JPH07154584A - Image edit device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent dirt of a source document by easing image data while leaving image data corresponding to a moving source edit are based on marking read data so as to eliminate the need for direct marking onto the source document. CONSTITUTION:Image data read from a source document are stored in an image memory 49 via an interface section 51 and a dummy copy is outputted. Marker processing is applied to the dummy copy, the result is read and marking data stored in a movement source edit area and its area information are stored in an image memory 50. Then the image data stored in the memory 49 corresponding to the movement source edit area stored in the memory 50 are stored tentatively together with its area information. When a synthesis command of the image data is received, edit synthesis processing is attained. Moreover, the image data are returned to an image processing circuit 42 via the interface section 51 and processed into a video signal video write processing circuit 43, and an image is formed on transfer paper and is provided as an output.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention reads an image of a document, stores and saves the image data, and if necessary, edits the stored image data to form an image on a sheet for output (printout). ) Relates to an image editing apparatus such as a digital copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, some conventional monochrome digital copying machines have a marker editing function. In this method, a marker pen that is lightly read based on the image density on the original is used to directly mark the original, and the range is specified so that only the image data specified by the marker is edited. .

When this digital copying machine can read color information, the difference between the color of the image of the document and the color of the marker is used, the range designation by the marker is recognized, and the image data of the document within the range is recognized. Editing can be performed on the other hand. A special editing device (editor board) is used when the range is specified at two or more places by the marker.

By the way, such a conventional marker editing function can edit and process an image without requiring a special editing device, but since the original must be directly marked, the original is contaminated. There was a flaw. Therefore, conventionally, in order to prevent the original from being soiled, a method has been adopted in which the user once copies the original, marks the copy, and causes the image editing apparatus to perform editing processing.

[0005]

However, according to such a conventional method, copying is performed over two generations until the final copy is obtained from the original, resulting in a grandchild copy. There was a problem that the quality deteriorated.

Further, the above-mentioned editing function is limited to the page on which the marker is edited, and it is impossible to extend to other pages. Therefore, it is not possible to collectively output the images to be edited of a plurality of pages on one sheet by specifying the range by the marker, and there is no method other than cutting and pasting the original to obtain such a combined result. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and a final copy can be obtained even if the original is not directly marked and only one copy is made on the original. It is an object of the present invention to enable each image to be edited on a plurality of pages to be collectively output on one sheet by specifying a range with a marker.

[0008]

The inventions of claims 1 to 5 are as follows:
Image reading means for reading an image of a document, editing processing means for editing the image data read by the means to generate edited image data, and output means for forming the edited image data on a transfer paper to output it. In the image editing apparatus provided with, each of the following means is provided to achieve the above object.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first storage means for storing the image data read by the image reading means,
Temporary output paper output means for forming the image data read by the image reading means on the transfer paper by the output means and outputting it as temporary output paper, and the image reading means for the source edit area or destination edit area and its area number. When a temporary output sheet on which area information such as is marked is read, a second storage means for storing the marking data and a temporary storage instruction means for instructing temporary storage of the area data are provided, and an edit processing means is provided. In the state where the temporary storage instruction means instructs the temporary storage of the area data, the image reading means reads the temporary editing paper on which the source edit area and the area information are marked, and the read data of the marking is read as the second data. Of the marking data stored in the second storage means, the image data stored in the first storage means is stored in the second storage means. Clear leaving image data corresponding to the migration source editing area by viewing takes data, and the remaining image data with a temporary storage means for temporarily stored together with the area information.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the image editing apparatus according to the first aspect, there is provided a combination instruction means for instructing image data combination, and the edit processing means is instructed to combine the image data by the combination instruction means. Then, when the temporary output paper on which the same area information as the area information of the destination edit area and the area information of the source edit area is read by the image reading means and the read data of the marking is stored in the second storage means, A means for moving the image data temporarily stored in the first storage means to an area corresponding to the destination edit area by the read data of the marking stored in the second storage means is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image editing apparatus according to the first aspect, a combination instruction means for instructing combination of image data and an area information input means for inputting area information are provided, and the edit processing means is combined. In the state where the image data is instructed by the instructing unit and the area information of the moving source editing area is input by the area information inputting unit, the temporary output paper on which the moving destination editing area is marked is read by the image reading unit. When the read data of the marking is stored in the second storage means, the image data temporarily stored in the first storage means is stored in the destination edit area by the read data of the marking stored in the second storage means. It is provided with means for moving to the corresponding area.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image editing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, a mass storage device or a replaceable external storage device is provided, and the storage device is provided with a data storage area by a temporary storage means. It is the one to be assigned. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image editing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the entire header portion is provided in the data storage area by the first storage means or the temporary storage means in the storage device, and the data storage area is provided. A header portion is provided for each of the image data stored in, and the entire header portion of the data storage area is configured by area information and the corresponding start address of the image data.

[0013]

In the image editing apparatus according to the present invention, the image data read by the image reading means is stored in the first storage means, and the image data is output by the temporary output paper output means onto the transfer paper by the output means. An image is formed and output as temporary output paper. After that, when the user marks the source edit area or the destination edit area and its area number on the output temporary output paper and causes the image reading means to read it, the read data of the marking is stored in the second storage. Store in the means.

At this time, with the temporary storage instruction means instructing the temporary storage of the area data, the image reading means reads the temporary editing paper on which the source edit area and the area information are marked, and reads the marking. When the data is stored in the second storage means, the temporary storage means of the editing processing means transfers the image data stored in the first storage means from the read data of the marking stored in the second storage means. The image data corresponding to the editing area is left and erased, and the remaining image data is temporarily stored together with the area information.

