JPH11266361A - Image input device and image input system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an image input device or an image input system where delicate adjustment of image quality is efficiently conducted and same other device can use the setting of image input set by a device. SOLUTION: A personal computer 12 is connected to a scanner (not shown) through a communication cable 13 and conducts an image read-out job. When an original is read while changing a variety of parameters for reading, a setting registration section 43 stores setting contents in a history recording section 44. The stored history information is displayed on a display 15. Thus, an operator can adjust parameters to receive an image with better image quality by reading not only setting contents just before but also reading part setting contents freely.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image input apparatus for inputting image information and an image input system for inputting an image using the image input apparatus. The present invention relates to an image input device and an image input system that can be used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the improvement of computer processing speed,
It is becoming easier to capture images into documents or to store various images in the form of electrical signals. Along with this, image input devices for inputting images have been widely used in offices and homes. In addition, not only text information but also images having a problem of delicate reproduction of colors and densities, such as color photographs, occupy a large proportion of images to be input by such a device. . At the same time, there is a demand for an image input device capable of reading an image with high quality and correcting image quality to a high degree.

Therefore, in the image input device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-214165, when image data is input from the scanner unit and output to the transmission line, correction is performed according to the input characteristics of the scanner unit. The data is output to the transmission path later. The image data sent from the transmission path is corrected according to the output characteristics of the attached image forming apparatus, and then the image is output by the image forming apparatus.

In the proposed technique, the difference in images due to the different image input devices is eliminated by correcting the reading characteristics of the scanner used at the source of the image in advance. However, in this technique, only the characteristics of the image due to the difference between scanners are corrected, and the operator of the image does not correct the image from the own viewpoint for each document type. For example, depending on the original, there are many cases in which the color tone or brightness needs to be corrected because the exposure is over or the weather on the shooting day is not favorable. In such a case, no correction can be made with this proposed technique.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-292264 has a means for correcting the image quality.
(Gamma) correction or gradation processing is performed. When the conditions for reading the original are set in this way, the image quality conditions are left as a bar code in a part of the read image. This means that when an image that has been once read is read further, image quality conditions are determined based on this barcode, and the image of the child can be easily and better copied from the child's copy. This is so that it can be performed.

In the latter technique, a novel technique is not disclosed as to how to set a filter, perform γ correction or gradation processing when reading an original document for the first time. In addition, since the latter technique incorporates non-image information called a bar code into a part of the read image, there is a problem that the original image information is lost by that much.

Therefore, a technique which has been conventionally used when reading a document is reconfirmed. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an image input device which prepares a complicated image quality parameter and automatically sets it in accordance with an image to be input. Such a device has also shown remarkable progress, and when a document is a color image, a process is performed to automatically correct the image to an image in which the overall brightness and color are balanced. However, such image correction processing is merely processing that embodies an empirical rule for the overall image state of the document. In other words, for each original picture,
Image input to the user's commitment or intention to reproduce the image, such as which part of the color is reproduced more accurately, making the color tone overall flashy or calm, etc. Naturally, the device cannot be reflected.

For this reason, even if the conventional image input apparatus is quite expensive, the user of the apparatus can change various parameters for setting the image quality one after another, while changing the parameters corresponding to the best image quality. Was finally set, and the image was captured.

FIG. 16 shows the flow of such a conventional image quality parameter setting operation by an operator. First, the image input apparatus is caused to automatically set parameters (step S101). Then, based on this, the image is displayed on the display, or the image is actually printed out to evaluate the image quality (step S102). If the user is not satisfied with this compared with the target image quality (step S103:
Y), the parameter is changed (step S104).
Then, the changed image is output (step S105),
The image quality of the image before the change is remembered, or the actual printed out image is compared to determine whether the image quality is better than the previous image quality (step S106).

If it is determined that the image quality is improved (Y), it is determined whether it is necessary to further approach the target image quality (step S103). If not necessary, the operation is terminated assuming that the final parameter setting has been completed (END). On the other hand, if the image quality needs to be further modified, the process proceeds to step S104 to change the parameter. The same applies hereinafter. If the result is worse than before even after changing the parameters (step S106:
N), cancel the parameter change and return to the previous parameter (step S107). In this case, the process returns to step S103, and it is determined whether or not the parameter needs to be changed again.
Proceed to 4. After all, when it is determined that the parameter returned in step S107 is the highest (step S107).
103: N), the operation is terminated assuming that the final parameters have been set (end).

In the operation shown in FIG. 16, the automatic setting shown in step S101 may be omitted in some cases, and an image may be output by setting parameters immediately with the intuition of the operator (step S102). Of course.
Also in this case, the operation of determining whether to change the parameter (step S103) continues.

