JP2006246328A - Image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus capable of reducing the usage capacity of a memory and shortening a time required for transfer processing of image data, when the image data obtained by reading image data of an original document and stored in the memory are transferred to an external apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing apparatus is provided with a reading means for reading image data, containing a plurality color components from an original document, irrespective of whether the image on the original document is a color image or not when a color/monochrome automatic determining function is designated; a determining means for determining whether the image of the original document is color or monochrome; an accumulating means for accumulating image file generated, by adding a result of determination by the determining means to the image data; and a transfer means for referring to the result of determination included in the image file, upon the receipt of a transfer request of the image file from an external apparatus, and transferring the image file to the external apparatus, if the determining result shows that the image is a color image, and converting the image data included in the image file into an image of a single color component to transfer the converted image to the external apparatus if the determination result shows the image is a monochromatic image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more specifically, color / monochrome automatic for automatically determining whether an image of a document is color or monochrome based on image data including a plurality of color components read from the document. The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having a discrimination function.

  Some image processing apparatuses having a scanner for reading image data of a document automatically determine whether the image of the document is color or monochrome based on the read image data of the document. Some have an automatic monochrome selection (ACS: Auto Color Select) function (see, for example, Patent Document 1). When it is determined by the color / monochrome automatic determination function that the document image is color, the image data including a plurality of color components is read from the document and stored in the memory, and the document image is determined to be monochrome. In this case, image data consisting of a single color component can be read from a document and stored in a memory for printing processing or the like.

  A conventional apparatus such as the image processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 transfers image data of a read document to an external apparatus (for example, a PC) that is communicably connected via a network such as a LAN. In this case, image data composed of a plurality of color components is read from the document and stored in the memory, and whether the image of the document is color or monochrome is determined based on the read image data of the document. When there is a transfer request from the external device, the image data of the original document stored in the memory and the determination result are transferred to the external device. On the other hand, when the determination result transferred from the image processing apparatus is monochrome, the external device converts the transferred image data consisting of a plurality of color components into image data consisting of a single color component and displays it on the monitor. To do.

  Another conventional apparatus stores both image data composed of a plurality of color components and image data composed of a single color component obtained by reading an image of a document in a memory, and the document image is in color. It is determined whether it is monochrome or monochrome. When the transfer request is received from the external device, if the determination result is color, the image data including a plurality of color components is transmitted to the external device. If the determination result is monochrome, the image data including a single color component is input to the external device. Forwarding.

On the other hand, in another conventional apparatus, prescanning (preliminary scanning) of a document is performed to determine whether the image of the document is color or monochrome, and when the determination result is color, a plurality of colors Image data composed of components is read from a document and stored in a memory. When a print command is issued, the image data is read from the memory and printed in color by a printer. On the other hand, when the determination result is monochrome, image data consisting of a single color component is read from the original and stored in the memory, and when there is a print command, the image data is read from the memory and printed by the printer. Printing.
JP 2001-292279 A

  However, as in the conventional device described above, image data consisting of a plurality of color components and determination results are transferred to the external device, and the image data consisting of a plurality of color components is transferred to the external device as image data consisting of a single color component. When the image data is converted into the image data, image data including a plurality of color components having a large data size is transferred to the external device, which causes a problem that the transfer process takes time.

  On the other hand, the image data composed of a plurality of color components and a single color component are used in spite of determining whether the image of the document is color or monochrome as in the other conventional apparatus. When both of the image data to be stored in the memory and any one of the image data is transferred to the external device according to the determination result, there is a problem that the amount of memory used increases.

  In addition, as in the above-described another conventional apparatus, either image data composed of a plurality of color components or image data composed of a single color component obtained by reading from a document based on the determination result is stored in a memory. If printing is performed, for example, if it is erroneously determined that the image of the document is monochrome, only image data consisting of a single color component is stored in the memory. There was a problem of having to re-read.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and reads image data of a document and stores it in a memory, determines whether the image of the document is color or monochrome, and according to the determination result. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of reducing the amount of memory used and reducing the time required for image data transfer processing when transferring image data stored in a memory to an external apparatus.