Then, a compositing instruction means for instructing the composition of the image data is provided, and in the state where the composition of the image data is instructed thereby, the same area as the area information of the destination edit area and the source edit area by the image reading means. When the temporary output paper on which the information is marked is read and the read data of the marking is stored in the second storage means, the editing processing means displays the image data temporarily stored in the first storage means as the second image data. By moving the edit image data to the area corresponding to the destination edit area by the read data of the marking stored in the storage means, the edited image data is output by the output means.
It is possible to output all on one sheet of transfer paper.

Alternatively, a combination instructing means for instructing the composition of the image data and an area information inputting means for inputting the area information are provided, and the composition instructing means instructs the composition of the image data, and the area information inputting means moves the source. With the area information of the editing area being input, when the temporary reading paper with the moving destination editing area marked by the image reading means is read and the read data of the marking is stored in the second storage means, the editing processing is performed. Even if the means moves the image data temporarily stored in the first storage means to the area corresponding to the destination edit area by the read data of the marking stored in the second storage means, the edited image data Can be collectively output on one transfer sheet by the output means.

Further, by providing a large-capacity storage device or a replaceable external storage device and allocating a data storage area by the temporary storage means to the storage device, the image data to be edited of the original of many pages can be stored. Will be able to. Further, the entire data storage area is provided in the data storage area by the first storage means or the temporary storage means in the storage device, and the header portion is provided in each image data stored in the data storage area. If the entire header part of the area is composed of the area information and the corresponding start address of the image data, the search process for each image data to be edited becomes easy.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram showing an example of a digital copying machine embodying the present invention. This digital copying machine comprises a scanner section 1 and an image forming section 11, and the necessary copying conditions are set by an operation panel (not shown).
When the copy start key is pressed while the original is set on the contact glass 2 of the scanner unit 1, the scanner unit 1 starts reading the original image on the contact glass 2.

That is, the first mirror 3, the light source (fluorescent lamp)
The lower surface (image surface) of the document set on the contact glass 2 is optically scanned (scanned) by moving the traveling body 5 integrated with 4 and the like to the left in the figure. Thereby, the reflected light image from the document surface is sequentially transferred to the first mirror 3,
It is guided to the lens 8 via the second mirror 6 and the third mirror 7, and an image is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD color image sensor 9. The image data read by the CCD color image sensor 9 is stored in the image memory described later.

Although the CCD color image sensor 9 is shown as one CCD for the sake of illustration, in actuality, the image forming light beam from the lens 8 is equally divided into three by a beam splitter, and each R ( Red), G (green), B
An image is formed on the light-receiving surface of each CCD for R, G, and B colors through a (blue) color filter. Alternatively, by using one CCD, the color filters of three colors are sequentially exchanged, and scanning is performed three times to obtain R,
The G and B image data may be read. These are known techniques used in color copying machines and the like.

On the other hand, the image forming unit 11 forms and outputs the image data stored in the image memory. That is, at the same time as rotating the photoconductor drum 12 in the direction of the arrow, the residual toner adhering to the photoconductor drum 12 and the non-uniform potential are caused by the charger 13 and the developing unit 1.
Static elimination lamp (QL) 16, so as not to reach 4, 15
Pre-transfer charge removal lamp (PTL) 17, transfer charger 18,
The separation charger 19, the eraser 20, and the cleaning unit 21 are driven so that the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 12 after passing through the charge eliminating lamp 16 becomes substantially zero.

After that, the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 is uniformly charged by the charging charger 13, the image data stored in the image memory is read, and a laser beam is emitted from a semiconductor laser (not shown) accordingly. Laser light emitted from a semiconductor laser is incident on a polygon mirror (laser light generator) 22 that is focused by a cylinder lens (not shown) and rotationally scans, and the reflected light is reflected by an optical system (lens) 23 and a mirror 24. The surface of the photoconductor drum 12 is irradiated with the light to form an electrostatic latent image.

Next, the latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 12 is removed by the eraser 20 after removing the electric charge of the non-image portion (the unnecessary portion protruding from the image forming area) and then developed with black toner. 14 or a color developing unit 15 that develops with color toner attaches toner to form a visible image. At this time, the shade of the image can be adjusted by changing the developing bias potential.

On the other hand, by turning on a sheet feeding clutch that can selectively take out the drive of a main motor (not shown), either the calling roller 25 or the three sheet feeding rollers 26 is driven, and a preselected sheet feeding stage (described later). The transfer sheet set to (YES) is fed toward the stopped registration roller pair 27. A registration sensor 28 is disposed in front of the registration roller pair 27, and the registration sensor 28 is, for example, a reflection type photo sensor, and is turned on when the leading edge of the transfer paper reaches its facing position. Then, after a lapse of a fixed time, the paper feed clutch is returned to the OFF state to stop the transfer paper being conveyed.

The OFF timing of the paper feed clutch is set longer than the time during which the transfer paper is conveyed between the registration sensor 28 and the registration roller pair 27. Therefore, the front end of the transfer paper is abutted against the registration roller pair 27, and the transfer paper stands by in a state in which the front end is bent and skew or the like is prevented. After that, the registration clutch is turned on at a timing matched with the leading edge of the image on the photosensitive drum 12, and thereby the registration roller pair 27 is rotationally driven, whereby the standby transfer paper is re-conveyed toward the transfer section. .

When the transfer paper reaches the transfer portion, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 12 is transferred onto the paper surface by the action of the transfer charger 18, and then the transfer charger 18 is transferred.
By the action of the separation charger 19 which is integrally held with the transfer paper and the photosensitive drum 1, the charging potential on the paper surface is lowered.
After the adhesive force between the transfer paper and the sheet 2 is reduced, the transfer paper is separated from the photoconductor surface by the separation claw 29.

