JP5764992B2 - Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image processing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program.

  In general, image data such as CAD (Computer Aided Design) has a lot of vector data such as line drawings and text. Therefore, overlapping of drawing images between vector data in image data frequently occurs. In such a print image of image data such as CAD, for example, when drawing images of vector data of the same color overlap, it is difficult to identify which vector data is used to draw each part of the overlapping image. It is.

  Specifically, when the black line vector data overlaps with the drawn image by the vector data such as the black character string “1 2 3”, the information on the black line and the black character string is accurately obtained from the printed image. It is difficult to distinguish and interpret. As described above, when a plurality of drawing images of vector data of the same color overlap, the readability of information in the printed image is insufficient and inconvenient.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 1, in image forming processing, raster data and vector data (for example, a character string such as “ABCDEFGHIJ”) overlap, and the color information of the vector data is changed when the colors are the same or approximate. It is described.

JP 2009-302966 A

  However, the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not describe processing when vector data overlap. In the conventional image forming apparatus, for example, when changing the color information of the overlapping vector data, the color information of all character strings such as “ABCDEFGHIJ” is changed. Thereby, for example, when vector data such as a character string overlaps with raster data A having the same color as the vector data and raster data B having a color different from that of the vector data, the raster data A can be identified. For this reason, as a result of changing the color information of the vector data, the changed color information may be the same as or approximate to the raster data B.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

  Application Example 1 An image processing apparatus that performs image processing of drawing element data having drawing start coordinate information, drawing end coordinate information, and color information, wherein an element image based on the drawing element data is converted into a plurality of partial element images. Image dividing means for dividing, partial element data generating means for generating partial element data to be the drawing element data corresponding to the partial element image, a first element image based on the first drawing element data, and a second A duplication detection means for detecting duplication with the second element image based on the drawing element data, and comparing the color information of the first drawing element data with the color information of the second drawing element data A color determination unit that determines whether or not a color difference is within a predetermined amount; and a color information change unit that changes the color information. The color information change unit detects the overlap in the overlap detection unit. Before The partial element at the position where the overlap is detected when the first element image is divided into the plurality of partial element images when the color determination unit determines that the color difference is within a predetermined amount. The color information of the partial element data corresponding to an image, and the second element image corresponding to the partial element image at the position where the overlap is detected when the second element image is divided into the plurality of partial element images. An image processing apparatus characterized by changing at least one of the color information of the partial element data.

  According to the image processing apparatus described above, when the duplication is detected by the duplication detection unit and the color determination unit determines that the color difference is within the predetermined amount, the color information changing unit corresponds to the position where the duplication is detected. Of the color information of both partial element data, one or both of the color information is changed. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the pixel area whose color information is to be changed while making it possible to identify the drawing image of the overlapping portion.

  Application Example 2 The color information changing unit compares the number of divisions of the partial element image in the first element image with the number of divisions of the partial element image in the second element image. The said image processing apparatus characterized by changing the said color information of the said partial element data corresponding to many said partial element images.

  According to the image processing apparatus described above, the color information of the partial element data having a large number of divisions is changed among the color information of both partial element data corresponding to the position where the overlap is detected. As a result, the color information of the partial element data is changed for the partial element image that occupies a small ratio in the entire element image. As a result, the change in the drawing color becomes inconspicuous, and an image with less discomfort can be drawn.

  Application Example 3 The color information changing unit is configured to determine a distance between drawing start coordinates and drawing end coordinates of the partial element data in the first element image, and drawing start of the partial element data in the second element image. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color information of the partial element data having a short distance is changed by comparing the coordinates and the distance between the drawing end coordinates.

  According to the above-described image processing apparatus, the partial element data on the side where the distance between the start point and the end point is short is changed among the color information of both partial element data corresponding to the position where the overlap is detected. Thereby, the distance of the change location of color information can be shortened. As a result, the change in the drawing color becomes inconspicuous, and an image with less discomfort can be drawn.

  Application Example 4 In the image processing apparatus, the predetermined amount is 0.

  According to the above-described image processing apparatus, it is possible to reduce the pixel area whose color information is to be changed while making it possible to identify overlapping drawing images of the same color.

  Application Example 5 In the image processing apparatus, the predetermined amount is less than 3% of a maximum color difference in a color space that can be represented by the image processing apparatus.

