JP4776436B2 - Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program for forming pattern image - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to pattern image processing, and more specifically, an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing apparatus that are commonly used by a plurality of image processing apparatuses and that efficiently manage unit patterns for creating a pattern image. Regarding the program.

  In recent years, high-function image processing apparatuses such as multifunction printers (MFPs) have been used for the purpose of indicating that they are duplicates of original image data, for the purpose of shielding a specific image, or for the purpose of design. Then, a pattern image is created, and a background image or foreground image is superimposed on the original image data to create an integrated image, which is provided for printing, facsimile transmission, mail transmission, and the like.

  The pattern image described above is usually created by tiling unit patterns prepared in advance over a predetermined area with respect to the processing target image acquired by the image processing apparatus. A plurality of types of unit patterns are stored in a hard disk, ROM, or the like corresponding to the model of the image processing apparatus. For this reason, unit patterns used in different image processing apparatuses are registered redundantly even if they have the same data structure.

  FIG. 10 shows a data structure 100 for managing a conventional unit pattern. The data structure shown in FIG. 10 is configured as a database object, for example. The data structure 100 shown in FIG. 10 is stored in an appropriate storage area using the image processing apparatus as a function library.

  In FIG. 10, fields 100a to 100c corresponding to each image processing apparatus are normally formed in the data structure 100, and each field indicates a device ID which is a device identification value of the image processing apparatus and the type of pattern image. A pattern ID that is a pattern identification value is registered together with actual data of the corresponding unit pattern. In the conventional data structure 100 shown in FIG. 10, in order to increase the number of image forming apparatuses, it is necessary to add a new field, specify a pattern identification value, and register a corresponding unit pattern. The That is, the unit pattern data has a data structure in which the actual data of the unit pattern depends on both the pattern identification value and the image processing apparatus.

  Therefore, a unit pattern corresponding to the pattern identification value must be registered for each model of the image processing apparatus, and even when using the same unit pattern with different models, it is necessary to register as independent data. It was. That is, in the conventional data structure 100, although the unit patterns are common, a plurality of the same unit patterns are registered for different models.

  Referring to the conventional data structure 100 shown in FIG. 10, for example, a unit pattern with device ID = A and pattern ID = 1 is common to a unit pattern of unit pattern 1 with device ID = B and pattern ID = 1. It is recorded redundantly. Furthermore, the unit pattern specified by the device ID = A and the pattern ID = 2 is commonly used in the three models, but each is registered separately and is not efficient in terms of storage capacity. It can be said that it is preferable in terms of hardware resources to eliminate redundancy.

  Furthermore, considering the case where a pattern image for a new image processing apparatus is prototyped or when the unit pattern specification is changed, the conventional data structure has the same unit pattern itself, but the image processing Corrections have to be made brute force to the type of device, and correction errors and omissions tend to occur.

  A unit pattern for providing a pattern image is referred to as a library in an object-oriented programming execution environment. Such a library normally needs to be stored in a hard disk, ROM, or the like in order to provide a pattern image by reading unit patterns to all image processing apparatuses. Since a library may be used even in an image processing apparatus that may have restrictions on hardware resources such as storage capacity, the presence of multiple identical data in the library indicates restrictions on hardware resources and Considering the cost of the image processing apparatus, it is not preferable.

  In addition, since the image processing apparatuses are released one after another, the unit pattern is added to the library corresponding to the released apparatus. In this method, since the amount of data to be added increases linearly, it is clear that more hardware resources will be consumed in the future.

  In addition, the case of pattern images having different pattern image densities will be considered. Pattern images having different densities have the same color image area configuration included in the unit pattern. However, colored images are arranged at different densities in the unit pattern, and the density of the pattern image is adjusted. For this reason, pattern images having different densities have to be handled as using completely different unit patterns, and cannot be said to be efficient.

  Various techniques for arranging a predetermined pattern in image data have been known so far. For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-336217 (Patent Document 1), symbol patterns stored in an image processing apparatus are arranged in one area according to a predetermined arrangement rule, and other symbol patterns are used for other areas. It is disclosed to arrange using.

