JP2000137801A - Method and device for image formation and medium storing image processing control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To change the format of a document through easy operation without performing any complicated process such as character recognition and to print it out by extracting and segmenting desired unit image elements from image data and generating new image data by rearraying the segmented unit image elements. SOLUTION: An image process part 5 extracts a frame on a document by a frame extraction part 51 and extracts a character from the extracted frame by a character extraction part 52. The character is extracted by obtaining the rectangular area circumscribed with the character by a circumscribed rectangle acquisition part 52a. A character property decision part 52c decides which of punctuation marks, phrase head characters, and normal characters (other characters) the character is and gives the result as a property. A character deformation part 53 deforms the extracted character by enlargement or reduction, line thickening or thinning, etc., at need to the character extracted by the character extraction part 52. A character pasting part 54 arranges and pastes extracted characters or deformed characters.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image forming method and apparatus, and a medium storing an image processing control program, and more particularly to an image forming method and apparatus capable of rearranging and outputting read character strings and image processing. The present invention relates to a medium storing a control program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been a demand for printing a document whose format (n rows × m columns) such as a document printed on paper has been changed. This demand arises, for example, when a document is copied on paper of different sizes, when a part of a two-column document is copied, when characters are enlarged or reduced and copied.

When a document is copied onto a sheet of a different size, the characters are usually enlarged or reduced according to the size of the sheet. To change the sheet size without changing the size of the characters, , I have to change the format. Similarly, if a part of a two-column document is to be copied, a document with many blanks will be output unless it is output in one-column format. If you want to enlarge or reduce characters without changing the paper size, Is
I have to change the format. However, it is impossible for a conventional copying machine or the like to change the format.

As a method of changing the format of a document or the like printed on paper, an OCR (optical c
There is a method of digitizing a document by using character recognition (optical character recognition), editing the document (changing the format), and printing out the document.

[0005]

However, in order to use OCR, it is necessary to operate a scanner and a computer, and it is necessary to edit a document using an editor or the like. It is hard to say that it can be changed. In addition, it is conceivable to use OCR technology in a copying machine or the like to edit a document by an easy operation. However, since OCR requires a dictionary for character recognition and a processor with high processing capability, the OCR technology is required. Is difficult to use in copiers.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an image forming method and apparatus and an image processing control program capable of changing the format of a document and performing printout by an easy operation without performing complicated processing such as character recognition. It is intended to provide a stored medium.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming method for printing out image data, wherein a desired unit image element is extracted and cut out from the image data. The cutout unit image elements are rearranged to create new image data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the unit image element is a character image.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the character image is rearranged by performing a predetermined process.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the predetermined process is a process of transforming the character image.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the deformation processing is enlarging or reducing the character image.

Further, according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the deformation processing is to make the character image thicker or thinner.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the predetermined process is a color conversion process of the character image.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the seventh aspect of the invention, the color conversion processing is a change of a character color of the character image.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the seventh aspect of the present invention, the color conversion processing is a change of a character color and a background color of the character image.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of candidates of the processing result of the predetermined process are displayed so as to be selectable, and among the plurality of displayed candidates, the candidate selected by the user is selected. The above-mentioned predetermined processing is performed based on this.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the character images are rearranged based on a designated layout.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the eleventh aspect is provided.
The invention is characterized in that the layout is determined based on a designated size of printing paper and a size of the character image.

According to the thirteenth aspect, in the eleventh aspect,
In the invention, the layout is determined based on a designated size of printing paper and the number of the character images.

According to a fourteenth aspect, in the first aspect, the unit image element is extracted and cut out from a designated area of the image data.

According to a fifteenth aspect, in the first aspect, the unit image element is extracted and cut out from a plurality of designated areas of the image data.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the new image data is printed in a black-and-white inverted state.

According to a seventeenth aspect, in the first aspect, the image data is image data obtained by reading an original.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the image data is image data received via a communication line.

According to a nineteenth aspect, in the first aspect, the new image data is transmitted via a communication line.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus for printing out image data, an image extracting means for extracting and extracting a desired unit image element from the image data, and a plurality of image data extracted by the image extracting means. Image data processing means for generating new image data by rearranging the unit image elements.

According to the twenty-first aspect of the present invention, the twenty-second aspect
In the invention, the image extracting means extracts and cuts out each character image from the image data.

