JP6190760B2 - Image reading device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for storing data related to a plurality of image data generated by reading a plurality of originals.

  Conventionally, as described in Patent Document 1 below, for example, a common image common to all pages is extracted using image data composed of a plurality of pages input from a scanner, and image data of the common image and each page are extracted. By storing the image data of the non-common image generated by removing the data corresponding to the common image from the image data, the amount of data to be stored can be reduced as compared with the case of storing the input image data consisting of a plurality of pages as it is. It is known to reduce.

  Further, for example, as described in Patent Document 2 below, a reuse image that can be reused is stored in advance, and the reuse image is used a plurality of times in one or more pages of image data generated by the image reading unit. If it is, a difference image obtained by removing the image of the portion determined to be the reuse image is generated, and the generated difference image and the image data representing the reuse image are stored, It is also known to reduce the amount of data stored.

  Further, as described in the following Patent Document 2 and the like, in the case of checking whether or not the reuse image is used a plurality of times in the image data generated by the image reading unit, the reuse image is set according to the set tolerance. It is known that the amount of data to be stored can be further reduced by changing the size of the image and increasing the number of images to be deleted by increasing the number of portions determined that the reuse image is used.

JP 2006-201935 A JP2013-9120A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1 and the like, a common image common to all pages is extracted. For this reason, even if an image is common to many pages, an image that is not common to some other pages is not extracted as a common image because other images are superimposed. As a result, the data amount of the image data of the non-common image is reduced slightly compared to the data amount of the original image data, and there is a possibility that the amount of data to be stored cannot be sufficiently reduced.

  Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 2 and the like, the size of the reuse image is changed in accordance with the set tolerance, and the image of the portion determined to be used is held in advance. The size of the reused image is different. For this reason, even if an attempt is made to restore the original image data generated by the image reading means by synthesizing the reuse image stored in advance with the stored difference image, it is appropriate for the same image data as the original image data. Could not be restored.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem. When storing data related to a plurality of image data generated by reading a plurality of documents, the amount of data to be stored can be reduced. An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus capable of storing data that can be restored to original image data.

An image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage unit, an image reading unit that reads a plurality of documents and generates image data representing an image of each document, and the plurality of the image data generated by the image reading unit. Targeting a combination of two different image data obtained by using the two images represented by the two image data included in each of the combinations, extracting the image components having the same shape as a common element, The shape information indicating the shape of the common element is generated, and the arrangement position of the extracted common element in the image represented by each image data associated with each of the two image data and the shape information, and A common element extraction unit for generating element information indicating decoration; and the common element extraction unit from each of the image data generated by the image reading unit. A difference image generation unit that generates difference image data corresponding to each of the image data by deleting data corresponding to each of the common elements extracted using the image data, and the common element extraction unit Storage processing for storing each shape information generated by the above, each element information generated by the common element extraction unit, and each difference image data generated by the difference image generation unit in the storage unit And the image represented by each of the difference image data stored in the storage unit is associated with the image data corresponding to the difference image data of the element information stored in the storage unit. Using the element information and the shape information associated with the element information, the shape matches the shape indicated by the shape information, and the arrangement position and decoration An image representing the image of the original corresponding to each difference image data by synthesizing the image constituent elements matching the arrangement position and decoration indicated by the element information and generating image data representing the synthesized image an image restoration unit for restoring the data, Ru comprising a.

  According to this configuration, the common element extraction unit targets two combinations of two different image data obtained by using a plurality of image data generated by the image reading unit, and two image data included in each combination are included. In the two images to be represented, image components having the same shape are extracted as common elements.

  That is, when using the conventional technique described in Patent Document 1 or the like, in the two images represented by the two image data, it is not possible to extract, as a common element, image components that have the same shape but do not match the arrangement position and decoration. It was. However, according to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to extract, as a common element, image constituent elements that match the shape but do not match the arrangement position and decoration from the two images. As a result, the number of image components extracted as common elements can be increased as compared with the prior art described in Patent Document 1 and the like.

  In addition, when the common element extraction unit extracts a common element using a combination of two image data, information indicating the arrangement position and decoration of the common element in the image represented by each of the two image data is displayed. It is generated as element information associated with each piece of image data and shape information representing the shape of the extracted common element.

  The difference image generation unit deletes data corresponding to the common element from the image data used to extract the common element, and generates difference image data corresponding to the image data. The storage processing unit stores each shape information, each element information, and each difference image data in the storage unit.

  That is, according to the configuration of the present invention, the number of image components extracted as common elements can be increased, and the number of image components included in the image represented by each difference image data can be reduced. Thereby, the data amount of the data corresponding to the image component stored redundantly in a plurality of difference image data can be reduced.

  Further, when a large number of image constituent elements whose shapes match but whose arrangement positions and decorations do not match are extracted as common elements as described above, data corresponding to each common element is stored in the storage unit as it is. In this case, the data corresponding to the shape of each common element included in the data corresponding to each common element is redundantly stored in the storage unit.

  However, according to the configuration of the present invention, the shape information indicating the shape of the common element is individually stored in the storage unit. For this reason, it is avoided that the data corresponding to the shape of each common element included in the data corresponding to each common element is stored in the storage unit, and the amount of data stored in the storage unit is reduced. be able to.

  That is, according to the configuration of the present invention, the data amount of the plurality of difference image data is reduced, and the data corresponding to the shape of each common element is not duplicated when storing the data corresponding to each common element. By storing, the amount of data stored in the storage unit can be reduced.

  Also, each difference image data is acquired from the storage unit, each element information associated with the image data corresponding to each difference image data is acquired from the storage unit, and further, the shape associated with each element information Get information and. Then, each of the acquired difference images is an image component whose shape matches the shape indicated by the acquired shape information and whose arrangement position and decoration match the arrangement position and decoration indicated by the acquired element information. The image data representing the original image can be restored by combining the image represented by the data and generating image data representing the combined image. In other words, according to the configuration of the present invention, data capable of restoring image data representing an original document image can be stored in the storage unit.

  According to this configuration, the image restoration unit can restore the image data generated by the image reading unit using the data stored in the storage unit. For this reason, the process based on the image data generated by the image reading unit can be re-executed.

  According to the present invention, when storing data related to a plurality of image data generated by reading a plurality of documents, the amount of data to be stored can be reduced and the data can be restored to the original image data Can be stored.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a copying machine according to an embodiment of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement of the first half of the control which memorize | stores the data relevant to the image data produced | generated by the image reading part in a memory | storage part in 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement of the second half of the control which memorize | stores the data relevant to the image data produced | generated by the image reading part in a memory | storage part in 1st embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the copying machine in 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the 1st step of control which memorize | stores the data relevant to the image data produced | generated by the image reading part in a memory | storage part in 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the 2nd step of control which memorize | stores the data relevant to the image data produced | generated by the image reading part in a memory | storage part in 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the 3rd step of control which memorize | stores the data relevant to the image data produced | generated by the image reading part in a memory | storage part in 2nd embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the copying machine in 3rd embodiment. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the first half of the control which memorize | stores the data relevant to the image data produced | generated by the image reading part in a memory | storage part in 3rd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement of the second half of the control which memorize | stores the data relevant to the image data produced | generated by the image reading part in a memory | storage part in 3rd embodiment.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a copying machine is described as an example of the image reading apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image reading apparatus may be, for example, a scanner, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a copying machine 1 according to an embodiment of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the copying machine 1 includes an image reading unit 21, an image forming unit 22, an operation unit 23, a storage unit 24, and a control unit 10.

