JP2001268379A - Image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the accuracy of the decision of whether an image is a color image or a monochromatic image, and also improve the convenience of an operator. SOLUTION: This image processing apparatus is provided with an image reading part for reading the image of an original document, and for outputting image data, an ACS decision part for deciding whether or not an original document is a color original or a monochromatic original, based on the image data, an inputting means for manually inputting whether or not the original document is the color original or the monochromatic original from a panel face, and a condition changing means for changing a judgment condition at the ACS decision part according to the result inputted from the inputting means.

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 having an automatic color selection (ACS) function for automatically determining whether an input image is a color image or a monochrome image. Applied to machines.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A copying machine having an automatic color selection function for determining whether a document is a color document or a monochrome document (black and white document) has been known (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8 (1996)).
-214173).

According to such a copying machine, whether a document is a color document or a monochrome document is automatically determined, and either a color image forming process or a monochrome image forming process is determined according to a result of the determination, and the copying is performed. I do.

There is also known a copying machine in which an operator designates a color document or a monochrome document without performing automatic color selection and performs copying.

[0005]

By the way, in the conventional copying machine, when automatic color selection is executed, a document which is difficult to determine by the automatic color selection is determined to be either a color document or a monochrome document. Is copied according to the determination.

For this reason, there is a case where a monochrome document is determined by being copied even if there is a color portion to be emphasized as a color document, and a monochrome image is formed by copying.

For example, when copying a document in which red text is added to a portion of a monochrome document that requires attention, the added user expects that the red text portion will be copied in the same color. It must be determined that the original is a color original by selection. However, when the red portion is small when viewed from the whole of the document, the automatic color selection may determine that the document is a monochrome document, in which case a monochrome image is formed.

Conversely, when it is desired to make a copy as a monochrome original, the original image is determined to be a color original due to color misregistration, and a color image may be formed by copying. In that case, the image quality may be degraded, and a three-color or four-color electrophotographic process is performed, so that a long copying time is required and a large amount of toner and power is consumed.

When an operator designates a color original or a monochrome original to perform copying, it is necessary to designate a color original or a monochrome original one by one when there are many similar originals. The operation becomes complicated.

In an image processing apparatus that performs image processing on input image data instead of a copying machine, it is necessary to determine as accurately as possible whether a color image or a monochrome image by automatic color selection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to improve the accuracy of determining whether a color image is a monochrome image or not, and to enhance the convenience of an operator. .

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for reading an image of a document and outputting image data, and based on the image data, whether the document is a color document or a monochrome document. Determination means for determining whether there is a document, input means for manually inputting whether the document is a color document or a monochrome document, and a determination condition in the determination means in accordance with a result input by the input means And condition changing means for changing the condition.

[0013] The determining means includes color level detecting means for detecting a color level of the original from the image data, and comparing means for comparing a boundary value between the color original and the monochrome original with the color level. Is possible.

A color level detector for detecting a color level of the original from the image data; and a comparator for comparing a boundary value in a boundary area between the color original and the monochrome original with the color level. It is possible to have

[0015] The condition changing means can change the boundary value by the color level so that the input information from the input means matches the judgment result of the judging means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an apparatus detects a color level of an image from input image data and determines whether the image is a color image or a monochrome image based on the color level. Determining means, input means for manually inputting whether the image is a color image or a monochrome image, and condition changing means for changing a determination condition in the determining means according to input information from the input means And

In the apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention, the determination means includes a color image area for determining that the image is a color image, a monochrome image area for determining that the image is a monochrome image, or an image area for determining that the image is a monochrome image. One of the boundary areas determined to be the boundary between the color image and the monochrome image is output as the determination result.

In the apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the determination means includes a color boundary value that is a boundary value between the color image region and the boundary region and / or a boundary value between the boundary region and the monochrome image region. The monochrome boundary value
The judgment result is output by comparing with the color level.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the condition changing means changes the color boundary value and / or the monochrome boundary value. In the apparatus according to the invention of claim 6, when it is output that the image is a color image area as the determination result, and when it is input that a monochrome image is input as the input information, the monochrome boundary value is set at the time. Change to match color level.

In the apparatus according to the present invention, when the determination result indicates that the image is a monochrome image area and the input information indicates that the image is a color image, the color boundary value is determined. The color level is changed to match the color level.

In the apparatus according to the present invention, when the determination result indicates that the image is a boundary area, and when the input information indicates that the image is a color image, the color boundary value is determined. When the input information indicates that the image is a monochrome image, the monochrome boundary value is changed to match the color level at that time.

