JP2834758B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an "image processing apparatus" capable of performing different image processing for each designated area in a document image.

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a digital copying machine, image processing and image editing that cannot be performed by an analog copying machine can be performed in order to perform image processing on read document image data with an electric signal. For example, edge enhancement processing is performed on a character document to increase the sharpness of characters, halftone document processing is performed to suppress moiré, a part of document image data is repeatedly output, It is also possible to combine with the original.

Here, the image processing is usually performed uniformly on the entire read original, but in the image processing for the original containing a mixture of pictures, characters, and photographs, and in the image processing for obtaining a special effect, other processing is performed on a specific portion of the original. Often performs image processing different from
When processing is performed on a specific portion of a document, the image processing circuit must specify a closed region to be processed and the content of the image processing.

For this purpose, there is, for example, an area designating circuit in an image processing circuit as disclosed in JP-A-59-45765. First, an area identification code that determines the content of image processing of a document is prepared for each pixel, and the area identification code is stored in the zone memory. Here, the area identification code is “0” or “1”, and the first image data is “0”.
Is performed, and the second image processing is performed on the image data of the location '1'. In this case, in order to reduce the capacity of the zone memory, the area identification code is set to 1 mm square area as one pixel. Are prepared in 1 mm square units.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in the case of the method disclosed in the publication, there are the following problems.

Many memories for storing the area information are required. That is, many area information memories are required to store the area information for each basic unit composed of several pixels × several pixels. Further, an area information memory having a capacity proportional to the size of the document to be read must be prepared, and the positional accuracy of the area switching is poor. That is, since the basic unit of several pixels × several pixels is the position accuracy of the region, the region cannot be designated for each original pixel.

Different image processing cannot be performed for each of a plurality of regions. That is, as area information, two (1 bit) area identification information of '0' or '1' is used, and '0'
The first image processing is performed on the image data in the area where “1” is stored, and the second image processing is performed on the image data in the area where “1” is stored.
The third and subsequent image processing cannot be designated. In this regard, in order to enable the third image processing, it is sufficient to increase the memory of the area identification code. However, the basic unit of several pixels × several pixels is 2-bit information, which is twice as large. More generally,
In order to enable different image processing for each area, a large amount of area information memory is required.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention specifies a rectangular closed region at an arbitrary position in a document image and performs different image processing inside and outside the closed region. When each area is divided into blocks with the state of the area different from the state as a boundary, the sub-scanning block number assigned to each block and the sub-scanning area with the area different from the area of the previous pixel in the main scanning direction as the boundary are used. When the area is re-blocked independently for each block in the traveling direction, the main scanning block number assigned to each block, the coordinates of the switching point of each block, and the area number according to the image processing content of each block Storage means for storing a plurality of pieces of area information for each block, and when the image position and the coordinates of the switching point stored in the storage means coincide with each other, the area number is stored in the storage means. Reading means for reading the image, wherein image processing is performed on the image at the image position in accordance with the area number read from the reading means.

First, for a designated closed area, a location where the state changes in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, for example, an area different from the previous pixel area in pixel units in the main scanning direction, and a previous line area in the sub-scanning direction The area that is different from the area state is blocked as a boundary. Then, the area information is stored in the storage means in each block as area coordinate data relating to the switching points inside and outside the closed area. Since such a specified area is divided into blocks and writing and reading of the area information to and from the storage means are performed for each block, each area can be specified in the normal processing during image processing involving main scanning and sub-scanning. Become. By handling the area information in block units, a plurality of areas can be designated with a small storage capacity. It is not necessary to have a capacity corresponding to the size of the document to be read. In addition, it is also the original pixel unit processing. At this time, as the actual image processing content, an area number corresponding to the content is prepared in advance, and the image processing content may be designated by the area number. Since image processing content is determined based on such area numbers, image processing having different contents can be performed for each area. Further, even if such an area number is used, since the same storage means is stored for each block together with the area coordinates, the storage capacity relating to the area information does not greatly increase.