  The present invention also reads image data of a document and stores it in a memory, determines whether the image of the document is color or monochrome, and performs color printing on the image data stored in the memory according to the determination result. Alternatively, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of changing monochrome printing performed based on the determination result to color printing without performing rereading of a document when performing monochrome printing.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, when the color / monochrome automatic discrimination function is designated, image data comprising a plurality of color components regardless of whether or not the image of the document is color. A reading means for reading from the document, a determination means for determining whether the image of the document is color or monochrome, and an image file generated by adding the determination result by the determination means to the image data is stored Receiving the image file transfer request from the external device and referring to the determination result included in the image file, and transferring the image file to the external device if the determination result is color If the determination result is monochrome, the image data included in the image file is converted into image data consisting of a single color component and transferred to the external device. Is characterized by comprising a transfer means, the that.

  The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, in the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, the transfer unit receives a transfer request for the image file from the external apparatus, and the transfer request has a color specification. The image file is transferred to the external device, and when the transfer request has monochrome designation, the image data included in the image file is converted into image data consisting of a single color component, and It is characterized by transferring to an external device.

  The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the color / monochrome automatic discrimination function is designated, reading means for reading image data composed of a plurality of color components from the original regardless of whether the image of the original is color or not. Determining means for determining whether the image of the document is color or monochrome, and storage for storing an image file generated by adding the determination result by the determining means to the image data composed of the plurality of color components And image data comprising a plurality of color components included in the image file when the determination result included in the image file is color, and the image file when the determination result is monochrome. Printing means for converting image data consisting of a plurality of color components contained in the image data into image data consisting of a single color component and printing, and the printing means being said single color component Control means for causing the printing means to stop printing being executed and to cause the printing means to print image data consisting of the plurality of color components when there is a change command during printing of the image data. It is characterized by providing.

  The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, when a color / monochrome automatic discrimination function is designated by a user, image data consisting of a plurality of color components is always read from the document regardless of whether the image of the document is color or not. Since the data is read and stored, the amount of memory used can be reduced as compared with a conventional apparatus that stores both image data composed of a plurality of color components and image data composed of a single color component. In addition, when transferring image data consisting of a single color component to an external device, the image data consisting of a plurality of color components stored in the storage means is converted into image data consisting of a single color component and externally converted. Since the image data is transferred to the apparatus, the time required for the image data transfer process is shorter than that of a conventional apparatus that transfers image data composed of a plurality of color components to an external apparatus and performs conversion processing in the external apparatus regardless of the determination result. Can be shortened.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the image processing apparatus of the first aspect, if the transfer request from the external apparatus is designated as color or monochrome, the determination result is Regardless, the image data composed of a plurality of color components accumulated based on the designation or the image data composed of a single color component obtained by converting the image data is transferred to the external device. Therefore, even if the original image is erroneously determined to be monochrome even though it is in color, the external device designates the color and issues a transfer request, so that the image processing device can receive image data consisting of a plurality of color components. Can be taken out.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the color / monochrome automatic discrimination function is designated by the user, image data consisting of a plurality of color components is always read from the document regardless of whether or not the image of the document is color. Since there is a change command to change to color printing (printing of image data consisting of multiple color components) during execution of monochrome printing (printing of image data consisting of a single color component) because it is read and stored In addition, color printing can be performed without re-reading the document.

  Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the image processing apparatus 1 includes a control unit (MPU: Microprocessing Unit) 2, a document reading unit 3, a discrimination circuit 4, an image processing unit 5, a page memory 6, a memory controller 7, a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group). ) Codec 8, binary image codec 9, image memory 10, printer 11, operation unit 12, display unit 13, ROM (Read Only Memory) 14, RAM (Random Access Memory) 15, and data transfer device 16 The units 2 to 16 are communicably connected via a bus 17.

  The control unit 2 controls each unit constituting the image processing apparatus 1. The document reading unit 3 reads image data (hereinafter also referred to as “color image data”) composed of a plurality of color components (herein, RGB three components) from a document, and although not shown, R (Red), Color line sensor composed of three line sensors of G (Green) and B (Blue), automatic document feeder (ADF) for transporting a document placed on a document tray along a predetermined transport path, transparent A flat bed scanner (FBS) for reading image data of a document placed on a simple document placement plate by a color line sensor is provided. Note that it is also possible to read image data consisting of a single color component (hereinafter also referred to as “monochrome image data”) from a document by outputting only the G component of the RGB three components as monochrome.

  The document reading unit 3 includes an image processing circuit (not shown). The image data of the read document is subjected to image processing such as A / D conversion, shading correction, and γ correction in the image processing circuit. Is output to a predetermined output destination.