In the apparatus according to the ninth aspect of the invention, when the determination result indicates that the area is a boundary area, a message to that effect and a message prompting the input by the input means are displayed on the display surface.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage means for storing one or more sets of the color boundary value and the monochrome boundary value, and one set of the color boundary value and the monochrome boundary value read from the storage means. Comparing the monochrome boundary value with the color level and outputting the determination result;

In the apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the determining means determines either a color image area for determining that the image is a color image or a monochrome image area for determining that the image is a monochrome image. Output as result.

In the apparatus according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the condition changing means may determine whether the color image area and the monochrome image area are different from each other so that the input information from the input means matches the determination result of the determination means. The boundary value is changed according to the color level.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage device for storing one or a plurality of the boundary values, wherein one of the boundary values read from the storage device is compared with the color level, and Output the judgment result.

In the apparatus according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, an upper limit and a lower limit are provided for the boundary value. When the color level exceeds the upper limit or the lower limit, the boundary value is set to the upper limit or the lower limit. Set to.

[0028]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Overall Configuration] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a digital color copying machine MC using an image processing apparatus 205 according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a color copying machine MC includes an automatic document feeder 100, an image reading unit 200, and an image forming unit 300. Normally, the image of the document conveyed to the image reading position by the automatic document feeder 100 is read by the image reading unit 200, and the image data obtained by reading is transferred to the image forming unit 300 to form an image. This is the copying function.

The interface 207 enables connection with external equipment. Thus, the image data read by the image reading unit 200 can be output to an external device. This is the image reading function. The image data received from the external device is transmitted to the image forming unit 3.
By sending it to 00, an image can be formed. This is the printer function.

The automatic document feeder 100 reads the document set on the Harabashi set tray 101 into an image reading unit 200.
Is conveyed to the image reading position, and is discharged onto the document discharge tray 103 after the image reading is completed. The operation of conveying the original is performed according to a command from the operation panel OP (see FIG. 2), and the operation of discharging the original is performed based on a reading end signal of the image reading apparatus 200.

When a plurality of originals are set, these control signals are continuously generated to convey the originals,
The reading of the document and the operation of discharging the document are continuously and efficiently performed.

In the image reading section 200, the original on the original glass 208 is irradiated by the exposure lamp 201,
The reflected light is transmitted to the lens 20 by the three mirror groups 202.
3 and forms an image on the CCD sensor 204. The exposure lamp 201 and the first mirror are moved by the scanner motor 209 in the direction of the arrow at a speed V according to the magnification.
Thus, the original on the original glass 208 is scanned over the entire surface. With the movement of the exposure lamp 201 and the first mirror, the second mirror and the third mirror are moved at the speed V / 2 in the same direction.

The position of the exposure lamp 201 is calculated and controlled by the scanner home sensor 210 and the amount of movement from the home position (the number of steps of the motor). The reflected light from the original that has entered the CCD sensor 204 is converted into an electric signal in the sensor and input to the image processing circuit 205. In the image processing circuit 205, analog processing, A / D conversion, and digital image processing are performed. After that, it is sent to the interface 207 and the image forming unit 300.

A white shading correction plate 206 is arranged on the document glass 208 at a position different from the document reading position. In order to generate correction data for shading correction, the shading correction plate 206 is read prior to reading an image of a document.

Next, the image forming section 300 will be described. First, exposure and imaging will be described. The image data sent from the image reading unit 200 or the interface 207 is converted into printing data of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), and the control unit ( (Not shown). In the control unit of each exposure head, a laser is emitted according to the sent image data, and the light is one-dimensionally scanned by the polygon mirror 301, and the photoconductors in each of the imaging units 302c, 302m, 302y, and 302k. Is exposed.

The photoconductor may be exposed by disposing an LED print head near each photoconductor instead of the laser. Each imaging unit 302c, m,
Elements required for performing an electrophotographic process centering on the photoreceptor are arranged inside y and k.
Each image forming process is continuously performed by rotating each photoconductor for C, M, Y, and K clockwise. These imaging units required for image formation are integrated in each process, and are configured to be detachable from the main body. The latent image on the photoconductor of each imaging unit is developed by a developing device of each color. The toner images on the photoconductor are transferred to transfer chargers 303c, 303m, 303y,
By 303k, the image is transferred onto the sheet on the sheet transport belt 304.