Further, according to the invention of claim 22, according to claim 21,
In the invention, the image data processing means includes a character processing means for performing a predetermined process on the character image cut out by the image extracting means.

According to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention,
In the invention, the character processing means executes deformation processing such as enlargement, reduction, thickening, and thinning of the character image.

According to the invention of claim 24, claim 22
In the invention, the character processing means performs at least one of a character color and a background color changing process on the character image.

According to the invention of claim 25, claim 22
In the invention, a plurality of candidates of processing results of the predetermined processing by the character processing means are selectively displayed, and a display for operating the character processing means based on a candidate selected by the user among the plurality of displayed candidates. It is characterized by further comprising setting means.

According to the twenty-sixth aspect, the twenty-first aspect
In the invention, the image data processing means rearranges the character images based on a specified layout.

In the invention of claim 27, claim 26
In the invention, the image data processing means determines the layout based on a designated size of printing paper and a size of the character image or the number of the character images.

According to the twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention,
In the present invention, the image extracting means extracts and cuts out the unit image element from one or a plurality of designated areas of the image data.

According to the twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, the twenty-second aspect is provided.
The invention is characterized in that the created image data is black-and-white inverted and printed out.

According to the invention of claim 30, there is provided claim 20.
According to the invention, the apparatus further comprises a document reading means for reading a document, wherein the image extracting means extracts a unit image element from image data obtained by reading the document by the document reading means.

Further, in the invention of claim 31, according to claim 20,
In the invention, the apparatus further comprises communication means for receiving image data via a communication line, wherein the image extraction means extracts a unit image element from the image data received by the communication means.

According to the invention of claim 32, claim 20 is
According to the invention, the apparatus further comprises a communication unit for receiving image data via a communication line, wherein the communication unit transmits the image data created by the image data processing unit.

Further, according to the invention of claim 33, a desired unit image element is extracted from the image data and cut out on the medium storing the image processing control program of the image forming apparatus which prints out the image data, and the cut-out is performed. A new image data is created by rearranging a plurality of unit image elements.

[0040]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an image forming method and apparatus and a medium storing an image processing control program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a control unit 1 and an image reading unit (IIT: Ima).
Ge Input Terminal (2), an image forming unit (IOT: Image Output Terminal)
l) 3, image storage unit 4, image processing unit 5, setting storage unit 6,
The display / setting unit 7 is provided.

The control unit 1 controls the other units to operate the image forming apparatus 10, and is configured by a CPU and a program stored in a storage medium such as a ROM. The image reading unit 2 reads a document to generate image data, and the image forming unit 3 forms an image on a sheet based on the image data and prints out the image. The image storage unit 4 temporarily stores the image data generated by the image reading unit 2, and the image processing unit 5 performs various corrections on the image data and performs processing such as enlargement and reduction as needed. The setting storage unit 6 stores condition settings (including those set in advance and those set by the user) for operating the image forming apparatus 10, and the display / setting unit 7 provides instructions and information to the user. This is a user interface for displaying and inputting settings and instructions from the user.

In the image forming apparatus 10, the image reading section 2
When a document is read in the format (n lines × m
(The column and the character size) can be changed and output from the image forming unit 3.
Do with.

Here, the image processing section 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image processing unit 5, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the image processing unit 5.

As shown in the figure, the image processing section 5 includes a frame extracting section 51, a character extracting section 52, a character deforming section 53, and a character pasting section 54. The character extraction unit 52 includes a circumscribed rectangle acquisition unit 52a, an integration unit 52b, and a character attribute determination unit 52c.
a, a prohibition processing unit 54b, and a line head processing unit 54c. Note that these configurations can also be realized by operating a processor with a program.

When the image processing section 5 starts the operation (step 101), first, the frame extracting section 51 extracts a frame on the document written by the user (step 102), and the character extracting section 52
Extracts characters from the frames extracted by the frame extraction unit 51 (step 103).

The extraction of characters is performed by the circumscribed rectangle acquisition unit 52a acquiring a rectangular region circumscribing the character. Depending on the character, the circumscribed rectangle acquisition unit 52a includes a plurality of rectangular regions, for example, a biased rectangular region and a neighboring rectangular region. In this case, the integration unit 52b integrates the data into one rectangular area. When extracting a character, the character attribute determination unit 52c determines whether the character is a punctuation mark, a paragraph head character, or a normal character (other character), and assigns this as an attribute.