  The image reading unit 21 reads a plurality of originals and generates image data representing an image of each original. Image data representing an image indicates data composed of a set of data (pixel value and density value) representing the brightness of each pixel constituting the image.

  Specifically, the image reading unit 21 includes a known optical system unit having a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) line sensor, an exposure lamp, and the like, a document table made of a transparent member such as glass, and a document conveyance unit. It has the composition of. The document transport unit feeds documents one by one from a plurality of documents placed on the placement table and conveys them to the document table.

  The optical system unit is configured to be movable by a drive unit. When reading a document placed on a document table by a user, the optical system unit irradiates the output light of the exposure lamp to the document while moving along the document surface at a position facing the document table, and reflects the reflected light from the document. Is photoelectrically converted into a CCD line sensor. As a result, image data representing an image for one line of the document to be read is output.

  On the other hand, when reading a document conveyed by the document conveyance unit, the optical system unit moves to a predetermined reading position facing the document table. The optical system unit irradiates the original conveyed by the original conveying unit with the output light of the exposure lamp at the reading position, and causes the CCD line sensor to photoelectrically convert the reflected light from the original. As a result, image data representing an image for one line of the document to be read is output.

  In this way, the optical system unit repeatedly outputs image data representing an image for one line of the document while moving relative to the document, and image data representing an image for all lines of the document. Is generated. The image reading unit 21 outputs the image data generated by the optical system unit to the control unit 10. The image reading unit 21 repeats the above processing for each of a plurality of documents placed on the document table by the user or for each document transported to the document transport unit. In this way, the image reading unit 21 reads a plurality of originals and generates image data representing images of the respective originals.

  The image forming unit 22 forms an image on a sheet based on the image data input to the control unit 10 under the control of the control unit 10. Further, as will be described later, the image forming unit 22 forms an image on a sheet based on the image data restored using the data stored in the storage unit 24 under the control of the control unit 10.

  Specifically, the image forming unit 22 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging unit disposed to face the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum, a downstream side of the charging unit and opposed to the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum. An exposed exposure unit, a developing unit downstream of the exposure unit and facing the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum, and a downstream side of the developing unit and facing the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum It has a well-known configuration including a disposed cleaning unit and the like. Since the image forming operation for forming an image on a sheet by the image forming unit 22 is well known, a description thereof will be omitted.

  The operation unit 23 includes a display unit 231 for displaying information and an operation key unit 232 for allowing the user to perform various instruction operations. The display unit 231 is, for example, a liquid crystal display having a touch panel function, and displays various types of information. The operation key unit 232 includes, for example, various keys such as a start key for instructing start of execution of a function such as a copy function, and a numeric keypad for inputting numerical values and symbols.

  The storage unit 24 is configured by a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 24 stores data related to the image data generated by the image reading unit 21. Details of the related data will be described later.

  The control unit 10 temporarily stores, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) that executes a predetermined calculation process, a nonvolatile memory (not shown) such as an EEPROM in which a predetermined control program is stored, and data For example, a random access memory (RAM) (not shown) and peripheral circuits thereof are provided. The control unit 10 executes various processes by causing the CPU to execute a control program stored in a nonvolatile memory or the like, and controls the operation of each unit of the copier 1.

  Hereinafter, control in which the control unit 10 stores data related to the image data generated by the image reading unit 21 in the storage unit 24 will be described.

  The control unit 10 operates as a reading control unit 11, a common element extraction unit 12, a background image generation unit 13, a difference image generation unit 14, and a storage processing unit 15, in particular, as indicated by a solid line unit in FIG.

  In the following description, a case where the image reading unit 21 reads four originals and generates four image data representing images of the four originals is used as a specific example. 2 and 3 are diagrams illustrating a control operation for storing data related to the image data generated by the image reading unit 21 in the storage unit 24 in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in step S1, the reading control unit 11 controls the image reading unit 21 to read a plurality of documents and generate a plurality of image data representing images of the plurality of documents. The reading control unit 11 stores a plurality of image data generated by the image reading unit 21 in the RAM.

  Specifically, the reading control unit 11 causes the image reading unit 21 to read four documents, and generates four image data representing the images P1 to P4 of the four documents. Then, the reading control unit 11 stores the four generated image data in the RAM.

  Next, in step S <b> 2, the common element extraction unit 12 performs an extraction process using a plurality of image data generated by the image reading unit 21 reading a plurality of originals. The extraction process refers to all combinations of two different image data obtained using a plurality of image data generated by the image reading unit 21, and two images represented by the two image data included in each combination. The process which extracts the image components, such as a character, a table | surface, a figure, and a frame which are common in FIG.

  An image component common to two images refers to an image component whose shape, arrangement position, and decoration match in the two images. The decoration indicates, for example, a combination of a pattern such as diagonal lines or dots and a color such as red or blue. The extraction process is performed using a known image pattern recognition technique.

  Specifically, the common element extraction unit 12 uses six combinations C12, C13, C14, all combinations of two different image data obtained using the four image data generated in step S1. C23, C24, and C34 are targeted for extraction processing.

  A combination C12 indicates a combination of image data representing the image P1 and image data representing the image P2. A combination C13 indicates a combination of image data representing the image P1 and image data representing the image P3. A combination C14 indicates a combination of image data representing the image P1 and image data representing the image P4. A combination C23 indicates a combination of image data representing the image P2 and image data representing the image P3. A combination C34 indicates a combination of image data representing the image P3 and image data representing the image P4.

  The common element extraction unit 12 extracts, as a common element, an image constituent element E1 that is common in the two images P1 and P2 represented by the two image data included in the combination C12. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, an image represented by image data is simply referred to as an image.

  Similarly, the common element extraction unit 12 extracts two image constituent elements E2 and E3 that are common in the two images P1 and P3 included in the combination C13 as common elements. Further, the common element extraction unit 12 extracts, as a common element, an image configuration element E2 common to the two images P1 and P4 included in the combination C14, and an image configuration common to the two images P3 and P4 included in the combination C34. Element E2 is extracted as a common element.

  On the other hand, since there is no common image component in the two images P2 and P3 included in the combination C23, the common element extraction unit 12 does not extract a common element from the combination C23. Similarly, since there is no common image component in the two images P2 and P4 included in the combination C24, the common element extraction unit 12 does not extract the common element from the combination C24.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3, in step S <b> 3, the background image generation unit 13 generates a background image by synthesizing the image constituent elements extracted by the common element extraction unit 12 a predetermined number of times as a common element Then, background image data representing the background image is generated. In the following description, it is assumed that the predetermined number of times is 1. However, the purpose is not to limit the predetermined number of times.

  Specifically, the background image generation unit 13 combines the three image constituent elements E1, E2, and E3 (FIG. 2) extracted at least once as common elements in step S2 to generate a background image B. Then, the background image generation unit 13 generates background image data representing the background image B.

  Next, in step S <b> 4, the difference image generation unit 14 performs difference image generation processing using each image data generated by the image reading unit 21. The difference image generation process is a process of generating difference image data corresponding to each image data by deleting background image data from each image data generated by the image reading unit 21.

