JP2009141921A - Image processor, image processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor capable of obtaining a normal printing result by preventing a printing result different from an intended result from being outputted even when an output image is generated by using an overlay image which is a stored overlay image and in which logical operation processing with a background image is designated. <P>SOLUTION: An image processing program 30 operates on the image processor. The image processing program 30 has a data storing part 38 for storing an overlay image, and a drawing data generating part 36 for drawing an output image by overlaying an overlay image when the overlay image stored in the data storing part 38 is used without being subjected to logical operation with a background image, and performing processing different from drawing processing in which the overlay image is used when the overlay image stored in an image storing means is used by being subjected to logical operation with the background image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that draws an output image by overlaying overlay images.

  This type of image processing apparatus stores an overlay image drawn in advance and generates an output image using the stored overlay image when print data is received. Accordingly, since the overlay image drawing process is omitted, the output image is generated at a higher speed.

  In Patent Document 1, print data is switched by switching between a first drawing process for directly drawing overlay data on a page bitmap and a second drawing process for developing the overlay data on an overlay bitmap and copying it to the page bitmap. A method of drawing is disclosed.

JP 2002-67423 A

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, an output image generated using a stored overlay image may be different from an output image generated without using this overlay image.

  According to the present invention, even when an output image is generated using a stored overlay image and a logical operation process with a background image is specified, a print result different from the intended one is output. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of preventing and obtaining a normal printing result.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an image storage unit that stores an overlay image, and the overlay image stored in the image storage unit is not subjected to a logical operation with a background image. If it is an image to be used, the output image is drawn by superimposing the overlay image, and if the overlay image stored in the image storage means is an image used by performing a logical operation with a background image, the overlay image is used. And a drawing means for performing processing different from the drawing processing. According to the present invention, even when an output image is generated using an overlay image that is a stored overlay image and for which a logical operation process with a background image is specified, a print result different from the intended output is output. Can be prevented and a normal printing result can be obtained.

  Preferably, when the overlay image stored in the image storage device is an image used without being subjected to a logical operation with a background image, and the overlay image is first rendered on a page, The output image is drawn by superimposing the overlay image. According to the present invention, since the stored overlay image is used more frequently, the performance can be improved.

  Preferably, the drawing means is an image in which the overlay image stored in the image storage means is used without being subjected to a logical operation with a background image, and an image is formed in a region where the overlay image is drawn in an overlapping manner. When not drawn, the output image is drawn by overlaying the overlay image. According to the present invention, since the stored overlay image is used more frequently, the performance can be improved.

  Preferably, the drawing means is an image in which the overlay image stored in the image storage means is used without performing a logical operation with a background image, and an image drawn by superimposing the overlay image is output correctly. If it is not an image, the output image is drawn by superimposing the image portions in which at least one of the color components is drawn in the overlay image. According to the present invention, since the output image is drawn using at least a part of the stored overlay image, the performance can be improved.

  The second image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an image storage unit that stores an overlay image, and an overlay image stored in the image storage unit when the image drawn is a correct output image. The output image is drawn by overlapping the images, and the image drawn by overlaying the overlay image stored in the image storage means is not a correct output image, and the overlay image is used without being subjected to a logical operation with the background image. In the case of an image to be printed, an image is drawn by superimposing an image portion on which at least one color component of the overlay image is drawn, and an overlay image stored in the image storage unit is drawn. Is not a correct output image, and the overlay image is an image that is used by logical operation with the background image And a drawing means for performing processing different from the rendering process using the overlay image. According to the present invention, the stored overlay image is used even when the output image is generated using the stored overlay image and the logical operation processing with the background image is designated. It is possible to improve the performance by increasing the number of occasions to prevent the output of a print result different from the intended one and to obtain a normal print result.

  In a first image processing method according to the present invention, in an image processing apparatus having an image storage means for storing an overlay image, the stored overlay image is an image used without being subjected to a logical operation with a background image. If it is determined by the determination that the stored overlay image is an image that is used without being subjected to a logical operation with a background image, the overlay image is overlaid to draw an output image, and the storage When it is determined that the overlay image being used is an image used by performing a logical operation with the background image, processing different from the rendering processing using the overlay image is performed.