  According to the above-described image processing apparatus, it is possible to reduce the pixel area whose color information is to be changed while making it possible to identify overlapping drawn images with colors that are difficult to identify.

  Application Example 6 The duplication detection unit includes: a pixel area to be drawn indicated by a drawing command for the first drawing element data; and a pixel area to be drawn indicated by a drawing command for the second drawing element data. The image processing apparatus is characterized in that the overlap is detected on the basis of the above.

  According to the above-described image processing apparatus, it is possible to avoid performing the rendering process related to the rendering command redundantly.

  Application Example 7 In the image processing apparatus, the drawing element data is vector data.

  According to the above-described image processing apparatus, it is possible to reduce the pixel area whose color information is to be changed while making it possible to identify drawn images of overlapping portions of vector data.

  Application Example 8 An image processing method for performing image processing of drawing element data having drawing start coordinate information, drawing end coordinate information, and color information, wherein an element image based on the drawing element data is converted into a plurality of partial element images. An image dividing step for dividing, a partial element data generating step for generating partial element data to be the drawing element data corresponding to the partial element image, a first element image based on the first drawing element data, and a second A duplication detection step of detecting duplication with the second element image based on the drawing element data, and comparing the color information of the first drawing element data with the color information of the second drawing element data A color determination step for determining whether or not the color difference is within a predetermined amount; and a color information change step for changing the color information. In the color information change step, the duplication is detected in the duplication detection step. The When the color difference is determined to be within a predetermined amount in the color determination step, the position of the position where the overlap is detected when the first element image is divided into the plurality of partial element images. Corresponds to the color information of the partial element data corresponding to the partial element image and the partial element image at the position where the overlap is detected when the second element image is divided into the plurality of partial element images. An image processing method comprising changing at least one of the color information among the color information of the partial element data.

  According to the image processing method described above, when overlap is detected in the overlap detection step, and the color difference is determined to be within a predetermined amount in the color determination step, it corresponds to the position where the overlap is detected in the color information change step. Of the color information of both partial element data, one or both of the color information is changed. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the pixel area whose color information is to be changed while making it possible to identify the drawing image of the overlapping portion.

  Application Example 9 An image processing program for performing image processing of drawing element data having drawing start coordinate information, drawing end coordinate information, and color information, wherein an element image based on the drawing element data is converted into a plurality of partial element images. An image dividing function for dividing, a partial element data generating function for generating partial element data to be the drawing element data corresponding to the partial element image, a first element image based on the first drawing element data, and a second An overlap detection function for detecting an overlap with the second element image based on the drawing element data, and comparing the color information of the first drawing element data with the color information of the second drawing element data A color determination function for determining whether or not a color difference is within a predetermined amount; and a color information change function for changing the color information. In the color information change function, the duplication is detected in the duplication detection function. The position where the overlap is detected when the first element image is divided into the plurality of partial element images when the color determination function determines that the color difference is within a predetermined amount. The color information of the partial element data corresponding to the partial element image and the partial element image at the position where the overlap is detected when the second element image is divided into the plurality of partial element images An image processing program that causes a computer to change at least one of the color information of the partial element data corresponding to.

  According to the above-described image processing program, when the overlap is detected by the overlap detection function and the color difference is determined to be within the predetermined amount by the color determination function, the color information change function corresponds to the position where the overlap is detected. Of the color information of both partial element data, one or both of the color information is changed. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the pixel area whose color information is to be changed while making it possible to identify the drawing image of the overlapping portion.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system having an image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The figure which shows the example of the image which shows the example of drawing in this embodiment, and the drawing command list | wrist of an image. The figure for demonstrating the vector data structure of a vector data group group. The figure which shows the example which changes the color information of vector data per vector data group group. The figure which shows the example which changes the color information of vector data per partial vector data unit. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the flow of printing processing in the present embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the expansion | deployment process of a drawing command. The figure which shows the example which divided | segmented vector data into partial vector data in the modification. The figure which shows the example which changes either the color information of both the partial vector data which overlap in a modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, but extends to the matters described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system having an image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The printing system shown in the figure includes a host computer 40 and a printer 10.
The host computer 40 includes a CPU 41, an application program 42, a RAM 43, a printer driver 44 as an image processing apparatus, an external interface (I / F) 45, and the like.
The application program 42 functions by cooperating with the CPU 41. The printer driver 44 includes an image division unit 51, a partial element data generation unit 52, an overlap detection unit 53, a color determination unit 54, a color information change unit 55, etc., and each unit performs image processing by cooperating with the CPU 41. Functions as a device means. Details of the processing of each unit will be described later.