Then, the transfer paper is sent to a fixing unit by a conveyor belt 30 stretched by two rollers, and the toner image is heat-fixed by the fixing roller 31, and then the single-sided mode is selected as a copy mode. For example, the sheet is discharged to an external discharge tray (not shown) through the upper side of the switching claw 32, and when the double-sided mode is selected, the switching claw 32 is switched to feed the sheet to the lower re-feeding conveyance path 33.

The residual toner on the photosensitive drum 12 after the image transfer is removed by the cleaning brush 21a and the cleaning blade 21b forming the cleaning unit 21 and collected in the toner recovery tank 21c to further erase the residual charge. Then, the entire surface of the photosensitive surface is exposed by the discharging lamp 16.

By the way, in this copying machine, three paper feed cassettes 34 to 36 in which transfer papers of different sizes are set can be detachably attached as a normal paper feed cassette capable of collectively storing only transfer papers of a specific size. Further, it is also provided with a manual feed table (manual feed tray) 37 on which transfer paper not stored in any of the paper feed cassettes, that is, transfer paper of an unspecified size can be set.

When copying is performed using the transfer paper stored in one of the paper feed cassettes 34 to 36, the cassette size is selected by the size selection key on the operation panel (not shown), and then the copy start is started. By pressing the key, the transfer paper is fed from the paper feed cassette.

Reference numerals 38a to 38c denote the respective paper feed cassettes 3.
It is a size detection sensor for detecting each of the storage paper sizes 4 to 36, and uses, for example, five photo interrupters. Further, a light-shielding plate (not shown) for size identification is attached to the leading end of each of the paper feed cassettes 34 to 36. The light shield plate has a cutout portion that differs depending on the size of the transfer paper to be stored in the cassette.

In the size detecting sensors 38a to 38c, when the paper feeding cassettes 34 to 36 are mounted, only the photo interrupter sandwiching the light shielding portion of the light shielding plate blocks the optical path, and signals corresponding thereto are described later. Can be output to the control unit. On the other hand, when making a copy using a transfer paper of an unspecified size, the manual feed table 37 is opened from the closed state shown by the phantom line in the direction of the arrow A to the use state shown by the solid line, and then the desired paper is placed on the upper surface. By setting the transfer paper and pressing the copy start key, the transfer paper is fed from the manual feed table 37.

When the manual feed table 37 is rotated in the opening direction, the bottom plate raising arm 39 for lifting the transfer paper placing bottom plate provided in the first paper feeding cassette 34 is interlocked with it, as shown in FIG. Lower to the position shown.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of a portion mainly related to image processing in the control section of this digital copying machine. The video processing circuit 41, the image processing circuit 42, the video writing processing circuit 43, and the LD control section. 44, central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as "CPU") 46, ROM 47, RAM4
8, image memory 49, 50, interface (I / F)
The system includes a unit 51 and a system bus 52.

The video processing circuit 41 A / D-converts the image data (signal output from the CCD color image sensor 9) read by the scanner unit 1 to perform black offset correction, shading correction, and pixel position correction. The image processing circuit 42 includes color separation circuits 61, M as shown in FIG.
TF correction circuit 62, binarization circuit 63, scaling circuit 64, γ
The correction circuit 65 and the image quality processing circuit 66 are used to perform image processing on the image data input from the video processing circuit 41. This process will be described in detail later.

The video writing processing circuit 43 is responsive to the image data input from the image processing circuit 42, and the image forming unit 11 is operated.
Control. The LD control unit 44 controls light emission of a laser diode (LD) 53, which is a semiconductor laser, according to a video signal from the video writing processing circuit 43.

The CPU 46 centrally controls the entire digital copying machine according to the control program stored in the ROM 47. The ROM 47 is a read-only memory that stores various fixed data including a control program for operating the CPU 46. The RAM 48 is a readable / writable memory that is temporarily used by the CPU 46 during data processing.

The image memory 49 is a readable / writable memory that stores black image data sent from the image processing circuit 42. The image memory 50 is a readable / writable memory that stores the red image data sent from the image processing circuit 42. The interface unit 51 includes the image processing circuit 42.
Interface with the system bus 52, and the system bus 52 exchanges data with each circuit. The operation panel 54 includes an input unit for inputting various information and a display unit for displaying various information.

Next, the image processing by the control unit shown in FIG. 3 will be described in more detail. The R, G, and B image signals read by the CCD color image sensor 9 are given appropriate gains in the video processing circuit 41 and A / D converted, and black offset correction, shading correction, and pixel position correction are performed. , Red image data RDT which is 8-bit digital data synchronized with a predetermined clock
0-7, green image data GDT0-7, blue image data BD
It is output as T0 to 7.

Here, the black offset correction is a correction for subtracting the black level of the dark current of the CCD color image sensor 9 from the image data. The shading correction removes unevenness in the light amount of the light source 4 in the main scanning direction and unevenness due to the difference in sensitivity between the pixels of the CCD for each color of the CCD color image sensor 9. Therefore, a white plate having a uniform density is read before starting the scanning of the original. The data is stored for each pixel, and the correction is performed by dividing the image data during reading the original document by the data of the stored white plate for each pixel. What is pixel position correction?
When a 3-line CCD color image sensor 9 is used, there is a pixel position shift in the sub-scanning direction.
It is to correct it.