  The discriminating circuit 4 discriminates whether the original image read by the original reading unit 3 is color or monochrome, and based on the image data output from the original reading unit 3, the original image is determined. It is determined whether it is color or monochrome.

  The image processing unit 5 performs image processing on the image data of the document read by the document reading unit 3. Specifically, color space conversion for converting RGB color system color image data output from the document reading unit 3 into, for example, YCrCb color system color image data, and YCrCb color system color image data, for example, Document reading unit 3 such as color space conversion for converting each color data such as C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), K (black), etc., processing for binarizing image data by error diffusion processing, etc. Necessary image processing is performed on the image data of the manuscript output from. The image processing unit 5 extracts only Y component from the color image data of the YCrCb color system, thereby converting image data (color image data) consisting of a plurality of color components into image data consisting of a single color component. It is also possible to perform so-called color / monochrome conversion for conversion to (monochrome image data).

  The page memory 6 has a multi-value area and a binary area, and stores multi-value color image data such as 8-bit, binarized monochrome image data, and the like. The memory controller 7 stores image data or the like on which image processing necessary for the image processing unit 5 has been performed in the page memory 6, and conversely reads out the image data stored in the page memory 6 and performs a predetermined output. Memory management for the page memory 6 is performed such as processing to be output first.

  The JPEG codec 8 compresses / decompresses multi-value image data. Here, the multi-value color image data is compressed by the JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) method, and the compressed color image data is expanded. To do. The JPEG codec 8 includes a line memory (not shown) for storing the input color image data for a predetermined number of lines. The color image data stored in the line memory is, for example, 8 × 8 pixels ( Blocks are divided into 8 pixels in the main scanning direction and 8 pixels in the sub-scanning direction, and each block is compressed by the JPEG method. The binary image codec 9 compresses binary monochrome image data by MH (Modified Huffman), MR (Modified Read), MMR (Modified Modified Read), JBIG (Joint Bi-level Image Group), etc. Decompress monochrome image data.

  The image memory 10 stores color image data compressed by the JPEG codec 8 or monochrome image data compressed by the binary image codec 9. Note that the color image data compressed by the JPEG codec 8 is filed by the control unit 2 and stored in the image memory 10 as an image file. That is, the image memory 10 stores the image file generated by the control unit 2. This image file includes color image data compressed by the JPEG codec 8 and header information. Here, the header information is information related to the image file or the compressed color image data. Specifically, the file creation date and time, which is the date and time when the image file including the color image data is created, the data size of the image file, the color The image data is composed of reduced image data (thumbnail image data) or the like obtained by reducing the color image data so that the contents of the image data can be seen at a glance. Although not shown, the image file including the color image data may be separately provided with an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and stored in the HDD.

  The printer 11 prints (prints out) an image of image data read from the image memory 10 on a sheet, and performs color printing for printing color image data on a sheet and monochrome for printing monochrome image data on a sheet. It can be printed. As the printing method in the printer 11, for example, various printing methods such as an electrophotographic method and an ink jet method can be used.

  Although not shown, the operation unit 12 includes a display unit such as a start key for instructing the document reading unit 3 to start a document reading operation, a numeric keypad for inputting the number of copies, a cursor key for performing various settings, and the like. 13 is provided with various operation keys linked to the control unit 13. The display unit 13 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various setting states and the operation state of the own device 1 with characters, graphics, and the like, and an LED lamp that is turned on or off. . The liquid crystal display device is a so-called touch panel type, and various operations can be performed by a user touching the screen of the liquid crystal display device with a finger or the like instead of the operation unit 12.

  The ROM 14 stores a control program for controlling each unit of the image processing apparatus 1 by the control unit 2. The RAM 15 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like of the control unit 2 and stores various setting information and the like.

  The data transfer device 16 includes a control unit (MPU) 19, a ROM 20, a RAM 21, a JPEG codec 22, an image processing circuit 23, a binary image codec 24, and an interface circuit 25. Each unit 19 to 25 includes a bus 26. Are communicably connected.

  The control unit 19 controls each unit constituting the data transfer device 16. The ROM 20 stores a control program for controlling each unit of the data transfer device 16 by the control unit 19. The RAM 21 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like of the control unit 19 and stores various setting information and the like.