[0012]

By the way, as described above, the setting parameters for inputting a document have many options. Therefore, for example, even if a certain parameter is sequentially changed little by little, an optimum value for the parameter is not always obtained, and it is usually necessary to change another parameter due to a deterioration in image quality. Therefore, the user strives for the best result while changing a plurality of parameters in a complicated manner. The parameter of the image quality that is ultimately the best in such a parameter change operation is not the content of the previous setting,
It is often the case that the setting contents are two or more times ago or the setting contents are a plurality of times before, although they are not clearly remembered.

In such a case, in the past, it was not possible to adjust or complete the image quality by returning to the past parameters a plurality of times before, and it was necessary to repeat unnecessary work for changing the parameters. In addition, it is not possible to easily compare the image quality obtained a plurality of times ago with the current image quality, and as a result of re-adjusting the parameters to the past setting contents by relying on inaccurate storage, as a result, the same However, there is a problem that the image quality cannot be satisfied even if the parameter is returned to the above parameter, and that unnecessary parameter adjustment is repeated many times.

Further, in a conventional image input system provided with an image input device, when the image input device forms a network such as a LAN (local area network) together with a plurality of computers, a computer accessing the image input device is used. It is common to store parameters inside your own computer. In such a case,
When a similar image is read by another computer connected to the image input device via the network, it is necessary to set parameters again from the beginning, and similarly, it is necessary to repeat useless work.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image input device capable of efficiently performing fine adjustment of image quality.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an image input system in which settings made by one device for inputting an image can be used by another device.

[0017]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, (a) image data reading means for reading image data, and (b) this image data reading means affects image quality when reading image data. Parameter setting means for setting various parameters; and (c) parameter resetting means for arbitrarily selecting one of a plurality of setting contents previously set for the same image by the parameter setting means and resetting the parameters. Are provided in the image input device.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when image data is read by image data reading means such as a one-dimensional image sensor, digital camera, digital video camera, etc., various parameters such as brightness and hue of an image are set by parameter setting means. When making settings, save each parameter set at the time of scanning,
A desired one of these can be arbitrarily selected, and the parameters are reset based on the desired one so that the image can be read more appropriately. As a result, the parameters can be reset without being bound by the settings used immediately before reading. In addition,
The image input device here is not limited to an input device in a narrow sense such as a scanner, but includes an image data processing unit such as a personal computer.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, (a) image data reading means for reading image data, and (b) parameters for setting various parameters which affect image quality when the image data reading means reads image data. Setting means; and (c) image data storage means for storing image data read by the image data reading means in association with each of a plurality of setting contents previously set for the same original by the parameter setting means, and (d) A) setting content display means for displaying a plurality of image data stored by the image data storage means and displaying one selected setting content among them; and (e) display by the setting content display means. The image input apparatus is provided with parameter resetting means for resetting the parameters for the set contents.

That is, according to the second aspect of the present invention, when image data is read by image data reading means such as a one-dimensional image sensor, a digital camera or a digital video camera, various parameters such as brightness and hue of the image are set by the parameter setting means. When setting is performed, each parameter set at the time of reading is stored in the image data storage unit in association with the image data read by the image data reading unit. Since these are stored in association with each other, the parameters and the image data need not necessarily be stored in the same storage location, but may be stored in different locations. According to the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of pieces of image data stored in the image data storage means are simultaneously stored in parallel or one at a time.
The images can be compared by displaying them one by one, and one of the set contents is selected and based on the selected contents, resetting such as correction of parameters is performed. As a result, the parameters can be reset without being bound by the settings used immediately before reading. Here, the image input apparatus is not limited to an input device in a narrow sense such as a scanner, but includes an image data processing unit such as a personal computer.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there are provided (a) an image input device provided with image data reading means for reading image data, and (b) various types of devices which affect image quality when the image input device reads image data. Parameter setting means for setting parameters; parameter resetting means for arbitrarily selecting one of a plurality of setting contents set in the past for the same document by the parameter setting means and resetting parameters; and parameter setting means. Means and an image data processing means having storage means for storing a plurality of settings by the parameter resetting means.

That is, according to the third aspect of the present invention, an image input device such as a scanner, a digital camera, or a digital video camera is provided with image data reading means for reading image data, and the image data processing means is provided with parameter setting means and parameter resetting. Means and storage means. And
The storage means stores a plurality of setting contents by the parameter setting means and the parameter resetting means,
The parameter resetting means allows the user to select a desired one from these contents, and based on the selected parameter, resets the parameters at the time of image input. This allows the parameters to be reset without being bound by

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, (a) image data reading means for reading image data, and various parameters which affect the image quality at the time of reading the image data are sequentially stored as setting contents every time the image data is read. An image input device provided with a storage means for performing setting, a setting content reading means for reading the setting content from the storage means, and a setting content correcting means for correcting the setting content read by the setting content reading means. Image data processing means provided in the image input system.

