JPH1070665A - Image processor, its method and image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To preview an image to be outputted to a recording medium accurately by taking a state of the recording medium used for an image output into account in the case of conducting preview. SOLUTION: A preview processing section conducts processing to display a final image obtained from read image data via all processing circuits onto a monitor 219. Final image data Y0, M0, C0, K0 (each in 8-bit) outputted from an edge emphasis section are at first given to a lookup table (LUT)2176, which is used to convert the final image data Y0, M0, C0, K0 into CMYK values in response to a state (color and type of material or the like) of recording paper when the final image data Y0, M0, C0, K0 are formed on recording paper. For example, in the case of forming an image onto yellow recording paper, a white part (background) of the final image data is converted into a yellow color being the color of the recording paper. Moreover, the color parts of the final image data are converted into yellowish colors.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as digital color copiers have been improved in image quality and function, copiers having higher performance image editing functions have become widespread in order to obtain output images desired by operators. I have. In a copying machine having such an image editing function, it is necessary to actually output the edited image on a recording medium and confirm the edited result by the operator in order to check the edited result. Was.

However, in such a method, an image must be output many times on a recording medium in order to obtain a desired output image, which is wasteful in terms of time and cost.
Therefore, instead of actually outputting the image on the recording medium many times to check the edited image, the copying machine is provided with a display unit such as a CRT, and the edited image is displayed on the display unit, thereby enabling the operator to view the edited image. Copiers having a so-called preview function, which is used for confirmation, are being commercialized.

In a conventional copying machine having a preview function, there is an apparatus for displaying and confirming a document image read by a scanner or the like using a monochrome liquid crystal display. Further, when the copying machine is a color copying machine, it is necessary to confirm the tint of the output image, so that the display unit for performing the preview display is a full-color display.

[0005]

However, the above technique has the following problems. That is, in the conventional preview function, the state (color, material, etc.) of the recording medium used for outputting the image is not taken into consideration. There is a problem that it cannot be performed accurately.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and considers the state of a recording medium used for outputting an image when performing a preview, so that an image output to the recording medium can be obtained. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus, a method thereof, and an image processing system capable of accurately previewing an image.

[0007]

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following arrangement.
That is, an image processing apparatus that generates image data indicating a preview image corresponding to an image formed by using a plurality of recording materials in the image forming apparatus, and includes a color component signal corresponding to each of the plurality of recording materials. A first input unit for inputting image data to be configured; a second input unit for inputting information on a recording medium on which an image is to be formed; and converting the image data based on the information on the recording medium. Color conversion means for generating image data corresponding to the recording medium, and color correction processing means for performing color correction on the image data corresponding to the recording medium according to the display characteristics of the display means. Also,
Preferably, the color conversion means performs at least masking, inverse function processing of UCR processing, and display characteristic adjustment processing of the display means. An image processing apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following configuration. That is, forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on the input image data, color conversion means for performing color conversion on the input image data based on the recording medium, and color conversion by the color conversion means. Display means for displaying an image based on the converted image data.

Preferably, the color conversion means performs color conversion on the image data using a secondary or higher-order look-up table. Preferably, the look-up table is set based on a state of the recording medium. Preferably, the state of the recording medium includes at least a color and a material of the recording medium.

Preferably, both inputs of the forming means and the display means are CMYK signals which have been subjected to masking and UCR processing. Preferably, the display unit further includes a conversion unit that converts the CMYK signal into an RGB signal.

Preferably, the conversion means performs at least masking, inverse function processing of UCR processing, and display characteristic adjustment processing of the display means. Also, preferably,
The inverse function processing is a 4 × 3 linear operation performed on image data. Also, preferably, the display characteristic adjustment processing includes:
This is a color conversion using a 3 × 3 linear operation performed on image data and a primary lookup table.

An image processing method according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following arrangement. That is, a forming step of forming an image on a recording medium based on the input image data, a color conversion step of performing a color conversion on the input image data based on the recording medium, and a color conversion step by the color conversion step. A display step of displaying an image based on the converted image data.

An image processing system according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following arrangement. That is, forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on the input image data, color conversion means for performing color conversion on the input image data based on the recording medium, and color conversion by the color conversion means. Display means for displaying an image based on the converted image data.

[0013]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image processing apparatus having a full-color preview function. In FIG. 1, blocks 1101 to 1109 constitute a full-color copy processing unit, and 1110, 111
1 and 1112 constitute a full-color preview processing unit.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1101 denotes a CC for reading a reflected original by an optical system (not shown) and outputting RGB signals.
A D sensor 1102 performs sample / hold and A / D conversion on the RGB signal to obtain a digital signal.
A D conversion unit 1103 is a shading correction unit that performs shading correction, and 1104 is an input masking unit that performs input masking processing on the RGB signals and converts them into the NTSC standard color space. Reference numeral 1105 denotes a LOG conversion unit that performs LOG conversion to obtain a CMY signal. Reference numeral 1106 denotes a masking / UCR unit that performs correction according to printer characteristics.
Reference numeral 1107 denotes an editing circuit for performing image editing processing such as trimming, and 1108 denotes an edge emphasizing unit for performing edge emphasis.
The masking / UCR unit outputs a predetermined bit (8 bits) width for each color (Y, M, C, K) for each scan of the CCD sensor 1101.

Reference numeral 1109 denotes a printer unit such as a color LBP, which sequentially inputs a reflection original image for each color scanned three or four times by the CCD 101 and finally outputs a full-color image. In the figure, 1110 is an image memory for storing RGB image signals output from the input masking unit 1104, 1111 is a memory control unit for controlling the image memory 1110, and the memory control unit 1111 is an address counter and a CPU. The image memory 1110 is controlled by controlling the address of the image memory 1110 by the CPU. Also, 111
Reference numeral 2 denotes a CRT for displaying image information stored in the image memory 1110 in full color.

In the preview system having the configuration shown in FIG. 1, even if the original image read by the CCD sensor 1101 is simply displayed in full color on the CRT 1112 and the desired editing process is set from an operation unit (not shown),
Image displayed on 1112, ie, image memory 1110
It is not reflected on the image stored in. Therefore, the image information stored in the image memory 1110 is stored in the memory control unit 111.
1, an editing process equivalent to the editing circuit 1107 is realized by software by the CPU (not shown), and displayed on the CRT 1112, so that the final image output to the color LBP 1109 can be obtained. It can be confirmed on the CRT 1112.

In the case of such a configuration, the main focus is only on displaying an image on the CRT 1112, and no consideration is given to a measure for erasing the displayed image. That is,
The same image continues to be displayed on the CRT 1112 until the power switch of the image processing apparatus is turned off or the next preview operation is started. In this case, even if it is desired to delete the image displayed on the CRT 1112 for some purpose after the copy is completed, there is a problem that the image cannot be easily deleted. Further, if the same image is continuously displayed on the CRT 1112, the CRT 1112 may be burned, and the color reproducibility characteristics of the CRT 1112 may be deteriorated.

Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. <First Embodiment> FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a digital color copying machine constituting an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is roughly divided into two configurations. Reference numeral 101 denotes a reader unit that reads a color document image and further performs digital editing processing and the like. Reference numeral 103 denotes a printer unit, which has a different image carrier for each color, and reproduces a color image according to a digital image signal of each color sent from the reader unit 101. still,
The document feeder 102 set in the reader unit 101 includes:
This is a known optional device that automatically conveys a document to a document reading area of the reader unit 101.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, a preview monitor such as a CRT, LCD, or FLCD is connected through a predetermined interface such as a VGA interface or an NTSC interface. [Configuration of Printer Unit] In FIG. 2, reference numeral 301 denotes a polygon scanner which scans a laser beam output from a laser control unit (not shown) to form image forming units 302 to 30 described later.
The photosensitive drum 5 is exposed at a predetermined position. As shown in FIG. 3, the polygon scanner 301 scans laser beams emitted from the laser elements 501 to 504 driven independently by MCYK by the laser control unit on the photosensitive drum of the image forming unit corresponding to each color. Reference numerals 505 to 508 denote beam detection sensors (hereinafter referred to as “BD sensors”), which detect a scanned laser beam and output a signal BD for generating a main scanning synchronization signal. Thus, when two polygon mirrors are arranged on the same axis and rotated by one motor, for example, the main scanning directions of the M, C and Y, K laser beams are opposite to each other. Therefore, normally, the image data of one of the M and C images and the image data of the other Y and K images are mirror images in the main scanning direction.