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, as a specific use example of the present invention, a case where an area as shown in FIG. 2 is designated in a read image will be described as an example. Here, the X coordinate direction is a main scanning direction, and the Y coordinate direction is a sub scanning direction. The read document image area is an area surrounded by coordinates (0, 0) (Xmax, 0) (0, Ymax) (Xmax, Ymax). In FIG. ₂ , a rectangular first area surrounded by diagonal coordinates (X ₁ , Y ₁ ) to (X ₂ , X ₂ ) and diagonal coordinates (X ₃ , _{Y 3) ~ (X 4,} Y 4) rectangular second region surrounded by the diagonal coordinates _{(X 5, Y 5) ~} (X
₆ , Y ₆ ) shows a rectangular third region. A case will be described in which four regions are added by adding other regions that do not belong to any of the first, second, and third regions, and four different types of image processing are performed in each region. Such area designation is performed by, for example, diagonal designation by a digitizer or the like.

Then, an area number is given to each area having different processing. The way of giving the area number is arbitrary, but here, as shown in the figure, the first area has the area number 1, the second area has the area number 2, the third area has the area number 3, and the like. Is assigned an area number 0. This is based on a method of specifying the number based on an area number-image processing content correspondence table or the like or converting the number by directly inputting the image processing content.

Next, the area is divided into blocks in the sub-scanning direction. The block in the sub-scanning direction has a boundary where a state of an area different from the state of the area of the previous line appears when scanning is performed in units of lines in the sub-scanning direction. For example, Y ₃ becomes the sub-scanning lines in the first region but that becomes the way in the middle, a line that appears in the second region, and the at the boundary, the boundary of the Y ₃ becomes the sub-scanning line It is a different block. A sub-scanning block number is given to each of the blocked areas, but the same sub-scanning block number can be used if the state of the area included in the block is the same. FIG. 3 shows the result of blocking the area shown in FIG. 2 in the sub-scanning direction.

Next, the area is divided into blocks in the main scanning direction. The block in the main scanning direction has a boundary where an area different from the area of the previous pixel appears in pixel units in the main scanning direction. The blocking in the main scanning direction is performed independently for each block in the sub-scanning direction. Also in this case, the main scanning block numbers are sequentially given to the blocked areas in the main scanning direction. Therefore, even if the main scanning block number is the same, the sub scanning block is different if it is different. FIG. 4 shows the result of dividing FIG. 3 into blocks in the main running direction and assigning a main scanning number to each block.

Although not particularly shown, such means for blocking can be achieved by known image processing means.

In this way, the area information of the area divided into the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction is written to the area information memory in the circuit shown in FIG. The state obtained by converting the state of each block in FIG.
Shown in the figure. In FIG. 5, the expression of the area information (A, B, C, D) is (main scanning block number, sub scanning block number,
Area coordinates, area numbers). Here, as the area coordinates, the coordinates of the main scanning switching point inside and outside the next area are given. Thereby, in the subsequent image processing, for example, if the area information is (1,2, X ₂ , 1), the area number 1 for the main scanning block number 1 and the sub scanning block number 2 corresponding image processing is carried out until the main scanning coordinates X _2, becomes the main scanning coordinate X ₂ or later, which means that the blocks of different image processing.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the area information memory section in the area designating circuit according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, signals input from the outside are a pixel clock signal IPCLK in units of one pixel in the main scanning direction and a line synchronization clock IPLSYNC in units of one line in the sub-scanning direction. Further, a signal generated by the present circuit and output to the outside is a signal AN indicating an area number corresponding to image processing content of a previously specified area.
In the UM, this signal ANUM indirectly designates image processing contents for a plurality of document images.

The system controller 1 generates various signals for controlling the entire area designating circuit. The signal SMD is a mode control signal, and the area designating circuit
Two operation modes are switched by SMD.

The first operation mode is an area setting mode. In this area setting mode, the tristate gate 2 is enabled, the area number data signal SAN and the area coordinate data signal SAP are given to the area information memory 3 as storage means, and written by the area information memory write signal SWE.
At this time, the address of the area information memory 3, that is, the main scanning block number is given by the main scanning area block counter 5, and the sub-scanning block number is given by the SARE signal passed through the latch 4. Then, the area coordinates and the area number are given as a data signal. In this area setting mode, the data selectors 6 and 7 select the signal A and the signal Y
Thus, the area information memory write signal SWE is provided as a clock signal of the main scanning area block counter 5, and the signal SCL is provided as a clear signal. For this reason, the main scanning area block counter 5 is initialized to 0 by the signal SCL, counts up each time data is written to the area information memory 3 by the area information memory write signal SWE, and updates the address of the area information memory 3. I do.