  In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-336219 (Patent Document 2), a pattern image in which a synchronization pattern having a predetermined correlation with a reference pattern is arranged, and a correlation amount corresponding to the correlation and its threshold value are expressed. And retrieving from an image recording medium.

  Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-336220 (Patent Document 3) discloses that it is possible to accurately detect a synchronization pattern representing a boundary of a two-dimensional digital code even if the pattern image is changed by 90 °. ing.

The image processing apparatus described above discloses that the arrangement of a plurality of data is controlled when specific data stored in the storage device is read and superimposed on the image data. However, it does not disclose any data structure for allowing different image processing apparatuses to use the same image data.
JP 2004-336217 A JP 2004-336219 A JP 2004-336220 A

  That is, until now, there has been provided an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, a recording medium, and a program including an efficient data structure for efficiently generating a pattern image and simultaneously using a unit pattern for a plurality of image processing apparatuses. Was needed.

  In addition, by efficiently generating pattern images and improving the efficiency of correction and design corresponding to the model of the image processing apparatus, it is possible to respond flexibly to an increase in the number of models and to reduce the occurrence of correction omissions. There has been a need for an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, a recording medium, and a program including a data structure.

  Furthermore, an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, a recording medium, and a program including a data structure that can reduce the maintenance effort of the pattern image and can flexibly configure the library in response to the release of the image processing apparatus are required. It was said.

  The present invention has been made in view of the disadvantages of the prior art described above, and provides a data structure in which unit patterns are assigned to pattern images, instead of assigning unit patterns for each model of image processing apparatus. At the same time, if the actual data of the unit pattern can be managed separately from the data structure, the unit pattern can be managed more efficiently.

  In the present invention, a pattern designation value for designating a pattern image is set for each image processing apparatus, and a list in which unit patterns are assigned to the pattern designation value is used. This list is stored as a link library in a storage area for registering a library object. The correction of the list corresponding to the increase in the model of the image processing apparatus can be performed only by entering the pattern designation value assigned to the predetermined image processing apparatus and the set of unit patterns corresponding to the pattern designation value into the list. In addition, the list is provided as a linked library, so it can be used regardless of the model, and it is only necessary to modify the list when changing settings, so that unit pattern modification and design are separated from knowledge of model data. Is possible.

That is, according to the present invention, a unit to provide a pattern to be used to generate pattern designation value for designating the background pattern for imparting a pattern image device identification values of the image processing apparatus and the processing target image and the pattern image Including a list registered in association with unit pattern identification values for designating patterns, the list being stored in a storage area for storing a link library,
In response to a user command for instructing generation of an image with a pattern together with the pattern designation value, the list is inquired using the pattern designation value and a device identification value of the image processing apparatus as a search key , and image data for the unit pattern is obtained. It is possible to provide an image processing apparatus including a pattern image generation unit that obtains from the image library , performs tiling, and generates the pattern image.

In the present invention, the recording medium is referred to by said list comprises a shape corresponding list to associate the pattern configuration data for specifying the aspect spacing and pattern shape of the unit pattern and the unit pattern identification value, the The shape correspondence list may be stored in a storage area for storing the link library . In the present invention, the image data for the unit pattern may be stored in a separate storage area of the recording medium .

In the present invention, an image processing method for causing an image processing apparatus to generate a pattern image,
Unit pattern identification units are specified pattern providing a pattern shape that is used to generate the pattern image and pattern designation value for designating the background pattern for imparting a pattern image to the target image and the device identification value of the image processing apparatus Including a list registered in association with values, and linking the list from a recording medium stored in a storage area in which the list stores a linked library;
In response to a user command for instructing generation of an image with a pattern together with the pattern designation value, the list is inquired using the pattern designation value and a device identification value of the image processing apparatus as a search key , and image data for the unit pattern is obtained. Obtaining from an image library ;
Tiling the acquired unit pattern to generate the pattern image;
An image processing method is provided.

The present invention may include a step of integrating the processing target images using the generated pattern image as a background pattern and generating an image with a background pattern. In the present invention, the linking step may include a static linking step or a dynamic linking step by dynamically calling in response to execution of the image processing apparatus .