Reference numeral 302 denotes an M image forming unit, 303 denotes a C image forming unit, 304 denotes a Y image forming unit, and 305 denotes a K image forming unit, and forms images of corresponding colors. Since the configurations of the image forming units 302 to 305 are substantially the same, the details of the M image forming unit 302 will be described below, and the description of the other image forming units will be omitted. In the M image forming unit 302, reference numeral 318 denotes a photosensitive drum, on which a latent image is formed by a laser beam from the polygon scanner 301. A primary charger 315 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 318 to a predetermined potential to prepare for forming a latent image. A developing unit 313 develops the latent image on the photosensitive drum 318 to form a toner image. Note that the developing device 313 includes a sleeve 314 for applying a developing bias to perform development. 31
Reference numeral 9 denotes a transfer charger which discharges from the back of the transfer belt 306 to transfer the toner image on the photosensitive drum 318 to recording paper on the transfer belt 306 or the like. After the transfer, the surface of the photosensitive drum 318 is cleaned by the cleaner 317, the charge is removed by the auxiliary charger 316, and the pre-exposure lamp 330
As a result, the residual charge is erased, so that good charge can be obtained again by the primary charger 315.

Next, a procedure for forming an image on a recording paper or the like will be described. Reference numeral 308 denotes a paper feeding unit, and cassettes 309 and 3
The recording paper stored in the printer 10 is supplied to the transfer belt 306. The recording paper supplied from the paper supply unit 308 is charged by the attraction charger 311. Reference numeral 312 denotes a transfer belt roller which drives the transfer belt 306 and charges the recording paper or the like in a pair with the attraction charger 311 to cause the transfer belt 306 to attract the recording paper or the like. Reference numeral 329 denotes a paper leading edge sensor which detects the leading edge of a recording paper or the like on the transfer belt 306. The detection signal of the paper leading edge sensor 329 is sent from the printer unit 103 to the reader unit 101, and is used as a sub-scan synchronization signal when a video signal is sent from the reader unit 101 to the printer unit 103.

Thereafter, the recording paper is transferred to the transfer belt 306.
And a toner image is formed on the surface of the image forming units 302 to 305 in the order of MCYK. K
The recording paper or the like that has passed through the image forming unit 305 is easily removed from the transfer belt 306 by a static eliminator 324.
, And is separated from the transfer belt 306. 3
Reference numeral 25 denotes a peeling charger, which prevents image disturbance due to peeling discharge when recording paper or the like is separated from the transfer belt 306. The separated recording paper or the like is charged with a pre-fixing charger 326,
After being charged at 327, the toner image is heat-fixed by the fixing device 307 and then discharged. A paper discharge sensor 340 detects that a recording paper or the like has been discharged.

[Configuration of Reader Unit] FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a digital image processing unit in FIG. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 240 denotes a CPU.
The ROM 241 and the RAM 242 are controlled via the bus 243. Similarly, each of the image processing units also has a CPU bus 243.
The data set is made via. The ROM 241 stores various control programs including a program shown in a flowchart described later, and is read and executed by the CPU 240 on the RAM 242 to control each of the following components, and perform a copy operation and a preview operation. To achieve. The RAM 242 is used as a work area of the CPU 240. Reference numeral 500 denotes an operation unit, and the CPU 24
LCD that displays the operating state and operating conditions of the device by 0
And the like, and a keyboard and a touch panel for inputting an operator's instruction.

The color original on the original platen glass 104 reflects light from the halogen lamp 105, and the reflected light is guided to the three-line sensor 100 and converted into an electronic signal. The electronic signal (analog image signal) output from the CCD 201 constituting the three-line sensor 100 is A / D
Converter and sample hold (A / D & S / H) section 20
2, sample and hold, and A / D converted, for example, R
It is converted into a digital signal of 8 bits for each GB. And
The RGB signals are subjected to shading and black correction by a shading correction unit 203, and then input to the input masking unit 20.
The signal is converted to an NTSC signal in 4 and a predetermined color conversion process is performed in a color conversion unit 205. The details of the color conversion process in the color conversion unit 205 will be described later.

A synthesizing unit 206 synthesizes the image data input from the color conversion unit 205 with the output data stored in the image memory 208, and inputs the synthesis result to a logarithmic converter (LOG) 207. . The CMY image data output from the LOG 207 is subjected to a scaling process in a scaling unit B 234 when scaling is set in the operation unit 500. Here, in the scaling unit B234,
Since the compression processing performed in the image memory unit 208 at the subsequent stage functions as a low-pass filter, enlargement processing is actually performed. Of course, if the magnification setting is not made, the image signal passes through the magnification section B234. Then, the output of the scaling unit B234 is input to the image memory unit 208.

The image memory unit 208 is roughly divided into a compression unit, an image memory, and a decompression unit.
Four sets of CMY data indicating different positions of the same image corresponding to the image formation position shifts in steps 305 to 305 are output.
The compression and expansion processing in the image memory unit 208 is as follows. Each 8 bits of the CMY signal input from the scaling unit B234 is converted into an L * a * b * signal in the compression unit, and is encoded in units of 4 × 4 pixel blocks. At this time, encoding methods include vector quantization and so-called JPEG
Lossy coding such as a method is used.

The code data obtained by the compression unit is stored in an image memory having a capacity of at least one document. The code data stored in the image memory is a signal 221 described later.
Is read out in a time-division manner for CMYK, and the CMY signal is 8 bits for each of
Masking / UCR section 212 as a 24-bit signal
Supplied to

The masking / UCR unit 212 receives four sets of CMY data output from the image memory unit 208 and generates CMYK data suitable for printer characteristics.
Here, the reading from the image memory unit 208 and the masking / UCR unit 208 include four image forming units 302.
In order to generate CMYK data corresponding to misregistration of the image formation of to 305, four systems are provided corresponding to each color of CMYK.

CMY output from the image memory unit 208
The data is stored in the masking / UCR unit 212 at the UC
By the R and masking processes, black (K) data is generated, converted into color data suitable for the printer characteristics, subjected to full color processing and paint processing by the editing circuit 213, and to the gamma correction unit 214 in accordance with the printer characteristics. Gamma correction is performed. The CMYK data after the gamma correction is subjected to scaling (actually reduction) processing by a scaling unit A211 and further edge-enhanced by an edge enhancement unit 215, and then sent to a color LBP 216 (the printer unit 103 shown in FIG. 2). Then, an image is formed on the recording paper.

Reference numeral 217 denotes a preview processing unit.
It comprises a display image memory for storing the edited image data, and a memory control unit for controlling the display image memory. A monitor 219 displays data in the display image memory. The preview processing unit 217
Further details of the monitor 219 will be described later.

Reference numeral 220 denotes an area generating unit A, which is a color L
Signals BD, DTOP, IT generated inside BP216
Based on the OP, the following signals are generated for preview display, including the main scanning synchronization signal HSNC. At the time of printer output, a sub-scanning enable signal synchronized with each drum is generated based on the signal ITOP. A signal 221 is a signal for controlling the image memory 208. The signal 221 is composed of a total of 7 bits including a write enable signal 2 bits (main scanning and sub scanning 1 bit) and a read enable signal 5 bits (main scanning 1 bit and sub scanning 4 bits). Become.

