JP2002218121A - Image input device and image input program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image input device or the like that captures image data obtained by a scanner that has a read face on which an original image is placed to read the image, receives the input of a control signal to read the image on the read face and generates image data and that conducts a series of processing from the read of the original image by the scanner, its setup and storage of image data after the setup. SOLUTION: The image input device conducts detection of the contour of an original image on the scanner, image reading of the original image, automatic setup and storage of image data at once by having only to click the start button with a mouse.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a scanner having a reading surface on which an original image is placed and read, receiving a control signal and reading the reading surface to generate image data. The present invention relates to a receiving image input device and an image input program for causing a computer to operate as such an image input device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a scanner for reading an image and obtaining image data is often used for inputting an original image which is a basis of an image to be printed or printed out, and the image data obtained by the scanner is generally used. Then, setup is performed so as to obtain a print image or print image of good image quality, and a print image or print image is created based on the image data after the setup. Here, the setup refers to a process of converting image data so that a good print image or a print image can be obtained when a print image or a print image is created. The image data after the setup is temporarily stored in a predetermined file for the next processing.

In order to obtain image data by reading an image using a scanner, one or a plurality of photographs and other original images are arranged on the reading surface of the scanner, and the entire reading surface has a coarse resolution. Read by
Rough image data of the entire reading surface is generated. Here, the reading at this time is referred to as “entire scan”. The whole image based on the image data obtained by this whole scan is displayed on a display screen of an image display device such as a CRT display, and the whole image displayed on the display screen by an operation of a mouse or a keyboard by an operator. Of these, the image area in which the original image is actually arranged on the reading surface of the scanner is designated.

When an image area is designated by an operator's operation, high-resolution image reading is performed only in the designated image area, and high-resolution image data only in the image area is generated. Here, the reading at this time is referred to as “fine scan”. In the above-described setup, conversion is performed on image data obtained by this fine scan.

[0005]

Conventionally, a series of processes from the reading of the original image by the scanner, the setup, and the storage of the image data after the setup are conventionally performed by the operator during the series of processes. Operation was required, and a heavy burden was imposed on the operator.

As a main operation by the operator during a series of processes, there is an operation for designating an area of an original image placed on the reading surface of the scanner. That is, as described above, the area of the original image is designated by the operation of the operator when the coarse image obtained by the whole scan is displayed on the display screen. When a plurality of original images are arranged on a surface, it is necessary to specify an image area for each original image, and when the original images are arranged obliquely with respect to the reading surface of the scanner, the image is inclined obliquely. It is necessary to specify an image area. In many cases, a large number of original images are read while sequentially repeating the whole scan and the fine scan, and the specification of this image area is a task that requires a considerable burden on the operator.

[0007] Even if a high-precision reading is performed from the beginning on the entire reading surface of the scanner without any distinction between the whole scan and the fine scan, and then the area of the original image is cut out, the operator is required to cut out the image area. The same operation.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides an image input apparatus capable of performing the above-described series of processing while reducing the burden on the operator, and a computer that reduces the operation burden on such an operator. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image input program that operates as an image input device that performs a series of processes described above.

[0009]

An image input apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object has a reading surface on which an original image is placed and read, receives a control signal, reads the reading surface and reads image data. A scanner control unit that sends a control signal to control the scanner to the scanner that generates the scanner, an image input unit that receives image data obtained by the scanner, and an entire reading surface that is input to the image input unit. An image recognition unit that recognizes the outline of the original image placed on the reading surface based on the image data obtained by reading, and image data in an image area surrounded by the outline of the original image recognized by the image recognition unit An image conversion unit that converts the image data into reproduced image data for outputting a reproduced image whose image quality has been adjusted by an output device that outputs the reproduced image based on the reproduced image data. An image storage unit for storing the obtained reproduced image data, a start operator for instructing the start of reading the original image, receives an operation start operation element by an operator,
The scanner control unit controls the scanner, receives image data by the image input unit, recognizes the outline of the original image by the image recognition unit, and converts the image without receiving any intermediate operation by the operator other than the operation of the start operator. And an operation control unit for continuously executing a series of operations of conversion into reproduction image data by the image storage unit and storage of the reproduction image data by the image storage unit.

The image input device of the present invention is provided with the above-mentioned image recognizing section, in which the outline of the original image placed on the reading surface is recognized based on the image data. Operation is not required. Further, the image input device of the present invention further includes an image storage unit that performs setup with an image conversion unit and stores playback image data after the setup.
A series of processes including scanner control, reading of image data, recognition of the outline of the original image, conversion to the reproduced image data (setup), and storage of the reproduced image data are continuously performed only by the operation of the start operator by the operator. Done.

Here, in the image input device of the present invention,
The scanner includes: a first reading mode in which a reading surface is read relatively coarsely to obtain first image data having a relatively low resolution; and a second image having relatively high resolution reading a relatively fine reading. The operation control unit receives an operation of a start operation member by an operator, and causes the scanner control unit to perform a first reading operation toward the scanner. A first control signal for performing reading in the reading mode is transmitted, an image input unit receives the first image data obtained in the first reading mode by the scanner, and an image recognizing unit.
Based on the first image data, the outline of the original image is recognized, and the scanner control unit sends a second control signal to the scanner to perform reading in the second reading mode. Causing the unit to receive the second image data obtained in the second reading mode by the scanner,
An image conversion unit that converts the second image data in an image area surrounded by the outline of the original image recognized by the image recognition unit based on the first image data into reproduced image data; Alternatively, reproduced image data obtained by converting the second image data may be stored.

