IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract

An image processing apparatus processes vector image data in units of blocks. When vector image data associated with a first block satisfies a predetermined condition, the image processing apparatus stores the result of processing the vector image data associated with the first block. When vector image data associated with a second block matches the vector image data associated with the first block, the image processing apparatus outputs the result of processing the vector image data associated with the first block, which is stored therein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus, according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary image, according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows exemplary vector image vector image data generated by describing the image shown in FIG. 2 in PDL, according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows exemplary block vector image data generated by describing a tile of the image divided into tiles in PDL, according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows exemplary objects included in the tile of the image divided into tiles, according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows exemplary objects included in a strip of the image divided into strips, according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows exemplary block vector image data generated by describing the strip of the image divided into strips in PDL, according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of exemplary operation of a controller, according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows another exemplary image, according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows exemplary block vector image data generated by describing the image shown in FIG. 9 in PDL, according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows exemplary block vector image data generated by describing a tile of the image divided into tiles in PDL, according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows exemplary objects included in the tile of the image divided into tiles, according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows exemplary objects included in a strip of the image divided into strips, according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows exemplary block vector image data generated by describing the strip of the image divided into strips in PDL, according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of another exemplary operation of the controller, according to an aspect of the present invention.

Claims

1. An image processing apparatus configured to process second vector image data associated with a first block of first vector image data, the apparatus comprising: a processing unit configured to process the second vector image data;a determination unit configured to determine whether the second vector image data satisfies a predetermined condition;a storage unit configured to store a result of processing the second vector image data determined to satisfy the predetermined condition; andan output unit configured to output the result of processing the second vector image data when the second vector image data matches third vector image data associated with a second block of the first vector image data.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether the number of objects included in the second vector image data satisfies the predetermined condition, and wherein the storage unit stores the result of processing the second vector image data that the number of objects satisfies the predetermined condition.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether the shape of an object included in the second vector image data satisfies the predetermined condition, and wherein the storage unit stores the result of processing the second vector image data determined to have the shape of the object which satisfies the predetermined condition.

4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether the third vector image data satisfies a predetermined condition, and wherein, when the second vector image data matches the third vector image data to satisfy the predetermined condition, the output unit outputs the result of processing the second vector image data.

5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a dividing unit configured to divide the first vector image data into the second vector image data and the third vector image data.

6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an input unit configured to receive input of the second vector image data and the third vector image data, wherein, in accordance with the input of the second image data to the input unit, the output unit outputs the result of processing the second vector image data, andwherein, in accordance with the input of the third vector image data matching the second vector image data to the input unit, the output unit outputs the result of processing the second vector image data.

7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit processes the third vector image data, and wherein, when the second vector image data does not match the third vector image data, the output unit outputs a result of processing the third vector image data.

8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit processes the third vector image data, wherein the determination unit determines whether the third vector image data satisfies a predetermined condition, andwherein the output unit outputs a result of processing the third vector image data determined by the determination unit not to satisfy the predetermined condition.

9. An image processing method for processing second vector image data associated with a first block of first vector image data, the method comprising: processing the second vector image data;determining whether the second vector image data satisfies a predetermined condition;storing a result of processing the second vector image data determined to satisfy the predetermined condition; andoutputting the result of processing the second vector image data when the second vector image data matches third vector image data associated with a second block of the first vector image data.

10. The image processing method according to claim 9, wherein it is determined whether the number of objects included in the second vector image data satisfies the predetermined condition, and wherein the result of processing the second vector image data of which the number of objects satisfies the stored predetermined condition.

11. The image processing method according to claim 9, wherein it is determined in the determination step whether the shape of an object included in the second vector image data satisfies the predetermined condition, and wherein the result of processing the second vector image data that the shape of the object satisfies the stored predetermined condition.

12. The image processing method according to claim 9, wherein it is determined whether the third vector image data satisfies a predetermined condition, and wherein, when the second vector image data matches the third vector image data determined to satisfy the predetermined condition, the result of processing the second vector image data is output.

13. The image processing method according to claim 9, further comprising dividing the first vector image data into the second vector image data and the third vector image data.

14. The image processing method according to claim 9, further comprising receiving input of the second vector image data and the third vector image data, wherein, in accordance with the input of the second image data, the result of processing the second vector image data is output; andwherein, in accordance with the input of the third vector image data matching the second vector image data, the result of processing the second vector image data is output.

15. The image processing method according to claim 9, wherein the third vector image data is processed, and wherein, when the second vector image data does not match the third vector image data, a result of processing the third vector image data is output.

16. The image processing method according to claim 9, wherein the third vector image data is processed, wherein it is determined whether the third vector image data satisfies a predetermined condition, andwherein a result of processing the third vector image data determined that does not satisfy the predetermined condition is output.