JP2000036901A - Image processing unit and control method for the image processing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily create a front cover on a rear front cover on which a picture rich in variation is printed by automatically separating the picture and outputting it and automatically outputting a desired picture at a desired position of a region from which the picture is separated. SOLUTION: Synthesis image data that are expanded at an address designated in a synthesis image memory 218b resulting from front cover image data read when a 1st block signal is generated by a block signal generating section 222, front cover image data read when a 2nd block signal is generated by the block signal generating section 222 and test data entered by an operation panel between the front image data as above based on font data stored in a font memory are sent to a printer section and the printer section outputs the data.

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 an image processing apparatus capable of performing predetermined image processing on input image information by an image processing section and outputting an image to a recording medium conveyed by an output section. In the control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional image processing apparatus reads full-color image information from an image input device, performs image processing, temporarily stores the information in an image memory, reads the full-color image information from the image memory, and outputs the full-color image information to an output device. Output. In the above-mentioned conventional image processing apparatus, two counter load value setting registers of a first image start address and a second image start address are provided in an address controller for storing image data in an image memory; The section signal can be processed so as to generate two valid sections, a first valid section and a second valid section.

[0003] With this, when printing a cover or the like of a book or the like, an image stored in the image memory is separated into a front surface and a back surface (two portions corresponding to the front cover and the back cover of the front cover) and output. There has been proposed an image processing apparatus having a mode for automatically forming an image separation area such as a spine (closed) portion in an output image.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an output result output in a spine formation mode in a conventional image processing apparatus.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1101 denotes a document which is read by a conventional image processing apparatus. Reference numeral 1102 denotes an output result, which is a front cover printed in a spine forming mode in a conventional image processing apparatus based on the read image data of the original 1101, a front cover 1102a corresponding to the front cover, and a back cover corresponding to the back cover. Part 1102
c and a spine portion 1102b corresponding to the spine portion, and the spine portion 1102b is blank.

[0006]

However, in the conventional image processing apparatus as described above, images in a spine (binding) mode or the like are separated and output, and a predetermined image separation area is formed between the images. When an image is printed in the mode, nothing can be printed in an image separation area such as a spine area (spine area 1102b), which results in a blank space. For example, a character string corresponding to a title is given to the spine area. For this purpose, after printing is completed, the user writes a title or the like at a desired position in the image separation area such as the spine 1102b, cuts out another original, and pastes it manually at a desired position on the spine 1102b. There was a problem that it took a lot of trouble.

Also, there is a problem that it is very difficult to always produce the same quality by pasting manually. For example, the titles of "Material 1", "Material 2", and "Material 3" have three parts. When creating a booklet, the position where the title is attached is slightly shifted for each booklet, and the balance becomes poor when three booklets are arranged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to convert a first section signal and a first section signal from an output section signal transmitted from a printer unit according to a recording medium size. 2 is generated, and during the generation of the first section signal, the image data stored in the image memory is converted to the first section signal.
The read operation is started from the address, the image data stored in the image memory is started from the second address during the generation of the second section signal, and the image data read from the image memory during the first section signal is generated. By sequentially outputting to the printer unit synthetic image information generated from desired insertion information stored at a specified position in the memory between the image data read during the generation of the second section signal, the image is output. An image processing device that can automatically output a desired image at a desired position in an area where an image is to be separated, and can easily create a cover or the like on which a variety of images are printed on a spine portion. And a control method of the image processing apparatus.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an image processing section (image processing circuit section 112 shown in FIG. 1) performs predetermined image processing on input image information and outputs the processed image information. In an image processing apparatus (image processing apparatus 1000 shown in FIG. 2) capable of outputting an image to a recording medium conveyed by a section (printer section 17 shown in FIG. 2), first storage means (image processing apparatus) for storing input image information Image memory 209 shown in FIG. 3)
Generating means for generating a first section signal and a second section signal from an output section signal corresponding to the recording medium size transmitted from the output section (section signal generating section 22 shown in FIG. 3)
2) and during the generation of the first section signal generated by the generation means, the image information stored in the first storage means is sequentially read from the first read start position, and the second section signal is generated. The memory control means (the address controller 220 shown in FIG. 3) for executing the control for sequentially reading from the second read start position, and the second storage means (the composite image memory shown in FIG. 3) for storing the inserted insertion information 218
b), first specifying means (operation panel 137 shown in FIG. 1) for specifying the output position of the insertion information stored in the second storage means, and insertion information stored in the second storage means A composite image information generating unit (a composite image signal generating unit 218 shown in FIG. 3) for generating composite image information based on an output position specified by the first specifying unit; Between the image information read during the generation of the first section signal and the image information read during the generation of the second section signal, the composite image information generated by the composite image information generating means is sequentially output from the storage means to the image output. Control means for controlling output to the unit (CPU for controlling output based on a control program stored in ROM 13 shown in FIG. 2)
12).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the input insertion information includes text information, and the synthesized image information generating means outputs the text information and an output position specified by the first specifying means. The composite image signal generation unit 218 shown in FIG. 3 generates the composite image information that can be directly output by the output unit based on the
The printer unit 17 develops the text data input with reference to the output data at the designated output position to generate a composite image signal that can be printed by the printer unit 17).

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the input text information includes an operation unit (operation panel 13 shown in FIG. 1).
7).

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a second designating means (operation panel 137 shown in FIG. 1) for designating format information of the input text information, and the combined image information generating means comprises: Based on the text information, the output position specified by the first specifying means, and the format information specified by the second specifying means, composite image information that can be directly output by the output unit is generated (see FIG. 3). The synthesized image signal generation unit 218 shown in the figure outputs the input text data to the printer unit 17 based on the specified format information.
Generates printable composite image information).

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the format information specified by the second specifying means includes typeface information.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the format information specified by the second specifying means includes character direction information.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus, the image processing unit may include a first predetermined number of pixels in the main scanning direction and a second predetermined number of pixels in the sub-scanning direction. The image information is encoded and compounded for each of the equally divided pixel blocks (the image processing circuit unit 112 shown in FIG. 1 uses the encoder 207 to divide the image information into 4 × 4 pixel block units. And decoders 310a to 310d
To decode the encoded image information).

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the memory control means can control the address of the first storage means in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction (the address controller 220 shown in FIG. The generation unit 523 and the sub-scanning address generation unit 524 can control the addresses in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction.