  In a second image processing method according to the present invention, in an image processing apparatus having image storage means for storing an overlay image, whether or not an image drawn by overlaying the stored overlay image is a correct output image. If it is determined by the determination that the image drawn by overlaying the stored overlay image is a correct output image, the output image is drawn by overlaying the overlay image, and the stored image If the image drawn by overlaying the existing overlay image is determined not to be a correct output image, and the overlay image is an image that is used without performing a logical operation with the background image, at least one of the overlay images Overlay the image part where the color component is drawn, draw the output image, and overlay the stored overlay image Is determined that there is not a correct output image image bounded, and the overlay image may be an image which is used is a background image and logical operation, it performs a process different from the rendering process using the overlay image.

  A first program according to the present invention is an image used in an image processing apparatus having a computer and an image storage means for storing an overlay image without performing a logical operation with the background image. A determination step for determining whether or not the stored overlay image is an image that is used without being subjected to a logical operation with a background image. A drawing step of drawing and performing a process different from the drawing process using the overlay image when it is determined that the stored overlay image is an image used by performing a logical operation with a background image. Let the computer of the device execute.

  In a second program according to the present invention, in an image processing apparatus having a computer and an image storage means for storing an overlay image, is the image drawn by superimposing the stored overlay image a correct output image? A determination step for determining whether or not, and if it is determined by the determination that an image drawn by overlaying the stored overlay image is a correct output image, the output image is drawn by overlaying the overlay image If it is determined that the image drawn by overlaying the stored overlay image is not a correct output image, and the overlay image is an image that is used without being subjected to logical operation with the background image, the overlay image An output image is drawn by superimposing an image portion on which at least one of the color components is drawn, and the stored image If the image drawn by overlaying the overlay image is determined not to be a correct output image, and the overlay image is an image used by performing a logical operation with the background image, a drawing process using the overlay image Causes the computer of the image processing apparatus to execute a drawing step for performing different processes.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, even when an output image is generated using a stored overlay image and a logical operation process with a background image is designated, printing different from the intended print It is possible to prevent a result from being output and obtain a normal print result.

First, the background of the present invention will be described.
In many cases, an image processing apparatus first draws an overlay image and then draws variable page data to generate an output image. The image processing apparatus may use a plurality of overlay images in a page, or may use an overlay image corresponding to the page data after drawing the page data. Therefore, variable page data and overlay images, or overlay images may overlap.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an output result generated using a stored overlay image and a page image based on variable page data.
FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating overlay images 1 to 4 and a page image used for generating an output image for one page. As shown in FIG. 1A, the overlay image 1 is a hatched background image, the overlay image 2 is a table ruled line image, and the overlay images 3 and 4 are advertisement images. Here, the frame of the overlay image 2 is an image area that is not designated white, the overlay image 3 is an image that is designated white, and the overlay image 4 is an image drawn in a predetermined color. It is. A page image is an image drawn based on variable page data.

  Overlay image 1 is first superimposed on the output image and combined, and then the page image is superimposed and drawn. After the page image is drawn, overlay images 2 to 4 are further superimposed and combined in random order.

  1B to 1D show the generated output results 1 to 3. FIG. The output result 1 shown in FIG. 1B is a correct output result. As shown in FIG. 1B, character information such as numerical values is drawn in the frame of the overlay image 2, and the overlay images 3 and 4 are drawn in correct colors.

  The output result 2 shown in FIG. 1C shows an output result obtained by overlaying the overlay images 1 to 4 and combining them by the overwrite pasting method. As shown in FIG. 1C, in the output result 2, the character information included in the page image disappears because the overlay image 2 is overwritten and overlaid. As described above, when overlay images are overwritten, information existing in the overwritten area is erased.

  An output result 3 shown in FIG. 1D shows an output result in which overlay images 1 to 4 are superimposed and synthesized by the transparent pasting method. As shown in FIG. 1D, in the output result 3, the overlay images 3 and 4 are watermarked and overlapped, so that in the image area of the overlay image 3, the background color covers the white portion. In the image area 4, the color of the advertisement image changes depending on the background color. As described above, when the overlay image is overlaid and watermarked, information existing in the overlapped area does not disappear, but the background color and the color of the overlay image are mixed.

