JP2004207819A - Image processor and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor convenient for aggregating desired regions only on one photo or original or more to form a list and an image forming apparatus employing the same. <P>SOLUTION: The image processor is provided with: image memories MEM, HDD; a liquid crystal touch panel 328; display control means 20, 1, IMAC for displaying an image designated in the image memories on the panel 328; a position entry means 328 for designating a position (x, y) on a two-dimensional coordinate system to express the image; area image extraction means 20, 1, IMAC for providing an identification index to an image in an area specified by the position designated by the position entry means to store the result into a collection folder; image collecting means 20, 1, IMAC for locating each image of each identification index stored in the collection folder on the same two-dimensional coordinate system; a means 1 for calculating the size of the entire image when each image is located to calculate a size of paper requiring for printing out the entire image; and also with a printer 100 and an original scanner. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for assembling a set of designated portions of each image of a plurality of image groups into an array suitable for printing on one sheet of paper, and may be used in, for example, a copier, a printer, and a facsimile. It can be used for personal computers.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Each of the copying machine, the printer, and the facsimile is provided with an image processing device and an image memory, or is connected to a personal computer so that an image read by an imaging device such as a scanner or a digital camera can be used. All of them are included in the expression "image" below), and advanced functions for printing out facsimile-received images and the like are progressing, and a large amount of images are accumulated and edited as necessary. The number of image forming apparatuses, image processing systems, or document management systems having a storage function for printing out is increasing. In addition, an image is stored in a personal computer, and output from the personal computer to a printer as needed to print out.
[0003]
The stored images can be read out one by one on a display and visually recognized, but there are cases where it is desired to display many images collectively on one screen or print them out on one sheet of paper. Thumbnail display, aggregated copy, image synthesis, and the like are known to satisfy this.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-3539 discloses that when a combination mode is designated, an image in each designated area of an image previously written in an image memory and an image read by a document scanner is converted into one image and the other image. A copier that combines and prints out the image in the form shown in FIG.
[0005]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-291794 discloses a method in which a black line is drawn on the left margin of an area to be extracted on a document, the black line is detected when reading the document image, and the image corresponding to the black line length is read. A copier that extracts only image data of an area and copies only the image is presented.
[0006]
[Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-308435 discloses that an image of each designated area of an image previously written in an image memory and an image read by a document scanner is synthesized by fitting one image into the other image. In this document, an image forming apparatus is provided in which a document image size and a magnification are also stored when an image is written in an image memory in advance, and the sizes of two images to be combined are matched at the time of combining.
[0007]
[Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-92307 discloses output based on a fold or a frame of a sheet which is input in advance and printed, so that an image is placed in an area divided by a broken line or a frame. An image processing apparatus for setting a magnification and an arrangement of an image to be displayed is presented.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, there is a case where it is desired to extract only a desired area on one or a plurality of photographs or manuscripts, collect them on one sheet of paper, print them out in a list. In the conventional thumbnail display and combined copy, since the entire screen of many photos and originals is reduced and arranged on one screen, only a part (required part: essential part) of each photo or original on the reduced image is It is not suitable for grasping at a glance or at a glance. In some cases, it may be troublesome to use a magnifying glass to carefully look at key points or to magnify and copy points that are considered key points.
[0009]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus which is convenient for collecting and listing only a desired area on one or a plurality of photographs or documents, and an image forming apparatus using the same.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
(1) Image memory means (MEM, HDD);
Image display means (328);
Display control means (20, 1, IMAC,) for displaying a designated image of the image memory means (MEM, HDD) on the image display means (328);
Position input means (328) for specifying a position (x, y) on a two-dimensional coordinate system for expressing an image;
Area image extraction that gives an identification index to an image of an area defined by the position specified by the position input means (328) on the screen displayed on the image display means (328) and holds the image in an integrated information memory (an integrated folder) Means (1,20, IMAC);
Image aggregation means (1,20, IMAC) for arranging each image of each identification index held in the aggregation information memory on the same two-dimensional coordinate system; and
Means (1) for calculating the size of the entire image when the image assembling means arranges the image and calculating the paper size for printing out the entire image;
An image processing apparatus comprising:
[0011]
In addition, in order to facilitate understanding, in the parentheses, symbols or equivalents of the corresponding elements or corresponding items of the embodiment shown in the drawings and described below are added for reference as examples. The same applies to the following.
[0012]
According to this, the user displays the photograph or the original on the image display means (328), specifies the area of only the required part using the position input means (328), and extracts the area image extracting means (1, 20, IMAC). ), An identification index can be given to the image in the area, and the identification index can be registered in the aggregate information memory (aggregate folder). Then, the extracted images provided with the identification indices can be arranged on the same two-dimensional coordinate system, that is, on one screen, using the image assembling means (1, 20, IMAC). This two-dimensional coordinate system, that is, one screen is a virtual one irrespective of the actual display surface or printable size. The paper size calculating means (1) calculates the size of the entire image when the image assembling means (1,20, IMAC) arranges the paper, and calculates the paper size for printing out the entire image. .
[0013]
The two-dimensional coordinate system, that is, the screen on which the extracted image provided with the identification index is placed is a virtual one that is not restricted to the actual display surface or the printout paper surface. If the calculated paper size is a paper size in the printer or a paper size that can be cut out from roll paper in the printer, the printer can print out the entire image.
[0014]
Since the entire image is a list of only required parts of photographs or originals, it is suitable for grasping at a glance or at a glance exactly the required parts of many photographs or originals.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(2) means (319, 320) for designating which of the images inside or outside the area designated by the position input means (328) is to be extracted, and the area image extracting means (1, 20, IMAC) Assigns an identification index to an image on a designated side and holds the identification index in an integrated information memory (an integrated folder); the image processing apparatus according to (1). According to this, one area of a photograph or a document can be designated by the position input means (328), and one of extraction of an image in the area and extraction of an image outside the area can be selected by the designation means (319, 320). . The operation of extracting the required image is simplified.