In a ninth aspect according to the present invention, the input image information and input information include color image information,
The output section is capable of outputting a color image (the printer section 17 shown in FIG. 2 is capable of forming images of C, Y, M, and K colors).
When the input image information is color image information, the memory control unit can control one input address and a plurality of output addresses in the sub-scanning direction of the first storage unit (see FIG. 3). The address controller 220
The Y counter 602 for writing and the Y counter for reading shown in FIG.
The input / output address can be controlled by the counters 603 to 606).

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the output section includes a plurality of image forming sections and the plurality of image forming sections (FIG. 1).
Photosensitive drums 125 to 128 and developing machines 121 to 12
4 and the like (including the registration roller 133, the transfer belt 134, and the fixing unit 135 shown in FIG. 1).

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the input image information and / or insertion information is input from a reading section (image scanner 22 shown in FIG. 2) for optically reading image information from a document. Things.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the input image information and / or insertion information is transmitted from an information processing apparatus (an information processing apparatus 3000 shown in FIG. 2) connected via a predetermined communication medium. It contains input image information.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the image information transferred from the information processing device includes image information that can be directly output by the output unit.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the image information transferred from the information processing apparatus includes image information described in a predetermined page description language, and the image processing unit Generating image information that can be directly output by the output unit based on image information described in a language (CP of the image processing circuit unit 112 shown in FIG. 2)
U12 analyzes image information described in a page description language based on a program stored in a program ROM of the ROM 13 and generates image information that can be output by the printer unit 17).

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a setting means (the operation panel 137 or the information processing device 3000 shown in FIG. 2) for setting a processing mode for executing the composite output control by the control means. is there.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method of an image processing apparatus capable of performing predetermined image processing on input image information and outputting an image to a recording medium conveyed by an output unit. In the method, image information is input, and the input image information is input to a first reading start position and a second reading start position.
A first storage step (steps (3) and (4) in FIG. 11) for individually storing data from the read start position in the first memory and insertion information is input, and the input insertion information is input. A second storage step (step (2) in FIG. 11) for storing the insertion information in the second memory, an instruction step (step (2) in FIG. 11) for specifying an output position of the stored insertion information, An interval signal generating step of generating a first interval signal and a second interval signal from an output interval signal corresponding to the recording medium size transmitted from the output unit (step (5) in FIG. 11); Between the image information sequentially read from the first read start position of the first memory during the signal generation and the image information sequentially read from the second read start position during the second section signal generation, Insertion stored in memory Those having an information and instructions output step of outputting the composite image information generated sequentially to the image output unit on the basis of the output position (step of FIG. 11 (6)).

[0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Outline of Apparatus] FIG. 1 is a sectional view for explaining the arrangement of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation will be described.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1000 denotes an image processing apparatus. Reference numeral 101 denotes a document table glass on which a document 102 to be read is placed. Reference numeral 103 denotes illumination, which irradiates light onto a document 102 placed on a document table glass 101, and reflects light reflected from the document 102 through mirrors 104, 105, and 106 to form an optical system 10
7 forms an image on the CCD 108.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a first mirror unit, which is a mirror 1
04, illumination 103 and the like, and are mechanically driven by a motor 109 at a speed V in the direction of the arrow in the figure. Also,
111 is a second mirror unit, and mirrors 105 and 106
And the like, and the first speed is set to V / 2 by the motor 109.
It is driven in the same direction as the mirror unit 110. Thus, the first and second mirror units 110, 11
1 scans the entire surface of the document 102 (hereinafter, the first and second
The direction in which the second mirror units 110 and 111 are driven is the sub-scanning direction (or the line direction) and the first and second directions.
A direction orthogonal to the driving direction of the mirror units 110 and 111 is defined as a main scanning direction (or a pixel direction).

Reference numeral 112 denotes an image processing circuit, and a CCD 108
The image information of the document 102 read by the above is processed as an electric signal by performing the processing shown in FIG. 3 described later to generate a print signal and output it to the semiconductor lasers 113 to 116.

Reference numerals 113, 114, 115, and 116 denote semiconductor lasers, which are driven based on a print signal output from the image processing circuit unit 112, and emit laser light emitted by the respective semiconductor lasers.
The photosensitive drum 12 is swung in the main scanning direction by 118, 119, and 120 and charged by a charger (not shown).
A latent image is formed on 5,126,127,128.

Reference numerals 121, 122, 123, and 124 denote developing units, which are photosensitive drums 1 using black (Bk), yellow (Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M) toners, respectively.
The latent images formed on 25, 126, 127 and 128 are developed.

Reference numeral 134 denotes a transfer belt, and the paper cassette 12
9, 130, 131 and the manual feed tray 132, the sheet is conveyed by sucking the sheet conveyed through the registration roller 133. The latent image developed on the photosensitive drums 125 to 128 is transferred to the sheet transferred by the transfer belt 134 in synchronization with the photosensitive drums 125 to 128. The paper on which the toner of each color has been transferred from the photosensitive drums 125 to 128 is separated from the transfer belt 134 and is conveyed.
The toner is fixed on the paper by the fixing device 135 and is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 136.

A latent image is formed on the photosensitive drums 125 to 128 in advance in synchronization with the conveyance of the paper, and the toner of each color is developed and the toner is transferred onto the paper.

Reference numeral 137 denotes an operation panel on which various keys such as a touch panel (not shown) and numeric keys are arranged, and various setting inputs such as a spine cover mode designation including a spine title position (alignment) designation for the image processing apparatus. Can be. The operation panel 137 is provided with a keyboard (not shown) so that characters can be input. The characters that can be input are various characters such as alphabets, hiragana, katakana, kanji, and numbers.

The keyboard may be displayed on a touch panel display (not shown) of the operation panel 137 so that the various characters can be input from the displayed keyboard.

In this embodiment, the operation panel 1
37, the width of the spine can be specified. Further, the width of the spine may be determined based on the number of copies (the number of sheets sandwiched between the covers) specified from the operation panel 137.

Further, from the operation panel 137, the print position of the title to be printed on the spine is specified.
Positions such as right-justified, left-justified, and centering can be specified. Note that the top margin, bottom margin, left margin,
It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to other position specifying methods such as arbitrarily specifying the right margin and the like.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a control configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with the image processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium.

In the figure, 3000 is an information processing device.
A CPU 1 capable of communicating data with the image processing apparatus 1000 based on a driver stored in a program ROM of the ROM 3 is provided. The CPU 1 controls each device connected to the system bus 4 as a whole.

The program ROM of the ROM 3
Stores a control program of the CPU 1 and the like.
The font ROM stores font data and the like.
The OM3 data ROM stores various data. Reference numeral 2 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 1.

