Patent Application
20080062483
The embodiment will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
The color image input apparatus 1 is the scanner that contains, for example, CCD (Charged Coupled Device), and reads a reflection light image from a manuscript image as the analog signal of RGB and outputs the read RGB signal to the color image processing apparatus 2. Also, the color image output apparatus 3 is the image forming unit that uses an electron imaging method or an inkjet method that outputs the image data of the manuscript image onto a record paper. Also, the color image output apparatus 3 may be the displaying apparatus, such as a display or the like. The page numbers based on the input order are given to the manuscript images read by the color image input apparatus 1, and they are correlated to the page numbers and stored once in an image memory (not shown) and held until the completion of the predetermined process in the color image processing apparatus 2.
The color image processing apparatus 2 is provided with CPU, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and the like.
An A/D conversion section 20 converts the RGB signal, which is inputted from the color image input apparatus 1, into a digital signal of, for example, 10 bits and then outputs the RGB signal after the conversion to a shading correction section 21.
The shading correction section 21 performs a correcting process, which removes the various distortions generated in an illuminating system, an image forming system, an image sensing system and the like in the color image input apparatus 1, on the input RGB signal. Also, the shading correction section 21 adjusts a color balance and outputs the RGB signal after the adjustment to an ACS (Automatic Color Section) process section 22.
The ACS process section 22 judges whether the manuscript is the color manuscript or the monochrome manuscript, in accordance with the RGB signal inputted from the shading correction section 21 (namely, the pixel value of each pixel of the image obtained by reading the manuscript, an R value, a G value and a B value). The judgment result is outputted to an input gradation correction section 23, a color correction section 24, a segmentation process section 25 and a black generation and under color removal section 26. Also, the ACS process section 22 outputs the RGB signal inputted from the shading correction section 21 to the input gradation correction section 23. The detail of the ACS process section 22 will be described later.
The input gradation correction section 23 performs a process for adjusting the color balance on the input RGB signal (a reflection factor signal of RGB) and also performs an image quality adjusting process such as a removal of a base concentration or a contrast and outputs the CMY signal after the processing to the color correction section 24.
The color correction section 24 performs a color correction on the input CMY signal, on the basis of the property of the color image output apparatus 3 and outputs the CMY signal after the correction to the segmentation process section 25. Specifically, the color correction section 24 carries out a process for removing the color turbidity in accordance with the spectral characteristic of a CMY color material that includes an unnecessary absorption component, for the sake of the faithfulness of color reproduction.
The segmentation process section 25 separates each pixel in the input image into any of a character region, a network point region, a photo region, in accordance with the input CMY signal. The segmentation process section 25 outputs a region identification signal for indicating the region to which each pixel belongs, to the black generation and under color removal section 26, a spatial filter process section 27 and a tone reproduction process section 29, in accordance with the separation result. Also, the segmentation process section 25 outputs the input CMY signal in its original state to the black generation and under color removal section 26 at the later stage.
Also, the segmentation process section 26 contains a binary processor and the like and judges whether the manuscript is the character manuscript or the photo manuscript. Specifically, the segmentation process section 25 calculates a brightness value in accordance with the input CMY signal and carries out a binary process. The segmentation process section 25 judges the manuscript to be the character manuscript, when the difference between the maximal value and minimal value of the calculated brightness values is greater than a predetermined threshold and when the inversion number obtained by scanning the binary-processed binary image is smaller than a predetermined threshold, and judges the manuscript to be the photo manuscript when the difference between the maximal value and minimal value of the brightness value is smaller than the predetermined threshold. The segmentation process section 25 outputs a judgment signal indicating the manuscript type (the character manuscript or the photo manuscript) to the ACS process section 22.
The black generation and under color removal section 26 generates a K (black) signal in accordance with the CMY signal inputted from the segmentation process section 25 and also subtracts the K signal from the input CMY signal and generates the new CMY signal and then outputs the generated CMYK signal to the spatial filter process section 27.
One example of the process in the black generation and under color removal section 26 will be described below. For example, in a case of a process for executing a black generation through a skeleton black, the input output property of a skeleton curve is assumed to be y=f(x), the input data are assumed to be C, M and Y, the output data are assumed to be C′, M′, Y′ and K′, and a UCR (Under Color Removal) rate is assumed to be α (0<α<1). Then, the data outputted by the black formation base color removing process are represented as K′=f{min(C, M, Y)}, C′=C−αK′, M′=M−αK′, and Y′=Y−αK′, respectively.