  In FIG. 1, when an application program 42 instructs the start of image data printing processing, it calls a GDI (Graphics Device Interface) drawing command and passes it to the printer driver 44. Although not shown, the host computer 40 has a GDI module. The GDI module provides the application program 42 with a common graphics interface that does not depend on an output device such as the printer 10 or the display of the host computer 40. Then, the printer driver 44 performs rendering processing based on the drawing command. As a result, image data 11 having 256 gradation color information of the RGB color system is generated for each pixel of resolution that can be printed by the printer 10, and transmitted to the printer 10 via the external I / F 45.

  On the other hand, the printer 10 includes a controller 20 and a print engine 30. The controller 20 includes, for example, an external I / F 22, an image forming program 23, a RAM 24, a CPU 21, a color conversion unit 27, a binarization unit 28, and the like. When the printer 10 receives the image data 11 via the external I / F 22 of the controller 20, the printer 10 executes the image forming program 23 to generate the image data 11 having 256 gradation color information of the RGB color system and the print engine 30. Are converted into image data in a printable format (for example, CMYK binary image data).

  Specifically, the color conversion unit 27 of the controller 20 converts the 256-color image data 11 of the RGB color system to the 256-color image data of the CMYK color system corresponding to, for example, the color of the toner or ink of the printer 10. Convert to Further, the binarization unit 28 converts the gradation of the image data after the color conversion process (in this example, 256 gradations) into a binary value that indicates the presence / absence of a dot for each pixel. For the binarization processing, for example, a method such as an error diffusion method or a dither method is used. The print engine 30 forms an image on the print medium based on the binary image data of the CMYK color system.

  In the present embodiment, the printer 10 performs color conversion processing and binarization processing. However, the host computer 40 may perform these processing. In this embodiment, the host computer 40 performs image division processing, partial element data generation processing, duplication detection processing, color determination processing, and color information change processing. However, the printer 10 performs these processing. It is also good.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image Pc showing a drawing example and a drawing command list CL1 of the image Pc in the present embodiment. An image Pc shown in FIG. 5A is an image drawn based on the drawing element data. The drawing element data includes drawing start coordinate information, drawing end coordinate information, and color information that define an element image to be drawn. Hereinafter, drawing element data will be described as vector data.

  The vector data for drawing the image Pc shown in FIG. 2A has vector data B1 and B2 for drawing line segments L1 and L2, respectively, and a vector data group B3 for drawing the character string “text” T1. . Here, the vector data group is an aggregate of a plurality of vector data groups, and the vector data group is an aggregate of a plurality of vector data. Further, the color information included in the vector data is the same black RGB1 = (0, 0, 0) for the vector data B1 and the vector data group B3, and the gray RGB2 = (35, 35, 35).

  In this embodiment, characters are used as an example of the vector data group. However, the vector data group is a collection of vector data, and is not limited to this example. The vector data group may be, for example, an arrow or a cubic figure. In this embodiment, the vector data group for drawing characters is a vector data group, and the vector data group for drawing character strings is a vector data group group. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, a collection of vector data for drawing a character string may be used as a vector data group.

  A drawing command list CL1 shown in FIG. 2B is an example of a drawing command passed to the printer driver 44 when the image Pc shown in FIG. 2A is printed. Specifically, the first drawing command C1 in the drawing command list CL1 is a command for designating a default font and font size in the entire image Pc. In this example, an MS Gothic of size 44 is designated as the default font in the image Pc by the drawing command C1.

  The drawing command C2 is a drawing command for the vector data B1 for drawing the line segment L1, and the start point coordinates (drawing start coordinates) p1 (10, 10) and end point coordinates (drawing end coordinates) p2 (100) of the line segment L1. , 100) and color information RGB1 = (0, 0, 0). Similarly, the drawing command C3 is a drawing command for vector data B2 for drawing the line segment L2, and the start point coordinates p5 (53, 35) and end point coordinates p6 (120, 35) of the line segment L2 and the color information RGB2 = (35, 35, 35) is designated. The drawing command C4 is a drawing command for the vector data group B3 for drawing the character string “text” T1, and includes the character string T1 to be drawn, the start point coordinates p3 (30, 25) for designating the pixel region to be drawn, and the like. The end point coordinate p4 (62, 40) and the color information RGB1 = (0, 0, 0) are designated.