[0016]
(3) The image assembling means (1,20, IMAC) converts each image of each identification index held in the assembling information memory into each designated position of the position input means (328) on the same two-dimensional coordinate system. The image processing apparatus according to the above (1) or (2). According to this, each image can be arranged at a desired position on the two-dimensional coordinate system regardless of the extraction order of each image of each identification index, and the arrangement order or distribution intended by the user can be easily realized.
[0017]
(4) The image processing apparatus according to (3), wherein the image aggregation means (1,20, IMAC) performs rotation of each image according to designation and magnification of each image according to designation. The orientation of the screen of the photo or document (for example, A4 portrait / A4 landscape) and the orientation of the image thereon (for example, portrait / landscape) may be different depending on a plurality of photos or documents to be assembled, and the magnification of the image may be different. (For example, the character size) may be different, but even in such a case, according to the present embodiment, the user can easily and uniformly adjust the posture and magnification of each image by using the image assembling means (1, IMAC). Can be trimmed. Conversely, the posture of each image can be changed individually or the magnification can be purchased in order to indicate sharpness or evaluation order.
[0018]
(5) The image processing device according to any one of the above (1) to (4); and the image collecting means (1, 20, IMAC) of the image processing device are arranged on the same two-dimensional coordinate system. An image forming apparatus (100) for printing out an image on the paper size;
According to this, the user can print out only a required portion of the photograph or the document in a list. Only a required portion of many photographs or originals can be accurately grasped at a glance or at a glance on one sheet of paper.
[0019]
(6) The image forming means (100) is capable of selecting a plurality of paper sizes; the paper size calculating means (1) of the image processing apparatus is the same as the image assembling means (1, 20, IMAC). The minimum paper size that satisfies the size of the entire image when placed on the three-dimensional coordinate system is calculated. The image forming apparatus according to the above (5).
[0020]
If the printer does not have paper that satisfies the entire image size, or if the printer is not equipped with roll paper that can cut out the size that satisfies the entire image size, the user can change the position of one or several images, By rotating and / or scaling or deleting, the size of the entire image can be adjusted to a size that can be printed out by a printer. However, this operation may be complicated, and may also break the balance of the entire image. In the present embodiment, since the entire image is reduced, no trouble is required for the user, and the balance of the entire image is not lost.
[0021]
(7) A document scanner (10) for reading a document image; and means (CDIC, IMAC) for writing the image data read by the document scanner (10) to the image memory means (MEM, HDD). The image forming apparatus according to (5) or (6).
[0022]
According to this, using a document scanner (10), a photograph or image of a document at hand is arbitrarily read and written into an image memory means, and the above-described image collection and printout are performed to create a list sheet. can do. It is possible to obtain a list copy in which the gist of each image can be accurately grasped at a glance or at a glance.
[0023]
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.
[0024]
【Example】
FIG. 1 shows an appearance of a multifunction full-color digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The full-color copying machine generally includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) 30, an operation board 20, a color scanner 10, a color printer 100, and a paper feed bank 35. A finisher 34 with a tray on which a stapler and an imaged sheet can be stacked, a double-sided drive unit 33, and a large-capacity paper feed tray 36 are mounted on the printer 100.
[0025]
A LAN (Local Area Network) to which a personal computer PC is connected is connected to the in-machine image data processing device ACP (FIG. 3), and a telephone line PN (facsimile communication line) is connected to the facsimile control unit FCU (FIG. 3). Is connected to the exchange PBX. The printed paper of the color printer 100 is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 108 or the finisher 34.
[0026]
FIG. 2 shows a mechanism of the color printer 100. The color printer 100 of this embodiment is a laser printer. In the laser printer 100, four sets of toner image forming units for forming images of each color of magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (black: K) are arranged in a moving direction of the transfer paper. (From the lower right in the figure to the upper left y), they are arranged in this order. That is, it is a four-drum type full-color image forming apparatus.
[0027]
These magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (K) toner image forming units include photoconductor units 110M, 110C, 110Y having photoconductor drums 111M, 111C, 111Y, and 111K, respectively. 110K and developing units 120M, 120C, 120Y and 120K. The arrangement of the toner image forming units is such that the rotation axes of the photosensitive drums 111M, 111C, 111Y and 111K in each photosensitive unit are parallel to the horizontal x-axis (main scanning direction), and the transfer paper It is set so as to be arranged at a predetermined pitch in the moving direction y (sub-scanning direction).
[0028]
In addition to the toner image forming unit, the laser printer 100 carries a laser exposure unit 102 by laser scanning, paper feed cassettes 103 and 104, a pair of registration rollers 105, and a transfer paper to transfer each toner image forming unit. The image forming apparatus includes a transfer belt unit 106 having a transfer conveyance belt 160 that conveys the sheet so as to pass through the position, a fixing unit 107 of a belt fixing type, a sheet discharge tray 108, a two-sided drive (surface reversal) unit 33, and the like. The laser printer 100 also includes a manual tray, a toner supply container, a waste toner bottle, and the like (not shown).
[0029]
The laser exposure unit 102 includes laser light emitters 41M, 41C, 41Y, and 41K, a polygon mirror, an f-θ lens, a reflection mirror, and the like. Based on image data, the surface of each of the photosensitive drums 111M, 111C, 111Y, and 111K is formed. The laser beam is irradiated while being swung and scanned in the x direction.
[0030]
The dashed line on FIG. 2 indicates the transfer path of the transfer paper. The transfer paper fed from the paper feed cassettes 103 and 104 is conveyed by conveyance rollers while being guided by a conveyance guide (not shown), and is sent to the registration roller pair 105. The transfer paper sent to the transfer / conveyance belt 160 at a predetermined timing by the registration roller pair 105 is carried by the transfer / conveyance belt 160 and conveyed so as to pass through the transfer position of each toner image forming unit.
