JP2001036719A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide color facsimile equipment capable of transmitting only a desired area in an original. SOLUTION: A reading area setting means 54 sets up the reading area 16 of an original to be read out by a reading means 27 and stores the image data of only the obtained reading area 16 in a memory 25. Only the image data of an area set up by an output setting means 54 out of the image data stored in the memory 25 are read out and transmitted by a transmission means through a public telephone line 21.

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 such as a facsimile apparatus or a printer, and more particularly to a color image processing apparatus such as a color image reading apparatus and / or a color facsimile apparatus equipped with a color image printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is known a prior art which does not read an unnecessary image of an original on which an image is printed on paper such as Japanese Industrial Standard JIS A4 or B4, or does not print an unnecessary image. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-251385 discloses that at the time of reading an image, the coordinates of the end of the document are detected based on the contrast of the background of the document with respect to coloring other than white on the platen cover, and the outside of the document is erased for each scanning line. A configuration for printing in white by using a touch panel is disclosed. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-6605, which is another prior art, discloses a configuration in which the leading and trailing margins of a recording sheet on which an image is to be recorded are manually adjusted by key input operation, and the margins are displayed on a display of an operation unit. Disclose.

[0003] Each of these prior arts has a configuration in which a length of a document or a recording sheet in the sub-scanning direction in which the document or paper is conveyed is not set, and reading or printing is not performed. It is impossible to read the image or print only the desired area.

Devices that handle color images, such as color facsimile machines, are used for various purposes by utilizing the functions of reading and printing color images as well as transmitting color images. For example, it is used as a home information system, such as reading a photograph and combining it with text to create a New Year's card. For this reason, cutting out a necessary area from the read image is a very important function. Even when reading the entire document, the edges of the recording paper may be colored and unsightly, and it is desired to fill the periphery of the document with white.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus capable of reading or outputting a desired area of a document image and visually displaying or printing only the desired area. It is.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a document reading means, a reading area setting means for setting a reading area of the document by the reading means, a memory for storing image data, a reading means and a reading area setting means. In response to each output of, store the image data from the reading means in the memory,
Control means for reading out image data of a set reading area from a memory and outputting the read out image data.

According to the present invention, data of an original or the like read by the reading means is stored in a memory, and of the image data stored in the memory, image data of an area set by the reading area setting means is stored. Is read out from the memory and output. In this way, of the images recorded on the document, only the desired reading area, for example, only the desired area in the two-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, is read from the memory and output. From the image thus read, only a necessary portion can be cut out.

In another embodiment of the present invention, only the area set by the reading area setting means is read, the read image data is derived from the reading means, stored in a memory, and stored in the memory. The image data may be read and output.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reading means for reading a document, a reading area setting means for setting a reading area of the document by the reading means, and response to each output of the reading means and the reading area setting means. And control means for outputting image data of the read area.

According to the present invention, the reading area setting means comprises:
A reading area of the document by the reading means is set, for example, a reading area in a two-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system is set, and only the image data of the thus set reading area is output from the reading means.

Thus, according to the present invention, the two-dimensional reading area of the image of the original can be selectively set by the operator, so that only the desired reading area is read to obtain image data. Will be able to For example, in a facsimile machine or a copying machine, by outputting only a desired reading area, it is possible to output only a desired image without outputting an unnecessary area of a document. In particular, when the image data read from the memory and the image data from the reading unit are color image data, according to the present invention, by setting the reading area, the periphery of the document is printed by a color printer or the like. This prevents the periphery of the document or the edge of the recording paper from being colored and unsightly.

According to the present invention, there is provided a memory for storing image data, output area setting means for setting an output area of an image represented by the image data, and an output area set in response to an output of the output area setting means. And control means for reading and outputting the image data from the memory.

According to the present invention, of the image data stored in the memory, only the necessary output area can be set by the operator by the output area setting means in, for example, a two-dimensional rectangular coordinate system. Only the image data in the output area thus set is read out from the memory and output. As a result, only desired image data can be output from the memory. For example, in a facsimile machine or a copying machine, only an output area desired by an operator can be derived from image data once stored in a memory, thereby improving usability.

Further, according to the present invention, an image data of one or a plurality of pages and a position of the image data in each page are stored in a memory in correspondence with each other, and an output for printing or displaying an image of the image data is provided. Means, the control means comprising:
The output means outputs, for each page, the image data of the output area stored and set in the memory and the scale of each page representing the position of the image data.