  Specifically, the difference image generation unit 14 generates a background image B represented by the background image data (FIG. 2) from the images P1 to P4 (FIG. 2) represented by the image data generated in step S1 and stored in the RAM. ), The difference images D1 to D4 respectively corresponding to the images P1 to P4 are generated. And the difference image generation part 14 produces | generates the image data showing each difference image D1-D4. Thereby, the difference image generation unit 14 deletes the background image data from each image data. Then, the difference image generation unit 14 sets the generated image data representing the difference images D1 to D4 as difference image data corresponding to the image data representing the images P1 to P4, respectively.

  In step S <b> 5, the storage processing unit 15 performs a storage process of storing various data related to the image data generated by the image reading unit 21 in the storage unit 24. Specifically, the storage processing unit 15 includes the background image data generated in step S3 as data related to the four pieces of image data representing the images P1 to P4 generated in step S1 in the storage process, Each difference image data generated in step S4, that is, difference image data representing the difference images D1 to D4 is stored in the storage unit 24.

  When storing the difference image data in the storage unit 24 in step S5, the storage processing unit 15 identifies the image data, for example, so that the association with the image data corresponding to the difference image data is known. Stores the name of the data file that contains the information. The identification information of the image data is, for example, information indicating the year / month / day / hour / minute / second and page number (for example, “YYYY year MM month DD date HH hour MI minute SS second PAGE 1 OF 4”). It is configured.

  Thus, according to the configuration of the first embodiment, the common element extraction unit 12 targets all combinations of two different image data obtained by using a plurality of image data generated by the image reading unit 21. As a common element, image components common to two images represented by two image data included in each combination are extracted.

  That is, when the conventional technique described in Patent Document 1 is used, an image configuration in which other image components such as a figure are superimposed on a part of an image (eg, image P2) represented by part of image data. An element (eg, image constituent element E2) could not be extracted as a common element. However, according to the configuration of the first embodiment, other image components are superimposed on the partial image from the combination (for example, combination C13) including the other two pieces of image data with the partial image data. The image component (for example, image component E2) that has been set can be extracted as a common element. As a result, the number of image components extracted as common elements can be increased as compared with the prior art described in Patent Document 1 and the like.

  Then, the background image generation unit 13 generates a background image B by synthesizing the image constituent elements extracted as the common elements more than a predetermined number of times. That is, the image component extracted as the common component is an image component included in the background image B, or an image component common only to an image represented by a part of the plurality of image data. Whether or not there is is determined using the number of extractions as a common element. In this way, the background image generation unit 13 can generate the background image B with high accuracy by synthesizing only the image components determined to be image components included in the background image B.

  Then, the difference image generation unit 14 deletes the background image data representing the background image B generated with high accuracy as described above from each image data, and generates difference image data corresponding to each image data.

  That is, according to the configuration of the first embodiment, the number of image components extracted as common elements is increased, the number of image components included in the background image B is increased, and the image represented by each difference image data The number of image components included in can be reduced. Thereby, although the data amount of background image data becomes large, the data amount of the data corresponding to the image component stored redundantly in several difference image data can be reduced. As a result, the amount of data stored in the storage unit 24 can be reduced.

  Further, the image represented by the difference image data stored in the storage unit 24 is combined with the background image B represented by the background image data stored in the storage unit 24, and image data representing the combined image is generated. As a result, the image data representing the original image of the original can be restored. That is, according to the configuration of the first embodiment, data that can restore image data representing an original image of the original can be stored in the storage unit 24.

  In addition, said 1st embodiment is only the illustration of embodiment which concerns on this invention, and is not the meaning which limits this invention to said 1st embodiment. For example, a modified embodiment obtained by modifying the first embodiment described below may be used.

  (1) For example, as indicated by the broken line portion in FIG. 1, the control unit 10 may further operate as the first designation receiving unit 16. The first designation accepting unit 16 accepts designation of a first document that does not contribute to the generation of the background image B among a plurality of documents to be read by the image reading unit 21. In accordance with this, when the designation of the first document is received by the first designation receiving unit 16, the common element extraction unit 12 uses a common combination of two image data including image data corresponding to the first document. Exclude from element extraction.

  Specifically, when the designation of the first document is input by the user operating the operation unit 23, the first designation receiving unit 16 receives the input designation of the first document. For example, it is assumed that the first designation accepting unit 16 accepts the designation that the original corresponding to the image P4 is the first original among the four originals corresponding to the four images P1 to P4 shown in FIG.

  In this case, the common element extraction unit 12 includes three combinations C14 including image data representing the image P4 from the six combinations C12, C13, C14, C23, C24, and C34 to be extracted in step S2. C24 and C34 are excluded. Then, in step S2, the common element extraction unit 12 uses three combinations C12, C13, and C23 as extraction targets, and uses the three combinations C12, C13, and C23, respectively, to thereby create three image components. E1, E2, and E3 are extracted once as common elements.

  In this case, in step S3, the background image generation unit 13 generates a background image obtained by synthesizing the three image constituent elements E1, E2, and E3 extracted one or more times as the common elements in step S2, and the background Background image data indicating an image is generated.

  In step S4, the difference image generation unit 14 excludes image data representing the image P4 corresponding to the second document from the generation target of the difference image data. That is, the difference image generation unit 14 deletes the background image data generated in step S3 from the image data representing the images P1 to P3, thereby obtaining the difference images D1 to D3 corresponding to the images P1 to P3. Difference image data to be expressed is generated.

  In step S5, the storage processing unit 15 obtains the background image data generated in step S3 and the difference image data representing the difference images D1 to D3 corresponding to the images P1 to P3 generated in step S4. The image data that is stored in the storage unit 24 and that represents the image P4 corresponding to the second document is stored in the storage unit 24.

  In the modified embodiment according to the first embodiment, the second designation receiving unit 17 corresponds to the second document (for example, the image P4) that does not generate the difference image data among the plurality of documents to be read by the image reading unit 21. When the designation of (original) is accepted, a combination of two image data including the image data corresponding to the second original (for example, combinations C14, C24, C34) is excluded from the common element extraction targets.

  For this reason, compared with the case where all combinations of two image data obtained by using a plurality of image data generated by the image reading unit 21 are extracted as common elements, the time required for extraction of common elements is reduced. Can be reduced. Thereby, the time required for generating the background image can be reduced. Further, since the image data corresponding to the second document is excluded from the generation target of the difference image data, the time required for generating the difference image data can be reduced.

  (2) Further, as indicated by a two-dot chain line portion in FIG. 1, the control unit 10 may operate as the image restoration unit 18. The image restoration unit 18 combines the background image represented by the background image data stored in the storage unit 24 with the image represented by each difference image data stored in the storage unit 24, and represents the combined image. Generate data. As a result, the image restoration unit 18 restores image data representing an image of the document corresponding to each difference image data.

  Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the control described in the first embodiment is performed by the control unit 10, and background image data representing the background image B and four images P <b> 1 to P <b> 1 are stored in the storage unit 24. It is assumed that four pieces of difference image data corresponding to P4 are stored. In this case, by the operation of the operation unit 23 by the user, an instruction to re-form the image on the sheet is input to the image forming unit 22 based on the data stored in the storage unit 24, and the instruction is received by the control unit 10. Suppose that

  In this case, the image restoration unit 18 synthesizes the background image B represented by the background image data stored in the storage unit 24 with the difference images D1 to D4 represented by the difference image data stored in the storage unit 24. Thereby, each image after the composition is the same as each image P1 to P4 of the document. Then, the image restoration unit 18 generates image data representing each image after the composition. In this way, the image restoration unit 18 restores image data representing an image of a document corresponding to each difference image data stored in the storage unit 24. Then, the control unit 10 causes the image forming unit 22 to form the images P1 to P4 on the sheet based on the image data representing the images P1 to P4 restored by the image restoration unit 18, respectively.

  In the modified embodiment according to the first embodiment, the image restoration unit 18 can restore the image data generated by the image reading unit 21 using the data stored in the storage unit 24. Therefore, the process based on the image data generated by the image reading unit 21 is re-executed, such as causing the image forming unit 22 to perform the same image forming operation as the image forming operation based on the image data generated by the image reading unit 21 again. can do.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of control in which the control unit 10 stores data related to the image data generated by the image reading unit 21 in the storage unit 24 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the copying machine 1 in the second embodiment. In addition, in 2nd embodiment, the same thing as 1st embodiment attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits the description.

  In the second embodiment, the control unit 10 operates as a reading control unit 11, a common element extraction unit 12a, a difference image generation unit 14a, and a storage processing unit 15a, as indicated by a solid line portion in FIG. In the following description, a case where the image reading unit 21 reads four originals and generates four image data representing images of the four originals is used as a specific example. FIGS. 5 to 7 are diagrams illustrating a control operation for storing data related to the image data generated by the image reading unit 21 in the storage unit 24 according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in step S1a, the reading control unit 11 controls the image reading unit 21 to read a plurality of originals and generate a plurality of image data representing images of the plurality of originals. The reading control unit 11 stores a plurality of image data generated by the image reading unit 21 in the RAM.

  Specifically, the reading control unit 11 causes the image reading unit 21 to read four originals and generates four pieces of image data representing the images P5 to P8 of the four originals. Then, the reading control unit 11 stores the four generated image data in the RAM.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, in step S2a, the common element extraction unit 12a performs extraction processing using a plurality of image data generated by the image reading unit 21 reading a plurality of originals. The extraction process in the second embodiment targets all combinations of two different image data obtained by using a plurality of image data generated by the image reading unit 21, and two image data included in each combination are included. In the two images to be represented, a process for extracting image components having the same shape as a common element and generating shape information indicating the shape of the common element, and corresponding to each of the two image data and the shape information Processing for generating element information indicating the arrangement position and decoration of the extracted common element in the image represented by each image data. The extraction process is performed using a known image pattern recognition technique.

  Specifically, the common element extraction unit 12a includes six combinations C56, C57, C58, as all combinations of two different image data obtained using the four image data generated in step S1a. C67, C68, and C78 are targeted for extraction processing.

  A combination C56 indicates a combination of image data representing the image P5 and image data representing the image P6. A combination C57 indicates a combination of image data representing the image P5 and image data representing the image P7. A combination C58 indicates a combination of image data representing the image P5 and image data representing the image P8. A combination C67 indicates a combination of image data representing the image P6 and image data representing the image P7. A combination C78 indicates a combination of image data representing the image P7 and image data representing the image P8.

  The common element extraction unit 12a extracts, as common elements, image constituent elements E51 and E61 having the same shape in the two images P5 and P6 represented by the two image data included in the combination C56. Then, the common element extraction unit 12 generates shape information F1 indicating the shapes of the extracted common elements E51 and E62.

  For example, the shape information F1 includes information “lower left right triangle” indicating that the outline of the common elements E51 and E62 is a right triangle whose lower left angle is a right angle, and information indicating the lengths of three sides of the right triangle. It is configured. Note that the shape information F1 is not limited to this. For example, the shape information F1 may be image data representing an outline image of the common elements E51 and E62.

  Then, the common element extraction unit 12a includes the arrangement position and decoration of the common element E51 in the image P5 associated with the image data representing the image P5 and the shape information F1 out of the two pieces of image data included in the combination C56. Is generated. In addition, the common element extraction unit 12a includes the arrangement position and decoration of the common element E61 in the image P6 associated with the image data representing the image P6 and the shape information F1 among the two pieces of image data included in the combination C56. Is generated.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the element information J51 includes identification information of the image data representing the image P5, identification information of the shape information F1, and the like in order to associate the image data representing the image P5 with the shape information F1. Is included.

  The identification information of the image data is, for example, information indicating the year / month / day / hour / minute / second and page number (for example, “YYYY year MM month DD date HH hour MI minute SS second PAGE 1 OF 4”). It is configured. Further, the identification information of the formation information is configured to include the identification information of each of the two common elements E51 and E61 (for example, “E1 OF P1 / E1 OF P2” (“E1 OF P1” is the first page). The identification information of the first image component E51 that has been pattern-recognized in the image of “1”, and “E1 OF P2” represents the identification information of the first image component E61 that has been pattern-recognized in the image of the second page) etc).

  The element information J51 includes coordinate information “x51, y51” of the leftmost end and the uppermost end of the common element E51, which indicates the arrangement position of the common element E51 in the image P5. Furthermore, the element information J51 includes information “white filling” indicating decoration of the common element E51 in the image P5.

  The element information J61 includes identification information of the image data representing the image P6 and identification information of the shape information F1 for associating the image data representing the image P6 with the shape information F1. The element information J61 includes coordinate information “x61, y61” of the leftmost end and the uppermost end of the common element E61, which indicates the arrangement position of the common element E61 in the image P6. Further, the element information J61 includes information “black upper right diagonal line” indicating decoration of the common element E61 in the image P6.

  Similarly, the common element extraction unit 12a extracts, as common elements, image constituent elements E52 and E72 having the same shape in the two images P5 and P7 represented by the two image data included in the combination C57. Then, the common element extraction unit 12 generates shape information F2 indicating the shapes of the extracted common elements E52 and E72. For example, the shape information F2 includes information “left semicircle” indicating that the outline of the common elements E52 and E72 is a left semicircle, and information indicating the radius. The shape information F2 is not limited to this, and may be, for example, image data representing an outline image of the common elements E52 and E72.

  Further, the common element extraction unit 12a extracts, as common elements, image constituent elements E53 and E73 whose shapes match in the two images P5 and P7 represented by the two image data included in the combination C57. Then, the common element extraction unit 12 generates shape information F3 indicating the shapes of the extracted common elements E53 and E73. For example, the shape information F3 includes information “circle” indicating that the outline of the common elements E53 and E73 is a circle, and information indicating the radius. The shape information F3 is not limited to this, and may be, for example, image data representing an image of the outline of the common elements E53 and E73.