The signal 238 is generated in consideration of the delay of each of the compression / decompression units in the image memory unit 208 in order to adjust the timing of the image signal and the area signal in synchronization with the signal ITOP. The synthesizing unit 206, the editing circuit 213, and the masking / UCR unit 212 control 2 bits of a write enable signal (1 bit each for main scanning and sub-scanning) and 5 bits of read enable signal (1 bit for main scanning and 4 sub-scannings). Bits).

A signal 255 is an enable signal (1 bit for each of main scanning and sub-scanning) of the image memory in the preview processing section 217. An area generation unit B 230 generates an area signal for each editing process in the editing circuit 213. The area generation unit B230 includes a bitmap memory that stores each area signal and a bitmap memory control unit that controls the bitmap memory (for example, an AGDC (Advanced Display Platform), which will be described in detail later).
yController). Writing to the bitmap is performed by the CPU 240,
On the other hand, reading is performed in synchronization with DTOP and HSNC. That is, the processing is performed in synchronization with the optically scanned document image data. Outputs from the area generation unit B230 operate as an enable signal for color conversion in the color conversion unit 205, an enable signal for image synthesis in the synthesis unit 206, and an enable signal for free color or paint processing in the editing circuit 213, respectively.

The area memory unit 231, delay (DL1) 232, delay (DL2) 233, scaling unit C235, and delay (DL3) 237 adjust the timing for synchronizing the image signal with the area signal. Circuit. These specific operations will be described below. DL1: The area signal from the area generation unit B230 to the synthesis unit 206 is delayed by the color conversion processing delay in the color conversion unit 205 and output to the synthesis unit 206. The pixel delay is DF / F and the line delay is FIFO.

DL2: The area signal output from the area memory unit 231 is delayed by the delay of the masking / UCR processing in the masking / UCR unit 212 and output to the editing circuit 213 as enable signals 2241 and 2242. Note that the pixel delay is DF / F and the line delay is F
Done in IFO. DL3: The signal from the area generation unit B230 is converted to the color conversion unit 2
05, the synthesis unit 206, and the LOG conversion unit 207 delay the processing by the total delay and output the result to the scaling unit C235.
The pixel delay is DF / F and the line delay is FIFO.

Magnification section C235: The same control as that of magnification section B234 (with the same number of delays) is performed, and specifically, enlargement processing is performed. An area memory unit; a circuit for adjusting delay with the image memory unit 208; FIG. 5 shows a detailed configuration of the area memory unit 231. As shown in FIG. 5, the area memory unit 2
Reference numeral 31 denotes four memory units 81 for each color having exactly the same configuration except for the sub-scanning read enable signals (238-M, C, Y, K) corresponding to the image forming units 302 to 305 for each color.
01, 8102, 8103, 8104.

Each memory section has a main scanning synchronization signal HSNC.
And the image clock VCK, and a signal 2 output from the area generation unit A220 as a common control signal.
38, a main scanning write enable signal WLE, a main scanning read enable signal RLE, and a sub-scanning write enable signal WVE are input. Further, the M memory unit 810
1 is a magenta sub-scanning read enable signal MRVE.
However, the C memory section 8102 receives the cyan sub-scanning read enable signal CRVE, the Y memory section 8103 receives the yellow sub-scanning read enable signal YRVE, the K memory section 8104 receives the black sub-scanning read enable signal KRVE, Each is entered. Then, the variable power section C2
Writing of a 2-bit area signal input from 35,
And reading is performed.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed configuration of the M memory unit 8101. According to FIG. 6, the memory 8201 includes a write address counter 8202, a read address counter 8205, an AND gate 8203, and a NAND gate 82.
09, inverters 8207 and 8213, selector 820
8, buffers 8210 and 8211, CPU 2 shown in FIG.
It is composed of a register 8212 specified by 40. The write address counter 8202 includes a main scanning counter that is reset at the rising edge of the WLE signal and counts up when enabled, and a sub-scanning counter that is reset at the rising edge of WVE and counts up when enabled.
Reference numeral 205 denotes a main scanning counter that is reset when RLE rises and counts up when enabled, and a sub-scan counter that is reset when RVE rises and counts up when enabled.

In the M memory section 8101 shown in FIG.
Becomes “0”, the address of the memory 8201 is selected by the write address counter 8202, the buffer 8210 is enabled, the buffer 8211 is disabled, and O
EN is "1" and WEN is "0" at the falling edge of the clock.
And the data in the buffer 8210 is written to the memory 8201.

On the other hand, when reading the memory 8201, the register 8212 is set to "1", the address of the memory 8201 is selected by the read address counter 8205, the buffer 8210 is disabled, the buffer 8211 is enabled, OEN is "0", and WEN is set. Becomes "1"
Data in the memory 8201 is read via the buffer 8211.

As described above, the 2-bit area signal read from the memory for each color has the 0th bit as DL2
, And the first bit is input to the DL2 and masking / UCR unit 212. With the configuration described above, the area signals having different timings can be synchronized with the image signals, and can be treated as if they were one plane.

Although not shown in the figure, in this embodiment,
Image data can also be input from an external computer or the like to the color conversion unit 205 or the image memory unit 208 via a predetermined interface, and can be handled in the same manner as image data obtained by reading a document. [Flow of Image Signal] In the present embodiment, there are a "normal copy mode" for performing a normal copy process and a "preview mode" for performing a monitor display. In the "preview mode", RGB editing is performed. Processing (color conversion unit 20
5), the result is displayed on the monitor 219 in the “RGB display mode”, and the result of the CMYK system editing process (painting or free color process in the editing circuit 213) is displayed on the monitor 219. There is a “CMYK display mode” and a “synthesis display mode” in which the synthesis result of the synthesis unit 206 is displayed on the monitor 219. Hereinafter, the flow of the image signal in each of these modes will be described with reference to FIG.

Normal Copy Mode In the normal copy mode, four sets of Cs corresponding to the displacement of the image forming units 302 to 305 from the image memory unit 208.
Using the MY data, CMYK data corresponding to the printer characteristics is generated, and editing processing is performed on each color component data. CCD 201 →… → Synthesis unit 206 → LOG207 → ... →
Image memory unit 208 → masking / UCR unit 213 → ...
→ Color LBP 216 At this time, the sub-scanning enable signals (M to K) included in the signals 221 and 238 are controlled so as to be enabled according to the displacement of the image forming units 302 to 305.

Preview mode (1) RGB display mode CCD 201 →... → synthesis unit 206 (A input → B output) →
LOG207 →… → Image memory unit 208 → Masking
UCR section 212 → ... → edge emphasizing section 215 → preview processing section 217 → monitor 219 In the RGB display mode, data written to the memory in image memory section 208 changes every time editing is performed in the preview mode. 219)
, The process starts from reading of the document (CCD 201).

At this time, the sub-scanning enable signals (M to K) included in the signals 221 and 238 rise at the same time and fall at the same time. Also, as a result of the preview confirmation, when an image is to be output on recording paper, an image signal is read from the image memory unit 208 without performing optical scanning. At this time, the sub-scanning enable signals (M to K) included in the signal 221 are transmitted to the image forming units 302 of the respective colors.
It is controlled so as to be enabled in accordance with the positional deviation of ３０５305.

(2) CMYK display mode CCD 201 →... → synthesis unit 206 (A input → B output) →
LOG207 →… → Image memory unit 208 → Masking
UCR unit 212 →... → edge enhancement unit 215 → preview processing unit 217 → monitor 219 In the CMYK display mode, the data written to the memory in image memory unit 208 does not change by editing in the preview mode. In writing (display on the monitor 219), optical scanning is not performed, and editing parameters are changed and read out from the image memory unit 208.