5 is a keyboard controller (KBC)
Controls the key input from the keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown). 6 is a CRT controller (C
RTC) controls the display on a CRT display (CRT) 10. Reference numeral 7 denotes a memory controller (MC), which is a hard disk (HD) for storing font data, user files, edited files, and the like, and a floppy disk (F).
D) controls access to the external memory 11.

8 is a printer controller (PRTC)
And a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface) 2
3 and is connected to the image processing apparatus 1000 to execute communication control processing with the image processing apparatus 1000.

The CPU 1 executes a process of developing an outline font into a display information RAM set on the RAM 2, for example, to enable WYSIWYG on the CRT 10.

The CPU 1 opens various registered windows based on commands specified by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on the CRT 10, and executes various data processing.

In the image processing apparatus 1000, 12 is C
The PU comprehensively controls access to various devices connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program or the like stored in the program ROM of the ROM 13 or a control program or the like stored in the external memory 14. Image data from the image scanner 22 connected via the I / F unit 21 is input, and the printer unit I / F
It outputs an image signal as output information to a printer unit 17 connected via an (interface) 16. Further, a control program of the CPU 12 and the like are stored in the program ROM of the ROM 13.

The font ROM of the ROM 13 stores font data and the like used when generating the output information. The data ROM of the ROM 13 is used for an image processing apparatus having no external memory 14 such as a hard disk. Stores information used on the information processing apparatus 3000 and the like. The CPU 12 is capable of performing communication processing with the information processing device 3000 via the input unit 18 and configured to be able to notify the information processing device 3000 of information and the like in a program.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 12, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). Note that RA
M19 is an output information development area, environment data storage area, N
Used for VRAM and the like. Hard disk, I
An external memory 14 such as a D card is a memory controller (M
C) Access is controlled by 20.

The printer unit 17 includes the semiconductor lasers 113 to 116 and the polygon mirrors 117 to 12 shown in FIG.
0, developing units 121 to 124, photosensitive drums 125 to 12
8, paper cassettes 129 to 131, manual feed tray 13
2, a registration roller 133, a transfer belt 134, a fixing device 135, a paper output tray 136, and the like. The image scanner 22 includes the original table 101 and the optical system 10 shown in FIG.
7, a CCD 108, a motor 109, first and second mirror units 110 and 111, and the like.

The image processing circuit unit 112 includes the CPU 12, ROM 13, system bus 15,
It has not only a printer I / F 16, an input unit 18, a RAM 19, and a scanner I / F 21, but also a configuration shown in FIG.

[Configuration of Image Processing Circuit Unit] FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the image processing circuit unit 112 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation will be described.

In the figure, the CCD 108 is composed of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) CCD sensors, and the RGB three-color analog signals output from each CCD sensor are A / D & S / H. The A / D & S / H unit 201 sends the signal to an analog amplifier and converts the signal into a digital signal by an A / D converter (analog-digital converter).
02 is output. At this time, the R and G signals are each delayed by the delay memory, and the spatial displacement of the three CCD sensors is corrected and output.

The output signal from the A / D & S / H unit 201 is subjected to shading correction (correction of variations in the sensor (CCD 108) for reading a document and light distribution characteristics of a document illumination lamp (illumination 103)) by a shading correction unit 202. Received, and then input masking unit 203 sets NT
SC (National Television Sy)
The signals are converted into RGB signals of a system committee (national television system committee). Reference numeral 204 denotes a first scaling unit, which scales the image signal in the main scanning direction, particularly at the time of enlargement. The magnification in the sub-scanning direction is varied by controlling the driving speed of the mirror unit.

The image signal that has passed through the first scaling unit 204 is
The LOG conversion unit (luminance / density conversion unit) 205
The signal is converted to a CMY (cyan, magenta, yellow) signal. Reference numeral 206 denotes a color space converter for converting the CMY signal into a lightness signal L and chromaticity signals a and b. Here, the L, a, b signals are signals representing the chromaticity components of the L, a, b space specified as an international standard by the CIE (International Commission on Illumination), and the L, a, b signals are shown below. It is calculated by equation (1).

[0053]

(Equation 1) Where αij (i, j = 1, 2, 3), X0, Y0,
Z0 is a constant. Here, X, Y, and Z are signals generated by the R, G, and B signals, and are calculated by the following equation (2). Here, βij (i, j = 1, 2, 3) is a constant.

[0054]

(Equation 2) An encoder 207 encodes an L signal as brightness information in units of 4 × 4 pixel blocks, and outputs the code L_code. Also, a and b signals of chromaticity information are encoded in units of 4 × 4 pixel blocks, and the code ab_code is output.

On the other hand, reference numeral 208 denotes a feature extraction circuit (black pixel character area detection) which determines whether or not the pixel is a black signal, and is constituted by a black pixel detection circuit (not shown), a character area detection circuit, and the like. And the black pixel detection circuit
It is determined whether or not the inside of the × 4 pixel block is a black pixel area. If the pixel is a character area by the character area detection circuit, the black determination signal becomes “1”; Is output.

Reference numeral 209 denotes an image memory, which is an L_code signal which is a code of brightness information input from the encoder 207,
An ab_code signal which is a code of chromaticity information and a black determination signal K_code signal which is a result of feature extraction input from the feature extraction circuit 208 are stored. Image memory 209
The writing (reading) and reading of the data are controlled by the address controller 220 and the data controller 221. Reference numeral 250 denotes an image memory unit.
9, an address controller 220 and a data controller 221.

210a, 210b, 210c, 210d
Is a decoder, L_ read from the image memory 209.
The brightness information L signal is decoded by the code signal, and ab_
The chromaticity information a signal and the b signal are decoded by the code. Reference numerals 211a, 211b, 211c, and 211d denote color space converters which convert the L, a, and b signals decoded by the decoders 210a to 210d into magenta (M), cyan (C), and yellow (Y), which are toner developing colors. ), Black (B
k) means for converting each component.

212a, 212b, 212c, 212d
Is a masking UCR unit. Masking UCR part 21
In the UCR section in 2a to 212d, B
Based on the equation of k = min (M, C, Y), the black signal Bk
(K) is generated. Further, the masking UCR unit 212
In the masking sections a to 212d, when the black determination signal is “0”, that is, when the pixel is not a black signal, C,
A predetermined coefficient a1, a2, a3, is added to each signal of M, Y, Bk.
a4 is multiplied to perform a sum-product operation of the following equation (3).