An image input program for achieving the above object is a computer which has a reading surface on which an original image is placed and read, receives a control signal, reads the reading surface, and generates image data. An image input program that operates as an image input device that receives the obtained image data, a scanner control unit that controls the scanner by sending a control signal to control the scanner to the scanner,
An image input unit that receives image data obtained by a scanner, and recognizes an outline of an original image placed on the reading surface based on image data input to the image input unit and obtained by reading the entire reading surface. An image recognition unit and a reproduction image whose image quality has been adjusted by an output device that outputs a reproduction image based on the reproduction image data of the image data in the image region surrounded by the outline of the original image recognized by the image recognition unit. An image conversion unit for converting the image data into reproduced image data for output;
An image storage unit that stores the reproduced image data obtained by the image conversion unit, a start operation unit display unit that displays a start operation unit that instructs to start reading the original image, and an operation of the start operation unit by an operator, Other than the operation of the start operator,
Controlling the scanner by the scanner control unit, receiving the image data by the image input unit, recognizing the outline of the original image by the image recognition unit, converting the image data to playback image data by the image conversion unit, without receiving intermediate operations by the operator. And an operation control unit for continuously executing a series of operations for storing the reproduced image data by the image storage unit.

The scanner has a first reading mode in which the reading surface is relatively coarsely read to obtain first image data having a relatively low resolution, and a relatively high reading in which the scanning surface is relatively finely read. Second to obtain second image data of resolution
The operation control unit receives an operation of a start operator by an operator, and instructs the scanner control unit to read toward the scanner in the first reading mode. Is transmitted, the image input unit receives the first image data obtained in the first reading mode by the scanner, and the image recognition unit causes the image recognition unit to transmit the first control signal. Causing the scanner control unit to transmit a second control signal for causing the scanner control unit to perform reading in the second reading mode, based on the image data; The second reading mode obtained in the second reading mode
Receiving the second image data in the image area surrounded by the outline of the original image recognized by the image recognition unit based on the first image data by the image conversion unit. And the reproduced image data obtained by converting the second image data may be stored in the image storage unit.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a printing system in which an embodiment of the image input apparatus of the present invention is incorporated.

The color scanner 10 reads an original image placed on the reading surface, and represents C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) representing the read original image.
Are generated, and the generated CMY image data is input to the workstation 20. Here, the workstation 20 is configured by a personal computer. This workstation 2
0 can perform electronic plate collection (editing), but also serves as an embodiment of the image input apparatus of the present invention. That is, the color scanner 10 performs the above-described entire scan on the entire reading surface thereof in accordance with an instruction from the workstation 20, generates coarse (low-resolution) CMY image data, and captures the image data into the workstation 20. In the station 20, the outline of the original image on the reading surface of the color scanner 10 is determined based on the coarse image data, and the color scanner 10 performs a fine scan in the area of the original image in accordance with an instruction from the workstation 20. CMY obtained by the fine scan
High-resolution image data from the workstation 2
Input to 0. In the workstation 20, setup is performed using the high-resolution image data, the image data is converted into four-color image data obtained by adding C, M, Y, and K (black). Once stored in a file.

The set-up image data stored in the file is input to the film printer 30, and the film printer 30 creates a printing film master based on the image data.

A printing plate is prepared from these printing film original plates, and the prepared printing plate is mounted on a printing machine 40. The printing plate mounted on the printing press is coated with ink of each color corresponding to each printing plate, and the applied ink is transferred onto printing paper to form a print image 41 on the printing paper. You.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the color scanner and the workstation shown by the block in FIG. 1, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of a workstation.

The lid 11 of the color scanner 10 is opened, and one or more original images (three in the case of a specific example (see FIG. 7) described later) are placed on the reading surface 12, and the lid 11 is closed. Then, the reading surface 12 is scanned (scanned) by a line-shaped reading light and a line sensor (not shown) for image reading, and the reading surface (including the original image arranged thereon) is read. Image data is generated. As described above, the color scanner 10 generates image data of three colors C, M, and Y. The generated image data is input to the workstation 20.

FIG. 2 shows, as an example, a reflection type color scanner which irradiates reading light to an original image and receives light reflected by the original image to obtain image data. A transmission-type color scanner that irradiates light and receives light transmitted through the original image to obtain image data may be employed, and has a function of both a reflection type and a transmission type, and is used by switching. May be employed. Here, the description will be continued assuming that a reflection type color scanner is employed.

The workstation 20 is composed of a personal computer.
1. Display screen 22 in response to an instruction from main unit 21
an image display device 22 for displaying an image on a, a main device 21
A keyboard 23 for inputting various types of information corresponding to key operations, and a mouse 24 for specifying an arbitrary position on the display screen 22a and inputting an instruction corresponding to an icon or the like displayed at that position. Have. In addition, the main body device 21 has an MO loading port 21a for loading the MO disk 100 and a CD-ROM loading port 21b for loading a CD-ROM in appearance. This workstation 20 operates as an embodiment of the image input device of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, a CPU 211 for executing various programs and a main memory 21 for reading out programs stored in a hard disk drive 213 and developing them for execution by the CPU 211 are installed inside the main unit 21.
2. A hard disk drive 213 for storing various programs, image data, etc., an MO drive 214 for loading the MO disk 100 and accessing the loaded MO disk 100, a CD-ROM 110 loaded, and the loaded CD-ROM 110 CD-RO to access
An M drive 215, an input / output interface 216 connected to the color scanner 10 to operate the color scanner 10 and receive image data from the color scanner 10;
An output interface 217 for sending image data to the film printer 30 (see FIG. 1) is built in. These various elements and the image display device 2 shown in FIG.
2. The keyboard 23 and the mouse 24 are mutually connected via the bus 22.

Here, the CD-ROM 110 stores an embodiment of the image input program of the present invention for operating the workstation 20 as an embodiment of the image input device of the present invention. CD-ROM
110 is loaded into a CD-ROM drive 215, and the image input program stored in the CD-ROM 110 is uploaded to the workstation 20 and stored in the hard disk device 213.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of an image input program stored on a CD-ROM.

The image input program 500 stored in the CD-ROM 110 includes a scanner control unit 510, an image input unit 520, an image recognition unit 530, an image conversion unit 540,
It comprises an image storage unit 550, a display operation unit 560, and an operation control unit 570. The display operation unit 560 includes a start button display unit 561 for displaying a start operation element. The start button display section 561 corresponds to an example of a start operator display section in the image input program of the present invention. The operation of each unit will be described together with the description of the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of the image input device of the present invention.

