JPH01151875A - Picture processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain interactive edit processing electronically at a high speed for lots of picture data by devising the system such that an input controller, a file server, a work station and an image setter can process information independently respectively. CONSTITUTION:CPUs 101, 201, 401, 301 (microprocessors or microcomputer or the like) where an input controller 100, a file server 200, a work station 300 and an image setter 400 are independent of each other are provided to the system. Thus, each section is operated in parallel independently and the efficient picture processing is realized at a high speed. Furthermore, a pattern or a character or the like is subject overall interactive edit and the picture image is obtained as a hard copy or a print original.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Technical Field of the Invention) This invention is a method for processing images such as characters, designs, and binary drawings electronically and recording them as printing blocks. related to image processing systems.

(Technical background and problems to be solved) Conventionally, as an image processing system for printing companies that demand high quality, there is either no system that comprehensively integrates and edits images such as characters and designs, or there is no system that exists. However, its capacity was low and it was not practical.

In particular, although the field of desktop publishing is becoming possible with descriptions using BostScript, etc., the capabilities and performance in the field of images are low. Systems for printing companies also exist, but they are not sufficient for handling (input 1 display, storage IQ input 1 editing, output, etc.) a large amount of data at high speed. The reason for this is that performance is lacking due to the diversification of processing by CPU (software) and a description language for integrally processing one character image.

FIG. 28 shows a conventional general printing plate manufacturing process, in which code data created with a word processor etc. is input (step 540), code conversion of the created code (step 541), and typesetting editing. After (step 542), the PPC output is checked and characters are output using a computerized phototypesetting machine (hereinafter referred to as an electrotypesetting machine).
Step S43.544). Here, typesetting editing means arranging character strings according to predetermined rules, and specifically includes prohibition processing. Generally, in word processors such as 0^,
It simply places full-width characters (square characters) in order.

However, in the world of phototypesetting, it is possible to create something aesthetically pleasing by arranging characters that are half the width of full-width characters. Furthermore, PPC output check refers to laser beam printer (LBP) output. Generally, the output of a high-quality output device is black and white photographic paper or film, both of which are expensive due to silver halide and are slower than LBP due to their high resolution. On the other hand, LBP is an electrophotographic method with low resolution, low cost, and high speed.

Therefore, LOP is sufficient for proofreading and checking layouts, characters, etc. The confirmation performed before the actual high-quality output is called PPC output check. Further, a document (original) such as a pattern is read by a scanner, and a halftone image is output (step 545). This halftone dot output, electrotype type character output, moving phototypesetting machine output, line drawings, illustrations, etc. are pasted in manually (step 550), a proof galley of the composite image is obtained, and the content is checked. Make corrections if necessary (steps 551 and 55).
2). Thereafter, manual phototypesetting for pasting is performed (step 553), corrections and pasting are performed, and a final check of the image is performed (steps S54 and 555). Next, camera shooting (step 560), page cutting (step 561), and pinhole correction operations are performed (
Step 582), film imposition is performed (step 563), and a printing plate is created. However, in images output on silver halide photosensitive materials (photographic paper, film, etc.) by high-quality output devices, areas that should be black may become white, or vice versa, which may occur in minute spots. This correction is called pinhole correction.

As described above, the conventional plate-making process involved a lot of manual pasting and photosetting, which required a great deal of labor and time, and was extremely inefficient.

(Object of the invention) This invention was made under the above circumstances,
The purpose of this invention is to process large amounts of image data.

The object of the present invention is to provide an optimal image processing system for printing companies to perform electronic interactive editing processing at high speed.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention relates to an image processing system for processing images such as characters and patterns. an input controller equipped with a first CPυ that converts and compresses the compressed image data into a buffer and temporarily stores the compressed image data in a buffer; a workstation equipped with a second CPU adapted to edit the screen using means and display means; connected to the input controller and workstation by a bus line;
a third CPU for storing the code information and the edited data edited at the workstation in a storage means;
a file server equipped with a file server; reading the edited data stored in the storage means and performing necessary data processing;
4th C, which outputs images to an image output device
The input controller, the file server, the workstation, and the imagesetter can each process information independently.

(Function of the Invention) In the image processing system of the present invention, each of the input controller, file server, imagesetter, and workstation, which are the constituent elements, is equipped with an independent CPU (microprocessor, microcomputer, etc.). can be operated independently and in parallel, achieving high-speed and efficient image processing.

In addition, it is possible to comprehensively and interactively edit patterns, characters, etc., and obtain images as hard copies or printing blocks.