[0059]

(Equation 3) When the black determination signal is “1”, that is, when the pixel is a black signal, the C, M, Y, and Bk signals are multiplied by different predetermined coefficients b1, b2, b3, and b4, and the following equation ( The sum-product operation of 4) is performed.

[0060]

(Equation 4) Reference numerals 213a, 213b, 213c, and 213d denote filter processing determination units which determine ON / OFF of filtering processing of the image block based on the encoded image code, and send a determination signal to the filter processing units 214a to 214d. Reference numerals 214a, 214b, 214c, and 214d denote filter processing units which selectively perform spatial filtering on the decoded L, a, and b signals based on the determination results of the filter processing determination units 213a to 213d. This is a means for correcting.

Reference numeral 215 denotes a second scaling unit which scales the image signal in the main scanning direction, especially at the time of reduction. The magnification in the sub-scanning direction is varied by controlling the driving speed of the mirror unit. Note that the first scaling unit 204 and the second scaling unit 215 may use the same circuit. In that case, a tri-state gate circuit is used to
Of the CPU 12 controls the output gate in the variable power mode. 216 is a gamma correction unit (γ correction unit,
A density correction unit) corrects the densities of the C, M, Y, and Bk data based on the characteristics of the output device (printer unit 17).

Then, C,
The M, Y, and Bk data are subjected to a smoothing filter or an edge enhancement filter, and output to the printer unit 17 as output image data.

Reference numeral 218 denotes a composite image signal generation unit which includes a font memory 218a in which font data is stored and a composite image memory 218b.
7 generates printable composite image data corresponding to the character string input by the
18b, and outputs the combined image signal to the printer unit 17 via the selector 219 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 12.

It should be noted that the synthesized image signal is transmitted by the operator in FIG.
When an arbitrary character string used for the title of the spine is input on the operation panel 137 shown in FIG. 7, the information on the font memory 218 a in the composite image signal generation unit 218 is changed according to an instruction from the CPU 12 of the image processing circuit unit 112. It is created by loading a composite image stored in the composite image signal generation unit 218 at a position designated by the operation panel 137 (composite image position designation means) on the composite image memory 218b for storing the composite image.

Reference numeral 219 denotes a selector.
And the output of the composite image signal generation unit 218 are selectively output to the semiconductor lasers 113 to 116 of the printer unit 17.

Reference numeral 222 denotes a section signal generation unit which generates a WLE signal and an RLE signal as a main scanning section signal and a WPE signal as a sub-scanning section signal, and generates a sub-scanning section signal sent from the printer unit 17. An MPE signal, a CPE signal, a YPE signal, and a KPE signal are processed into MPE1, CPE1, YPE1, and KPE1 signals, which are read section signals of the image memory 209 (data output section signals from the image memory 209). It is output to a processing unit and the like. The output of each image processing unit shown in FIG. 3 is controlled by these section signals. The selector 219 is also controlled by the section signal.

[Apparatus Timing Chart] FIG. 4 is a timing chart for explaining control signals in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

In the figure, a START signal is a signal indicating the start of an original reading operation in the present embodiment. W
The period from the rise to the fall of the PE signal indicates a section in which the image scanner 22 reads a document, performs encoding processing by the image processing circuit unit 112, and writes (memory write) to the image memory 209.

The ITOP signal is a signal indicating the start of a printing operation. The MPE signal is a section signal for driving the semiconductor laser 116 (magenta) shown in FIG.
The E signal corresponds to the semiconductor laser 115 (cyan) shown in FIG.
The YPE signal is a section signal for driving the semiconductor laser 114 (yellow) shown in FIG. 1, and the KPE signal is a section signal for driving the semiconductor laser 113 shown in FIG.
(Black).

As shown in the figure, the CPE signal, the YPE signal, and the KPE signal are different from the MPE signal at t1, t, respectively.
2, t3. These delay times t1 to t
Reference numeral 3 denotes the photosensitive drum 128 and the photosensitive drum 12 shown in FIG.
For distances d1, d2 and d3 to 7, 126 and 125,
t1 = d1 / v, t2 = d2 / v, t3 = d3 / v (v
Is controlled so as to have a relationship of (paper feed speed).

The HSYNC signal is a main scanning synchronization signal. The CLK signal is a pixel synchronization signal. The WLE signal and the RLE signal, which are main scanning section signals (not shown), are section signals each representing an effective image section in which an image signal is input from the image scanner 22 in a 1HSYNC signal section. The YPHS signal is a count value of a 2-bit sub-scanning counter. The XPHS signal is a count value of a 2-bit main scanning counter. Note that the YPHS signal, XP
The HS signal is generated by a circuit shown in FIG.

The BLK signal is a signal indicating the start of an image block. The BDATA signal is pixel block data.

FIG. 5 shows the YPHS signal and XP shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main scanning counter and a sub-scanning counter that generate an HS signal.

In the figure, reference numeral 402 denotes a 2-bit counter. The START signal is supplied to the CLR terminal of the 2-bit counter 402 via the inverter 401, and the HSYNC signal is supplied to the 2-bit counter 402.
The signal is input to the CLK terminal of the bit counter 402, and the YPHS signal is output from the Q terminal of the 2-bit counter 402. Reference numeral 403 denotes a 2-bit counter, which outputs an HSYNC signal of 2 bits.
The CLK signal is applied to the CLR terminal of the bit counter 403.
The signal is input to the CLK terminal of the bit counter 403, and an XPHS signal is output from the Q terminal of the 2-bit counter 403. The YP output from the counters 402 and 403
The H signal and the XPH signal allow the image processing circuit unit 112 shown in FIG. 2 to process the input image in units of 4 × 4 pixel blocks.

[Structure of Image Memory Unit] Hereinafter, FIGS.
The address controller 220 of the image memory unit 250 shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the internal configuration of address controller 220 shown in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the sub-scanning address generation unit 524 illustrated in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the counters 602 to 606 illustrated in FIG. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the address controller 220 will be described.

In FIG. 6, reference numerals 500 to 511 denote buffers to which various signals are inputted as described later. 512-5
16, 521 are flip-flop circuits (F / F), 51
7 is an inverter, 522 is an AND gate, 518 is AD
DEC.

Reference numeral 523 denotes a main scanning address generator (XCOU)
NTER) and 524 are sub-scanning address generators (YCOU)
NTER) and 525 are address select units (ADR_S).
EL), 526 is a memory control signal generator (RCCON)
It is. 527 and 528 are delay lines, and 52
9 to 536 are output buffers.