  Here, the JPEG codec 22 decompresses the color image data extracted from the image file stored in the image memory 10 by the JPEG method. The image processing circuit 23 performs color / monochrome conversion for converting color image data expanded by the JPEG codec 22 into monochrome image data, binarization processing for binarizing the monochrome image data subjected to color / monochrome conversion, and the like.

  The binary image codec 24 compresses the monochrome image data binarized in the image processing circuit 23 by, for example, the MMR method. The interface circuit 25 manages the output of image data from the image processing device 1 to a client PC (external device) 29 on a LAN (Local Area Network) 28, the input of data from the client PC 29 to the image processing device 1, and the like. The image file stored in the image memory 10 and the monochrome image data compressed by the binary image codec 24 are transferred to the client PC 29 by the interface circuit 25.

  In addition to the copy function, the image processing apparatus 1 having the above configuration has a memory storage function for storing image data read from a document by the document reading unit 3 in the image memory 10, and color image data read from a document by the document reading unit 3. The image file stored in the image memory 10 by the color / monochrome automatic discrimination (ACS: Auto Color Select) function for determining whether the image of the document is color or monochrome based on the A function of transferring to the PC 29, a function of printing image data of an image file stored in the image memory 10 by a memory storage function, and the like are provided.

  FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts showing processing operations performed in the image processing apparatus 1 when an instruction to start reading a document is input and the memory storage function is designated. The processing operation of the image processing apparatus 1 described based on the following flowchart is performed according to a command issued by the control unit 2 based on a control program stored in the ROM 14.

  The control unit 2 first starts the operation unit 12 after a document is set in the document reading unit 3 and a predetermined operation for using the memory storage function is performed from the liquid crystal display device of the operation unit 12 or the display unit 13. Based on whether or not the key is pressed, it is determined whether or not a document reading start command has been issued (S1). If it is determined that a document reading start command has been issued (S1: YES), it is determined whether or not the auto color mode is set, that is, whether or not the color / monochrome automatic discrimination function is designated. A determination is made based on the setting information in the RAM 15 (S2). The auto color mode here reads RGB color system color image data from a document and automatically determines whether the document image is color or monochrome based on the read color image data of the document. In this mode, the process is performed.

  In addition to the auto color mode, the document reading mode includes a full color mode and a monochrome mode. The full color mode is a reading mode for reading an original in color. When the full color mode is set, image data composed of a plurality of color components is read from the original. On the other hand, the monochrome mode is a reading mode for reading a document in monochrome. When the monochrome mode is set, image data composed of a single color component is read from the document. The user can set the document reading mode to any one of these by performing a predetermined operation from the liquid crystal display device of the operation unit 12 or the display unit 13 before starting the document reading.

  When determining that the auto color mode is not set (S2: NO), the control unit 2 determines whether the full color mode or the monochrome mode is set based on the setting information in the RAM 15 (S3). ). If it is determined that the monochrome mode is set (S3: monochrome mode), the document reading unit 3 starts monochrome reading of the document (S4). That is, the color line sensor of the document reading unit 3 starts processing to read monochrome image data of the document by outputting the G component of the RGB three components as monochrome. The monochrome image data read from the document in the document reading unit 3 in this way is binarized in the image processing unit 5 and then written into the binary area of the page memory 6 by the memory controller 7. 6 is temporarily stored. The monochrome image data stored in the page memory 6 in this way is sequentially read out by the memory controller 7 and output to the binary image codec 9. On the other hand, the binary image codec 9 compresses the monochrome image data input by the memory controller 7 by, for example, the MMR method (S5), and the image memory 10 stores the monochrome image data compressed by the binary image codec 9. Are stored (S6).

  On the other hand, when the control unit 2 determines that the full color mode is set (S3: full color mode), the document reading unit 3 starts color reading of the document (S7). That is, the color line sensor of the document reading unit 3 starts a process of reading RGB color system color image data from the document. The RGB color system color image data read from the document in the document reading unit 3 in this way is converted into color image data such as color space conversion for converting from the RGB color system to the YCrCb color system in the image processing unit 5. After the necessary image processing is performed, the memory controller 7 writes the multi-valued area in the page memory 6 and temporarily stores it in the page memory 6.

  The control unit 2 starts creating an image file in accordance with the processing operation of S7 (S8). Specifically, a process for securing an area for storing color image data read from the document by the document reading unit 3 as an image file in the image memory 10 is performed. Then, header information such as file creation date and time is created (S9).