(Embodiment of the Invention) FIG. 1 shows the overall system configuration of the present invention in a block diagram, and the density data DD of the image obtained by reading a document such as one picture, one character, one figure, etc. with an input device 1 such as a scanner is input to the input controller 100, input controller 1
00 halftones the input density data DD using the built-in CPU 10I in the halftone conversion circuit 102, further compresses it in the compression circuit 103, and then stores it in the buffer 104.
Thereafter, it is transferred to the magnetic tape 210 or hard disk 220 of the file server 200 via the 5csr bus.
221. It is designed to be stored in... The input controller 100 has a local disk (hard disk) 105 for temporarily storing data. The file server 200 has a CPt 1201 and is connected to other devices via interfaces 202 to 205. Further, the code information CD of characters and the like obtained by the editing input device 2 such as a word processor or typesetting machine is first stored on the floppy disk 3 and then read out and input into the workstation 300. This input may be entered online. The workstation 300 includes a CRT 301 as a display means and a keyboard 3 as an input operation means.
02. A mouse 306, a digitizer 303, and a hard disk 3o4 as a storage means. The workstation 300 has a plurality of sets of terminal devices each having a floppy disk 305, and each workstation 300 is mutually connected to a file server 200 via Ethernet. Compressed image data thinned out for CRT display and image data for outline display (described later) obtained by the input controller loo are stored on a magnetic tape 210 or hard disks 220, 221.
... and is transferred to the workstation 300 via the interfaces 204 and 202 read out via the 5csr bus,
Control commands and the like are transferred via an auxiliary data line 4 to an interface 200 of a file server 200, and an imagesetter 400 is further connected to the file server 200. That is,
The imagesetter 400 is provided with a CPU 401, which connects the file server 2 via an interface 402.
00 auxiliary data line 5, and is connected to the 5C5I bus via an interface 403. The imagesetter 400 further includes a sequencer 410 and a buffer 411 for storing necessary data, and the imagesetter 400 includes a high-quality output device 10 that outputs high-quality images and a laser beam that outputs relatively low-quality images. A printer 11 is connected. The hard disks 220, 221, . . . store in advance fixed data (bitmap data) such as logos and emblems, and vector font data for character output.

By the way, on the input device 1, the picture (halftone image), line drawing 1
Density data (8 bits/pixel) for both character images (binary images)
digitized. The input controller 100 converts the input signal of 8 bits/pixel into halftone dots to generate information of 4 bits/pixel. A binary image is converted to 1 bit/pixel information. Each of these 4 bits/pixel and 1 bit/pixel is for LBP 11 and high-quality output device 1
Compressed for 0 use. Further, the CRT display 1 outline display data is thinned out. Furthermore, although characters are input as codes from the workstation 300, they may also be input as images from the input device 1. Therefore, when input as an image, even characters are treated as an image (bitmap data). All image output is performed by the imagesetter 400, but since the imagesetter 400 converts all code and vector information into bitmap data, the term "image output" should not be used in the sense of outputting bitmap data. become.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the external configuration of the present invention, in which the input controller 100. The system main body, which includes a file server 200 and an imagesetter 400, has an input device 1.
and a plurality of workstations 300 are connected, and processed images are output from a high-quality output device 10 or a laser beam printer 11.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image processing system of the present invention. When the code information CD created by the editing input device 2 is input to the workstation 300 via the floppy disk 3 (step St), Necessary code conversion is performed (step S2), and the keyboard 302. Typesetting editing is performed through predetermined operations of the mouse 306 and digitizer 303 (step S3), the PPC output image is checked for the edited data (step S4), and the data is transferred to the image processing system. (Step 520). Moreover, the above step S1
．． Data for which S2 to S3.54 have been executed may be input to the image processing system via the floppy disk 3. On the other hand, the original (manuscript) such as pictures and characters is read by the input device 1 (steps 510, 5ll), and the read data is input to the image processing system (step 52).
0). The code information CD and density data 00 input to the image processing system are processed by the input controller 100 as described later. After being processed by the file server 200, workstation 300, and imagesetter 400, it is output as a proofing galley by the laser beam printer 11 (step 521), and the data is checked visually and corrected using the workstation 300 (step 522). ), the modified data is stored on the BN tape 210 or hard disk 220 of the image processing system,
221. Transfer it to and store it in (Step 5)
23). Then, the final calibration vignettes are output for the stored correction data (step 524), then the imposition of the film is output to the high-quality output device IQ (step 525), and further pinhole correction is performed ( In step 530), imposition such as 4 sides of 34 plates is performed to obtain printing film, photographic paper, and printing plates (step 531).

In this manner, the image processing system of the present invention does not require manual pasting of drawings, photographs, etc., and also eliminates manual phototypesetting, which is effective in terms of labor and material savings.

Next, the detailed configuration and operation of each part will be sequentially explained.

First, details of the input controller 100 will be explained with reference to FIG.
High density data for 0, data for laser beam printer 11, CRT 30 of workstation 300
Five sets of data, including two types of data for one display and graphic data coarse enough to indicate an outline, are simultaneously generated and processed. By performing parallel processing, overall speed can be increased, and the CPU speed can be improved by hardware.
This is because the data generation calculation load of OI can be reduced. That is, high-density data for the high-quality output device 10 is halftone-ized by a halftone-dotting circuit 1021, compressed by a compression circuit 1031, and the compressed data is temporarily stored in a buffer 1041. In addition, data for outputting an image with a relatively low image quality laser beam printer +1 is obtained by thinning the density data DD at predetermined intervals (for example, 1/3) (110), and converting the coarse data into halftone dots by a halftone dot forming circuit 1022. and compressed by a compression circuit 1032, and then compressed by a buffer 1042.
It is temporarily stored in . Furthermore, two types of coarser data to be displayed on the CRT 30 are obtained by thinning out the density data DD at predetermined intervals and then halftone-forming them in halftone-forming circuits 1023 and 1024, respectively.
In addition, when creating a cutout mask from the halftone image, thinning the image data after Laplacian processing or unsharp mask processing that shows contour data is performed (113), and then the binarization circuit The data is binarized at 1025 and temporarily stored in a buffer 1045.

