JPH08130627A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To save time required for setting an original to the utmost in the case of edit where an optional area in the original is designated and outputted. CONSTITUTION: The copying machine is provided with a scanner 5 reading an image of an original, an image memory 8 storing image data read by the scanner 5, and a printer 6 printing out the image data stored in the image memory 8, and also with an LCD 9 displaying the image data stored in the image memory 8 and a tablet 10 arranged while being overlapped on the LCD 9. The tablet 10 detects a position coordinate received to designate an optional area of the image data displayed on the LCD 9. Furthermore, the copying machine is provided with a CPU 11 that controls the image memory 8 and the printer 6 based on the detected coordinate data to output image data in the optional designated area.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus capable of performing edit processing by designating and outputting an arbitrary area in an original in a copying machine, a facsimile or the like. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image processing apparatus such as a copying machine has been proposed which is provided with an editing means for copying not only a document but also an arbitrary region of the document. As this editing means, a tablet is usually used to obtain position information of an arbitrary area in the original.

For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-321778, a tablet (digitizer) is provided on an original cover (original platen pressure plate), and an image in a region designated by the tablet is extracted (trimming). , A copying machine having other functions has been proposed. In addition, JP-A-4-25
Japanese Patent No. 2665 proposes a copying machine which designates an image area to be extracted with a marking pen, extracts and reads the image of the portion, and outputs the image in one screen in the order of reading. In any of the copying machines, in order to perform the editing work using the tablet, as shown in FIG. Specify an arbitrary area with and input the position information of that area. Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the cover 33 is opened, and the original G is set at the reference position B2 on the mounting table 34 with its one corner aligned, and the cover 3
Close 3 and start copying. Then, the copying machine edits based on the position information of the designated area, and prints out only the designated area.

[0004]

However, in both of the copying machines described above, it is necessary to set the original G on the tablet 31 and input position information, and then set the original G on the mounting table 34. However, there is a problem that setting the document G is troublesome and troublesome. Further, when the document G is set on the tablet 31 and the mounting table 34, if the document G is not accurately aligned with the reference positions B1 and B2, the region designated on the tablet 31 and the image region printed out are printed. There is a problem that a positional shift occurs between them.

Further, when the orientation (upper, lower, left and right) of the original G set on the tablet 31 and the orientation of the original G set on the mounting table 34 are different, use different from the area designated by the tablet 31. An image area not intended by the user may be output. That is, since the original G is set twice, it is easy to make a mistake in the orientation of the original G, and after printing out, it is often the case that the mistake is noticed and redone.

In addition, a thick original such as a book is placed on the tablet 3
When inputting directly with the pen 32 on the device 1, the distance between the pen 32 and the tablet 31 becomes large, and even if the pen 32 is pressed, the input is no longer input to the tablet 31 or the input is made at a shifted position. There is a point.

Therefore, in the publication of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-97062, the reference position on the tablet 31 can be moved in the XY-θ direction, and the tablet 31 can be moved up and down in parallel with the document table 35. A copying machine has been proposed in which the tablet 31 can be opened and closed. However, even in this copying machine, it is necessary to set the original G on the original table 35 and the setting table for reading the original G, and there is a problem that the setting takes time. .

To solve the trouble of setting the original G, an editing system has been proposed in which a computer 38 having a display 37 is connected to the copying machine 36. In this system, the image data of the original G read by the copying machine 36 is transferred to the computer 38, the operator edits the image data while the computer 38 displays the image data on the display 37, and the edited image data is copied by the copying machine 36. To print out. However, in this system, the reading and printout of the original G and the editing of the image data have to be performed at different places, and the user has to move back and forth between the copying machine 36 and the computer 38, and the editing is performed. There is a problem that it takes time to work.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has the following objects. 1) To provide an image processing apparatus capable of saving the time and effort required for setting a document when editing. 2) To provide an image processing apparatus capable of preventing a positional deviation between an area designated at the time of editing and an image area output corresponding to the designated area. 3) To provide an image processing apparatus capable of surely outputting a designated image area regardless of the orientation of a document to be set. 4] To provide an image processing apparatus capable of designating an area even for a thick original such as a book. 5) To provide an image processing device that does not require the movement of a person for editing work.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 comprises a reading means for reading an image of a document and a storage means for storing the image data read by the reading means. In an image processing device provided with a display means for displaying the image data stored in the storage means,
The gist of the present invention is to include a detection unit that is provided integrally with the display unit and that detects a position coordinate input to edit the image data displayed on the display unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, reading means for reading an image of an original, storage means for storing image data read by the reading means, and output for outputting the image data stored in the storage means. In the image processing apparatus including a means, a display means for displaying the image data stored in the storage means, and an edit processing for the image data displayed integrally on the display means and displayed on the display means. And a control unit for controlling the storage unit and the output unit to edit the image data based on the coordinate data detected by the detection unit. That is the summary.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a reading means for reading an image of a document, a storage means for storing the image data read by the reading means, and an output for outputting the image data stored in the storage means. In the image processing device including a means, a display means for displaying the image data stored in the storage means, and an arbitrary area of the image data displayed on the display means, which is provided integrally with the display means. Detection means for detecting the position coordinates input to be designated; and control means for controlling the storage means and the output means based on the coordinate data detected by the detection means to output image data of an arbitrary area. The summary is that