  The print data may include ROP (Rater Operation) designation. When the ROP designation is included, a logical operation process is performed when two or more drawing objects are overlapped. For example, logical operation processing such as AND, OR, NOT, and XOR is performed between the background image and the overlay image.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an image generated by performing a logical operation on a background image and a stored overlay image. FIG. 2A shows a case where the background image is black. (B) shows a case where the background image is white, and FIG. 2 (C) shows a case where the background image is red. The logical operation is an exclusive OR (XOR) operation. The color space is an RGB color space, and the overlay image is an image in which the letter “A” is drawn in red on a yellow background.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, when the XOR operation is performed between the background image (black) and the overlay image, the color of the image portion in which the overlay image is logically operated in the output result is the color before the operation. Same as the color of the overlay image.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, when the XOR operation is performed between the background image (white) and the overlay image, the color of the image portion in the output image is the color of the overlay image before the operation. It will change to a different color. Specifically, the background color of the image portion changes to blue, and the color of the letter A changes to light blue.

  As shown in FIG. 2C, when the XOR operation is performed between the background image (red) and the overlay image, the color of the image portion in the output image is the color of the overlay image before the operation. It will change to a different color. Specifically, the background color of the image portion is changed to green, and the color of the letter A is changed to black.

As described above, when ROP is specified in the print data, the output result differs depending on what data exists in the background of the newly written object. Therefore, when the ROP designation requires a logical operation with the background data and is included in the print data, the overlay image is expanded depending on the presence or absence of the drawing data present in the image area where the overlay image is expanded. Output results are different. For this reason, when such ROP designation is made, a drawn overlay image cannot be used, and redrawing is necessary.
Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

First, an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 including the image processing apparatus 12 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image processing apparatus 12 and a printing unit 28 that prints an image generated by the image processing apparatus 12. The image processing apparatus 12 includes a CPU 14, a memory 16, a storage device 18 such as a hard disk drive, a user interface (UI) device 20, a communication interface (IF) 22, and a printing IF 24. These components are connected via a bus 26.

  The UI device 20 includes, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display and an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse. The UI device 20 may be configured with a touch panel. The communication IF 22 performs data communication with an external computer via a network (not shown). The printing IF 24 outputs image data to the printing unit 28.

  For example, the printing unit 28 includes printing means corresponding to each color component of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The printing unit may be realized by an electrophotographic method or an ink jet method.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image processing program 30 that runs on the CPU 14 and implements the image processing method by the image processing apparatus 12 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 4, the image processing program 30 includes a reception unit 32, a data distribution unit 34, drawing data generation units 36C, 36M, 36Y, and 36K, and data storage units 38C, 38M, 38Y, and 38K. Note that all or part of the functions of the image processing program 30 may be realized by hardware provided in the image processing apparatus 12.

  In the image processing program 30, the receiving unit 32 receives print data transmitted from an external host computer (not shown) via the communication IF 22. In the print data, characters, graphics, images, and the like are described in a predetermined page description language (PDL). The receiving unit 32 outputs the received print data to the data distribution unit 34. The receiving unit 32 may receive print data read via a recording medium such as a CD or a DVD.

  The print data includes at least one of resource data and page data. The resource data is data for drawing a reusable image such as an overlay image. The resource data may include an ROP designation. The page data is variable data for drawing each page image, such as numerical values, characters, symbols, and the like.

  The data distribution unit 34 distributes the print data to the drawing data generation units 36C, 36M, 36Y, and 36K.

  The drawing data generation units 36C, 36M, 36Y, and 36K draw a binary image of each color component based on the print data, and generate binary image data. For example, the drawing data generation unit 36C generates binary image data related to cyan. The drawing data generation units 36C, 36M, 36Y, and 36K output the generated binary image data to the printing units 28C, 28M, 28Y, and 28K for each page. The drawing data generation units 36C, 36M, 36Y, and 36K store binary images (overlay images) generated based on the resource data in the data storage units 38C, 38M, 38Y, and 38K.

  The drawing data generation units 36C, 36M, 36Y, and 36K will be described in detail later. Further, hereinafter, when any one of a plurality of components such as the drawing data generation units 36C, 36M, 36Y, and 36K is indicated without being specified, the drawing data generation unit 36 may be simply abbreviated.

  The data storage units 38C, 38M, 38Y, and 38K store binary image data of each color component generated by the drawing data generation units 36C, 36M, 36Y, and 36K. More specifically, the data storage unit 38 stores an overlay image. The data storage unit 38 is realized by at least one of the memory 16 and the storage device 18.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the drawing data generation units 36C, 36M, 36Y, and 36K.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the drawing data generation unit 36 includes a data reception unit 360, a drawing control unit 362, a determination unit 364, an overlay management table 366, and a temporary storage unit 368.
In the drawing data generation unit 36, the data reception unit 360 receives the print data distributed by the data distribution unit 34 and outputs it to the drawing control unit 362.