Laplacian processing or unsharp mask processing is performed before the input device (1) or the thinning processing (113).

In the case of a CRT, thinning is performed at a thinning rate that allows the input image area to be displayed at its maximum, and at a thinning rate that allows the image to be displayed in a layout form on one page. When displaying on a CRT with an accuracy of 1/2 of the pixel density of , the thinning rate is 1/2.

Note that the buffers 1041 to 1045 are each connected to the internal bus 122, and are connected to the 5C via the interface +21.
It is connected to the 5I bus, and the halftone dotting circuit 1021°10
22.1023 and 1924 each also have a binarization function. Further, the local disk 105 is connected to an internal bus 122 via an interface 120.

In such a configuration, the CPUl0I communicates with the input device 1 via a data line (not shown) and
It communicates with file server 200 via auxiliary data line 4 and dual port RAM (not shown). Then, when there is a data transmission request from the input device 1, the CP
The UIOI sets necessary data for each circuit shown in FIG. 4, stores the setting data in the local disk +05, and further sets setting values related to sub-scanning. Density data DD from the input device 1 is input every l line, and the fourth
Each circuit shown in the figure is synchronized with the buffer +04 (10
41-1045). During this time, CPUIOI switches 5C5I bus, data compression output buffer +0
41 and check for error information from various circuits. - degree buffer 104 and local disk 1
The data stored in 05 is sorted by the command of CPU10I and output to the external 5C5I bus. In this case, if used online, the input controller 100
As a result of communication between the file server 200 and the file server 200, an address on the scsr bus is obtained, and the address is transferred offline (input controller 10
0 alone), the input controller 100 manages files on the magnetic tape 210.

Here, a specific example of the halftone dotting circuit and the compression circuit will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 5 shows a density data DDq threshold matrix 120.
This shows how halftone dot data DT is formed, and as is clear from FIG. Comparing with four threshold values, binary halftone dot data DT of 4 bits per pixel is generated.
The level value of input density data DD is threshold matrix 1
When the value is higher than the threshold value of each pixel of 20, it is 1" (black), and when it is lower, it is 0 (white), and each bit threshold value of the threshold f direct matrix 120 is unrelated to the level value of the pixel. It depends only on the pixel coordinates.Here, as shown as the dot threshold data DTI in FIG. In other words, the encoding method uses two dot units and one pixel is 4 bits like PL (45 degrees, 150 degrees
A halftone image of lines) is used.

Therefore, since the size of the encoded block 6L is 2 halftone units, the image has 100 pixels/block. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the density data OD is binarized for each block using a threshold matrix 120 to obtain halftone dot data DT2 as shown in FIG. Next, the halftone density data (4 bits) in the block BL are rearranged in order of the four threshold values for each pixel in the threshold matrix 120. These data are rearranged in a fixed order determined by the threshold matrix 120. In other words, since the threshold value for each bit of the threshold matrix 120 is fixed as shown in FIG. By rearranging the values, all the density data are rearranged in order of increasing (or decreasing) threshold value as shown in FIG. Sorted 400-bit halftone data DT
3 is encoded every 8 bits. In this case, the rearranged 4
The halftone dot data DT3 of 00 bits is scanned in units of 8 bits from the beginning, and the number of units in units of 8 bits in which all 8 bits are successively "0" is determined. This group part is called the white part W, and the length of the white part W is "O" ~ °50", so 6
It can be encoded in bits. Next, the rearranged 4
The halftone dot data [ )T3 of 00 bits is scanned in units of 8 bits from the end, and the number of units in units of 8 bits in which all 8 bits are "1" is determined. This group part is Kurobe B
And since the length of this black part B is also 0" to "50",
It can be encoded with 6 bits. Furthermore, the data in the intermediate part other than the white part W and the black part B of the rearranged 400-bit halftone data DD3 is called intermediate data, and this intermediate data is the result of the above rearrangement when viewed in 8-bit units. 1O
As shown in code tables 0 to 3 in the figure, there are only 25 types of patterns, and all of these can be fixedly encoded with a 5-bit encoding code. In other words, the 8-bit intermediate data is
It can be compressed to bit data. Generally 1 (
When performing this encoding in bit units (uxn (number of halftone dots per pixel)), the number of pixels (number of pixels per pixel) is an integer.
It can be replaced with x bits such that 2x-'< (n+lf≦2).Furthermore, the first O
In the example of code tables 1 to 3 in the figure, the code “11001,1
1010°11011.11100,11101,11
A higher compression ratio can be obtained by allocating data as shown in FIG. A code can be assigned to a specific pattern in the middle part as a part B symbol.

Next, the operation of the file server 200 will be explained in detail.

The configuration of the file server 200 is shown in FIG. 1, and this file server 200 has common file management functions such as file management and file sharing, and communication control functions for network communication and inter-unit communication. There is. In other words, the file server 200 is 5C5I
Hard disks (220, 221...
), performs file management of the magnetic tape 210,
Workstation 300 via Ethernet
It also has a software interface function with the input controller 100 and the imagesetter 400, and also performs a service of file management information for the input controller 100 and the imagesetter 400, as well as a utility function for file management via the 5C5I bus. Examples include font registration and 5C5I disk garbage collection.