  The color image data stored in the page memory 6 as described above is sequentially read out by the memory controller 7 and output to the JPEG codec 8. On the other hand, the JPEG codec 8 compresses the color image data input by the memory controller 7 by the JPEG method (S10). The control unit 2 adds header information to the color image data compressed by the JPEG codec 8 to generate an image file, and the image memory 10 stores the image file generated by the control unit 2 (S11).

  On the other hand, when the control unit 2 determines that the auto color mode is set (S2: YES), the document reading unit 3 starts color reading of the document (S12). That is, when the color / monochrome automatic discrimination function is designated, the document reading unit 3 reads color image data (image data composed of a plurality of color components) from the document regardless of whether the image of the document is in color. The RGB color system color image data read from the document by the document reading unit 3 in this way is output to both the document reading unit 5 and the discrimination circuit 4.

  On the other hand, the image processing unit 5 performs necessary image processing on the color image data such as color space conversion for converting the input color image data from the RGB color system to the YCrCb color system. Then, the color image data subjected to the necessary image processing in the image processing unit 5 is written into the multi-value area of the page memory 6 by the memory controller 7 and temporarily stored in the page memory 6. On the other hand, the determination circuit 4 performs processing for determining whether the image of the document read by the document reading unit 3 is color or monochrome based on the color image data input from the document reading unit 3.

  Then, the control unit 2 starts creating an image file in accordance with the processing operation of S12 (S13), and creates header information such as file creation date and time (S14). The processing operations in S13 and S14 are performed in the same manner as the processing operations in S8 and S9.

  The color image data stored in the page memory 6 as described above is sequentially read out by the memory controller 7 and output to the JPEG codec 8. On the other hand, the JPEG codec 8 compresses the color image data input by the memory controller 7 using the JPEG method (S15).

  Subsequently, the control unit 2 determines whether the image of the document read by the document reading unit 3 is color or monochrome based on the determination result of the determination circuit 4 (S16). If it is determined that the read document image is in color (S16: color), a determination result indicating that the document image is in color is added to the header information created in S14 (S17). On the other hand, if it is determined that the document image is monochrome (S16: monochrome), a determination result indicating that the document image is monochrome is added to the header information created in S14 (S18).

  Then, the control unit 2 generates an image file by adding header information obtained by adding a color or monochrome discrimination result to the color image data compressed by the JPEG codec 8 by the JPEG method by the processing operation of S17 or S18. The image file is stored in the image memory 10 (S20). That is, the image memory 10 accumulates the image file generated by adding the determination result by the determination circuit 4 to the color image data read from the document by the document reading unit 3.

  As described above, when the image processing apparatus 1 is set to the auto color mode, the determination result for determining whether the image of the document is color or monochrome is added to the color image data of the read document. Since the generated image file is stored in the image memory 10, when the stored image file is transferred to the client PC 29 or printed by the printer 11, the determination result of the determination circuit 4 can be used effectively.

  FIG. 4 shows a case where an instruction for transferring an image file stored in the image memory 10 is issued from the client PC 29 in the state set to the auto color mode, that is, in a state set to execute the automatic color / monochrome discrimination function. 6 is a flowchart showing processing operations performed in the image processing apparatus 1.

  First, the control unit 2 determines whether or not there is a transfer request for the image file stored in the image memory 10 (S22). If it is determined that there is a transfer request for the image file (S22: YES), it is determined whether there is a color or monochrome designation in the transfer request (S23). If it is determined that there is no color or monochrome designation in the transfer request (S23: NO), the determination result is extracted from the header information of the image file for which the transfer request has been made (S24), and the extracted determination result is It is determined whether it is color or monochrome (S25). That is, with reference to the determination result included in the image file, it is determined whether the determination result is color or monochrome.

  If it is determined in S25 that the determination result is color (S25: color), the control unit 2 transfers the image file requested for transfer to the client PC 29 as it is (S26). That is, the image file stored in the image memory 10 is temporarily stored in the RAM 21 and then transferred to the client PC 29 by the interface circuit 25.

  Conversely, if the control unit 2 determines that the determination result is monochrome (S25: monochrome), the control unit 2 converts the color image data included in the requested image file into monochrome image data (S27), The converted monochrome image data is transferred to the client PC 29 (S28).