  The printer driver 44 performs rendering processing based on the rendering commands C1 to C4 in the rendering command list CL1 shown in FIG. 2B, and generates image data having 256 gradations of the RGB color system for each pixel. Here, in the image Pc shown in FIG. 2A, the pixel area of the line segment L1 that is the drawing target of the vector data B1 overlaps with the pixel area of the text T1 that is the drawing target of the vector data group B3. (Overlapping part E1). In the overlapping portion E1, the drawing images of the overlapping line segment L1 and the text T1 have the same color (RGB1 = (0, 0, 0)), and the color difference between both drawing images does not exceed a predetermined amount. This makes it difficult to distinguish the line segment L1 and the text T1 in the printed image.

  On the other hand, the pixel region of the line segment L2 that is the rendering target of the vector data B2 and the pixel region of the text T1 that is the rendering target of the vector data group B3 also overlap (overlapping portion E2). However, in this overlapping part E2, the color of the drawing image of the overlapping line segment L2 (RGB2 = (35, 35, 35)) and the color of the drawing image of the text T1 (RGB1 = (0, 0, 0)) The color difference exceeds a predetermined amount. For this reason, with respect to the overlapping portion E2, the line segment L2 and the text T1 can be identified in the print image.

  Thus, when the drawing images overlap, the drawing image of each vector data whose color difference is within a predetermined amount is difficult to identify, whereas the drawing image of each vector data whose color difference exceeds a predetermined amount is That identification is possible. Therefore, the printer driver 44, for example, the vector data when the vector data B1 whose color difference is within a predetermined amount and the drawn images of the vector data group B3 overlap as in the overlapping portion E1 in FIG. Each drawing image can be identified by changing the color information of the vector data group B3 so that the color difference from the color information of B1 exceeds a predetermined amount.

  Note that the predetermined amount of color difference in this embodiment is, for example, less than about 3% of the maximum color difference in the color space that can be represented by the printing apparatus to be printed. For example, when the color difference based on the CIE2000 color difference formula is less than about 3% of the maximum color difference in the color space, it is difficult to distinguish both colors by human eyes based on actual measurements. It has been confirmed. However, the predetermined amount of the color difference varies depending on the model of the printing apparatus, aging deterioration, the type of color material to be used, and the like.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the vector data configuration of the vector data group B3. Hereinafter, the description position in the drawing will be described as a position toward the drawing. As shown in FIG. 3, a vector data group B3 for drawing a character string “text” T1 is a vector data group B31 for drawing a character “te” in a character string “text”, and a vector for drawing a character “ki”. The data group B 32, the vector data group B 33 for drawing the character “S”, and the vector data group B 34 for drawing the character “G”.

  The vector data groups B31 to B34 for drawing each character are each composed of a plurality of vector data. For example, the vector data group B31 for drawing the character “te” is constituted by three vector data B31-1 to B31-3 for drawing two horizontal lines and vertical curves constituting the character “te”, respectively. Similarly, although not shown, the vector data group B32 for drawing the character “ki” draws three vector data, and the vector data group B33 for drawing the character “su” draws three vector data and the character “g”. The vector data group B34 to be configured includes two vector data.

  Further, each of the vector data is composed of a plurality of partial vector data (partial element data). As shown in FIG. 3, here, the vector data B31-1 of the upper horizontal line constituting the character “te” is the partial vector data B31a and the right half of the left half of the horizontal line with the center line cl as a boundary. Of partial vector data B31b. The lower horizontal vector data B31-2 constituting the character “te” is composed of partial vector data B31c on the left half and partial vector data B31d on the right half of the horizontal line with the center line cl as a boundary. . Further, the vertical curve vector data B31-3 constituting the character “te” is composed of the upper half partial vector data B31e and the lower half partial vector data B31f of the curve. Similarly, although not shown, each vector data constituting the character “K”, each vector data constituting the character “S”, and each vector data constituting the character “G” each have two partial vectors. Consists of data. In FIG. 3, each vector data is divided into two partial vector data, but the number of divisions is not limited to two, and may be divided into three or more partial vector data.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing color information of vector data in units of vector data groups. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a part of the image Pc shown in FIG. FIG. 4A shows an image before the color information of the vector data is changed. FIG. 4B shows an image after the color information of the vector data is changed.