There are two types of font registration here. One is the registration of fonts owned by the system, and this registration involves storing vector fonts created with other font creation systems in the form of magnetic tape on the hard disk of the main field image processing system.

The other is the registration of external character fonts. External character fonts are characters that do not exist within the system. In this case, fonts created in other systems are registered in this system from a floppy or magnetic tape. Alternatively, it is also possible to read the character image with an input device and register the raster data after vectorization processing. Additionally, garbage collection is performed for the following reasons. In this image processing system, the hard disk 220 in the file server 200
．． 221. ..., file creation and deletion occur frequently. As a result, the effective usable area within the hard disk becomes scattered and scattered. In terms of the system, contiguous empty areas are convenient for allocating areas to new files, and are also advantageous for high-speed file access. For this reason, perform a major cleaning of the hard disk. That is, the free areas are made into a continuous area by grouping together the empty areas and relocating the valid files into a continuous area. This process is called garbage collection.

The file server 200 is a workstation 300° input controller! 00 and the imagesetter 400, and the input controller 100 provides services for data transfer and data storage between the auxiliary data line 4 and the dual port IIAM, and the input controller 100 connects to the file server 200 regarding securing and deleting areas for various files via the auxiliary data line 4 and dual port IIAM. Get the necessary information from. To register the data stored in the buffer 104 in the input controller I00 as a file in the image processing system, information such as the file name and file capacity is transferred to the file server 200, and the data stored in the hard disks 220, 221 . ... to access. As a result, the file server 200 performs directory communication and management of disk areas and the like. The file server 200 also transfers file data to the workstation 300 and receives data from the workstation via Ethernet.

At this time, according to the command from the workstation 300, the file server 200 operates the hard disk (
220,...) and the magnetic tape 210, and updates necessary information such as directories. It also obtains commands to the imagesetter 400 and commands to the magnetic tape 210, and performs services accordingly. Furthermore, a predetermined command is sent to the imagesetter 400 via the auxiliary data line 5 and the dual port RAlil, file management information is sent in response to a request from the imagesetter 400, and data on the disk on the 5C5I bus is sent. The image setter 400 accesses directly. Furthermore, utility information related to the entire image processing system is stored on the hard disks 220, 221 . Manage and font information with...

Common files on the system correspond to such information.

In addition, to facilitate Ethernet support (TCP/IP protocol), Ethe for IBM-AT is installed.
I am using an rnet board. This Ethernet
The basic configuration for driving the board is similar to 1B) A-AT, and is operated on MS-DO5 to facilitate implementation of the TCP/IP protocol. Protocol means the communication rules between hosts that perform communication, and 15
A seven-layer standard model (051 model) is proposed by the 0 standard. The seven protocol layers are based on the level of communication abstraction and are divided into physical layers as shown in Figure 12.
yer) to the application layer (Application Lay
er) exists up to. For example, the physical layer uses 0 and 1 rules based on voltage levels, the data link layer uses rules for data transfer and error detection, and the network layer determines the destination and order of packets in units of packets. Contains communications regulations.

The TCP/IP protocol is a communication protocol corresponding to the transport layer, and is a communication protocol between hosts. With TCP/IP, it is possible to establish a connection with a partner host, transfer buffer data between hosts, and establish multiple connections with multiple hosts. Also Ethe
The rnet board is one of the expansion boards for a personal computer, and is an expansion board with a built-in CPU for communication via Ethernet. l[1M-AT Ethernet
The ET board is an Ethernet board that supports the CPU bus and expansion slots of IBM-AT personal computers, and supports the TCP/IP protocol (150 O5I model T
transport layer) and the following protocol layers are supported. As shown in FIG. 13, CPt1 of IBM-AT
201 and Ethernet CPU 231 are I10
Data is exchanged between the board 206 and the shared memory 234 within the Ethernet board. TCP/
IP protocol functions, i.e. establishing connections with other hosts, establishing multiple connections, transferring buffered data/
Software exists to realize reception, etc., and it is possible to perform communication using the TCP/IP protocol from a user program. Furthermore, MS-005 is an operating system that uses Intel's 16-bit microprocessor to execute functions such as disk input/output management, memory management, process management, network management, and machine interface. FIGS. 14(8) and 14(B) show examples of communication operations between the file server 200 and the input controller 100 and between the file server 200 and the imagesetter 400, respectively. That is, when the input controller 100 requests the file server 200 to write target image data (step 5200), the file server 200 sends permission to write data and the write address to which the data should be written to the input controller +00. Transfer (step 5201). In this case, permission to write data cannot be granted when the file names match or when the hard disk is full. When the data write permission and write address are transferred from the file server 200, the input controller 100 transfers the image data (compressed density data) to the hard disks 220, 221.・・・・・・
...or write to the specified address on the magnetic tape 210 (step 5202). Also, magnetic tape 210 or hard disks 220, 221 . When reading data from . and the read address of the image setter 400 (step 5211).
). Then, the file server 200 reads the data from the designated address via the SC5I bus and transfers it to the imagesetter 400 (step 5212).

Next, the details of the workstation 300 will be explained.

The flow in FIG. 15 shows the functions of the workstation 300, in which the workstation 300 inputs character code data, converts the data format (step 5300), and interactively creates layout data such as a frame into which an image is inserted. Step 5301) Create output data written in the page description language based on these character code data and layout data.
02) Transfer this output data to the file server 200 and send it to the imagesetter 400 and the file server 20.
An output instruction is issued via 0 (step 5303).