The image input device 600 shown in FIG. 5 is realized by installing and executing the image input program 500 shown in FIG. 4 on the workstation 20 shown in FIGS. The image input device 600 includes a scanner control unit 610, an image input unit 620,
Image recognition unit 630, image conversion unit 640, image storage unit 65
0, a display operation unit 660, and an operation control unit 670. The display operation unit 660 has a start button 661. The start button 661 corresponds to an example of a start operator in the image input device of the present invention. The scanner control unit 610, the image input unit 620, the image recognition unit 630, the image conversion unit 640, the image storage unit 650, and the display operation unit 66
0 and an operation control unit 670 are respectively a scanner control unit 570, an image input unit 520, an image recognition unit 530, an image conversion unit 540, and an image storage unit as each program component constituting the image input program 500 shown in FIG. 53
0, the display operation unit 560, and the operation control unit 570. These units constituting the image input device 600 in FIG. 5 are realized by a combination of hardware and software. On the other hand, each program component included in the image input program 500 shown in FIG. 4 indicates only an application program portion among corresponding portions of the image input device in FIG.

A start button display section 561 included in the display operation section 560 shown in FIG. 4 is a program part for displaying a start button on the display screen 22a of the workstation 20 shown in FIG. The start button 661 included in the unit 660 refers to a start button displayed on the display screen. The operation of each unit of the image input device 600 shown in FIG. 5 will be described together with the description of the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an image input procedure.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 6 includes, in addition to the steps for executing each program component of the image input program shown in FIG. 4, steps for operation by an operator and steps for reading an image by the color scanner 10 shown in FIG. .

In steps S1 and S2 of FIG. 6, the display operation unit 560 of FIG. 4 operates, and the screens of FIGS. 7 to 9 are displayed on the display screen 22a of the image display device 22 of the work station 20 of FIG. While being displayed, a preparation operation for image input by the operator is performed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed when actual image reading is being performed.

The screen 700 shown in FIG. 7 includes an overview screen 710 on the left and a job list screen 720 on the right.
And a start button 661 and a stop button 662 arranged on the overview screen 710. Note that in FIG. 7, images and filter names are already displayed on the overview screen 710 and the job list screen 720, but before the start of image input, all are blank.
Details of the screen 700 in FIG. 7 will be described later.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the file setting screen.

The file setting screen 730 is a screen displayed when the "file setting" in FIG. 7 is clicked with the mouse, instead of the job list screen in FIG. On the file setting screen 730, a file name of a file for storing the image data obtained by reading and a folder for saving the file are set.

In the file name setting column 731, characters or numbers are set over five lines. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the character "FILE" is set on the first line, the character "_" is set on the second line, and the number "1" is set on the third line. No characters or numbers are set in the fourth and fifth lines. In this case, "FILE_1" is set. This “FILE_1” is an initial value, and when a plurality of files are required, the numerical part is sequentially incremented, and “FILE_1”, “FILE_1”
2 ",...," FILE_5 ".

In the save destination setting column 732 in FIG. 8, a filter name of a save destination of a file storing image data is specified. In the example shown in FIG. 8, “/ image / mu
sh / "is specified. In this case, "/ image
/ Mush / "folder with the file name" FILE_
5, “FILE — 2”,..., “FILE — 5” are created, and the overview screen 710 of FIG. 7 is created.
The respective image data obtained by reading the five original images shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the setup setting screen.

This setup setting screen 740 is shown in FIG.
Alternatively, when the mouse is clicked on “setup setting” in FIG. 8, this screen is displayed instead of the job list screen 720 or the file setting screen 730 in FIG. 7 or FIG. On the setup setting screen 740, setup parameters are set. The setup according to this embodiment refers to the color scanner 10 shown in FIGS.
The image data obtained by reading the original image in FIG.
When a print image 41 is obtained by printing with the printing machine 40 shown in FIG. 1, the image data is converted by converting the image data so that a good print image can be obtained by integrating, for example, contrast, color, and vividness. Generate.

FIG. 9 shows a simple example of the setup, in which a highlight portion (bright portion in the image) and a shadow portion (dark portion in the image) are set.
Each is selected from "bright", "standard", and "dark". "Bright", "standard",
“Dark” means that image data is converted such that a highlight portion or a shadow portion becomes a slightly brighter image, an image of standard brightness, and a slightly darker image, respectively.

It should be noted that various setup methods are conventionally known, and a description of a more complicated setup method will be omitted. For example, "The Printing Society of Japan, Vol. 31, No. 1, (1994) 63-65" contains a more detailed general description of the setup.

When "job list" is clicked on the file setting screen 730 in FIG. 8 or the setup setting screen 740 in FIG. 9, a setup screen 720 in FIG. 7 is displayed. As described above, at this stage, both the overview screen 710 and the job list screen 720 are blank.

Here, an original image (five original images in the example shown in FIG. 7) is arranged on the reading surface 12 of the color scanner 10 in FIG. 2, and then a start button 661 shown in FIG. 7 is pressed (FIG. 6). Step S3). Then, the scanner control units 510 and 610 in FIGS. 4 and 5 transmit a first control signal for instructing the whole scan to the color scanner 10 (step S4), and the color scanner 10 performs the whole scan. (Step S5).

Here, the color scanner 10 shown in FIG.
Has a mode in which the reading surface 12 is roughly read to obtain image data with a relatively low resolution, and a mode in which the reading surface 12 is read finely to obtain image data with a relatively high resolution. The reading in the coarse reading mode is referred to as "whole scanning", and the reading in the fine reading mode is referred to as "fine scan".

In step S5 in FIG. 6, the entire scan is performed, and first image data having a low resolution and representing the entire reading surface is generated.

The image input units 520 and 620 of FIGS. 4 and 5 receive the first image data generated by the whole scan, and the image recognition units 530 and 63 of FIGS.
In step S7, an automatic document recognition process for obtaining the contour of the original image on the reading surface 12 of the color scanner 10 is performed based on the first image data (step S7). Details of the automatic document recognition process in step S7 will be described later.

In the display operation units 560 and 660, an image of the entire reading surface based on the first image data received by the image input units 520 and 620 is displayed on the overview screen 710 of FIG. Also, the image recognition units 530 and 63
When the automatic document recognizing process (Step S7) at Step S0 is completed, a list of file names ("FILE_1", "FI-1" in the example shown in FIG. 7) is displayed on the job list screen 720 shown in FIG.
LE_2 ",...," FILE-5 ") are displayed.