  FIG. 4B shows an image after the color information of all the vector data groups B31 to B34 of the vector data group group B3 is changed. In this example, the color information of the vector data groups B31 to B34 is changed from black RGB1 = (0, 0, 0) to gray RGB2 = (35, 35, 35) in which the color difference exceeds a predetermined amount. Accordingly, in FIG. 4A, it is difficult to distinguish between the line segment L1 and the character string T1 in the overlapping portion E1, but in FIG. On the other hand, in FIG. 4A, the line segment L2 and the character string T1 in the overlapping portion E2 can be identified, but in FIG. 4B, it is difficult to identify them.

  Thus, when the image of the vector data group group overlaps with the image of a plurality of vector data, a method for uniformly changing the color information of each vector data of the vector data group group in order to be able to identify the overlapping portion However, depending on the vector data, there may be a problem that it becomes difficult to identify the overlapped portion that could be identified until now.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing color information of vector data in units of partial vector data. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a part of the image Pc shown in FIG. FIG. 5A shows an image before the color information of the vector data is changed. FIG. 5B shows an image after the color information of the vector data is changed in units of partial vector data.

  FIG. 5B shows an image after the color information of the vector data B31-1 to B31-3 constituting the vector data group B31 is changed to the partial vector data B31a to B31f. In this example, each color information of the right partial vector data B31b constituting the vector data B31-1 and the right partial vector data B31d constituting the vector data B31-2 is from black RGB1 = (0, 0, 0). The color difference is changed to gray RGB2 = (35, 35, 35) exceeding a predetermined amount. Accordingly, in FIG. 5A, it is difficult to distinguish the line segment L1 and the character string T1 in the overlapping portion E1, but in FIG. Further, in FIG. 5A, the line segment L2 and the character string T1 in the overlapping portion E2 can be identified, but in FIG. 5B, they can be identified as they are.

  As described above, when a vector data group group image overlaps with a plurality of vector data images, it has been difficult to identify by the method of changing color information in units of partial vector data configured by dividing vector data. The overlapping portions can be made identifiable. Furthermore, it is possible to avoid the problem that occurs in FIG. 4B that makes it difficult to identify overlapping portions that have been identifiable until now.

  Next, details of processing of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the flow of printing processing in the present embodiment. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, an example will be described in which color information of vector data is changed in units of partial vector data.

  First, upon receiving the drawing command list CL1 (see FIG. 2B), the printer driver 44 expands the drawing command for the vector data group B3 in the drawing command list CL1 into a drawing command in units of partial vector data. (Step S10).

Here, the rendering process of the drawing command will be described.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the rendering process of the drawing command. The drawing command list CL2 shown in the figure is obtained by expanding the drawing command list CL1 shown in FIG. 2 in units of partial vector data. In the drawing command list CL2 of FIG. 7, drawing commands C2 and C3 are drawing commands for vector data B1 and B2, respectively, and drawing command C4 is a drawing command for vector data group B3.

  The printer driver 44 expands the rendering command C4 for the vector data group B3 into rendering commands C41 to C44 for the vector data groups B31 to B34. With the development process of the drawing command C4, the parameter drawing areas in the drawing commands C41 to C44 are set. Specifically, for example, in the case of the drawing command C41 of the vector data group B31 (“te”), coordinates (30, 26) indicating the drawing area of the character “te” among the drawing areas of the character string “text” T1; (38, 40) is set. Similarly, the coordinates of the corresponding drawing area are set for the other drawing commands C42 to C44.

Furthermore, the printer driver 44 divides and develops the rendering commands C41 to C44 in units of vector data groups B31 to B34 into rendering commands in units of partial vector data. Specifically, for example, in the case of the drawing instruction C41 for the vector data group B31 ("te"), partial vector data B31a configured by dividing each of the vector data B31-1 to B31-3 constituting the vector data group B31. To B31f drawing commands C41a to C41f. Similarly, the other drawing commands C42 to C44 are expanded into drawing commands for the corresponding partial vector data unit.
Note that the image dividing unit 51 (see FIG. 1) executes the division of each image of the vector data groups B31 to B34 into a plurality of partial vector data images. The generation of the plurality of partial vector data is executed by the partial element data generation unit 52 (see FIG. 1).