FIG. 16 shows a more detailed operation example, in which the document data edited and stored in the editing input device 2 is read out from the floppy disk 3 (step 5310), and the code information CD of the document data is converted into a data format. is performed (step 5311). And CnT301
Step 5312)
, move the image data output position using the mouse 306. keychain 3
02. Step 5313 as instructed by digitizer 303
), page description data for each page is created (step 5314).

Such data creation is performed for all pages (step 5315), and then an imposition instruction for creating a printing block is given using the keyboard 302 (step 5316).
, creates imposed page description data (step 5317), transfers the created data to the file server 200 (step 5318), and instructs the imagesetter 400 to output an image, thereby ending the operation. (Step 5319).

Next, an overview of the actual display screen of the RT301 and the operation of the workstation 300 is shown in Figs.
This will be explained with reference to (1).

First, editing is performed for document registration and format registration. Document registration is performed on the document registration sheet as shown in Figure 17 (8). In addition to document number 1 document name, typesetting machine number and format Information such as patterns and layout patterns is registered and stored in a document management file in the hard disk 304. This only needs to be registered once for each document. In addition, the format registration is as shown in Figure 17 (B).
Register the format for each document using the format registration sheet and similarly store it in the document management file. If a format pattern has already been registered, it can be modified using the keyboard 302 on the format sheet. On the other hand, the editing work is performed in the following order: preparation for starting, format data input and conversion, layout editing, galley output, and/or draft output 9 editing work completion work. That is, the instruction to start the work is given by specifying the document number and job number of the document to be edited using the work instruction sheet on the screen shown in FIG. As work conditions, instructions are given using the mouse 306 regarding image display, addition or modification of galley output 0 and draft output 2 images. Text or layout data (floppy disk 305), various image data (
Hard disks 220 and 221 of the file server 200
... or the magnetic tape 210) is loaded onto the hard disk 304 as shown in FIG. 17(0). These processes are started as background jobs and processed in parallel, and when data loading is complete, a layout scope for editing is displayed.

Then, as shown in Figure 17 (E), use the formatting input sheet to indicate whether to input new input (or replacement) or additional input, set the floppy disk 3 in the specified position, and input the formatting data (code information). and stores it on the hard disk 304. In this case, data conversion is done automatically and
Formatting data input processing is started as a background job and is processed in parallel with other processing. Next, Fig. 17 (F
), the page is designated, the contents of the page are displayed, the frame is designated, and then the line 9 figure and flat mesh are designated. In other words, you can directly or indirectly (next, previous) specify the page number to be edited in the layout scope, and if the specified page already exists, the text and layout will be changed to CIIT30.
1 WYSIWYG (What You See I
s WhatYou Get, which means you get a hard copy exactly as you see it on the C87 screen). The area where the image is displayed is called a frame, and the CRT30
Using various commands on the screen of 1, a frame is created while displaying in WYS IWYG by pointing with the mouse 305 or inputting numerical values from the keyboard 302. Then, specify the image number that will fit into the frame using the keyboard 302,
The hard disk 220, ・
...The image data above is displayed on the screen of the CRT 301. Furthermore, ruled lines, enclosing lines, flat mesh, etc. can be added to the CRT301.
The information is created while being displayed in WYSIWYG by pointing with the mouse 306 and inputting numerical values from the keyboard 302 using various commands on the screen. Next, the first
As shown in FIG. 7 (G), a galley output sheet or a draft output sheet is used to designate the target page, number of copies, etc., and give an output instruction. The m collection data (character data, layout data) is automatically converted to output data, stored in hard disks 220, 221, . . In this case, the output processing is started as a background job as described later, and multiple output requests are queued in the output queue (Que) of the imagesetter 400.
eue). Since the CPU has only one CPU, it is necessary to accept various requests for processing that come from hardware or software processes in order. To solve this problem, an output queue is used to queue processing requests. In the data save sheet that is displayed when you receive the last save and exit instructions, the first
As shown in Figures 7 (H) and (1), specify the storage format for characters, layout data, and image data, and save the characters and layout data to the floppy disk 30 according to the storage format.
5, various image data are stored on the hard disks 220, 221 . ...or magnetic tape 210
Save to. Instruct the end of the work on the work instruction sheet, complete all processing while leaving the processing queue as it is, and finally turn off the power.

Next, referring to FIG. 18, the above-mentioned imposition operation will be explained. Workstation 300 is file server 20
0 hard disks 220, 221. ... (step 5330), and document data from the floppy disk 3 (step 533).
1) Display necessary information on the CRT 301 of the workstation 300 and use the mouse 306 . Keyboard 302. The digitizer 303 is operated to layout one image document page by page (step 5332).

Then, the type of imposition registered in advance is specified using the keyboard 302 (Step 5333), and each page is displayed in the state (for example, A to D in the same figure) of the specified imposition on the CRT 301.
The layout will be displayed with the number of pages at the top (Step 5)
334). Here, the imposition registration is stored with a page number assigned in advance, taking into consideration the folding when binding multiple pages, such as 4 sides of the 4th edition or 8 sides of the 5th edition. By selecting and specifying from among the registrations, the imposition status and page number (“1”, “8”, “5”, and “4” in B) as shown in A to D in Fig. 18 are changed. It is now displayed. The layout display of the CRT 301 only displays the imposition status, and does not display contents such as images or characters.The imagesetter 400 generates and outputs a bitmap as described later according to the page description data. (Step 5335)
.