That is, according to the present invention, a storage means is arranged in an image input device such as a scanner, a digital camera, a digital video camera or the like, and various parameters are sequentially stored in the image input device as setting contents every time image data is read. I made it. Therefore, when the image input system constitutes a network and, for example, a plurality of image data processing units are connected to a communication cable, setting contents obtained between one image data processing unit and the image input device Is stored in the image input device itself, so that when other image data processing means starts an image reading operation with the image input device, there is no need to go to the previous image input device to retrieve the data in the previous image input device. It is possible to easily adjust to the optimum setting contents by referring to the setting contents as "1".

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, (a) image data reading means for reading image data and various parameters which affect the image quality when reading the image data are sequentially stored as setting contents every time the image data is read. An image input device provided with image input side storage means for performing setting, (b) setting content reading means for reading the setting content from the storage means, and setting content correcting means for correcting the setting content read by the setting content reading means A data processing-side storage means for sequentially storing various parameters affecting image quality when reading image data as setting contents every time image data is read; and any one of the data processing-side storage means and the image input-side storage means Image data processing means having a storage destination selecting means for selecting the setting content as a storing means for setting contents. To.

In other words, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the storage means (the image input side storage means) for sequentially storing the setting contents in both the image input device such as a scanner, a digital camera, a digital video camera and the image data processing means. Alternatively, a data processing side storage means) is arranged. And
The storage destination of the setting contents can be designated to any one of these by the storage destination selection means, and the storage destination of the setting contents can be selected according to each used mode. As a result, when the setting contents are changed, it is possible to avoid a situation where the setting contents cannot be stored due to the limitation of the memory capacity or the like as compared with the case where there is only one storage destination. More ideal parameters can be set based on the setting contents.

[0027]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0028]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a minimum configuration of an image input system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This image input system is composed of a scanner 11, a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a personal computer) 12 as an information processing terminal, and a communication cable 13 connecting between them. Scanner (image input device) 1
Reference numeral 1 reads an original by scanning a built-in one-dimensional image sensor (not shown). The personal computer 12 includes a personal computer body 14, a display (monitor) 15 for visually displaying data, and a keyboard 16 as an input device. As an input device, a mouse as a pointing device is usually provided in addition to the keyboard 16.

FIG. 2 shows the overall configuration of the image input system. The communication cable 13 includes a plurality of PCs 12 ₁ to 12 _N, a single scanner 11 is connected. The communication cable 13 may be connected to a communication control device for connecting to another network such as a telephone network, and various input / output devices such as a workstation, a printer, a file server, and a mail server. .

FIG. 3 shows an outline of a circuit configuration of a personal computer among them. The personal computer body 12 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 21 as a control center, which is connected to a ROM 2 via a bus 22 such as a data bus.
3, RAM 24, hard disk drive circuit 25, floppy disk drive circuit 26, communication unit 27, input port 28
And various circuit components such as the output port 29. The ROM 23 is a read-only memory that stores basic operating procedures such as the start-up of the personal computer body 12, and the RAM 24 is a random access memory that stores data for various operations.

The hard disk drive circuit 25 is connected to a hard disk 31 as an external storage medium, and can input and output data to and from the hard disk 31. A floppy disk (not shown) is set in the floppy disk drive circuit 26. Of course, although not shown in this figure, it is free to provide a drive circuit for another storage medium, such as a drive circuit for a CD (compact disk) or a drive circuit for an MO (magneto-optical), on the bus 22. A mouse 34 is connected to the input port 28 via the keyboard 16, and a display 15 is connected to the output port 29.
Is connected.

FIG. 4 shows the basic configuration of the personal computer of this embodiment. The personal computer 12 includes an operating system 41 realized by cooperation of a CPU (central processing unit) 21 shown in FIG. 3, a hard disk 31 storing software, and a RAM 24. The operating system 41 includes an input unit 42 including input devices such as the display 15, the keyboard 16, and the mouse 34, a setting registration unit 43 for registering parameter settings, and a history for recording an image history by changing parameters. A recording unit 44, a communication control unit 45 for performing communication control, and a media reading unit 46 for reading various media such as a floppy disk and a CD are connected. The communication control unit 45 includes the interface unit 4
7, and is connected to the communication cable 13 and to the scanner 11 shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 shows an outline of the circuit configuration of the scanner of this embodiment. The scanner 11 is a CPU 51
It has. The CPU 51 is connected to various circuit devices via a data bus 52. Among them, the ROM 53 is a read-only memory in which a procedure for executing various operations as an image input device such as image reading and transmission is registered. The RAM 54 is a random access memory for temporarily storing data for executing various controls. A part of the RAM 54 is backed up by a battery (not shown) and forms a nonvolatile memory.
The communication section 55 is a circuit portion for performing communication on the network shown in FIG. The input port 56 is a port for inputting operation data from a key operation unit 57 such as a numeric keypad. The output port 58 is connected to a liquid crystal display section 59 to output various visual data to the liquid crystal display section 59. The image input section 61 includes components such as a one-dimensional image sensor, a light source lamp, and a scanning motor (not shown), and reads image information on a document placed on a platen glass (not shown).