  The overlay management table 366 is a table in which information for managing overlay images is stored. The overlay management table 366 is stored in at least one of the memory 16 and the storage device 18. The overlay management table 366 will be described later in detail.

  The temporary storage unit 368 stores a binary image in the process of being drawn by a drawing control unit 362 described later. For example, the temporary storage unit 368 stores an overlay image being generated, an output image, and the like. Note that the binary image stored in the temporary storage unit 368 is deleted at a predetermined opportunity.

  The determination unit 364 determines whether or not the image drawn by superimposing the stored overlay image is a correct output image. In the present embodiment, the determination unit 364 determines whether or not the overlay image stored in the data storage unit 38 is an image used by performing a logical operation on the background image. Specifically, when the overlay image is an image used by performing a logical operation on the background image, the determination unit 364 determines that the image drawn by overlaying the overlay image is not a correct output image, and the overlay image If the image is used without being subjected to a logical operation with the background image, it is determined that the image drawn by overlaying the overlay image is a correct output image. If the image drawn by overlaying the stored overlay image is the correct output image, the overlay image can be used without affecting the output image.

  The determination unit 364 further determines whether or not the stored overlay image is first drawn on the page, so that whether or not the image drawn by overlaying the overlay image is a correct output image. It may be determined. Specifically, when the stored overlay image is an image that is used without being subjected to a logical operation with the background image, and the overlay image is first drawn on the page, the determination unit 364 The image drawn by overlaying the overlay image is determined to be a correct output image. For example, the determination unit 364 determines that the overlay image is first drawn on the page when the drawing instruction / command other than the overlay development instruction is not processed for the page.

  The drawing control unit 362 controls other components included in the drawing data generation unit 36 and draws an image based on the print data received by the data receiving unit 360. More specifically, when the print data includes resource data, the drawing control unit 362 draws an overlay image based on the resource data and stores it in the data storage unit 38. In addition, the drawing control unit 362 assigns an overlay ID to the overlay image, and registers data for managing the overlay image in the overlay management table 366.

  When the print data includes page data, the drawing control unit 362 draws a page image based on the page data, generates an output image, and outputs the output image data to the printing unit 28 for each page. To do. Here, the drawing control unit 362 sequentially analyzes instructions / commands included in the print data to generate an output image.

  When the overlay development instruction is included in the print data, the drawing control unit 362 causes the determination unit 364 to execute the above determination process and receives the determination result. When the drawing control unit 362 receives a result indicating that the image drawn by overlaying the stored overlay image is a correct output image, the drawing control unit 362 refers to the overlay management table 366 and stores it in the data storage unit 38. The overlay image is read out, and the output image is drawn by superimposing the overlay image. Here, the drawing control unit 362 may superimpose the overlay image by the overwrite pasting method or the transparent pasting method.

  On the other hand, when receiving a result indicating that the image drawn by overlaying the stored overlay image is not a correct output image, the drawing control unit 362 draws using the overlay image stored in the data storage unit 38. A process different from the process is performed. More specifically, the drawing control unit 362 reads the resource data corresponding to the overlay image stored in the data storage unit 38, redraws the overlay image, and draws the output image. .

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the contents stored in the overlay management table 366.
As shown in FIG. 6, the overlay management table 366 includes an identifier (overlay ID) for identifying an overlay image, a storage address of binary image (overlay image) data corresponding to the overlay ID, and the binary image. Data including a storage destination address of resource data corresponding to the data and an ROP flag is stored.

  In the present embodiment, the ROP flag indicates whether or not the overlay image is an image used by performing a logical operation with the background image. For example, when the ROP flag is 0, the overlay image is an image that is used without performing a logical operation with the background image. Also, for example, when the ROP flag is 1, the overlay image is an image that is used after being logically calculated with the background image.

Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus 12 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of image processing (S10) executed when the image processing apparatus 12 according to the embodiment of the present invention receives resource data.
As shown in FIG. 7, in step 100 (S100), the reception unit 32 of the image processing program 30 receives the transmitted resource data via the communication IF 22.
In step 102 (S102), the data distribution unit 34 distributes the resource data to the drawing data generation units 36C, 36M, 36Y, and 36K.