In the present invention, a step of reading out and linking a shape correspondence list that is referred to by the list and associates the unit pattern identification value with the pattern shape configuration data of the unit pattern from the storage area storing the link library;
Obtaining pattern shape configuration data for designating vertical and horizontal intervals and pattern shape of the unit pattern from the shape correspondence list in response to the inquiry of the list ;
And regenerating the unit pattern using the pattern shape configuration data.

  In the present invention, an apparatus-executable program for causing an image processing apparatus to execute the method described above can be provided.

  The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus 10 according to the present invention. The image processing apparatus 10 of the present invention can be implemented as an image processing apparatus such as a personal computer, a workstation, or an MFP. The image processing apparatus 10 generally includes a central processing unit (CPU) 12, a cache memory 14 that enables high-speed access to data used by the CPU 12, and a solid-state memory element such as a RAM or DRAM that enables processing by the CPU 12. And a system memory 16 formed from

  The CPU 12, the cache memory 14, and the system memory 16 are routed via the system bus 18 to other devices or drivers of the image processing apparatus 10, such as a graphics driver 20 and a network device (NIC) 22. It is connected. The graphics driver 20 is connected to the display device 24 via a bus, and displays a processing result by the CPU 12 on a display screen or a touch panel such as an operation panel in the case of an MFP or the like.

  The network device 22 connects the image processing apparatus 10 to a network at the transport layer level and the physical layer level, and enables communication with other information processing apparatuses connected externally.

  An I / O bus bridge 26 is further connected to the system bus 18. A storage device 30 such as a hard disk is connected to the downstream side of the I / O bus bridge 26 via an I / O bus 28 such as PCI in accordance with standards such as IDE, ATA, ATAPI, serial ATA, and SCSI. . Further, a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse or an input device 32 such as a push button or an operation panel is connected to the I / O bus 28 via a bus such as a USB, and is operated by an operator such as a system administrator. Input and commands are accepted.

  In a specific embodiment of the present invention, when the image processing apparatus 10 is used as a composite image forming apparatus, the image processing apparatus 10 includes an image processing driver 34 and an image processing device connected to the system bus 18. 36 is provided. The image processing driver 34 and the image processing device 36 drive an image forming engine using ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) and electrophotography (not shown) to execute image acquisition, image processing, and image output.

  Specific examples of CPUs used by the image processing apparatus 10 include PENTIUM (registered trademark) to PENTIUM (registered trademark) IV, PENTIUM (registered trademark) compatible CPU, POWER PC (registered trademark), MIPS, and the like. be able to.

  As an operating system (OS) to be used, Windows (registered trademark), Windows (registered trademark) 200X Server, UNIX (registered trademark), AIX (registered trademark), LINUX (registered trademark), or other appropriate Can be mentioned. Further, the image processing apparatus 10 is described in an object-oriented programming language or a legacy programming language such as C, C ++, Visual C ++, VisualBasic, Java (registered trademark), Perl, or Ruby, which operates on the above-described OS. Store and execute application programs.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the image processing apparatus 10 of the present invention. The image processing apparatus 10 according to the present invention executes the functions of the image processing apparatus 10 and a user I / F unit 40 that interfaces input / output from an input / output apparatus such as a display device, an operation panel or a keyboard, and a push button. And an application unit 42 that manages the execution of a plurality of applications. The application unit 42 is an application for processing an image acquired via an image reader, an image generation application for creating an image file in a format such as PDF, BITMAP, GIF, JPEG, JPEG2000, JBIG, PPP, etc. It includes a facsimile application that executes a facsimile using a protocol, a mailer application that performs transmission and reception of e-mails, and the like.