[0031]
The toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 111M, 111C, 111Y, and 111K of the respective toner image forming units are transferred to transfer paper carried and conveyed by the transfer / conveyance belt 160, and a superimposition of color toner images, that is, a color image is formed. The formed transfer paper is sent to the fixing unit 107. That is, the transfer is a direct transfer system in which a toner image is directly transferred onto a transfer sheet. When passing through the fixing unit 107, the toner image is fixed on the transfer paper. The transfer paper on which the toner image has been fixed is discharged or fed to the discharge tray 108, the finisher 36, or the double-sided drive unit 33.
[0032]
The outline of the yellow Y toner image forming unit will be described below. Other toner image forming units have the same configuration as that of yellow Y. The yellow Y toner image forming unit includes the photoconductor unit 110Y and the developing unit 120Y as described above. The photoconductor unit 110Y includes, in addition to the photoconductor drum 111Y, a brush roller that applies a lubricant to the surface of the photoconductor drum, a swingable blade that cleans the surface of the photoconductor drum, and a static elimination lamp that irradiates light to the surface of the photoconductor drum. And a non-contact type charging roller for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum.
[0033]
In the photoconductor unit 110Y, the laser beam L modulated based on the print data and deflected by the polygon mirror by the laser exposure unit 102 is applied to the surface of the photoconductor drum 111Y uniformly charged by the charging roller to which the AC voltage is applied. Is irradiated while being scanned, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 111Y. The electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 11IY is developed by the developing unit 20Y to be a yellow Y toner image. At the transfer position where the transfer paper on the transfer conveyance belt 160 passes, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 11IY is transferred to the transfer paper. After the toner image is transferred, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 111Y is coated with a predetermined amount of lubricant by a brush roller, is cleaned by a blade, and is discharged by light emitted from a discharge lamp. It is provided for the formation of an electrostatic latent image.
[0034]
The developing unit 120Y contains a two-component developer containing a magnetic carrier and a negatively charged toner. The developing case 120Y includes a developing roller disposed so as to be partially exposed from the opening on the photosensitive drum side, a conveying screw, a doctor blade, a toner density sensor, a powder pump, and the like. The developer contained in the developing case is frictionally charged by being agitated and transported by the transport screw. Then, a part of the developer is carried on the surface of the developing roller. The doctor blade uniformly regulates the layer thickness of the developer on the surface of the developing roller, and the toner in the developer on the surface of the developing roller is transferred to the photosensitive drum, thereby forming a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum. Appears on drum 111Y. The toner density of the developer in the developing case is detected by a toner density sensor. When the density is insufficient, the powder pump is driven to supply toner.
[0035]
The transfer conveyance belt 160 of the transfer belt unit 106 is connected to four grounded stretching rollers so as to pass through respective transfer positions in contact with and facing the photosensitive drums 111M, 111C, 111Y and 111K of each toner image forming unit. It is hung around. One of the stretching rollers is 109. Of these tension rollers, an electrostatic attraction roller to which a predetermined voltage is applied is disposed so as to face an entrance roller on the upstream side in the transfer sheet moving direction indicated by a two-dot chain line arrow. The transfer paper that has passed between these two rollers is electrostatically attracted onto the transfer / conveying belt 160. The exit roller on the downstream side in the transfer paper moving direction is a drive roller that frictionally drives the transfer conveyance belt, and is connected to a drive source (not shown). In addition, a bias roller to which a predetermined cleaning voltage is applied from a power supply is arranged so as to come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the transfer conveyance belt 160. The bias roller removes foreign matters such as toner adhered to the transfer / conveying belt 160.
[0036]
Further, a transfer bias applying member is provided so as to be in contact with the back surface of the transfer conveyance belt 160 forming a contact opposing portion that opposes the photoconductor drums 111M, 111C, 111Y and 111K. These transfer bias applying members are fixed brushes made of Mylar, and a transfer bias is applied from each transfer bias power supply. By the transfer bias applied by the transfer bias applying member, transfer charges are applied to the transfer / conveyance belt 160, and a transfer electric field having a predetermined intensity is formed between the transfer / conveyance belt 160 and the surface of the photosensitive drum at each transfer position. .
[0037]
The sheet on which the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 111M, 111C, 111Y, and 111K are transferred by the transfer and transfer belt 160 is sent to the fixing device 107, where the toner image is heated and pressed to form a sheet. Is heat-fixed. After the heat fixing, the sheet is sent to the finisher 34 from a discharge port 34ot to the finisher 34 on the upper portion of the left side plate. Alternatively, the paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray 108 on the upper surface of the printer body.
[0038]
Of the four photosensitive drums, the photosensitive drums 111M, 111C, and 111Y for forming a magenta image, a cyan image, and a yellow image are one electric motor (color drum motor; color drum motor) for driving a color drum (not shown). M: not shown), and is driven at a one-step speed reduction via a power transmission system and a speed reducer (not shown). The photosensitive drum 111K for forming a black image is driven by one electric motor (K drum motor: not shown) for driving the black drum at a one-step speed reduction via a power transmission system and a speed reducer (not shown). You. Further, the transfer conveyance belt 160 is rotated by driving a transfer drive roller via a power transmission system by the K drum motor. Accordingly, the K drum motor drives the K photoconductor drum 11K and the transfer / transport belt 60, and the color drum motor drives the M, C, Y photoconductor drums 11M, 11C, 11Y.
[0039]
The K developing device 120K is driven by an electric motor (not shown) driving the fixing unit 107 via a power transmission system and a clutch (not shown). The M, C, Y developing units 120M, 120C, 120Y are electric motors (not shown) for driving the registration rollers 105, and are driven via a power transmission system and a clutch (not shown). The developing units 120M, 120C, 120Y, 120K are not always driven, but receive drive transmission by the clutch so that they can be driven at a predetermined timing.
[0040]
FIG. 1 is referred to again. The finisher 34 has a stacker tray, that is, a stacking and lowering tray 34hs and a sort tray group 34st, and a stacker discharging mode for discharging paper (printed paper and transferred paper) to the stacking and lowering tray 34hs, and a paper discharging mode to the sort tray group 34st. It has a sorter discharge mode.