As described above, the address controller 220 is roughly divided into a main scanning address generator 523, a sub-scanning address generator 524, an address selector 525, and a memory control signal generator 526.

The image memory 209 used in this embodiment is a DRAM. DRAM access is RO
Two addresses, a W address and a COLUMN address, and respective strobe signals (RAS signal, CAS signal (generated by RCCON 526)), and enable signal (WE signal (generated by RCCON 526))
Is controlled by

The image processing apparatus according to this embodiment has a resolution of 400 dpi and a maximum of 297 m in the main scanning direction.
m, an image having a maximum length of 432 mm in the sub-scanning direction
9 can be stored. Therefore, the main scanning address generator 523 and the sub scanning address generator 52
Each of them has a 13-bit address counter so that it can access a memory space of that size.

It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied even if the amount of data that can be stored in the image memory 209 is other than the above.

The section 507 generates the buffer 507
The WLE signal and the RLE signal, which are main scanning section signals (abbreviated as LE in FIG. 6) input through the F / F 513,
And the main scanning address generator 52
3 is input. Similarly, WPE signal, MPE signal, CPE signal, YPE signal, and K, which are sub-scanning section signals (abbreviated as PE in FIG. 6) input from the buffer 506, are also input.
Each signal of the PE signal is delayed by 1 CLK by the F / F 512 and input to the sub-scanning address generator 524. When these section signals are “H”, it indicates that the section is an effective image section.

Reference numeral 518 denotes an ADDEC, which is an image processing circuit unit 1
From the 12 CPUs 12 to the buffers 500, 501, 50
2,503,504,505, the ADR signal, D
ATA signal, XCS signal, RD signal, WR signal, RST
Each of the registers WR0-WR7F
Write / read to

The main scanning address generator 523 includes, in addition to the section signal, an XPHS signal indicating a main scanning phase, a WR0 signal, a WR4 signal, and a WR6 signal for setting various counters.
A signal, a WRA signal, and a WRC signal are input. The main scanning address generator 523 outputs a main scanning write address to the DRAM (image memory 209) and a main scanning read address from the DRAM.

As shown in FIG. 7, the sub-scanning address generator 524 includes a write (W) and a read (M, C, Y, B).
k) (Y counter (W) 602, Y counter (R2) 603, Y counter (R0) 604, Y
Counter (R3) 605, Y counter (R1) 606)
And so on.

Reference numerals 600 and 601 denote CENB_SELs (selectors) which control enable of each of the counters 602 to 606 in accordance with values set in two registers WRY12 and WRY26. These five counters 602-6
06 has a configuration as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 8, a PE signal is a sub-scanning section signal input to each counter unit, and is delayed by 6 CLK by an F / F (flip-flop circuit) 700 to generate an F / F signal.
It is input to the CK terminal of F703 and the D terminal of F / F704. The output from the F / F 700 is "L" for the F / F 703.
When the state changes from “H” to “H”, the inversion of the internal state is input.

The CR terminal of the F / F 703 has a port signal PRE from the CPU 12 of the image processing circuit unit 112.
The SET signal is input, and the CPU can arbitrarily preset. The output signal of the F / F 703 is input to the select signal of the 2TO1 selector 705. The register WR0 is set to the A input of the 2TO1 selector 705, and the register WR1 is set to the B input, and is input to the load value WR of the 13-bit counter (UDCT) 707. In a normal copy operation, WR0, 1
Are set to the same value, but when operating in a spine mode described later, different values are set to WR0 and WR1, respectively.

The inverted output of the F / F 704 and the F / F 700
Through the NAND gate 706 and input to the LD signal of the 13-bit counter 707. With this circuit, the counter 707 is loaded at the moment when the section signal PE is enabled.

Also, the ENB signal of the counter 707 includes
The HS signal generated from the main scanning synchronization signal is supplied to the inverter 7
A signal obtained by ORing the signal inverted at 02 and the EN signal at the OR gate 708 is input. The counter 707 performs a count operation for the number of times according to the EN signal in one main scanning section synchronized with HS.

WR3 is an up / down switching of the counter 707. When the counter 707 is "L", the counter is incremented.
When "H", it goes down.

The five counters 602 and 60 shown in FIG.
3, 604, 605, and 606, the output of each Y counter is YAW0, YAR1, YAR2, YAR3, Y
AR4, which is input to ADR_SEL 525 shown in FIG.

Then, the ADR_SEL 52 shown in FIG.
5, five Ys in accordance with the main scanning and sub-scanning phases.
The switching control of the counter is performed, and four address signals A
0 through A3 via output buffers 529 through 532,
Output to the outside.

On the other hand, RCCON 526 shown in FIG.
In the present embodiment, the WE signal which is an enable signal necessary for accessing the DRAM and the RAS signal which is a strobe signal are used.
Signal and the CAS signal, and the data controller 22
A DIR signal for controlling the 1/0 port is generated.

The RAS signal, CAS signal, and WE signal generated by RCCON 526 are supplied to delay line 527,
The data is output to the image memory 209 shown in FIG. 3 via the output buffer 528 and the output buffers 533 to 535. The timing of the delay lines 527 and 528 is adjusted according to the characteristics of the memory to be controlled so that data can be accessed well. Further, the DIR signal is output to the data controller 221 shown in FIG.

Image data is exchanged between the data controller 221 and the image memory 209 according to the address and the memory control signal output from the address controller 220. After the data controller 221 switches between data write (write) and data read, and controls the order of data access when performing editing processing such as padding of image data necessary for decoding and image rotation. Are output to the decoding unit 210.

[Signal Generated by Section Signal Generation Unit] FIG.
6 is a timing chart for explaining a read section signal generated by the section signal generation section 222 shown in FIG.

In the figure, MPE signal, CPE signal, Y
The PE signal and the KPE signal are sub-scanning interval signals sent from the printer unit 17, and are "H" for the length of the paper size (Tl).

The MPE1, CPE1, YPE1, and KPE1 signals are read section signals output from the section signal generation section 222. In the normal mode, MPE1
The signal, CPE1 signal, YPE1 signal, and KPE1 signal are delayed by the internal delay Td, rise to "H", and maintain the state of "H" for the document size length Tl.

On the other hand, in the spine cover mode, unlike the normal mode, the length once falls to "L" after the length "H" for the front cover print section Ta continues. After maintaining the state of the predetermined section “L”, the state becomes “H” again. Then, the length “H” for the back cover printing section Tb is output and becomes “L”.