At this time, the sub-scanning enable signals (M to K) included in the signals 221 and 238 rise at the same time and fall at the same time. Also, as a result of the preview confirmation, when an image is to be output on recording paper, an image signal is read from the image memory unit 208 without performing optical scanning. At this time, the sub-scanning enable signals (M to K) included in the signal 221 are transmitted to the image forming units 302 of the respective colors.
It is controlled so as to be enabled in accordance with the positional deviation of ３０５305.

(3) Synthetic display mode <First stage> CCD 201 for storing the first image → .. → synthesizing unit 206 → LOG207 → image memory unit 208 <Second stage> Synthesizing the first image and the second image Where C
The PU 240 sets processing parameters that cause the masking / UCR unit 212 to output the input as it is, and sets the gamma correction unit 214 with an inverse LOG table that converts CMY image data into RGB image data.

(First image) Image memory unit 208 →... → Masking / UCR unit 212 →... → Edge enhancement unit 215 →
Combining unit 206 (second image) CCD 201 →... → Combining unit 206 <Third stage> Compositing process is stored and displayed on monitor Combining unit 206 → LOG 207 → Image memory unit 208 (storage) Image memory unit 208 → Masking / UCR Unit 212 →... → Edge emphasis unit 215 → Preview processing unit 217 → Monitor 219 As described above, when the synthesized result is displayed on the monitor 219, the synthesized image is temporarily stored in the image memory unit 208. Then, image data is read from the image memory unit 208 to display the synthesis result on the monitor 219.

In the composite display mode, the image memory unit 20
8 is changed every time editing is performed in the preview mode.
, The process starts from reading of the document (CCD 201). Here, as described above, in the normal copy mode, four sets of CMY data are independently read from the image memory unit 208 in accordance with the shift of the image forming position. However, when performing monitor display in the preview mode,
Since the monitor 219 uses a plurality of color components indicating one pixel at the same time, three sets of CMY data indicating the same position of the image are simultaneously read from the image memory unit 208. Further, in the preview mode, the image memory 217 in the display editing circuit 2175 (see FIG. 12) in the preview processing unit 217 is used.
It is necessary to read four sets of CMY data from the image memory unit 208 in order to store the RGB data indicating the synthesis result in 11 to 21713.

The read control of the image memory unit 208 is performed by using a read enable signal of 5 bits (1 bit for main scanning and 4 bits for sub-scanning) generated by the area generating unit A220.
This is performed by changing between the normal copy mode (5 bits in the signal 221) and the preview mode (5 bits in the signal 238). Specifically, in the normal copy mode,
Five bits of a read enable signal including four sub-scanning bits used for control of reading out four sets of CMY data are generated in correspondence with the image forming position shifts in the image forming units 302 to 305 corresponding to each of CMYK colors. On the other hand, in the preview mode, 5 bits of a read enable signal including 4 bits of sub-scanning used for controlling reading of four sets of CMY data indicating the same image are generated.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the system for redisplaying differs depending on whether the data written to the memory in the image memory unit 208 changes each time editing is performed in the preview mode. . That is, in the CMYK display mode, when an image displayed on the monitor 219 is displayed again after performing an editing process described later, the CMYK original image data is already stored in the image memory unit 208. Therefore, the monitor 219 performs the set editing process on the image data in the image memory unit 208.
Just redisplay it above. That is, at the time of redisplay, there is no need to scan the original in the reader unit 101 to capture an image. Accordingly, the CCD 201 to the variable magnification unit B2
Since the processing up to 34 can be skipped, the throughput can be improved.

The read control of the image memory unit 208 can be made suitable for each process with a simple configuration in which the read enable is changed between the preview mode and the normal copy mode. Further, the positional deviation between each set of CMY data generated in the normal copy mode is
In the preview mode, there is no need to provide a memory such as a FIFO to absorb the data, and the circuit configuration can be reduced.

[Processing Procedure] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure from the editing processing to the printout.
The processing is executed by the CPU 240 instructed by the operator via the operation unit 500 to start processing. First, it is determined in step S1 whether or not an editing process has been selected. If it has been selected, it is determined in step S2 which editing process is to be executed. If there is, the process branches to step S4. If the process is free color, the process branches to step S5. If the process is color-in color, the process branches to step S6. After the process ends, the process returns to step S2. When the editing process is not selected in step S1 and when the process end is selected in step S2, the process proceeds to step S7. In addition,
Although the details will be described later, in each of the processes in steps S3 to S6, the operator sets the processing parameters. In particular, by using the preview function of the present embodiment, the processing parameters are adjusted so as to obtain a desired image. Can be.

Subsequently, in step S7, the operation unit 50
Waiting for the 0 copy start key to be pressed, and when the key is pressed, printout is executed in step S8. [Color Conversion Setting Process] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the color conversion setting process. First, in step S501, a region to be subjected to color conversion (whole image or predetermined area) is selected. If a predetermined area is selected, the area is designated by a digitizer (not shown) in step S502.

Next, in step S503, the color before conversion is specified, and in step S504, the color after conversion is specified.
The PU 240 sets processing parameters for executing the specified processing in the color conversion unit 205. At this point, the processing parameters necessary for color conversion are complete, so that the operator can instruct a preview by pressing a preview key or the like of the operation unit 500. That is, when a preview is instructed in step S505, step S505 is executed.
In step 506, the document image is read, and a preview image is displayed on the monitor 219 according to the flow of the image signal described in the “RGB display mode”. If the preview is not instructed, this processing is terminated and
The process returns to the process shown in FIG.

The operator observes the preview image,
If a desired color conversion result has been obtained, the operation unit 500
By pressing an OK key or the like, the end of the process is instructed. That is, when the end of the process is instructed in step S507, the process ends and the process returns to the process illustrated in FIG.
Further, when a desired result is not obtained or when color conversion of another area is set, the operator operates the operation unit 500 or the like, and the processing is performed in steps S501 to S501.
Return to any of 504.

Paint Process FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the paint process. First, in step S601, an area is specified using, for example, a digitizer (not shown), and in step S602, a paint color is specified. The CPU 240 sets processing parameters for executing the specified processing in the editing circuit 213. At this point, the processing parameters necessary for the paint processing are prepared, so that the operator can instruct a preview by pressing a preview key or the like of the operation unit 500. That is, when a preview is instructed in step S603, the original image is read in step S604, and the preview image is displayed on the similar 219 according to the flow of the image signal described in the “CMYK display mode”. If the preview is not instructed, the process ends and the process returns to the process shown in FIG. The operator observes the preview image, and when a desired paint processing result is obtained, presses an OK key or the like of the operation unit 500 to instruct the end of the processing. That is, when the end of the process is instructed in step S605, the process ends and the process returns to the process illustrated in FIG. When a desired result is not obtained or when another area is processed, the operator operates the operation unit 500 or the like, and the process returns to any one of steps S601 to S602.

At the time of subsequent printout, the image signal stored in the image memory unit 208 is read out as described above, and the printout is performed. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a free color process. First, in step S701, a region to be processed (whole image or predetermined area) is selected. If an area is selected, the area is designated by a digitizer (not shown) in step S702.

Next, in step S703, a free color is specified, and the CPU 240 sets processing parameters for executing the specified processing in the editing circuit 213.
At this point, the processing parameters necessary for the free color processing are prepared, so that the operator can instruct a preview by pressing a preview key or the like of the operation unit 500. That is, when a preview is instructed in step S704, the document image is read in step S705,
The preview image is displayed on the monitor 219 according to the flow of the image signal described in the “CMYK display mode” described above. If the preview is not instructed, the process ends and the process returns to the process shown in FIG.