FIG. 6 shows the principle configuration of the scanner shown in FIG. The scanner 11 includes an image input system operation control unit 71 realized by the cooperation of the CPU 51 shown in FIG. 5, the ROM 53 storing the software, and the RAM 54. The image input system operation control unit 71 includes a user interface unit 72 realized by the key operation unit 57 and the liquid crystal display unit 59 in FIG.
Also, it is connected to the image input unit 61 and the communication control unit 73. The communication control unit 73 constitutes the communication unit 55 shown in FIG. The interface unit 74 is connected via the communication cable 13 as shown in FIG.
Is connected to the personal computer 12 shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 shows an outline of the flow of processing when an image is taken in from the personal computer using the scanner in the image input system of this embodiment. The operator operates the scanner 11 by a predetermined method from the screen of the personal computer 12 (FIG. 3).
Is selected (step S201), the CP
U21 (FIG. 3) checks whether the scanner 11 is connected to the personal computer 12 or a network (step S202). If the scanner 11 is not connected (N), an instruction is given to connect the scanner 11 (step S203), and the process is terminated (END).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S202 that the scanner 11 is connected, the CPU 21 obtains history information on image reading by reading a predetermined data area (step S204). The history information is stored in the RAM 24 or the hard disk 31 in the personal computer 12 shown in FIG. When the personal computer 12 is connected to the LAN as described later,
It may be stored in the nonvolatile area of the RAM 54 (FIG. 5) in the scanner 11.

When the personal computer 12 is started up for the first time, in principle, there is no history information on the image to be read in the read data area. However, for example, when the reading operation of the original document is adjusted by operating the personal computer A and then the user touches the personal computer B connected to the same network with a baton to continue the operation of reading the same image. The history information may already exist in the personal computer or the scanner 11 at the location B. In this case, the history information can be acquired and used. When managing the history information for the same or the same type of original, it is necessary to specify the type or number of the history information by some method.

If there is no history information in the read data area (step S205: N), a normal image quality setting mode is executed (step S206). And
If the image reading is instructed in the set image quality mode (step S207: Y), the history information of the state is stored after the image reading is performed (step S208). The result of reading the image may be displayed on the display 15 shown in FIG. 3 or may be printed by a printer on a network via the communication unit 27. Of course, although not shown in FIG. 3, when a printer is locally connected to the personal computer 12, an image may be output to the printer.

If the operator is satisfied with the image quality and instructs it to be the final image (step S20)
9: Y), the image of the document is stored (step S210), and the image reading process ends (END). The normal image quality setting mode is a mode for setting or changing various parameters for setting the image quality without using the history information, and is a mode for image quality setting which has been conventionally performed. Therefore, a specific description is omitted.

On the other hand, if the image reading performed in step S207 is not satisfactory (step S209: N), the process proceeds to step S211 and proceeds to step S211.
It is determined whether to create new history information using the past history obtained by storing the history information performed in step 208 (step S211). If the past history information is not used (N), step S206
And the subsequent processing described above proceeds. Even when it is determined in step S205 that the history information exists, the process proceeds to step S211 to determine whether to use the history information.

When the operator instructs to use the history information in step S211 (Y), the history image quality setting mode is executed as the mode for setting the image quality using the history information. (Step S212). Details of this mode will be described later. After the execution of the history image quality setting mode, the image is saved thereafter in the same manner as in the execution of the normal image quality setting mode, and a satisfactory result is obtained (step S2109:
Y), and store the image on a storage medium (step S2)
10) End all processing (END).

On the other hand, if a satisfactory final image is not obtained in step S209 (step S209: N), the flow returns to step S211 to use the history information obtained in step S208. The operator is asked whether or not there is (step S211). If the history information is not used, the normal image quality mode is executed. When the history information is used (Y), the history image quality setting mode is executed.

FIG. 8 shows the flow of processing in the history image quality setting mode shown in step S212 of FIG. When the operator instructs the use of the history information in the processing of FIG. 7, the display 1 of the personal computer shown in FIG.
5 is displayed with the history information (step S301).

FIG. 9 shows an example of the display contents of the history information. The normal magnification display window 81 displayed on the display includes the image 8 read in the past.
_{2 1, 82 2, ...... 82} N is displayed. Immediately below these images 82 ₁ , 82 ₂ ,..., 82 _N , the date and time when the parameters were set and the size of the scanned document (A4, etc.) are displayed. In addition, the normal magnification display window 81 displays two buttons, an enlargement list button 83 and a close button 84. Image 82
_1, 82 _2, ...... 82 _N is one of these can be selected by double-clicking with the mouse 34 (FIG. 3). The enlargement list button 83 is a button used to enlarge and display each of the images 82 ₁ , 82 ₂ ,..., 82 _N before designation. Each image 82 ₁ , 82 ₂ , ...
The reason why the arrow keys for changing the display range are provided in the display area for 82 _N is that these images may be input with a positional shift when reading the original,
This is for correcting these display positions. The close button 84 is a button used to close the normal magnification display window 81. When the close button 84 is selected (step S302: Y), the normal magnification display window 81 closes, and a setting screen for setting various parameters based on the specified history information is displayed (step S303). ).

