JPS6084590A - Image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Technical field The present invention is a CRT that displays characters, images, etc.

2. Description of the Related Art Regarding display devices such as liquid crystals, in particular, one display screen (prior art) In a conventional display device such as a CRT, one piece of display information corresponds to each display screen.

Therefore, for example, an attempt is made to display a text image composed using a word processor or the like as shown in Fig. 1 as an A4 paper-sized image 42 on the screen of the CRT 8, and also display information 43 that the operator needs for the composition. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the area 42 on the screen that displays the A4 size image becomes smaller,
The characters that should fit on the paper become relatively small, making the book difficult to read.

Purpose: The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points.
In a display device such as T, a plurality of pieces of display information are made to correspond to a display screen, for example, two pieces of display information 45 and 46 are made to correspond to one CRT screen 44 as shown in FIG. On the CRT screen 44, an information image for the operator (hereinafter referred to as a command or template menu) of display information 46' is displayed superimposed on an A4 paper image 42' (hereinafter referred to as an editing image) of display information 45. If you want to see the entire A4 size image of the display information 45, move the display position of the display information 46 to the bottom or completely hide it so that you only see the information you want, as shown in the CR'l' screen 44'. I see.

In this way, by associating multiple pieces of display information such as the edit image command menu and template menu image with the display screen of a CRT, etc., and overlapping them at any position, the screen can be used effectively. This allows you to see only the information you need, making it easier to view.

EXAMPLES Below, the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings.0 Fig. 3 is an external connection diagram of an image processing system to which the present invention is applied. 02 is a control unit (called a workstation) equipped with an internal memory consisting of a microcomputer, RAM, ILOM, etc., and an external memory consisting of a floppy disk or cartridge disk, etc. 02 is the input unit of the digital copying machine. A document reader that converts document information of a document placed on a document table into electrical signals using an image sensor such as a CCD.

Reference numeral 3 denotes an output unit of the digital copying machine, which is a high-speed printer such as a laser beam printer that records an image on a recording material based on information converted into an electrical signal. 4 is an image file having a storage medium such as an optical disk or a magneto-optical disk, and in which a large amount of image information can be written and read. 5 is a microfilm file, which is equipped with a microfilm search unit and a microfilm reader unit that converts the searched image information on the microfilm into an electrical signal using an image sensor. It has a photosensitive belt provided with a conductive layer, and by irradiating the photoconductive layer with laser light modulated according to the input image signal through the substrate, an electrostatic latent image is created on the photoconductive layer according to the brightness of the image light. This is a high-resolution soft display that forms a display image by developing the formed latent image with conductive and magnetic toner (developer) held on a toner carrier.

7 is a printer device such as a laser beam printer similar to the printer 3, but it is smaller than the printer 3.

It is slow and installed as needed. Reference numeral 8 denotes a CRT device that displays image information photoelectrically read by a digital copying machine and a microfilm file input scanner (reader) or system control information. Reference numeral 9 denotes a switching device that switches the connection between each input/output device using a signal from the control section l. Cables 10 to 18 electrically connect each input/output device. Further, reference numeral 20 denotes a keyboard provided in the control unit 1, and by operating this keyboard 20, system operation commands, etc. are issued. Also 3
Reference numeral 1 is a point device for instructing processing of image information on the CRT 8, and the cursor on OR and T3 is moved arbitrarily in the X and Y directions to select a command image on the command menu and issue the instruction. Reference numeral 21 denotes an operation panel for issuing operational commands for the digital copying machine, including setting keys for the number of copies, copy magnification, etc., and a copy key 2 for instructing to start copying.
5 and a numerical display. Reference numeral 22 denotes a mode selection switch that determines whether the copying machine or the control section takes initiative in starting up the digital copying machine. Reference numerals 23 and 24 indicate a light emitting diode (LED) that indicates the mode selection state of the mode selection switch 22. This is a display device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the image processing system shown in FIG. 3. Each block corresponding to that in FIG. 1 is given the same number as in FIG. First, each block within the control section l will be explained.

The operator inputs system operation commands using the keyboard 20 or point device 31. Reference numeral 032 is a central processing unit (CPU) consisting of a microcomputer (eg, Motorola 68000). 33 is a read-only memory ROM in which a system control program is written in advance, and the CPU 32 performs control operations according to the program written in this rLOM 33. 34 is a random access memory RAM, which is mainly used as a working memory of the CPU 32 and a page memory for storing image signals exchanged between each input/output unit. 35
is an external memory consisting of a floppy disk, which stores a system control program, a database for image retrieval from image files, etc., which will be described later. Reference numeral 36 denotes a communication interface that enables information to be exchanged with other similar systems or terminals using a communication line such as a local area network. 37 is an input/output interface that accomplishes information exchange between the control unit 1 and the switching device 9. 38 is a bit extraction circuit that thins out the image signal according to a predetermined rate. 3
9 is an optical disk interface for exchanging information with the image file 4, and 40 is a CRT interface for exchanging information with CRTs. Reference numeral 41 denotes a 16-bit path through which signals are transferred from each block within the control section l. 11-18 are cables for electrically connecting each input/output device as described above, and a control signal.