Next, paper feeding, conveyance, and fixing will be described. The sheet to be transferred is supplied to the transfer position in the following order, and an image is formed thereon. Sheets of various sizes are stored in the sheet cassette groups 310a, 310b and 310c, and sheet rollers of a desired size are attached to the sheet cassettes 310a to 310c.
Is supplied to the transport path.

The paper supplied to the transport path is transported to a paper transport belt 304 by a transport roller pair 313. Here, the sheet conveyance belt 3 is detected by the timing sensor 306.
The reference mark on the sheet 04 is detected, and the transport timing of the transported paper is adjusted.

At the most downstream of the imaging unit, three registration correction sensors 312 are arranged in the main scanning direction.
Is arranged. When the resist correction sensor 312 forms a resist pattern on the paper transport belt 304, the amount of color misregistration in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction of each color image of C, M, Y, and K is detected. Based on the detected color shift amount, a print image control unit (PIC)
), A drawing position correction and an image distortion correction are performed. This prevents color misregistration of C, M, Y, and K images on paper. Then, the transferred toner image on the sheet is heated and melted by the fixing roller pair 307 to be fixed on the sheet, and then discharged to the sheet discharge tray 311.

In the case of double-sided copying, the sheet fixed by the fixing roller pair 307 is inverted by the sheet reversing unit 309 and guided by the double-sided unit 308 to form an image on the back side of the sheet. Is re-fed.

The paper transport belt 304 can be retracted from each of the C, M, and Y imaging units 302c, m, and y by the behavior of the belt retracting roller 305. In the case of retreat, the paper transport belt 304 and their photoconductors can be brought into a non-contact state. Therefore, when forming a monochrome image (black and white image), C, M,
Since the driving of each of the Y imaging units 302c, m, and y can be stopped, the wear of those photoconductors and peripheral processes can be reduced, and the life can be extended. [Operation Panel] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the structure of the operation panel OP.

In FIG. 2, the operation panel OP includes a liquid crystal touch panel 91, numeric keys 92 for inputting numbers such as the number of copies and a copy magnification, a clear key 93 for resetting the numbers and the like to a standard value "1", and an inside of the copying machine. Panel reset key 94 for returning the set value set to the standard value, a stop key 95 for stopping the operation, and a start key 9 for starting the operation
6. User choice key 97 for displaying user choice, ACS key 98 for setting automatic color selection,
A color mode key 99 for designating a color mode (full color mode) and a monochrome mode (black and white mode)
Is provided.

The liquid crystal touch panel 91 performs various types of abnormal conditions such as a copy operation state of the copying machine such as an exposure level, a copy magnification, and a paper size, occurrence of a jam, occurrence of a serviceman call, occurrence of a paper empty, and automatic color judgment processing. , Various screens HG1 to HG4, and other screens or information are displayed.

When the operator touches a key or button displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 91, an input for designating an operation mode, a user choice setting, various other settings, a command input, Information can be input. Thus, it is possible to open and display various other screens not shown, for example, a basic setting screen, a finishing setting screen, a copy format setting screen, and the like. Various other mode settings are possible on those screens. [Image Processing Unit] FIGS. 3 and 4 show the image reading unit 200.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image processing unit 205 of FIG.
Represents a histogram unit 412 and an automatic color determination unit 413
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a method of counting the number of color dots for automatic color judgment processing, and FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining automatic color judgment processing in a simple boundary value mode. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the automatic color determination processing in the boundary area mode.

In FIG. 3, an electric signal input from a CCD sensor 204 is converted into a digital signal by an AD converter 401, and the three primary colors R (red), G (green), and B (blue) are added. It becomes image data. This image data is input to a shading correction unit 402 and a line-to-line correction unit 4.
02 and the chromatic aberration correction unit 404 perform predetermined processing. After that, the scaling movement control unit 405,
Predetermined processing is performed in the data selector 421, the HVC conversion unit 422, the AE adjustment / HVC adjustment unit 423, and the inverse HVC conversion unit 424.