FIG. 10 shows an example of display contents of an enlarged display window displayed when the enlarged list button is pressed. In the enlarged display window 91, an image 92 of the document is displayed near the left end. By operating the mouse 34 (FIG. 3), the operator can set the enlarged display area 93 indicated by the dashed line at an arbitrary position of the image 92. The CPU 21 shown in FIG.
3 are detected and the images 82 ₁ , 8 shown in FIG.
2 ₂ ,..., 82 _N correspond to enlarged images 94 ₁ , 9
4 _2, will be displayed as ...... 94 _N. That is,
As a result, the operator can obtain enlarged images 94 ₁ , 94 ₂ ,... 94 _N at locations where reproduction of color tone or the like is particularly problematic, and can select an image suitable for correction from a plurality of past images.

Of course, the operator can display the enlarged display area 93.
Instead of moving the mouse directly with the mouse 34, an enlarged image 94
₁ , 94 ₂ ,..., 94 _N , one of the horizontal and vertical axis arrow keys 95, 9 displayed in one of the windows.
6, the image area to be enlarged can be moved in the horizontal axis direction or the vertical axis direction. In the latter case,
There is an advantage that the position of the enlarged images 94 ₁ , 94 ₂ ,..., 94 _N can be finely adjusted.

A return button 97 is displayed at the lower left end of the enlarged display window 91.
When the user double-clicks on the item 4, the enlarged display window 91 is closed and the display returns to the normal magnification display window 81. The operator converts the optimum image into images 82 ₁ , 82 ₂ ,.
... not only can you select from 82 _N , but also the enlarged image 9
4 _1, 94 ₂ may be selected from among ...... 94 _N.

Returning to FIG. 8, the description will be continued. When the normal magnification display window 81 of FIG. 9 is closed by selecting the close button 84 (step S302: Y), the mode shifts to the reading setting mode for setting the image quality and setting the history (step S303).

FIG. 11 shows an example of the contents of a read setting window displayed in the read setting mode. The read setting window 101 is divided into an image quality setting area 102 for setting image quality, a history setting area 103 for setting history, and a final decision area 104 for exiting from the window 101. In the final decision area 104, a read button 106 for instructing reading of a document and a cancel button 107 for canceling that the read setting window itself has been opened are arranged. Among them, the read button 106 is a button to be pressed when it is determined that the operator has made desired settings. When the read button 106 is selected by the mouse 34 or the like (step S304: Y in FIG. 8), processing in the history image quality setting mode is performed. Is completed (END), and the image is captured as described with reference to FIG. On the other hand, when the cancel button 107 is pressed (step S30).
5: Y), returning to step S301 again to display the history information. This is the normal magnification display window 81
(FIG. 9) has the meaning of remedy for accidentally closing and opening the read setting window 101.

FIG. 12 shows an outline of processing on the personal computer side when the operator operates the read setting window shown in FIG. In the image quality setting area 102,
Specify the “document size” to be read, “resolution” setting, “MTF correction” on / off setting, “image type” specification, “gamma correction” value, “white reference value setting” Can be set.
At the time of these settings, by pressing the setting read button 111 (step S401: Y), a default value prepared in advance is read (step S402), and correction can be performed based on this. . By pushing the save setting button 112 (step S403: Y), the above set values are finally saved (step S404).

Incidentally, the history setting area 1 shown in FIG.
03 has a history display area 131 at the center thereof. Up and down arrow keys 132 and 133 are arranged at the right end of the history display area 131, and an image quality order 134 is displayed at the left end. Further, on the right side of the history setting area 103, an image quality order button 136, a history order button 137, and a history storage location designation button 138 are arranged in order, and on the left side, a history order setting button from "1" to "4". 139 are arranged. A display button 141 is arranged below the history display area 131.

In the history setting area 103, it is possible to specify the setting contents which have been read and stored up to now in image order or history order. Here, the image quality order button 1
If you press 36, the history display area 13
1, the setting contents are rearranged and displayed.
Since the order of image quality is to be determined by a human (operator), the operator clicks on the corresponding setting when setting or changing the image quality order, inverts the display as shown in the figure, and presses the history order setting button 139. By doing so, the order for the setting contents is specified. When judging the quality of the image quality, the display button 141 may be pressed as necessary to reproduce the actual image on the display 15.

Note that, in the past setting contents of the same rank as the specified rank or later ranks, the rank is lowered by one each time a new rank is determined. The history order setting button 139 can set only the history order from “1” to “4” because the new setting content should generally be higher in image quality. This is because there should be no inconvenience up to the “4” th rank. Of course, depending on the image input device or the image input system, more ranks may be set.