  Then, the common element extraction unit 12a indicates the arrangement position and decoration of the common element E52 in the image P5 associated with the image data representing the image P5 and the shape information F2, similarly to the element information J51 and J61. Element information J52 is generated. Further, the common element extraction unit 12a generates element information J72 indicating the arrangement position and decoration of the common element E72 in the image P7, which is associated with the image data representing the image P7 and the shape information F2. Similarly, the common element extraction unit 12a generates element information J53 and J73.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the common element extraction unit 12a extracts, as common elements, image constituent elements E52 and E82 having the same shape in the two images P5 and P8 represented by the two image data included in the combination C58. To do. In this case, the common element extraction unit 12a does not newly generate the shape information F2 because the shape information F2 indicating the shape of the common element E52 has already been generated in the extraction process using the combination C57. The fact that the shape information F2 indicating the shape of the common element E52 has already been generated can be determined by the fact that the identification information of the image component E52 is included in the identification information of the shape information F2.

  Further, since the common element extraction unit 12a has already generated the element information J52 associated with the image data representing the image P5 and the shape information F2 in the extraction process using the combination C57, the element information J52 is newly generated. Is not generated. The fact that the element information J52 has already been generated can be determined by the fact that the element information J52 includes the identification information of the image data representing the image P5 and the shape information F2. The common element extraction unit 12a generates element information J82 associated with the image data representing the image P8 and the shape information F2.

  Further, the common element extraction unit 12a does not extract a common element from the combination C67 because there is no image constituent element having the same shape in the two images P6 and P7 included in the combination C67. Similarly, the common element extraction unit 12a does not extract a common element from the combination C68 because there is no image component having the same shape in the two images P6 and P8 included in the combination C68.

  Further, the common element extraction unit 12a extracts, as common elements, image constituent elements E72 and E82 having the same shape in the two images P7 and P8 represented by the two image data included in the combination C78. In this case, since the common element extraction unit 12 has already generated the shape information F2 indicating the shape of the common element E72 in the extraction process using the combination C57, the common element extraction unit 12 does not newly generate the shape information F2. In addition, since the common element extraction unit 12a generates element information J72 associated with the image data representing the image P7 and the shape information F2 in the extraction process using the combination C57, the element information J72 is newly set. Do not generate. In addition, since the common element extraction unit 12a generates element information J82 associated with the image data representing the image P8 and the shape information F2 in the extraction processing using the combination C58, the element information J82 is newly added. Do not generate.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, in step S <b> 4 a, the difference image generation unit 14 a performs difference image generation processing using each image data generated by the image reading unit 21. The difference image generation processing in the second embodiment is to delete data corresponding to each common element extracted by using the respective image data by the common element extraction unit 12a from each image data generated by the image reading unit 21. In this way, the difference image data corresponding to each image data is generated.

  Specifically, the difference image generation unit 14a generates common elements E51, E52, and E53 extracted from the image data representing the image P5 generated in step S1a and stored in the RAM using the image data in step S2a. The difference image D5 corresponding to the image P5 is generated by deleting the pixel corresponding to each pixel. Then, the difference image generation unit 14a generates image data representing the difference image D5. Thereby, the difference image generation unit 14a deletes data corresponding to the common elements E51, E52, and E53 extracted using the image data from the image data representing the image P5. Then, the difference image generation unit 14a sets the generated image data representing the difference image D5 as difference image data corresponding to the image data representing the image P5.

  Similarly, the difference image generation unit 14a corresponds to each pixel of the common element E61 extracted from the image data representing the image P6 generated in step S1a and stored in the RAM using the image data in step S2a. By deleting the pixels, a difference image D6 corresponding to the image P6 is generated. Then, the difference image generation unit 14a generates image data representing the difference image D6, and sets the generated image data as difference image data corresponding to the image data representing the image P6.

  The difference image generation unit 14a corresponds to each pixel of the common elements E72 and E73 extracted from the image data representing the image P7 generated in step S1a and stored in the RAM using the image data in step S2a. The difference image D7 corresponding to the image P7 is generated by deleting the pixel to be processed. Then, the difference image generation unit 14a generates image data representing the difference image D7, and sets the generated image data as difference image data corresponding to the image data representing the image P7.

  In addition, the difference image generation unit 14a is a pixel corresponding to each pixel of the common element E82 extracted from the image data representing the image P8 generated in step S1a and stored in the RAM using the image data in step S2a. Is generated, a difference image D8 corresponding to the image P8 is generated. Then, the difference image generation unit 14a generates image data representing the difference image D8, and sets the generated image data as difference image data corresponding to the image data representing the image P8.

  In step S <b> 5 a, the storage processing unit 15 a performs a storage process of storing various data related to the image data generated by the image reading unit 21 in the storage unit 24. Specifically, the storage processing unit 15a generates the data related to the four pieces of image data representing the images P5 to P8 generated in step S1a in the storage process by the common element extraction unit 12a in step S2a. Each piece of shape information F1 to F3, each piece of element information J51 to J53, J61, J72, J73, and J82, and each piece of difference image data generated by the difference image generation unit 14a in step S4a, that is, difference images D5 to D8. The difference image data to be expressed is stored in the storage unit 24.

  The storage processing unit 15a, when storing each difference image data in the storage unit 24 in step S5a, corresponds to the image data corresponding to each difference image data as in step S5 of the first embodiment. For example, the data file name including the identification information of the image data is stored so that the attachment can be understood.

  According to the configuration of the second embodiment, the common element extraction unit 12a targets all combinations of two different image data obtained by using the plurality of image data generated by the image reading unit 21. In the two images represented by the two image data included in, image constituent elements having the same shape are extracted as common elements.

  That is, when the conventional technique described in Patent Document 1 is used, in two images represented by two image data (for example, images P5 and P6), the image configuration has the same shape but does not match the arrangement position and decoration. An element (eg, image constituent element E51) could not be extracted as a common element. However, according to the configuration of the present invention, from the two images (for example, images P5 and P6), an image component (for example, image component E51) in which the shape matches but the arrangement position and decoration do not match is shared. It can be extracted as an element. As a result, the number of image components extracted as common elements can be increased as compared with the prior art described in Patent Document 1 and the like.

  Further, when the common element extraction unit 12a extracts a common element (for example, common elements E51 and E61) using a combination of two pieces of image data (for example, combination C56), an image ( Example: Information indicating the arrangement position and decoration of the common element in the images P5 and P6), each of the two image data, and shape information (eg, shape information F1) indicating the shape of the extracted common element Are generated as element information (for example, element information J51, J61) associated with.

  The difference image generation unit 14a deletes data corresponding to the common element from the image data (example: image data representing the image P6) used to extract the common element (example: common element E61), Difference image data corresponding to the image data (eg, difference image data representing the difference image D6) is generated. The storage processing unit 15 a stores each shape information, each element information, and each difference image data in the storage unit 24.

  That is, according to the configuration of the second embodiment, it is possible to increase the number of image components extracted as common elements and reduce the number of image components included in the image represented by each difference image data. Thereby, the data amount of the data corresponding to the image component stored redundantly in a plurality of difference image data can be reduced.

  Further, when a large number of image constituent elements whose shapes match but whose arrangement positions and decorations do not match as described above are extracted as common elements, data corresponding to the respective common elements is stored in the storage unit 24 as it is. In this case, the data corresponding to the shape of each common element included in the data corresponding to each common element is stored in the storage unit 24 in duplicate.

  However, according to the configuration of the second embodiment, shape information indicating the shape of the common element is individually stored in the storage unit 24. For this reason, it is avoided that the data corresponding to the shape of each common element included in the data corresponding to each common element is stored in the storage unit 24 in duplicate, and the amount of data stored in the storage unit 24 is reduced. Can be reduced.