  The image processing apparatus 10 according to the present invention includes a pattern image generation unit 44 for generating a pattern image including a ground pattern according to the present invention. The pattern image generation unit 44 can be configured as a module of an image creation application. When the image processing apparatus 10 receives a command to generate a pattern image from the user I / F unit 40, the image image generation application 44 starts the image creation application, and The pattern image generation unit 44 that is the program module is called to generate a pattern image.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the pattern image generation unit 44 includes a tiling unit 46 and a library search unit 48. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the tiling unit 46 acquires the unit pattern searched by the library search unit 48, and converts the unit pattern data into the array data initialized for the pattern image to a predetermined size. Embed in the tiling. The pattern image generation unit 44 passes the generated pattern image to the image generation application to execute the next process. The image generation application assigns different layers to the processing target image acquired by the image processing apparatus 10 via an image reader and the generated pattern image and integrates the images. For example, PDF Generate a file such as

  In the present invention, the pattern image is used to generate a background pattern, and means array data in which pixels of a unit pattern are described in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction over a predetermined size. The unit pattern means array data including at least one pattern shape composed of color pixels constituting the background pattern and extending by a predetermined number of pixels in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. Further, the pattern shape means array data that gives a pattern shape of a tint block composed of a set of pixels having dots or color attributes. In the present invention, the pattern image can be a foreground image of the processing target image or can be set as a background image according to a specific application. When a background pattern is given using a pattern image as a foreground image, the pattern image can be in a format in which a transmission attribute can be specified, and processing for transmitting the processing target image can be executed.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the library search unit 48 includes a unit pattern correspondence list for acquiring unit patterns for constituting a pattern image. The unit pattern correspondence list is registered as an object file library of the pattern image generation unit 44. In the present invention, the unit pattern correspondence list can be referred to by the pattern image generation unit 44 by a static link or a dynamic link that is dynamically called in response to the execution of the image processing apparatus 10.

  The unit pattern correspondence list is registered as a list library 50 in a directory or folder designated by / usr / local / lib of the image processing apparatus 10 and designated as a library storage area for searching by the linker. Yes. In the present invention, the unit pattern correspondence list is linked when the object file is compiled, or dynamically linked when the pattern image generation unit 44 is executed in response to a call from the pattern image generation unit 44.

  Further, in the present invention, the actual data that gives the unit pattern for forming the pattern image is managed separately from the unit pattern correspondence list, and the unit pattern 54 and “unit_pattern_ID” are stored in an appropriate storage area of the storage device. The image library 52 is registered in association with the unit pattern identification value for uniquely identifying the unit pattern.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, for convenience of explanation, although no color pixel is registered in the unit pattern 54, a dummy is used to indicate that the pixel position is defined as a constituent dot of the unit pattern 54. -The dot positions are indicated by “◯”.

  In the specific embodiment of the present invention, the image library 52 is a recording medium in which the list library is stored, and can be created as a directory or a folder, for example, by securing a separate storage area. In still another embodiment of the present invention, the image library 52 can be stored in another recording medium.

  The unit pattern 54 stored in the list library 50 includes at least dots corresponding to the color pixels for forming the background pattern. The color pixel gives the pattern shape of the unit pattern 54. The unit pattern 54 has a configuration in which dummy dots for adjusting the area ratio of the pattern shape in the unit pattern 54 are arranged adjacent to the pattern shape so that the background pattern density given by the unit pattern 54 can be adjusted. It is said that. In the present invention, the unit pattern can be registered as a raster image in a specific format, or can be registered in a specific format regardless of whether it is a compressed file or an uncompressed file such as BITMAP, GIF, JPEG, JPEG2000, PNG, TIFF. Can be stored as an image.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the unit pattern correspondence list 56 stored in the list library 50 of the present invention. The unit pattern correspondence list 56 shown in FIG. 3 can be configured as a database object or the like, and is linked to the pattern image generation unit 44 by static or dynamic linking. The unit pattern correspondence list 56 shown in FIG. 3 registers a field 56a for registering a device identification value for uniquely identifying the model or model of the image processing apparatus 10, and a pattern designation value for designating a predetermined background pattern. A field 56b and a field 56c for registering a unit pattern identification value “unit_pattern_ID” for providing a predetermined background pattern are configured, and a pattern designation value and a unit pattern identification value corresponding to a specific device identification value Is a record. In the present invention, the unit pattern identification value may use a file name attached to the unit pattern, or a URI (Unique) defined in RFC3986.
A code that specifies a file by an absolute path or a relative path can be used by using (Resource Identifier) or the like.