In the history display area 131, desired setting contents can be selected from the history, and the image quality can be changed to more preferable setting contents in the image quality setting area 102. The operator presses the setting save button 112 in this state (FIG. 12).
Step S403: Y), the CPU stores the new setting content in the setting content storage location (step S4).
04). The history setting area 103 is provided with a history storage location designation button 138, which is used in the past because the setting contents can be stored not only in the personal computer 12 but also in another device such as the scanner 11. Used to check which device stores the settings and specify the settings.

In the image input device or the image input system according to the present embodiment, history information as setting contents is accumulated each time an image is read. Of these,
For example, if the image read this time is almost satisfactory when it is displayed on a color printer, the reading setting mode is set in FIG. 8 (step S303), and the latest setting content is, for example, “1” or “2”. The image quality order such as "number" should be assigned. At this time, the image quality ranking previously set is appropriately lowered accordingly. By setting the order of the image quality in this way, it is possible to easily change to a better image quality. Eventually, the setting content whose image quality rank is “1” can be adopted for the document.

At the next reading of the document, if the content of the document is similar to that of the previous document, the setting is read out, and the image quality is adjusted in the image quality setting area 102 on the basis of the read out content. Various parameters required for reading can be easily set.

First Modification

FIG. 13 shows a configuration of a scanner according to the first modification of the present invention. The same parts as those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. In the scanner 11A, the setting registration / control unit 201 is connected to the communication control unit 73A, and the history information is stored in the history information recording unit 202 via this. As the history information recording unit 202, for example, a nonvolatile memory area of the RAM 54 shown in FIG. 5 can be assigned.

FIG. 14 shows a storage location designation window that appears when each set value is stored. When the save setting button 112 is pressed, a save location designation window 121 appears on the display 15 (FIG. 3). Here, the computer 12 currently operated as the storage destination,
That is, "PC" and the scanner 11, that is, "Scanne"
r ”can be selected. PC 12
Is selected as a storage destination, it is possible to further specify which directory or folder in the personal computer is to be stored. Also, the scanner 11 and the personal computer 12 are connected to the network, and
If it is necessary to store the setting contents in a device on the network other than the second device, an arbitrary device on the network may be selected as a storage destination although not shown in FIG.

In the image input device and the image input system according to the first modified example, the operator operates the scanner 11A.
Set the original on the scanner and start the scanner. The scanner obtains the setting contents from the storage location of the history information set in advance for the document. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, when it is on the personal computer 12, the setting contents are acquired from the corresponding personal computer, and when it is on the scanner 11A side, it is stored in its own history information recording unit 202. You will get the settings.

If the history information is not stored for some reason, or if the original is read first and the image quality is set for the first time, FIG. Read setting window 1 shown
01, the user sets the image quality for the image quality setting area 102 by himself. As described above, the initial setting of the image quality is normally performed directly by the operator.

When the history information already exists and the operator sets the image quality using the history information, one of the setting contents is selected from the history and the image quality is set based on this. . When one of the setting contents is selected, various parameters as the setting contents are reflected as the parameters of the image quality setting area 102. The operator can, of course, adopt the parameters reflected in this way without modification. In this case, the user presses the setting save button 112 to confirm the setting contents, and specifies the storage location to the scanner 11 or the personal computer 12 to save the setting contents. If the operator presses the read button 106 at this stage, the reading of the document is started.
The read image is displayed on the display 15 through the communication control unit 73 of the scanner 11 and the interface unit 47 of the personal computer 12.

The operator reproduces or prints the received image with screen data of the personal computer 12 or a reproducing means such as a color printer (not shown) to check whether or not the image has been captured properly. it can. As a result of this check, if the read image is satisfactory, the settings are saved. At the time of this saving, the close button 8 shown in FIG.
When 4 is pressed, the data is stored in the specified location. On the other hand, when the image of the document is not satisfactory, the image quality is set again and the image is read.

In the image input system according to the first modified example as well, if the captured image is not satisfactory, history information as each setting content is accumulated. If the captured image is satisfactory to some extent, the history information is ranked in the image quality at that stage, so that relatively effective history information can be identified even if the number of history information is large. As for the history information having a lower rank than the rank set up to now, the rearrangement of the rank is performed as in the previous embodiment. In addition, in a state where the order of the image quality is variously set in many pieces of history information, it is difficult to search for setting contents to be referred to from among them, but in such a case, FIG. As in the previous embodiment, it is sufficient to press the image quality order button 136 shown in FIG. By rearranging the setting contents in the order of the image quality, the work of setting the image quality to be better becomes easy.

If the user is satisfied with the captured image, the settings are saved. The data can be stored not only in the personal computer 12 but also in the scanner 11. When the history information obtained by the personal computer 12 is saved in the scanner 11A, the history information obtained by the
Then, it is stored in the history information recording unit 202 via the setting registration / control unit 201. Then, the next time the original is read, the saved setting contents are called up, so that the optimum setting contents can be easily set.