The page description data is an instruction format for instructing character output, graphic drawing, and image output. Character output can be performed at any position (two-dimensional position), at any size, at any rotation angle,
You can specify the printing of any character by adjusting the inclination angle, long body ratio, and flat body ratio. In the case of Fig. 19, (X,
This is a diagram in which the character "A" with a width of W and a height of h is printed at the Y) position rotated by 90 degrees.

In the page description data, instructions such as position, size, and one rotation are realized by commands. For graphic drawing, instructions can be given regarding the drawing of ruled lines of any size and length, 1 circle, 1 arc, ellipse, etc., and the dot processing inside the area. Further, the image output is input from the input controller 100, and the image output is input from the input controller 100, and the image output is
It is possible to instruct the image data held within 0, . . . ) to be arbitrarily trimmed and output to an arbitrary position. By using these three types of instruction commands, it is possible to instruct arbitrary placement of nine characters, one figure, and one image.

Finally, the detailed configuration and operation of the imagesetter 400 will be explained.

FIG. 20 shows a detailed configuration example of the imagesetter 400, in which a CPU bus 412 and an image data bus 413 are connected to a sequencer 410, as well as a logic operation circuit 420 and a first memory 421. . Further, a main memory 430 for the CPL 1401 is connected to the CPU bus 182, a common memory 424 is connected to the image data bus 413, and an interface 4
The outputs of 02 and 403 are input to the CPU bus 412. CPU bus 412 and image data bus 413
A buffer 433. The decompressor 440 and the third memory 423 are connected, and the buffer 434° raster image converter 431 and the second memory 422 are connected,
A buffer 435 and an output control circuit 436 are connected. The CPU bus 412 has a vector font memory 43.
2 is connected to the output control circuit 436, and the output buffer 4 is connected to the output control circuit 436.
A high-quality output device 10 is connected via 36A, and a laser beam printer 11 is further connected.

Vector font memory 432 stores vector fonts necessary for generating character bitmaps by raster image converter 431. A character bitmap is generated using the following steps.

(2) Retrieving a vector font from the vector font memory 432 and writing it into the buffer 434;

(2) Set commands such as 8 rotations of the size of the character bitmap to be generated in the buffer 434;

■Start the raster image converter 431.

(2) A predetermined character bitmap is generated in the second memory 422.

Normally vector fonts are disks (220, 221, .
), but it is inefficient to read the vector fonts via the 5C5I bus every time a character bitmap is generated, so all necessary vector fonts should be read into the vector font memory 432 in advance. This improves the speed of character bitmap generation.

In such a configuration, its operation is as shown in FIG. First, an output instruction request is output from the file server 200 to the imagesetter 400 via the auxiliary data line 5, using the file names in the hard disks 220, 221, . . . as parameters. The specifications to be output from now on are written in that file, and the specifications are sequentially decoded to calculate the address of the code data and compressed data for each unit image, and the overlapping process using logical operations is repeated on the addresses. , and stores the processing results in the first memory 421. Imagesetter 400 is 5C5
Call the parameter file via the I bus and repeat this operation. For example, regarding code data, character codes and instruction information such as position, font, size, etc. are input via the 5C5I interface 403 (step 540).
0) is converted into a rask image by the rask image converter 431 via the buffer 434 (step 5401).
, the rask image data is stored in the second memory 422 (step 5402).

Further, the compressed image data is input via the interface 403 via the 5C5I bus (step 54).
03), the data is expanded and restored by the decompressor 440 via the buffer 433 (step 5404), and the restored image data is stored in the third memory 423 (step 5405). Furthermore, hard disk 220.2
21. Bitmap data such as logos stored in... are input via the interface 403 (step 54QB) and stored in the common memory 424 (step 5407). Second memory 422 to common memory 424
All of the data stored in is bitmap data, and these stored data are subjected to logical operations in the logical operation circuit 420 via the CPO 401 (step 5410), and are logically operated to synthesize pictures, documents, etc. for editing or image processing. The calculated data is stored in the first memory 421 (step 5411). After the data is stored in the first memory 421, it is determined whether or not it has ended, that is, whether there is any modification, addition, etc. (step 5412), and the above operation is continued until the logical operation such as modification is completed. This logic operation circuit 42
0 is bitmap data generated from character code data, bitmap data expanded from compressed image data, and sum, product, and difference of bitmap data.

It performs logical operations such as exclusive OR in cooperation with the CPU 401 to generate image information to be outputted to the output device IO or laser beam printer 11.

Note that the CPO 401 is connected to the hard disks 220, 221 . The layout instruction information is inputted from the second memory 422.
- Transfer area setting information is sent to the common memory 424 and logic operation circuit 420, and timing signals are sent to the rask image converter 431 and decompressor 440.

FIG. 22 shows a more detailed circuit configuration of the logic operation circuit 420, and an example of its operation will be described with reference to FIG. 23.