Here, as an example, the center point is the reading surface 1
2 in order from the original image above
_1 "," FILE_2 ", ... are automatically assigned. At this stage, all characters indicating the status of each file (in the example shown in FIG. 7, "end", "executing", and "waiting for processing") are "waiting for processing".

When the automatic document recognizing process in step S7 in FIG. 7 is completed, the process proceeds to step S8, where the scanner control units 510 and 610 in FIGS.
A second control signal for designating a contour automatically recognized in step S7 of the original image assigned to E_1 and performing a fine scan within the contour is transmitted to the color scanner 10 (step S8). ). At this stage, the display operation units 560 and 560 shown in FIGS.
As a result, FILE_ on the job list screen 720 in FIG.
The character indicating the status of 1 is changed to "executing".

Upon receiving the second control signal, the color scanner 10 performs a fine scan on the area of the original image assigned to FILE_1 (step S).
9) The FI obtained by the fine scan
The high-resolution second image data representing the original image assigned to LE_1 is the image input units 520 and 6 shown in FIGS.
20 and received by the image conversion units 540 and 630
Auto setup based on the second image data of the original image associated with FILE_1 is performed (step S11). Here, the auto setup refers to a setup that is interrupted in the middle of the actual setup stage except for the previous setting and is performed without receiving a new operation by the operator (see “The 31st Journal of the Printing Society of Japan”. Vol. 10, p. 63-65 "). The auto setup in step S11 will be additionally described later.

When the automatic setup is performed in step S11 of FIG. 6, the image storage units 550 and 6 of FIGS.
At 50, the image data after setup is stored (step S12). In this image data storage, F
The image data after setup of the original image associated with ILE_1 is stored in the save destination folder (/ im in the example shown in FIG. 8) set on the file setting screen 739 shown in FIG.
image / mush /) in a file with a file name FILE_1.

When the processing of steps S8 to S12 is completed, the character indicating the status of FILE_1 on the job list screen 720 of FIG. 7 is changed to "end" by the display operation units 560 and 660 of FIGS. Is done. Also, FIG.
In the operation control units 570 and 670 of FIG.
It is determined whether there is an original image for which the processing of a12 has not been performed yet (step S13), and steps S8 to S8 are performed.
If an original image that has not been subjected to the processing in S12 still exists, the process returns to step S8, and the next original image (here, F
The same processing as described above is performed on the original image associated with ILE_2). Job list screen 72 of FIG.
0 indicates that the process for this stage, that is, FILE_1 has been completed, the process for FILE_2 is being executed, and the remaining files are waiting for processing.

This is repeated, and if it is determined in step S13 that the processing in steps S8 to S12 has been completed for all the original images, the image input processing shown in FIG. 6 ends.

The operation control units 570 and 570 shown in FIGS.
In 670, sequence control is performed so that not only the determination processing in step S13 but also the entire processing in FIG. 6 is correctly performed.

Next, the image recognition units 530 and 6 in FIGS.
The automatic document recognition process (step S7) in S30 will be described.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flowchart of the document automatic recognition process in step S7 in FIG.

First, as described above, the original image is arranged on the reading surface 12 of the color scanner 10 shown in FIG. Thereafter, when the operator clicks a start button (see FIG. 7) on the work station 20, an instruction for the whole scan is output to the color scanner 10, and the color scanner 10 receives the instruction and roughens the entire surface of the reading surface 12. A whole scan to read is performed,
The resulting low resolution CMY first image data (hereinafter, “first” is omitted and simply referred to as “image data”) is sent to the workstation 20.
The workstation 20 receives the CMY image data obtained by the whole scan and executes the routine shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state where the original image is placed on the reading surface of the color scanner. Although five original images are shown on the overview screen 710 in FIG. 7 as an example, here, for simplicity, it is assumed that three original images are placed on the reading surface of the color scanner. I do.

In the routine shown in FIG. 10, first, CMY
Image data is, for example, once R (red), G (green)
) And B (blue) image data
Later, L ^*a^*b^*Is converted to image data represented by
(Step a1). In each step after step a2
Is L representing the lightness of the^*Only image data of
Used. In addition, in each step after step a2
Processing is not necessarily a strict sense of image data representing brightness
Image data that does not need to be based on
Data, depending on the nature of the original image.
Step a1 is omitted and based on M (magenta) image data
May be performed.

In the next step a2, the highlight portion (HL) and the shadow portion (SH) of the image data representing the brightness are clipped so as not to exceed a certain value. For example, when the pixel value is represented by a numerical value from 0 to 255, all the pixel values 0 to 30 are replaced with the pixel value 30 and all the pixel values 230 to 255 are replaced with the pixel value 230.

Here, three original images 301, 302, 303 are placed on the reading surface 12, all of which are black paper 311,
312 and 313.
The reason why the original image is pasted on black paper is to prevent the occurrence of flare or the like due to light irregularly reflected by edges or the like around the original image on the image captured as image data.

In FIG. 11, the reading surface 12 is shown as being placed upward for easy understanding.
When the original image is actually placed on the top, it is placed downward. Also, as shown in FIG. 11, each original image is
It may be placed obliquely with respect to the reading surface 12.

The processing in step a2 is based on a mask portion or a blank portion (each original image 30 shown in FIG. 7) on the reading surface 12.
Black paper 311,31 around 1,302,303
When the sharpness enhancement process in the next step a3 is performed on the portions 2 and 313 and the surrounding portions where nothing is placed), noise will be enhanced. Is to prevent sharpness enhancement processing from being performed on the mask portion or the blank portion.

In step a3, sharpness enhancement processing is performed. The absolute average of the difference between adjacent pixels is calculated in the matching process in step a6 described later. The sharpness enhancement process in step a3 is a process for making the characteristics of the image stand out in the calculation.

In step a4, the image data subjected to the pre-processing of steps a1 to a3 as described above is
The block analysis processing described below is performed.