Second Modified Example

FIG. 15 shows the configuration of a scanner according to the second modification of the present invention. 6 and 13
The same parts as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. In this scanner 11B, setting registration and
The history information recording unit 2 is provided to the control unit 201 in the same manner as in the first modification.
02 is newly connected to the communication control unit 73A and the image input system operation control unit 71.
11 are connected. In the second modified example, the history image recording unit 211 is arranged in the scanner 11B so that images are sequentially stored in the history image recording unit 211. History image recording unit 2
For example, a part of the RAM 54 may be allocated by the scanner hardware shown in FIG. 5, a hard disk may be provided, or various types of storage media such as a memory card and a magnetic disk may be used as 11. An appropriate one of them may be newly arranged. Of course, the image to be stored may be compressed by software for compression and stored.

In the second modified example, since the history image can be stored in the scanner 11B, the setting contents having good image quality are called, and the scanner 11B
It is not necessary for the user to read the original again. Further, since the image displayed on the display 15 or output by the printer is stored as it is on the scanner 11B side, there is an advantage that a burden is not placed on the network or the personal computer 12 on the other side.

In this modified example, since the history image is stored in the scanner 11B, the history image as described in FIG. 9 or FIG. 10 can be compared using the history of the image inside the scanner. it can. Of course, there is a possibility that a certain operator takes in the same original or a similar original into the scanner 11B, and another operator takes in the personal computer with respect to the history image. In such a case, the history images captured in these different places are displayed on the same display 15 at the same time, and the most suitable one is selected from these, regardless of the history order, and various parameters are further adjusted. May be performed.

In the embodiments and the modified examples described above, the example in which the personal computer is connected to the scanner has been described.
It goes without saying that any information processing device that processes image data is not limited to a personal computer. Further, the device described as a scanner is not limited to a document reading device using a one-dimensional image sensor. For example, the present invention can be similarly applied to a document reading apparatus using a two-dimensional image sensor, a handy scanner that moves and reads the document by hand, and a digital camera.

In the embodiment, in the history image quality setting mode, the operator selects a candidate image from the images 82 ₁ , 82 ₂ ,... 82 _N displayed in the normal magnification display window 81 shown in FIG. Like that. In this case, FIG.
Selection is made from the enlarged images 94 ₁ , 94 ₂ ,..., 94 _N shown in FIG. Of course, there are various methods for the operator to select an image having the optimum image quality in the history image quality setting mode, and the present invention can be applied to those methods.

One example applicable to the present invention will be described. First, the operator opens a read setting window 101 shown in FIG. Then, the history display area 131
From history information such as date and time, paper size, etc. displayed in
Select multiple histories that seem to have been good quality up to now. In the case of this example, it is assumed that four histories indicated by oblique lines in the history display area 131 in FIG. 11 are selected.

Thereafter, when the desired history is selected and the display button 141 is pressed, the normal magnification display window 81 shown in FIG. 9 is opened, and the images 82 ₁ , 8 of the selected history are displayed.
2 ₂ ,... 82 _N (in this case, the four selected images)
Will be displayed. When it is desired to enlarge these images for viewing, it is possible to enlarge them in the enlarged display window 91 shown in FIG. 10 and to examine the contents in detail. When the enlarged display is performed, by selecting the return button 97, the enlarged display window 91 is closed and the display returns to the normal magnification display window 81.

Here, for example, the operator selects the image 82 ₃
The Selecting the best one, the image 82 ₃ quality ranking 134 (FIG. 11) is set to "1". Along with this order setting, the image quality order 134 of another image 82 that has already been set moves down accordingly.

[0076] Now, when this manner selects an image 82 _3, along with this image quality setting region 102 of FIG. 1 is displayed to reflect the one corresponding to the image 82 _3. Thus, by selecting the read button 106 in this state, the reading of the image is performed by setting conditions of the image 82 ₃ under the same conditions. When the reading of the image is completed, the read image and the reading setting window 101 shown in FIG.
Will be displayed on the same screen.

If the cancel button 107 shown in FIG. 11 is selected instead of selecting the read button 106, the reading is stopped and the function for reading in the scanner application ends.

[0078]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when image data is read, various parameters such as brightness and color of the image are set by the parameter setting means. Each parameter set at the time is set, and a desired one can be arbitrarily selected from these parameters. Based on the parameter, the parameters are reset to read the image more appropriately. Was made possible. For this reason, even if there is a complicated interrelationship between parameters and the current setting is unsatisfactory and it is not possible to refer to the settings immediately before,
Furthermore, the parameters can be modified based on the contents of the previous settings several times, so that various parameters can be set without hesitation, and the best results can be obtained relatively easily and quickly. There is an effect that can be.