The spatial filter process section 27 performs a space filtering process, which uses a digital filter based on a region identification signal, on the CMYK signal inputted from the black generation and under color removal section 26. Thus, the space frequency property of the image data is corrected, which protects the fuzz or granular deterioration in the output image in the color image output apparatus 3. For example, the spatial filter process section 27 emphasizes high frequency components by performing a clarity emphasizing process on the region, which is separated into the character region by the segmentation process section 25, in order to especially improve the reproducibility of the black character or color character. Also, the spatial filter process section 27 performs a low pass filtering process for removing the input network point components, on the region that is separated into the network point region by the segmentation process section 25. The spatial filter process section 27 outputs the CMYK signal after the processing, to an output tone correction section 28.
The output tone correction section 28 performs an output tone correcting process for converting the CMYK signal inputted from the spatial filter process section 27, into a network point area rate that is the property value of the color image output apparatus 3, and outputs the CMYK signal after the output tone correcting process, to a gradation reproduction processor 29.
The gradation reproduction processor 29 performs a predetermined process on the CMYK signal inputted from the output tone correction section 28, in accordance with the region identification signal inputted from the segmentation process section 25. For example, the gradation reproduction processor 29 performs the binary process or multi-level process on the region separated into the character region, so that it is suitable for the reproduction of the high frequency components in the color image output apparatus 3, in order to especially improve the reproducibility of the black character or color character.
Also, the gradation reproduction processor 29 performs a gradation reproducing process (middle tone generation) on the region, which is separated into the network point region by the segmentation process section 25, so that the image is finally separated into the pixels and the respective gradations can be reproduced. Moreover, the gradation reproduction processor 29 performs the binary process or multi-level process on the region, which is separated into the photo region by the segmentation process section 25, so that it is suitable for the gradation reproducibility in the color image output apparatus 3.
The color image processing apparatus 2 once stores the image data (the CMYK signal), which is processed by the gradation reproduction processor 29, in an image memory (not shown), and reads the image data stored in the image memory at a predetermined timing when the image is formed, and then outputs the read image data to the color image output apparatus 3. Those controls are carried out by, for example, CPU (not shown).
The operation panel 4 is provided with a setting button and a displaying unit, for example, such as a liquid crystal display or the like. Then, the operations of the color image input apparatus 1, the color image processing apparatus 2 and the color image output apparatus 3 are controlled in accordance with the information (for example, the user ID to identify the user, the instruction to output the manuscript as the color or monochrome style in accordance with the contraction image displayed on the liquid crystal display, a change instruction between a first chromatic color pixel threshold Th1 and a second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2 which will be described later, and the like) inputted from the operation panel 4. Also, a plurality of images in which the read manuscript image (including the partial image constituting the image) is contracted to a predetermined size are arrayed and displayed on the liquid crystal display contained on the operation panel 4 (for example, an icon indication, a thumbnail indication and the like).
The chromatic/achromatic color pixel judging section 221 judges, for each pixel, whether the pixel is the pixel of the chromatic color or the pixel of the achromatic color, and outputs the judgment result to the chromatic color pixel counter 222. That is, the chromatic/achromatic color pixel judging section 221 determines the maximal value and minimal value of the respective values (for example, between 0 and 255) of R, G and B of the pixels, and judges the pixel as the pixel of the chromatic color when the differential value between the maximal value and the minimal value is greater than a predetermined differential threshold, and judges the pixel as the pixel of the achromatic color when the differential value between the maximal value and the minimal value is smaller than the predetermined differential threshold. The judgment between the chromatic color and the achromatic color is not limited to the foregoing configuration, and the other configurations can be used.