[0041]
The paper fed from the printer 100 to the finisher 34 is conveyed in the upper left direction, passes through an inverted U-shaped conveyance path, switches the conveyance direction downward, and then discharges the paper in the stacker according to the set mode. In the mode, the sheet is discharged from the discharge port to the loading and lowering tray 34hs. In the sorter discharge mode, the sheet currently discharged in the sorter tray group 34st is discharged to the assigned sorter tray.
[0042]
When the sorter paper discharge mode is designated, the paper discharge controller in the finisher drives the sort tray group 34st placed at the lowermost stacking retract position to the use position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Increase the interval. In the sorter discharge mode, one copy (or one copy) of the set number of copies or prints is performed. When the sorter discharge mode is set for the set sort, each transfer sheet on which the same original (image) is printed is sorted into the sort tray group 34st. Sorted and stored in each tray. When the sorter discharge mode is set for page sorting, each tray is assigned to each page (image), and each transfer sheet on which the same page is printed is stacked on one sort tray.
[0043]
FIG. 3 shows a system configuration of an image processing system of the copying machine shown in FIG. In this system, a color document scanner 12 including a reading unit 11 and an image data output I / F (Interface) 12 is connected to an image data interface control CDIC (hereinafter simply referred to as CDIC) of an image data processing apparatus ACP. I have. A color printer 100 is also connected to the image data processing device ACP. The color printer 100 receives recording image data from the image data processor IPP (Image Processing Processor; hereinafter simply referred to as IPP) of the image data processing device ACP to the write I / F 134 and prints out the image at the image forming unit 135. . The image forming unit 135 is as shown in FIG.
[0044]
The image data processing device ACP (hereinafter simply referred to as ACP) includes a parallel bus Pb, an image memory access control IMAC (hereinafter simply referred to as IMAC), a memory module which is an image memory (hereinafter simply referred to as MEM), a nonvolatile memory And a system controller 1, a RAM 4, a non-volatile memory 5, a font ROM 6, a CDIC, an IPP, and the like. The facsimile control unit FCU (hereinafter simply referred to as FCU) is connected to the parallel bus Pb. The operation board 20 is connected to the system controller 1.
[0045]
The reading unit 11 of the color document scanner 10 for reading a document optically converts the reflected light of the lamp irradiation on the document by a CCD on a sensor board unit SBU (hereinafter simply referred to as SBU) by CCD, and converts the reflected light into R, G , B image signals are converted to RGB image data by an A / D converter, corrected for shading, and sent to a CDIC via an output I / F 12.
[0046]
The CDIC performs image data transfer between the original scanner 10 (output I / F 12), the parallel bus Pb, and the IPP, and communication between the process controller 131 and the system controller 1 that controls the entire ACP. The RAM 132 is used as a work area of the process controller 131, and the ROM 133 stores an operation program of the process controller 131 and the like.
[0047]
The image memory access control IMAC (hereinafter simply referred to as IMAC) controls writing / reading of image data and control data to / from the MEM and the HDD. The system controller 1 controls the operation of each component connected to the parallel bus Pb. The RAM 4 is used as a work area of the system controller 1, and the nonvolatile memory 5 stores an operation program of the system controller 1 and the like.
[0048]
The operation board 20 indicates a process to be performed by the ACP. For example, the type of process (copying, facsimile transmission, image reading, printing, etc.), the number of processes, and the like are input. Thereby, the input of the image data control information can be performed.
[0049]
The image data read by the reading unit 11 of the scanner 10 is subjected to shading correction 210 by the SBU of the scanner 10, and then to image processing for correcting reading distortion such as scanner gamma correction and filter processing by IPP. Store in MEM or HDD. When printing out the image data of the MEM or HDD, the IPP performs color conversion of RGB signals to YMCK signals and performs image quality processing such as printer gamma conversion, gradation conversion, and gradation processing such as dither processing or error diffusion processing. Do it. The image data after the image quality processing is transferred from the IPP to the write I / F 134. The write I / F 134 performs laser control on the signal subjected to the gradation processing by pulse width and power modulation. Thereafter, the image data is sent to the image forming unit 135, and the image forming unit 135 forms a reproduced image on transfer paper.
[0050]
The IMAC controls the access of the image data and the MEM or the HDD based on the control of the system controller 1, develops the print data of a personal computer PC (hereinafter simply referred to as PC) connected to the LAN, and loads the MEM and the HDD. Compression / expansion of image data for effective use.
[0051]
The image data sent to the IMAC is stored in the MEM or HDD after data compression, and the stored image data is read out as needed. The read image data is expanded, returned to the original image data, and returned from the IMAC to the CDIC via the parallel bus Pb. After the transfer from the CDIC to the IPP, the image is processed and output to the write I / F 134, and the image forming unit 135 forms a reproduced image on transfer paper.
[0052]
In the flow of image data, the function of the digital multifunction peripheral is realized by the bus control by the parallel bus Pb and the CDIC. Facsimile transmission is performed by performing image processing on read image data by IPP and transferring the data to the FCU via the CDIC and the parallel bus Pb. The FCU converts the data into a communication network and transmits it to the public line PN as facsimile data. Facsimile reception is performed by converting line data from the public line PN into image data by the FCU and transferring it to the IPP via the parallel bus Pb and CDIC. In this case, the image is output from the writing I / F 134 without performing any special image quality processing, and the image forming unit 135 forms a reproduced image on transfer paper.
[0053]
In a situation where a plurality of jobs, for example, a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and a printer output function operate in parallel, the right to use the reading unit 11, the imaging unit 135, and the parallel bus Pb is assigned to the job by the system controller 1 and the process. Control is performed by the controller 131. The process controller 131 controls the flow of image data, the system controller 1 controls the entire system, and manages the activation of each resource. The function selection of the digital multi-function peripheral is performed on the operation board 20, and the processing contents such as the copy function and the facsimile function are set by the selection input of the operation board 20.
[0054]
The system controller 1 and the process controller 131 communicate with each other via the parallel bus Pb, the CDIC, and the serial bus Sb. Specifically, communication between the system controller 1 and the process controller 131 is performed by performing data format conversion for data and interface between the parallel bus Pb and the serial bus Sb in the CDIC.
