (the right edge of the paper). This is for specifying the width of the blank area). "Raster data (Y)" As shown in FIG. 6 (f), this command is composed of SC, command type code 10, data length, and Y data.

Here, the raster is the reference numeral 37 in FIG.
As shown in, each dot row of the horizontal scanning line in the portion of the paper 38 excluding the margins 35 and 36.

In the present system 1, as described above, the density data is input from the information device 2 to the ultra-high definition display device 3, and one raster is represented by a line-sequential structure formed by separating each YMCK component. It has become. This command is used to specify the Y component density data of the target raster.

The Y data is compressed in PackBits or the like in the TIFF format to improve the transfer efficiency. In this case, the data length specifies the compressed data length. "Raster data (M)" This command consists of SC, command type code 11, data length, and M data, as shown in Fig. 6 (g).
The M component concentration data of the target raster is designated. "Raster data (C)" This command consists of SC, command type code 12, data length, and C data, as shown in Fig. 6 (h).
The C component concentration data of the target raster is designated. "Raster data (K)" This command consists of SC, command type code 13, data length, and K data, as shown in Fig. 6 (i).
The K component concentration data of the target raster is designated. “Raster skip” When there are rasters that do not need to be drawn, such as a line space 39 between character strings as shown in FIG. 7, YMCK components do not occur in these rasters, and thus the raster described above is used. No data is sent, only data about the number of rasters is sent, and the number is skipped by the ultra high definition display device 3.

This command, as shown in FIG.
It is composed of C, a command type code of 20, and the number of skips, and specifies the number of rasters to be skipped. "Page end" As shown in FIG. 6 (k), this command is composed of SC and a command type code 99, and means the end of transmission of print data. [2-2] Operation in the ultra-high-definition display device 3 When the ultra-high-definition display device 3 receives the print data (see S20 in FIG. 8), it determines what the received command is (see S22 in the same figure).

When the received command is "page start", the page is initialized (see S24 in the same figure), and default values are set for the respective set values.

Specifically, the resolution is set to the resolution of the ultra-high definition display device 3, the format is set to the number of bits per pixel that the ultra-high definition display device 3 can display, and the paper height is set. The display area (the number of sub-scanning lines and the number of main-scanning dots) of the ultra-high-definition display device 3 is set as the width and width, and the top, bottom, left, and right margins are both set to zero. Further, the RGB luminance data is set to the maximum value to clear the set paper portion.

When the received command is "paper size", "resolution", "format", or "margin", the conversion unit 21 changes the set value from the default value to the specified value (see S26 in the same figure). ).

Here, if the designated value of the resolution does not match the resolution of the ultra-high definition display device 3, the resolution is converted by enlarging / reducing.

If the bit length B0 designated by the "format" does not match the bit length B1 per pixel of the ultra high definition display device 3, the conversion unit 21 determines the bit length as follows. Make adjustments. That is,

[0053]

[Formula 2] B0>B1; D1 = D0 >> (B0-B1) B0 <B1; D1 = D0 << (B1-B0) where D1 is display data and D0 is input data ( Print data), and << represents N-bit shift.

If the specified paper size is larger than the display area of the ultra-high definition display device 3, the display area itself is set as the paper size and the set values of resolution, format and margin are changed. .

When the received command is "raster data (Y)""raster data (M)""raster data (C)""raster data (K)", the conversion unit 21 converts the density data YNMCK into RGB. The page data is created by converting the brightness data (see S28 in FIG. 8).

[0056]

## EQU00003 ## R = .about.CG = .about.MB = .about.Y R = G = B = .about.K where .about. Represents an invert.

When the received command is "raster skip", the raster is skipped by the specified number of skips and page data is created (see S28 in the same figure). The number of skips is adjusted according to the resolution so that the print image is not affected by the resolution.

Further, when the received command is "page end", page data is displayed on the display unit 23 (see S30 in the same figure).

According to this embodiment, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment of the invention can be obtained. (Embodiment 2) In the present embodiment, the image processing unit 10 is not provided with an undercolor removal unit or a black generation unit, and the RGB luminance data is Y.
It was decided to convert only the density data of the three colors of MC. 9 (a) and 9 (b) are diagrams showing the situation. Along with this, density data of these three colors is sent from the information device 2 side to the ultra high definition display device 3 side, and the conversion unit 21
Are converted again into RGB luminance data (see FIG. 10).
Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

According to this embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the image display means displays an image that is almost the same as the image to be printed out at the same resolution as that of the printer, a document can be created while checking the appearance of the image. Therefore, it is not necessary to print out to confirm the appearance of the document, and the complexity of the document creation work can be reduced.

Further, it is possible to reduce waste of paper and waste of time at the time of printing out.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of an ultra-high definition display system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an ultra-high definition display system.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining the outline of the operation of the entire system.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a procedure of converting RGB luminance data to density data.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of print data transmitted from the information device 2 to the ultra-high definition display device 3.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of each command in print data.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the content of each command in print data based on a print image.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining the processing inside the ultra-high definition display device 3.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention, RG
The figure for demonstrating conversion from B brightness | luminance data to density data.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention, and is a flow chart diagram for explaining processing inside the ultra-high definition display device 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Ultra-high-definition display display system (image display device) 2 Information equipment (data input means) 3 Ultra-high-definition display device (image display means) 11 N-value conversion section 15 Density conversion section (input side data conversion section) 21 Conversion Section (output side data conversion section) 23 display section (image display section)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI H04N 1/46 H04N 1/40 D 1/60 1/46 Z

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image display device comprising data input means for inputting document data, wherein an image based on the document data can be printed out by connecting a printer to the data input means. An image display unit that is connected to an input unit and displays an image based on the document data; and the document data includes luminance data, and the data input unit converts the luminance data into density data. The data conversion unit and the N-value conversion processing unit that performs N-value conversion processing (where N is a natural number of 2 or more) of the density data are provided, and the density data is transferred from the data input unit to the image display unit. An output-side data conversion unit that re-converts the transmitted density data into luminance data, And an image display unit for displaying an image based on the image data, and the image displayed on the image display unit is almost the same as the image when printed out, and has the same resolution as the printer. The image display device is characterized in that the image display unit changes the number of gradations in the image display unit so as to correspond to the N-valued process in the N-valued processing unit. Wherein said luminance data is luminance data RGB3 color, and the density data is density data of YMCK, the image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a. Wherein said luminance data is luminance data RGB3 color, and the density data is density data of YMC, that the image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein. Wherein said image display unit, and displays substantially the same image as the image when printed out, claims 1 to 3 shape to view the paper in the case of the print-out, it is characterized by The image display device according to claim 1. Wherein said image display unit is a liquid crystal element of a high-definition image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that. 6. The image display device according to claim 5 , wherein the liquid crystal element is of a simple matrix type using liquid crystal exhibiting a ferroelectric state.