Data sent through CPU bus 412 is sent to mode registers 451 . Constant register 454. Preset counters 460 and 462. The output of the mode register 451 is input to the address counter 463, and the output of the mode register 451 is input to the bit controller 452, which operates a barrel shifter 457 that performs high-speed shifting. The output of address counter 463 is input to multiplexer 464. Further, the output of the bit controller 452 is input to a mask pattern gate 453 that outputs fixed data, and the mask pattern gate 453 outputs fixed data.
53 is input to a multiplexer 459, a comparator 461, and a constant register 4.
Constant data from 54 is input to multiplexer 455. Data FD read from first memory 421
is sent to the arithmetic bus and input to the multiplexer 455, the output MXI of the multiplexer 455 is input to the arithmetic circuit 458 which performs a logical operation together with the output data [10 of the barrel shifter 457, and the arithmetic output AL of the arithmetic circuit 458 is input to the multiplexer 459. The output MX2 of the multiplexer 459 is input to the first memory 421 and stored therein. The multiplexer 459 is used to write data when data cannot be arranged in units of words, generate a bit pattern using a mask pattern, and write only the necessary bits. The data sent from the image bus 413 is inputted to a barrel shifter 457 after the LSB and MSB are inverted as necessary (for example, when the display is upside down due to imposition) by a bit inversion circuit 456 . The output MX3 is input to and stored in the first memory 421 as an address command, and the preset counter 4
60 and 462 count clock pulses C, and when the count value of the preset counter 460 reaches a predetermined value (for example, a preset value or 0), the count preset ENABLE signal PR of the converter 461 is output, and the count The preset ENABLE signal PR is sent to the preset counter 460 and the preset counter 46.
2 is entered. The details of the print set counter 462 are as shown in FIG.
1 and line length register 4 for setting line length data.
622, an adder 4623 that adds the values of the start register 4621 and line length register 4622, and a counter 4624. Furthermore, access to memory is normally performed in units of 16 bits. However, since this invention handles bitmap data, writing data in units of 16 bits results in writing incorrect data in extra bit positions. Furthermore, when the address positions differ between the source and destination, data cannot be written to the correct position unless the bit position is shifted. Barrel shifter 457 is used for such processing.
is used.

In such a configuration, data is stored in the first memory 421 by using the output MX3 of the multiplexer 464 as address data and storing the calculation result at the designated address. Preset data from the CPU lotus 412 is input to preset counters 460 and 462, and output lines as shown in FIG. 25(D),
In the case of valid image data relationship, as shown in Figure 26,
9”, ”1000°° are preset. The preset counter +160 counts down the clock pulse C, and the preset counter 462 counts up the clock pulse C, and when the count value of the preset counter 460 reaches °°0'', the comparator 461 starts counting. The up signal CR is output, the preset counter 460 is again preset to 99'', the counter 462 is preset to 1200'', and the same operation is repeated. That is, when writing an image as shown in area 470 in FIG. Set “200” to “200”. Set the preset counter 460 to '+00', preset the preset counter 462, and input the clock pulse C. When the clock pulse CK is counted to '100', the count up signal CR is output from the comparator 481.
is output and the counter 4624 is set to the value of point 471, that is, the first line's previous address °'+200''.Clock pulse C is input and the same operation as described above is repeated.Preset counter 482 The output of address data M is selected by multiplexer 464 and
It is input to the first memory 421 as X3. The data FD read from the first memory 421 at this address is input to the multiplexer 455, and any of the constant data CD from the constant register 454 is input to the multiplexer 455.
The output MXI is input to the arithmetic circuit 458. The arithmetic circuit 458 receives the data sent from the arithmetic bus through the bit inversion circuit 456 and the barrel shifter 4.
57, and the calculation data AL of this calculation circuit 458 is input to the multiplexer 459. The pattern data PO from the mask pattern gate 453 is input to the multiplexer 459, one of which is selected and output, and the output data MX2 is stored in the first memory 421. Such data calculations and data storage in the first memory 421 are performed in units of words.

Furthermore, when reading data from the first memory 421, C
The initial value for each line from the Pu bus 412 is set in the address counter 463, the address is updated by the clock, and the output value is selected by the multiplexer 464 to specify the address. Output MX3 of multiplexer 464
The data specified by the address is read from the first memory 421 and transferred to the arithmetic bus.

First, the information of the output existence area address memory in the output control circuit 436 (this information is created by the CpH 401,
Output control circuit 436 via CPt1 bus 412 in advance
The address to be read from the first memory 421 is set in the sequencer 410 (Step 5420), and the read operation is activated for the sequencer 410 (Step 5421). Then, the data of the line is stored in the input buffer 435 of the output unit (step 5422), and it is determined whether address information of another output unit exists on the same line (step 5423).
, if there is no address information of another output canister on the same line, activate the line data generation circuit in the output control circuit 436 and input the output data for 2 lines into the output buffer 436 (step 5424). , Repeat the above operation until the last line is reached (step 54).
25). Incidentally, each unit of the imagesetter 400 is activated in parallel or sequentially by the CPU 401, and as a result, access to the first memory 421, data output of the output control circuit 436, last image ffl&, etc. are performed in a time sharing manner. . The output existence area address memory stores only data indicating an area 470 as shown in FIG. 27, and data is interpolated for the space portion outside the image area as a white area or a black area.