In FIG. 4, a LOG correction unit 43
1 is converted into density data, the black amount extraction processing unit 432, the masking calculation unit 433, and the UCR / BP processing unit 43
At 4, the image data is converted into image data of three primary colors of C, M, Y and K plus black. Further, the monochrome data generation unit 435 creates a brightness component from the R, G, and B image data, performs LOG correction, and outputs monochrome data (black and white data). The color data selection unit 436 includes C, M, and C for forming a color image by a color copy operation.
Y and K image data and monochrome data for forming a monochrome image by a monochrome copy operation are selected and output.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, histogram section 412 and automatic color determination section 413 determine the brightness from the R, G, B image data obtained by the preliminary scan performed prior to the operation of copying the original. Data is generated, and the histogram is created on the histogram memory 4124. At the same time, it is determined whether or not each dot (one pixel) is a color dot based on the saturation data.
The number of color dots for each block of 512 dots square on the document is created in the ACS memory 4133.

Based on these results, an automatic color determination process is performed to select whether to perform a color copy operation or a monochrome copy operation in the automatic color selection mode.

Referring to FIG. 6, the data at each address of ACS memory 4133 indicates the number of color dots for each block BL. Therefore, for example, each block BL
When the number of color dots satisfies the following conditions (1) and (2), it is determined that the original is a color original. (1) The number of color dots in an arbitrary block BL is a boundary value (also referred to as a reference level or an ACS level)
Larger than RE. (2) The sum of the number of color dots of any four adjacent upper, lower, left, and right blocks BL is larger than the boundary value RE, and
Any of the number of color dots in each of the four blocks BL is larger than one quarter of the boundary value RE.

Now, assuming that the data of the number of color dots stored after the preliminary scan for an arbitrary address N (0 to 255) of the ACS memory 4133 is C (N), the above condition (1) becomes MAX ( C (0), C (1),..., C (255))> R
When E is satisfied, the original is determined to be a color original.

The above condition (2) complements the condition (1) and assumes that a small color portion extends over four blocks BL. That is, for an arbitrary address N, C (N) + C (N + 1) +... + C (N + 16) + C (N
+17)> RE, and MAX (C (N), C (N + 1),..., (N + 17))
If> RE / 4, the original is determined to be a color original.

With the above conditions (1) and (2), it is possible to prevent a case where a monochrome original is determined by ignoring color information having a small area such as a seal stamp or a red mark.

The entire configuration of the color copying machine MC, the configuration of the image processing unit 205, the method of obtaining the number of color dots, and the like are described in JP-A-11-266372.
No. 6,086,045. Therefore, the publication can be referred to for details. [Automatic Color Selection] Next, the automatic color selection in the present embodiment will be described in more detail.

As can be seen from the above description, the automatic color selection is based on image data obtained by reading an image of an original, and automatically determines whether the original is a color original or a monochrome original (black and white original). It is a function to make a judgment. If the image data is not provided as a document but is provided as image data itself, it is automatically determined based on the image data whether the image is a color image or a monochrome image. Regardless of whether the given data is a document or image data, the contents of the processing are the same after the image data is formed.

In the determination, the color level CD of the document or the image GF is detected from the image data. Although various data can be used as the color level CD, as one example, the number C of color dots as described above with reference to FIG. 6 can be used.

That is, in this case, the image GF is divided into a plurality of blocks BL, and the number C of color dots in each block BL is obtained. As described above, the number C of color dots is the total number of pixels for which the saturation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value for each block BL.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, in order to determine whether a document is a color document or a monochrome document,
The boundary value RE is set. There are two boundary modes, a simple boundary value mode and a boundary region mode, depending on how to set the boundary value RE.

In the simple boundary value mode, one boundary value REs is set between a color original and a monochrome original as shown in FIG. The boundary value REs is compared with the color level CD.

In FIG. 7, the color level CD1 is determined to be a monochrome original. For the color level CD2, it is determined that the document is a color original. For example, when the number C of color dots is used as the color level CD, the boundary value REs is compared with the number of color dots of each block BL. If there is at least one color dot number C exceeding the boundary value REs, the original is determined to be a color original. If there is no color dot number C exceeding the boundary value REs, the original is determined to be a monochrome original. Further, in order to make a more accurate determination, other conditions as described above may be used together.

It is also possible to use a numerical value calculated based on the number C of color dots as the color level CD. For example, the average value or mode value of the entire document GF having the number C of color dots, the average value or mode value of the number C of higher-order color dots, the number C of color dots exceeding a predetermined value, and the number C of color dots Alternatively, the color level CD can be determined by a function such as the number of blocks BL or a conversion table. The color level CD may be determined using an element other than the number C of color dots.

In the simple boundary value mode, either a color original or a monochrome original is output as a determination result.
In the boundary region mode, as shown in FIG. 8, a boundary region is provided between a color document and a monochrome document, and two boundary values, which are values on both sides of the boundary region, are set.