The operator observes the preview image,
If a desired free color processing result has been obtained, an end of the processing is instructed by pressing an OK key or the like of the operation unit 500. That is, when the end of the process is instructed in step S706, the process ends and the process returns to the process illustrated in FIG. In addition, when a desired result is not obtained, or when processing another area, the operator may:
By operating the operation unit 500 or the like, the process returns to any one of steps S701 to S703.

At the time of subsequent printout, the image signal stored in the image memory unit 208 is read out as described above, and the printout is performed. [Color-in-color (memory synthesis) processing] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the memory synthesis processing. First, in step S801, the image data obtained by reading the first document image is stored in the image memory unit 208, and in step S802, an area for combining the second document image is specified using, for example, a digitizer (not shown). Is done.
Next, in step S803, the synthesizing unit 206 uses the read-modify-write to store the image memory unit 20.
The image data stored in the image data 8 and the image data obtained by reading the second document image are combined based on the designated area information, and stored in the image memory 208 again.

Then, when a preview is instructed in step S804, a preview image is displayed on the monitor 219 in step S805 according to the flow of the image signal described in the above-mentioned "display of the synthesis result on the monitor". If the preview is not instructed, the process ends and the process returns to the process shown in FIG. The operator observes the preview image, and when a desired synthesis result is obtained,
By pressing an OK key or the like of the operation unit 500, the end of the process is instructed. That is, when the end of the process is instructed in step S806, the process is ended and the process returns to the process illustrated in FIG. When a desired result is not obtained or when an image is combined with another area, the operator operates the operation unit 500 or the like, and the processing is performed in step S8.
From 01, the process returns to any one of S803.

[Preview Processing Unit 217] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the preview processing unit 217.
The preview processing unit 217 performs a process for displaying the final image obtained from the read image data via all the processing circuits on the monitor 219. Final image data Y0, M output from edge enhancement section 215
0, C0, and K0 (8 bits each) are stored in the LUT 217 first.
6 is input. This is because the final image data Y0, M0,
When C0 and K0 are formed on recording paper, they are converted into CMYK values according to the state (color, material, etc.) of the recording paper. For example, when an image is formed on a yellow recording paper as a recording paper, the white part (background) of the final image data is converted into yellow which is the color of the recording paper. Also, a portion having a color in the final image data is converted to a yellowish color. By performing such conversion, the final image data in which the color of the recording paper is considered can be previewed on the monitor 219, and the user can more accurately determine the state of the image formed on the recording paper by the final image data. Can be grasped.

The contents of the LUT 2176 are set, for example, in the following procedure. FIG. 13 shows the LUT 2176.
9 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting the parameter. First, in step S1301, a color patch (for example, a color patch composed of a total of 625 patterns of five gradations for each color) is formed on the recording paper by a PG (pattern generator) provided in the printer unit 103 in advance. Here, FIG. 14 shows specifications of a PG for forming a color patch on recording paper. For example, A4 (297 mm x 210 mm)
When a color patch is formed on yellow recording paper, the patch size is 5 mm square, the patch interval is 3 mm, and the RGB value of each color patch is 0, 64, 128, 192, 25.
The specification is a total of 625 patterns of 5 gradations of 5.

In step S1302, the recording paper on which the color patches have been formed is read by the reader unit 101.
The RGB values of each color patch are calculated. Step S13
At 03, the calculated RGB values are temporarily stored in the RAM 242. Then, the RGB values stored in the RAM 242 are converted into CMYK values by the CPU 240. Also, CMY for gradations between the five gradations of each color
The K value is obtained by linear interpolation. The process of reading the recording paper on which the color patches are formed by the reader unit 101 and calculating the RGB values of each color patch may be performed in advance for each recording paper state that can be used for recording. Alternatively, it may be performed every time recording is performed. In any case, the CMYK values obtained by this processing are managed in a predetermined area of the RAM 242 for each state of the recording paper.

In step S1304, the state (color, material, etc.) of the recording paper used for recording is operated by the user from the operation unit 500 by the recording paper state key 50106 (FIG. 19).
), The process proceeds to step S1305. In step S1305, the preview mode key 50
When button 105 (see FIG. 20) is pressed, step S13 is performed.
At 06, an LUT 2176 based on the CMYK values managed in a predetermined area of the RAM 242 corresponding to the state of the recording paper input from the recording medium state key 50106 is set. On the other hand, in step S1304, if the preview mode key 50105 (see FIG. 20) is depressed without inputting the recording paper state from the recording paper state key 50106, the setting has been made in step S1308. The LUT 2176 is set as it is.

Next, the detailed configuration of LUT 2176 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 shows the LUT 2176.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed internal configuration of FIG. Since the same configuration has the same configuration for each color component, only the detailed internal configuration of the LUT 2176 for the magenta signal is shown, and the detailed internal configuration for the other color components is omitted.

As shown in the figure, an LUT 2401 (eg, 576 kbit RAM), an adder 2402, and a limiter 2403 are provided. Then, the final image data Y0, M0, C output from the edge enhancement unit 215
Upper 4 bits of each of 0 and K0 (8 bits each) are LU
This is input to T2401. In the LUT 2401, the converted data (9 bits) corresponding to the upper 4 bits of the input final image data Y0, M0, C0, K0 (8 bits each).
Bit: -256 to 255). The conversion data is set in the LUT 2401 based on the CMYK values managed in a predetermined area of the RAM 242 corresponding to the state of the recording sheet input from the state key 50106 of the recording sheet.

Then, the converted data output from the LUT 2401 and the input final image data M0 (8 bits) are added by the adder 2402. And adder 2
Data output from 402 (10 bits: -256 to
510) is output as M1 data (8 bits: 0 to 255) in which the upper two bits are limited by a limiter 2403 and the state of the recording paper is taken into consideration.

Next, the output of the LUT 2176 is input to a 4 × 3 inverse masking correction circuit 2171, and the following equation is calculated. This is the masking method shown in FIG.
This is the inverse operation of the operation in the UCR processing unit 212. Y1 = a11 × Y1 + a12 × M1 + a13 × C1 + a
14 × K1 M2 = a21 × Y1 + a22 × M1 + a23 × C1 + a
24 × K1 C2 = a31 × Y1 + a32 × M1 + a33 × C1 + a
34 × K1 The coefficients of a11 to a34 are
Arbitrary values can be set respectively via the U bus 243. In this way, the input information of the four colors CMYK is converted into information Y2, M2, and C2 of the three colors CMYK, and then input to the inverse logarithmic conversion unit 2172. Here, an LUT is used to perform an inverse operation of the conversion process in the LOG 207 of FIG.
, Any correction data can be set. By this calculation, the YMC density data Y2, M2, and C2 are converted into RGB data.
Is converted to the luminance data R1, G1, B1 of the monitor 21
9 shows a displayable signal form.

However, there are a plurality of types of display devices actually connected as the monitor 219, and the color reproduction range is different depending on each device. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the color reproduction range. Therefore, the 3 × 3 monitor color correction unit 2
At 173, the color reproduction range of the monitor 219 is adjusted. In the 3 × 3 monitor color correction unit 2173, the monitor 219
The following equation is calculated to correct the color characteristics of

R2 = b11 × R1 + b12 × G1 + b13 × B1 G2 = b21 × R1 + b22 × G1 + b23 × B1 B2 = b21 × R1 + b22 × G1 + b23 × B1 Each of the coefficients b11 to b33 is also transmitted from the CPU 240 in the same manner as the 4 × 3 inverse masking section 2171. Arbitrary values can be set respectively via the CPU bus 243.

