Image processing apparatus and method

Abstract

To allow high-speed image data generation processing by shortening time required to generate an object having a predetermined gradation pattern over a number of lines in the vertical or horizontal direction in gradient fill object drawing processing, an image processing apparatus of this invention detects the number of lines of gradation in the horizontal or vertical direction, calculates only the first line of detected gradation, copies the calculation value of the first line, and embeds it in the second and subsequent lines, thereby shortening time required to generate objects of the second and subsequent lines and allowing high-speed generation processing.

1 . An image processing apparatus capable of drawing a gradient fill object defined by at least two apexes each having coordinate data and gray level value, said gradient fill object being described as a print object capable of being interpreted by the image processing apparatus, comprising: 
 detection means for detecting whether or not an object is a gradient fill object having gradation in a horizontal or vertical direction, by interpreting the print object;    pixel count detection means for detecting, by interpreting the print object, a number of pixels which have substantially the same gray level value and are consecutively present in a direction perpendicular to the direction of gradation detected by said detection means;    drawing means for drawing at least one pixel for different gray level values in the direction of gradation, based on the coordinate data and gray level value of the gradient fill object; and    replication means for replicating, in the direction perpendicular to the direction of gradation, the pixels drawn by said drawing means in a number equal to the number of pixels detected by said pixel count detection means.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said replication means copies gray level values, obtained by gray level calculation for all pixels of a first row of a gradient fill object having gradation in the horizontal direction, in a number equal to the detected number of pixels.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said replication means copies gray level values, obtained by gray level calculation for all pixels of a first column of a gradient fill object having gradation in the vertical direction, in a number equal to the detected number of pixels.  
   
   
       4 . (canceled)  
   
   
       5 . An image processing method capable of drawing a gradient fill object defined by at least two apexes each having coordinate data and gray level value, the gradient fill object being described as a print object capable of being interpreted by an image processing apparatus, comprising: 
 a detection step, of detecting whether or not an object is a gradient fill object having gradation in a horizontal or vertical direction, by interpreting the print object;    a pixel count detection step, of detecting, by interpreting the print object, the number of pixels which have substantially the same gray level value and are consecutively present in a direction perpendicular to the direction of gradation detected in the detection step;    a drawing step, of drawing at least one pixel for different gray level values in the direction of gradation, based on the coordinate data and gray level value of the gradient fill object; and    a replication step, of replicating, in the direction perpendicular to the direction of gradation, the pixels drawn in said drawing step in a number equal to the number detected in said pixel count detection step.    
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein said replication step comprises a step of copying gray level values, obtained by gray level calculation for all pixels of a first row of a gradient fill object having gradation in the horizontal direction, in a number equal to the detected number of pixels.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein said replication step comprises a step of copying gray level values, obtained by gray level calculation for all pixels of a first column of a gradient fill object having gradation in the vertical direction, in a number equal to the detected number of pixels.  
   
   
       8 . (canceled)  
   
   
       9 . A computer-readable storage memory which stores a control program capable of drawing a gradient fill object defined by at least two apexes each having coordinate data and gray level value, the gradient fill object being described as a print object capable of being interpreted by an image processing apparatus, said program comprising: 
 code of a detection step of detecting whether or not an object is a gradient fill object having gradation in a horizontal or vertical direction, by interpreting the print object;    code of a pixel count detection step of detecting, by interpreting the print object, the number of pixels which have substantially the same gray level value and are consecutive in a direction perpendicular to the direction of gradation detected in code of the detection step;    code of a drawing step of drawing at least one pixel for different gray level values in the direction of gradation, based on the coordinate data and gray level value of the gradient fill object; and    code of a replication step of replicating, in the direction perpendicular to the direction of gradation, the pixels drawn in the drawing step in the number detected in the code of the pixel count detection step.