Next, the character transforming section 53
The character extracted in (1) is subjected to processes such as enlargement and reduction, thickening and thinning as necessary (step 104).

Subsequently, the character pasting section 54 is operated by the character extracting section 5.
The characters extracted in step 2 or the characters subjected to the transformation processing by the character transformation unit 53 are arranged and attached (step 105).
The process ends (step 106). At the time of pasting the character, the character spacing adjusting unit 54a adjusts the character spacing and line spacing, and the prohibition processing unit 54b and the beginning of line processing unit 54c perform the prohibition processing and the beginning of line processing based on the attribute of the character to be arranged. Perform processing (indentation).

Next, the character extracting process will be described with reference to FIGS. The character extraction process in the character extraction unit 52 is performed from the fact that the circumscribed rectangle obtaining unit 52a first obtains a rectangular area circumscribing the character. To get the circumscribed rectangle,
For example, when acquiring the circumscribed rectangle of “rating” shown in FIG. 4A, the circumscribed rectangle of each part constituting “rating” as shown in FIG. 4B, that is, the circumscribed rectangle shown in FIG. Get the rectangle.

Subsequently, the integrating unit 52b integrates the overlapping part of the circumscribed rectangle into one rectangular area including all the overlapping parts. For example, in the case of the character “rating”, “rating” shown in FIG.
Are integrated into one rectangular area as shown in FIG. Further, the integration unit 52b performs vertical integration as shown in FIG. 11E, and performs horizontal integration as shown in FIG. 10F to integrate one character into one rectangular area. . The integration in the vertical direction is performed by determining the character height from the line spacing of the document image, and the integration in the horizontal direction is performed by determining the character width using the fact that the area of one character has a shape close to a square.

In the integration by the integration unit 52b, by integrating the kanji with ruby as one character together with ruby as shown in FIG. 5, the subsequent processing (described later) can be easily performed. it can.

The characters extracted by the character extraction unit 52 are:
In order to use the image within the circumscribed rectangle as it is in the subsequent processing, when performing processing such as enlargement or reduction in the character deforming unit 53, it is the same as the method performed in an image forming apparatus such as a conventional copying machine. The processing can be performed by the following method.

Next, the operation of the character attaching section 54 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of the operation of the character attaching section 54.

The character pasting section 54 arranges and pastes the character image extracted by the character extracting section 52 or the character image deformed by the character deforming section 53 so as to adapt to the designated paper size. Do.

When the character pasting section 54 starts operating (step 151), if there is any character to be pasted (step 152).
YES), the character is pasted. If the attribute of the character to be pasted (assigned by the character attribute determining unit 52c) is the beginning of a paragraph (YES in step 153), the beginning of line processing unit 54c inserts a line feed. (Step 154), a space for one character is inserted (Step 155), and the pasting position of the character is made after the inserted space. However, if the character is the first character to be pasted on the page, step 1
The line feed of 54 is not performed.

If the attribute of the character to be pasted is punctuation (YES in step 156) and the position to be pasted is the beginning of the line (YES in step 157), the prohibition processing unit 54b performs prohibition processing, that is, The position to be pasted is changed to the end of the line one line above (step 158).

On the other hand, when the attribute of the character to be pasted is a normal character (NO in step 153, N in step 156).
O), if the position of the character to be pasted is not the beginning of the line even if the attribute of the character to be pasted is a punctuation mark (YES in step 156, NO in step 157), the pasting position of the previously pasted character is pasted. And

When the position where the character is to be pasted is determined, the character is pasted to that position (step 159), and the character spacing adjusting section 54 gives an appropriate character spacing after the character (step 160).

The processing of steps 153 to 160 is as follows:
The pasting of the character is repeated until one line is completed (NO in step 161), and when one line is completed (step 161)
YES), the character spacing adjusting section 54 adjusts the spacing between the characters in the one line (step 162).

Next, if the line for which the character spacing has been adjusted is not at the end of the page (NO in step 163), a line feed is performed (step 164). If the line is at the end of the page (YES in step 163), Perform a page break (Step 1
65), returning to step 152;

These processes are repeated while the characters to be pasted are present (YES in step 152), and when all characters have been pasted (NO in step 152),
Character pasting section 54 ends the processing (step 166).

