JP2003319173A - Digital color copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital color copying machine for improving the image quality of a magnified image printed out by an electronic sort function, for preventing a font size of a page number and a header from being magnified attended with magnification of the image, and for transmitting image data of the magnified image to a network. <P>SOLUTION: Image data after magnification processing by a magnification processing section 209 can be fed back to a memory control section 203. Further, the image data expanded in a bit map memory 204 are passed through a bypass 212 not through the magnification processing section 209 to be directly given to a selector 210. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital color copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, based on image data (color image data) obtained by reading an original image with a scanner, the original image is reproduced on paper, or the image data of the original image read by the scanner is transmitted over a network. Is known as a multi-function type digital color copying machine capable of transmitting to a personal computer. This type of digital color copying machine is provided with an image processing unit that performs image processing such as enlargement processing and reduction processing on image data.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing unit provided in a conventional multifunctional digital color copying machine. The image processing unit includes an image preprocessing unit 101, a reduction processing unit 102 connected to the image preprocessing unit 101,
Memory control unit 103 connected to the reduction processing unit 102
And writing / writing data by the memory control unit 103.
A bitmap memory 104 whose reading is controlled, an image compression / decompression unit 105 connected to the memory control unit 103,
A hard disk drive (HDD) control unit 106 connected to the image compression / decompression unit 105, and a hard disk drive (HDD) 10 whose data writing / reading is controlled by the hard disk drive control unit 106.
7, a network interface (I / F) 108 connected to the hard disk drive control unit 106, an enlargement processing unit 109 connected to the memory control unit 103, and an image post-processing unit connected to the enlargement processing unit 109. 110 and 110.

Image data of a document image output from the scanner 111 is supplied to an image preprocessing unit 101, subjected to correction processing according to the characteristics of the scanner 111, and then supplied to a reduction processing unit 102. It is like this.
In the reduction processing unit 102, image data processing for image reduction is performed as necessary based on the zoom magnification (reduction magnification) set by an operation unit (not shown). The image data output from the reduction processing unit 102 is the memory control unit 10.
3 and is expanded by the memory control unit 103 in the bitmap memory 104 as bitmap data. Further, the memory control unit 103 performs processing for generating image data obtained by rotating the document image 90 degrees or horizontally reversing the image data stored in the bitmap memory 104 according to the setting in the operation unit, Processing for generating image data to which a page number is added is performed.

When an image is printed out on paper, the image data stored in the bitmap memory 104 is read by the memory control unit 103 and input to the enlargement processing unit 109. In the enlargement processing unit 109, image data processing for image enlargement is performed as necessary based on the zoom magnification (enlargement magnification) set from the operation unit. The image data output from the enlargement processing unit 109 is given to the image post-processing unit 110, is subjected to correction according to the characteristics of the image output engine for outputting an image on a sheet, and then is output from the image post-processing unit 110. Output to the image output engine.

When the number of print output copies is set to 2 or more, the image data read from the bitmap memory 104 is given to the image compression / expansion unit 105 as well as the expansion processing unit 109. To be Then, after undergoing compression processing by the image compression / expansion unit 105, it is written to the hard disk drive 107 via the hard disk drive control unit 106. The image data stored in the hard disk drive 107 in this way is read by the hard disk drive control unit 106 for print output for the second and subsequent copies, and the image compression / decompression unit 10 is executed.
After being subjected to the decompression processing in 5, the data is given to the enlargement processing unit 109 via the memory control unit 103. The image data supplied to the enlargement processing unit 109 is subjected to processing for image enlargement as necessary, as in the case of the image output of the first copy, and the image post-processing unit 110 further sets the characteristics of the image output engine. After being corrected in accordance with the above, the image post-processing unit 110 outputs the image toward the image output engine. Such a function is called an electronic sort function, and by using this electronic sort function, the speed of print output can be increased.

On the other hand, when sending the image data of the original image to the network, the image data stored in the bit map memory 104 is read by the memory control unit 103 and subjected to compression processing by the image compression / expansion unit 105. After that, it is sent to the network via the hard disk drive control unit 106 and the network interface 108.

[0008]

The image compression / expansion unit 105.
In order to realize a high compression rate, a lossy compression method (for example, JPEG method) is adopted as the compression method in (1). With this lossy compression method, compressed image data cannot be completely decompressed (restored) to the original state. Therefore, in the above-described configuration shown in FIG. 5, the image data read from the hard disk drive 107 is expanded by the image compression / expansion unit 105, and further expanded by the expansion processing unit 109 to be printed on paper based on the image data obtained. Noise caused by compression / expansion by the lossy compression method may be noticeable in the output enlarged image, that is, the enlarged image printed out by the electronic sort function.