[0055]
Various bus interfaces, for example, a parallel bus I / F 7, a serial bus I / F 9, a local bus I / F 3, and a network I / F 8, are connected to the IMAC. The controller unit 1 is connected to related units via a plurality of types of buses in order to maintain independence in the entire ACP.
[0056]
The system controller 1 controls other functional units via the parallel bus Pb. The parallel bus Pb is used for transferring image data. The system controller 1 issues an operation control command to the IMAC to store the image data in the MEM. This operation control command is transmitted from the IMAC and the parallel bus I / F.
7. Sent via the parallel bus Pb.
[0057]
In response to this operation control command, the image data is sent from the CDIC to the IMAC via the parallel bus Pb and the parallel bus I / F7. Then, the image data is stored in the MEM or the HDD under the control of the IMAC.
[0058]
On the other hand, the system controller 1 of the ACP functions as a printer controller, a network controller, and a serial bus controller in the case of calling from a PC as a printer function. In case of network connection, IMAC is network I / F
8, print output request data is received.
[0059]
In the case of a general-purpose serial bus connection, the IMAC receives print output request data via the serial bus I / F 9. The general-purpose serial bus I / F 9 corresponds to a plurality of types of standards, for example, an interface of a standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), 1284, or 1394.
[0060]
Print output request data from the PC is developed into image data by the system controller 1. The deployment destination is an area in the MEM. Font data necessary for development can be obtained by referring to the font ROM 6 via the local bus I / F 3 and the local bus Rb. The local bus Rb connects the controller 1 to the nonvolatile memory 5 and the RAM 4.
[0061]
As for the serial bus Sb, besides the external serial port 2 for connection with the PC, there is also an interface for transfer with the operation board 20 which is the operation unit of the ACP. It communicates with the system controller 1 via IMAC instead of print development data, accepts processing procedures, displays system status, and the like.
[0062]
Data transmission / reception between the system controller 1 and the MEM, HDD, and various buses is performed via the IMAC. Jobs that use the MEM and HDD are centrally managed in the entire ACP.
[0063]
FIG. 4 shows a circuit block of the operation board 20. The operation board 20 includes a liquid crystal touch panel (hereinafter, also referred to as a liquid crystal display or a display) 79 having a surface display function and an input reading function, an operation key matrix 271, a display LED (light emitting diode) 272, and the like. . The key matrix 271 includes a power key for instructing switching from the energy saving mode (the sleep mode or the low power mode) to the standby mode and vice versa. When the power key is pressed once while the energy saving mode is set, the mode is switched from the energy saving mode to the standby mode. When the power key is pressed once in the standby mode, the mode is switched from the standby mode to the energy saving mode.
[0064]
The main part of the electric control system of the operation board 20 shown in FIG. 4 communicates with the MPU 61 of the system controller 1, reads the input of the operation board 20, and controls the CPU 253 for controlling the display on the board. ROM 265, a RAM 266 for temporarily storing data at the time of control, a VRAM 268 for storing drawing data of the LCD 260, a liquid crystal display controller (LCDC) 267 connected to the VRAM 268 for controlling drawing timing of the LCD 260, and generating time data. There is a clock IC 273 to be used. The LCDC 267 is connected to an LCD 260 having a CFL light source as a backlight 270. The CPU 253 is further connected with an inverter 269 for driving the CFL backlight 270, a key matrix 271, an LED matrix 272 of display LEDs 261, an LED driving device 73 for driving these LEDs, and the like.
[0065]
The data bus to which the CPU 253 is connected is connected to a non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) 264 for storing image processing modes, status information, and usage results.
[0066]
As shown in FIG. 5, the operation board 20 includes a numeric keypad 80a, a clear / stop key 80b, a start key 80c, an initial setting key 80d, a mode clear key 80e, and a test print key 80f in addition to the liquid crystal touch panel 79. The test print key 80f is a key for printing only one copy regardless of the set number of print copies and confirming a print result. By pressing the initial setting key 80d, the initial state of the machine can be arbitrarily customized. It is possible to arbitrarily set the size set when the paper size stored in the machine is set or when the reset key of the copy function is pressed. When the initial setting key 80d is operated, an "initial value setting" function for setting various initial values, an "ID setting" function, a "copyright registration / setting" function, and a "use record output" function are provided. A selection menu is displayed. In addition, it is also possible to select an application etc. which is preferentially selected when there is no operation for a certain period of time, to set the transition time to low power according to the International Energy Star plan, and to set the transition time to auto-off / sleep mode It is possible to set.
[0067]
On the liquid crystal touch panel 79, various function keys, messages indicating the state of the image forming apparatus, and the like are displayed. The liquid crystal display 79 is used to select and execute a “copy” function, a “scanner” function, a “print” function, a “facsimile” function, a “storage” function, an “edit” function, a “register” function, and other functions. Is displayed. An input / output screen determined by the function designated by the function selection key 80g is displayed. For example, when the "copy" function is designated, as shown in FIG. 5, the function keys 79a and 79b, the number of copies and the number of copies of the image forming apparatus are displayed. A status message is displayed. When the operator touches the key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 79, the key indicating the selected function is turned gray. When the details of the function need to be specified (for example, the type of page printing), touching a key displays a setting screen for the detailed function. As described above, since the liquid crystal touch panel uses the dot display, the optimal display at that time can be graphically performed.
[0068]
FIG. 7 shows an outline of the image processing control of the system controller 1. When the copier is powered on and an operating voltage is applied from a power supply circuit (not shown) (step 1), the system controller 1 executes a power-on response initialization process (step 2), and The liquid crystal touch panel 79 displays a copy mode input standby screen set as a default (standard) as shown in FIG. 5 via the CPU of the operation board 20 (step 3).
[0069]
In the following, the word “step” is omitted in parentheses, and only the step number is described.