That is, in the boundary area mode, there are three areas: a color original area Ec determined to be a color original, a monochrome original area Eb determined to be a monochrome original, and a boundary area Ed determined to be a boundary between them. Is provided.

Then, the color original area Ec and the boundary area E
Two boundary values are set: a color boundary value REc that is a boundary value with d, and a monochrome boundary value REb that is a boundary value between the boundary region Ed and the monochrome original region Eb.

The color boundary value REc and / or the monochrome boundary value REb are compared with the color level CD. In FIG. 8, for the color levels CD1 and CD2,
It is determined that the document is a monochrome document. Color level CD
4, CD5 is determined to be a color original. It is determined that the color level CD3 is the boundary area Ed.

For example, when the number C of color dots is used as the color level CD, the color boundary value REc and / or the monochrome boundary value REb are set in each block BL.
Is compared with the number C of color dots. Color boundary value REc
If there is at least one color dot number C exceeding the original, it is determined that the original is a color original. Monochrome boundary value RE
If there is no color dot number C exceeding b, the original is determined to be a monochrome original. Color boundary value R
If there is no color dot number C exceeding Ec, but there is at least one color dot number C exceeding the monochrome boundary value REb, the document is determined to be the boundary area Ed. Further, in order to make a more accurate determination, other conditions as described above may be used together.

Various values or elements as described in the simple boundary value mode can be used as the color level CD. When it is determined that the area is the boundary area Ed, the fact is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 91. At this time, a message prompting the operator to specify either a color original or a monochrome original is displayed at the same time. Screen HG1 shown in FIG. 9 is an example of the display.

The operator looks at the screen HG1 and recognizes it, and presses the color mode key 99 or the monochrome mode key 1
Press any of 00 to specify the copy mode. The actual copy operation is performed according to the copy mode specified by the operator, and the color boundary value REc or the monochrome boundary value REb is corrected according to the copy mode. Details will be described later.

When the automatic color selection is set, the copy mode is automatically switched to either the color mode or the monochrome mode according to the determination result as described above regardless of the boundary mode. It is. However,
If it is determined that the area is the boundary area Ed, the determination is made after waiting for an input from the operator.

The boundary value REs, the color boundary value REc, and the monochrome boundary value REb described above are set by the operator's manual intentional setting or when the operator determines that the boundary area Ed is present. Is changed according to the content specified by inputting, or according to the color level CD obtained from the document in the manual mode,
Or subject to change. [Boundary Value Correction Processing] Next, the boundary value correction processing for changing the boundary value RE will be described. [Simple boundary value mode] First, the case of the simple boundary value mode will be described.

In FIG. 7, the ACS recognition range AN is a color level CD detected in the automatic color determination process.
Indicates the entire range. The ACS determination range AH indicates a range in which the boundary value RE can be set in the ACS recognition range AN.
That is, the boundary value RE includes the upper limit LMu and the lower limit LMd.
Is set, and the boundary value RE can be set only within the ACS determination range AH. This protects the boundary value correction processing from an abnormal operation even for an irregular operation.

Here, the boundary value REs in the simple boundary value mode
Are set as shown in FIG. Then, the state becomes the selected state SJ1 shown in FIG. The boundary value correction processing in the simple boundary value mode is executed when the operator selects either the color mode or the monochrome mode with the color mode key 99 or the monochrome mode key 100 and performs copying.

Assume that the operator selects the color mode and copies an original. When an instruction to start copying is given, a preliminary scan is performed. By preliminary scan,
The color level CD of the document is detected.

If the detected color level CD is the color level CD2 shown in FIG. 7, the mode specified by the operator matches the content of the selection state SJ1 determined from the color level CD2. The copy operation is performed without changing the boundary value REs.

If the detected color level CD is the color level CD1 shown in FIG. 7, the mode specified by the operator is different from the content of the selection state SJ1 determined from the color level CD1. The boundary value REs is changed. In this case, the boundary value REs is changed so as to match the color level CD1. As a result, the state becomes the selection state SJ2 shown in FIG.

Next, the operator selects the monochrome mode,
Consider a case where an original is copied. Similarly, the color level CD of the document is detected by the preliminary scan. If the detected color level CD is the color level CD1 shown in FIG. 7, since the mode specified by the operator matches the content of the selection state SJ1 determined from the color level CD1, the boundary value REs Is not changed, and the copy operation is performed as it is.