  Specifically, the control unit 2 extracts color image data from the image file of the image memory 10 that has been requested to transfer, and temporarily stores it in the RAM 21. The color image data stored in the RAM 21 is sequentially read and output to the JPEG codec 22. On the other hand, the JPEG codec 22 expands the input color image data by the JPEG method. The image processing circuit 23 performs color / monochrome conversion processing for converting the color image data into monochrome image data by extracting only the Y component from the color image data of the YCrCb color system expanded by the JPEG codec 22. Monochrome image data obtained by performing the conversion process is binarized by an error diffusion process or the like. The binary image codec 24 compresses the monochrome image data binarized by the image processing circuit 23 by, for example, the MMR method. The interface circuit 25 transfers the monochrome image data thus compressed by the binary image codec 24 to the client PC 29 on the LAN 28.

  As described above, the control unit 2 receives a transfer request for the image file stored in the image memory 10 from the client PC 29, refers to the determination result included in the image file, and determines that the determination result is color. The image file is transferred to the client PC 29 as it is, and when the determination result is monochrome, the color image data included in the image file is converted into monochrome image data by the image processing circuit 23 and transferred to the client PC 29.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the transfer request includes color or monochrome designation (S23: YES), the control unit 2 determines whether the designation is color (S29). If it is determined that the designation is color (S29: YES), the processing operation of S26 is performed. Conversely, if it is determined that the designation is not color, that is, monochrome (S29: NO), the processing operation from S27 is performed.

  As described above, the control unit 2 receives a transfer request for the image file stored in the image memory 10 from the client PC 29, and if the transfer request includes a color designation, transfers the image file to the client PC 29 as it is. When monochrome is specified in the transfer request, the color image data included in the image file is converted into monochrome image data by the image processing circuit 23 and transferred to the client PC 29.

  Therefore, even if a monochrome determination result is added even though the image of the color image data included in the image file is in color due to an erroneous determination by the determination circuit 4, the client PC 29 designates the color. By making a transfer request, color image data (image file) can be extracted from the image processing apparatus 1.

  5 and 6, there is a print start command for the image file stored in the image memory 10 in a state where the auto color mode is set, that is, in a state where the color / monochrome automatic discrimination function is set. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing operation performed in the image processing apparatus 1.

  The control unit 2 determines whether there is a print start command for the image file stored in the image memory 10 based on the presence or absence of a predetermined operation from the liquid crystal display device of the operation unit 12 or the display unit 13 (S31). If it is determined that a print start command has been issued (S31: YES), the discrimination result is extracted from the header information of the image file for which the print start command has been issued (S32), and the extracted discrimination result is color or monochrome. Is determined (S33). If it is determined that the determination result is color (S33: color), the color image data included in the image file is printed by the printer 11 (S34).

  Specifically, the JPEG codec 8 decompresses the color image data included in the image file stored in the image memory 10 using the JPEG method, and the memory controller 7 uses the multi-value decompressed by the JPEG codec 8. Color image data is temporarily stored in a multi-value area of the page memory 6. Then, the memory controller 7 sequentially reads the color image data stored in the page memory 6 and outputs it to the image processing unit 5. The image processing unit 5 performs color space conversion of multi-valued YCrCb color system color image data input by the memory controller 7 into CMYK color data, and binarizes the color data subjected to color space conversion. . Each color data binarized in this way is temporarily stored in the binary area of the page memory 6 by the memory controller 7 and then output to the printer 11 where it is color-printed on the paper.

  Then, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the printing process has been completed (S35). If it is determined that the printing process has not been completed (S35: NO), the control unit 2 determines that the printing process has been completed. The processing operation of S34 is continued.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 2 determines that the determination result is monochrome (S33: monochrome), the color image data contained in the image file stored in the image memory 10 is converted into monochrome image data and printed. (S36). Specifically, the JPEG codec 8 decompresses the color image data included in the image file stored in the image memory 10 by the JPEG method. The memory controller 7 temporarily stores the multi-value color image data expanded by the JPEG codec 8 in the multi-value area of the page memory 6. Then, the color image data stored in the page memory 6 is sequentially read and output to the image processing unit 5. On the other hand, the image processing unit 5 extracts only the Y component from the multi-value YCrCb color system color image data input by the memory controller 7, thereby converting the multi-value color image data into a multi-value monochrome image. Color / monochrome conversion to be converted into data is performed, and multi-value monochrome image data subjected to color / monochrome conversion is binarized. The binarized monochrome image data is temporarily stored in the binary area of the page memory 6 by the memory controller 7, then output to the printer 11, and monochrome printed on the paper by the printer 11.

