JP3673376B2 - Image data file processing method and recording medium therefor - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of processing an image data file of a plurality of colors using a computer, and a recording medium therefor.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Simple color prints such as leaflets may be created by so-called double tone printing. Double tone printing is a method of creating a printed material using only two types of ink. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of creating an image data file for performing conventional double tone printing. FIG. 7A shows a color original. This color document includes a circular first region R1 having a red density of 30% and a circular second region R2 having a green density of 30%. The first region R1 and the second region R2 partially overlap each other, and the overlapping region R3 has a red density of 30% and a green density of 30%. As an actual document, a natural image such as a product photograph is often used, but an example in which a simple image as shown in FIG.
[0003]
In this conventional method, first, two gray images as shown in FIG. 7B are read by a scanner from a color original as shown in FIG. Then, double tone printing has been realized by changing the tone (gradation) of the red plate image and the green plate image. A color image created by double tone printing is hereinafter referred to as a “double tone image”.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional method, the two image data files used for the double tone are handled as separate files. Therefore, when adjusting the position of the double tone image on the one-page image, the two image data files are independently set. Had to deal with. That is, when designating the position of the double tone image, the user must first position the red plate image on the screen using a mouse or the like, and then position the green plate image at a position overlapping the red plate image. It was. That is, in order to adjust the position of one double-tone image, it is necessary to adjust the positions of two single-color images of a red plate image and a green plate image. In particular, when a large number of double-tone images (for example, images of items such as vegetables and meat in a supermarket flyer) are included in a one-page image, such as a flyer, the problem is that positioning them is extremely complicated. was there.
[0005]
Note that the above-described problem is not limited to a double-tone image, but is a problem common to technologies that handle a plurality of single-color image data files in order to reproduce a color image.
[0006]
Also, the color original of FIG. 7A is read as a single gray image as shown in FIG. 7C, and the two color tones correspond to the red plate and the green plate for the single gray image. There is also a technique in which two plates are created and overlaid as shown in FIG. 7C and FIG. With this method, the problem of positioning of the image on the screen does not occur. However, this method has a problem that the color is set at a point where the color density originally does not exist. In particular, for an overlapping area such as the area R3, the original document state cannot be reproduced using this method.
[0007]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems in the prior art, and aims to provide a technique capable of reducing the complexity of handling an image data file for reproducing a color image. To do.
[0008]
[Means for solving the problems and their functions and effects]
In order to solve at least a part of the conventional problems described above, a first invention is a method of processing an image data file using a computer,
(A) in a step of creating a multicolor image data file by combining a plurality of single color image data files respectively read from the same document using different color filters in a scanner into one image data file ;
Confirming whether or not a predetermined plurality of types of single-color image data files for a plurality of colors acquired from the same document are prepared in a predetermined folder set in the computer;
A step of creating the multi-color image data file by collecting the plurality of types of single-color image data files when the plurality of types of image data files are prepared in the predetermined folder. .
[0009]
The relative positions of the image portions of the plurality of single color images represented by the plurality of single color image data files coincide with each other. Therefore, if a single multicolor image data file is created by combining these single color image data files, a multicolor image data file representing a color image without color misregistration can be obtained. That is, various processes relating to a multicolor image can be performed by handling this single multicolor image data file. Therefore, the complexity of handling the image data file can be reduced as compared with the conventional case.
[0011]
Further , a multicolor image data file can be easily created simply by placing a predetermined type of single color image data file in the folder.
[0012]
A second invention is a recording medium on which a computer program for causing a computer to process an image data file is recorded,
(A) in a step of creating a multicolor image data file by combining a plurality of single color image data files respectively read from the same document using different color filters in a scanner into one image data file ;
Confirming whether or not a predetermined plurality of types of single-color image data files for a plurality of colors acquired from the same document are prepared in a predetermined folder set in the computer;
A step of causing the computer to execute the step of creating the multi-color image data file by combining the plurality of types of single-color image data files when the plurality of types of image data files are prepared in the predetermined folder. A recording medium on which a computer program is recorded.
[0013]
According to the second invention, similarly to the first invention, it is possible to reduce the complexity of handling the image data file as compared with the conventional one.
[0014]
Other aspects of the invention
The present invention includes other aspects as follows. A 1st aspect is a program supply apparatus which supplies the computer program which makes a computer perform each process of said invention via a communication path.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a computer system to which one embodiment of the present invention is applied. This computer system includes a first computer 100, a second computer 200, and a scanner 300.