Next, the signals of R2, G2 and B2 are LU
Is input to a monitor gamma correction unit 2174 for correcting the gamma characteristic of each monitor using T, and after correction, R3, G3, B
It is output as 3. Also in the monitor gamma correction unit 2174, arbitrary correction data can be set by the CPU 240. Next, the display editing circuit 2175
Various editing processes for displaying on the monitor 219 and the monitor 2
19 is a circuit for controlling the circuit 19.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the display editing circuit 2175. The display editing circuit 2175
It is roughly divided into a part for processing the read image and a part for generating and adding additional information such as a frame and characters to the image. The R3, G3, and B3 data corrected by the monitor gamma correction unit 2174 are stored in the memory 2171, respectively.
1,21712,21713 and a CPU bus 24 so that writing can be performed from an arbitrary position in each memory.
3, a start address and an end address in the X and Y directions can be set via the write address control circuit 21717 in the display controller 21710. Note that each memory 21711 in the present embodiment is used.
The size of ２21713 is composed of three colors of 640 × 480 × 9 × (8 bits). That is, the monitor 219
Has a capacity equivalent to 3 × 3 times the number of pixels that can be displayed.

The write address control circuit 2171
7, when writing to the memory, the image size can be reduced and written.
It can be set from U240. Further, the write address control unit 21717 can control the image to rotate arbitrarily according to whether the size of the image to be displayed is portrait or landscape. At this time, as for the memory area outside the range of the start / end address, that is, the memory area where the image is not written, the image processed immediately before remains or the display color is fixed. The display color can also be set by the CPU 240 so that the area can be displayed in an arbitrary color.

Then, each of the memories 21711 to 21713
The CPU bus 243 sets the start address and end address in the X and Y directions via the read address control circuit 21718 in the display controller 21710 in order to read out the image data written in the image data from an arbitrary position and display it on the monitor 219. can do. This is set by a touch panel key or the like of the operation unit 500 described later, and real-time display can be performed.

Since the image size of the monitor 219 of this embodiment is 640 × 480 dots, it is necessary to thin out the images in order to display all the images in the memory. This also allows the CPU 240 to set the thinning rate. Also, in the present embodiment, as described later, a 1 × mode for displaying the entire image stored in the memory,
2x mode to display, and 3 to display 1/9 of the whole
The double mode can be selected, and can be instructed from the operation unit 500.

The memory 21720 is a memory for adding additional information such as graphics and characters represented by binary information for each color of CMYK to image information, and has a size of 640 × 480 × 9 × (4 bits). Therefore, different figures and characters for four planes of CMYK can be independently developed. In the present embodiment, the additional information is directly developed on the memory 21720 by the CPU 240. For example, GDC (AGDC: Advanc)
ed Display Controller)
The image information may be provided via a dedicated controller capable of developing the memory at high speed.

Reference numeral 21719 denotes a read address control circuit for performing read control on the memory 21720. Like the read address control circuit 21718, the CPU 2217
The read start position and the thinning rate can be set by the reference numeral 40. Next, the data read from the memory 21720 is input to the selector 21714 as a selection signal. In the selector 21714, when the selection signal is at the L level, the input RGB image data is output as it is. On the other hand, when the selection signal is at the H level, each of the 4
Data of R, G, B (8 bits) corresponding to the plane is output. Note that R, stored in the register 21729,
The G and B data can be set by the CPU 240, so that any color can be added to the additional information drawn on each of the four surfaces.

The signal processed by the selector 21714 is converted into an analog signal for the monitor 219 by the D / A converter 21716, and the final screen is displayed on the monitor 219. [Color Conversion Unit 205] FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the color conversion unit 205, which is divided into a detection unit and a conversion unit.

The detection unit includes three window comparators 710 to 712, two AND gates 713 and 715, and a register 7 for storing threshold values of the window comparators.
04-709. The threshold value of each window comparator is set by the CPU 240. And
When the input image data satisfies all of the following conditions, the outputs of the respective window comparators and AND gate 713 become "1".
30 is input to the AND gate 715 from the color conversion unit 20
When the enable signal 222 of No. 5 is “1”, it means that a certain characteristic color has been detected.

Reg1 ≦ Rin ≦ reg2 reg3 ≦ Gin ≦ reg4 reg5 ≦ Bin ≦ reg6 where Rin, Gin, Bin: RGB signals reg1 to reg6 input to the color conversion unit 205: threshold values stored in registers 704 to 709 The conversion unit includes three selectors 719 to 721 and registers 716 to 718. When the output of the AND gate 715 is “1”, the CPU 240
The conversion color set to 16 to 718 is output, and when it is “0”, the image signal input to the color conversion unit 205 is output.

[Editing Circuit 213 (Paint and Free Color Processing)] FIG. 18A is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the editing circuit 213. Since the circuit has the same configuration for each color component. , Only the configuration of the free color paint circuit 812 for the magenta signal is shown, and the detailed configuration of the free color paint circuits 813 to 815 for the other color components is omitted.

The free color paint circuit 812 includes a multiplier 1205, a selector 809, and registers 806 and 807 whose values are set by the CPU 240.
During free color processing, the operation is
The ND signal generated by the UCR unit 212 (= M / 3 + C /
3 + Y / 3) and the value re set in the register 806
g3 (determined by the color set by the operator) is multiplied by the multiplier 1205, and the multiplied output is selected by the selector 809 in accordance with the enable signals 2241 and 2242 and output. Note that the 0th bit of the enable signals 2241 and 2242 is input to the selector 809 as an area signal, and according to the value thereof, (b) of FIG.
Selections are made as shown in the table. For example, when free color processing is to be performed only on a part of an image, the 0th bit of the signal 2241 is set to “1” and the signal 224
The 0th bit of 2 may be set to “0”. Since the 0th bit of the signal 2242 is “0”, the masking U
The CR unit 212 is ND only for the area to be subjected to the free color processing.
It is controlled to output a signal.

During the paint processing, the selector 809 is used.
Selects the value reg1 set in the register 807 by the CPU 240. That is, control is performed so that the 0th bit of the signals 2241 and 2242 becomes “0” and “1”, respectively. The cyan, yellow, and black free color paint circuits 813, 814, and 815 are controlled by the first, second, and third bits of the area signal 224, respectively.

When a preview is displayed, the signal 2
Control is performed so that all 24 bits are simultaneously enabled. As described above, according to the present embodiment, when printing out a read document image, preview processing can be performed in consideration of the state of the recording paper used for the printout, so that the printed image can be accurately printed. Can be displayed for review.

A mode for previewing an image obtained by subjecting a read document image to color conversion processing (RGB processing); a mode for previewing an image subjected to paint or free color processing (CMY processing); Since a mode for previewing the synthesis result of images is provided, an image substantially equivalent to an image printed out for all image processing can be preview-displayed.

[Operation Unit 500] FIG. 19 is a schematic view of the operation unit 500. 50000 is a numeric key, 50001 is a copy start key, 50002 is a stop key, 500
03 is a preheating key, 50004 is a display unit made of liquid crystal or the like,
50005 is a reset key and 50006 is a user mode key.

FIG. 20 shows a standard screen of display portion 50004. In the standard screen of FIG. 20, 50101 indicates the apparatus status, 50102 indicates the set number of copies, and 50103 indicates the number of copies.
Is the paper size, 50104 is the copy magnification, 50107
Reference numeral 50105 denotes a display unit for notifying the state of the recording paper. Reference numeral 50105 denotes a touch key (preview mode key) for instructing a start of a preview mode in the present embodiment.
It is. Reference numeral 50106 denotes a recording paper state key in the present embodiment.