In the image processing circuit 42, the video processing circuit 4
R, G, B image data (RDT0
7, GDT0-7, BDT0-7) are separated into black image data BLKDT0-7 and red image data REDDT0-7 by the color separation circuit 61 shown in FIG.
The KDT0 to 7 are left as 8 bits, and the red image data REDDT0 to 7 are binarized by a fixed threshold value in the binarizing circuit 63 to be 1 bit.

Further, the black image data BLKDT0 to 7 are subjected to MTF correction by the MTF correction circuit 62, and then electrically scaled in the main scanning direction by the scaling circuit 64, and then by the γ correction circuit 65. After that, the image quality processing circuit 6
In step 6, image quality processing such as dithering and error diffusion is performed.

Here, the MTF correction is correction of optical frequency characteristic deterioration and the like with a two-dimensional spatial filter. Black image data BLKDT0 with various corrections
7 to 7 and red image data REDDT0 to 7 are sent to the interface section 51 of FIG. 3, black image data BLKDT0 to 7 are stored in the image memory 49, and red image data REDDT0 to 7 are stored in the image memory 50.

The black image data BLKDT0 to BLKDT0 to 7 are also sent to the video writing processing circuit 43, where they are converted into a video signal which can correspond to the writing speed of the image forming section 11 and inputted to the LD control section 44, and the image signal thereof In response, the pulse width of the current and the amount of the current supplied to the laser diode 53 are controlled, and optical writing is performed on the photosensitive drum 12 shown in FIG. 2 to form an electrostatic latent image.

The image processing circuit 42 shares an address bus and a data bus with the CPU 46 of the main control unit, and communication is performed via these. CPU46
Also controls the motors of the scanner unit 1 and the image forming unit 11. In addition, it also controls various clutches and solenoids.

FIG. 5 is a layout diagram showing a configuration example of the operation panel 54 of FIG. The operation panel 54 includes a start key 71, a numeric keypad 72, a clear / stop key 7
3, mode clear key 74, guidance key 75, program key 76, interrupt key 77, temporary output key 78,
Temporary output processing key 79, temporary storage key 101, composite key 1
02 and an LCD display 80.

A touch panel is incorporated in the LCD display 80, and various keys or display portions can be set arbitrarily. Also, keys that can be touch-input are displayed in black characters on a white background, and those that are determined to be in the ON state by touch input are displayed in white characters on a black background by black and white reversal.

The LCD display 80 displays a screen as shown in FIG. 5 when the power is turned on. On this screen, a message display portion 81, a set number display portion 82, a concentration input key / display portion 83, an automatic concentration key / display portion 84, a pointing key / display portion 85, a first tray key / display portion 86, a second tray key / display portion Tray key / display unit 87, third tray key / display unit 88, fourth tray key / display unit 89, fifth tray key / display unit 9
There is 0.

Further, an automatic paper selection key / display unit 91, a magnification display unit 92, a paper designation scaling key / display unit 93, a same size key / display unit 94, a finishing key / display unit 95, a cover / insert sheet key / There are a display unit 96, an edit key / display unit 97, a binding margin key / display unit 98, a double-sided key / display unit 99, and a scaling key / display unit 100.

By the way, the parts relating to the present invention are the temporary output key 78, the temporary output processing key 79, the temporary storage key 101,
The synthetic key 102. The temporary output key 78 is a key for inputting an instruction for a temporary output operation described later, and the temporary output processing key 79 is used by the user to shade and scale the image data in each marking area (editing area) described later. , Is a key for setting the mode when a processing instruction such as rotation is given using the operation panel 54.

When the temporary output processing key 79 is pressed,
The screen of the LCD display 80 is switched to a processing / editing screen waiting for input of processing / editing contents. The temporary storage key 101 is a key for temporarily storing image data in a moving source editing area (marking area) described later. Synthetic key 10
A key 2 is for synthesizing image data of a plurality of pages to be edited.

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing the processing operation according to the present invention by the CPU 46 shown in FIG. This routine starts when the power is turned on (ON),
First, in step 1, the processing mode and the like are initialized, and in steps 2 and 3, wait for an instruction from the operation panel 54, and if there is a start instruction (by the start key 71 shown in FIG. 5), normal copying is performed in step 14. Take action.

If there is a temporary output request instruction (by the temporary output key 78 shown in FIG. 5), it is checked in step 4 whether there is a start from the operation panel 54 and there is a start instruction. In step 5, a dummy copy creation process is performed. That is, the scanner unit 1 is activated to start reading a document image, the read image data (black image data) is stored in the image memory 49 via the interface unit 51, and is sent to the image forming unit 11 in FIG. The image is formed on a transfer sheet and a dummy copy (temporary output sheet) is output. At this time, it is assumed that the original is set on the contact glass 2 shown in FIG.

Next, in step 6, it is checked whether or not there is a temporary storage instruction for the marker area data (by the temporary storage key 101 shown in FIG. 5), and if there is a temporary storage instruction, start is performed in step 7. Whether or not there is an instruction is checked, and if there is an instruction to start, the process proceeds to step 8 to perform marking information reading processing.

That is, the scanner unit 1 is activated to cause the scanner unit 1 to read the marking on the dummy copy, and the moving source editing area and the area number (area information) which are the data of the marking are stored in the image memory. Store in 50. At this time, it is assumed that a dummy copy in which the source edit area and its area number are marked by a marker (felt pen or the like) is set on the contact glass 2 in the same direction as when the original was set.