[0070]
The system controller 1 reads the input to the operation board 20 and switches the display of the operation board 20 via the CPU 253 of the operation board 20. However, in the following, the description that the operation is performed via the CPU 253 is omitted. I do.
[0071]
Next, the system controller 1 reads “menu key-in reading” for selecting input of “scanner” function, “print” function, “facsimile” function, “reservation” function, “edit” function and “registration” function of the function selection key 80g. When the user touches a key for designating a function different from the currently displayed “copy” function, the input screen assigned to the designated function is switched and displayed on the liquid crystal panel 79 (3). -4 to 3).
[0072]
If there is no touch on the function selection key 80g in “menu key-in reading”, “copy mode reading” is performed in the “copy” mode in which the input screen of the “copy” function shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. That is, the user inputs the function keys 79a, 79b of the copy mode displayed on the liquid crystal panel 79 and the ten keys 80a, the clear / stop key 80b, the start key 80c, the initial setting key 80d, the mode clear key 80e, and the test print key 80f. The touch or key operation, that is, the key-in is read, the indicator light (LED) of the operation board 20 and the lighting / extinguishing and the status display of the panel 79 are switched in accordance with the key-in, and the copy print setting information in the copy mode register for designating copy print conditions. (Print setting information) is updated.
[0073]
When the start key 80c is operated (start instruction), the system controller 1 gives a copy printing condition to the process controller 131 to instruct copying. In response, the process controller 131 starts copying, and the system controller 1 changes the green lighting of the start key 80c to the red lighting that does not accept the instruction until the process controller 131 notifies the end of the copy print job. Switch to. When notified of the end of the copy print job, the system controller 1 switches the red illumination of the start key 80c to the green illumination that accepts the instruction.
[0074]
When the user touches the "edit" key 81 of the function selection keys 80g with a finger or an input pen in "menu key-in reading", the system controller 1 inputs an "edit" menu to the liquid crystal display 79 of the operation board 20. The screen is displayed (4, 5). When the “edit” menu in the “edit” menu is selected, an input screen for the “edit edit” mode is displayed (6, 7).
[0075]
-Editing control in "Integrated editing" mode-
In FIG. 6, when the user touches the "edit" key 81 of the function selection keys 80g with the finger or the input pen in the "menu key-in reading" and further selects the "integrated editing" mode, the operation board 20 is displayed. Shows an input screen for “summary editing” displayed on the liquid crystal display 79. In the initial (default) screen of the input screen for “edit”, the “composite” mode is displayed in the selection window (window image) 318 representing the mode selected in the edit menu, but the scroll button ( By clicking (touching) the button image 317, it is possible to select (designate) the “summary editing” mode. FIG. 6 shows an input screen when the “summary editing” mode is selected.
[0076]
-"Image accumulation" (7)-
The initial input screen in the “summary editing” mode is an input screen for “image accumulation” (7), and FIG. 6 shows this. Here, the user defines a folder name to be assigned to the integrated image to be created from now on in the accumulation folder name input window 324, and inputs it into the input window 324. Then, the source of the image to be aggregated (hereinafter also referred to as an original image) is selected. The default of the supplier is the scanner 10. When selecting an image already stored in the MEM or the HDD, the scroll button 322 is clicked to switch the display of the supply source selection window 323 to “file”.
[0077]
When the user clicks an “OK” button 325 that is an enter instruction key, the system controller 1 pops up a scanner operation input screen on the image display area 328 when the designation of the supply source is “scanner”. When the user sets a document on the scanner 10 and inputs a reading start, the system controller 1 drives the document scanner 10 to read, writes image data generated by the document scanner 10 into the MEM, and displays an image on the liquid crystal display 79. The scale of the reading coordinate system is displayed over the area 328. The unit of the scale (the length of one side of the square) is the value given to the square value input part in the “position” input part 321 of the setting input area on the right of the display area 328. The display image in the display area 328 can be scrolled in the x direction (horizontal direction) and the y direction (vertical direction).
[0078]
When the user touches one point of the display area 328 with a fingertip or a touch pen, the x, y coordinate values are displayed in the row of (1) of the “position” input unit 321. When the user touches another point, the x, y coordinate values are displayed. A line representing a rectangle having the first point and the second point as diagonal points is displayed in the display area 328 while being displayed on the line (2) of the “position” input unit 321. If the user further touches another point in the display area 328 while the rectangular line is displayed, the rectangular line is deleted, and the coordinate values of the (1) and (2) rows of the “position” input unit 321 disappear, The x and y coordinate values that have been touched this time are newly displayed on the row (1). When the user clicks the “OK” button 325 when the rectangular line is displayed, all image data of the image being displayed at that time is read number (identification index), and inside / outside designation of inside extraction or outside extraction The header information including the information, the extraction area coordinates (1) and (2), and the pasting start point coordinates is added to the HDD and the file area allocated to the read number of the folder area allocated to the collection folder name.
[0079]
Here, as the read number, an image for which an area input instruction (the above-described diagonal point designation and “OK” button 325 has been clicked first) after the user has input the collection folder name in the input window 324 is the first image. It is to be the number. The inside / outside designation information is selected and displayed in the inside / outside designation window 320 when there is an area input instruction, and the selection can be changed with the scroll button 319 before the area input instruction. The extraction area coordinates (1) and (2) are the coordinate values displayed in the (1) and (2) rows of the “position” input unit 321 by the above-described diagonal point designation. The pasting start point coordinate is the starting point coordinate value of the pasting position. Here, a data bit indicating that data has not been set is written.
[0080]
In addition, instead of specifying (touching) a point on the image as described above, the area is specified by clicking the numerical value input part in the (1) and (2) rows of the “position” input unit 321 to specify the input position. The operation can be performed by operating the numeric keypad 80a and inputting a numerical value. In this case, when the input of the coordinate values of one point is completed, a cursor is displayed at the corresponding point on the image displayed in the image display area 328, and when the input of the coordinate values of the two points is completed, the two points are displayed. Is displayed as a diagonal point.