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 6, next, the printer driver 44 detects whether or not the drawing area of the vector data overlaps based on the drawing area indicated by the drawing command by the duplication detection unit 53 (see FIG. 1) (see FIG. 1). Step S20). Specifically, in the printer driver 44, the drawing target pixel area indicated by the parameter of the drawing command overlaps the pixel area of another vector data already drawn or the pixel area indicated by the drawing command of other vector data. It is determined whether or not. In addition, the duplication detection of vector data is demonstrated as including the duplication detection of partial vector data. In other words, the duplication detection unit 53 can be said to detect duplication of the first element image based on the first drawing element data and the second element image based on the second drawing element data.

When the overlapping of the drawing area of the vector data is detected (step S20: YES), the printer driver 44 determines the color difference in the color information of the partial vector data where the overlapping is detected by the color determination unit 54 (see FIG. 1). Is determined within a predetermined amount (step S30).
When it is determined that the color difference is within the predetermined amount (step S30: YES), the printer driver 44 uses the color information change unit 55 (see FIG. 1) to convert the color information of the partial vector data into the color difference. It changes so that a predetermined amount may be exceeded (step S40). Then, the process proceeds to step S50.

  On the other hand, when the overlapping of the drawing areas of the partial vector data is not detected (step S20: NO), or when the overlapping is detected (step S20: YES), the color difference in the color information of the partial vector data is If it is not within the predetermined amount (step S30: NO), the printer driver 44 proceeds to step S50 without changing the color information.

  In step S50, the printer driver 44 performs a rendering process based on the modified rendering command when the color information in the rendering command is changed, or based on the rendering command as it is when the color information is not changed.

  In step S60, the printer driver 44 determines whether or not the processing has been completed for all the vector data drawing commands. If there is an unprocessed drawing command (step S60: NO), the process returns to step S20. The processes after S20 are repeated.

  On the other hand, when the processing for all the vector data drawing commands is completed (step S60: YES), the generated image data 11 is transmitted to the printer 10 (step S70).

When the image data 11 is input to the printer 10, the color conversion unit 27 of the printer 10 converts pixel data having RGB color system gradation values for each pixel into CMYK gradations that are toner color systems. Color conversion into pixel data having a value is performed (step S80).
Next, the image data is converted into image data having gradation that can be printed by the print engine 30 for each pixel by the binarization unit 28 (step S90), and is printed on a print medium such as paper by the print engine 30. (Step S100).

  Next, a specific example of changing the color information of vector data will be described. Here, an example of drawing the image shown in FIG. 5B will be described.

  In accordance with the drawing command list CL2 (see FIG. 7), the printer driver 44 first determines whether or not the drawing target pixel area indicated by the drawing instruction C2 of the vector data B1 overlaps the pixel area of other vector data. Specifically, the printer driver 44 determines whether or not the pixel area at the coordinates specified in the parameter of the drawing command C2 has been drawn with other vector data. In this case, since no vector data identification information is held in the pixel area indicated by the rendering command C2 in the rendering memory area, no overlap is detected. Therefore, the printer driver 44 performs a rendering process based on the drawing command C2.

  Subsequently, the printer driver 44 determines whether or not the drawing command C3 and the drawing command C41a are overlapped. In this case, since the overlap is not detected, a rendering process is performed based on each drawing command.

  Subsequently, the printer driver 44 performs a determination process for duplication of the drawing command C41b. Specifically, the printer driver 44 determines whether or not the pixel area surrounded by the parameter coordinates of the rendering command C41b overlaps with the pixel area of other vector data. In this case, the printer driver 44 detects the overlap because the pixel area of the partial vector data B31b overlaps the pixel area of the vector data B1.

  Subsequently, the printer driver 44 determines whether or not the color difference in the color information between the vector data B1 and the partial vector data B31b where the overlap is detected is within a predetermined amount. As a result, since the colors are the same, the printer driver 44 changes the parameter indicating the color information of the rendering command C41b from RGB1 = (0,0,0) to RGB2 = (35,35,35). Then, the printer driver 44 performs rendering processing based on the changed drawing command C41b.