According to the second aspect of the invention, when various parameters such as brightness and hue of an image are set by the parameter setting means when the image data is read by the image data reading means, these settings are made. The contents and the image data are stored in association with each other. For this reason,
It is possible to perform resetting such as correction of parameters while confirming differences in image data for a plurality of past setting contents. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unnecessary work such as performing the same parameter adjustment in a round-robin manner, thereby enabling efficient setting.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the image input device is provided with image data reading means for reading image data, and the image data processing means is provided with parameter setting means, parameter resetting means and storage means. The means stores a plurality of settings by the parameter setting means and the parameter resetting means. For this reason, the image data processing means can select an optimal one from among the plurality of setting contents to perform a better setting.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the storage means is arranged in the image input device, and various parameters are sequentially stored therein as setting contents every time image data is read. When a network is configured and, for example, a plurality of image data processing units are connected to a communication cable, the setting contents obtained between one image data processing unit and the image input device are transferred to the image input device itself. When the other image data processing means starts the image reading operation with the image input device, the setting contents as the past history can be stored without having to go to the data in the previous image input device. It is possible to easily adjust to the optimum setting contents by referring to the settings.

Further, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the storage means for sequentially storing the setting contents is arranged in both the image input device and the image data processing means. And
Since the storage destination of the setting contents can be designated to any one of these by the storage destination selecting means, and the storage destination of the setting contents can be selected according to each used mode. When the setting contents are changed, a situation in which the setting contents cannot be stored due to the limitation of the memory capacity or the like can be avoided as compared with the case where only one storage destination is stored. Based on this, more ideal parameter settings can be made.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system explanatory diagram showing a minimum configuration of an image input system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image input system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a circuit configuration of the personal computer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a functional configuration of the personal computer shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a circuit configuration of the scanner according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the scanner illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of a processing flow when an image is captured from a personal computer using a scanner in the image input system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in a history image quality setting mode shown in step S212 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating an example of display contents of a window for displaying history information.

FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating an example of display contents of an enlarged display window displayed when an enlarged list button is pressed.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an example of the contents of a read setting window displayed in a read setting mode.

12 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing on the personal computer side when the operator operates the read setting window shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a functional configuration of a scanner according to a first modification of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a storage location designation window that appears when each set value is stored in the first modified example of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a functional configuration of a scanner according to a second modification of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a flow of a conventional image quality parameter setting operation performed by an operator.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 scanner, 12 personal computer, 13 communication cable, 15 display, 2
1, 51 ... CPU, 23, 53 ... ROM, 24, 54 ...
RAM, 27, 55: communication unit, 31: hard disk,
43: setting registration unit, 44: history recording unit, 61: image input unit, 101: read setting window, 102, 103: history setting area, 121: storage location designation window, 201
... setting registration / control unit, 202 ... history information recording unit, 211
… History image recording unit

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image data reading means for reading image data, a parameter setting means for setting various parameters which affect the image quality when the image data reading means reads the image data, and the parameter setting means for the same image An image input apparatus, comprising: a parameter resetting means for arbitrarily selecting one of a plurality of setting contents set in the past and resetting parameters. 2. An image data reading means for reading image data, a parameter setting means for setting various parameters which affect the image quality when the image data reading means reads image data, and the parameter setting means for the same image An image data storage unit that stores image data read by the image data reading unit in association with each of a plurality of setting contents set in the past, and a plurality of image data stored by the image data storage unit. A setting content display means for displaying and displaying one of the setting contents selected from the above, and a parameter resetting means for resetting parameters of the setting contents displayed by the setting content display means. An image input device, characterized in that: 3. An image input device comprising image data reading means for reading image data, parameter setting means for setting various parameters which affect image quality when the image input device reads image data, and parameter setting A parameter resetting means for arbitrarily selecting one of a plurality of setting contents set in the past for the same image and resetting the parameter;
An image input system comprising: an image data processing unit including a storage unit that stores a plurality of settings by the parameter setting unit and the parameter resetting unit. 4. An image input device comprising: image data reading means for reading image data; and storage means for sequentially storing various parameters which affect the image quality when reading the image data as setting contents every time the image data is read. An image data processing means comprising: a device; setting content reading means for reading the setting content from the storage means; and setting content correcting means for correcting the setting content read by the setting content reading means. Characteristic image input system. 5. An image data reading means for reading image data, and an image input side storage means for sequentially storing various parameters affecting the image quality when reading the image data as setting contents every time the image data is read. Image input device, setting content reading means for reading the setting content from the storage means, setting content correcting means for correcting the setting content read by the setting content reading means, and image quality when reading the image data. A data processing-side storage unit for sequentially storing various parameters having an influence as setting contents each time image data is read, and selecting one of the data processing-side storage unit and the image input-side storage unit as a storage unit for setting contents An image input system comprising: an image data processing unit including a storage destination selecting unit that performs the processing.