  In step 104 (S104), the data reception unit 360 of the drawing data generation unit 36 receives resource data, and the drawing control unit 362 interprets instructions / commands included in the resource data, and the drawing target image is an overlay image. It is determined whether or not there is. If the drawing target image is an overlay image, the drawing control unit 362 proceeds to the process of S106. On the other hand, when the drawing target image is not an overlay image, the drawing control unit 362 performs predetermined processing and ends the image processing.

  In step 106 (S106), the drawing control unit 362 initializes the ROP flag. Specifically, the drawing control unit 362 sets the ROP flag to 0.

In step 108 (S108), the drawing control unit 362 stores the resource data in the data storage unit 38.
In step 110 (S110), the drawing control unit 362 determines whether the instruction / command included in the resource data is overlay end data. The drawing control unit 362 proceeds to the process of S118 when the instruction / command is the overlay end data, and proceeds to the process of S112 otherwise.

  In step 112 (S112), the drawing control unit 362 performs RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing based on the resource data to draw an overlay image. Specifically, the drawing control unit 362 interprets resource data and develops an image bitmap.

  In step 114 (S114), the drawing control unit 362 determines whether or not ROP designation for performing logical operation processing with the background data is included. The drawing control unit 362 proceeds to the process of S116 when the ROP designation is included, and returns to the process of S108 otherwise.

  In step 116 (S116), the drawing control unit 362 sets the ROP flag. Specifically, the drawing control unit 362 sets the ROP flag to 1. Thereafter, the drawing control unit 362 returns to the process of S108.

In step 118 (S118), the drawing control unit 362 stores the drawn overlay image in the data storage unit 38.
In step 120 (S120), the drawing control unit 362 registers the data related to the drawn overlay image, the data related to the resource data corresponding to the overlay image, and the ROP flag in the overlay management table 366.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of image processing (S20) executed when the image processing apparatus 12 according to the embodiment of the present invention receives page data.
As shown in FIG. 8, in step 200 (S200), the receiving unit 32 of the image processing program 30 receives the transmitted page data via the communication IF 22.
In step 202 (S202), the data distribution unit 34 distributes the page data to the drawing data generation units 36C, 36M, 36Y, and 36K.

  In step 204 (S204), the data reception unit 360 of the drawing data generation unit 36 receives page data, and the drawing control unit 362 interprets instructions / commands included in the page data, and the instructions / commands are overlay development instructions. It is determined whether or not there is. When the instruction command is an overlay development instruction, the drawing control unit 362 performs an overlay development process (S30) described later to draw an output image, and proceeds to the process of S208. On the other hand, when the instruction / command is not an overlay development instruction, the drawing control unit 362 proceeds to the process of S206.

In step 206 (S206), the drawing control unit 362 performs RIP processing based on the page data and draws an output image.
In step 208 (S208), the drawing control unit 362 interprets the page data and determines whether the generation of the output image for one page has been completed. The drawing control unit 362 proceeds to the process of S210 when the generation of the output image for one page is finished, and returns to the process of S204 otherwise.

  In step 210 (S210), the drawing control unit 362 outputs the generated output image data for one page to the printing unit 28. The printing units 28C, 28M, 28Y, and 28K print output images corresponding to the respective color components on a recording medium such as paper based on the output image data.

  In step 212 (S212), the drawing control unit 362 determines whether generation of output images for all pages included in the page data has been completed. The drawing control unit 362 ends the process when the generation of output images for all pages is completed, and returns to the process of S204 to perform the process for the next page.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of overlay development processing (S30) in the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 9, in step 300 (S300), the determination unit 364 of the drawing data generation unit 36 is an image that is used without the logical operation of the overlay image stored in the data storage unit 38 and the background image. It is determined whether or not. Specifically, the determination unit 364 refers to the overlay management table 366 and determines whether or not the ROP flag of the overlay image is 0. When the ROP flag is 0, the drawing data generation unit 36 proceeds to the process of S302, and when the ROP flag is 1, the process proceeds to the process of S306 and performs a process different from the process of S304.

  In step 302 (S302), the determination unit 364 of the drawing data generation unit 36 determines whether the overlay image stored in the data storage unit 38 is an image that is first drawn on the page. The drawing data generation unit 36 proceeds to the process of S304 when the overlay image is first drawn on the page, otherwise proceeds to the process of S306 and performs a process different from the process of S304. .