Prior to starting the preview processing, the operator specifies the image magnification, paper size, editing processing, and the recording paper state from the operation unit 500, and presses the preview mode key 50105 to display the standard screen. To the preview operation screen. When the recording paper status key is pressed, the history of the recording paper status that has been set is displayed. If the history includes the status of the recording paper to be used for recording, select it. . On the other hand, if the state of the recording paper used for recording is not included in the history, the state of the recording paper is input in accordance with the procedure of the above-described flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 21 shows an example of the preview operation screen. 50201, an image reading key indicating a preview start; 50202, a display direction setting key; 50203, an area monitor; 50204, a display position setting key;
05 is a display magnification setting key, and 50206 is an area fine adjustment key. The operator first sets a document on a platen (not shown) or the feeder 102, and sets a display direction setting key 5020.
2, the display direction (vertical or horizontal) of the document is set.
In the display direction, the position where the original abuts on the platen is
19 is set at the upper right corner. When the display direction setting key 50202 is pressed, the display of the key is reversed to black, and the display editing circuit 2175 in the preview processing unit 217 is displayed.
Are written in the image memories 21711 to 21713 of the image forming apparatus, and the image from the abutment position of the document table is rotated by 90 degrees and displayed on the monitor 219.

When the operator presses the image reading key 50201, the original is sent from the feeder 102 to the original platen when the original is set on the feeder 102, and the original is placed on the original plate when the pre-scan is set. A scan is performed to detect the size of the original placed on the original. Then, a scan operation for reading an image is started, and the capture of an image from the CCD 201 is started. The captured image signal is converted to a CMY signal and subjected to various types of editing processing that have been set, and then sent to the preview processing unit 217. Then, the CPU 240 calculates the most efficient image size that allows the entire image to be stored in the memories 21711 to 21713 based on the display direction, magnification, document size, and the like set by the operation unit 500. Memory 21711-image size
21713. The image signal is transferred to the monitor 219 by the display controller 21710, so that a preview image is displayed.

By the way, the image memories 2171 and 217
Each of the sizes of 12, 21713 is 1920 × 14, which is nine times the display size of 640 × 480 pixels of the monitor 219.
It has 40 pixels. For this reason, when data is transferred from the image memories 21711 to 21713 to the monitor 219, the display controller 21710 controls the display size of the monitor 219 and the display magnification setting key 50205.
From the display magnification set in the above, the image memories 21711-2
It is necessary to scale the data in 1713 before transferring it to the monitor 219.

FIG. 22 shows a specific example when the display magnification is set. In the image memories 21711 to 21713, FIG.
Consider a case where the image data indicated by No. 50601 is written. At this time, the display magnification setting key 5020
When the display magnification is set to "whole", that is, 1 at 5, all the data areas of the image memories 21711 to 21713 are reduced to 1/9 by the display controller 21710 and displayed on the monitor 219 as indicated by 50602. You. When a display magnification of “2 ×” is set by the display magnification setting key 50205, the image memories 21711 to 2111 are set.
The data in the area of 4/9 of 713 is reduced to 1/4 by the display controller and displayed on the monitor 219 as indicated by 50603. That is, a part of the image (4/9 area) is displayed twice as large as in the “whole” display. Also, the display magnification setting key 50205 is used to select “3
When the display magnification of “double” is set, the 1
/ 9 area is transferred equivalently to the display memory, and 50604
Is displayed as shown. That is, a part of the image (1/9 area) is displayed three times as large as that in the “whole” display.

Further, "2"
When “double” and “triple” are set, since a part of the image memories 21711 to 21713 is displayed on the monitor 219, the readout position of the memory area is changed and the data is transferred to the monitor 219. , A portion not currently displayed on the monitor 219 can be displayed. Hereinafter, this method will be described.

When “2 ×” is set by the display magnification setting key 50205, the image memories
An image of an arbitrary quarter size of the image 713 is displayed on the monitor 219. At this time, the display position setting key 50204
Is pressed once, the image memory 217 is pressed.
The reading start position of 11 to 21713 is set to a position shifted by, for example, 4 dots in the downward direction, and image data of １ ／ size is transferred to the monitor 219 from the position. Therefore, an image at the bottom of the screen that has not been displayed on the monitor 219 can be newly displayed.

When the display area in the image is moved, the current display on the area monitor 50203 is made so that the operator can recognize which area of the image memories 21711 to 21713 is currently displayed on the monitor 219. The area is shown. [Area Correction by Preview] In the present embodiment, if an area designation is set by a digitizer or the like (not shown) before the operator performs the preview display, the area-processed preview image can be displayed. . If the position or size of the area of the displayed image is different from the designated one or the processed color is slightly different, fine adjustment of the area is performed on the preview screen (monitor 219). It is possible to do.

Prior to starting the area adjustment, the operator presses the area adjustment key 50206 to shift from the preview operation screen to the area adjustment screen shown in FIG.
Then, the area selection image shown in FIG. 24 is displayed on the monitor 219. In this case, as for the image displayed on the monitor 219, the outer frame of the entire area set by the area designation is displayed in an overlapping manner. The size and position of the outer frame are determined by the CPU 240 based on the copy magnification and the display magnification set by the display magnification setting key 50205, the display direction set by the display direction setting key 50202, and the like. It is generated by being calculated.

The outer frame information of the created area is stored in the memory 2172 in the display editing circuit 2175 shown in FIG.
The image data is expanded in the area image memory 1 (hereinafter, referred to as a plane memory 1) on the memory 21720 and further transferred to the area display memory 1 (hereinafter, referred to as the plane memory 1 ') on the memory 21720, and is displayed on the monitor 219. Is displayed. At this time, the area is displayed so as to overlap the currently displayed preview screen.

The plane memory 1 is connected to the monitor 21
9, the transfer area and the transfer magnification of the plane memory 1 are simultaneously calculated when the transfer area and the transfer magnification in the preview image are calculated based on the set display magnification and the display position. It is calculated and transferred to the plane memory 1 '. Therefore, every time the display magnification setting and the display position setting are changed, the area area is displayed again following the update of the preview image.

In this embodiment, the processing content can be set up to a maximum of 30 area processes, and up to 15 areas can be set for each one area process. For example, FIG. 24 shows an example of a preview image when a plurality of areas are specified, and three areas 606 are used as area processing 1.
01 (area 1), 60602 (area 2), 6060
3 (area 3) is subjected to paint processing, and two areas 60604 (area 1 ') and 6060 are processed as area processing 2.
5 (area 2 ') has been subjected to color conversion processing.

As described above, when a plurality of areas are set in one image, the operator needs to specify an area to be adjusted. On the area adjustment screen shown in FIG.
01 or an area number setting key 50302 or the like. First, an area processing number setting key 5030
When one UP key is selected, the area for area processing 1 is selected. At this time, the outer frame (60601, 60602, 6
0603) is calculated by the above-described procedure, and is formed by the CPU 240 in the area image memory 2 (hereinafter referred to as plane memory 2) on the memory 21720 in the display editing circuit 2175 shown in FIG. This is stored in memory 21720
The image is transferred to the upper area display memory 2 (hereinafter, referred to as plane memory 2 ′) at a magnification specified by the display magnification setting key 50205 and is different from the display displayed on the monitor 219 in the plane memory 1 ′. Display using color.

As described above, by making the display colors set in the plane memory 1 ′ and the plane memory 2 ′ different, it is possible to easily recognize the selected area processing from the plurality of areas on the monitor 219. It becomes possible. Further, when the area processing number 2 is designated by pressing the UP key of the area processing number setting key 50301,
The area of the area processing 1 written on the plane memory 2 is erased, and the area (60604, 50605) of the area of the area processing number 2 is newly written and displayed on the monitor 219.

As described above, when the operator sets the area processing whose processing contents are to be changed, presses the setting correction key 50303, and changes the processing contents on the setting content change screen shown in FIG. The area processing content can be changed by feedback. Next, a case where the area size is changed will be described.

In the area adjustment screen shown in FIG. 23, first, an area process including an area to be changed is selected by the area process number setting key 50301 according to the procedure described above. Then, an area is selected with an area number setting key 50302. Hereinafter, an example in which the area 2 ′ (60605 in FIG. 24) of the area processing 2 is to be moved left by 1 cm will be described.