and image signals are transmitted. Note that the arrows on the cables indicate the flow of image signals. Also, the flow of control signals is bidirectional in the cable. As is clear from the figure, the original IJ + card 2 of the digital copying machine 42, the high-speed printer 3, the microfilm file 5, the soft display 6, and the small printer 7 each have a cape pv 11.12.15",
It is connected to the switching device 9 by 16.10, and further connected to the input/output interface 37 of the control unit 1 by cable 13.14. Further, the image file 4 and CR, T8 are connected to respective interfaces 39, 40 of the control unit 1 by cables 17, 18, respectively. The CRTs are provided with a display RAM 43 that stores image information to be displayed. In addition, since the image signal input and output by the switching device 9 is a serial signal, and the information on the bus 41 of the control unit 1 is a parallel signal, the input/output interface 37 has a serial to parallel signal for capturing the image signal. A register and a parallel-to-serial register for outputting image signals are provided.

Image signals output from the document reader 2 or the microfilm file 5 are input to the input/output interface 37 of the control unit 1 via the switching device 9 every 1 lines. The input/output interface 37 converts the serially inputted image signal into a parallel signal of every 16 bits and outputs it onto the bus 41. The image signal output on bus 41 is stored in RAM3.
One page is sequentially input into the image area No. 4. The image signals stored in R and AM34 in this way are transferred to bus 4 again.
1 and output to the outside via the communication ink-face 36, sent to the image file 4 via the optical disk interface 39 and written to the optical disk, or sent to the switching device via the input/output interface 37. 9 and is selectively transmitted to a high-speed printer 3, a soft display 6, or a small printer t to form an image.

Further, the image signals successively generated from the optical disk ° of one image file 4 are written into the RAM 34, and then are selectively sent to the high-speed printer 3, the soft display 6, or the small printer 7 by the switching device 9 via the input/output interface 37. transmitted to.

Incidentally, the image signal from the document reader 2 or r or the microfilm file 5 can be selectively transmitted directly to any one of the high-speed printer 3, the soft display 6, and the small printer 7 from the switching device 9 without going through the control unit l. You can also do it. That is,
If you want a simple copy operation, use image file 4 or C.
Since the fLT8 is not required, the image signal from the document reader 2 can be directly transmitted to the high-speed printer 3 without going through the control unit l.
and executes real-time copy operations. This mode is called pass mode.

The control related to the transmission of the image signal described above is executed by the CPU 32 in accordance with the operation command input by the operator using the keyboard 20 or the point device 31.

FIG. 5 is a partial block diagram (particularly in block B of FIG. 8) relating to the CRT of FIG. 2. A display storage device 301 corresponds to the RAM 43 in FIG. 4 for storing information to be displayed on the display device. 302 is a display control unit (FIG. 7) that sends a memory address to be displayed, that is, a display address, to the display storage device 301, and as a result, it receives data to be displayed from the display storage device 301 and displays the data on the CRT screen. to be displayed.

Image data is stored in the VRAM 43 by developing an image using one pixel as a bit instead of a company code. These images include a document image from the document reading section 2 of the copying machine shown in FIG. 3, a file image from the disk file l, a film image from the film reader 5, a command image for instructing editing work, and a template for graphic processing. There is an image (basic shapes such as circles, circles, squares, etc.). The main memo IJ 303 receives the composition data from the word processor WP in block A in FIG. 8, and data from the terminal data collector DC personal computer PC via the local data transfer line CNET
If it is sent to S or WS, it can also be stored. Then, it can be registered in a file, or it can be stored in V RAM as an edited image and displayed on a CRT.

303 is a main storage device for storing data including programs for editing/transferring from the reader, registering a disk, transferring to a printer, etc., images read from the reader, images for transfer, etc. This central processing unit 3
04 and the main storage device 303, a user's program is executed, and graphics and the like to be displayed on the display device are stored in the display storage device. Reference numeral 305 denotes a keyboard device, and the operator inputs commands to the keyboard or the point device 31 to edit the image (change the magnification, extract the image).

Synthesis, registration, etc.)

FIG. 6 is a temporary diagram showing the correspondence between the display storage device and the screen on the display device. In this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, a case will be described in which the number of pieces of display information to be displayed is A, 82. 401
indicates the address space of the display storage device, and the first display information A is located from address oooo to address 6000, and 700
Address 0402, in which second display information B is stored from address 0 to address 8000, is 7000 in the diagram when the two display information of the display storage device 401 described above are superimposed on the CRT screen.
Display information B from address 8000 is superimposed on display information A from address 0000 to address 6000.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the display control section in detail. The display storage device reads the contents of the address indicated by the display address signal DA coming from the display control unit 502 and places the display data on the display data signal indicated by DD. The display circuit section 503 is for displaying display data sent from the display data signal DD on the CRT 504. A counter 505 stores the current raster position displayed on ca'rso4. For example, when the raster on the CRT 504 is currently being scanned 10 times from the top, this counter has a numerical value of 10. CP is counter 505
CB with a clock pulse to count up
A clock pulse is generated each time the raster 'r504 is scanned once. CLRr/'1 This is a clock pulse signal generated when the raster of the CRT 504 scans the 0th grain, and the counter 505 is cleared to 0 by this signal. The central processing unit 304 is connected to the central processing unit 510 through an internal bus BUS.
．． The address data is stored in the registers indicated by 511 and 512 using software. This data can be determined by keyboard 305 or point device 31. In particular, the device 31 can move the cursor on CItT to set an address.

