JPH04314263A - Picture processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To process a picture having been read for plural number of times as one large picture. CONSTITUTION:A scanner 1 receives a picture data of a prescribed quantity and a picture memory 3 stores the picture data of the prescribed quantity inputted from the scanner 1. A characteristic extract section 6 extracts a characteristic such as an edge based on a picture data of a prescribed quantity received from the scanner 1, a characteristic memory 7 stores the characteristic extracted by the characteristic extract section 6 and a CPU 10 controls the repetition of the execution up to the characteristic memory 7 from the scanner 1. A characteristic comparison section 8 and an address command section 9 generate address information to join two picture data or over with a prescribed quantity obtained by the control of the CPU 10 based on the characteristic corresponding to the picture data of a prescribed quantity. The address information is commanded to the picture memory 3 to join the two picture data or over in the memory 3 and a printer 5 receives the resulting picture data from the joining and the prints out the result.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and for example, to an image processing apparatus that inputs and processes a plurality of images.

0002

[Prior Art] Conventionally, when reading and recording an image of a document larger than the maximum image size that can be read by a reading device, an operator reads the document in several batches and transfers each recorded image to a recording medium such as recording paper. The images were output to a computer and the multiple recording media on which the images were recorded were stitched together.

0003

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, since one image was outputted separately on multiple recording media, it was necessary for the operator to connect the images on the recording media. . In addition, since the images are stitched together by a person, there is a misalignment between the images, resulting in an unsightly reproduction of the image.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional example, and its purpose is to provide image processing that allows images read in multiple steps to be treated as one large image. The point is to provide equipment.

[0005]

[Means for solving the problem] Solving the above problems,
In order to achieve the object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an input means for inputting a predetermined amount of image data, a first storage means for storing the predetermined amount of image data input by the input means, and a first storage means for storing the predetermined amount of image data input by the input means. an extraction means for extracting a certain feature based on a predetermined amount of image data inputted by the means; a second storage means for storing the feature extracted by the extraction means; the input means, the first storage means, the an extraction means and a control means for controlling repetition of the execution of the second storage means;
a splicing means for splicing two or more predetermined amounts of image data obtained by the control means based on characteristics corresponding to each predetermined amount of image data; and an output for outputting the image data obtained by splicing the spliced data by the splicing means. It is characterized by comprising means.

[0006]

[Operation] According to this configuration, the input means inputs a predetermined amount of image data, the first storage means stores the predetermined amount of image data input by the input means, and the extraction means inputs the predetermined amount of image data input by the input means. A certain feature is extracted based on a predetermined amount of image data, the second storage means stores the feature extracted by the extraction means, and the control means includes an input means, a first storage means, an extraction means,
and controlling repetition of the execution of the second storage means, and the splicing means splicing the predetermined amount of image data obtained by the control means one or more pieces based on the characteristics corresponding to each predetermined amount of image data; The output means outputs the image data obtained by stitching together by the stitching means.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a first embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. The block in Figure 1 reads a document using a CCD, A/D converter, etc., stores the obtained digitized image data in an image memory, processes the image, and outputs it to various printers to obtain an image. It is applied to electronic devices such as image copying devices. In the figure, 1 is a scanner that reads an original image and inputs digitized image data; 2;
3 is a preprocessing unit that performs a series of processes such as black level correction and white level correction and conversion into density data through logarithmic conversion; 3 is an image memory that temporarily stores the image data processed by the preprocessing unit 2; 4 is an image memory; A post-processing unit performs image processing such as area designation, enlargement, reduction, density adjustment, etc. on the image data sent from the image memory 3, and 5 is a recording medium such as recording paper that outputs the image based on the image data processed by the post-processing unit 4. 6 is a feature extraction unit that performs differential processing on image data to extract edges as a feature; 7 is a feature memory that stores the feature data extracted by the feature extraction unit 6; 8 is a feature that compares multiple feature data. A comparison section 9 is an address instruction section 10 that indicates the address of the image memory 3 based on the result obtained by the feature comparison section 8.
Reference numeral 11 indicates a CPU which controls the entire apparatus with programs, ROM 11 stores programs etc. according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and 12 indicates a RAM used as a work area for various programs.

The electronic device having the above configuration is particularly applicable even when the document size exceeds the image size that can be read by the scanner 1, and its operation will be described below.

FIGS. 2 to 4 are diagrams illustrating image processing steps according to the first embodiment, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts illustrating one image processing procedure related to the image processing according to the first embodiment. It is. The flowcharts in FIGS. 5 and 6 are as follows:
The CPU 10 controls the entire system, and individual processing is performed by each section.