  That is, according to the configuration of the second embodiment, the data corresponding to the shape of each common element is not duplicated when the data amount of the plurality of difference image data is reduced and the data corresponding to each common element is stored. By storing in this way, the amount of data stored in the storage unit 24 can be reduced.

  In addition, each difference image data (eg, difference image data representing the difference image D6) is acquired from the storage unit 24, and is associated with image data (eg, image data representing the image P6) corresponding to each difference image data. Each element information (example: element information J61) is acquired from the storage unit 24, and further, shape information (example: shape information F1) associated with each element information is acquired. Then, the shape matches the shape indicated by the acquired shape information (e.g., the lower left right triangle, the length of each side), and the arrangement position and decoration are indicated by the acquired element information (e.g., coordinates) (X51, y51)) and image components that match the decoration (eg, white filling) are combined with the image (eg, difference image D6) represented by each acquired difference image data, and the combined image is displayed. By generating the image data that represents the image data, it is possible to restore the image data that represents the original document image (eg, image P6). In other words, according to the configuration of the second embodiment, data that can restore image data representing the original image of the original can be stored in the storage unit 24.

  In addition, said 2nd embodiment is only the illustration of embodiment which concerns on this invention, and is not the meaning which limits this invention to said 2nd embodiment. For example, an embodiment obtained by modifying the second embodiment described below may be used.

  For example, as indicated by a broken line portion in FIG. 4, the control unit 10 may operate as the image restoration unit 18a. The image restoration unit 18 a associates the image represented by each difference image data stored in the storage unit 24 with image data corresponding to each difference image data among the element information stored in the storage unit 24. Using the element information and the shape information associated with the element information, the shape matches the shape indicated by the shape information, and the arrangement position and the decoration are the arrangement positions indicated by the element information. Then, the image constituent elements matching the decoration are synthesized, and image data representing the synthesized image is generated. Then, the image restoration unit 18a restores the generated image data as image data representing an image of a document corresponding to each difference image data.

  Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the control described in the second embodiment is performed by the control unit 10, and the shape information F <b> 1 to F <b> 3 and the element information J <b> 51 to J <b> 53, J <b> 61, J <b> 72, Assume that J73 and J82 and difference image data representing difference images D5 to D8 are stored. In this case, by the operation of the operation unit 23 by the user, an instruction to re-form the image on the sheet is input to the image forming unit 22 based on the data stored in the storage unit 24, and the instruction is received by the control unit 10. Suppose that

  In this case, the image restoration unit 18a uses the difference image data representing the difference image D5 stored in the storage unit 24 as will be described below, and the document image P5 corresponding to the difference image data (FIG. 5). The image data representing is restored.

  The image restoration unit 18a includes each element associated with the image data representing the image P5 corresponding to the difference image data among the element information J51 to J53, J61, J72, J73, and J82 stored in the storage unit 24. Information J51-J53 is acquired. Further, the image restoration unit 18a acquires the shape information F1 to F3 associated with each of the acquired element information J51 to J53 from the storage unit 24.

  Then, the image restoration unit 18a uses the element information J51 and the shape information F1 associated with the element information J51, the shape matches the shape indicated by the shape information F1, and the arrangement position and decoration are the element information J51. Is combined with the difference image D5 represented by the difference image data. Further, the image restoration unit 18a uses the element information J52 and the shape information F2 associated with the element information J52 to match the shape indicated by the shape information F2, and the arrangement position and decoration are the element information J52. Are further combined with the combined image. Further, the image restoration unit 18a uses the element information J53 and the shape information F3 associated with the element information J53, the shape matches the shape indicated by the shape information F3, and the arrangement position and decoration are the element information J53. Is combined with the image after further combining.

  Then, the image restoration unit 18a generates image data representing the image after the third synthesis, and outputs the image data as image data representing the original image P5 corresponding to the difference image data.

  Similarly, the image restoration unit 18a uses the difference image data representing the difference image D6 stored in the storage unit 24, and element information J61 associated with the image data representing the image P6 corresponding to the difference image data. And shape information F1 associated with the element information J61 is acquired from the storage unit 24. Then, the image restoration unit 18a outputs image data representing the document image P6 corresponding to the difference image data representing the difference image D6, using the acquired element information J61 and the shape information F1. Similarly, the image restoration unit 18a stores image data representing the image P7 of the document corresponding to the difference image data representing the difference image D7 stored in the storage unit 24 and document corresponding to the difference image data representing the difference image D8. And image data representing the image P8.

  Then, the control unit 10 causes the image forming unit 22 to form an image on a sheet based on the image data representing the images P5 to P8 restored by the image restoration unit 18a.

  In the modified embodiment according to the second embodiment, the image data generated by the image reading unit 21 can be restored by using the data stored in the storage unit 24 by the image restoration unit 18a. Therefore, the process based on the image data generated by the image reading unit 21 is re-executed, such as causing the image forming unit 22 to perform the same image forming operation as the image forming operation based on the image data generated by the image reading unit 21 again. can do.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of control in which the control unit 10 stores data related to the image data generated by the image reading unit 21 in the storage unit 24 will be described. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the copying machine 1 in the third embodiment. In addition, in 3rd embodiment, the same thing as 1st embodiment and 2nd embodiment attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits the description.

  In the third embodiment, the control unit 10 particularly operates as the reading control unit 11, the common element extraction unit 12b, the difference image generation unit 14b, and the storage processing unit 15b, as shown by the solid line portion in FIG. In addition, the storage unit 24 stores candidate data indicating common element candidates to be described later, which are predetermined as image component element candidates common to a plurality of images.

  In the following description, a case where the image reading unit 21 reads three documents and generates three image data representing images of the three documents is used as a specific example. FIGS. 9 and 10 are diagrams illustrating a control operation for storing data related to the image data generated by the image reading unit 21 in the storage unit 24.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in step S1b, the reading control unit 11 controls the image reading unit 21 to read a plurality of documents and generate a plurality of image data representing images of the plurality of documents. The reading control unit 11 stores a plurality of image data generated by the image reading unit 21 in the RAM.

  Specifically, the reading control unit 11 causes the image reading unit 21 to read three documents, and generates three image data representing the images P9 to P11 of the three documents. The reading control unit 11 stores the generated three pieces of image data in the RAM.

  Next, in step S2b, the common element extraction unit 12b performs an extraction process using a plurality of image data generated by the image reading unit 21 reading a plurality of originals. In the extraction process in the third embodiment, the common element candidate indicated by the candidate data stored in the storage unit 24 included in the image represented by each image data generated by the image reading unit 21 is reduced, equal-magnification, or enlarged. The extracted image component as a common element, and the arrangement ratio of the extracted common element in the image represented by the image data and the size ratio of the common element to the common element candidate associated with the image data And a process of generating element information indicating the above. The extraction process is performed using a known image pattern recognition technique.

  Specifically, the common element extraction unit 12b uses three pieces of image data representing the three images P9 to P11 generated in step S1b as extraction targets. The common element extraction unit 12b acquires candidate data stored in the storage unit 24, and reduces the common element candidate E0 represented by the candidate data at a predetermined reduction rate. Hereinafter, as a specific example, it is assumed that the reduction ratio is ½. However, the reduction ratio is not limited to this.