  In step 304 (S304), the drawing control unit 362 reads the overlay image stored in the data storage unit 38, and pastes the overlay image into the partial image region that is the target of the overlay process in the output image and composes it. Then, the process ends.

In step 306 (S306), the drawing control unit 362 starts reading the resource data stored in the data storage unit 38.
In step 308 (S308), the drawing control unit 362 reads the stored resource data.

In step 310 (S310), the drawing control unit 362 performs RIP processing based on the resource data to draw an overlay image on the output image.
In step 312 (S312), the drawing control unit 362 determines whether or not drawing of the overlay image has ended. If drawing has ended, the process ends. If not, the process returns to step S308.

Next, an image processing apparatus 12 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The image processing apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment is based on the first embodiment in that it further determines whether or not an image has already been drawn in the partial image region that is the target of the overlay image overlay process in the output image. This is different from the image processing apparatus 12.

  In the present embodiment, in the drawing data generation unit 36 of the image processing program 30, the determination unit 364 determines whether or not an image is drawn in an area where the overlay image stored in the data storage unit 38 is drawn. By further determining, it is determined whether or not an image drawn by overlaying the overlay image is a correct output image. Specifically, the determination unit 364 is an image in which the stored overlay image is used without being subjected to a logical operation with the background image, and even when the overlay image is not first rendered on the page. When an image is not drawn in a region where the overlay image is overlaid, it is determined that the image drawn with the overlay image overlaid is a correct output image.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of overlay development processing (S40) in the present embodiment. Note that, among the processes shown in FIG. 10, substantially the same processes as those shown in FIG. 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
As illustrated in FIG. 10, when the determination unit 364 of the drawing data generation unit 36 determines in the process of S302 that the overlay image is not initially drawn on the page, the drawing data generation unit 36 performs S400. Proceed to the process.

  In step 400 (S400), the determination unit 364 calculates a partial image region to be subjected to overlay processing of the overlay image in the output image based on an overlay development instruction or the like.

  In step 402 (S402), the determination unit 364 refers to, for example, output image data being generated stored in the temporary storage unit 368, and checks whether or not a bit is set for each pixel in the partial image region. To do. When the bit is set, an image is drawn with at least one of the color components on the pixel.

  In step 404 (S404), the determination unit 364 determines whether or not the bit is 0 in any color component in all the pixels of the partial image region. The drawing data generation unit 36 proceeds to the processing of S304 when the bit is 0 in any color component, and proceeds to the processing of S306 otherwise.

  Therefore, even when the overlay image is not initially drawn on the page, if the image is not yet drawn in the area, the overlay control unit 362 superimposes the overlay image on the output image in step S304. The image is pasted on the partial image area to be subjected to the alignment process.

Next, an image processing apparatus 12 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The image processing apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment manages the coordinates at which the overlay image is drawn using mask data, and the stored overlay image is an image that is used without being subjected to a logical operation with the background image. If it is determined that the image drawn by overlaying the overlay image is not the correct output image, the output image is drawn by superimposing the image portion in which at least one of the color components of the stored overlay image is drawn This is different from the image processing apparatus 12 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, in the drawing data generation unit 36 of the image processing program 30, the drawing control unit 362 further sends the mask data corresponding to the overlay image to the data storage unit 38 when the print data includes resource data. save. The mask data is a collection of bits corresponding to each pixel included in the overlay image. For example, when at least one of the color components is drawn for a predetermined pixel of the overlay image, the mask data corresponding to this pixel is “1”; otherwise, it is “0”.

  When drawing the overlay image, the drawing control unit 362 initializes all bits of the mask data with 0, and sets the mask data corresponding to the drawn pixel to 1. In addition, the drawing control unit 362 further registers the storage address of the mask data in the overlay management table 366.

  The drawing control unit 362 determines that an image drawn by overlaying the overlay image is not a correct output image even though the stored overlay image is an image that is used without being subjected to a logical operation with the background image. If it is determined by 364, an output image is drawn by superimposing an image portion (a pixel having mask data of 1) on which at least one of the color components of the overlay image stored in the data storage unit 38 is drawn.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the contents stored in the overlay management table 366.
As shown in FIG. 11, the overlay management table 366 further stores a mask data storage destination address in addition to the items shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of image processing (S50) executed when the image processing apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment receives resource data. Of the processes shown in FIG. 12, the same reference numerals are assigned to the processes substantially the same as those shown in FIG.
As illustrated in FIG. 12, the resource data is received by the reception unit 32 and distributed to each drawing data generation unit 36 in the processing of S <b> 100 to S <b> 102. Further, in the process of S104, it is determined whether or not the drawing target image is an overlay image.