  The same unit pattern identification value is also entered in records of different device identification values, and is configured so that different image processing devices 10 can refer to actual data of the same unit pattern. Therefore, by configuring the unit pattern correspondence list 56 shown in FIG. 3 as a library, it can be implemented as a data structure that does not require modification / change corresponding to each model.

  FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of an image processing method executed by the image processing apparatus 10 of the present invention. The process shown in FIG. 4 starts from step S100, and accepts a pattern-added image generation request together with a pattern designation value from the user I / F unit 40 in step S101. In step S102, the command from the user I / F unit 40 is received, and the application unit 42 activates the image creation application using a method call or the like.

  In step S103, the image creation application calls the pattern image generation unit 44 as the program module. The pattern image generation unit 44 refers to a library linked using a link method such as static link or dynamic link, and executes a unit pattern search to create a pattern image corresponding to a user command. In step S104, the pattern image generation unit 44 reads the device identification value stored in an appropriate storage area such as the ROM of the image processing apparatus 10, and uses the read device identification value and the pattern designation value as a search key. Then, the unit pattern correspondence list 56 is searched to obtain the corresponding unit pattern identification value.

  In step S105, the pattern image generation unit 44 makes an inquiry to the image library 52 to acquire a corresponding unit pattern. In step S106, the pattern image generation unit 44 performs embedding on the array data obtained by initializing the acquired unit patterns to generate a pattern image including a background pattern. In step S107, the pattern image generation unit 44 generates the pattern generated in the image creation application. Pass the image. The image creation application generates an image in which the generated pattern image is used as a background image, and the processing target image designated by the user is used as a front image, and the image is integrated, passed to the user I / F unit 40, notified to the user, and image processing The apparatus is requested to perform a process corresponding to a subsequent user command, and the process ends in step S108.

  The image creation application of the present invention assigns and registers different layers for the user image acquired by the image processing apparatus 10 in response to a user command and the generated pattern image, and executes image integration. The image creation application converts the integrated image into an appropriate storage area such as a memory, a hard disk, an EEPROM, or a flash memory of the image processing apparatus 10 as a format such as PDF, BITMAP, GIF, JPEG, JPEG2000, JBIG, or PNG. Stored and used for subsequent processing. In the present invention, the image creation application is not particularly limited, and can be implemented using various PDF creation software or image processing software.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the image processing apparatus 10 of the present invention. The image processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 5 has substantially the same configuration as that shown in FIG. However, the pattern image generation unit 44 is different in that it includes a unit pattern reproduction unit 58 in addition to the tiling unit 46 and the library search unit 48. On the other hand, not the unit pattern 54 but the pattern shape 60 formed from the chromatic pixel dots and the dummy pixel dots is registered in the image library 52 together with the pattern shape identification value.

  When the pattern image generation unit 44 shown in FIG. 5 acquires the device identification value and the pattern designation value, the pattern image generation unit 44 inquires the unit pattern correspondence list 56 and a shape correspondence list described later, and determines the pattern shape designated by the pattern shape identification value. get. The pattern image generation unit 44 is an embodiment in which the acquired pattern shape is transferred to the unit pattern reproduction unit 58 and the image processing apparatus 10 generates a unit pattern.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the data structure of the pattern shape registered in the image library 52 implemented in the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the unit pattern 54 includes a pattern shape 60, a pair of the number of vertical dots constituting the unit pattern, and the number of horizontal dots constituting the unit pattern. Register as In the present invention, the pattern shape 60 uses common data regardless of the type of the image processing apparatus 10. In addition, since the density of the background pattern is adjusted using the ratio of the pattern shape in the unit pattern, a predetermined number of dummy dots 62 are added to the pattern shape 60 to form the unit pattern 54. The unit pattern 54 is a value of a chromatic pixel that gives the pattern shape 60 to a dot position corresponding to the pattern shape 60 and a value of the dummy dot 62 with respect to the array data initialized corresponding to the designated vertical and horizontal dots. Can be created by registering.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the shape correspondence list 64 of the present invention. The shape correspondence list 64 shown in FIG. 7 is registered as a common library or a user library in the storage area 50 such as a directory or folder together with the unit pattern correspondence list 56, and is linked when compiling the object file? Linked dynamically at runtime.