In practice, when reading and printing out an image size (I) of a document that exceeds the maximum size (S) that can be read at one time by the scanner 1, the number of operations performed by the operator on this device (scanner 1 (N) occurs (N>I÷S) times. In the following description, a case will be described in which N is fixed to 2.

First, a part of the image in one document (hereinafter referred to as the "first image") is read by the scanner 1 and converted into digital data (first image data) by the first operator's operation. (Step S1). The digitized first image data undergoes black level correction and white level correction, and undergoes a series of processes in the preprocessing section 2, including conversion into density data through logarithmic conversion (step S2). The preprocessed first image data is temporarily stored in the image memory 3 (
Step S3). Thereafter, the feature extractor 106 generates first feature data in a format that is easy to compare based on the first image data in the image memory 3 (step S4), and the first feature data is stored in the feature memory 7 ( Step S5)
.

Here, in order to process a second image of the unread portion of the same document, the position of the document set in the scanner 1 is moved (shifted), and the second image is processed in the same way as the first image. Perform processing. That is, digitized second image data is output from the scanner 1 and stored in the image memory 3 via the preprocessing section 2. Then, the feature extractor 106 generates second feature data from the second image data in the image memory 3 (step S6).

Next, the feature comparison section 108 searches for matching points in the image according to the first and second feature data stored in the feature memory 7, and outputs the obtained result to the address instruction section 109 (step S7, step S8, step S9). However, if no matching points are obtained, the process ends as an error. Of course, the second image may be read again without finishing the processing as an error, or an error determination may be made based on the number of times the second image is read again.

The address instruction section 109 specifies the address of the stitched portion of the first and second image data in the image memory 3 to be sent to the next post-processing section 104 as an image that is stitched together. This is a processing unit that instructs the memory 3. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the first image stored in the image memory 3 is (x0,
y0 ), (x0 , y1 ), (x1 , y0 ),
Take the coordinates of the four points (x1, y1), and the second image is (
x0', y0'), (x0', y1'), (x1', y
Assume that the coordinates of four points are taken: 0'), (x1', y1'). In the second image, in the sub-scanning direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2), from the line of coordinates (xa', y0'), (xa', y1') to (x1', y0'), (x1', y1') ) is set as the valid second image. This valid second image has coordinates (
x0', y0'), (x0', y1'), (x1', y
0'), (x1', y1'), (x1, y0
), (x1, y1), (x1+x1'-xa',
Changes are instructed to four points: y0 ), (x1 +x1'-xa', y1). As a result, the first image shown in (a) of FIG. 2 and the second image shown in (b) of FIG. An image is formed on the image memory 3 according to instructions from the address instruction section 109 (step S10).

As described above, the image data that has been stitched together on one screen is subjected to area designation, enlargement,
Image processing such as reduction and density adjustment is performed, and the image is output to the printer 105 and printed (step S11, step S12).
).

[0017] Here, the processing from feature extraction to image joining will be explained in detail. Regarding feature extraction,
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the image data (a) in the image memory 3 is binarized (b), and the image (c) obtained by performing differential processing and extracting edges is used as feature data.

Next, regarding feature comparison, since it takes time to compare the entire image area, it can be done in a short time as follows. First, if the range that the scanner 1 can actually read is indicated by the broken line in FIG. 4(a), the first feature data will be as shown in FIG. 4(b). Also, the second feature data is shown in Figure 4.
However, in the feature comparison unit 8, the result is as shown in (d) of FIG.
), feature data (second feature data for comparison) within a predetermined short range from the edge of the frame where data exists at the edge of the frame of the image reading range described above is extracted and compared. The feature comparison unit 8 uses the first feature data to compare the second feature data for comparison (see FIG. 4(d)) by the pattern matching method, and the coordinates on the first feature data where there is a match are sent to the address instruction section 9. When sending the image data in the image memory 3 to the post-processing section 4 that performs image processing, the address instruction section 9 specifies the read address as shown in FIG.
In terms of (a) and (b), (x0 , y0 ),...(x
0 , y1 ),…, (x1 , y0 ),…, (x1
, y1 ), (xa', y0'), ..., (xa', y
1'),...(x1', y0'),...(x1', y1')
By sending the images in this order, they can be treated as a single image that has been stitched together.

As explained above, according to the first embodiment, an image read in a plurality of times can be handled as one large image.

<Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment will be explained.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. In the figure, processing units having the same configuration and functions as those in FIG. 1 are given the same numbers as in FIG. 1, and their explanations will be omitted. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 21 indicates an operation unit equipped with keys and a display unit for inputting various commands, data input, etc., and reference numeral 26 indicates the feature extraction unit 6, feature memory 7, and feature extraction unit configured in the first embodiment. A CPU is shown that controls the comparison section 8 and the address instruction section 9 using software, and controls the entire device. 29 indicates I/O between the CPU 26 and the operation unit 21, 27 indicates a ROM storing programs etc. for operating the CPU 26, and 2
8 is RAM used as a work area for various programs
It shows.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be explained.

Similar to the first embodiment, the CCD sensor and the
A scanner 1 using a /D converter or the like inputs digitized image data to a preprocessing section 2. Here, the image data subjected to black correction, white correction and logarithmic conversion is stored in the image memory 3. Here, the CPU 26 binarizes the image data in the image memory 3 and stores the differentiated feature data in a certain area of the RAM 28. After repeating the above process multiple times, the CPU 26 compares the feature data on the RAM 28 using a pattern matching method, and creates a continuous image based on the coordinates of the RAM 28 that are considered to match. The image is output to a post-processing unit 4 that performs image processing. Even if the processing from feature extraction to connection is performed by the CPU 26, ROM 27, and RAM 28 in this way, the same effects as in the previous embodiment can be obtained.

<Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment will be explained.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the post-processing section 4 has the functions of specifying the area, enlarging, and reducing the image data, but the present invention is not limited to this.
The preprocessing section 2 may be provided with the above functions. Therefore, the reduction function will be explained as an example. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the image processing process according to the second embodiment.

The first image input by the scanner 1 receives the image data (first image) shown in FIG.
The image is reduced and stored in the image memory 3 in the form shown in (b) of the figure. When reading the second image for the second time, (
As shown in c), it passes through the preprocessing section 2 in the same way, and then
Image data is stored in the image memory 3 in the form shown on the right side of d). Therefore, we used the same feature extraction and comparison method as in the second embodiment to find matching points in the image, and
26 outputs the image data shown in FIG. 8(e) to the post-processing section 4.

As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to obtain the effect that the size of the image memory 3 only needs to be the size of the image that can be output by the printer 5.

[0028] In the first to third embodiments, the procedure for joining two images, the first image and the second image, to obtain one image was explained, but the present invention is not limited to this. Rather than a physical device, we provide an operation panel, from which we set the number of image inputs for Scanner 1, generate feature data for each image data from the set number of image data, and stitch multiple images together. Also good. Note that when three or more images are to be joined together, processing efficiency can be improved by connecting the images that come before and after each other in the order in which the images are input.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, RGB
Although we have shown an example of color reproduction processing when luminance data is input, data formats of other color systems, such as L*, a*
, b*, L*, u*, v*, YIQ, etc., the only change is the method of color reproduction processing, and this is within the scope of the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Further, although the above-mentioned embodiments have been described only for color printing of characters, they can be similarly applied to color printing of figures, raster images, and the like.

Furthermore, the output printer may be a color dot printer, a color ink jet printer, a color thermal transfer printer, a bubble jet printer, etc. in addition to a color laser beam printer.

Furthermore, it goes without saying that the printer is not limited to a binary output printer, but may also be a multi-value output printer.

Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a system consisting of a plurality of devices, or to a device consisting of one device, or may be applied to a system or a device that is supplied with a program. Needless to say, it can also be applied to cases where the above is achieved.

[0034]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention,
Images that are read multiple times can be handled as one large image.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a first embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an image processing process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an image processing process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an image processing process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating one image processing procedure related to image processing in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating one image processing procedure related to image processing in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an image processing process according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Sukiyana 2 Pre-processing section 3 Image memory 4 Post-processing section 5 Printer 6 Feature extraction section 7 Feature memory 8 Feature comparison section 9 Address instruction section 10,26 CPU 11,27 ROM 12,28 RAM

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An input means for inputting a predetermined amount of image data, a first storage means for storing a predetermined amount of image data input by the input means, and a first storage means for storing a predetermined amount of image data input by the input means. an extraction means for extracting a certain feature based on the
a second storage means for storing the features extracted by the extraction means; a control means for controlling repetition of implementation of the input means, the first storage means, the extraction means, and the second storage means; , a splicing means for splicing two or more predetermined amounts of image data obtained by the control means based on characteristics corresponding to each predetermined amount of image data, and outputting the image data obtained by splicing by the splicing means. An image processing device comprising: an output means. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the certain feature includes an edge. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output destination of the output means is a printing device.