According to the present invention, in the memory, the image data of each page and the information indicating the position of each page of the image data are stored correspondingly, and the image data of the read area to be set is stored. Are printed on recording paper one by one for each page by a printer as output means.
The scale indicating the position of the image data is also printed for each page. Therefore, it is possible to test-print the image printed on the recording paper and the scale in correspondence with each other, and to accurately set the print area of the image of the image data to be printed thereafter. The output unit may be a printer that prints an image on a recording paper, or may be a configuration that performs visual display such as a cathode ray tube or a liquid crystal.

The present invention is also characterized in that the scales are composed of display units arranged at equal intervals arranged in a straight line, and formed as a pair of left and right and upper and lower pairs of each page.

According to the present invention, the scale is composed of display sections formed at equal intervals on the upper, lower, left and right sides of the recording paper for one page, thereby facilitating the setting of the output area.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the output means is a printer.

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily print an image for each page by a printer, and thus to print an output area in a desired area of the recording paper.

Further, the present invention is a facsimile apparatus including transmitting means for transmitting data output from the control means via a public telephone line.

According to the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus, before transmitting the image data, the reading area of the original is set or the output area of the image data after being stored in the memory is set. Can be transmitted by the transmitting means via the public telephone line and given to the other party's facsimile machine.

According to the present invention, there is provided a document reading means, a reading area setting means for setting a reading area of the document by the reading means, a memory for storing image data, and a setting of an output area of an image represented by the image data. Response to each output of the output area setting means, the reading means and the reading area setting means, storing the image data from the reading means in the memory, responding to the output of the output area setting means, Control means for reading out image data from a memory and outputting the read out image data.

According to the present invention, there is provided a document reading means, a reading area setting means for setting a reading area of a document by the reading means, an output area setting means for setting an output area of an image represented by image data, In response to the output of the memory for storing data, the reading means and the reading area setting means, outputting image data of the reading area set by the reading means, and responding to the output of the output area setting means, Control means for reading out image data in an output area from a memory and outputting the read out image data.

According to the present invention, the reading area of the original by the reading means is set by the reading area setting means, only the image data of the set reading area is stored in the memory, and the image data stored in the memory is further stored. Among them, the image data further selectively set by the output area setting means is read and output. In this way, not only at the time of reading but also at the time of output, it is possible to derive an image of only a desired area, thereby improving usability.

[0025]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a color facsimile apparatus 51 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The network 21 which is a public telephone line and the facsimile apparatus 51 are connected by a network controller 22. The network control unit 22 monitors the public telephone line network 21, switches and connects the line network 21 to the handset 211 and the modem 23, and achieves the telephone function by the handset 211. The modem 23 modulates the image digital signal into an analog signal suitable for the network 21 and demodulates the analog signal of the network 21 into an image digital signal.

The control unit 24, in combination with the memory 28, sets the reading area 16 including the operation buttons and sets the printing range 112. The user inputs and inputs instructions from the input unit 210 including the dial buttons. information,
The operation of the device is determined based on information from the network 21, signals indicating the status from each unit in the device 51, etc., an operation instruction is given to each unit, necessary signals are transmitted to the network 21, and displayed. It instructs the device 212 to display information and guidance. Further, the control device 24 compresses information of the image signal,
Decompression is performed. Compression and decompression of monochromatic images such as the MH (Modified Huffman encoding) and MR (Modified READ encoding) methods are also performed.
TU-T (International Telecommunication Union-Te
lecommunication Standardization Sector Telecommunication Standardization Sector under the International Telecommunication Union ITU)
PEG method (Joint Photographic Coding Experts Group
Encoding and compression). Further, R (red) and G, which are three primary colors of additive colors used when reading an image,
A color image represented by three primary colors (green) and B (blue), and a color image represented by three primary colors C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow), which are three primary colors used for printing. The L *, a *, b * luminance data L *, the first chrominance data a * and the second chrominance signal b * used in transmission / reception, and the color image represented by color space coordinates are mutually converted. Have a function.

The color image memory 25 stores the received image,
The facsimile device 51 equipped with the unit stores and stores an image and the like read by the color image reading device 27, and can have advanced functions such as image transfer and broadcasting. The printer 26, which is a color printing apparatus, needs to print a color image, and employs a printing mechanism capable of printing colors, such as a color inkjet printer, a color electrostatic printer, and a color thermal transfer printer. Color image reader 27
Is a light source for three colors, such as LE, for reading a color image.
D (light emitting diode), fluorescent lamp, etc. are sequentially turned on and read for each main scanning read line. A photoelectric conversion sensor such as a CCD (charge coupled device) for three colors equipped with three color filters is used. And the like.