Also, the chromatic/achromatic color pixel judging section 221 judges, for each pixel, the particular color (for example, red, green, blue or the like) to which the pixel belongs, and outputs the judgment result to the chromatic color pixel counter 222. That is, the chromatic/achromatic color pixel judging section 221 judges the pixel to be the red pixel, for example, when each of a ratio (R/G) between the R value and the G value and a ratio (R/B) between the R value and the B value is greater than a predetermined ratio threshold (for example, 100), in accordance with the respective R, G and B values of the pixel. Also, similarly, this judges the pixel to be the blue pixel, when each of a ratio (B/R) between the B value and the R value and a ratio (B/G) between the B value and the G value is greater than a predetermined ratio threshold (for example, 100), and judges the pixel to be the green pixel, when each of a ratio (G/R) between the G value and the R value and a ratio (G/B) between the G value and the B value is greater than a predetermined threshold (for example, 100). When the foregoing condition is not satisfied, the pixel is judged to be the other chromatic color pixels (the pixels of the chromatic colors except the red, the blue and the green).
Also, when the color/monochrome judging section 223, which will be described later, considers that there is a possibility of an error in a judgment as to whether the manuscript corresponding to the image is the color manuscript or the monochrome manuscript and then outputs the judgment signal to display the image contracted to the predetermined size on the liquid crystal display of the operation panel 4, the chromatic/achromatic color pixel judging section 221 obtains the manuscript image stored in the image memory (not shown), and divides the obtained manuscript image, for example, into 12 partial images of 3×4, and then counts the chromatic color pixel number or the particular color pixel number (for example, the number of the red pixels) for each divided partial image, and further specifies the partial image having the greatest counted value. The chromatic/achromatic color pixel judging section 221 outputs a specification signal in order to display the specified partial image on the liquid crystal display of the operation panel 4.
Furthermore, whether the chromatic color pixel number or particular color pixel number is counted can be properly set. For example, when a chromatic color pixel number NC of the manuscript image is smaller than the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2, the particular color pixel number can be counted to specify the partial image, and when the chromatic color pixel number NC of the manuscript image is greater than the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2, the chromatic color pixel number can be counted to specify the partial image.
That is, when the chromatic color pixel number NC is smaller than the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2, this is the case in which the manuscript is judged to be the monochrome manuscript, and the number of the pixels of the particular color is judged to be greater than the particular color pixel threshold, and the judgment of the color manuscript or the monochrome manuscript is requested for the user. Thus, the part having the greatest number of the particular color pixels is displayed, and the judgment of the chromatic color or monochrome manuscript is requested for the user. Also, when the chromatic color pixel number NC is greater than the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2, this is the case in which the number of the pixels of the chromatic color is judged to be smaller than the first chromatic color pixel threshold Th1 and greater than the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2, and the judgment of the color manuscript or monochrome manuscript is requested for the user. Hence, the part having the greatest number of the chromatic color pixels is displayed, and the judgment of the color manuscript or monochrome manuscript is requested for the user.
The chromatic color pixel counter 222 counts the number of the pixels (the chromatic color pixel number) that are judged to be the chromatic color by the chromatic/achromatic color pixel judging section 221. In this case, the chromatic color pixel counter 222 counts the chromatic color pixel number for each pixel obtained by reading the manuscript, namely, for each manuscript, and outputs the counted result (the chromatic color pixel number) to the color/monochrome judging section 223.
Also, the chromatic color pixel counter 222 counts the number of the pixels (the particular color pixel number) that are judged to be the particular color by the chromatic/achromatic color pixel judging section 221, and outputs the counted result to the color/monochrome judging section 223.
Also, the chromatic color pixel counter 222, when counting the chromatic color pixels, assigns a weight to the counted value, on the basis of the particular color to which the chromatic color pixel belongs. That is, the chromatic color pixel counter 222 adds “1” to the counted value each time the pixel is the chromatic color pixel. However, when the chromatic color pixel has the particular color, the weight is assigned to the counted value (for example, “1.5” is set instead of “1”), and the number of the pixels is counted.
Also, the chromatic color pixel counter 222 stores a plurality of weight values, when the weight is assigned. The chromatic color pixel counter 222 selects a predetermined weight value (for example, a weight AR for the red pixel, a weight AG for the green pixel, and a weight AB for the blue pixel, and the like), on the basis of the particular color (for example, the red, the blue, the green and the other chromatic colors) to which the chromatic color pixel belongs.