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus according to the third aspect, the display means is a flat display, the detection means is composed of a transparent tablet, and the flat display and the tablet are superposed on each other. In this state, the gist is that it is housed so that the screen is exposed in an openable and closable cover that covers the document placing table provided in the reading means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the flat display and the tablet have surfaces of the cover facing the original placing table and surfaces of the flat display and the tablet facing each other. The gist is that it is housed so that the screen is exposed on either one of the surfaces on the opposite side to.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus according to the third aspect, the display means is a flat display, the designating means is composed of a transparent tablet, and the flat display and the tablet are superposed on each other. In this state, the gist is that it is arranged behind the openable and closable cover that covers the document placing table provided in the reading means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the device according to the third aspect further includes a normal mode for outputting image data by the output means, and an arbitrary mode by displaying the image data on the display means. The gist of the present invention is to have a selection means for selecting one of the editing modes for designating the area.

[0017]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the image data read by the reading means with the original set is stored in the storage means and displayed on the display means. Then, when position input is performed on the image data displayed during the editing process, the position coordinates are detected by the detection means. Therefore, it is only necessary to set the original document first, and it is possible to save the labor required for the setting as much as possible.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the control means controls the storage means and the output means on the basis of the coordinate data to edit the image data. Claim 3
According to the invention described in (1), when position input is performed to specify an arbitrary area of the image data displayed on the display means, the position coordinates are detected by the detection means. Then, the control means controls the storage means and the output means based on the coordinate data to output the image data of an arbitrary area.

Therefore, since the position is input to the displayed image data to specify the area, the positional deviation between the specified area and the image area output corresponding to the specified area is prevented. It becomes possible. Further, the designated image area is surely output regardless of the orientation of the set document. Furthermore, it is possible to specify the area even for thick originals such as books. Further, since the display means and the detection means are integrated, it is not necessary to move a person for editing work.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, since the flat display and the tablet are placed on top of each other and housed in the cover, the size of the apparatus itself does not increase.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the screen is exposed on the surface of the cover facing the original placing table, editing is performed while the cover is open and the screen is viewed. When the screen is exposed on the surface opposite to the surface on the opposite side, editing is performed with the cover closed.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, editing is performed by using the flat display and the tablet arranged behind the cover with the cover closed. According to the invention described in claim 7, either one of the normal mode and the edit mode is selected by the selecting means.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a copying machine will be described below with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the copying machine includes a main body 2 having an original placing table 1 on the upper surface,
A cover 3 is provided on the main body 2 so as to open and close so as to cover the document placing table 1.

A liquid crystal tablet 4 integrated with display and input is accommodated in the cover 3, and a screen 4a of the liquid crystal tablet 4 is formed through an opening 3a formed in the surface of the cover 3 opposite to the original table 1 side. Is exposed. LCD tablet 4
Has a structure in which a transparent pressure-sensitive (resistive film type) tablet is superposed on a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as LCD). The main body 2 includes a scanner 5, a printer 6, and an operation unit 7.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical construction of the copying machine. In this figure, a scanner 5 scans a document G set on the document table 1 and optically reads it.
The image data of the value signal is output to the CPU 11. The image memory 8 stores the image data from the scanner 5 and the edited image data. The operation unit 7 includes a start key S used to start copying the document G and an end key E used to end editing work. The operation unit 7 also includes a normal mode key 7a used when copying the document G and an edit mode key 7b used when performing editing by designating a partial region of the document G for copying. (See Figures 2 and 3).

The LCD 9 constituting the liquid crystal tablet 4 is
It is a TN (Twisted Nematic) type matrix LCD,
Image data stored in the image memory 8 and the tablet 1
The coordinates detected at 0 are displayed. The tablet 10 detects the X and Y coordinates of the input point by a voltage value based on the pen input by the user, converts the voltage value corresponding to each coordinate into a digital signal, and outputs the digital signal to the CPU 11. The printer 6 is a laser printer, and prints out the read image data of the original G in the normal mode or the edited image data in the edit mode on a recording paper.