As described above, the character pasting process is to paste characters of the size specified by the user on the paper specified by the user (in this case, the number of pages is changed according to the number of characters to be pasted). In addition to this, the user can specify the paper and the number of pages (for example, one page of A4 paper), and perform the pasting process by matching the character size to this.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an output result by the image forming apparatus 10. When a part of the original as shown in FIG. 7A is designated by a frame, and the size of the characters is made the same size and printed on a small-sized paper, an output result as shown in FIG. Can be

Further, in the image forming apparatus 10, as described above, it is possible to perform deformation processing such as enlargement and reduction, thickening and thinning of characters to be printed. Such a process is effective, for example, when a person with low vision tries to read a document by enlarging characters. When used in such applications, the conventional image forming apparatus increases the size of the paper with the enlargement of characters, and does not always provide an easy-to-read document. However, by using this image forming apparatus 10, It is possible to print out a desired character size on a sheet of desired size.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show examples of screens (user interfaces) displayed on the display / setting unit 7 when characters are enlarged. First, a screen 80 shown in FIG.
Is a selection button 8 indicating the character size actually output.
1 to 84 are displayed, and when the user presses a selection button indicating a desired character size, the image forming apparatus 10
Performs output at the character size. Select button 8
If the desired character size cannot be selected in 1 to 84, the displayed selection button can be switched by pressing the button 85.

On the screen 90 shown in FIG. 9, the user can select a desired character size by pressing the enlarge button 92 or the reduce button 93 with reference to the character display 91. In this screen 90, an inversion button 94 for inverting the print output between black and white is provided.
This is because the tendency that a document reversely printed by a low-vision person is often easier to read is considered.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are diagrams showing examples of output results when the character enlargement processing is performed. 10A and 10B show the result of enlarging and outputting characters of the original shown in FIG. 10A, and FIG. 11 shows the results of enlarging the characters of the original shown in FIG. The result of inversion and output is shown in (b).

When the image forming apparatus 10 is compatible with color printing, the original image data is reproduced and output, and the image processing unit 5 performs color conversion processing and prints out. Can be. In this color conversion, only the text color can be changed as shown in FIG. 12A, or both the text color and the background color can be changed as shown in FIG.

By the way, in the image forming apparatus 10, since characters are treated as images as described above, if a communication means is provided, the format of a document can be changed and used as a facsimile which can be transmitted and received. . Similarly, similar processing can be performed on image data created by being read in advance by a scanner or the like.

In the above description, the area to be output by changing the format is specified by writing a frame on the document. However, this area can be specified at a plurality of locations or by another method (for example, The same processing can be performed by using a line or a color. Further, it is possible to output the entire range of the document without specifying the area.

[0072]

As described above, according to the present invention, characters are cut out from image data obtained by reading a document, and the cut out characters are rearranged and output. The above document or the like can be printed with its format changed, and a document in any format can be obtained.

For this reason, it is possible to unify documents of irregular formats into the same format, and to provide a document that is easy to read for people with low vision.

Also, when the state of the original to be read is bad and erroneous recognition of a character (error of a circumscribed rectangle) is performed,
Because the character shape itself does not change, but the spacing is only incorrectly recognized, it is easier to imagine the original character than to imagine the original character from what was recognized as a completely different character like OCR be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing unit 5.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an operation of an image processing unit 5;

FIG. 4 is a diagram (1) for explaining a character extraction process;

FIG. 5 is a diagram (2) for explaining a character extraction process;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of the operation of the character pasting section 54;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output result by the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a diagram (1) showing an example of a screen displayed on the display / setting unit 7 when a character is enlarged.

FIG. 9 is a diagram (2) illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display / setting unit 7 when a character is enlarged.