In this block analysis processing, the image of the entire reading surface is two-dimensionally divided into a plurality of blocks (n × m blocks).
For each block, the absolute value of the difference between the pixel values of adjacent pixels in the block is accumulated, and the result is divided by the number of pixels in the block. The blocks whose absolute value average exceeds a certain threshold value are extracted. It is determined that the region where the blocks extracted in this way are collected is the region where the original image exists on the reading surface.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an image representing the result of the block analysis processing.

In FIG. 12, a block having a larger average value of the absolute value of the difference is whiter or coarser hatched.
The smaller the value, the finer the hatching.

FIG. 12 shows three sets of blocks having values equal to or greater than a certain threshold value, and these three sets correspond to the three original image areas shown in FIG.

Here, one block having the largest value is selected from among the many blocks forming the three sets. Note that the block selected here does not need to be the block having the largest value, and the center block of one set may be selected, or any block having a value equal to or greater than the threshold value may be selected. One block may be selected. Here, one block extracted or selected in this manner is referred to as a “candidate area”.

Returning to FIG. 10, the description will be continued.

In step a5 of FIG. 10, step a4
It is determined whether or not the candidate area has been detected (selected) by the block analysis processing.

Step a5 will be supplementarily described later. If it is determined in step a5 that no candidate area has been detected, the routine shown in FIG. 10 ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step a5 that the candidate area has been detected, the process proceeds to step 6, where a matching process for finding the contour of the original image is performed. The details of the matching process will be described below. When the outline of one original image is obtained by the matching process, the process returns to step a4. When returning to step a4, in step a4, the above-described block analysis processing is not repeated from the beginning, but the block analysis processing result obtained as shown in FIG. 12 is used, and the original image obtained this time in step a6 is used. The set of blocks corresponding to the contour of is deleted (each block constituting the set is treated as a block below the threshold), and the remaining block having the maximum value among the blocks above the threshold is deleted. It is selected as a new candidate area.

When steps a4 to a6 are repeated in the number of original images (three in the example shown in FIG. 12), no new candidate area is detected in step a5 and no candidate area is detected. At step a5, the routine of FIG. 10 ends.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a detailed flow of the mapping process shown as one step (step a6) in FIG.

Here, first, the coordinates of the center point of the candidate area obtained in step a4 of FIG. 10 are stored as history information (step b1). Then, each side of the candidate area is stored as follows. Is calculated (step b2).

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing one candidate area.

This candidate area has a rectangular shape surrounded by four sides a, b, c, d. FIG. 14 also shows the center point O of the rectangular candidate area. In the aforementioned step b1, the history of the coordinates of the center point O is stored.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a method of calculating a value for each side of the candidate area.

Referring to FIG. 15, side a shown in FIG.
A method for obtaining a value regarding will be described. The sides b, c, and d are obtained in the same manner as the side a.

In FIG. 15, the center point O of the candidate area
, A straight line bisecting the side a is drawn.
Let the two left and right partial line segments be partial line segments. Also, two partial line segments that are parallel to the side a and that are inserted into the inside of the candidate area by three pixels are divided into right and left by a straight line passing through the center point O. ,

Here, four partial line segments with respect to the side a,
,,, The cumulative value of the absolute value of the difference between the pixel values of successively adjacent pixels among the many pixels arranged on each partial line segment is obtained, and the cumulative value of each of these partial line segments,,, Is divided by the number of pixels arranged on each of the partial line segments. In this manner, the average of the absolute value of the difference is obtained for each of the partial line segments. Here, the average of the absolute value of the difference obtained for each of the four partial line segments is compared with a certain threshold value. In the case of, '0' is assigned. Thereby, 4 related to the side a
'1' for each of the line segments
Or “0” is assigned, and 4
A numerical value represented by bits will be obtained. Similarly, for the sides b, c, and d, respective numerical values represented by 4 bits are obtained.

Next, a command is assigned to the side a based on the 4-bit numerical value obtained for the side a in this way and corresponding to the four partial line segments,.

Table 1 is a correspondence table between 4-bit numerical values and commands.

[0087]

[Table 1]

In Table 1, when the numerical value 0, that is, (,,,) = (0,0,0,0) in the 4-bit representation, the command 'narrow' is assigned, and the numerical value 1, ie, (,, ,) = (0,0,0,1)
In the case of, the command 'plus' is assigned, and the numerical value 2, that is, (,,,) = (0,0,1,0)
Means that the command 'minus' is assigned. The same applies to numerical values 3 to 15.

Here, as shown in Table 1, 'narr
ow ','plus','minus',' hol '
Six commands, d ',' unknown ', and' wide ', are prepared.

Table 1 is a table which is commonly applied to not only the side a but also all of the sides b to d. The same applies to the sides b to d as in the side a. One of these commands is assigned.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the command.

Since the execution of the command may cause the candidate area to rotate around the center point O, here, the candidate area in an inclined state is shown for generality.

Here, as shown in FIG. 16, the length of the side a and the side c shown in FIG. 14 is 'width', the length of the side b and the side d is 'high', and the coordinates of the center point O are ( c
enter_x, center_y), the angle of the inclination with the inclination arrow (left rotation) shown in FIG.
eta '. However, the coordinates of the center point O (cent
er_x, center_y) is expressed along the side of the candidate area inclined by the angle theta, and the movement of the center point O in the x direction (change of the value of center_x) extends the side a or the side c. Direction, ie wi
The movement of the center point O in the y direction (change of the value of center_y) means the movement in the direction in which the side b or d extends, that is, the movement in the high direction.

The six commands shown in Table 1 have the following contents. Here, Δx and Δθ are predetermined values for changing the candidate area.

Here, the movement amount and the rotation amount obtained for each of the four sides a, b, c, and d are added up for all four sides, and the movement and rotation are performed by the added amount.

(1) When the side a is “wide”, cen
ter_y is changed to center_y + (Δx / 2), and high is changed to high + Δx.

That is, at this time, the side a moves by Δx toward the outside of the candidate area.

(2) When side a is 'narrow', c
Change enter_y to center_y- (Δx / 2) and change high to high-Δx.

That is, at this time, the side a moves by Δx toward the inside of the candidate area.