[0081]
When selecting an image already stored in the MEM or the HDD without using the scanner 10, the user clicks the scroll button 322 to switch the display of the supply source selection window 323 to "file" and to display the file on the main task bar. Click "File (F)" 315 and click "Open" on the menu list that pops up accordingly. Then, MEM or HDD is specified. As a result, a list of image files in the specified memory is displayed, and a desired file is clicked. As a result, the image of the file is displayed at 328 in the display area. Subsequent area designation processing is the same as the case where an image is read using the image scanner 10 described above.
[0082]
When the area designation of one image described above is completed, the system controller 1 deletes the display image in the display area 328 and prompts the user to input the next image instead. Otherwise, the sentence “Next image” prompts the user to proceed to the pasting and pasting. Please proceed to the paste if there is not. "Is displayed. At this time, the display coordinate values of (1) and (2) rows of the “position” input section 321 are also deleted. The user repeats the above-described operation to repeatedly specify the area of each image of the group of images to be integrated. The system controller 1 sequentially attaches a read number (identification index) to the images to be read one after another, and reads the read number, the inside / outside designation information, the extraction area coordinates (1) and (2), and the header information including the pasting start point coordinates. Is written to the file area assigned to the read number in the folder area assigned to the collection folder name of the HDD.
[0083]
The above is the content of the "image accumulation" (7) shown in FIG.
[0084]
-"Paste image" (8)-
In response to the display of "Please enter the next image. If not, proceed to paste.", The user operates the scroll button 319 to display "Paste" in the selection input window 320, and displays "OK". When the button 325 is touched, the system controller 1 proceeds to “Paste image” (8), and writes it to the collection folder (the image information memory area set in one area of the HDD) displayed in the input window 324 at that time. The names (read numbers) of certain image files are listed in the order of the read numbers, and are displayed in a pop-up display in the image display area 328.
[0085]
When the user clicks (designates) one file on the list and clicks a point on the image display area 328, or inputs the coordinate of the writing start point in the “position” input section 321 and clicks the “OK” button 325 When the user touches the button, the system controller 1 starts the point designated by the input in the coordinate system displayed in the image display area 328, and starts / stops the image of the designated file (read number). The image of the area defined by the designation information and the coordinates of the extraction area (1), (2) is developed and displayed in the image display area 328. That is, if the inside / outside designation information is the inside designation, the image of the region defined by the extraction region coordinates (1) and (2) is extracted and displayed on the image display area 328. In the case of the outside designation, the extraction is performed. An image outside the area defined by the area coordinates (1) and (2) is extracted and displayed in the image display area 328. At this time, the coordinate value of the image exhibition start point is written in the pasting start point coordinate data area in the header information of the image of the file (read number).
[0086]
The user performs this pasting operation on all image files (read numbers) in the collection folder displayed on the window 324. As a result, the extracted region images of all the images in the composite folder are arranged on one coordinate system displayed in the image display region 328. The image display can be scaled by changing the numerical value of the square in the “position” input section 321. If the numerical value of the square is increased, the size of the cell represented by the scale of the image display area 328 does not change, but the numerical values displayed on the x-axis and the y-axis are changed to large values, and the display image is reduced accordingly. Is displayed. Using the reduction operation and the display screen scrolling operation (x direction and y direction), the entire composite screen can be displayed in the display area 328. Each part of the composite image is enlarged in detail by changing the numerical value of the square of the “position” input unit 321 to a small value, and moving the image part to be viewed into the display area 328 by scrolling the display screen. Visible.
[0087]
Once this pasting is performed, by clicking (designating) one point on the image in the image display area 328 and clicking “Edit (E)” 316 on the main task bar, the pasting position of the designated image is displayed. Can be changed (moved), rotated, scaled, and copied. When the user designates a position change (movement) and slides a finger or a touch pen on the image display area while touching the target image, the system controller 1 shifts the display position of the target image by the shift, and shifts the display position. Is changed to the paste start point coordinate data in the header information addressed to the target image.
[0088]
When the user specifies the rotation of the image and specifies the rotation center, and then inputs the rotation angle, or touches a corner (corner) that is not the rotation center and rotates the finger or the touch pen on the image display area. When the user slides, the system controller 1 rotates and displays the target image by the rotation, and adds the rotation angle data to the header information.
[0089]
When the user specifies magnification, the system controller 1 additionally displays a rectangular area line of the target image and an operation index. The operation indices are eight points in total, including the four corners of the rectangular area line and the midpoint of each side, and by sliding one of the operation indices at the four corners in a direction approaching or away from the diagonal point. The system controller 1 reduces or enlarges the display image in a shape similar to a rectangle, calculates a scaling factor in the x and y directions (the same), and adds it to the header information. By sliding one of the operation indices at the midpoint of each of the four sides in a direction approaching or away from the opposite side, the system controller 1 reduces or enlarges the display image in the direction, and changes the magnification (x, y directions). Is calculated only in the direction in which the magnification has changed) and added to the header information.
[0090]
When the user specifies copying, the system controller 1 copies the target image to the clipboard. When the user designates one point of the display area 328 and designates "paste", the system controller 1 develops the image of the clipboard by adjusting the image start point to the one point. That is, it is displayed. At the same time, header information of the copied image is generated, and an image file (the last read number) is generated in the collection folder.
[0091]
The above is the contents of the “paste image” (7) shown in FIG. When the user clicks “File (F)” 315 on the main task bar after performing “Paste image” (7) on at least one image, the system controller 1 “Opens” the file and changes the work state. Save, save composite image, print preview, print, pop-up menu list including selection items such as properties.
[0092]
-"Calculate the size of the entire image" (9)-
Here, when the user designates “print preview” or “print”, the system controller 1 sets the four corners of each image (rectangular area) of the pasted image group developed in the coordinate system displayed in the display area 328. The coordinate value is calculated based on the extraction area coordinates (1) and (2), the pasting start point coordinates, the rotation angle data, and the scaling data in the header information of each image. Then, the minimum value Xmin and the maximum value Xmax of the x coordinate value and the minimum value Ymin and the maximum value Ymax of the y coordinate value are searched for in the entire coordinate value group at the four corners of the entire pasted image group, and the starting point position of the combined image is searched. As (Xmin, Ymin) and the end point position (Xmax, Ymax), a rectangular area having these start point position and end point position as diagonal points is defined as a combined image area.