On the other hand, the second operation mode is a copy operation mode.
In this copy operation mode. The area number data and the area coordinate data written in the area information memory 3 in the area setting mode are read out in synchronization with the read image data to be processed. The tristate gate enters a high impedance state, and the area information memory 3 outputs the area number data and area coordinate data corresponding to the sub-scanning area block address signal SARE passed through the latch 4 and the address given by the main scanning area block counter 5. . The area coordinate data read from the area information memory 3 is input to a comparator 8 and compared with a main scanning counter 9 which counts up by an image clock signal IPCLK. The coincidence output of the comparator 8 and the line synchronization clock IPLSYNC are input to the data selectors 6 and 7, respectively.

At this time, in the copy operation mode, the data selectors 6 and 7
Selects the signal B and outputs it as the signal Y, so that the output of the comparator 8 is given as the clock signal of the main scanning area block counter 5, and the clock IP is used as the clear signal.
LSYNC is given. Therefore, when the area coordinate data matches the main scanning image position, the address given to the area information memory 3 is updated, and the next area number data and area coordinate data are read. Then, image processing set in advance according to the area number is performed.

After the block processing is performed by the configuration of the area designating circuit, when the switching points inside and outside the closed area are stored as area coordinate data in the area information memory 3 in units of blocks, the image data starting from the switching points inside and outside the area is stored. By simultaneously storing area number data for specifying image processing contents, it is also possible to specify a plurality of areas with a small amount of area information memory 3 and to change the image processing contents for these areas. Of course, the same image processing is performed for the same area number given to different areas.

Next, a "modification of the present invention" will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 shown in the above embodiment.
The figures are used as they are.

In the above-described embodiment, since the area number preset according to the content of the image processing is used, the area number is stored in the area information memory 3 together with the area coordinates, and the area number is simply read. In the example, the area number is arbitrary and a processing content memory unit for storing the image processing content for each area number is provided.

In the area designating circuit, in addition to the area information memory section for generating an area number as shown in FIG. 1, a processing content memory section for storing image processing contents in the area and an image as shown in FIG. A processing unit is provided. Thus, the content of image processing in the designated area is indirectly designated by the area number.

First, the area setting mode and the copy operation mode by the area information memory unit shown in FIG. 1 are performed in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

On the other hand, the processing content memory unit shown in FIG. 6 also has two operation modes similarly to the area information memory unit shown in FIG.
Mode control signal SMD of system controller 11
Thus, the mode is switched between the area setting mode and the copy operation mode.

In the first area setting mode, the tri-state gate 12
Is enabled, the processing content data signal SIP is applied to the processing content memory 13 as a storage means, and is written by the processing content memory write signal SWE2. Processing content memory 13
Is given by the data selector 14, but in this area setting mode, the signal A is selected, so that the output of the area number counter 15 becomes the address of the processing content memory 13. Further, the processing number counter 15 counts up each time data is written to the processing content memory 13 by the processing content memory write signal SWE2.
3 can be written one after another.

On the other hand, in the second copy operation mode, the processing content memory
The content of 13 is read and provided to the image processing unit 16. At this time, an area number signal ANUM selected by the data selector 14 is given to the address signal of the processing content memory 13, and the processing content data corresponding to the area number is read.

In the image processing unit 16, the input image data IMAGI is subjected to gamma correction processing, color correction processing, filter processing and dither processing by a gamma processing circuit 16a, a color correction circuit 16b, a filter processing circuit 16c, and a dither processing circuit 16d, and an output image is output. data
Create IMGO. Each of the circuits 16a to 16d in the image processing unit 16 has inputs IPC1 to IPC4 for switching the contents of processing. Data is supplied to the respective circuits 16a to 16d from the processing content memory 13 to control the processing content.

Here, in the present modification, since the area number signal ANUM is 8 bits, a maximum of 256 areas can be designated. In addition, since the data stored in the processing content memory 13 is 8 bits, one of a maximum of 256 types of image processing can be designated for each designated area. The 256 types of image processing include four types of gamma correction processing, four types of color correction processing,
This is designated by a combination of four types of filter processing and four types of dither processing.

However, as shown in FIG. 7, it is also possible to designate arbitrary 256 types of image processing by inputting to the IPC that controls the entire image processing unit 16 by passing through the decoder 17.

Thus, the specific examples shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 will be applied to “this modification”. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, data for determining the content of the image processing for each of the areas which are divided into blocks and to which the area numbers are given are written in the processing content memory 13. As an example, consider a case in which the processing shown in FIG. 8 is set to be performed corresponding to each area in FIG.