(3) When the side a is “plus”, th
eta is changed to theta + Δθ.

That is, at this time, the candidate area rotates around the center point O by Δθ in the positive direction.

(4) When the side a is “minus”, t
Heta is changed to theta-Δθ.

That is, at this time, the candidate area rotates around the center point O by Δθ in the opposite direction.

(5) When the side a is “hold”, both the moving amount and the rotating amount are zero.

(6) When the side a is “unknown”, in the present embodiment, the same operation as when the side a is “wide” is performed.

(7) When the side b is “wide”, cen
ter_x is calculated as center_x + (Δx × 0.9) / 2
And width is changed to width + (Δx
× 0.9).

That is, at this time, the side b moves toward the outside of the candidate area by Δx × 0.9.

(8) When edge b is 'narrow', c
enter_x is center_x- (Δx × 0.9)
/ 2 and width to width-
(Δx × 0.9).

That is, at this time, the side b moves toward the outside of the candidate area by Δx × 0.9.

(9) When the side b is “plus”, th
eta is changed to theta + Δθ.

That is, at this time, the candidate area rotates around the center point O by Δθ in the positive direction.

(10) When the side b is “minus”,
Theta is changed to theta-Δθ.

That is, at this time, the candidate area rotates around the center point O by Δθ in the opposite direction.

(11) When the side b is “hold”, both the moving amount and the rotating amount are zero.

(12) When the side b is “unknown”, in the present embodiment, the same operation as when the side b is “wide” is performed.

(13) When the side c is 'wide', ce
center_y is defined as center_y- (Δx × 0.8 /
2) and change “high” to “high +
(Δx × 0.8).

That is, at this time, the side c moves toward the outside of the candidate area by Δx × 0.8.

(14) When the side c is “narrow”,
center_y is calculated as center_y + (Δx × 0.8
/ 2) and change “hight” to “high-
(Δx × 0.8).

That is, at this time, the side c moves by Δx × 0.8 toward the inside of the candidate area.

(15) When the side c is “plus”, t
Heta is changed to theta + Δθ.

That is, at this time, the candidate area rotates around the center point O by Δθ in the positive direction.

(16) When the side c is “minus”,
Theta is changed to theta-Δθ.

That is, at this time, the candidate area rotates around the center point O by Δθ in the opposite direction.

(17) When the side c is “hold”, both the movement amount and the rotation amount are zero.

(18) When the side c is 'unknown', in the present embodiment, the same operation as when the side c is 'wide' is performed.

(19) When the side d is 'wide', ce
center_x is defined as center_x− (Δx × 0.7) /
2 and width is changed to width + (Δ
xx 0.7).

That is, at this time, the side d moves toward the outside of the candidate area by Δx × 0.7.

(20) When the side d is “narrow”,
center_x is set to center_x + (Δx × 0.
7) Change to / 2 and change the width to width
Change to-(Δx × 0.7).

That is, at this time, the side b moves toward the outside of the candidate area by Δx × 0.7.

(21) When the side d is “plus”, t
Heta is changed to theta + Δθ.

That is, at this time, the candidate area rotates around the center point O by Δθ in the positive direction.

(22) When the side d is “minus”,
Theta is changed to theta-Δθ.

That is, at this time, the candidate area rotates around the center point O by Δθ in the opposite direction.

(23) When the side d is “hold”, both the moving amount and the rotating amount are zero.

(24) When the side d is 'unknown', in the present embodiment, the same operation as when the side d is 'wide' is performed.

The movement amount of each command of the above sides a to d,
The total of each rotation amount is the current movement amount and rotation amount.

That is, for example, when the side a is “wide”, the side b is “narrow”, the side c is “hold”, and the side d is “unknown”, the center_y is set to center_y + (Δx /
2) and high is changed to high + Δ
x, and by “narrow” on side b, cen
ter_x is center_x + (Δx × 0.9) / 2
And width is changed to width + (Δ
x × 0.9), and the side c is “hold”, so that the center point is moved and the widt is moved in relation to the side c.
There is no change in h or high, and 'unkn
Because “own” is identified as “wide” in this embodiment, “unknown” is identified as “wide”.
Is changed to center_x + (Δx × 0.7) / 2, and the width is width− (Δx × 0.
Changed to 7).

When these are combined, the coordinates of the center point (cen
ter_x, center_y) becomes (center_
x− (Δx × 1.6) / 2, center_y + (Δx
/ 2)), high is changed to high + Δx, and width is width− (Δx × 1.6).
Will be changed to

In another example, if the side a is' p
rus', side b is'minus', side c is' wid '
e 'and side d are'plus', then 'plus' on side a
s' changes theta to theta + Δθ,
Theta becomes theta- by 'minus' on side b
Is changed to Δθ, and by 'wide' of side c, cent
er_y is changed to center_y− (Δx × 0.8) / 2, and high is changed to high− (Δx
× 0.8), and plus' on the side d
ta is changed to theta + Δθ.

When these are combined, the coordinates of the center point O (c
enter_x, center_y) becomes (center
r_x, center_y- (Δx × 0.8) / 2), high is changed to high−Δx × 0.8, and theta is changed to theta + Δθ.

The same applies to other combinations of the commands assigned to the sides a to d.

When the candidate area is changed as described above, the changed area is set as a new candidate area.
As described with reference to FIG. 15 regarding the new candidate region, four sub-segments (four sub-segments of side a and side b shown in FIG. 15) for each of four sides a to d
The average of the absolute value of the difference between the pixel values is calculated for the four partial lines set in the same manner for .about.d, the commands shown in Table 1 are assigned to each side, and the new candidate area is further changed. You.

This is repeated, and the four sides a to d surrounding the area when all four sides a to d finally become “hold” are set.
d is obtained as the contour of the original image. The processing when all four sides a to d do not become “hold” will be described later.

The above algorithm will be described with reference to the flow of FIG. 13. The value for each side is calculated as described above (step b2), and the commands shown in Table 1 are assigned to each side (step b3). ), Whether or not the command of all four sides is 'hold', and whether or not the edge detection of the original image, which will be described later, has been completed, is determined, and the outline of the original image is obtained. Ends the routine in FIG. 13 (the matching processing in step a6 in FIG. 10) and returns to the block analysis processing in step a4 in FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined in step b4 that the contour of the original image has not been found, the process proceeds to step b5.