  The shape correspondence list 64 shown in FIG. 7 includes a field 64 a for registering unit pattern identification values for enabling cross-reference with the unit pattern correspondence list 56. Further, the field 64b for registering each data shown in FIG. 6 referred to as the pattern shape configuration data is configured, and the pattern configuration data corresponding to the unit pattern identification value is entered correspondingly and given a record. Yes.

  When generating the background of the unit pattern designated by the user, the library search unit 48 queries the unit pattern correspondence list 56 to obtain the unit pattern identification value, and then queries the shape correspondence list 64 to obtain the field The pattern shape identification value entered in 64b is acquired. Thereafter, the corresponding pattern shape is read from the image library 52, and the obtained pattern shape and the horizontal dot and vertical dot data are passed to the unit pattern creation unit. The unit pattern reproduction unit 58 reproduces a unit pattern from the acquired data, passes the generated unit pattern to the tiling unit 46, and creates a pattern image.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the second embodiment of the image processing method executed by the image processing apparatus 10 of the present invention. The process shown in FIG. 8 starts from step S200, and accepts a pattern-added image generation request together with a pattern designation value from the user I / F unit 40 in step S201. In step S202, upon receiving a command from the user I / F unit, the application unit 42 activates the image creation application using a method call or the like.

  In step S203, the image creation application calls the pattern image generation unit 44 as the program module. In step S204, the pattern image generation unit 44 reads the device identification value stored in an appropriate storage area such as a ROM of the image processing device 10 with reference to the linked unit pattern correspondence list 56 and shape correspondence list 64, The unit pattern correspondence list 56 is searched using the read device identification value and pattern designation value as a search key, and the corresponding unit pattern identification value is acquired.

  In step S205, using the acquired unit pattern identification value as a search key, the shape correspondence list is queried to acquire pattern shape configuration data. In step S206, the obtained pattern configuration data is transferred to the unit pattern reproducing unit 58 to execute the unit pattern reproduction process, and the reproduced unit pattern is transferred to the tiling unit 46 to generate a pattern image.

  Thereafter, in step S207, the generated pattern image is transferred to the image creating application, and the generated pattern image is used to integrate the images to generate an image with a background pattern. Thereafter, the generated background pattern-attached image is delivered to the user I / F unit 40, and the user I / F unit 40 notifies the user of the generation of the background pattern-attached image, and the process ends in step S208.

  FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a pattern image generated by the present invention. The pattern image is configured by tiling a plurality of unit patterns 54 to a predetermined size. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the unit pattern 54 is configured as a square of 6 dots vertically and horizontally. The unit pattern 54 further includes a pattern shape 60, and gives a predetermined background pattern to the pattern image.

  Further, a unit pattern correspondence list 56 and a shape correspondence list 64 for associating a pattern shape designation value assigned to each image processing apparatus 10 with a unit pattern are stored as a link library. Therefore, the process of correcting or adding the type of tint block generated by each image processing apparatus 10 can be performed independently from the actual data of the unit pattern, and even when a new model of the image processing apparatus is released, a link is made.・ It can be handled only by modifying database objects registered in the library, and the library can be maintained in an environment separated from the actual data.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, general-purpose image processing software such as photoshop (registered trademark), Illustrator (registered trademark), RIDOC (registered trademark) is used by managing actual data of unit patterns and pattern shapes separately as an image library. Thus, it is possible to correct the unit pattern or pattern shape by separating from the data of the image processing apparatus 10, and the design of the background pattern or the background image can be made efficient.

  In addition, the above functions of the present invention include object-oriented programming languages such as C, C ++, Java (registered trademark), Java (registered trademark) Beans, Java (registered trademark) Applet, JavaScript (registered trademark) Script, Perl, and Ruby. It can be realized by a device-executable program described in the above, and can be stored and distributed in a device-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, EEPROM, MO disk, CD-ROM, or DVD.