[0016]
The first computer 100 includes a CPU 102, a memory 104, a color display 106, a keyboard 108, a mouse 110, a hard disk 112, and a communication interface 114. The memory 104 stores computer programs for realizing the functions of the calculation condition confirmation unit 120 and the image data file conversion unit 122, respectively. The functions of these parts will be described later. A computer program for realizing these units is transferred from a portable storage medium (recording medium) such as a floppy disk, CD-ROM, or DVD to a main memory or an external storage device of the computer system. Alternatively, the program supply device may supply the computer system via a communication path. The hard disk 112 is provided with a hot holder 130 (described later).
[0017]
In the present invention, the “recording medium” is not limited to the portable recording medium described above, but is an internal storage device in a computer such as various RAMs and ROMs, or an external storage fixed to a computer such as a hard disk. The device is also included. That is, the “recording medium” of the present invention is a computer-readable medium and includes various media on which a computer program is recorded.
[0018]
The second computer 200 includes a CPU 202, a memory 204, a hard disk 206, a scanner interface 208, and a communication interface 210. A scanner 300 is connected to the scanner interface 208. The communication interface 210 is connected to the communication interface 114 of the first computer 100 via a communication line.
[0019]
The monochromatic image data file read by the scanner 300 is temporarily stored in the hard disk 206 of the second computer 200 and transferred from the second computer 200 to the first computer 100. It is also possible to directly transfer to the first computer 100 without storing it in the hard disk 206 of the second computer 200. The first computer 100 executes various processes for creating a one-page image using the transferred monochrome image data file.
[0020]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in the embodiment. In step S1, the scanner 300 reads a red plate image data file from a document. A red transmission filter is used when reading the red plate image data file. In step S2, the scanner 300 reads the green image data file from the same document. When the green image data file is read, a green transmission filter is used. The red plate image data file and the green plate image data file are read by the same scanner under substantially the same reading conditions except for the filter. Here, the “reading condition” includes a range (scanning range) of an image to be read, a resolution, a tone curve (input / output gradation conversion curve), and the like. Under various scanning conditions, the scanning range and resolution are set to be the same (equal) for the red plate image and the green plate image, but the tone curve (input / output gradation conversion curve) is the red plate image and the green plate. Different images can be used.
[0021]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a monochrome image represented by the two monochrome image data files read in this way. In this embodiment, two single-color image data files are created using red and green filters. “Name.RED” and “Name.GRN” described at the bottom of FIGS. 3B and 3C indicate the file names of the respective monochrome image data files. As described above, the file names of a plurality of single color image data files read from the same document using the same scanner 300 are the same in the narrowly-defined file name (“Name”) before the period, and after the period. Extensions (“RED”, “GRN”) are different. A narrowly-defined file name is designated by the user. Further, an extension to be used for each color image is designated in advance by the user.
[0022]
In steps S1 and S2, a plurality of single-color image data files for a plurality of colors are read from the same document using the same scanner 300 under substantially the same reading conditions. At this time, the document remains placed at the same position on the document placement surface (not shown) of the scanner 300. Therefore, the red plate image and the green plate image represented by the two image data files have the same relative positions of the image portions. That is, pixel data at the same position in the two image data files (data indicating the density of each pixel) indicates the density of the pixel existing at the same position on the image plane. If the scanner includes color light separation means such as a dichroic mirror, steps S1 and S2 are executed simultaneously.
[0023]
The two monochrome image data files read in this way are transferred from the second computer 200 to the first computer 100 via a communication line.
[0024]
In step S3, in the first computer 100, the calculation condition confirmation unit 120 and the image data file conversion unit 122 pack the red plate image data file and the green plate image data file into one multicolor image data file (ie, the multicolor image data file). Combine them into one). FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure in step S3. In step S <b> 11, the calculation condition confirmation unit 120 reads the calculation condition file stored in the hard disk 112. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of a file used in the file pack process of FIG. In the file pack process, an operation condition file shown in FIG. 5A and a version change information file shown in FIG. 5B are used.
[0025]
In the calculation condition file shown in FIG. 5A, the following various conditions used when executing the file pack process are set.
[0026]
(1) Polling time: Indicates an interval at which the calculation condition confirmation unit 120 executes processing for checking whether or not a plurality of predetermined types of image data files are prepared in the hot folder 130.