In step b5, the history of the coordinates of the center point O obtained in step b1 is referred to, and the coordinates of the center point O exceed the predetermined movement amount while the latest candidate area is changed a predetermined number of times. It is determined whether or not the operation has been performed. If the user has moved, the process skips step b6 and proceeds to step b7.
The candidate area is changed as described above, and the area after the change is set as a new candidate area, and the process returns to step b1. One loop of these steps b1 to b7 is shown in FIG.
Corresponds to one area change processing 631 shown in FIG.

On the other hand, in step b5, the coordinates of the center point O are stopped while the candidate area is changed a predetermined number of times.
Or when it has not moved beyond the predetermined amount of movement, the vibration in the above-described definition, that is, the possibility that the candidate region has repeatedly expanded and contracted or repeated normal rotation and reverse rotation is high, At this time, the movement amount Δx and the rotation amount Δθ are reset to smaller values than before (step b6), and then the process proceeds to step b7 to change the candidate area.

When the processing of FIG. 13 is repeated as described above, it is finally determined in step b4 that the processing is completed (to the effect that the contour of the original image has been obtained). Here, in addition to the case where all the commands on the four sides a and b become “hold”, the movement amount Δx and the rotation amount Δθ are set to sufficiently small values, and the amplitude of the vibration of the candidate area becomes sufficiently small. Also in this case, it is determined to end.

Here, “unknown” shown in Table 1 is used.
Means that, for example, regarding the side a, it is not determined from the behavior of the pixel values above the partial line segment in FIG. 15 how to change the candidate area. In the present embodiment, first, the original When a candidate area having a size sufficiently smaller than the size of the image is set, and 'unknown' appears, it is highly likely that the candidate area is inside the original image.
When “nown” appears, it is appropriate to move the candidate area in the direction in which the candidate area is expanded. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the candidate area is identified with “wide” as described above.

Further, the moving amounts are Δx, Δx × 0.9, Δx × 0.8, and Δx × by the four sides a, b, c, and d, respectively.
The difference from 0.7 is also related to the fact that, in the present embodiment, a candidate area having a size sufficiently smaller than the size of the original image is first set, and for a while after starting the loop of FIG. In many cases, the candidate area continues to expand. At this time, if the movement amounts of the four sides a to d are all set to the same value, for example, Δx, the coordinates of the center point O do not move for a while. Then, the process proceeds to step b6 via step b5 in FIG. 13, and the amount of movement Δx and the amount of rotation Δθ are changed to small values even though the candidate area is still largely changed, until the outline of the original image is obtained. This is because the result may take a long time. By setting the movement amounts for each of the sides a to d to different values, it is possible to prevent the coordinates of the center point from becoming stable when the candidate area changes greatly.

Although omitted in the flow of FIG. 13, when all four sides a to d become “hold” or when the vibration of the candidate area becomes sufficiently small, the processing is not immediately terminated, and
The candidate region may be changed by adding a random number, and the process may be terminated when the candidate region after the change converges on the same region again.
By doing so, the probability that the contour of the original image is accurately obtained is further improved.

Although the size and position of the set of blocks shown in FIG. 12 are not considered in the flow of FIG. 13, the size and position of this set of blocks are almost the same as the size and position of the original image. By referring to the information on the size and position of the set of blocks, it is determined whether or not the area surrounded by the determined outline of the original image substantially matches the area formed by the set of blocks (for example, within ± 10%). It is determined whether or not the outline of the original image has been correctly obtained by determining whether or not the outline of the original image is correctly determined. May be changed to make it a new candidate area, and the repetition of the flow of FIG. 13 may be started again.

In the above-described embodiment, when the candidate area is changed, both the position and size of the candidate area and the rotation with respect to the candidate area are performed. It is assumed that it is placed vertically (with no inclination) on the top (this point is the responsibility of the operator). When changing the candidate area, only the position of the candidate area and the vertical and horizontal dimensions are changed without rotating. You may do so. In such a case, the contour of the original image can be determined more quickly.

The automatic document recognizing process described here is merely an example. In addition, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-508461.
The method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H10-15095, for example, detects a straight line corresponding to the contour of an original image by combining binarization of image data and a Hough variable.

Next, the image conversion units 540 and 6 shown in FIGS.
40 (Step S1 in FIG. 6)
1) will be described.

FIG. 17 shows high-resolution second image data (hereinafter referred to as “first image data”) generated by the fine scan in step S9 of FIG. 6 and received by the workstation 20 in step S10. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the cumulative frequency of pixel values of “2” is omitted, and is simply referred to as “image data”.

Here, the cumulative frequency is standardized to 0% to 100%. Here, as an example, the cumulative frequency is 10%.
% And 90% of the pixel values a and b are obtained.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of image conversion at the time of setup.

The pixel values a and b of the cumulative frequency of 10% and 90% obtained from the cumulative frequency curve as described above.
Are output pixel values (here, 0% to 100
%), A predetermined standard curve C1 is transformed into a curve C2 so as to be 5% and 95%, and an image representing an original image is formed based on the transformed curve C2. Each pixel value of the data is converted to each dot% value.

Here, when the highlight portion or the shadow portion is set to “bright” on the setup setting screen 740 shown in FIG. 9, for example, as shown in FIG. 15% each
Alternatively, each pixel value of 95% is selected. In this way, the highlight portion or the shadow portion is converted into a dot% value representing a slightly brighter image.

On the other hand, the setup setting screen 7 shown in FIG.
When the highlight portion or the shadow portion is set to “dark” on 40, the cumulative frequency is 5% or 85% as the pixel values a and b in FIG.
Are selected. In this way, the highlight portion or the shadow portion is converted into a dot% value representing a slightly darker image.

In step S12 in FIG. 6, the above-described auto setup is performed as an example. Here, the simple process of the auto setup has been described, but a more advanced auto setup process may be employed.