[0093]
-"Determine paper size" (10)-
Next, the system controller 1 obtains selectable paper size data from the properties of the printer 100, converts each paper size into a horizontal width (x) and a vertical length (y), and converts the combined image area “(Xmin, Ymin )-(Xmax, Ymax) ". When one sheet size is determined in this way, the display area 328 displays, for example, the printout A3 length and the printout sheet size in characters and a rectangular line representing the print sheet area.
[0094]
If the printer 100 does not have a paper size in which the aggregated image area will fit, the system controller 1 determines the maximum selectable paper size to be the print paper size, and calculates a scaling factor that fits the aggregated image area in that size. In the display area 328, for example, the printout A3 length, the magnification of 87%, the printout paper size and the magnification are displayed in characters, and a rectangular line representing the print paper area is displayed.
[0095]
When the process proceeds from the “print preview” to the printout paper size, the system controller 1 waits for the “file (F)” 315 or the “edit” (316) on the main task bar to be clicked. That is, it waits for a new instruction input.
[0096]
-"Printout" (11)-
When the printing proceeds to the printout paper size from “print”, a printing condition input screen is displayed in a pop-up area in the display area 328, and when the “OK” button on the input screen is clicked, the printer 100 Start printing the composite image.
[0097]
After the “print preview” or the printing, “file (F)” 315 on the main task bar is designated (clicked), and “save work state” is designated. Register the printout paper size and magnification in the folder. That is, the currently displayed information is updated and registered in the HDD.
[0098]
When “Save composite image” is designated, the system controller 1 displays the image information of each image file of the composite folder currently displayed on the coordinate system displayed in the display area 328 (extraction area). Only, and if there is rotation / magnification, it is changed to the one after processing), and the header information of each image is edited so that subsequent movement, rotation, magnification, etc. can be edited in each image unit. The coordinates are changed to the four corners of each image (rectangular area). The folder information thus changed is registered in the HDD by giving a new folder name. This “save composite image” can be performed before the “print preview” and “print”.
[0099]
The printer 100 used in the above-described embodiment stores several types of cut sheets of a fixed size, and the printer to be used can be selected from the stored sizes. When the present invention is applied to a printer that can use roll paper, the system controller 1 calculates the size of the entire image in step 9, that is, the integrated image area “(Xmin, Ymin) − (Xmax, Ymax). )), The roll paper having the minimum width that satisfies the horizontal width (Xmax-Xmin) is selected, and the cut size is determined so as to satisfy the vertical length (Ymax-Ymin) of the combined image area. If a roll paper satisfying the width (Xmax-Xmin) cannot be selected, a scaling factor that allows the width of the aggregated image area to fall within the width range of the roll paper having the maximum width that can be selected is calculated, and the roll paper is used as printout paper. Then, the cut length is set to a length in which the vertical length of the combined image area reduced by the scaling factor is included.
[0100]
【The invention's effect】
Since the entire composite image is a list in which only required parts of photographs or originals are collected and listed, it is suitable for grasping only necessary parts of many photographs or originals at a glance or at a glance.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of a copying machine having a multifunction according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view schematically showing an image forming mechanism of the printer 100 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of an image processing system of the copying machine shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing electric components of the operation board 20 shown in FIG.
5 is an enlarged plan view of a part of the operation panel surface of the operation board 20 shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view showing an example of a screen displayed on a liquid crystal display 79 of the operation board 20.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of image processing control of the system controller 1 shown in FIG. 3;
[Explanation of symbols]
10: Color document scanner 20: Operation board
30: Automatic document feeder 34: Finisher
34hs: loading and lowering tray 34ud: lifting platform
34st: Sort tray group
41M, 41C, 41Y, 41K: Laser emitter
79: LCD touch panel
100: color printer PC: personal computer
PBX: Switch PN: Communication line
102: Optical writing unit 103, 104: Paper cassette
105: registration roller pair 106: transfer belt unit
107: Fixing unit 108: Output tray
110M, 110C, 110Y, 110K: Photoconductor unit
111M, 111C, 111Y, 111K: photosensitive drum
120M, 120C, 120Y, 120K: developing unit
160: transfer conveyance belt ACP: image data processing device
CDIC: Image data interface control
IMAC: Image memory access control
IPP: Image data processor HDD: Hard disk drive

Claims (6)

Image memory means;
Image display means;
Display control means for displaying a designated image in the image memory means on the image display means;
Position input means for specifying a position on a two-dimensional coordinate system for expressing an image;
Area image extracting means for giving an identification index to an image of an area defined by the position designated by the position input means on the screen displayed on the image display means and holding the image in an integrated information memory;
Image aggregation means for arranging each image of each identification index held in the aggregation information memory on the same two-dimensional coordinate system; and
Means for calculating the size of the entire image when the image assembling means arranges the image, and calculating a paper size for printing out the entire image;
An image processing apparatus comprising: Means for specifying which of the images inside or outside the area specified by the position input means is to be extracted; and The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the image processing device stores the information in an information memory. 3. The image collection means according to claim 1, wherein each image of each identification index held in the collection information memory is arranged at each designated position of the position input means on the same two-dimensional coordinate system. Image processing device. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image assembling unit performs rotation of each image according to the designation and scaling of each image according to the designation. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said image processing means of said image processing apparatus prints out an image arranged on the same two-dimensional coordinate system to said paper size. An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming means is capable of selecting a plurality of paper sizes; the paper size calculating means of the image processing device is a minimum paper size calculating means which satisfies the size of the entire image when the image assembling means is arranged on the same two-dimensional coordinate system. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the paper size of the image is calculated, and when a paper size satisfying the size of the entire image is not selectable, the entire image is reduced until the paper size is within the selectable paper size.

Images