If the detected color level CD is the color level CD2 shown in FIG. 7, the mode specified by the operator differs from the content of the selection state SJ1 determined from the color level CD2. The boundary value REs is changed. In this case, the boundary value REs is changed so as to match the color level CD2. As a result, the state becomes the selection state SJ3 shown in FIG.

Further, when the boundary value REs is changed, the boundary value REs is changed only within the ACS determination range. Therefore, if the color level CD is outside the ACS determination range and the boundary value REs needs to be changed, the boundary value REs is set to the upper limit LMu or the lower limit LMd of the ACS determination range.

As described above, by modifying the boundary value REs according to the copy mode set by the operator, the copy mode set by the automatic color selection can be made closer to the copy mode intended by the operator.
As a result, when copying is performed by automatic color selection from the next time onward, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of a situation in which the automatically set copy mode is not suitable for the operator's intention and a miscopy is performed. it can.

Note that whether or not to change the boundary value REs can be set in advance by the operation panel OP. That is, when the screen HG2 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 91 and the “Yes” button BT11 is pressed, the above-described boundary value correction processing is executed when a predetermined condition is satisfied. When the "No" button BT12 is pressed, the boundary value correction processing is not performed.

By operating the operation panel OP, the operator can directly set the boundary value REs. Thereby, the usability of the operator is further improved. [Boundary region mode] Next, the case of the boundary region mode will be described.

In FIG. 8, the ACS recognition range AN and the ACS determination range AH are the same as in the simple boundary value mode. Here, the color boundary value REc in the boundary region mode
Assume that the monochrome boundary value REb is set as shown in FIG. Then, the state becomes the selected state SJ1 shown in FIG.

Now, in the boundary area mode, the boundary value correction processing is executed in a first case and a second case described below. The first case is when the operator selects either the color mode or the monochrome mode and performs copying, as in the simple boundary value mode.

The second case is when the automatic color selection is set by the ACS key 98 and the operator inputs and specifies the copy mode when it is determined that the boundary area is Ed in the automatic color determination processing. .

First, the first case will be described. It is assumed that the operator selects the color mode and copies a document. If the detected color level CD is the color level CD4 or CD5 shown in FIG. 8, the mode specified by the operator matches the content of the selection state SJ1 determined from the color levels CD4 and CD5. The copy operation is performed without changing the boundary values.

When the detected color level CD is the color level CD2 shown in FIG. 8, the selection state S determined from the mode designated by the operator and the color level 2
Since the content of J1 is different, the boundary value is changed. In this case, the color boundary value REc is the color level C
It is changed to match D2. In this case, the width of the boundary region Ed is not changed, and is shifted by the same width. As a result, the state becomes the selection state SJ2 shown in FIG.

The detected color level CD is shown in FIG.
In the case of the color level CD1 shown in FIG. 7, the boundary value is changed, but the change is performed within the ACS determination range AH. Therefore, the detected color level CD is A
If the value is close to the lower limit LMd even within the CS determination range AH, not only the boundary value but also the width of the boundary region Ed will be changed.

Next, the operator selects the monochrome mode,
Consider a case where an original is copied. The detected color level CD is the color level CD1 or C shown in FIG.
In the case of D2, since the mode specified by the operator matches the content of the selected state SJ1, the copy operation is performed without changing the boundary values.

If the detected color level CD is the color level CD4 shown in FIG. 8, the mode designated by the operator differs from the content of the selected state SJ1.
The boundary value is changed. In this case, the monochrome boundary value REb is changed to match the color level CD4. As a result, the state becomes the selection state SJ3 shown in FIG.

The detected color level CD is shown in FIG.
When the color level is CD5, the boundary value is changed as in the case of the color level CD1, but the change is performed within the ACS determination range AH.

Next, the second case will be described. As described above, in the automatic color determination processing, when the detected color level CD is the color level CD3 shown in FIG. 8, it is determined that the color level CD is the boundary area Ed. Then, the fact is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 91.

It is assumed that the operator has designated the color mode. Then, the color boundary value REc is changed to match the color level CD3. As a result, FIG.
The selection state SJ4 shown in FIG.

Assume that the operator has designated the monochrome mode. Then, the monochrome boundary value REb is changed to match the color level CD3. As a result, the state becomes the selection state SJ5 shown in FIG.

As described above, the boundary value RE can be changed by the conscious setting manually by the operator. In making the change, the liquid crystal touch panel 91
Displays a screen HG3 shown in FIG.