The CPU 11 operates based on a program stored in the ROM 12 and controls the entire device. The program has a routine for printing out the image data of the document G read in the normal mode.
Further, the program displays the image data on the LCD 9 in the edit mode, and prints out only the image data of the designated area based on the designation of the image data of the arbitrary area by the user's pen input in the display area. It has a routine to do. The RAM 13 stores various data necessary for the CPU 11 to execute the program.

When the user designates an arbitrary area in the edit mode, when the tablet 10 detects the XY coordinates of four points input by the pen, the CPU 11
Defines a region surrounded by four points as a designated region based on the detected data. Then, based on the depression of the end key E, the CPU 11 sets the image data corresponding to the defined designated area as the edited image data in the image memory 8
To be printed out by the printer 6.

Next, the operation in the edit mode of the copying machine configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the user presses the edit mode key 7b while the document G is placed on the document table 1, and subsequently the start key S of the operation unit 7 is pressed, a step (hereinafter, step is referred to as S) is performed. ) 1, the scanner 5
Thus, the document G is read. Next, the image data of the document G read in S2 is stored in the image memory 8. In S3, the CPU 11 reads out the image data stored in the image memory 8 and displays it on the screen of the LCD 9, that is, the screen 4a of the liquid crystal tablet 4.

Next, in S4, the user looks at the image displayed on the screen 4a as shown in FIG.
By sequentially pointing ~ P4 with the pen 14 and designating an arbitrary area (rectangular area), the tablet 10 is moved to each point P1.
The coordinates of P4 to P4 are detected and output to the CPU 11. CPU
11 designates an area surrounded by four points as a designated area based on the detected data, and displays each point P on the screen 4a.
Display 1 to P4 respectively.

Then, in S5, when the user presses the end key E, the CPU 11 rewrites the image data corresponding to the designated area in the image memory 8 as the editing work is completed. Then, in S6, the CPU 11 controls the printer 6 to print out the edited image data on the recording paper. In this way, the editing process of the document G is completed.

As described above, according to the present invention, the image data obtained by reading the document G is displayed on the LCD 9 provided on the cover 3.
Then, the user makes a pen input while designating the area to be copied on the tablet 10 integrated with the LCD 9 while looking at the displayed image. Therefore, unlike the prior art, it is only necessary to set the original G on the original table 1 at the time of editing, and the editing process can be performed very easily without the trouble of setting the original.

Further, since the area is designated by pen input while observing the image displayed on the screen of the LCD 9, a position shift occurs between the designated area and the image area output corresponding to the designated area. There is nothing to do. Also, tablet 1
Since the area is designated by 0, the image area intended by the user can be surely output regardless of the orientation of the document G set on the mounting table 1.

Further, even a thick original G such as a book can be surely input with the pen 14 while directly reading the image of the original G displayed on the LCD 9 after reading it without directly pressing it with the pen. .

Further, since the reading of the original G, the editing, and the output of the printer 6 can be performed at the same place, the editing work can be performed easily without the user moving.

Since the liquid crystal tablet 4 integrated with the display and input is housed in the cover 3, the copying machine itself does not become large. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but may be carried out as follows.

(1) In the above embodiment, the liquid crystal tablet 4
However, as shown in FIG. 5, the liquid crystal tablet 4 may be provided separately from the cover 3 and provided on the main body 2 behind the cover 3 as shown in FIG. In this case, as in the above-described embodiment, the original G is set and the cover 3
It is sufficient to perform reading with the closed, and edit while looking at the screen 4a. When the liquid crystal tablet 4 is provided on the main body 2, a mechanism for adjusting the tilt angle may be provided. By doing so, the tilt angle of the liquid crystal tablet 4 can be adjusted to a position where the user can easily see it.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, an opening 3a is provided on the surface of the cover 3 facing the original placing table 1, and the liquid crystal tablet 4 is provided on the cover 3 so that the screen 4a is exposed in the opening 3a.
May be accommodated. In this case, the document G may be set and read with the cover 3 closed, and then the cover 3 may be opened and the screen 4a may be viewed while editing.

(2) In the above embodiment, the case where one area is designated while viewing the image displayed on the screen 4a has been described, but a plurality of areas may be designated and copied. In this case, for example, it is preferable to provide a means for arranging the image data corresponding to the plurality of designated areas in the image memory 8 in the order of the size of each designated area.

(3) In the above embodiment, the area surrounded by the four points is defined as the designated area, but instead, either the area surrounded by the four points or the area outside the area is defined. You may provide the selection means to select as a designated area. In this way, the editing work can be performed depending on whether to copy only a specific portion of the original or to erase the unnecessary portion and copy the remaining portion of the original.