Note that FIG. 25 (8) shows one page of the document to be output. Further, (B) in the same figure represents bitmap data necessary for outputting the information in (A), in which one rectangle is secured in the memory area (first memory 421). A bitmap corresponding to one rectangle corresponds to a continuous memory area, but there is no memory relationship between the rectangles. (C) of the same figure shows a state in which the bitmap area of (B) is horizontally divided (block division) in order to create an output existing area address.

As a result, all lines within one block are exactly the same in terms of the position and length of valid data. Also, the same figure (D
) in the output control circuit 436, when inputting or directly outputting one line of output data to the output buffer 436A, the part (valid data) to be read from the first memory +121 by the sequencer 410 and the part (valid data) to be read from the first memory +121 by the sequencer 410. 421 shows a portion (white data) that does not need to be read out. The part corresponding to the shaded part is the sequencer 4
10, data is read from the first memory 421.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the image processing system b of the present invention, L
By communicating via AN and 5C5I (Ethernet), input, output, and workstation processing can be operated simultaneously, centering on file management and file servers, and efficient simultaneous parallel processing can be realized. or,
In order to reduce the CPU load, input data files are generated simultaneously, and data compression/expansion can reduce the amount of storage memory and data transfer time, and hardware can be used to create bitmaps of vector information, image processing, and editing. can be done easily. Furthermore, the workstation uses CIIT's pixel precision instead of the pixel precision of the output bitmap to generate output data that represents the image processing and processing 2 editing of the output bitmap, reducing the amount of data handling. It achieves high speed.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of this invention.
FIG. 2 is an external view showing an example of the configuration of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the invention, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the input controller, and FIGS. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the TCP/IP protocol, and FIG.
Block diagram showing a configuration example of a thernet board, 1st
4(A) and (B) are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the file server of the present invention, FIGS. 15 and 16 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of a workstation, and FIGS. 17(8) to (1) are FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of imposition according to the present invention; FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining page description data; FIG.
The figure is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the imagesetter.
22 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the output section of the imagesetter, FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of its operation, and FIG. 24 is a circuit configuration diagram showing details of the preset counter. , FIGS. 25A to 27 are diagrams for explaining the operation, and FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the manufacturing process of a conventional printing plate. 1... Input device, 2... Editing input device, 3... Floppy disk, 10... High-quality output device, 100...
- Input controller, 200... File server, 3
00...Workstation, 301...CRT
, 302... Keyboard, 303... Digitizer, 306... Mouse, 400... Imagesetter, 101, 201, 401... CRT. Applicant's agent Yu Yasugata 3 Figure I Hakuf
Inner Kaku Nogusu No. 4 Discipline Tube/DT2 Sheep 8 Day To-w ---↓-----Nakajima-i Do-ichi B4 Tsune 9 Tsumegei〃Burn f1 Figure $12 Figure, 23゜No. 13 Figure 15 Figure 16 Nagi (A) (a) Tea 1
7 Nagi (F) Leather 17 Masa CG) Cha 17 Masa 2 Tei/3 Question" 蓼20 Nagi Cha 2F 已某24 Figure t714 [991000 Ariset ??
1200 ants
9?
f4t) θCK input 99, 9θ, -1--14
00, f46f, --- Figure 26 JP-A-1-151875 (2G') Engraving of the drawings No. 25@CA) No. 25 Box Figure 28 Procedural amendments Director General of the Patent Office Kunio Ogawa 1, Indication of the case Patent Application No. 311534 (1988) 2. Name of the invention Image processing system 3. Relationship with the person making the amendment Patent applicant (520) Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. 4 Agent 14-15 Nishi-Shinjuku-chome, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo No. 6, Contents of the amendment (1) In the specification, page 1O, line 15, the phrase "via interface 200" is amended to read "via interface 203, J." (2) Same, page 23, line 3 The text "for file creation" should be corrected to "for created files." (3) Same, page 48, line 19 r LAN and Sfl
：5l(Ethernet)" r t, AN
(Ethernet) and 5C5IJ. Procedural amendment (method) % formula % 1. Indication of the case u1 1986 Patent Application No. 311534 2. Name of the invention Image processing system 3. Person making the amendment Relationship with the case Patent applicant (5201 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Company 4, Agent 5, Date of amendment order February 3, 1988 Figure 25 (Amend A+ as shown in the attached sheet.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] (1) A first CPU configured to halftone and compress density data of an image read by an input device and temporarily store the compressed image data in a buffer. a second CPU configured to edit the code information and the image data edited by the editing input device on a screen using an input operation means and a display means; the input controller and the workstation; a file server connected to the station via a bus line and equipped with a third CPU for storing the image data, the code information, and the edited data screen-edited at the workstation in a storage means; the input controller, the file server, the workstation, and the image setter, which includes a fourth CPU configured to read out edited data, perform necessary data processing, and output the image to an image output device; An image processing system characterized in that each imagesetter can process information independently. (2) The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the editing input device is a typesetting machine. (3) The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the editing input device is a word processor. (4) The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the storage means is a hard disk and/or a magnetic tape. (5) The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the code information of the editing input device is once stored on a floppy disk and then input to the workstation. (6) The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the workstation and the file server are connected via an Ethernet bus line. (7) The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the file server, the input controller, and the imagesetter are connected via a SCSI bus line. (8) The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image output device is a high-quality recording device and a laser beam printer. (9) The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the input controller performs a plurality of types of processing on the density data. (10) The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the workstations are connected as terminals.