First, the input IP of each processing circuit 16a to 16d in the image processing unit 16
The content of processing performed by each 2-bit signal from C1 to IPC4 shall be determined as shown in the table below.

First, the setting of the processing content “normal processing” of the block with the area number 0 is γ processing “normal” ... IPC1 = 00 color processing “normal”… IPC2 = 00 filter processing “through”… IPC3 = 00 dither processing “normal” ... IPC4 = 00, and 00000000 is written to address 0 of the processing content memory 13.
The setting of the processing content “character processing” of the block of the area number 1 is as follows: γ processing “Normal” ... IPC1 = 00 Color processing “Normal” ... IPC2 = 00 Filter processing “edge enhancement” ... IPC3 = 10 Dither processing “2” "Value conversion" ... IPC4 = 01, and "00001001" is written to address 1 of the processing content memory 13.

Hereinafter, similarly, the setting of “bright area emphasis, photo processing” of the area number 2 is as follows: γ processing “detail emphasis” ... IPC1 = 10 color processing “normal” ... IPC2 = 00 filter processing “smoothing” ... IPC3 = 01 Dither processing “screen angle”: IPC4 = 11, and 10000111 is written to address 2 of the processing content memory 13.

 The setting of “Specified color conversion” for area number 3 is γ processing “Normal”… IPC1 = 00 Color processing “Specified color conversion”… IPC2 = 01 Filter processing “Normal”… IPC3 = 00 Dither processing “Normal”… IPC4 = 00, and 00010000 is written to address 3 of the processing content memory 13.

With such settings, the area designating circuit according to the present modification performs image processing with the area contents as shown in FIG.

According to the present invention, as described above, in an image processing apparatus that specifies a rectangular closed area at a position in a document image and performs different image processing inside and outside the closed area, the state of the previous line in the sub-scanning direction is When each area is divided into blocks using the state of a different area as a boundary, the sub-scanning block number given to each block and the area different from the area of the previous pixel in the main scanning direction as a boundary are used in the sub-scanning direction. When the area is re-blocked independently for each block, the main scanning block number given to each block, the coordinates of the switching point of each block, and the area number according to the image processing content of each block Storage means for storing a plurality of pieces of area information for each block, and reading an area number from the storage means when an image position matches the coordinates of the switching point stored in the storage means. Reading means, wherein image processing is performed on the image at the image position according to the area number read from the reading means. Therefore, it is possible to specify each area without any trouble in the normal processing in the image processing after the main scanning and the sub-scanning,
Therefore, by handling the area information in units of blocks, it is possible to specify a plurality of areas in units of original images with a small amount of storage capacity, and to obtain a storage capacity corresponding to the size of the read original. It is not necessary to perform the above-described processing, and the processing is performed in the original pixel unit. At this time, the actual image processing content is prepared in advance with an area number corresponding to the content,
What is necessary is just to specify the image processing content by this area number, and to determine the image processing content by such an area number,
Since image areas having different contents can be performed for each area, and even if such an area number is used, the area information is stored for each block together with the area coordinates in the same storage means. The content does not particularly increase.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 to 5 show an embodiment of the present invention.
1 is a block diagram, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of area designation, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing sub-scanning direction block processing,
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the main scanning direction block processing, and FIG.
6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of area information addition, FIGS. 6 to 8 show modifications of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a block diagram,
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a modified example thereof, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of area designation accompanied by processing contents. 3 ... area information storage means, 13 ... processing content storage means

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An image processing apparatus for designating a rectangular closed area at an arbitrary position in a document image and performing different image processing inside and outside the closed area, wherein a state of an area different from a state of a previous line in a sub-scanning direction is provided. As a boundary, when each area is divided into blocks, the sub-scanning block number given to each block and the area different from the area of the previous pixel in the main scanning direction as a boundary are used for each block in the sub-scanning direction. When independently re-blocking the area, the area information including the main scanning block number assigned to each block, the coordinates of the switching point of each block, and the area number corresponding to the image processing content of each block is obtained. Storage means for storing a plurality of blocks for each block; read means for reading out an area number from the storage means when an image position matches the coordinates of the switching point stored in the storage means The image processing apparatus according to claim to comprise, that the image processing is an image of the image position in accordance with the area number read from said reading means.