Accordingly, when the CPU 12 of the image processing circuit unit 112 presets the F / F 703 and starts image output in the same manner as when reading an original, a sub-scanning section (front cover printing section Ta) corresponding to the front cover is indicated. At the first rise of “H”, WR0 is loaded, and at the time of the first fall of “L”, the composite image signal generation unit 218 starts outputting the composite image signal, and at the same time, the selector 219 sets the composite image signal generation unit 218. Is switched so that the synthesized image signal from the printer unit 17 can be transmitted to the printer unit 17. The selector 219 is set in the same manner as the second rising of “H” indicating the sub-scanning section (back cover printing section Tb) corresponding to the back cover.
Is switched, and WR1 is loaded in this section.

That is, when the image output is started after the F / F 703 is preset by the CPU 12 of the image processing circuit unit 112 in the same manner as when reading the original image, the sub-scanning section signal corresponding to the front cover (the front cover shown in FIG. 9) Printing section Ta)
At the first rise of “H” indicating “1”, “1” shown in FIG.
An address value set in the register WR0 is loaded into the 3-bit counter 707, and the loaded address value is used as an image data read start address in the image memory 20.
Of image data stored in the printer 9 and the printer unit 1
7 and continue until it falls to "L".

Next, when the first "L" falls,
The composite image signal generation unit 218 starts outputting the composite image signal, and at the same time, the selector 219 switches so that the composite image signal from the composite image signal generation unit 218 can be transmitted to the printer unit 17.

At the same time as the second "H" rise indicating the sub-scanning section corresponding to the back cover section (back cover printing section Tb shown in FIG. 9), the selector 219 outputs the image data from the image memory 209 to the printer. It is switched so that it can be transmitted to the unit 17 and the 13-bit counter 7 shown in FIG.
07, the address value set in the register WR1 is loaded, and the read address of the image data stored in the image memory 209 and the output to the printer unit 17 are started using the loaded address value as the image data read start address. Until it falls.

[Output Result] The output result in the spine mode of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of an output result by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The output result shown in FIG. 10 is a character printed on the spine from the operation panel 137 shown in FIG. "TITLE" is entered as a column,
The title print position corresponds to the case where “centering” is designated. The same components as those in FIG. 12 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 901 denotes an output result. 9
01a is a front cover, 901b is a spine, and 901c is a back cover. As shown in the figure, a character string “TITL” input from the operation panel 137 is displayed on the spine 901 b.
"E" is printed in the center of the spine, which is the designated position.

As described above, the user inputs a character string such as a title to be printed on the spine portion from the operation panel 137 and designates the print position, whereby the character string is printed at a desired position on the spine portion. Cover can be obtained.

[Operation in the spine mode] The operation in the spine mode according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.
This corresponds to the control processing procedure by the CPU 12 of the image processing circuit unit 112 shown in FIG. Note that (1) to (7) indicate each step.

First, it is determined whether or not the operator has selected the spine mode including the position (alignment) designation of the spine title using the operation panel 137 or the like (1). If it is determined, normal copying is performed (7), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (1) that the spine mode has been selected, the operator is requested to specify the original size and the recording paper size to be output, and the text data to be printed on the spine section is requested. Of the title to be printed on the back cover, and the image memory 209 of the document to be printed on the front cover and the back cover.
The write address start value for the write address counter 6 in the address controller 220
02 are set in registers WR0 and WR1 (2). In the case of the front cover part, since the image is stored from the head address of the image memory 209, the write start address is 0 and W
“0000h” is set in R0.

That is, in the case of the spine mode, the bank is switched by dividing the image memory 209 into two parts. In the present embodiment, input / output of image data to / from the image memory 209 is 4 ×
Since it is performed in units of four pixels, the address start value of the back cover part is 216 m, which is １ ／ of 432 mm in the sub-scanning direction.
m, that is, a value of １ ／ of the number of pixels corresponding to “297 mm × 216 mm”, and the value is set. Similarly, read address counters 603, 604, 605,
The same value as WR0, 1 of the write address counter is set in the registers WR0, WR1 of 606.

When the setting of the write address is completed, the front side of the original is read in step (3). Before reading, the address controller 220 is supplied from the CPU 12 of the image processing circuit 112 to the F / F 70 in the controller.
3 is sent an “L” level signal and the F / F 703
Preset. As a result, the output of the F / F 703 becomes “L”, and at the moment when the write sub-scanning section signal WPE becomes “H”, the address counter 707 indicates that WR
A value of 0 is loaded, and the data of the document to be printed on the front cover is written to the memory from address 0.

Next, in step (4), the data of the original to be printed on the back cover is read. When the writing sub-scanning section signal for reading the original becomes “H”, this time F
The output of / F 703 is inverted to "H", and the value of WR1 is loaded into the 13-bit counter 707. In this way, the back side document is written from an address of １ ／ of the number of pixels corresponding to 297 mm × 216 mm.

When the reading of the original is completed, a read section signal for controlling the output (reading) of the image data stored in the image memory 209 to the printer unit 17 for outputting to the printer unit 17 in step (5). Certain MPE1, CPE1, YPE1, KPE1
The signal is set. The sub-scanning section signal of each color shown in FIG. 9 sent from the printer unit 17 is a signal that becomes “H” by the length of the paper size. Section signal generator 22
2, the input sub-scanning section signal is shaped into a front lead section signal (front cover printing section Ta) and a rear lead section signal (back cover printing section Tb) shown in FIG. 9 and shown in FIG. Output to each image processing unit.

Next, in step (6), the image memory 2 is stored in the printer unit 17 based on each of the read section signals.
The composite image signal generated based on the image data stored in the image data 09 and the input character data is transmitted to the printer unit 17, output by the printer unit 17, and the process ends.

That is, in step (6), the CPU 12 of the image processing circuit unit 112 sets F
When the image output is started after presetting / F703, WR0 is loaded at the first rise of "H" indicating the sub-scanning section of the front surface, and the loaded address value is used as the image data read start address as the image memory 2.
The readout of the image data stored in 09 and the output to the printer unit 17 are started, and are continued until it falls to “L”. At the time of the first “L” fall, the composite image signal generation unit 218 starts outputting the composite image signal to the printer unit 17, and at the same time, the selector 219 switches.

Then, the selector 2 is set in the same manner as the second rising of "H" indicating the back cover section printing section Tb shown in FIG.
19 switches, WR1 is loaded in this section,
The reading of the image data stored in the image memory 209 and the output to the printer unit 17 are started with the loaded address value as the image data reading start address,
Continue until it falls to "L".