When changing the boundary value REs, the screen HG
In 3, the user presses the select button BT15 to select an instruction mark displayed above the line. In that state,
When the monochrome button BT13 is pressed, the instruction mark moves to the left in the figure, and the area determined to be a monochrome original is widened. When the color button BT14 is pressed, the instruction mark moves to the right in the figure, and the area determined to be a color original is widened.

Similarly, when changing the color boundary value REc and / or the monochrome boundary value REb, one or two indication marks displayed below the line are selected by pressing the selection button BT15. Monochrome button BT
When the user presses 13, the selected instruction mark moves to the left in the figure, and when the color button BT14 is pressed, the instruction mark moves to the right in the figure. Note that the numerical value or the percentage of the boundary value RE may be input using the ten keys 92.

It should be noted that the direction of the indication mark displayed on the screen HG3 is opposite to that of the boundary value RE shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. Also,
The upper limit LMu and the lower limit LMd of the ACS determination range AH described above can also be set by the operator. In the setting, a screen HG4 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 91. On the screen HG4, the upper limit LMu or the lower limit LM is
After designating d, the instruction mark is moved to a desired position by the buttons BT18 and BT19. In addition, you may make it input with a numerical value by the ten key 92.

The screens HG3 and HG4 can be selected and displayed by user's choice. As described above, by correcting the color boundary value REc and the monochrome boundary value REb according to the copy mode set by the operator, the copy mode set by the automatic color selection can be made closer to the copy mode intended by the operator. Can be.

Also, a boundary area Ed is provided, and when it is determined that the color level CD is the boundary area Ed, a warning is displayed to that effect, and the operator is prompted to input, so that miscopying can be effectively prevented. And more reliable copying can be performed quickly.

The boundary value REs, color boundary value REc, monochrome boundary value REb, upper limit LMu, lower limit LMd, and the like are stored in the memory 4140 shown in FIG.

A plurality of these boundary values RE and the like can be set, and each of them is stored together with the identification information of the operator in a dedicated memory for the operator.
That is, the color copying machine MC has a department management function for managing the set values of the color copying machine MC for each department and for each operator. Each department and operator are shown in FIG.
3 has a dedicated memory cassette SC. The memory cassette SC is connected to the interface 207,
Alternatively, it is connected to the image processing unit 205 by inserting it into a slot (not shown). The memory cassette SC may also have a function as a key for enabling the operation of the color copying machine MC and a function as a counter for counting the number of copies.

In the memory SCM of the memory cassette SC, necessary information set by each department or operator, for example, a boundary value REs, a color boundary value REc, and a monochrome boundary value RE
b, the upper limit LMu and the lower limit LMd of the ACS determination range, and whether or not boundary value correction processing is possible are stored. They can also be set and stored for each document type.

The memory cassette SC is a color copier MC.
Is set, the contents of the memory SCM are read and written to the memory 4140. As a result, the automatic color determination process is executed based on the set value for each department or each operator.

Next, the overall procedure of the automatic color selection function described above will be described with reference to the flowchart. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the general processing flow of the color copying machine MC, and FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of the automatic color determination processing.

In FIG. 14, the processing on the operation panel OP is performed, and processing such as setting of a mode and displaying a warning is performed (#
11). Next, automatic color determination processing (ACS determination processing)
(# 12), and if the result indicates that copying is possible, a copy operation is performed (# 13, # 14). If copying is not possible,
The process returns as it is (# 13), and performs the panel process again (# 1).
1) The cause of the copy failure (e.g., determination as a boundary area, failure of automatic color determination processing, etc.) is displayed.

In FIG. 15, first, a preliminary scan is performed for each document regardless of whether automatic color selection is set or not.
Color level judgment for the original (color level CD
Is detected) (# 22).

Next, it is determined whether or not the mode is the automatic color selection mode. If the mode is not the automatic color selection mode (# 23)
No), according to the result of the color level determination made earlier on the document and the currently set copy mode,
The CS level correction processing (boundary value correction processing) is performed (# 2
4) In addition, return that copying is possible.

In the case of the automatic color selection mode (# 2
Then, the automatic color determination is performed according to the result of the color level determination previously performed on the document and the current boundary value RE (# 26). If the result of the determination is a color document or a monochrome document, copying is returned and the process returns.