Then, in step 9, the marker area data temporary storage processing, that is, the image data stored in the image memory 49 by the processing of step 5 is left in the image memory 50, leaving the image data corresponding to the source edit area. , The remaining image data is temporarily stored together with the area number, and in step 10, an instruction to synthesize the image data (see FIG.
Check the existence of the synthetic key 102 shown in FIG.
If there is an instruction to synthesize, the presence / absence of a start instruction is checked in step 11, and if there is an instruction to start, edit / synthesis processing is performed in step 12.

That is, the scanner unit 1 is activated to cause the scanner unit 1 to read the marking on the dummy copy, and the moving destination editing area and the area number, which are the data of the marking, are stored in the image memory 50. rear,
If the image data of the same area number as the area number is temporarily stored in the image memory 49, the image data is read out, and the image memory 50 is moved by the editing / processing processing such as shading, scaling, and rotation. Move to the area corresponding to the previous editing area. At this time, it is assumed that the temporary output paper having the same area number as the area number of the moving destination editing area and the area of the moving source editing area is set on the contact glass 2 in the same direction as when the original is set.

After that, in step 13, the image data in the image memory 49 is printed out. That is, the image data is sent to the image processing circuit 4 through the interface unit 51.
2, the video signal is generated by the video writing processing circuit 43, the image is formed on the transfer paper by the image forming unit 11 in FIG. 2, and the image is output, and the process returns to step 2 to perform the same processing as described above. repeat.

In this embodiment, all image editing is done by C
Although the processing is performed by the software of the PU 46, the processing may be performed by hardware dedicated to image editing.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a subroutine of the dummy copy creation processing in FIG. First,
The scanner unit 1 is activated to read an original image at the same size, and the read image data is subjected to predetermined processing in the image processing circuit 42 to obtain black image data BLKD.
Only T0 to 7 are output.

Then, the black image data BLKDT0 to
7 is stored in the image memory 49 via the interface section 51 and is sent to the video writing processing circuit 43 to form the image on the transfer paper to output a dummy copy (print output), and then to the main routine of FIG. To return. When outputting the dummy copy, page page numbers may be given to the corners on the paper surface.

According to this embodiment, the black toner of the black developing unit 14 can be used to form an image on a sheet to output a dummy copy, but the color developing unit 15 can output a color other than black (for example, black). It is also possible to put a red toner or a toner using a decolorizable colorant, form an image on the transfer paper with these toners, and output a dummy copy. Further, the toner can be saved by outputting the dummy copy at a density lower than the normal image density.

Next, marking with a marker (red pen) for the dummy copy and the operation panel 54 shown in FIG.
The temporary storage instruction of the marker area data by the will be described. The user marks the source edit area or the destination edit area and the area number on the output dummy copy with a marker of a color that can be distinguished from the image information. Further, the operation panel 54 is used to instruct by temporarily pressing the temporary storage key 101 to temporarily store the image data in each marking area and the area information such as the area number and area shape.

Here, since the area number is written in the marking area (moving source editing area or moving destination editing area), the area number is designated for each marking area. In this embodiment, the marking is described as being performed in red, but the marking of a color other than the color of the document information can be identified by changing the configuration of the color separation circuit 61 in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the marking information reading process in FIG. First,
The scanner unit 1 is activated, the marking of the dummy copy is read at the same size, and the read image data is subjected to predetermined processing in the image processing circuit 42 to output only the red image data REDDT0, It is stored in the image memory 50 via the interface unit 51, and the process returns to the main routine of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a subroutine of the editing / processing process during the edit / combine process in FIG. 1. First, the outline tracking process of step 21 will be described. First, the input image data is raster-scanned on the image memory 50 to find a pixel to start tracking.

Then, the contour pixel is traced counterclockwise in the case of the outer contour line from the tracking start pixel, and is traced in the clockwise direction in the case of the inner contour line. Then, when the tracking start pixel is returned to again, the tracking of the contour line of one pixel set is completed. The above scanning is repeated until there are no untracked contour pixels.

For example, an example in which the contour line of one pixel set is traced is shown in FIG. 9, and the direction of the contour line is the directions of 0 to 7 as shown in FIG. First, a pixel set as shown by the stippling in FIG. 9 is raster-scanned as indicated by an arrow A to search for a tracking start pixel. For example, if the tracking start pixel is found at the position (i1, j1), 1 at the time of raster scanning It is determined that the previous pixel is a white pixel and is an outer contour line, and tracking is started counterclockwise from this position.

Then, tracking is started in the counterclockwise direction from the direction "4" in FIG. 10, the neighboring pixels are examined, and the direction of the pixel found first ("6" in this example) is taken as the direction of the contour line. To do. Next, the tracking center pixel is moved to that pixel, and the neighboring pixels are examined counterclockwise from the previous contour line direction (direction “2”). This is repeated until the tracking center pixel reaches the tracking start pixel. By performing such processing, a contour line as shown by the arrow group in FIG. 9 is obtained.

Of the tracing results, only the case of the outer contour tracing is stored as the contour data in the memory (for example, R in FIG. 3).
AM 48). The contour line data is, for example, as shown in Table 1, start X (X coordinate of tracking start pixel), start Y
(Also Y coordinate), length X (maximum value-minimum value of contour X coordinate), length Y (maximum value-minimum value of contour Y coordinate), and area number. The first line of Table 1 shows the contour line tracking result of FIG.

[0071]

[Table 1]

In the editing / processing process of FIG. 8, when the contour tracking process in step 21 is completed, step 22,
At 23, image determination is performed based on the contour data obtained as a result. That is, the length X of the contour line data,
Y (see Table 1) determines a threshold value L that determines in advance whether the pixel set inside the contour line is image noise or a character.
Judge by 1, L2.

If either of the lengths X and Y of the contour line data is less than the threshold value L1, it is determined that the pixel set inside the contour line is image noise, and noise processing is performed on it in step 26. That is, no special processing is performed.