By performing the above control, the image data stored in the image memory is separated and output to the front cover and the back cover, and the character data automatically input to the output image is printed. It is possible to form a spine (closed) portion that has been cut.

In this embodiment, a composite image signal indicating a title or the like to be printed on a spine is created from an arbitrary character string input from the operation panel 137 shown in FIG. The creation method is not limited to this.

An image stored in a reading memory (not shown) in advance may be output to a title section (spine) according to a specified alignment. It is also possible to output the date and time at the time of output to the title portion.

The information processing apparatus 30 capable of communicating via the operation panel 137 shown in FIG. 1 or a predetermined communication medium.
From 00, the spine cover mode can be set.

In the above embodiment, an image processing apparatus capable of color printing has been described as an example. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to an image processing apparatus that performs monochrome printing.

Also, a case has been described where the image scanner 22 inputs image information by optically reading from a document. However, the information processing apparatus 3000 capable of communicating via a predetermined communication medium prints the image information on the front and back covers. May be configured to be input.

Thus, the user can print the image information created or stored in the information processing apparatus on the front cover, the back cover, and / or the back cover.

At this time, the information processing device 30 shown in FIG.
The image information sent from 00 may be image data that can be directly printed by the printer unit 17 shown in FIG. 2 or PDL data (page description language data) that can be analyzed and expanded by the image processing circuit unit 112. FIG. 3 shows image data obtained by analyzing and developing the image data to be printed on the front cover and the back cover transmitted from the information processing device 3000 and the PDL data transmitted from the information processing device 3000 by the CPU 12 of the image processing circuit unit 112. It is stored in the image memory 209 shown.

The case where text data to be printed on the spine and the print position thereof are input from the operation panel 137 has been described, but the information processing apparatus 30 shown in FIG.
00, text data to be printed on the spine and its print position are input, and the text data from the information processing apparatus 3000 and its print position are stored in the composite image memory 218.
b may be stored.

The image data that can be printed by the printer unit that prints on the spine is displayed in the information processing apparatus 300 shown in FIG.
You may comprise so that it may input from 0. At this time, the input image data is stored in the synthesis memory unit 218b, and the synthesis image signal generation unit 218 sends the image data stored in the synthesis image memory 218b to the printer unit 17 at the timing described above.

Further, the input of information to be inserted into the spine is
The information may be text information or image information.

Thus, when forming an image in the spine mode, spine image data can be automatically generated based on the input insertion information and the designated print position, and a variety of images are printed on the spine portion. Cover can be formed.

Further, the format information for printing the input text information on the spine portion may be input from the operation panel 137. The format information of the text information includes typeface information such as Mincho and Gothic, character direction information such as vertical writing and horizontal writing, and information such as character size. Note that the character size may be automatically determined according to the spine width.

The text information to be input may be a plurality of lines. At this time, a print position and a character size may be designated for each line with respect to the input text information. The print position specified from the operation panel 137 can be specified to be upward, downward, leftward, rightward, or the like, and can also be specified in combination.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the case where the image is separated into two and output, and the insertion information is output in the area where the image is separated has been described. You may comprise so that insertion image information may be output to a separation area.

Accordingly, the address controller for reading and writing image data in the image memory has two address load values, ie, the first image output start address and the second image output start address, and operates in the main scan or sub scan section. The signal is generated as two section signals, a first section signal and a second section signal. In the first section, the image stored in the image memory is output from the first image output start address,
When the section ends, once the reading of the image from the image memory is interrupted, the image output from the composite image data generating means is started. At that time, the composite image data is output to a position (right justified, centering, left justified, etc.) designated by the composite image output position designation means. Then, when the second section becomes valid, the image output is restarted from the second image output start address again, and as shown in FIG. )
An image processing apparatus having a mode of forming a unit can be provided.

As described above, the address controller for storing image data in the image memory is provided with two counter load value setting registers for the image start address of the front cover and the image start address of the back cover, Is processed into two effective sections, a front section and a back section, so that the image stored in the image memory is automatically separated into the front and back sides and output. Is output, it is possible to form a title image at a desired position on the spine portion without bothering the operator.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or the apparatus, the system or the apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. .

Further, by downloading and reading out a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a database on a network by a communication program, the system or apparatus can be
It is possible to enjoy the effects of the present invention.

[0145]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, in an image processing apparatus capable of performing predetermined image processing on an input image information and outputting an image to a recording medium conveyed by an output unit, the input image information is stored. A first storage unit for generating a first interval signal and a second interval signal from an output interval signal corresponding to a recording medium size transmitted from the output unit; During the generation of the first section signal, the image information stored in the first storage unit is sequentially read from the first reading start position, and during the second section signal, the image information is sequentially read from the second reading start position. A memory control unit that executes control, a second storage unit that stores input insertion information, a first specification unit that specifies an output position of the insertion information stored in the second storage unit, Second A composite image information generating unit for generating composite image information based on the insertion information stored in the storage unit and the output position specified by the first specifying unit; Controlling the output of the combined image information generated by the combined image information generating means to the image output section between the image information read during the generation of the first section signal and the image information read during the generation of the second section signal And a control unit for automatically separating and outputting an image, and automatically outputting a desired image to a desired position in a region where the image is separated.

According to the second aspect, the input insertion information includes text information, and the composite image information generating means determines the insertion information based on the text information and the output position specified by the first specifying means. Since the synthesized image information that can be directly output by the output unit is generated, a character string can be automatically output to a desired position in an area where an image is separated.

According to the third aspect, the input text information is input from the operation unit. Therefore, a simple operation of inputting text from the operation unit allows a simple operation of inputting text to a desired position in an area for separating images. Columns can be output automatically.

According to the fourth aspect, there is provided a second specifying means for specifying format information of the input text information,
The composite image information generating unit is configured to directly output the composite image by the output unit based on the text information, the output position specified by the first specifying unit, and the format information specified by the second specifying unit. Since information is generated, a character string can be automatically output in a desired format at a desired position in an area where an image is separated.

According to the fifth aspect, since the format information specified by the second specifying means includes typeface information, a character string is automatically set at a desired position in an area where an image is separated in a desired typeface. Can be output to

According to the sixth aspect, since the format information specified by the second specifying means includes the character direction information, a character string is written in a desired position in a region where an image is separated in a desired character direction. Can be output automatically.