FIG. 10 is a diagram (1) illustrating an example of an output result when a character enlargement process is performed;

FIG. 11 is a diagram (2) illustrating an example of an output result when a character enlargement process is performed;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output result when a color conversion process is performed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 control unit 2 image reading unit 3 image forming unit 4 image storing unit 5 image processing unit 6 setting storing unit 7 display / setting unit 10 image forming device 51 frame extracting unit 52 character extracting unit 52a circumscribed rectangle obtaining unit 52b integrating unit 52c character Attribute judgment unit 53 Character transformation unit 54 Character pasting unit 54a Character spacing adjustment unit 54b Prohibition processing unit 54c Line head processing unit 80 Screen 81 Selection button 82 Selection button 83 Selection button 84 Selection button 85 Button 90 Screen 91 Character display 92 Enlarge button 93 Reduction Button 94 Reverse button

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Satoshi Takaoka 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Toshinori Arai 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. ) 2C087 AA18 AB01 BA03 BA05 BB10 BC05 BD06 BD37 CA03 CB03 CB19 2H034 FA03 5B021 BB02 CC05 DD07 KK02 LB07 LE00 LE04 LG09 LL05 PP04 PP06 QQ04 5B057 CA01 CB01 CD02 CD05 CE08 CE09 CE17 CF01 CF02 AA21A

Claims (33)

[Claims] 1. An image forming method for printing out image data, wherein a desired unit image element is extracted from the image data and cut out, and a plurality of cut out unit image elements are rearranged to create new image data. An image forming method. 2. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the unit image element is a character image. 3. The image forming method according to claim 2, wherein the character image is rearranged by performing a predetermined process. 4. The image forming method according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined process is a process of transforming the character image. 5. The image forming method according to claim 4, wherein the deformation processing is enlarging or reducing the character image. 6. The image forming method according to claim 4, wherein the deformation processing is to make the character image thicker or thinner. 7. The image forming method according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined process is a color conversion process of the character image. 8. The image forming method according to claim 7, wherein the color conversion processing is a change of a character color of the character image. 9. The image forming method according to claim 7, wherein the color conversion processing is a change of a character color and a background color of the character image. 10. A plurality of candidates for the processing result of the predetermined processing are displayed in a selectable manner, and the predetermined processing is performed based on a candidate selected by a user among the plurality of displayed candidates. Item 3
The image forming method as described in the above. 11. The image forming method according to claim 2, wherein the character images are rearranged based on a specified layout. 12. The layout according to claim 11, wherein the layout is determined based on a designated size of the printing paper and a size of the character image.
The image forming method as described in the above. 13. The image forming method according to claim 11, wherein the layout is determined based on a designated size of printing paper and the number of the character images. 14. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the unit image element is extracted from a designated area of the image data and cut out. 15. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the unit image elements are extracted and cut out from a plurality of designated areas of the image data. 16. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the new image data is black-and-white inverted and printed and output. 17. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the image data is image data obtained by reading a document. 18. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the image data is image data received via a communication line. 19. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the new image data is transmitted via a communication line. 20. An image forming apparatus for printing out image data, comprising: image extracting means for extracting a desired unit image element from the image data to cut out the image data; and rearranging the plurality of unit image elements cut by the image extracting means. And an image data processing means for creating new image data. 21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said image extracting means extracts and cuts out each character image from said image data. 22. The image forming apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said image data processing means includes character processing means for performing predetermined processing on the character image cut out by said image extracting means. 23. The image forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said character processing means executes a deformation process such as enlargement, reduction, thickening, and thinning of said character image. 24. The image forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said character processing means executes at least one of a character color and a background color on said character image. 25. A plurality of candidates for the processing result of the predetermined processing by the character processing means are selectively displayed, and the character processing means is operated based on a candidate selected by the user among the plurality of displayed candidates. The image forming apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising a display setting unit. 26. The image forming apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the image data processing unit rearranges the character images based on a specified layout. 27. The image data processing unit according to claim 26, wherein the layout is determined based on a designated size of the printing paper and the size of the character image or the number of the character images. Image forming apparatus. 28. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the image extracting unit extracts and cuts out the unit image element from one or a plurality of designated areas of the image data. 29. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the created image data is printed out after being inverted in black and white. 30. The apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising a document reading means for reading a document, wherein said image extracting means extracts a unit image element from image data obtained by reading the document by said document reading means. The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 31. A communication apparatus for receiving image data via a communication line, wherein the image extraction means extracts a unit image element from the image data received by the communication means. Item 21. The image forming apparatus according to Item 20, 32. The apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising communication means for receiving image data via a communication line, wherein said communication means transmits the image data created by said image data processing means. Image forming apparatus. 33. A medium storing an image processing control program of an image forming apparatus which prints out image data, extracts a desired unit image element from the image data, cuts out the unit image element, and reproduces the plurality of cut out unit image elements. A medium storing an image processing control program, which is arranged to create new image data.