  Similarly, the printer driver 44 determines whether the drawing command C41c, the drawing command C41e, and the drawing command C41f are overlapped. In this case, since the overlap is not detected, rendering processing is performed based on each drawing command.

  In addition, the printer driver 44 determines whether or not the drawing command C41d is overlapped. In this case, the printer driver 44 detects the overlap when the pixel area of the partial vector data B31d overlaps the pixel area of the vector data B1. Then, the printer driver 44 determines whether or not the color difference in the color information between the vector data B1 and the partial vector data B31d where the overlap is detected is within a predetermined amount. As a result, since the colors are the same, the printer driver 44 changes the parameter indicating the color information of the rendering command C41d from RGB1 = (0,0,0) to RGB2 = (35,35,35). Then, the printer driver 44 performs rendering processing based on the changed drawing command C41d.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when an image of a vector data group group overlaps with a plurality of vector data images, for example, as shown in FIG. 5B, a partial vector configured by dividing vector data Change color information in data units. Thereby, it is possible to identify an overlapped portion that has been difficult to identify. In addition, for example, the problem that occurred in FIG. 4B that makes it difficult to identify an overlapped portion that could be identified so far can be avoided.

  Furthermore, when the vector data overlaps with other vector data, the color information is changed only for partial vector data generated by dividing the vector data. Thereby, compared with changing the color information of the entire vector data, it is possible to reduce the pixel area whose color information is to be changed while making it possible to identify the drawing image of the overlapping portion. As a result, the change of the drawing color accompanying the change of the color information is not noticeable in the entire image, and an image with less sense of discomfort can be obtained.

(Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, each of the vector data groups B31 to B34 for drawing the character string “text” is divided into a plurality of partial vector data. Further, the vector data B1 and B2 for drawing the line segments L1 and L2 are left as they are without being divided. However, division into partial vector data may be performed on not only one of the overlapping vector data but also on both vector data.

  FIG. 8A shows an example in which vector data B31-1 for drawing a horizontal line at the upper position constituting the character “te” shown in FIG. 5A is divided into two partial vector data B31a and B31b. Yes. FIG. 8B shows an example in which the vector data B1 for drawing the line segment L1 shown in FIG. 5A is divided into three or more partial vector data B1a, B1b, B1c, and the like. As described above, in FIG. 8, both overlapping vector data B31-1 and vector data B1 are to be divided.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing any color information of both overlapping partial vector data. FIG. 9A shows an example in which the division numbers of both overlapping vector data are compared and the color information of the partial vector data having the larger division number is changed. Here, the number of divisions for vector data B1 is larger than the number of divisions for vector data B31-1. Therefore, the color information of the partial vector data B1b of the vector data B1 is changed from black RGB1 = (0, 0, 0) to gray RGB2 = (35, 35, 35). In the case of partial vector data having a large number of divisions, the ratio of the partial vector data area to the entire area of the vector data to be divided becomes small. Thereby, the change of the drawing color accompanying the change of the color information is not noticeable in the entire image, and an image with less sense of incongruity can be obtained.

  On the other hand, FIG. 9B shows an example in which the distance information from the start point coordinates to the end point coordinates of both overlapping partial vector data is compared, and the color information of the partial vector data having a shorter distance is changed. . Here, the distance of the partial vector data B31b of the vector data B31-1 is shorter than the distance of the partial vector data B1b of the vector data B1. For this reason, the color information of the partial vector data B31b of the vector data B31-1 is changed from black RGB1 = (0, 0, 0) to gray RGB2 = (35, 35, 35). In the case of partial vector data with a short distance, the area of partial vector data is smaller than the area of partial vector data with a long distance. Thereby, the change of the drawing color accompanying the change of the color information is not noticeable in the entire image, and an image with less sense of incongruity can be obtained.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printer, 11 ... Image data, 20 ... Controller, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... External I / F, 23 ... Image formation program, 24 ... RAM, 27 ... Color conversion unit, 28 ... Binarization unit, 30 ... Printing Engine, 40 ... Host computer, 41 ... CPU, 42 ... Application program, 43 ... RAM, 51 ... Image division unit, 52 ... Partial element data generation unit, 53 ... Duplicate detection unit, 54 ... Color judgment unit, 55 ... Color information Change unit.