As a mechanism for printing a color image,
The three primary colors of each pixel have multi-step gradation like the silver halide film of the photograph and the sublimation type thermal transfer method, and the two gradations with and without the dot each color can be expressed like the normal inkjet method. There is a method. In the latter case, when expressing a halftone, a pseudo halftone expression such as a dither method or an error diffusion method is used. When the number of dots of the printer 26 is larger than that of the received image, first, the received image is
The density of the three primary colors C, M, and Y of each color is determined by interpolation for each dot of each printer in accordance with the resolution of 6, and then, at the resolution of the printer 26, the pseudo halftone of each primary color is determined. Technique, one of two values for each print dot,
That is, the presence or absence of a print dot is determined.

FIGS. 2 to 4 show a method of specifying a margin according to the present invention. 2 is moved in the sub-scanning direction 52, and a color image is formed using a line image sensor in which a large number of light receiving elements are arranged in parallel with a main scanning direction 53 perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction 52. When reading, specify the reading range. As shown in FIG. 2, each input of the range of the reading original 11 in the main scanning direction 53 from the position XR1 to the position XR2 and the sub-scanning direction 52 from the position YR1 to the position YR2 is performed by the input means 54. , The reading area 16 is read and stored in the color image memory 25. Of course, the read color image can be directly transmitted, or can be printed by the printer 26 for printing a color image. The reading range is specified from the input unit 54.
X direction (main scanning direction 53), Y direction (sub scanning direction 52)
If there is no specification of either, the direction without that specification is
It is read to the end. The reading area 16 of the document 11 by the reading means 27 is set by operating the input means 54. The memory 25 stores image data of the entire area of the document 11 read by the reading unit 27. The control device 24 reads out only the image data in the reading area 16 set by the input means 54 from the memory 25 and outputs the read image data. The image data is transmitted by facsimile from the network 21 via the network control means 22.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the input means 5
Only the image of the reading area 16 set by 4 may be stored in the memory 25 from the reading means 27.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the image data of only the reading area set by the input means 54 is transmitted from the reading means 27 to the network 21 via the network control means 22 and output. It may be. At this time,
The memory 25 may not be used. In another embodiment of the present invention, the image data from another facsimile apparatus received by the network control means 22 via the network 21 is stored in the memory 25 by the control device 24, and all the image data received are stored in the memory 25. deep. The output unit of the image is set by the input unit 54, and the control device 24 reads out the image data of the set output region from the memory 25 and performs the color printing by the printer 26 shown in FIGS. Of each of the recording papers 17 and 117 shown in FIG.
Output to 2,118 for printing. The image data stored in the memory 25 is displayed by the display unit 212,
The operator operates the input means 54 to record the recording paper 17, 117.
Can be set. For this setting, the following scales 56-5
9,113-116 are advantageously used.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a configuration in which a printing range 112 is set and printed on recording paper 17 according to another embodiment of the present invention. When the print area 112 of the image on the recording paper 17 is determined, a trial print of the entire image is performed in advance, and at that time, a scale 56 to a scale shown in FIG.
59, 113 to 116 are printed together, and the print area 112 is determined by operating the input means 54 on the scale.

FIG. 4 shows the recording paper 117 on the sub-scanning direction 52.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a pair of left and right scales 113 and 114 and a pair of upper and lower scales 115 and 116 are printed.
Each scale is printed in a straight line at equal intervals as indicated by reference numerals 56, 57; 58, 59. The scales 56 and 57 are formed at the same positions on the left and right in the sub-scanning direction 52 at the same intervals. The upper and lower scales 58, 59 are formed at the same intervals on the left and right, and are displayed at the same positions.

A print range 112 to be read from the image memory 25 stored in the color image memory 25 and printed is designated. For example, a color image processing such as reading a photograph, selecting a necessary part from the photograph, and combining with a character to create a New Year's card is used in a home image processing system by a facsimile machine or the like handling color. Is necessary. The image once stored in the memory 25 is
6. Printing is performed, and a necessary area is designated in the printing. In this case, scales 56 to 59, 1 are scales on the image to be printed.
Printing 13 to 116 is very convenient because the print range 112 and the color print image area 118 can be accurately specified. A range is designated by XW1 and XW2 in the main scanning direction of the recording paper 17, and a range is designated by YW1 and YW2 in the sub-scanning direction. Only the printing area 112 surrounded by the designated coordinates is printed. If there is no designation in the X direction (main scanning direction 53) or the Y direction (sub scanning direction 52), that direction is printed up to the end of the recording paper 17, 117.