[0027]
(2) Extension from the first edition to the fourth edition: Indicates the extension of the monochrome image data files from the first edition to the fourth edition that can be packed into one multicolor image data file. In the example of FIG. 5A, “GRN” is set as the extension of the first-color image data file, and “RED” is set as the extension of the second-color image data file. ing. Also, no extension is set for the third and fourth editions. These extensions are used when determining whether or not single-color image data files necessary for performing the file pack processing are prepared in the hot folder 130. A specific example of this determination will be described later. Note that the first to fourth editions are usually associated with basic colors for printing C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black). However, special color inks (red and green) other than these basic colors are often used in double tone printing. Therefore, in order to define what color plate (ink) actually corresponds to the first version to the fourth version, a version change information file shown in FIG. 5B is set by the user. In this example, the first version (usually C version) is associated with the green version, and the second version (usually M version) is associated with the red version.
[0028]
(3) Storage location upon success: Indicates a location (folder name, etc.) where the obtained multicolor image data file is stored when the file pack process is successful.
[0029]
(4) Storage location at the time of failure: Indicates a location (folder name or the like) where a plurality of single-color image data files subjected to file pack processing are stored when the file pack processing fails.
[0030]
In step S12 of FIG. 4, the calculation condition confirmation unit 120 examines the hot folder 130 and determines whether or not all types of single-color image data files necessary for performing the file pack processing are prepared in the hot folder 130. to decide. That is, whether or not a plurality of monochrome image data files having the same narrow file name before the period and having a plurality of extensions registered in the calculation condition file respectively exist in the hot folder 130. Investigate. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A, the extensions set in the calculation condition file are “GRN” and “RED”. Therefore, when a monochrome image data file with the file name “XXXX.GRN” (XXXX is an arbitrary character string) and a monochrome image data file with the file name “XXXX.RED” are transferred to the hot folder 130, It is determined that all kinds of single-color image data files are prepared (the XXXX part is the same).
[0031]
Incidentally, the two single-color image data files “Name.GRN” and “Name.RED” have been read by the scanner 300 and then transferred to the first computer 100 via the second computer 200. . Various procedures can be considered for transferring these two monochrome image data files “Name.GRN” and “Name.RED” into the hot folder 130. For example, these monochrome image data files “Name.GRN” and “Name.RED” are temporarily stored in an appropriate receiving folder in the hard disk 112, and the user drags these monochrome image data files using the mouse 110. Then, it may be moved into the hot folder 130. Alternatively, when transferring from the second computer 200 to the first computer 100, it is also possible to transfer these single-color image data files directly into the hot folder 130.
[0032]
If it is determined in step S12 that all types of single-color image data files necessary for file pack processing are not available, polling registered in the calculation condition file (FIG. 5A) is performed in step S13. After waiting for the time, step S12 is executed again. On the other hand, if it is determined that all types of single-color image data files necessary for the file pack processing are available, the image data file conversion unit 122 executes the actual file pack processing in step S14, and 1 Create two multicolor image data files.
[0033]
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the processing content of step S14. 6A and 6B show the structures of the green color image data file “Name.GRN” and the red color image data file “Name.RED”. As the file structure of these monochrome image data files, for example, GreyTiff used in Adobe Photoshop (trademark of Adobe) can be used. GreyTiff includes only one-color pixel data and cannot include multi-color pixel data.
[0034]
As understood from FIGS. 6A and 6B, one single-color image data file includes file information and pixel data. The file information includes the size of the image in the X direction (sub-scanning direction) and the Y direction (main scanning direction) (expressed in units of the number of pixels), the orientation of the image (the orientation of the image), and the negative / positive distinction Information is included. Since the green image data file and the red image data file are read from the same document using the same scanner 300 under almost the same reading conditions, the file information is the same. Therefore, only the value of the pixel data is different between the green image data file and the red image data file.
[0035]
FIG. 6C shows the structure of a multicolor image data file in which a green plate image data file and a red plate image data file are packed. The multicolor image data file includes file information and pixel data from the first version to the fourth version. The pixel data has a so-called pixel interleave configuration, and as shown in FIG. 6D, pixel data from the first version to the fourth version are sequentially arranged for each pixel. In this embodiment, the green color pixel data is registered at the position of the first version (C version), and the red color pixel data is registered at the position of the second version (M version). In this embodiment, since the calculation condition file (FIG. 5A) is set so as to pack only the first version and the second version, the pixel data of the third version (Y version) and the first version are set. In the 4th (K) version pixel data, all 0 data is registered. As the file structure of the multicolor image data file, for example, CMYKTiff used in Adobe Photoshop can be used. CMYKTiff can include pixel data of four colors of CMYK.