If the result of the determination is the boundary area Ed (No in # 28), it is determined that the determination is impossible, and copy impossible is returned and the program returns (# 29). In this case, the operator sets the color mode or the monochrome mode in the panel processing in step # 11 of the flowchart of FIG. 14, and in this case, the answer is no in step # 23 and the step # 24 The ACS level correction processing will be performed.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration, structure, shape, number of the entire image processing unit 205 or the color copier MC or each unit, the contents of the automatic color determination processing, the processing order, the display contents of the screen, and the like are as follows. It can be changed appropriately according to the spirit of the present invention.

[0111]

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the accuracy of determining whether the image is a color image or a monochrome image, and to enhance the convenience for the operator.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a color copying machine using an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration of an operation panel.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image processing unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image processing unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a histogram unit and an automatic color determination unit.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a method of counting the number of color dots for automatic color determination processing.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining automatic color determination processing in a simple boundary value mode.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining automatic color determination processing in a boundary area mode.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen when it is determined that the area is a boundary area.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for setting whether or not a boundary value has been changed;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for manually setting a boundary value.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for setting an upper limit and a lower limit of an ACS determination range.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a memory cassette.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a schematic processing flow of the color copying machine.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an automatic color determination process.

[Explanation of symbols]

MC color copier 99 color mode key (input means) 100 monochrome mode key (input means) 205 image processing device 412 histogram section (determination means, color level detection means) 413 automatic color determination section (determination means, condition changing means,
Comparison means) BT11, 12 buttons (selection means) SC memory cassette (storage means)

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Shuji Maruta 2-13-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka F-term in Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. 5B057 AA11 BA24 CA01 CA02 CB01 CB02 CH11 DA08 DA16 DB06 5C077 LL16 MM20 MP07 MP08 PP27 PP28 PP33 PP38 PP42 PP43 PP48 PQ08 PQ17 PQ20 SS05 SS07 TT06 5C079 HA13 HB03 JA02 JA04 JA23 LA21 MA01 MA17 MA19 NA19 NA29 PA02

Claims (14)

[Claims] A means for reading an image of a document and outputting image data; a means for determining whether the document is a color document or a monochrome document based on the image data; Input means for manually inputting whether the document is a monochrome document, and condition changing means for changing a determination condition in the determination means in accordance with a result input by the input means, Image processing device. 2. A means for detecting a color level of an image from input image data and determining whether the image is a color image or a monochrome image based on the color level; Input means for manually inputting whether the image is a monochrome image or a monochrome image, and condition changing means for changing a judgment condition in the judging means according to input information from the input means, Image processing device. 3. A color image area for determining that the image is a color image, a monochrome image area for determining that the image is a monochrome image, or a boundary between the color image and the monochrome image. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein any one of the boundary areas determined to be is output as a determination result. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines a color boundary value that is a boundary value between the color image area and the boundary area and / or a monochrome boundary value that is a boundary value between the boundary area and the monochrome image area. The image processing device according to claim 3, wherein the determination result is output by comparing with a color level. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said condition changing means changes said color boundary value and / or said monochrome boundary value. 6. When a color image area is output as the determination result and a monochrome image is input as the input information, the monochrome boundary value matches the color level at that time. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image processing apparatus is changed as follows. 7. When a monochrome image area is output as the determination result and a color image is input as the input information, the color boundary value matches the color level at that time. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image processing apparatus is changed as follows. 8. When the determination result indicates that the input image is a boundary area, and when the input information indicates that the input image is a color image, the input information is a monochrome image. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, when is input, the monochrome boundary value is changed to match the color level at that time. 9. The method according to claim 3, wherein when the determination result indicates that the area is a boundary area, a message to that effect and a message prompting an input by the input means are displayed on the display surface. The image processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 10. A storage means for storing one or more sets of the color boundary value and the monochrome boundary value, wherein one set of the color boundary value and the monochrome boundary value read from the storage means are stored in the color level. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the determination result is output in comparison with the image processing. 11. The determination means outputs as a determination result either a color image area for determining that the image is a color image or a monochrome image area for determining that the image is a monochrome image. The image processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 12. The condition changing means changes a boundary value between the color image area and the monochrome image area according to the color level so that the input information from the input means matches the judgment result of the judgment means. The image processing device according to claim 11, 13. A storage means for storing one or a plurality of said boundary values, wherein said one boundary value read from said storage means is compared with said color level to output said determination result. 13. The image processing device according to 12. 14. An upper limit and a lower limit for the boundary value, wherein the boundary value is set to an upper limit or a lower limit when the color level exceeds the upper limit or the lower limit. Image processing device.