Also, the chromatic color pixel counter 222 selects and uses the necessary weight value, in accordance with the judgment signal indicating the manuscript type inputted from the segmentation process section 25. For example, when the manuscript type is judged to be the character manuscript, the respective weights AR, AB and AG are become “1.5”, “1.3” and “1.1”. Also, when the manuscript type is judged to be the photo manuscript, all of the respective weights AR, AB and AG become 1. Consequently, even the manuscript in which color symbol, sign and mark and the like are included in a portion of the monochrome character manuscript is avoided from being judged to be the monochrome manuscript, and the colored portion within the manuscript is also suppressed from being outputted as the monochrome style. Thus, this can be easily judged to be the color manuscript.
The color/monochrome judging section 223 compares the chromatic color pixel number inputted from the chromatic color pixel counter 222 with the predetermined first chromatic color pixel threshold Th1 (for example, 9000) and the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2 (for example, 4000). When the chromatic color pixel number is greater than the first chromatic color pixel threshold Th1, the color/monochrome judging section 223 judges the manuscript corresponding to the image to be the color manuscript and outputs the judgment signal.
Also, when the chromatic color pixel number is smaller than the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2, the color/monochrome judging section 223 compares the particular color pixel number inputted from the chromatic color pixel counter 222 with a predetermined particular color pixel threshold (for example, 100). When the particular color pixel number is smaller than the predetermined particular color pixel threshold, the manuscript corresponding to the image is judged to be the monochrome manuscript, and its judgment signal is outputted.
In the case that the chromatic color pixel number is smaller than the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2, when the particular color pixel number is greater than the particular color pixel threshold, the color/monochrome judging section 223 considers that there is the possibility of the error in the judgment as to whether the manuscript corresponding to the image is the color manuscript or the monochrome manuscript, and outputs the judgment signal in order to display the image (for example, the icon) that is contracted to a predetermined size on the liquid crystal display of the operation panel 4.
Also, in the case that the chromatic color pixel number is smaller than the first chromatic color pixel threshold Th1 and greater than the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2, the color/monochrome judging section 223 considers that there is the possibility of the error in the judgment as to whether the manuscript corresponding to the image is the color manuscript or the monochrome manuscript, and outputs the judgment signal in order to display the image, which is contracted to a predetermined size, on the liquid crystal display of the operation panel 4.
For example, when the color/monochrome judging section 223 judges that there is the possibility of the error in the judgment as to whether the manuscripts on the page numbers “2”, “5”, “8”, “12” and “15” are the color manuscripts or the monochrome manuscripts, the five icons on which the images of the manuscripts on the page numbers “2”, “5”, “8”, “12” and “15” are contracted are displayed on the liquid crystal display 41. The user points out the displayed icon and enlarges or contracts the icon indication as necessary, and consequently judges whether the manuscript is the color manuscript or the monochrome manuscript and then operates the color button 43 and the monochrome button 42 for each icon and further specifies the color manuscript or the monochrome manuscript. On the drawing, the manuscripts on the page numbers “2”, “8” and “15” are specified as the monochrome manuscripts, and the manuscripts on the page numbers “5,”, “12” are specified as the color manuscripts.
A storage unit 50 stores a user table provided with: a plurality of user IDs to identify the users; the first chromatic color pixel threshold Th1 and the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2 that are correlated to each user ID; and a judgment history table ID to identify a judgment history table indicating the judgment specification result of the color manuscript or monochrome manuscript that was previously executed by the user identified by each user ID. Also, the storage unit 50 stores the judgment history table for each user ID.
For example, as for the judgment history executed by the user whose user ID is “0001”, as indicated in the judgment history table ID of “T0001”, the judgments as to whether the manuscripts having the page numbers of “2”, “5”, “8”, “12” and “15” are the color manuscripts or the monochrome manuscripts are difficult. Thus, the contraction image corresponding to the manuscript is displayed to indicate that the specification of the user is received. Also, the chromatic color pixel numbers included in the images corresponding to the respective manuscripts are NC2, NC5, NC8, NC12 and NC15, respectively. Also, the judgment contents of the users for the respective manuscripts are “Monochrome”, “Color”, “Monochrome”, “Color” and “Monochrome”, respectively. The judgment history table in which ID is “T0001” corresponds to the specification result shown in
When the operation for the change instruction in the first chromatic color pixel threshold Th1 and the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2 is carried out on the operation panel 4, the color/monochrome judging section 223 carries out a chromatic color pixel threshold changing process for updating the first chromatic color pixel threshold Th1 and the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2, correspondingly to each user.