  Then, the common element extraction unit 12b extracts, as common elements, image constituent elements that are included in the three images P9 to P11 and are reduced by a factor of two from the common element candidate E0. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the common element extraction unit 12b extracts the image constituent element EA included in the image P11 as a common element.

  Then, the common element extraction unit 12b is an element indicating the arrangement position of the extracted common element EA in the image P11 and the size ratio of the common element EA to the common element candidate E0, which are associated with the image data representing the image P11. Information J11A is generated.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the element information J11A includes identification information of the image data representing the image P11 for association with the image data representing the image P11. The identification information of the image data is, for example, information indicating the year / month / day / hour / minute / second and the page number (for example, “YYYY year MM month DD day HH hour MI minute SS second PAGE 3 OF 3”). It is configured.

  The element information J11A includes the coordinate information “(x11A, y11A)” of the leftmost end and the uppermost end of the common element EA in the image P11 that indicates the arrangement position of the common element EA. Furthermore, the element information J11A includes information “½ times” indicating the size ratio of the common element EA to the common element candidate E0.

  Next, the common element extraction unit 12b uses, as a common element, image constituent elements that are included in the three images P9 to P11 represented by the three pieces of image data to be subjected to the extraction process and have the common element candidate E0 at the same magnification. Extract. In this case, the common element extraction unit 12b extracts the image constituent element EB included in the image P10 and the image constituent element EC included in the image P11 as common elements.

  Similarly to the above, the common element extraction unit 12b associates the extracted common element EB with the arrangement position of the extracted common element EB in the image P10 and the common element EB with respect to the common element candidate E0 associated with the image data representing the image P10. Element information J10B indicating the size ratio is generated. Further, the common element extraction unit 12b is an element indicating the arrangement position of the extracted common element EC in the image P11 and the size ratio of the common element EC with respect to the common element candidate E0, which are associated with the image data representing the image P11. Information J11C is generated.

  Note that the common element extraction unit 12b further extracts the image component obtained by magnifying the common element candidate E0 as a common element, and further performs the above reduction ratio (1/2) before performing the process of generating element information. The image component obtained by reducing the common element candidate E0 with a predetermined reduction rate different from (multiple) may be extracted as a common element, and processing for generating element information may be performed.

  Further, the common element extraction unit 12b expands the common element candidate E0 at a predetermined enlargement rate. Hereinafter, as a specific example, it is assumed that the enlargement ratio is double. However, the enlargement ratio is not limited to this.

  Then, the common element extraction unit 12b extracts, as common elements, image constituent elements that are included in the three images P9 to P11 and that are twice the common element candidate E0. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the common element extraction unit 12b extracts the image constituent element ED included in the image P9 as a common element. In the same manner as described above, the common element extraction unit 12b associates the extracted common element ED in the image P9 with the arrangement position of the extracted common element ED in the image P9 and the common element ED corresponding to the common element candidate E0. Element information J9D indicating the size ratio is generated.

  Note that the common element extraction unit 12b further extracts, as common elements, image constituent elements obtained by enlarging the common element candidate E0 at a predetermined enlargement ratio different from the above enlargement ratio (twice), and generates element information. You may perform the process to do.

  Next, as illustrated in FIG. 10, in step S <b> 4 b, the difference image generation unit 14 b performs difference image generation processing using each image data generated by the image reading unit 21. The difference image generation process in the third embodiment is to delete data corresponding to each common element extracted using each image data by the common element extraction unit 12b from each image data generated by the image reading unit 21. In this way, the difference image data corresponding to each image data is generated.

  Specifically, the difference image generation unit 14b applies each pixel of the common element ED extracted from the image data representing the image P9 generated in step S1b and stored in the RAM using the image data in step S2b. A difference image D9 corresponding to the image P9 is generated by deleting the corresponding pixel. Then, the difference image generation unit 14b generates image data representing the difference image D9. Thereby, the difference image generation unit 14b deletes the data corresponding to the common element ED extracted using the image data from the image data representing the image P9. Then, the difference image generation unit 14b sets the generated image data representing the difference image D9 as difference image data corresponding to the image data representing the image P9.

  Similarly, the difference image generation unit 14b corresponds to each pixel of the common element EB extracted from the image data representing the image P10 generated in step S1b and stored in the RAM using the image data in step S2b. The difference image D10 corresponding to the image P10 is generated by deleting the pixels. Then, the difference image generation unit 14b generates image data representing the difference image D10, and sets the generated image data as difference image data corresponding to the image data representing the image P10.

  Further, the difference image generation unit 14b generates each pixel of the two common elements EA and EC extracted from the image data representing the image P11 generated in step S1b and stored in the RAM using the image data in step S2b. The difference image D11 corresponding to the image P11 is generated by deleting the pixels corresponding to. Then, the difference image generation unit 14b generates image data representing the difference image D11, and sets the generated image data as difference image data corresponding to the image data representing the image P11.

  In step S <b> 5 b, the storage processing unit 15 b performs storage processing for storing various data related to the image data generated by the image reading unit 21 in the storage unit 24. Specifically, the storage processing unit 15b uses each element generated by the common element extraction unit 12b in step S2b as data related to the image data representing the images P9 to P11 generated in step S1b in the storage processing. Information J9D, J10B, J11A, J11C and the difference image data generated by the difference image generation unit 14b in step S4b, that is, difference image data representing the difference images D9 to D11 are stored in the storage unit 24.

  The storage processing unit 15b, when storing each difference image data in the storage unit 24 in step S5b, corresponds to the image data corresponding to each difference image data as in step S5 of the first embodiment. For example, the data file name including the identification information of the image data is stored so that the attachment can be understood.

  According to the configuration of the third embodiment, the common element extraction unit 12b reduces, equals, or enlarges the common element candidate E0 in the image (for example, the image P9) represented by each image data (for example, the image). Component ED) is extracted as a common element, data corresponding to the common element is deleted from the image data used to extract the common element (eg, image data representing the image P9), and the image Difference image data corresponding to the data (eg, image data representing the difference image D9) is generated. That is, difference image data is generated by deleting data corresponding to image constituent elements having the same or different size from the common element candidate E0 from each image data.

  Therefore, by storing a plurality of difference image data in the storage unit 24, it is possible to avoid storing data corresponding to image constituent elements having a different size from the common element candidate E0 in the storage unit 24. Thereby, the data amount of the data memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 24 can be reduced.

  Further, according to the configuration of the third embodiment, the common element extraction unit 12b extracts the image component (for example, the image component ED) obtained by reducing, magnifying, or enlarging the common element candidate E0 as a common element. The arrangement position (eg, coordinates (x9D, y9D)) of the common element in the image (eg, image P9) represented by the image data used to extract the common element, and the size ratio of the common element to the common element candidate E0 (Example: double) is generated as element information (example: element information J9D) associated with the image data. Then, the storage processing unit 15 b stores each element information and each difference image data in the storage unit 24.