A register 5101d stores the position on the display screen of the CRT 504 from which two pieces of display information are superimposed. For example, if the 600th wood grain star is to be superimposed on the display screen of the CRT 504, this register 510 will have a value of 600. The overlapping first image portion is not displayed.

The register 511 stores the address (0000) containing the first display information A in the display storage device 301, and the register 512 stores the address (0000) containing the second display information B in the display storage device 301. 7000) is stored.

The comparator 513 compares the current raster position of the counter 505 with the position of the register 510 for superimposition, and outputs an output signal @l'' when the counter 505 becomes large. When , set the output signal FAT from the CLn signal to 11.
'' and outputs an address signal DA to control the multiplexer MPX and display the first display information in the display storage device 501.Furthermore, the flip-flop 514 outputs an address signal DA when the signal of the comparator 513 becomes ll''. A signal "'0" is output to the FST, and MPX is switched to display the second display information in the display storage device 501. counter 516
and 517 are address counters, and counter 516 is CL
Set the contents of register 511 here by the R signal,
Further, the counter 517 sets the contents of the register 512 here when the output of the comparator 513 becomes 0''.
Outputs the addresses of the first and second display information. Signal line AD
UP is a clock pulse and counters 516, 517
It is used to count up and is synchronized with the raster scanning of the CRT 504. Multiplexer MPX51
9 outputs the contents of the counter 516 to the display address signal DA when the FST signal is "1", and outputs the contents of the counter 517 to the display address signal DA when the F8T signal is 11.

That is, the editing image data stored at addresses 0000 to 8000 in the memory 43 and the command data image B for editing work (for example, displaying scaling, etc. in characters) are stored in the address counter 516. 517, it is accessed synchronously with the raster scan and outputted as a data signal DD. In this case, since it starts from raster O, the flip-flop 51
4. Set the address data @0” from the register 511 to the address counter 516 of the first image and specify the 0000 address of the memory 301 via 1MPX. From then on, increment the counter 516 every raster scan and continue accessing the memory 301. .

When the raster scan that outputs the data of the first image reaches the overlapping position, the comparator 513 outputs an output, so the flip-flop 514 is reset, MPX is switched, the output of the il image data is stopped, and the second image is output from the counter 517 K:
Output image data. After completing the rask scan for l frames, the above access from address 0000 of the memory space 401 is repeated. In this case, if the second image from 7000 is to be displayed first, its address data is set in register 511, and register 512 K
The address data of the first image from 0000 can be set. To display only A, register 5
10, data corresponding to address 6000 is set.

Commands for editing operations such as scaling and extraction (cutting) for the second image B and the first image A are displayed in text. When the text is specified with the cursor 601 of the point device 31, Desired editing work is performed using the control unit l. In this case, there is a cursor 600 for specifying the cropping area of the person in the image to be edited and the area to which the cropped image will be moved.
When you specify cropping and scaling operations, a part of image A is cropped, scaled, and displayed in another location. 601 is B
600 is movable in the area of A,
The cursor image is developed on the memory 301.

It is also possible to use one cursor 600°601a. In that case A.

It is possible to move in both areas of B, and the cursor is always displayed even if only A is displayed. A on the memory 301 where this cursor image exists.

Although the partial image B has been erased, when the cursor moves, the original partial images A and H are restored and stored on the memory 301 again. When there is only one cursor, the movement jumps from A to B or from B to A with the overlapping position of A and B on the memory 301 as the boundary.

By the way, if the data in the register 510 is changed continuously for each frame (full-surface rask completion), the overlapping position can be changed sequentially, and image B can be transferred to the CRT while observing.
It can be erased from above.

In this way, from the 0th scanning line of the CRT 504 to the number of contents of the register 510, the first display information of the display storage device 501 (from the address indicated by the register 511)
Otherwise, the second display information (from the address indicated by the register 512) of the display storage device 501 is displayed. Therefore, by setting an arbitrary value in the register 510K, the overlapping position on the display device can be freely changed.

9 Effects According to the present invention, in a display device such as a CRT for editing art, a plurality of pieces of display information are made to correspond to the display screen,
By overlapping the plural pieces of display information at arbitrary positions, the screen can be used effectively, and only the necessary information can be displayed, making it easier to see.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a diagram of a display according to the conventional method, Fig. 2 is a diagram of a display according to the present invention, Fig. 3 is a diagram of a file system to which the present invention can be applied, and Fig. 4.5 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a memory space diagram, FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a total data processing system diagram. In the figure, 20.23 is a FiCRT screen, 21.degree. 22 is display information, 301 is a display storage device, 3o2 is a display control unit, and 303 is a main storage device. Applicant Canon Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] An image processing system for displaying edited images, characterized in that a command display area for editing work is provided, and the command display area is shifted outside the display area as necessary.