Specifically, the color/monochrome judging section 223 obtains the first chromatic color pixel threshold Th1 and the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2 and the judgment history table 502, which correspond to the user ID, and counts a number PK of the manuscripts that are judged to be the monochrome manuscripts by the user, and further counts a number PC of the manuscripts that are judged to be the color manuscript by the user.
The color/monochrome judging section 223 compares the counted manuscript numbers PK, CK. Then, when the manuscript number PK is greater than the manuscript number PC, the manuscript in which the judgment as to whether the manuscript is the color manuscript or the monochrome manuscript is difficult has the greater number at which the manuscript is judged to be the monochrome manuscript by the user. Thus, in order that the manuscript is easily judged to be the monochrome manuscript in the future judgment, the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2 is made high (for example, the value after “1000” is added to the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2 is defined as the new second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2).
On the other hand, the color/monochrome judging section 223 compares the counted manuscript numbers PK, CK. Then, when the manuscript number PC is greater than the manuscript number PK, the manuscript in which the judgment of the color manuscript or monochrome manuscript is difficult has the greater number at which the manuscript is judged to be the color manuscript by the user. Thus, in order that the manuscript is easily judged to be the color manuscript in the future judgment, the first chromatic color pixel threshold Th1 is made low (for example, the value after “1000” is subtracted from the first chromatic color pixel threshold Th1 is defined as the new first chromatic color pixel threshold Th1). When the manuscript number PK is equal to the manuscript number PC, the first chromatic color pixel threshold Th1 and the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2 are not updated.
The chromatic color pixel threshold changing process is not limited to the foregoing procedure. This can be attained even by using another method. For example, the color/monochrome judging section 223 obtains the first chromatic color pixel threshold Th1 and the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2 and the judgment history table 502, which correspond to the user ID, and counts the number PK of the manuscripts that are judged to be the monochrome manuscripts by the user, and also determines the chromatic color pixel number included in the respective manuscripts that are judged to be the monochrome manuscripts by the user. The total value of the determined chromatic color pixel numbers is divided by the manuscript number PK, and an average value Kav of the chromatic color pixel numbers is calculated. For example, with the use of the example of
Similarly, the color/monochrome judging section 223 counts the number PC of the manuscripts that are judged to be the color manuscripts by the user, and determines the chromatic color pixel numbers included in the respective manuscripts that are judged to be the color manuscripts by the user. The total value of the determined chromatic color pixel numbers is divided by the manuscript number PC, and an average value Cav of the chromatic color pixel numbers is calculated. For example, with the use of the example of
The color/monochrome judging section 223 defines Kav<Cav as the condition and defines the average value Cav as the first chromatic color pixel threshold Th1 and the average value Kav as the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2. This can reduce the difference between the first chromatic color pixel threshold Th1 and the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2 and can further improve the judgment precision on the color manuscript or monochrome manuscript. Thus, the necessity of the judgment to be executed by the user can be reduced. In a case of Kav≧Cav, the color/monochrome judging section 223 does not update the first chromatic color pixel threshold Th1 and the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2.
As for the foregoing two chromatic color pixel threshold changing processes, any one of them may be set as a default, and a predetermined condition may be preliminarily defined to select any one of them correspondingly to the condition. Also, it is possible to employ the configuration in which any one of them is specified by the user. Also, only one of the first chromatic color pixel threshold Th1 and the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2 may be changed.
The operations of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described below.
The processor obtains the user ID from the operation panel 4 (S1), and sets the first chromatic color pixel threshold Th1 and the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2, which correspond to the obtained user ID (S2). The processor obtains the manuscript image (S3) and judges the manuscript type (S4). When the manuscript type is judged, whether the manuscript is the character manuscript or the photo manuscript is judged.