The printer 26 for printing a color image is expected to shift the printing position of the page for each sheet even if the recording papers 17 and 117 are accurately fed. Color image printing device 2
Depending on the accuracy of paper feed 6 and the like, there is a deviation in the size of the image. In this case, writing the scales 56 to 59 and 113 to 116 directly to the color image storage device 25 does not cause an error between the position of the color image in the color image memory 25 and the position of the scale. When the print range is designated, the position of the image can be accurately designated by the input means 54. The image data of each page is stored in the memory 25 corresponding to the position of the recording paper 17 or 117. The image data of the output area set and stored in the memory 25 in this way and the position of the image data are stored. The scales 56 to 59 and 113 to 116 of the entire page to be represented are stored correspondingly.

The X near the top, bottom, left and right edges of the recording paper 117
The upper scale 115, the lower X scale 116, the left Y scale 114, and the right Y scale 113 are printed. In the present invention, the position of the scale is not limited to the position shown in FIG. The color print image 118 is often located at the center of the recording paper 117, and the edge is often left blank. Since the important part of the image is often located at the center, the position of the scale is desirably near the top, bottom, left and right ends of the recording paper 117 as shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control device 24. When an input is started (step 31), a registration mode is set (step 32) by a combination of key inputs. The read designation mode (step 33) becomes YES and the process proceeds to step 34. In step 34, since the X-direction input instruction is displayed on the display device 212 of the operation unit (step 34), the position XR1,
Although not shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 as an input method for inputting XR2 (step 35), other than the method of inputting the coordinates of both ends of the read image in the X direction, the input method of the original 11 in the main scanning direction 53 in FIG. Center, paper center 1
It can also be entered at a distance 120 from 19.

Subsequently, since an input instruction in the Y direction (step 36) is issued to the display device 212, the positions YR1, Y in FIG.
R2 is input (step 37). Alternatively, when reading from the leading end, the distance 121 from the leading end 61 can be specified. This is achieved by inputting only the position YR2. When an instruction to read the document 11 is input from the operation button of the input unit 29 (step 38), the reading area 16 of the document set in the color image reading device 27 is read (step 39) and stored in the color image memory 25 (step 38). 310), and returns to the standby state (step 312).

If the judgment in step 33 is NO and the judgment in step 313 is YES, step 314
Move on to Hereinafter, as in the above-described case, the coordinates of FIG. 3 are input (steps 314 to 317), and the designated area is printed (step 319) by the printing instruction of the operation button of the input unit 29 (step 318), and the standby state (step 319). Return to step 312).

The determination in each of steps 33 and 313 is NO, and the determination scale print mode (step 320) is set to YE.
In S, the process proceeds to step 322, where the color image stored in the color image memory 25 is added to the scale 56 of FIG.
Are synthesized (step 322). This synthesis can be achieved by forcibly rewriting the stored contents of the addresses of the memory 25 corresponding to the black lines of the scales 56 to 59 and 113 to 116 to black. Input means 29
The print instruction (step 323) prints a scaled color image (step 324) and returns to the standby state (step 312).

A system that handles color images, such as a color facsimile machine, is used not only for the purpose of use as a facsimile machine but also for various uses for handling color images.
Image processing capability can be enhanced, such as by cutting out a part of a color image or combining it with another image. Since the reading portion of the color image can be designated and the printing portion of the color image printing can be designated, the color image can be processed according to the purpose, and the purpose to be utilized can be greatly increased. Although the scale is synthesized with the print image, an improvement in the accuracy of specifying the area can be expected.

In the above description, one rectangular area is designated for both reading and printing. However, in any case, a plurality of rectangular places are designated, and a complex shape is obtained by repeating the designation. Area can also be specified. This can be achieved by repeating the designated portions in the X and Y directions. In the registration mode, it is necessary to register various information and data other than the above. In this case, the determination (step 320) becomes NO, and the process proceeds to other various data registration (step 321).

The present invention can be applied not only to a color image processing apparatus but also to a monochrome image processing apparatus.

[0044]

According to the present invention, the reading area of the reading means for reading the original is set, and the image data of the set reading area is stored in the memory, so that only the original image at the desired position of the original is read. The data can be stored in the memory, and the storage capacity of the memory can be reduced. All the image data of the document read by the reading means may be stored in a memory, and the image data of only the set reading area may be read out and output from the memory. Image data of only the read area to be read. Therefore, the usability for obtaining image data of only the desired reading area of the document is improved.

Further, according to the present invention, out of the image data of the document read by the reading means, image data of only the set reading area is output, and such image data is derived without being stored in the memory. Or may be stored once in memory. Thus, only image data of a desired area can be obtained, and usability is improved.

According to the present invention, of the image data stored in the memory, the image data of only the set output area is read out and output, whereby the image data of the desired output area can be obtained. Usability increases.