If either of the lengths X and Y of the contour line data is larger than the threshold value L1 and smaller than the threshold value L2, it is determined that the pixel set inside the contour line is a character,
In step 27, character processing is performed on the pixel set, that is, the pixel set is cut out as a character portion and pattern matching is performed to recognize it as a character stored in advance. In this embodiment, as these image editing characters (including symbols), there are prepared, for example, x representing image deletion, ● representing padding, and ◯ representing blanking.

If any of the lengths X and Y of the contour line data is larger than the threshold value L2, step 24 in FIG.
The form of the pixel set inside the contour line is determined by the number of appearances of data indicating the direction of the contour line of 0 (contour data distribution).
Here, a contour line having a large area, which represents an area, varies in the direction of the contour line in FIG. 10, but the contour line of such a line shows a strong bias in two specific directions.

Therefore, by determining the probabilities of the contour line data in each direction of 0 to 7 and calculating the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value, it is possible to judge whether it is a line figure or an area figure. In this embodiment, the determination is made by comparing the magnitude of the constant K and Pmax-Pmin. It should be noted that each image determination data determined by the data (length X, Y) of each row shown in Table 1 is as shown in Table 1.
Is registered corresponding to each line.

[0077]

[Table 2]

If the relationship between Pmax-Pmin and K is Pmax-Pmin> K, it is determined that the pixel set inside the contour is a line figure, and in step 25, a vector is set for the pixel set. The processing is performed, and the process returns to the main routine of FIG.

In this embodiment, the vectorization process uses a method of tracing the contour lines on both sides of the line figure image, obtaining the center line thereof, and approximating it as a polygonal line vector (IEICE Transactions, 1985). April, VOL.J68
-D, NO. 4, 845-852, or described in JP-A-62-286177). Then, pattern matching is performed in the vectorized state, the direction of the tip of the arrow is detected, and the direction of the vector is determined. Arrows are vectorized from the start and end points of the polygonal line vector.

On the other hand, when the relationship between Pmax-Pmin and K is Pmax-Pmin≤K, it is determined that the pixel set inside the contour line is an area figure, and in step 28, the area for that pixel set is determined. Perform processing.

In this area processing, the data of the contour line outside the pixel set is saved as the area data, and the area No. written in the area is stored. Save (for example, "1" shown in FIG. 9) as the area registration number (see Table 1
Based on the area data, the portion to be edited of the black image data of the document stored in the image memory 49 is edited according to the editing content.

The edited contents can also be input from the operation panel 54. For example, when it is desired to edit and process image data in a plurality of source edit areas, the procedure of (1) and (2) below is repeated to edit the content of each source edit area. Make an input. (1) Input of area number (designation of marking area) (2) Input of edit contents, designation of area number of source edit area and destination edit area, etc.

Next, each image to be edited of a plurality of originals is set to 1
A user's operation procedure and the process of the CPU 46 in FIG. 3 when performing composite output on a sheet of transfer paper will be described with reference to FIG. 11 and subsequent figures.

When the user sets, for example, the original 110 shown in FIG. 11A on the contact glass 2 and sequentially presses the temporary output key 78 and the start key 71, C in FIG.
The PU 46 causes the scanner unit 1 to read the image of the original 110 on the contact glass 2, stores the read image data in the image memory 49, and also the image forming unit 11
Thus, an image is formed on the transfer paper and the dummy copy 112 is output.

Next, when the user sets another original 111 shown in FIG. 11A on the contact glass 2 and sequentially presses the temporary output key 78 and the start key 71, the CP
U46 attaches to scanner unit 1 document 1 on contact glass 2
The image 11 is read, the read image data is stored in the image memory 49, and the image forming unit 11 forms an image on the transfer paper to output the dummy copy 113.

After that, as shown in FIG. 11B, the user makes markings 112a and 113a with markers so as to surround the respective edit target images (moving source edit areas) on the dummy copies 112 and 113, respectively, and “0101” and “0201” are entered as area numbers in each source edit area (marking area). When editing the image data in each moving source editing area, the character (symbol) for image editing as described above is written in each area.
Fill in.

Next, the dummy copy 112 having the marking 112a is set on the contact glass 2 in the same direction as the original 110, and the temporary storage key 101 and the start key 71 are pressed to start the copy operation. As a result, the CPU 46 causes the scanner unit 1 to read the image of the dummy copy 112, stores red image data (marking data) of the read image data in the image memory 50, and stores it in the image memory 49. Manuscript 1
The image data of No. 10 is erased by leaving the image data corresponding to the above-mentioned moving source editing area by the marking data stored in the image memory 50, and the remaining image data is temporarily stored together with the area number "0101".

Subsequently, the dummy copy 113 with the marking 113a is set on the contact glass 2 in the same direction as the original 111, and the temporary storage key 101 and the start key 71 are pressed to start the copy operation. As a result, the CPU 46 causes the scanner unit 1 to read the image of the dummy copy 113, stores the marking data of the read image data in the image memory 50, and the image data of the original document 111 stored in the image memory 49. Is erased by leaving the image data corresponding to the moving source editing area by the marking data stored in the image memory 50, and the remaining image data is assigned the area number “020
Temporarily store with 1 ”.

In this embodiment, the dummy copy must be set on the contact glass 2 in the same order and orientation as the original document, but the page number and orientation of the dummy copy can be recognized as follows. For example, the dummy copy can be properly set on the contact glass 2 regardless of the order and the direction.