The processor carries out the color/monochrome judging process (S5). The detail of the color/monochrome judging process will be described later. The processor judges whether or not the process for all of the manuscripts has been completed (S6). When the process for all of the manuscripts has not been completed (NO at S6), the processor continues the processes on and after the step S3, and when the process for all of the manuscripts has been completed (YES at S6), the processor judges the presence or absence of the icon indication (S7). Here, the presence or absence of the icon indication indicates whether or not the image after the manuscript image is contracted to the predetermined size (for example, the icon indication image) is displayed on the liquid crystal display of the operation panel 4 by the processor, because there is the possibility of the error in the judgment as to whether the manuscript is the color manuscript or the monochrome manuscript.
When there is the icon indication (YES at S7), the processor carries out a color/monochrome instructing process for requiring the user to carry out the judgment of the color manuscript or monochrome manuscript (S8) and judges whether or not there is an instruction for changing the chromatic color pixel threshold (the first chromatic color pixel threshold Th1 and the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2) (S9). When there is the instruction for changing the chromatic color pixel threshold (YES at S9), the processor carries out the chromatic color pixel threshold changing process (S10) and prints the output image formed in accordance with the manuscript image (S11) and then finishes the process. The details of the color/monochrome instructing process and the chromatic color pixel threshold changing process will be described later.
When there is not the icon indication (NO at S7), the processor carries out the process of the step S11. Also, when there is not the instruction for changing the chromatic color pixel threshold (NO at S9), the processor carries out the process of the step S11.
In the case that it is the chromatic color pixel (YES at S54), the processor carries out the chromatic color pixel counting process (S55) and judges whether or not the process for all of the pixels corresponding to one manuscript has been completed (S56). In the case that it is not the chromatic color pixel (NO at S54), the processor carries out the process of the step S56. The detail of the chromatic color pixel counting process will be described later.
When the process for all of the pixels has been completed (YES at S56), the processor judges whether or not the chromatic color pixel number NC counted by the chromatic color pixel counting process is greater than the first chromatic color pixel threshold Th1 (S57). When the chromatic color pixel number NC is greater than the first chromatic color pixel threshold Th1 (YES at S57), the processor judges that the manuscript is the color manuscript (S58) and finishes the process.
When the chromatic color pixel number NC is not greater than the first chromatic color pixel threshold Th1 (NO at S57), the processor judges whether or not the chromatic color pixel number NC is smaller than the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2 (S59). When the chromatic color pixel number NC is smaller than the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2 (YES at S59), the processor judges whether or not the particular color pixel number CR counted by the chromatic color pixel counting process is greater than the particular color pixel threshold (S60).
When the particular color pixel number CR is not greater than the particular color pixel threshold (NO at S60), the processor judges that the manuscript is the monochrome manuscript (S61) and finishes the process. When the chromatic color pixel number NC is not smaller than the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2 (NO at S59), the processor considers that there is the possibility of the error in the judgment as to whether the manuscript is the color manuscript or the monochrome manuscript, and consequently divides the manuscript image into partial images and generates the partial image specified by the icon displaying process, which will be described later, among the divided partial images as the icon image (S62) and carries out the icon displaying process for displaying the formed icon image (S63) and then finishes the process.
When the particular color pixel number CR is greater than the particular color pixel threshold (YES at S60), the processor considers that there is the possibility of the error in the judgment as to whether the manuscript is the color manuscript or the monochrome manuscript and carries out the processes on and after the step S62. The detail of the icon displaying process will be described later.
The processor judges whether or not the manuscript is the character manuscript, in accordance with the process for the manuscript type judgment (S553). Then, when the manuscript is the character manuscript (YES at S553), this adds the weight AR (for example, “1.5” and the like) to the chromatic color pixel number NC (S554) and then finishes the process.
When the ratio (R/G)>100 and the ratio (R/B)>100 are not established (NO at S551), the processor does not assign the weight and then adds “1” to the chromatic color pixel number NC (S555) and finishes the process. When the manuscript is not the character manuscript (NO at S553), the processor carries out the process of the step S555.
When the chromatic color pixel number NC is smaller than the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2 (YES at S632), the processor counts the number of the red pixels for each partial image (S633) and specifies the partial image having the highest counted value (the greatest red pixel number) (S634) and displays the specified partial image (S635) and then finishes the process.
When the chromatic color pixel number NC is not smaller than the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2 (NO at S632), the processor counts the chromatic color pixel number for each partial image (S636) and specifies the partial image having the highest counted value (the greatest red pixel number) (S637) and carries out the process of the step S635.