  Therefore, each difference image data (for example, image data representing the difference image D9) is acquired from the storage unit 24, and is associated with the image data (for example, image data representing the image P9) corresponding to each difference image data. Each element information (eg, element information J9D) is acquired from the storage unit 24. Then, the size ratio indicated by each element information in the arrangement position (eg, coordinates (x9D, y9D)) indicated by each acquired element information in the image (eg, difference image D9) represented by each acquired difference image data. An image of the original document (e.g., image) is generated by combining image components obtained by reducing, multiplying, or enlarging the common element candidates according to (e.g., 2 times) and generating image data representing the combined image Image data representing P9) can be restored. That is, according to the configuration of the third embodiment, data that can restore image data representing an original document image can be stored in the storage unit 24.

  The third embodiment is merely an example of the embodiment according to the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention to the third embodiment. For example, an embodiment obtained by modifying the third embodiment described below may be used.

  (1) For example, as indicated by the broken line portion in FIG. 8, the control unit 10 may operate as the image restoration unit 18b. The image restoration unit 18b is associated with image data corresponding to each difference image data among the element information stored in the storage unit 24 in the image represented by each difference image data stored in the storage unit 24. The image components representing the combined image are generated by combining the image component elements obtained by reducing, magnifying, or enlarging the common element candidates according to the size ratio indicated by the element information at the arrangement position indicated by the element information. As a result, the image data representing the image of the document corresponding to each difference image data is restored.

  Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the control described in the third embodiment is performed by the control unit 10, and the element information J9D, J10B, J11A, J11C and the difference images D9 to D11 are stored in the storage unit 24. Assume that difference image data to be expressed is stored. In this case, by the operation of the operation unit 23 by the user, an instruction to re-form the image on the sheet is input to the image forming unit 22 based on the data stored in the storage unit 24, and the instruction is received by the control unit 10. Suppose that

  In this case, the image restoration unit 18b restores image data representing the original image P9 (FIG. 9) corresponding to the difference image data representing the difference image D9 stored in the storage unit 24 as described below. .

  The image restoration unit 18b acquires each piece of element information J9D associated with the image data representing the image P9 corresponding to the difference image data among the element information J9D, J10B, J11A, and J11C stored in the storage unit 24. To do. In addition, the image restoration unit 18b acquires candidate data stored in the storage unit 24.

  The image restoration unit 18b generates an image constituent element in which the common element candidate E0 indicated by the acquired candidate data is doubled according to the size ratio indicated by the acquired element information J9D. Then, the image restoration unit 18b synthesizes the generated image constituent element with the arrangement position indicated by the element information J9D in the difference image D9 represented by the difference image data. Then, the image restoration unit 18b generates image data representing the combined image, and outputs this as image data representing the document image P9 corresponding to the difference image data.

  Similarly, the image restoration unit 18b acquires element information J10B associated with the image data representing the image P10 corresponding to the difference image data representing the difference image D10 stored in the storage unit 24 from the storage unit 24. Then, the image restoration unit 18b synthesizes an image component that is the same size as the common element candidate E0 generated according to the size ratio indicated by the acquired element information J10B, at the arrangement position indicated by the element information J10B in the difference image D10. To do. Then, the image restoration unit 18b generates image data representing the combined image and outputs it as image data representing the original image P10 corresponding to the difference image data representing the difference image D10.

  Further, the image restoration unit 18b acquires element information J11A and J11C associated with the image data representing the image P11 corresponding to the difference image data representing the difference image D11 stored in the storage unit 24 from the storage unit 24. . Then, the image restoration unit 18b generates an image constituent element obtained by reducing the common element candidate E0 by 1/2 according to the size ratio indicated by the acquired element information J11A. Then, the image restoration unit 18b synthesizes the generated image constituent element with the arrangement position indicated by the element information J11A in the difference image D11. Further, the image restoration unit 18b further sets the image component element that is the same size as the common element candidate E0 generated according to the size ratio indicated by the acquired element information J11C to the arrangement position indicated by the element information J11C in the combined image. Synthesize. Then, the image restoration unit 18b generates image data representing the image after the second composition, and outputs this as image data representing the original image P11 corresponding to the difference image data.

  Then, the control unit 10 causes the image forming unit 22 to form an image on a sheet based on the image data representing the images P9 to P11 restored by the image restoration unit 18b.

  In the modified embodiment according to the third embodiment, the image data generated by the image reading unit 21 can be restored by using the data stored in the storage unit 24 by the image restoration unit 18b. Therefore, the process based on the image data generated by the image reading unit 21 is re-executed, such as causing the image forming unit 22 to perform the same image forming operation as the image forming operation based on the image data generated by the image reading unit 21 again. can do.

  (2) Further, as indicated by the one-dot chain line portion in FIG. 8, the control unit 10 may further operate as a candidate receiving unit 19 that receives input of candidate data stored in the storage unit 24. In accordance with this, the storage processing unit 15 b stores the candidate data received by the candidate receiving unit 19 in the storage unit 24. The copier 1 also includes an external interface unit 25 for connecting an external storage medium storing image data, such as a USB memory, to the copier 1.

  More specifically, it is assumed that a user inputs an instruction to use specific image data stored in an external storage medium connected to the external interface unit 25 as candidate data. In this case, the candidate receiving unit 19 receives the input designation, acquires the designated specific image data from the external storage medium via the external interface unit 25, and accepts this as candidate data. Then, the storage processing unit 15 b stores the candidate data acquired by the candidate receiving unit 19 in the storage unit 24.

  According to the modified embodiment according to the third embodiment, it is possible to accept input of candidate data and store the accepted candidate data in the storage unit 24. For this reason, for example, when the common element candidate E0 such as a logo is changed in accordance with the change of the company name or the like, candidate data indicating the changed common element candidate can be stored in the storage unit 24.

1 Copying machine (image reader)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Control part 11 Reading control part 12, 12a, 12b Common element extraction part 13 Background image generation part 14, 14a, 14b Difference image generation part 15, 15a, 15b Storage processing part 16 1st designation | designated reception part 17 2nd designation | designated reception part 18, 18a, 18b Image restoration unit 19 Candidate reception unit 21 Image reading unit 24 Storage unit B Background image E0 Common element candidate

Claims (1)

A storage unit;
An image reading unit that reads a plurality of documents and generates image data representing an image of each document;
In the two images represented by the two image data included in each combination, targeting a combination of two different image data obtained by using the plurality of image data generated by the image reading unit, Each image associated with each of the two image data and the shape information is generated by extracting the image constituent elements having the same shape as a common element, generating the shape information indicating the shape of the common element. A common element extraction unit that generates element information indicating the arrangement position and decoration of the extracted common element in the image represented by the data;
Corresponding to each image data by deleting data corresponding to each common element extracted by using each image data by the common element extraction unit from each image data generated by the image reading unit A difference image generation unit for generating difference image data to be
The shape information generated by the common element extraction unit, the element information generated by the common element extraction unit, and the difference image data generated by the difference image generation unit are stored in the storage unit. A storage processing unit for storing
Each of the images represented by the difference image data stored in the storage unit is associated with the image data corresponding to the difference image data of the element information stored in the storage unit. Using element information and the shape information associated with each element information, the shape matches the shape indicated by the shape information, and the arrangement position and decoration are the arrangement position indicated by the element information and An image restoration unit that restores image data representing an image of the original corresponding to each difference image data by synthesizing image components that match the decoration and generating image data representing the synthesized image;
An image reading apparatus comprising:

Images