According to the seventh aspect, the image processing section comprises:
The input image information is divided into pixel blocks of a first predetermined number of pixels in the main scanning direction and a second predetermined number of pixels in the sub-scanning direction, and the image information is encoded for each of the equally divided pixel blocks. Since decoding and decoding are performed, input image information can be divided and encoded and decoded by each pixel block.

According to the eighth aspect, the memory control means can control the address of the first storage means in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. it can.

According to the ninth aspect, the input image information and insertion information include color image information, the output unit is capable of outputting a color image, and the memory control unit is configured to output the color image information. When the information is color image information, one input address control and a plurality of output address controls in the sub-scanning direction of the first storage means can be performed, so that the image data stored in the image memory can be stored in a plurality of different output addresses. The data can be individually read out and transmitted to the printer unit.

According to the tenth aspect, the output unit is provided with a plurality of image forming units and a transport unit for sequentially transporting a recording medium to the plurality of image forming units. A plurality of images can be sequentially superimposed and formed.

According to the eleventh aspect, the input image information and / or insertion information is input from a reading unit that optically reads image information from a document. The document image can be automatically output to the position.

According to the twelfth to fourteenth aspects, the input image information and / or insertion information includes image information input from an information processing device connected via a predetermined communication medium. Therefore, it is possible to automatically output the image input from the host at a desired position in the area where the image input from the host is separated.

According to the fifteenth aspect, since the setting means for setting the processing mode for executing the composite output control by the control means is provided, the user can set the spine mode from the operation panel.

According to the sixteenth aspect, in the control method of the image processing apparatus capable of performing predetermined image processing on the input image information by the image processing unit and outputting the image to the recording medium conveyed by the output unit. A first storing step of inputting image information and storing the input image information in a first memory so as to be individually readable from a first read start position and a second read start position; And a second storage step of storing the input insertion information in a second memory, an instruction step of specifying an output position of the stored insertion information, and a recording medium transmitted from the output unit. An interval signal generating step of generating a first interval signal and a second interval signal from the output interval signal corresponding to the size, and from the first reading start position of the first memory during the generation of the first interval signal. Sequentially Between the read out image information and the image information sequentially read from the second read start position during the generation of the second section signal, based on the insertion information stored in the second memory and the designated output position. And an output step of sequentially outputting the generated composite image information to the image output unit, so that the image is automatically separated and output, and the desired image is automatically output to a desired position in the area where the image is separated. can do.

Accordingly, an image can be automatically separated and output, and a desired image can be automatically output at a desired position in a region where the image is separated. There are effects such as easy creation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a control configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with the image processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing on image information performed by the image processing circuit unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a timing chart illustrating control signals in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit that generates a YPHS signal and an XPHS signal shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the address controller shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a sub-scanning address generator shown in FIG.

8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a counter illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart illustrating a section signal generated by a section signal generation unit illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating an example of an output result by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an output result output in a spine formation mode in a conventional image processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 209 Image memory 218 Synthetic image signal generator 218b Synthetic image memory 220 Address controller 221 Data controller 250 Image memory

Claims (16)

[Claims] An image processing apparatus capable of performing predetermined image processing on an input image information by an image processing unit and outputting the image to a recording medium conveyed by an output unit, wherein the input image information is stored. A first storage unit, a generation unit that generates a first interval signal and a second interval signal from an output interval signal corresponding to a recording medium size transmitted from the output unit, and a second unit that is generated by the generation unit. Control for sequentially reading image information stored in the first storage means from the first read start position during the generation of one section signal, and sequentially reading from the second read start position during the generation of the second section signal A second storage unit that stores input insertion information; a first specification unit that specifies an output position of the insertion information stored in the second storage unit; Two A composite image information generating unit configured to generate composite image information based on the insertion information stored in the storage unit and the output position specified by the first specifying unit; 1
Between the image information read during the generation of the section signal and the image information read during the generation of the second section signal, the composite image information generated by the composite image information generating means is sequentially output to the image output unit. An image processing apparatus comprising: a control unit. 2. The input insertion information includes text information, and the synthesized image information generating means is directly output by the output unit based on the text information and an output position specified by the first specifying means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the composite image information that can be output is generated. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the input text information is input from an operation unit. 4. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a second designating unit for designating format information of the input text information, wherein the composite image information generating unit is configured to output the text information and an output position designated by the first designating unit. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein composite image information that can be directly output by the output unit is generated based on the format information specified by the second specifying unit. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the format information specified by the second specifying unit includes typeface information. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the format information specified by the second specifying unit includes character direction information. 7. The image processing unit divides the input image information into pixel blocks each including a first predetermined number of pixels in a main scanning direction and a second predetermined number of pixels in a sub-scanning direction. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image information is encoded and decoded for each pixel block. 8. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said memory control means can control an address of said first storage means in a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction. 9. The input image information and the insertion information include color image information, the output unit is capable of outputting a color image, and the memory control unit determines that the input image information is color image information. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein in one case, one input address control and a plurality of output address controls in the sub-scanning direction of the first storage unit are possible. 10. The output unit, comprising: a plurality of image forming units;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transport unit that sequentially transports a recording medium to the plurality of image forming units. 11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input image information and / or insertion information is input from a reading unit that optically reads image information from a document. 12. The image according to claim 1, wherein the input image information and / or insertion information includes image information input from an information processing device connected via a predetermined communication medium. Processing equipment. 13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the image information transferred from the information processing apparatus includes image information that can be directly output by the output unit. 14. The image information transferred from the information processing apparatus includes image information described in a predetermined page description language, and the image processing unit performs processing on the image information described in the predetermined page description language. 13. An image information which can be directly output by the output unit based on the image information.
The image processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 15. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising setting means for setting a processing mode for executing said composite output control by said control means. 16. A control method for an image processing apparatus capable of performing predetermined image processing on input image information by an image processing unit and outputting an image to a recording medium conveyed by an output unit. A first storing step of storing the input image information in the first memory so as to be individually readable from a first read start position and a second read start position, and inputting the insert information; A second storage step of storing the inserted insertion information in a second memory; an instruction step of instructing an output position of the stored insertion information; and an output section corresponding to a recording medium size transmitted from the output unit. An interval signal generating step of generating a first interval signal and a second interval signal from a signal; and an image sequentially read from a first read start position of the first memory during the generation of the first interval signal. Broadcast and the second
The synthesized image information generated based on the insertion information stored in the second memory and the designated output position is sequentially interposed between the second read start position and the image information sequentially read during the generation of the section signal. An output step of outputting the image to the image output unit.