  As described above, when the determination result included in the image file stored in the image memory 10 is color, the control unit 2 prints the color image data included in the image file with the printer 11, When the determination result is monochrome, the color image data included in the image file is converted into monochrome image data by the image processing unit 5 and printed by the printer 11.

  Then, the control unit 2 changes the printing process to stop printing monochrome image data and print color image data based on the presence or absence of a predetermined operation from the liquid crystal display device of the operation unit 12 or the display unit 13. It is determined whether or not an instruction to input is input (S37). If it is determined that there is no change command (S37: NO), it is determined whether or not the printing process is completed (S38). If it is determined that the printing process is not completed (S38: NO), the processing operation of S36 is continued until it is determined that the printing process is completed.

  Conversely, if the control unit 2 determines in S37 that an instruction to change printing processing to stop printing monochrome image data and print color image data is input (S37: YES), monochrome control in S36. Printing of the image data is stopped (S39), and the processing operations after S34 are performed.

  As described above, the control unit 2 causes the printer 11 to cancel the printing being executed when the printer 11 receives a change command while printing the monochrome image data, and before converting the monochrome image data to the monochrome image data for which printing has been stopped. The printer 11 is caused to execute printing of the color image data. Therefore, the image processing apparatus 1 does not reread the document when a predetermined operation for changing to color printing is performed by the user during monochrome printing based on the determination result of the determination circuit 4. The same original image can be printed in color.

  The configuration of the image processing apparatus 1 shown in the present embodiment is only one aspect of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and it is needless to say that the design can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention. Any device that has a function of determining whether an image of a document is color or monochrome can be realized as, for example, a multifunction machine having a copy function, a facsimile function, and the like.

  The present invention can be applied to, for example, an image processing apparatus having a function of determining whether an image of image data of a read original is color or monochrome.

It is the block diagram which showed the structural example of the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of the image processing apparatus when a document reading start command is issued. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of the image processing apparatus when a document reading start command is issued. 6 is a flowchart showing processing operations performed in the image processing apparatus when a transfer instruction for an image file stored in an image memory is issued from a client PC. 6 is a flowchart showing processing operations performed in the image processing apparatus when there is a print start command for an image file stored in an image memory. 6 is a flowchart showing processing operations performed in the image processing apparatus when there is a print start command for an image file stored in an image memory.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing apparatus 2 Control part (MPU)
3 Document Reading Unit 4 Discriminating Circuit 5 Image Processing Unit 10 Image Memory 11 Printer 23 Image Processing Circuit 24 Binary Image Codec 25 Interface Circuit 29 Client PC

Claims (3)

  Reading means for reading image data composed of a plurality of color components from the original regardless of whether the original image is color or not when the color / monochrome automatic discrimination function is designated, and whether the original image is color Or a determination unit for determining whether the image is monochrome, a storage unit for storing the image file generated by adding the determination result by the determination unit to the image data, and a transfer request for the image file from an external device, The determination result included in the image file is referred to. When the determination result is color, the image file is transferred to the external device. When the determination result is monochrome, the image file is included in the image file. 2. An image according to claim 1, further comprising transfer means for converting the image data into image data comprising a single color component and transferring the image data to the external device. Processing apparatus.   The transfer means receives the transfer request for the image file from the external device, and transfers the image file to the external device when the transfer request has a color specification, and the transfer request has a monochrome specification. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in some cases, the image data included in the image file is converted into image data composed of a single color component and transferred to the external apparatus.   Reading means for reading image data composed of a plurality of color components from the original regardless of whether the original image is color or not when the color / monochrome automatic discrimination function is designated, and whether the original image is color Included in the image file; a determination unit that determines whether the image is monochrome; a storage unit that stores the image file generated by adding the determination result of the determination unit to the image data including the plurality of color components; When the determination result is color, the image data composed of a plurality of color components included in the image file is printed, and when the determination result is monochrome, the image data is extracted from the plurality of color components included in the image file. Printing means for converting the image data into image data consisting of a single color component and printing, and the printing means changing the image data consisting of the single color component during printing. A control unit that, when instructed, causes the printing unit to stop printing being executed and causes the printing unit to print image data including the plurality of color components. Processing equipment.

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