The processor judges whether or not there is the instruction of the color/monochrome switching to be executed by the user, correspondingly to the fact that the manuscript is judged to be the color manuscript or the fact that the manuscript is judged to be the monochrome manuscript, in accordance with the displayed image (S83). When there is the instruction of the color/monochrome switching (YES at s83), the color/monochrome switching is executed (S84). Consequently, whether the manuscript corresponding to the displayed image is the color manuscript or the monochrome manuscript is judged by the user.
The processor judges whether or not the instruction has been completed, in accordance with the fact as to whether or not the user operates an instruction completion key (S85). When the instruction has not been completed (NO at S85), the processor continues the processes on and after the step S81. When there is not the instruction of the enlargement/contraction switching (NO at s81), the processor carries out the processes on and after the step S83. When there is not the instruction of the color/monochrome switching (NO at S83), the processor carries out the process of the step S85. When the instruction has been completed (YES at S85), the processor finishes the process.
The processor compares the counted manuscript numbers PK, CK and judges whether or not the manuscript number PK is greater than the manuscript number PC (S105). Then, when the manuscript number PK is greater than the manuscript number PC (YES at S105), the manuscript in which the judgment of the color manuscript or monochrome manuscript is difficult has the greater number at which the manuscript is judged to be the monochrome manuscript by the user. Thus, in order that the manuscript is easily judged to be the monochrome manuscript in the future judgment, “1000” is added to the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2 (S106). Then, the process is finished.
When the manuscript number PK is not greater than the manuscript number PC (NO at S105), the processor judges whether or not the manuscript number PC is greater than the manuscript number PK (S107). When the manuscript number PC is greater than the manuscript number PK (YES at S107), the manuscript in which the judgment of the color manuscript or monochrome manuscript is difficult has the greater number at which the manuscript is judged to be the color manuscript by the user. Thus, in order that the manuscript is easily judged to be the color manuscript in the future judgment, “1000” is subtracted from the first chromatic color pixel threshold Th1 (S108). Then, the process is finished.
When the manuscript number PC is not greater than the manuscript number PK (NO at S107), the processor judges that the manuscript number PK is equal to the manuscript number PC and then finishes the process without changing the first chromatic color pixel threshold Th1 and the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2.
The processor refers to the obtained judgment history table 502 and counts the numbers PK of the manuscripts that are judged to be the monochrome manuscript by the user and also determines the chromatic color pixel numbers included in the respective manuscripts that are judged to be the monochrome manuscripts by the user and further divides the total value of the determined chromatic color pixel numbers and then calculates the average value Kav of the chromatic color pixel numbers (S123).
The processor refers to the obtained judgment history table 502 and counts the numbers PC of the manuscripts that are judged to be the color manuscripts by the user and also determines the chromatic color pixel numbers included in the respective manuscripts that are judged to be the color manuscripts by the user and further divides the total value of the determined chromatic color pixel numbers and then calculates the average value Cav of the chromatic color pixel numbers (S124).
The processor judges whether or not the average value Kav is smaller than the average value Cav (S125). Then, when the average value Kav is smaller than the average value Cav (YES at S125), this defines the average value Cav as the first chromatic color pixel threshold Th1 (S126) and defines the average value Kav as the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2 (S127) and finishes the process. When the average value Kav is not smaller than the average value Cav (NO at S125), the processor finishes the process without changing the first chromatic color pixel threshold Th1 and the second chromatic color pixel threshold Th2.
The RAM 104 is the volatile memory for transiently storing the various data that are generated during the execution of the control program or the computer program for executing the foregoing processes. The hard disc 105 is the storage unit having a magnetically recording medium and stores the program code of the computer program and the like. The external storage unit 106 contains a reader for reading the program code from a recording medium M that records the program code of the computer program for executing the foregoing processes. As the recording medium M, FD (Flexible Disk), CD-ROM and the like can be used. The program code read by the external storage unit 106 is stored in the hard disc 105. The CPU 101 loads the program code stored in the hard disc 105 onto the RAM 104 and executes it. Accordingly, the entire apparatus can function as the apparatus for carrying out the color/monochrome judging process, the chromatic color pixel counting process, the chromatic color pixel threshold changing process and the like.