According to the above-described embodiment, just by clicking the start button 661 shown in FIG. 7 with the mouse, the processing of the original image placed on the reading surface 12 of the color scanner 10 can be performed without interruption. A series of processes including contour detection, high-resolution reading in the area of the original image, auto setup, and saving of image data after the auto setup are performed.

[0163]

As described above, according to the present invention,
After reducing the operation burden on the operator, a series of processes from reading the original image to setting up and storing the image data after the setup are performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a printing system in which an embodiment of an image input device according to the present invention is incorporated.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a color scanner and a workstation shown by blocks in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of a workstation.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of an image input program stored in a CD-ROM.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of the image input device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an image input procedure.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed when actual image reading is being performed.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a file setting screen.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a setup setting screen.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flowchart of an original automatic recognition process in step S7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state where an original image is placed on a reading surface of a color scanner.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an image representing a block analysis processing result.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a detailed flow of a mapping process shown as one step (step a6) in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a candidate area.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a method of calculating a value for each side of a candidate area.

FIG. 16 is an explanation of a command.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a cumulative frequency of pixel values of image data corresponding to a certain original image.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of image conversion during setup.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Color scanner 11 Lid 12 Reading surface 20 Workstation 21 Main unit 21a MO loading port 21b CD-ROM loading port 22 Image display device 22a Display screen 23 Keyboard 24 Mouse 100 MO disk 110 CD-ROM 211 CPU 212 Main memory 213 Hard disk drive 214 MO drive 215 CD-ROM drive 216 Input / output interface 217 Output interface 301, 302, 303 Original image 311, 312, 313 Black paper 500 Image input program 510 Scanner control unit 520 Image input unit 530 Image recognition unit 540 Image conversion unit 550 Image storage unit 560 Display operation unit 561 Start button display unit 570 Operation control unit 600 Image input device 610 Scanner control unit 620 Image input unit 63 Setting column 732 destination setting column 740 up setting screen image recognition unit 640 the image converting unit 650 the image storage unit 660 display operation section 670 operation control unit 710 overview display 720 job list screen 730 file setting screen 731 filename

Claims (4)

[Claims] An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: transmitting a control signal for controlling the scanner to a scanner having a reading surface on which an original image is placed and read, receiving a control signal and reading the reading surface to generate image data; A scanner control unit that controls a scanner; an image input unit that receives image data obtained by the scanner; and an image input unit that reads the entire reading surface based on image data input to the image input unit. An image recognition unit that recognizes an outline of an original image placed on a surface; and a reproduced image based on reproduced image data of image data in an image region surrounded by the outline of the original image recognized by the image recognition unit. An image converter for converting the image into reproduced image data for outputting a reproduced image whose image quality has been adjusted by an output device for outputting; and storing the reproduced image data obtained by the image converter. An image storage unit, a start operator for instructing the start of reading of an original image, and receiving an operation of the start operator by an operator, without receiving an intermediate operation by the operator other than the operation of the start operator. Control of the scanner by the scanner control unit, reception of image data by the image input unit, recognition of an outline of an original image by the image recognition unit, conversion to reproduction image data by the image conversion unit, and the image storage unit An image input device comprising: an operation control unit that continuously executes a series of operations for storing reproduced image data. 2. The scanner according to claim 1, wherein the scanner reads the reading surface relatively coarsely and obtains first image data having a relatively low resolution. And a second reading mode for obtaining second image data having a resolution, wherein the operation control unit receives an operation of the start operation element by an operator, and the scanner control unit , The first to the scanner
Causing the image input unit to receive the first image data obtained in the first reading mode by the scanner; and causing the image input unit to receive the first image data obtained in the first reading mode. Causing the recognition unit to recognize the outline of the original image based on the first image data;
Causing the image input unit to receive the second image data obtained in the second reading mode by the scanner, and causing the image input unit to receive the second image data obtained in the second reading mode. A conversion unit configured to convert the second image data in an image area surrounded by an outline of the original image recognized by the image recognition unit based on the first image data into reproduction image data; 2. The image input device according to claim 1, wherein the unit stores reproduced image data obtained by converting the second image data. 3. An image input device for receiving image data obtained by a scanner having a reading surface on which an original image is placed and read, receiving a control signal and reading the reading surface to generate image data. An image input program that operates as an apparatus; a scanner controller that sends a control signal to control the scanner to the scanner to control the scanner; an image input unit that receives image data obtained by the scanner; An image recognition unit configured to recognize an outline of an original image placed on the reading surface based on image data obtained by reading the entire surface of the reading surface input to the input unit; A reproduced image whose image quality has been adjusted by an output device that outputs a reproduced image based on the reproduced image data of the image data in the image area surrounded by the outline of the image An image converter for converting the image data into reproduced image data for output, an image storage unit for storing the reproduced image data obtained by the image converter, and a start operator for instructing to start reading the original image are displayed. A start control element display unit for receiving the operation of the start control element by the operator, and reading by the scanner by the scanner control unit without receiving an intermediate operation by the operator other than the operation of the start control element. , Control of image data reception by the image input unit, recognition of the outline of the original image by the image recognition unit, conversion to reproduction image data by the image conversion unit, and storage of reproduction image data by the image storage unit. And an operation control unit for continuously executing the above operation. 4. The scanner according to claim 1, wherein the scanner reads the reading surface relatively coarsely to obtain first image data having a relatively low resolution, and a scanner which reads relatively finely and relatively high. And a second reading mode for obtaining second image data having a resolution, wherein the operation control unit receives an operation of the start operation element by an operator, and the scanner control unit , The first to the scanner
Causing the image input unit to receive the first image data obtained in the first reading mode by the scanner; and causing the image input unit to receive the first image data obtained in the first reading mode. Causing the recognition unit to recognize the outline of the original image based on the first image data;
Causing the image input unit to receive the second image data obtained in the second reading mode by the scanner, and causing the image input unit to receive the second image data obtained in the second reading mode. A conversion unit configured to convert the second image data in an image area surrounded by an outline of the original image recognized by the image recognition unit based on the first image data into reproduction image data; 4. The image input program according to claim 3, wherein the program stores the reproduced image data obtained by converting the second image data.