Further, since the enlargement processing unit 109 performs the enlargement processing after the image data processing by the memory control unit 103, when the page number printing and the image enlargement are set by the operation of the operation unit, the image enlargement is performed. There is a problem that the page number enlarged according to the magnification is output on the paper. In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable to superimpose font data having a small page number corresponding to the enlargement ratio of the image on the image data and to perform enlargement processing on the image data after the superimposition. However, it is difficult to make the font size of page numbers completely the same when the image is enlarged and when it is not enlarged, and font data of page numbers of various sizes must be prepared.

Furthermore, the configuration shown in FIG. 5 has a problem that the image data of the enlarged image cannot be transmitted to the network. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a digital color copying machine in which the quality of an enlarged image printed out by an electronic sort function is improved. Another object of the present invention is to provide a digital color copying machine capable of preventing enlargement of a page number or header font size given to an output image according to the enlargement ratio when the original image is enlarged and output. It is to be.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a digital color copying machine capable of sending image data of an enlarged image to a computer network.

[0012]

[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention]
In this section, the alphanumeric characters shown in parentheses indicate the reference numerals of the components shown in the accompanying drawings referred to in the description of the embodiments below. In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a document reading unit (1,201) for reading a document image and generating color image data corresponding to the document image, and the color image data is a bitmap. Bitmap memory (20 for developing as data
4), first memory control means (203) for developing the color image data output by the document reading means in the bitmap memory, and color developed in the bitmap memory by the first memory control means. Enlargement processing means (209) for performing enlargement processing on the image data to generate and output color image data corresponding to the enlarged image of the original image, and color image data output by this enlargement processing means are stored in the bitmap memory. Second memory control means (203, 213) for returning to and expanding the image data, image compression means (205) for compressing the color image data expanded in the bitmap memory by a lossy compression method, and this image compression An image memory (207) for storing the color image data compressed by the means, and the color image data from the image memory (207). An image decompression means (205) for projecting the decompressed color image data to decompress the color image data according to the compression processing by the image compression means, and the color image data decompressed by the image decompression means to the bitmap. A digital color copying machine including a third memory control means (203) for developing in a memory.

According to the present invention, for example, when two or more copies of the enlarged image are printed out, the image of the first copy can be output on the sheet based on the color image data output by the enlargement processing means. . Further, in parallel with the print output of the first copy, the color image data output by the enlargement processing unit at the time of print output of the first copy is fed back to the bit map memory and developed, and further, in the bit map memory. The expanded color image data can be compressed and stored in the image memory. Then, for the second and subsequent copies, the color image data stored in the image memory is read out, subjected to decompression processing, and then expanded in the bit map memory, and based on the image data expanded in the bit map memory, the paper image is printed. The image can be output to.

By doing so, noise due to compression / expansion by the lossy compression method can be prevented from being conspicuous in the enlarged images of the second and subsequent copies (enlarged images printed out by the electronic sort function), and It is possible to obtain a magnified image of higher quality than the device. The first, second and third memory control means are composed of a single circuit for controlling the writing / reading of data to / from the bit map memory or a single function processing section realized by software. May be.

Further, the digital color copying machine includes a selector (210) for selecting and outputting one of the color image data output by the enlargement processing means and the color image data expanded in the bitmap memory, and a selector (210). Image output means (3) for outputting an image on a sheet based on the color image data output by the selector may be further included. Further, as described in claim 2, in the digital color copying machine, means for instructing reduction output of an original image and, if reduction output of the original image is instructed, output by the original reading means. Color image data corresponding to the reduced image of the original image is generated and output, and when the reduction output is not instructed, the color image data output by the original reading means is output. May be further output, and the first memory control means may expand the color image data output by the reduction processing means into the bitmap memory.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the color image data expanded in the bitmap memory by the second or third memory control means is processed to add a predetermined image to the output image. 3. The digital color copying machine according to claim 1, further comprising processing means for performing the processing. According to the present invention, the processing for adding the image (the predetermined image) such as the page number and the header to the output image is the color image expanded in the bitmap memory by the second or third memory control means. Performed on data. Therefore, unlike the conventional device, the image such as the page number and the header is not enlarged with the enlargement of the document image, and the size of the image added to the output image (the page number and the font size of the header). Can be constant.

When the digital color copying machine includes the selector, the selector selects and outputs one of the color image data output by the enlarging processing means and the color image data processed by the processing means. May be The invention according to claim 4 is the digital color copying machine according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising means (208) for sending the color image data compressed by the image compression means to a computer network. .