That is, a page number is assigned to a predetermined position of the dummy copy and output, and the red image data of each marked dummy copy is referenced by referring to the page number in the black image data. The images are arranged in order and stored in the image memory 50. At this time, the image data of the original document (stored in the image memory 49) is compared with the image orientation, and the red image data whose image orientation does not match is rotated.

When a dummy copy without a page number is read, a known character / shape recognition technique is used,
While comparing the black image data with the black image data of the original document to check the match / mismatch of the image contents, the red image data read together with the black image data are arranged in page order and the image directions are aligned in the image memory 50. It may be stored.

When the image data in the source edit area of each dummy copy is stored in the image memory 49, the user next fits the image data of the source edit area temporarily stored in the image memory 49. An original 114 shown in FIG. 11C is prepared as an original (layout sheet) for removing the sheet, the original 114 is set on the contact glass 2, and the temporary output key 78 and the start key 71 are sequentially pressed.

As a result, the CPU 46 causes the scanner unit 1 to
Then, the image of the original 114 on the contact glass 2 is read, the read image data is stored in the image memory 49, and the image forming unit 11 forms an image on the transfer paper to output the dummy copy 115.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11D, the user makes markings 115a and 115b with markers so as to surround the destination edit area on the dummy copy 115, and the respective destination edit areas (marking areas). The area number “010
Enter "1" and "0201".

The area number that is the same as the area number of each source edit area may be entered from the operation panel 54 instead of being entered in each destination edit area. When editing the image data in each moving source editing area temporarily stored in the image memory 49, the characters for image editing are entered in each area, or the edited content is input from the operation panel 54. Good to enter.

Subsequently, the dummy copy 115 having the markings 115a and 115b is set on the contact glass 2 in the same direction as the original 114, and the composite key 102 and the start key 71 are sequentially pressed to start the copy operation. The image of the dummy copy 115 is read by the scanner unit 1, the marking data of the read image data is stored in the image memory 50, and the image data temporarily stored in the image memory 49 is read to read the image memory 50. Write (move) to the area corresponding to each moving destination edit area based on the marking data stored in.

At this time, when characters for image editing are entered in each moving destination editing area on the dummy copy 115, editing contents are input from the operation panel 54, or marking of the moving source editing area is performed. And the size or angle of the marking in the destination editing area are different from each other, the image data temporarily stored in the image memory 49 is read out, and the image is processed by editing / processing such as shading, scaling, and rotation. The data is written in the area on the memory 50 corresponding to each destination edit area.

After that, the image data in the image memory 49 is returned to the image processing circuit 42 through the interface section 51, the video signal is generated by the video writing processing circuit 43, and the image is formed on the transfer paper by the image forming section 11. The final output paper 116 shown in FIG. 11E is formed and output.

For example, as shown in FIG. 12, a SCSI controller 56 for controlling communication with an external storage device (hard disk device HDD, optical disk device ODD, etc.) that can be exchanged with the system bus 52 and a DMA for controlling high speed data transfer. A controller 57 may be provided, and a storage area (data storage area) for temporarily storing image data in the image memory 49 may be allocated to the external storage device 55.

As a result, when the image data that exceeds the memory capacity is stored in the image memory 49, or when it is desired to commonly use the data in other documents or other devices, for example, the CPU 46 is shown in FIG. Marking 1
After temporarily storing in the image memory 49 the image data corresponding to each moving source editing area based on the data of 12a and 113a,
The DMA controller 57 can be accessed by the SCSI controller 56 and the image data thereof can be transferred at high speed to the external storage device 55, and a hardware configuration that is not affected by the reading speed of the scanner unit 1 or the sheet passing speed becomes possible.

Alternatively, a large-capacity storage device (hard disk device HDD, optical disk device OD) may be connected to the system bus 52.
D etc.) can be directly connected and the data storage area can be assigned to the storage device.

Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, the entire header portion is stored in the data storage area of the storage device such as the image memory 49 or the external storage device 55, and the image data stored in the data storage area is stored in the data storage area. Header portions may be provided respectively, and the entire header portion of the data storage area may be configured by area information such as area numbers and the corresponding start address of image data.

As a result, the CPU 46 causes the image memory 4
9 or the respective image data temporarily stored in the data storage area of the storage device such as the external storage device 55 can be retrieved at high speed by software when reading out each image data. That is, first, the entire header part of the data storage area is searched to find the corresponding area number. Next, it jumps to the head address of the stored data corresponding to the area number and reads the header section stored at that address. The shape of stored data is stored in the header portion, and the subsequent image data is read according to the information.

Since the memory capacity of the header portion of the entire data storage area is limited by the amount of data, image data is stored from the bottom to the top of the address as shown in FIG. Effective memory management becomes possible by adopting the reverse storage method.

[0105]

As described above, according to the first to fifth aspects of the invention.
In the image editing apparatus according to the invention, the read image data is stored in the first storage unit, the image is formed on the transfer paper to be output as the temporary output paper, and then the area data is moved in a state of being temporarily stored. When the original output area and the temporary output paper on which the area information is marked are read and the reading data of the marking is stored in the second storage means, the image data stored in the first storage means is stored in the second storage means.
The image data corresponding to the moving source edit area by the read data of the marking stored in the storage means is left and erased, and the remaining image data is temporarily stored together with the area information. To be

That is, since marking may be performed so as to surround the movement source editing area on the temporary output paper, it is not necessary to directly mark the original, and the original can be prevented from being soiled. Further, since a final copy can be obtained by a single copy of the original, deterioration of image quality can be minimized. Further, since the area number is entered in each moving source editing area, it is possible to perform editing processing for a plurality of moving source editing areas over a plurality of pages by designating the area number, which is expensive for an editor board or the like. Eliminates the need to use a different editing device.