[0036]
In addition to the multicolor image data file shown in FIG. 6C, a spot color information file (not shown) including spot color information is also created. This spot color information indicates what color the first to fourth versions specifically correspond to, similar to the registered contents of the version change information file shown in FIG. That is, in this embodiment, the spot color information stipulates that the first version corresponds to green and the second version corresponds to red.
[0037]
As described above, the red plate image and the green plate image represented by the two single-color image data files have the same relative positions of the image portions. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, a multicolor image data file representing a multicolor image can be configured without causing color misregistration by simply arranging these pixel data.
[0038]
The file name of the multi-color image data file is the same as the original two single-color image data files, but the extension is set in advance for the multi-color image data file. Is done. For example, in the case of FIG. 6C, the file name “Name.MUL” of the multicolor image data file is configured by the narrowly defined file name “Name” and the extension “MUL”. The extension “MUL” can also be set in the calculation condition file (FIG. 5A).
[0039]
The multicolor image data file created in this way is transferred to the successful storage location set in the calculation condition file. At this time, the original single-color image data file that is the target of the file pack process is deleted from the hot folder 130. In this way, since only unprocessed files remain in the hot folder 130, it is possible to prevent accumulation of unnecessary processed files in the hot folder 130. On the other hand, if the file pack process fails for some reason, the original single color image data files that are the target of the file pack process are transferred from the hot folder 130 to the storage location at the time of the failure, Delete the original monochrome image data file. In this way, the user can know the image in which the file pack process has failed by viewing the storage location at the time of the failure. Note that the image data file conversion unit 122 may display a warning on the color display 106 when the file pack process fails.
[0040]
When the process of step S14 in FIG. 4 ends, the process returns to step S12 again, and the processes of steps S12 to S14 are repeated. The calculation condition confirmation unit 120 and the image data file conversion unit 122 are resident programs, and the processes of steps S12 and S13 are periodically executed while the first computer 100 is in operation. Therefore, simply by transferring a predetermined plurality of types of single color image data files to the hot folder 130, the file pack process can be automatically executed to create a multicolor image data file.
[0041]
The pixel data included in the multicolor image data file created in this way represents an image read using each filter as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, and will be described with reference to FIG. Therefore, it is possible to reproduce a clearer image than the double tone image reproduced by the conventional technique. Further, since the double tone image can be handled as one multicolor image data file, it is easy to handle the image data file when performing various image processing thereafter.
[0042]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.
[0043]
(1) As inks used for double tone printing, inks of various colors other than red and green can be used. Further, the present invention is not limited to double tone printing, and can be generally applied to a technique for reproducing a color image using a plurality of colors of ink.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a computer system to which one embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an image represented by an original used in the embodiment and two single-color image data files read from the original.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in step S3.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of a file used in file pack processing.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the processing content of step S14.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for creating an image data file for performing conventional double-tone printing.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 ... first computer 102 ... CPU
104 ... Memory 106 ... Color display 108 ... Keyboard 110 ... Mouse 112 ... Hard disk 114 ... Communication interface 120 ... Calculation condition confirmation unit 122 ... Image data file conversion unit 130 ... Hot holder 200 ... Second computer 202 ... CPU
204 ... Memory 206 ... Hard disk 208 ... Scanner interface 210 ... Communication interface 300 ... Scanner

Claims (2)

An image data file processing method using a computer,
(A) in a step of creating a multicolor image data file by combining a plurality of single color image data files respectively read from the same document using different color filters in a scanner into one image data file ;
Confirming whether or not a predetermined plurality of types of single-color image data files for a plurality of colors acquired from the same document are prepared in a predetermined folder set in the computer;
Creating the multicolor image data file by collecting the plurality of types of single color image data files when the plurality of types of image data files are arranged in the predetermined folder;
An image data file processing method comprising: A recording medium recording a computer program for causing a computer to process an image data file,
(A) in a step of creating a multicolor image data file by combining a plurality of single color image data files respectively read from the same document using different color filters in a scanner into one image data file ;
Confirming whether or not a predetermined plurality of types of single-color image data files for a plurality of colors acquired from the same document are prepared in a predetermined folder set in the computer;
Creating the multicolor image data file by collecting the plurality of types of single color image data files when the plurality of types of image data files are arranged in the predetermined folder;
A recording medium on which a computer program for causing a computer to execute is recorded.

Images