  When the drawing target image is an overlay image, in step 500 (S500), the drawing control unit 362 of the drawing data generation unit 36 secures an area for mask data in the data storage unit 38, and sets each bit of the mask data. Initialize with 0.

When an overlay image is drawn in the process of S112, the drawing control unit 362 sets the mask data corresponding to the drawn pixel to 1 in step 502 (S502).
Further, when the overlay image is saved in the process of S118, in step 504 (S504), the drawing control unit 362 displays data on the drawn overlay image, data on resource data corresponding to the overlay image, and mask data. Data relating to the storage destination and the ROP flag are registered in the overlay management table 366.

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart of overlay development processing (S60) in the present embodiment. Note that, among the processes shown in FIG. 13, substantially the same processes as those shown in FIG. 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
As illustrated in FIG. 13, when it is determined in the process of S <b> 404 that a bit is set in any pixel in the partial image region that is an overlay image target in the output image, the image processing program 30. The drawing data generation unit 36 proceeds to the process of S600.

In step 600 (S600), the drawing control unit 362 of the drawing data generation unit 36 reads the overlay image and its mask data stored in the data storage unit 38.
In step 602 (S602), the drawing control unit 362 combines the pixel of the read overlay image with the pixel whose mask data bit is 1 in the partial image region to be superimposed in the output image. Then, the overlay development process ends.

Next, an image processing apparatus 12 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The image processing apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment determines whether or not an image drawn by superimposing a stored overlay image is a correct output image. If the image is not a correct output image, the overlay image Is different from the image processing apparatus 12 according to the first to third embodiments in that it is determined whether or not is an image used without being subjected to a logical operation with respect to the background image.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the background image data of the partial image region that is the target of overlay processing of the overlay image in the output image coincides with the initial background image data of the page during overlay development. That is, no color component is drawn in the partial image area (for example, all pixel values are “0”). In addition, even when a predetermined color correction process is performed on the initial background image data, for example, when colored paper is used, the matching condition with the initial background image data is satisfied. .

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of overlay development processing (S70) in the present embodiment. 14 that are substantially the same as those shown in FIG. 13 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
As shown in FIG. 14, in the process of S300, a bit is set in any pixel of any color component of the partial image region that is the target of the overlay image overlay process in the output image in the process of S404. If it is determined that, it is executed.

  In the process of S300, the drawing data generation unit 36 proceeds to the process of S600 when the ROP flag is 0, and proceeds to the process of S306 when the ROP flag is 1, and is different from the processes of S600 and S602. Process.

  Therefore, even when the ROP flag is 1, in either the case where the overlay image is first drawn on the page or the case where the image is not yet drawn in the area, the overlay image is The drawing control unit 362 pastes the image on the partial image area to be subjected to the overlay process in the output image.

It is a figure which illustrates the output result produced | generated using the stored overlay image and the page image based on variable page data. FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an image generated by performing a logical operation on a background image and a stored overlay image. FIG. 2A shows a case where the background image is black, and FIG. FIG. 2C shows a case where the background image is red. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 including an image processing apparatus 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image processing program 30 that implements the image processing method by the image processing apparatus 12 according to the embodiment of the present invention and operates on the CPU 14. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of drawing data generation part 36C, 36M, 36Y, 36K. It is a figure which shows the content memorize | stored in the overlay management table 366 in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 6 shows a flowchart of image processing (S10) executed when the image processing apparatus 12 according to the first embodiment of the present invention receives resource data. 5 shows a flowchart of image processing (S20) executed when the image processing apparatus 12 according to the first embodiment of the present invention receives page data. 6 shows a flowchart of overlay development processing (S30) by the image processing apparatus 12 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 6 shows a flowchart of overlay development processing (S40) by the image processing apparatus 12 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the content memorize | stored in the overlay management table 366 in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart of the image process (S50) performed when the image processing apparatus 12 which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention receives resource data is shown. 10 shows a flowchart of overlay development processing (S60) by an image processing apparatus 12 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 10 shows a flowchart of overlay development processing (S70) by an image processing apparatus 12 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Image processing apparatus 14 CPU
16 Memory 18 Storage device 20 UI device 22 Communication IF
24 Print IF
28 Printing section 30 Image processing program 32 Reception section 34 Data distribution section 36 Drawing data generation section 38 Data storage section 360 Data reception section 362 Drawing control section 364 Determination section 366 Overlay management table 368 Temporary storage section