According to the present invention, the color image data expanded in the bitmap memory by the second memory control means (color image data output by the enlargement processing means) can be sent to the computer network after being compressed. That is, the image data of the enlarged image can be sent to the computer network.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a digital color copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. This digital color copying machine is a multifunctional device having a copy function as a basic function and further having a network scanner function for transmitting image data (color image data) of an original image to a personal computer on a computer network. Scanner 1 that optically reads the image and outputs an analog image signal corresponding to the original image, and the analog image signal output from the scanner 1 into digital image data A
Image processing apparatus 2 for performing D / A (analog / digital) conversion and processing the image data generated by this A / D conversion, and image output for printing out an image based on the image data provided from this image processing apparatus 2 onto a sheet. It has an engine 3. The scanner 1 includes an image sensor such as a CCD image sensor for reading an image.
The image output engine 3 forms an image on a sheet by, for example, an electrophotographic method, and has a photoconductor drum and a laser scanning device for writing an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor drum. ing.

The image processing apparatus 2 includes an image preprocessing unit 201.
And the reduction processing unit 2 connected to the image preprocessing unit 201.
02, a memory control unit 203 connected to the reduction processing unit 202, and a bit map memory 204 whose writing / reading of data is controlled by the memory control unit 203.
And the image compression / decompression unit 2 connected to the memory control unit 203.
05, a hard disk drive (HDD) control unit 206 connected to the image compression / expansion unit 205, and a hard disk drive (HD) whose writing / reading of data is controlled by the hard disk drive control unit 206.
D) 207 and a network interface (I / F) 20 connected to the hard disk drive control unit 206.
8 and the enlargement processing unit 20 connected to the memory control unit 203.
9, a selector 210 connected to the memory control unit 203 and the enlargement processing unit 209, and an image post-processing unit 211 connected to the selector 210.

The analog image signal output from the scanner 1 is input to the image preprocessing unit 201. In the image preprocessing unit 201, the analog image signal from the scanner 1 is A / D converted into multi-valued (0 to 255) digital image data. Further, the image data generated by this A / D conversion is subjected to correction processing according to the characteristics of the scanner 1. The processed image data is given to the reduction processing unit 202.

In this digital color copying machine, an image obtained by reducing or enlarging an original image can be printed out and image data of a reduced image or an enlarged image can be sent to a network. The reduction or enlargement magnification (zoom magnification) can be set by operating, for example, an operation unit (not shown) provided in this digital color copying machine before reading the original image by the scanner 1. When the zoom magnification is set to the reduction magnification (less than 100%), the reduction processing unit 202 causes the image preprocessing unit 20 to
Reduction processing according to the reduction ratio is performed on the input image data from 1. Specifically, the image preprocessing unit 201
By thinning out the input image data from, the image data corresponding to the image obtained by reducing the original image at the reduction ratio set by the operation unit is generated. The image data after reduction processing is
Through the memory control unit 203, the bitmap memory 20
4 is expanded as bitmap data. On the other hand, the zoom magnification is equal magnification (100%) or enlargement magnification (100%).
If set to the above), the reduction processing by the reduction processing unit 202 is not performed, and the image data input from the image preprocessing unit 201 to the reduction processing unit 202 is given to the memory control unit 203 as it is, The memory control unit 203 expands it in the bitmap memory 204 as bitmap data.

The image data expanded in the bitmap memory 204 can be read from the bitmap memory 204 and given to the image compression / decompression unit 205 by the operation of the memory control unit 203. Image compression / decompression unit 205
Then, for the image data given from the bitmap memory 204, a lossy compression / decompression coding method (for example,
A compression process according to the JPEG method is executed. The image data after the compression processing is the hard disk drive control unit 20.
6 is written to the hard disk drive 207 via the hard disk drive 6, or the hard disk drive control unit 206
And is sent to a personal computer on the network via the network interface 208.

The image data stored in the hard disk drive 207 is stored in the hard disk drive control unit 206.
By the function of, the data can be read from the hard disk drive 207 and given to the image compression / decompression unit 205.
From the hard disk drive 207 to the image compression / decompression unit 20
The image data given to No. 5 is expanded as bit map data in the bit map memory 204 via the memory control unit 203 after being subjected to the expansion processing by the irreversible compression expansion coding system.