The input unit 107 functions as an interface to obtain the image data from the outside. For example, a color scanner apparatus and the like are connected to the input unit 107. The displaying unit 108 functions as an interface to display the image data of a processing target, the image data during the processing of the image, the image data after the processing of the image, and the like. This may be configured to connect the external displaying apparatus, such as the liquid crystal displaying device or the like, to the displaying unit 108 and display the image data, or this may be configured such that the displaying unit 108 itself has a displaying device and displays the image data. The communication port 109 is an interface to connect a printer 150 to the outside. When the image data after the processing of the image is printed by the printer 150, the image processing apparatus 100 generates the print data that can be decoded by the printer 150 on the basis of the image data, and the generated print data is transmitted to the printer 150.
The image processing apparatus 100 is configured such that the various calculations are executed by the CPU 101. However, this may be configured such that the dedicated chip for carrying out the calculations related to the image processing is separately installed and the calculations are carried out in accordance with the instruction from the CPU 101.
Also, as the recording medium M for recording the program code of the computer program, in addition to the foregoing FD and CD-ROM, it is possible to use the optical disc such as MO, MD, DVD and the like, the magnetically recording medium such as a hard disc and the like, the card type recording medium such as an IC card, a memory card, an optical card and the like, and the semiconductor memory such as a mask ROM, EPROM (Erasable Programmable, Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a flash memory and the like. Also, the system configuration in which the communication network including the Internet can be connected may be designed, and the program code of the computer program for attaining the foregoing processes may be downloaded from the communication network. Also, this can be attained even in the implementation of the computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied in an electronic propagation style.
As mentioned above, in this application, as for the manuscript in which the color symbol, sign, mark and the like are mixed in the manuscript where the black characters are noted, the image of the manuscript in which the judgment of the color manuscript or monochrome manuscript is difficult is displayed, which enables the user to check it and also enables the user to instruct the color manuscript or the monochrome manuscript and further enables the protection of the erroneous output (or print) of the color or monochrome style. Also, as for the image of the manuscript in which the judgment of the color manuscript or monochrome manuscript is difficult, only the partial image having many chromatic color pixels or the partial image having many particular color pixels is displayed. Thus, the judgment on the output as the color manuscript or the output as the monochrome manuscript can be made easier. Also, when the number of the chromatic color pixels is counted, the weight is assigned, depending on the manuscript type. Hence, for example, when the manuscript type is the character manuscript, the weight assignment is made greater, and the judgment of the color manuscript can be made easy.
Also, in accordance with the judgment history of the user, the first chromatic color pixel threshold and the second chromatic color pixel threshold can be updated, and the judgment result of the user for the manuscript in which the judgment of the color manuscript or monochrome manuscript is difficult is reflected, which can further improve the judgment precision as to whether the manuscript is outputted as the color manuscript or outputted as the monochrome manuscript. Also, the identification information to identify the user is received, and the counted chromatic color pixel number is compared with the first chromatic color pixel threshold and the second chromatic color pixel threshold, which correspond to the received identification information. Thus, the judgment as to whether the manuscript is outputted as the color manuscript or outputted as the monochrome manuscript can be changed correspondingly to the manuscript treated by the user.
In the above-mentioned embodiments, the judgment as to whether the manuscript is the color manuscript or the monochrome manuscript is judged by comparing the chromatic color pixel number with the predetermined first chromatic color pixel threshold and second chromatic color pixel threshold. However, the first chromatic color pixel threshold and the second chromatic color pixel threshold can be set to the proper values in advance.
In the above-mentioned embodiments, as the color image input apparatus 1, for example, a flat bed scanner, a film scanner, a digital camera, a portable telephone and the like are used. Also, as the color image output apparatus 3, for example, the image displaying apparatus such as a CRT display, a liquid crystal display and the like, the printer of an electron photographing method or inkjet method that outputs a processing result to a record paper, and the like are used. Moreover, as the image forming apparatus 10, a modem serving as a communication device for the connection through a network to a server apparatus and the like can be contained. Also, instead of the obtainment of the color image data from the color image input apparatus 1, the configuration for obtaining the color image data from an external storage device, a server apparatus and the like through a network may be employed.
As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds thereof are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-248303 | Sep 2006 | JP | national |