  Although the present invention has been described with the embodiments shown in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, and other embodiments, additions, modifications, deletions, etc. It can be changed within the range that can be conceived by a trader, and any embodiment is included in the scope of the present invention as long as the effects and effects of the present invention are exhibited.

1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a software configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. The figure which showed the unit pattern corresponding | compatible list registered into a recording medium by this invention. The flowchart of 1st Embodiment of the image processing method of this invention. The block diagram which showed 2nd Embodiment of the software configuration of the image processing apparatus of this invention. The figure which showed the data structure in the case of disassembling and registering into the pattern shape structure data which defines the unit pattern in this invention. The figure which showed embodiment of the shape corresponding | compatible list of this invention. Flowchart of the second embodiment of the image processing method of the present invention The figure which showed embodiment of the pattern image produced | generated by this invention. The figure which showed the data structure for managing the conventional unit pattern.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image processing apparatus, 12 ... CPU, 14 ... Cache memory, 16 ... System memory, 18 ... System bus, 20 ... Graphics driver, 22 ... Network device (NIC), 24 ... Display apparatus (operation) Panel), 26 ... I / O bus bridge, 28 ... I / O bus, 30 ... storage device, 32 ... input device, 34 ... image processing driver, 36 ... image processing device, 40 ... user I / F section, 42 Application unit 44 Pattern image generation unit 46 Tiling unit 48 Library search unit 50 List library 52 Image library 54 Unit pattern 56 Unit pattern correspondence list 58 Unit Pattern reproduction unit, 60 ... pattern shape, 62 ... dummy dot, 64 ... shape correspondence list, 1 0 ... conventional data structure

Claims (8)

An apparatus identification value of an image processing apparatus, a pattern designation value for designating a tint block for giving a pattern image to a processing target image, and a unit pattern identification value for designating a unit pattern for giving a pattern shape used for generating the pattern image And a recording medium stored in a storage area in which the list stores a link library,
In response to a user command for instructing generation of an image with a pattern together with the pattern designation value, the list is inquired using the pattern designation value and a device identification value of the image processing apparatus as a search key, and image data for the unit pattern is obtained. An image processing apparatus, comprising: a pattern image generation unit that acquires the pattern image from the image library and performs tiling.   The recording medium includes a shape correspondence list that is referred to by the list and associates the unit pattern identification value with pattern shape configuration data for designating a vertical and horizontal interval and a pattern shape of the unit pattern. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is stored in a storage area for storing the link library.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data for the unit pattern is stored in a separate storage area of the recording medium. An image processing method for causing an image processing apparatus to generate a pattern image,
Unit pattern identification for designating an apparatus identification value of the image processing apparatus, a pattern designation value for designating a background pattern for giving a pattern image to the processing target image, and a unit pattern for giving a pattern shape used for generating the pattern image Including a list registered in association with values, and linking the list from a recording medium stored in a storage area in which the list stores a linked library;
In response to a user command for instructing generation of an image with a pattern together with the pattern designation value, the list is inquired using the pattern designation value and a device identification value of the image processing apparatus as a search key, and image data for the unit pattern is obtained. Obtaining from an image library;
Tiling the acquired unit pattern to generate the pattern image;
Including an image processing method.   The image processing method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of integrating the processing target images using the generated pattern image as a background pattern to generate an image with a background pattern.   The image processing method according to claim 4, wherein the linking step includes a static linking step or a dynamic linking step by dynamically calling in response to execution of the image processing apparatus. Reading and linking a shape correspondence list that is referenced by the list and associates the unit pattern identification value with the pattern shape configuration data of the unit pattern from the storage area storing the link library; and
Obtaining pattern shape configuration data for designating vertical and horizontal intervals and pattern shape of the unit pattern from the shape correspondence list in response to the inquiry of the list;
The image processing method according to claim 4, further comprising: reproducing the unit pattern using the pattern shape configuration data.   An apparatus-executable program for causing an image processing apparatus to execute the method according to any one of claims 4 to 7.