(4) In the above embodiment, an arbitrary area is designated while looking at the image displayed on the screen 4a, and characters are handwritten with a pen outside the designated area to input the image data of the designated area. It may be printed together with the character data. In this way, arbitrary characters (message) can be added to the edited image.

(5) In the above embodiment, after designating an arbitrary area, means for moving the designated area to a desired position and printing it out may be provided. In this way, the editing work of the document G can be enhanced.

(6) In the above embodiment, after a plurality of originals G are sequentially read, the image data of all the originals G may be displayed on one screen 4a to perform the editing work. This is suitable for collectively editing a plurality of originals G.

(7) In the above embodiment, the pressure sensitive type tablet is used, but an electromagnetic induction type or electrostatic capacity type tablet may be used instead. (8) Although the TN type matrix LCD 9 is adopted in the above-mentioned embodiment, a flat panel display such as a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) type active matrix LCD, plasma display, electroluminescence (EL) or the like may be adopted instead. Good.

(9) The present invention may be applied to a facsimile machine, a personal computer equipped with a scanner, a word processor, etc., in addition to the copying machine. The inventions other than the claims that can be understood from the above embodiments will be described below along with their effects.

In the apparatus according to claim 3, the storage means stores the image data of the plurality of originals read by the reading means, respectively, and the control means controls the display means, the storage means and the output means, A plurality of image data stored in the storage means are displayed on a single screen, and each arbitrary image data is displayed based on the detection by the detection means of the position coordinates input to specify an arbitrary area for each displayed image data. The image data of the area is output. This is suitable for editing a plurality of originals collectively.

[0047]

As described above in detail, the present invention has the following effects. 1] It is possible to minimize the time and effort required for setting a document when editing. 2) It is possible to prevent the positional deviation between the area designated at the time of editing and the image area output corresponding to the designated area. 3) The specified image area can be surely output regardless of the orientation of the set original. 4] It is possible to specify an area even for a thick original such as a book. 5] No need to move people for editing work.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a copying machine.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a partial schematic perspective view showing editing work.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing in edit mode.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a copying machine according to another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a copying machine according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a partial schematic perspective view showing a conventional copying machine.

FIG. 8 is a partial schematic perspective view showing a state where a document is set after the area is designated.

FIG. 9 is a partial schematic perspective view showing another conventional copying machine.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing another conventional copying machine and a computer for editing.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Original document table, 3 ... Cover, 5 ... Scanner as reading means, 6 ... Printer as output means, 7a ... Normal mode key as selection means, 7b ... Edit mode key as selection means, 8 ... Storage means Image memory, as ...
LCD as display means, 10 ... Tablet as detection means, 11 ... CPU as control means.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus comprising a reading means for reading an image of a document and a storage means for storing image data read by the reading means, and a display for displaying the image data stored in the storage means. An image characterized by comprising: a means and a detection means that is provided integrally with the display means and that detects a position coordinate input to perform an editing process on the image data displayed on the display means. Processing equipment. 2. Image processing comprising: reading means for reading an image of a document; storage means for storing image data read by the reading means; and output means for outputting the image data stored in the storage means. In the apparatus, display means for displaying the image data stored in the storage means, and position coordinates input to perform edit processing on the image data displayed on the display means, provided integrally with the display means. Based on the coordinate data detected by the detection means and the detection means,
An image processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the storage unit and the output unit to edit image data. 3. Image processing comprising: reading means for reading an image of an original; storage means for storing image data read by the reading means; and output means for outputting the image data stored in the storage means. In the apparatus, a display unit for displaying the image data stored in the storage unit, a position provided integrally with the display unit, and a position input to designate an arbitrary area of the image data displayed on the display unit. Based on the detection means for detecting the coordinates, and the coordinate data detected by the detection means,
An image processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the storage unit and the output unit to output image data of an arbitrary area. 4. The display means is a flat display, the detection means is composed of a transparent tablet, and the flat display and the tablet are in a state of being superposed on each other, and cover a document placing table provided in the reading means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the openable cover is housed so that the screen is exposed. 5. The screen of the flat display and the tablet is exposed on either one of the surface of the cover facing the original placing table and the surface opposite to the facing surface. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image processing apparatus is housed in. 6. The display means is a flat display, the designating means is composed of a transparent tablet, and the flat display and the tablet are placed on top of each other to cover an original placing table provided in the reading means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image processing apparatus is disposed behind the openable / closable cover. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, further, a normal mode for outputting image data by the output means, and displaying the image data on the display means to designate an arbitrary area. Selection means for selecting any one of the editing modes for