Further, a combination instruction means for instructing the combination of the image data is provided, and in the state where the combination of the image data is instructed, the same area information as the area information of the destination edit area and the source edit area is marked. When the temporary output paper is read and the read data of the marking is stored in the second storage means, the image data temporarily stored in the first storage means is read data of the marking stored in the second storage means. By moving to the area corresponding to the destination edit area by, it is possible to collectively output the edit target images of a plurality of pages on one transfer sheet by simply specifying the range by the marker.

Alternatively, a combination instructing means for instructing composition of image data and an area information inputting means for inputting area information are provided, and composition of image data is instructed by the composition instructing means, and the area information inputting means moves the movement source. When the temporary output paper on which the destination edit area is marked is read and the read data of the marking is stored in the second storage means while the area information of the edit area is input, the temporary storage is temporarily stored in the first storage means. Even if the recorded image data is moved to the area corresponding to the movement destination edit area by the reading data of the marking stored in the second storage means,
The same effect as described above can be obtained.

Further, by providing a large-capacity storage device or a replaceable external storage device and allocating a data storage area to the storage device, it becomes possible to store the image data to be edited of the original of many pages. Become. In addition, the entire header section is provided in the data storage area of the first storage means or the storage device, and the header section is provided for each image data stored in the data storage area. If the header portion is composed of the area information and the start address of the image data corresponding to the area information, the search process of each image data to be edited becomes easy.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 is a flowchart showing a processing operation according to the present invention by a CPU 46 of FIG.

FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram showing an example of a digital copying machine embodying the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control unit thereof.

4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image processing circuit 42 in FIG.

5 is a layout diagram showing a configuration example when the power of the operation panel 54 of FIG. 3 is turned on. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of dummy copy creation processing in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of marking information reading processing in the same manner.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of edit / modify processing in the same manner.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of tracing the contour line of one pixel set.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a direction of a contour line.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of the control unit of the digital copying machine of FIG.

13 is a memory map diagram showing an example of a data storage area in a storage device such as the RAM 49 of FIG. 3 or the external storage device 55 of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Scanner part 2: Contact glass 9: CCD color image sensor 11: Image forming part 12: Photosensitive drum 14: Black developing unit 15: Color developing unit 41: Video processing circuit 42: Image processing circuit 43: Video writing process Circuit 44: LD control unit 45: LED control unit 46: Central processing unit 47: ROM 48: RAM 49, 50: Image memory 53: Laser diode 54: Operation panel 55: External storage device 56: SCSI controller 57: DMA controller 61 : Color separation circuit 62: MTF correction circuit 63: Binarization circuit 64: Magnification circuit 65: γ correction circuit 66: Image quality processing circuit 71: Start key 78: Temporary output key 79: Temporary output processing key 80: LCD display 101: Temporary storage key 102: Composite key 110, 111, 114: Original 12,113,115: dummy copy 112a, 113a, 115a, 115b: Marking 116: Final output paper

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yuichiro Hejima 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Hiroyuki Kawamoto 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Stock company Ricoh

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image reading unit for reading an image of a document,
An image editing apparatus comprising: an edit processing unit that edits image data read by the unit to generate edited image data; and an output unit that forms an image of the edited image data on a transfer sheet and outputs the image. First storage means for storing the image data read by the reading means, and temporary output paper output for causing the image data read by the image reading means to be image-formed on the transfer paper by the output means and output as temporary output paper Means and second storage means for storing data of the marking when the image reading means reads the temporary output paper on which the moving source editing area or the moving destination editing area and area information such as the area number are read. And temporary storage instructing means for instructing the temporary storage of the area data, and the editing processing means stores the temporary storage instructing means by the temporary storage instructing means. In the state where the temporary storage of the data is instructed, the temporary reading paper on which the moving source editing area and the area information are marked is read by the image reading means, and the read data of the marking is stored in the second storage means. When
The image data stored in the first storage means is erased, leaving the image data corresponding to the moving source editing area by the reading data of the marking stored in the second storage means, and the remaining image data is deleted. An image editing apparatus having a temporary storage means for storing the area information together with the area information. 2. The image editing apparatus according to claim 1,
Combining instructing means for instructing composition of image data is provided, and the editing processing means, in a state where composition of the image data is instructed by the combining instructing means, the moving destination editing area and the moving source editing by the image reading means. When the temporary output paper on which the same area information as the area information of the area is marked is read and the read data of the marking is stored in the second storage means, the image temporarily stored in the first storage means An image editing apparatus comprising means for moving data to an area corresponding to a destination edit area based on read data of marking stored in the second storage means. 3. The image editing apparatus according to claim 1,
Combining instruction means for instructing composition of image data and area information input means for inputting area information are provided, and the editing processing means is instructed by the composition instructing means to combine image data, and the area information input means. With the area information of the moving source editing area input, the temporary reading paper with the moving destination editing area marked is read by the image reading means, and the read data of the marking is stored in the second storage means. And a means for moving the image data temporarily stored in the first storage means to the area corresponding to the destination edit area by the read data of the marking stored in the second storage means. Characteristic image editing device. 4. The image editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a mass storage device or a replaceable external storage device is provided, and the storage device is provided with a data storage area by the temporary storage means. An image editing apparatus characterized by being assigned. 5. The image editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the entire header section is provided in a data storage area of the first storage unit or the temporary storage unit of the storage device, An image characterized in that each image data stored in the data storage area is provided with a header part thereof, and the entire header part of the data storage area is composed of area information and a corresponding start address of image data. Editing device.