According to the present invention, of the image data stored in the memory, the image data of only the set output area is output by the output means or displayed on the screen,
At the same time as this output, the scale of the entire page is output, so that the operator can easily set the output area of the desired image data more accurately by the output area setting means while watching the scale. .

According to the present invention, the scales are formed by linearly arranged display units at equal intervals, and one or a plurality of pages are formed in a pair of right and left and a pair of top and bottom, so that vertical and horizontal output areas are provided. Can easily be set more accurately.

According to the present invention, an image in which an area is set for each page can be printed on a recording sheet by a printer, and this means that only an output area such as a desired photograph or character can be accurately detected. It is possible to easily print on recording paper.

According to the present invention, only the read area in which the image data of the original is set or the output area in which the image data stored in the memory is set is transmitted by the transmission means via the public telephone line, and A highly usable facsimile apparatus capable of transmitting only image data in a desired area is realized.

According to the present invention, it is also possible to easily set the image data of the reading area or the output area to be output to a desired position in one page by moving the input operation means.

According to the present invention, only the set reading area of the document is read by the reading means and stored in the memory, and of the image data stored in the memory, the image data of only the set output area is output. By doing so, it is possible to easily set an area of image data that is excellent in usability.

Further, according to the present invention, the reading area set in the original is read by the reading means, and the image data in the reading area is directly output without storing it in the memory, or is temporarily stored in the memory. Alternatively, of the image data stored in the memory, only the image data of the set output area is read out from the memory and output, and the area of the image data to be output in this way is changed to a desired area. Can be selectively determined, thereby improving usability. For example, in a facsimile apparatus, image data of a document set in a reading area is directly transmitted by a transmitting unit via a public telephone line, and image data from a partner facsimile apparatus received by a receiving unit is stored in a memory. It is possible to read out only a desired output area from the image data stored in the memory and print it on a recording paper or visually display it on a screen. Thus, usability is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a color facsimile apparatus 51 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a read original 11 for explaining a read margin designation method according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a configuration in which a print range 112 is set and printed on recording paper 17 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows left and right scales 113 and 11 on recording paper 117.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which a print 4 and upper and lower scales 115 and 116 are printed.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control device 24.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Reading original 16 Reading area 17,117 Recording paper 21 Network 22 Network controller 23 Modem 24 Controller 25,28 Memory 26 Printer 27 Image reader 29 Input means including operation buttons 51 Facsimile device 52 Sub scanning direction 53 Main scanning Direction 56, 57; 58, 59 Scale 112 Printing area 113, 114 Left and right scale 115, 116 Vertical scale 120 Distance 210 Input means 212 Display device

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A reading means for reading a document, a reading area setting means for setting a reading area of the document by the reading means, a memory for storing image data, and a response to each output of the reading means and the reading area setting means;
Control means for storing image data from the reading means in a memory, and reading and outputting image data in a set reading area from the memory. 2. A reading means for reading a document, a reading area setting means for setting a reading area of the document by the reading means, and a response to each output of the reading means and the reading area setting means.
Control means for outputting image data of a reading area set by the reading means. 3. A memory for storing image data, output area setting means for setting an output area of an image represented by the image data, and image data of the set output area in response to an output of the output area setting means. Control means for reading out and outputting from a memory. 4. The memory includes image data of one or a plurality of pages and a position of the image data in each page corresponding to each other, and includes an output unit for printing or displaying an image of the image data. Wherein the control means causes the output means to output, for each page, the image data of the output area stored and set in the memory and the scale of each page representing the position of the image data. The image processing device according to claim 3. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the scales are constituted by display units arranged at equal intervals arranged in a straight line, and formed as a pair of left and right and upper and lower pairs of each page. 6. An image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said output means is a printer. 7. A facsimile apparatus comprising a transmission unit for transmitting data output from the control unit according to claim 1 via a public telephone line. 8. A document reading means, a reading area setting means for setting a reading area of the document by the reading means, a memory for storing image data, and an output area for setting an output area of an image represented by the image data. The image data from the reading means is stored in a memory in response to each output of the setting means, the reading means and the reading area setting means, and the image data of the set output area is responded to the output of the output area setting means. Control means for reading out and outputting from a memory. 9. A document reading means, a reading area setting means for setting a reading area of a document by the reading means, an output area setting means for setting an output area of an image represented by image data, and storing the image data. Responding to the output of the memory and the reading means and the reading area setting means,
Control means for outputting image data of the read area set by the reading means, reading the image data of the set output area from the memory in response to the output of the output area setting means, and outputting the read image data. Image processing device.