At the time of print output, the image data expanded in the bit map memory 204 is read from the bit map memory 204 by the function of the memory control section 203 and given to the enlargement processing section 209. There is. The image data provided to the enlargement processing unit 209 undergoes enlargement processing according to the zoom magnification set by the operation unit before reading the original image by the scanner 1. Specifically, when the zoom magnification is set to the enlargement magnification, the image data of each pixel included in each main scanning line is overlapped according to the enlargement magnification, and the image data of each main scanning line is further overlapped. By overlapping with each other, image data enlarged in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction is generated. The image data after the enlargement processing is given to the selector 210. On the other hand, when the zoom magnification is set to the reduction magnification or the uniform magnification, the enlargement processing is not performed, and the image data input from the bitmap memory 204 is given to the selector 210 as it is.

Further, the image data after the enlargement processing by the enlargement processing unit 209 is fed back to the memory control unit 203 via the feedback bypass 213 so that the memory control unit 203 expands the bitmap into the bitmap memory 204 again. It has become. As a result, the image data after the expansion processing expanded in the bitmap memory 204 can be stored in the hard disk drive 207 via the hard disk drive control section 206 after the compression processing by the image compression / expansion section 205. When the number of printouts is set to two or more, the hard disk drive 2
The image data after the enlargement processing accumulated in 07 can be used. Furthermore, the image data after enlargement processing
After the compression processing by the image compression / expansion unit 205, it can be sent to the network via the network interface 208.

Further, at the time of print output, the image data expanded in the bit map memory 204 can be directly input to the selector 210 via the bypass 212 without passing through the enlargement processing unit 209. ing. The selector 210 selects one of the image data after the enlargement processing input from the enlargement processing unit 209 or the image data input via the bypass 212, and supplies the selected image data to the image post-processing unit 211. The image data provided to the image post-processing unit 211 is corrected according to the characteristics of the image output engine 3, and then the image post-processing unit 211 is received.
Is output to the image output engine 3.

In this digital color copying machine, the operation section is operated before the original image is read by the scanner 1.
You can instruct the print output of the processed image of the original image,
It is possible to instruct to send the data of the image obtained by processing the original image image to the network. For processing that can be instructed from the operation unit, for example, page numbers are added and the original image
When the original image processing is instructed due to the degree rotation or the left / right inversion, etc., the memory control unit 203 determines the content of the instructed processing for the image data expanded in the bitmap memory 204. Corresponding processing (page numbering processing, image rotation processing or image inversion processing) is performed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation when two or more enlarged images are printed out. When the start of the printout operation is instructed after the enlargement ratio and the number of printouts (two or more) are input from the operation unit, the original image is read by the scanner 1, and the image data generated by this reading is performed. However, after being subjected to appropriate image preprocessing by the image preprocessing unit 201, it is given to the memory control unit 203 via the reduction processing unit 202.

The image data supplied to the memory control unit 203 is expanded as bitmap data in the bitmap memory 204, read from the bitmap memory 204, input to the enlargement processing unit 209, and the operation unit. The enlargement processing according to the enlargement magnification set in step is received. The image data after the enlargement processing is given to the image post-processing unit 211 via the selector 210, subjected to appropriate image post-processing by the image post-processing unit 211, and then given to the image output engine 3. Then, in the image output engine 3, based on the image data of the enlarged image provided from the image post-processing unit 211, an image obtained by enlarging the original image at the enlargement ratio set by the operation unit is printed out on the paper. The print output of the enlarged image of the first copy is achieved.

In parallel with the print output of the enlarged image of the first copy, the image data after the enlargement processing by the enlargement processing unit 209 is returned to the memory control unit 203 and developed in the bitmap memory 204. This bitmap memory 2
The image data expanded in 04 is then read from the bitmap memory 204, and the image compression / expansion unit 205
After being subjected to the compression processing by, the data is written to the hard disk drive 207 via the hard disk drive control unit 206.

The image data of the enlarged image stored in the hard disk drive 207 is read by the hard disk drive control section 206 at an appropriate timing after the print output of the first copy for print output of the second copy and thereafter. Then, after undergoing decompression processing by the image compression / decompression unit 205, the memory control unit 203 functions to expand the data in the bitmap memory 204, further read from the bitmap memory 204, and select the selector 210 via the bypass 212. Given to. The image data of the enlarged image provided to the selector 210 via the bypass 212 is provided to the image post-processing unit 211, is subjected to correction according to the characteristics of the image output engine, and then is output from the image post-processing unit 211. It is output to the engine 3. As a result, the enlarged images of the second and subsequent copies are printed out based on the image data stored in the hard disk drive 207.