Claims (8)

An image processing apparatus that performs image processing of drawing element data having drawing start coordinate information, drawing end coordinate information, and color information,
Image dividing means for dividing an element image based on the drawing element data into a plurality of partial element images;
Partial element data generating means for generating partial element data to be the drawing element data corresponding to the partial element image;
A duplication detecting means for detecting duplication of the first element image based on the first drawing element data and the second element image based on the second drawing element data;
Color determination means for comparing the color information of the first drawing element data with the color information of the second drawing element data to determine whether a color difference is within a predetermined amount;
Color information changing means for changing the color information,
The color information changing unit detects the duplication in the duplication detection unit, and when the color judgment unit judges that the color difference is within a predetermined amount,
Comparing the number of divisions of the partial element image in the first element image with the number of divisions of the partial element image in the second element image;
When the first element image is divided into the plurality of partial element images, the color information of the partial element data corresponding to the partial element image at the position where the overlap is detected;
Among the color information of the partial element data corresponding to the partial element image at the position where the overlap is detected when the second element image is divided into the plurality of partial element images,
An image processing apparatus, wherein the color information of the partial element data corresponding to the partial element image having a large number of divisions is changed. The color information changing unit includes a distance between a drawing start coordinate and a drawing end coordinate of the partial element data in the first element image, and a drawing start coordinate and a drawing end coordinate of the partial element data in the second element image. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color information of the partial element data having a short distance is changed by comparing the distance between the two. Wherein the predetermined amount is an image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 2, characterized in that the 0. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined amount is less than 3% of a maximum color difference in a color space that can be represented by the image processing apparatus. The duplication detection unit detects the duplication based on a drawing target pixel area indicated by a drawing command of the first drawing element data and a drawing target pixel area indicated by a drawing command of the second drawing element data. the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, any one of 4, characterized by. Said drawing element data, the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, any one of 5, which is a vector data. An image processing method for performing image processing of drawing element data having drawing start coordinate information, drawing end coordinate information, and color information,
An image dividing step of dividing an element image based on the drawing element data into a plurality of partial element images;
A partial element data generation step of generating partial element data to be the drawing element data corresponding to the partial element image;
A duplication detection step of detecting duplication of the first element image based on the first drawing element data and the second element image based on the second drawing element data;
A color determination step of comparing the color information of the first drawing element data with the color information of the second drawing element data to determine whether a color difference is within a predetermined amount;
A color information changing step for changing the color information,
In the color information changing step, when the duplication is detected in the duplication detection step and the color difference is determined to be within a predetermined amount in the color judgment step,
Comparing the number of divisions of the partial element image in the first element image with the number of divisions of the partial element image in the second element image;
When the first element image is divided into the plurality of partial element images, the color information of the partial element data corresponding to the partial element image at the position where the overlap is detected;
Among the color information of the partial element data corresponding to the partial element image at the position where the overlap is detected when the second element image is divided into the plurality of partial element images, the number of divisions An image processing method comprising: changing the color information of the partial element data corresponding to many partial element images. An image processing program for performing image processing of drawing element data having drawing start coordinate information, drawing end coordinate information, and color information,
An image dividing function for dividing an element image based on the drawing element data into a plurality of partial element images;
A partial element data generation function for generating partial element data to be the drawing element data corresponding to the partial element image;
An overlap detection function for detecting an overlap between the first element image based on the first drawing element data and the second element image based on the second drawing element data;
A color determination function for comparing the color information of the first drawing element data with the color information of the second drawing element data to determine whether a color difference is within a predetermined amount;
A color information changing function for changing the color information,
In the color information change function, when the duplication detection function detects the duplication, and the color determination function determines that the color difference is within a predetermined amount,
Comparing the number of divisions of the partial element image in the first element image with the number of divisions of the partial element image in the second element image;
When the first element image is divided into the plurality of partial element images, the color information of the partial element data corresponding to the partial element image at the position where the overlap is detected;
Among the color information of the partial element data corresponding to the partial element image at the position where the overlap is detected when the second element image is divided into the plurality of partial element images, the number of divisions An image processing program for causing a computer to change the color information of the partial element data corresponding to many partial element images.

Images