Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphic processing system
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-08
2001-06-26
Tung, Kee M. (Department: 2671)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphic processing system
C358S523000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06252609
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method and, more particularly, to an image processing apparatus, which is typified by a digital full-color copier, having various editing functions and adjustment functions, and to the associated image processing method.
Modern image processing apparatus such as digital full-color copiers come equipped not only with image-quality tuning functions for adjusting coloring, density and sharpness but also with various editing functions such as a coordinate moving function for moving coordinates attendant upon enlargement/reduction processing and expression of italics, etc., and a function for forming an image of a special color and adding on images.
These editing functions are implemented mainly by hardware, which is provided for each individual function. More specifically, in accordance with the specifications of each individual manufactured image processing apparatus, the apparatus is equipped with the hardware that necessary to implement these specifications. If a user wishes to employ a certain function, the user causes the utilizable functions to be displayed hierarchically on the screen of a control panel, searches the displayed functions for the function desired and specifies the desired function by making the appropriate input to the apparatus.
With the above-described example of the prior art, however, all of the various image processing functions are implemented by hardware. Moreover, the items of hardware are not necessarily installed in the apparatus to support the functions on a one-to-one basis. If even one function for implementing the specifications of the apparatus is included in certain hardware, therefore, it is necessary to equip the apparatus with this hardware that includes the function even if other functions of the hardware are not used. The result frequently is waste from the standpoint of equipment production cost. In addition, since functions unnecessary in terms of the apparatus specifications are included, the user is compelled to search for a desired function among many functions displayed on the screen of the control panel when selecting the desired function and setting the apparatus to the function. This complicates the selection operation required of the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus and method in which it is possible to easily set a desired function from a plurality of functions.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the foregoing object is attained by providing an image processing apparatus for implementing a plurality of image processing functions by a programmable gate array, comprising: a first memory storing data necessary to implement the plurality of image processing functions; designating means for designating a desired image processing function from the plurality of image processing functions; and loading means for reading data that corresponds to the image processing function designated by the designating means out of the first memory and loading the data into the programmable gate array so that the desired image processing function can be implemented.
The above designating means preferably includes a display displaying the plurality of image processing functions; and selection means for selecting the desired image processing function from the plurality of image processing functions displayed on the display.
The plurality of image processing functions includes an image editing function and an image-quality tuning function.
The apparatus may further comprises image forming means for forming an image based upon image data obtained as a result of implementing the image processing function.
The apparatus may further comprise input means for inputting data necessary to implement the plurality of image processing functions from an external device such as an IC card, and a second memory for temporarily storing the input data.
In such case the loading means may read the necessary data out of the second memory and load the data into the programmable gate array.
The apparatus may further comprise display control means for performing control so as to display the plurality of image processing functions on the display screen based upon data necessary to implement the plurality of image processing functions, which are included in the external device. Control may be performed by the display control means in such a manner that after a selection is made by the selection means, only manipulation information relating to a selected image processing function is displayed on the display screen.
Further, in a case where the external device includes sample image data which indicates results of implementation when an image processing function decided in accordance with the data included in the external device has been executed, the sample image data is entered and control is performed in such a manner that the sample image data is output to the image forming means, whereby a sample image is output.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the foregoing object is attained by providing an image processing method for implementing a plurality of image processing functions by a programmable gate array based upon data necessary to implement the plurality of image processing functions, which have been stored in a memory, comprising: a designating step of designating a desired image processing function from the plurality of image processing functions; and a loading step of reading data that corresponds to the image processing function designated at the designating step out of the memory and loading the data into the programmable gate array so that the desired image processing function can be implemented.
Note that the above designating step preferably includes: a display step of displaying the plurality of image processing functions on a display screen; and a selection step of selecting the desired image processing function from the plurality of image processing functions displayed on the display screen.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, the foregoing object is attained by providing a computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer program code, for executing download processing, the product including: designation process procedure codes for designating a desired image processing function from a plurality of image processing functions; and download processing procedure codes for reading data that corresponds to the image processing function designated in the designation process out of a memory in which data necessary to implement the plurality of image processing functions have been stored, and loading the data into a programmable gate array, which implements the image processing functions, so that the desired image processing function can be implemented.
Note that the above designation process procedure codes preferably include: display process procedure codes for displaying the plurality of image processing functions on a display screen; and selection process procedure codes for selecting the desired image processing function from the plurality of image processing functions displayed on the display screen.
In accordance with the present invention as described above, when a desired function is designated from the plurality of image processing functions, data corresponding to the designated image processing function is read out of a memory in which the data necessary to implement the plurality of image processing functions has been stored, and the data is loaded in a programmable gate array which executes image processing functions, thus making it possible to implement the desired function.
The invention is particularly advantageous since only a function actually used is selected and made executable. This makes it unnecessary to provide the apparatus with hardware having all functions relating to image processing, as is required in the prior art.
As a result, it is possible to reduce the scale of hardware and
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Tung Kee M.
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