First, an area processing number setting key 50301
To select area processing 2. Next, area number setting key 5
When 0302 is pressed, first, area 1 '(50604 in FIG. 24) of area processing 2 is selected. At this time, the area image memory 3 (hereinafter referred to as the plane memory 3) on the memory 21720 in the display editing circuit 2175 shown in FIG.
Will be expanded to. This is transferred to the area display memory 3 (hereinafter referred to as plane memory 3 ′) on the memory 21720, and displayed on the monitor 219 in a color different from that of the plane memory 1 ′ and the plane memory 2 ′.

The priority of each display memory is plane memory 1 '<plane memory 2'<plane memory 3 '. Therefore, even if the operator does not remember the area number to be corrected, the designated area processing can be recognized from all the areas on the monitor 219, and further, the area can be recognized from among them. Next, area number setting key 5
When the area 2 ′ (60605) is set by 0302, the area 1 ′ (6060) on the plane memory 3 ′ is set.
The area 4) is erased, and the area 2 'is newly written in the plane memory 3 and displayed on the monitor 219.

As described above, after the operator sets the area whose area size is to be changed, the area correction key 50304 is set.
Is pressed to transition the screen to the area size change screen shown in FIG. In FIG. 26, 50501 denotes an area correction key, 50502 denotes an area correction setting key, and 50503.
Is an area clear key.

Hereinafter, a case where it is desired to move the area 2 'to the left will be described. In this case, first, “move” is designated by the area correction setting key 50502. Then, the left arrow key of the area correction key 50501 is pressed. At this time, the area 2 ′ held in the plane memory 3 is cleared, an area moved four pixels to the left is formed on the plane memory 3, transferred to the plane memory 3 ′, and displayed on the monitor 219. Accordingly, the designated area moves on the preview image on the monitor 219. In addition, since this movement amount is fed back to the CPU 240, when the image reading key 50201 is pressed again in the preview operation screen shown in FIG. 21, the image subjected to the area processing is displayed as a preview at the moved and adjusted area position. .

As described above, in the present embodiment, the area can be moved while comparing the preview image with the designated area. Similarly, when changing the area size, use the area correction setting key 50502 to select “enlarge”.
Or "reduce". Since the area size is adjusted stepwise according to the pressing of the OK key, the area size can be arbitrarily set.

As described above, in this embodiment, the size, position, and processing content of the area can be adjusted while comparing with the preview image. Then, if an image desired by the operator is preview-displayed on the original image 219,
By pressing the copy start key 50001,
Printout is executed. In each operation screen of the operation unit 500 described above, pressing the “OK” key reflects the current correction and returns to the previous screen, and pressing the “Cancel” key cancels the current correction.
Return to the previous screen while retaining the previous settings.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
When the preview image displayed in the original 219 is edited and displayed again, the monitor display can be performed without scanning the document in the reader unit 101. Therefore, the processing time for executing the re-display is reduced, that is, the waiting time of the operator is also reduced, and the preview processing with excellent operability can be performed.

Further, by not scanning the original at the time of redisplay, the life of a halogen lamp or the like for irradiating the original with light in the reader unit 101 can be extended, and an image processing apparatus excellent in cost can be provided. can do.
In the present embodiment, a four-drum type image processing apparatus has been described as an example. However, the image processing apparatus is configured to form a latent image on a single photosensitive drum using a plurality of image forming units. You may.

The present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), but can be applied to a single device (for example, a copier, a facsimile). Device). Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus to store the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the program.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk,
A CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

[0119]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By taking into account the state of a recording medium used for outputting an image when performing a preview, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus, method, and image processing system capable of accurately previewing an image output to a recording medium.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an image processing apparatus having a preview function.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a laser beam scanning method.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a digital image processing unit in a reader unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of an area memory unit.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a one-color memory unit in the area memory unit.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a copy process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a color conversion process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a paint process according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating free color processing according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a memory synthesis process according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a preview processing unit.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for setting an LUT 2176 in the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing specifications of a PG for forming a color patch on recording paper.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a detailed internal configuration of the LUT 2176.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a display editing circuit.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a color conversion process.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an editing circuit.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an external appearance of an operation unit of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a standard screen of the operation unit.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a preview screen.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of monitor display by setting a display magnification.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an area selection screen.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a preview image for area correction.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an area processing content change screen.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an area size adjustment screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 217 preview processing unit 219 monitor 2171 4 × 3 inverse masking unit 2172 antilogarithmic conversion unit 2173 3 × 3 monitor correction unit 2174 monitor gamma correction unit 2175 display editing circuit 2176 LUT 21710 display controller 21711, 21712, 21713 image memory 21714 selector 21716 D / A converter 21717 Write address control circuit 21718, 21719 Read address control circuit 21720 Memory 21729 Register 240 CPU 241 ROM 242 RAM 500 Operation unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Agency reference number FI Technical display location H04N 1/40

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus for generating image data indicating a preview image corresponding to an image formed by using a plurality of printing materials in an image forming apparatus, wherein the color data corresponds to each of the plurality of printing materials. First input means for inputting image data composed of component signals, second input means for inputting information on a recording medium on which an image is formed, and converting the image data based on the information on the recording medium. A color conversion unit that generates image data corresponding to a recording medium; and a color correction processing unit that performs color correction on the image data corresponding to the recording medium according to a display characteristic of a display unit. Image processing device. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said color conversion means performs at least masking, inverse function processing of UCR processing, and display characteristic adjustment processing of said display means. 3. Forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on input image data; color converting means for performing color conversion on the input image data based on the recording medium; A display unit for displaying an image based on the image data color-converted by the unit. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the color conversion unit performs color conversion on the image data using a secondary or higher-order look-up table. 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the look-up table is set based on a state of the recording medium. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the state of the recording medium includes at least a color and a material of the recording medium. 7. An image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein inputs of said forming means and said display means are CMYK signals which have been subjected to masking and UCR processing. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said display means further comprises a conversion means for converting a CMYK signal into an RGB signal. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the conversion unit performs at least masking, an inverse function process of a UCR process, and a display characteristic adjustment process of the display unit. 10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the inverse function processing is a 4 × 3 linear operation performed on the image data. 11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the display characteristic adjustment processing is a 3 × 3 linear operation performed on the image data and a color conversion using a primary look-up table. 12. A forming step of forming an image on a recording medium based on the input image data, a color converting step of performing color conversion on the input image data based on the recording medium, and A display step of displaying an image based on the image data color-converted by the step. 13. The image processing method according to claim 12, wherein in the color conversion step, color conversion is performed on the image data using a second-order or higher-order lookup table. 14. The image processing method according to claim 13, wherein the look-up table is set based on a state of the recording medium. 15. The recording medium according to claim 14, wherein the state of the recording medium includes at least a color and a material of the recording medium.
The image processing method according to 1. 16. The image processing method according to claim 12, wherein inputs of the forming step and the displaying step are CMYK signals subjected to masking and UCR processing. 17. The display process according to claim 1, wherein the CMYK signals are converted to RGB.
The image processing method according to claim 12, further comprising a conversion step of converting the image into a signal. 18. The image processing method according to claim 17, wherein the conversion step includes at least masking, inverse function processing of UCR processing, and display characteristic adjustment processing of the display step. 19. The image processing method according to claim 18, wherein the inverse function processing is a 4 × 3 linear operation performed on the image data. 20. The image processing method according to claim 18, wherein the display characteristic adjustment processing is a 3 × 3 linear operation performed on the image data and a color conversion using a primary look-up table. 21. Forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on input image data; color conversion means for performing color conversion on the input image data based on the recording medium; Display means for displaying an image based on the image data color-converted by the means.