Claims (9)

Image storage means for storing an overlay image;
When the overlay image stored in the image storage means is an image used without being subjected to a logical operation with the background image, the overlay image is drawn by superimposing the overlay image, and the overlay image stored in the image storage means An image processing apparatus comprising: a drawing unit that performs a process different from the drawing process using the overlay image when is an image used by performing a logical operation with the background image. When the overlay image stored in the image storage unit is an image that is used without being subjected to a logical operation with a background image, and the overlay image is first rendered on a page, the drawing unit stores the overlay image The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output image is drawn in an overlapping manner. The drawing means is an image in which the overlay image stored in the image storage means is used without being subjected to a logical operation with a background image, and no image is drawn in a region where the overlay image is drawn overlappingly The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output image is drawn by overlapping the overlay image. The drawing unit is an image in which the overlay image stored in the image storage unit is an image used without being subjected to a logical operation with a background image, and the image drawn by overlaying the overlay image is not a correct output image The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an output image is drawn by superimposing image portions on which at least one of the color components of the overlay image is drawn. Image storage means for storing an overlay image;
When the image drawn by overlaying the overlay image stored in the image storage means is a correct output image, the output image is drawn by overlapping the overlay image, and the overlay image stored in the image storage means is An image in which at least one of the color components of the overlay image is drawn when the image drawn in a superimposed manner is not a correct output image and the overlay image is an image that is used without performing a logical operation with the background image The output image is drawn by superimposing the parts, and the image drawn by overlaying the overlay image stored in the image storage means is not a correct output image, and the overlay image is logically operated with the background image and used. If it is an image, it has a drawing means for performing processing different from the drawing processing using the overlay image. Image processing device. In an image processing apparatus having image storage means for storing an overlay image,
Determining whether the stored overlay image is an image used without a logical operation with a background image;
When it is determined by the determination that the stored overlay image is an image that is used without performing a logical operation with the background image, an output image is drawn by superimposing the overlay image, and the stored overlay image An image processing method that performs a process different from the drawing process using the overlay image when it is determined that is an image that is logically operated on the background image and used. In an image processing apparatus having image storage means for storing an overlay image,
Determining whether the image drawn by overlaying the stored overlay image is a correct output image;
If it is determined by the determination that the image drawn by overlaying the stored overlay image is a correct output image, the output image is drawn by overlaying the overlay image, and the stored overlay image is If it is determined that the image to be overlaid is not a correct output image, and the overlay image is an image used without being subjected to a logical operation with the background image, at least one of the color components of the overlay image is rendered An output image is drawn by superimposing the image portion to be processed, and it is determined that the image drawn by overlaying the stored overlay image is not a correct output image, and the overlay image is logically calculated with the background image An image processing method for performing processing different from the rendering processing using the overlay image when the image is used . In an image processing apparatus having a computer and image storage means for storing an overlay image,
A determination step of determining whether or not the stored overlay image is an image used without being subjected to a logical operation with a background image;
When it is determined by the determination that the stored overlay image is an image that is used without performing a logical operation with the background image, an output image is drawn by superimposing the overlay image, and the stored overlay image A program that causes the computer of the image processing apparatus to execute a drawing step of performing processing different from the drawing processing using the overlay image when it is determined that the image is a logical image and used for the background image. In an image processing apparatus having a computer and image storage means for storing an overlay image,
A determination step of determining whether an image drawn by overlaying the stored overlay image is a correct output image;
If it is determined by the determination that the image drawn by overlaying the stored overlay image is a correct output image, the output image is drawn by overlaying the overlay image, and the stored overlay image is If it is determined that the image to be overlaid is not a correct output image, and the overlay image is an image used without being subjected to a logical operation with the background image, at least one of the color components of the overlay image is rendered An output image is drawn by superimposing the image portion to be processed, and it is determined that the image drawn by overlaying the stored overlay image is not a correct output image, and the overlay image is logically calculated with the background image If it is an image to be used, a drawing step for performing processing different from the drawing processing using the overlay image The program to be executed by the computer of the image processing apparatus.

Images