As described above, when two or more sets of enlarged images are printed out, the image data subjected to the enlargement processing by the enlargement processing unit 209 at the time of the print output of the first set is compressed and then hard disk. Accumulated in drive 207, 2
When printing the second and subsequent copies, the image data stored in the hard disk drive 207 is bypassed by the bypass 21 without passing through the enlargement processing unit 209 after the expansion processing.
The image is output to the image output engine 3 via the selector 210 and the image post-processing unit 211. Therefore, the compressed images of the second and subsequent copies (enlarged images printed out by the electronic sort function) are compressed by the lossy compression method.
It is possible to prevent the noise due to the expansion from appearing, and it is possible to obtain a magnified image of higher quality than the conventional device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation when a magnified image with page numbers is printed out. When the enlargement ratio is set on the operation unit and the instruction to give the page number is input and then the print output operation is instructed, the original image is read by the scanner 1 and generated by this reading. The image data is given to the memory control unit 203 via the reduction processing unit 202 after being subjected to appropriate image preprocessing by the image preprocessing unit 201.

The image data given to the memory control unit 203 is expanded as bitmap data in the bitmap memory 204, read from the bitmap memory 204, input to the enlargement processing unit 209, and the operation unit. The enlargement processing according to the enlargement magnification set in step is received. The image data after the enlargement process is given to the image post-processing unit 211 via the selector 210, and also the memory control unit 20.
It is returned to 3 and expanded in the bitmap memory 204.

After that, the memory control unit 203 performs a page number assigning process for assigning a page number to the enlarged image data expanded in the bit map memory 204. The image data after the page numbering process is given to the selector 210 via the bypass 212. As a result, the image data after the enlargement process from the enlargement processing unit 209 and the image data after the enlargement process and the page numbering process are input from the bypass 212 to the selector 210.

Then, of the image data input to the selector 210, the image data after the enlargement processing and page numbering processing input from the bypass 212 is selected, and the selected image data is sent to the image post-processing unit 211. Given. The image data provided to the image post-processing unit 211 is input to the image output engine 3 after undergoing appropriate image processing. The image output engine 3 performs a print output operation based on the image data given from the image post-processing unit 211, whereby a magnified image with a page number is printed out on paper.

As described above, when the enlarged image to which the page number is added is printed out, the memory control unit 20 applies to the image data after the enlargement processing by the enlargement processing unit 209.
3, the page numbering process is performed, and the image data after the page numbering process passes through the bypass 212 and the image output via the selector 210 and the image post-processing unit 211 without passing through the enlargement processing unit 209. It is output to the engine 3. Therefore, unlike the conventional apparatus, the page number is not enlarged with the enlargement of the original image, and the font size of the page number given to the output image can be made constant.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation when sending the image data of the enlarged image to the network. Unlike the conventional digital color copying machine, this digital color copying machine can send the image data of the enlarged image to the network. For example, when the start of the image data transmission operation to the personal computer on the network is instructed after the enlargement ratio is set on the operation unit,
The original image is read by the scanner 1, and the image data generated by this reading is used as the image preprocessing unit 201.
After undergoing an appropriate image pre-processing by
Is given to the memory control unit 203 via.

The image data given to the memory control unit 203 is expanded as bitmap data in the bitmap memory 204, read from the bitmap memory 204, input to the enlargement processing unit 209, and the operation unit. The enlargement processing according to the enlargement magnification set in step is received. The image data after the enlargement process is given to the image post-processing unit 211 via the selector 210, and also the memory control unit 20.
It is returned to 3 and expanded in the bitmap memory 204. The image data after the enlargement processing expanded in the bitmap memory 204 is then stored in the bitmap memory 20.
4 and is supplied to the image compression / decompression unit 205. Then, after being subjected to the compression processing by the image compression / expansion unit 205, it is sent out to the personal computer on the network via the hard disk drive control unit 206 and the network interface 208.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be implemented in other forms, and various design changes can be made within the scope of the matters described in the claims. Can be applied.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a digital color copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an operation when two or more enlarged images are printed out.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an operation when printing out an enlarged image to which a page number is added.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an operation when transmitting image data of an enlarged image to a network.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing unit provided in a conventional multifunction digital color copying machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 scanner 2 Image processing device 3 Image output engine 201 Image preprocessing unit 202 Reduction processing unit 203 memory control unit 204 bitmap memory 205 Image compression / decompression unit 206 Hard disk drive controller 207 hard disk drive 208 network interface 209 Enlargement processing unit 210 selector 211 Image post-processing unit 212 Bypass 213 Return Bypass

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 1/387 H04N 1/387 F term (reference) 5B047 AA01 AB04 BB02 CB25 EA07 EB01 5C062 AA05 AA14 AB17 AB21 AB41 AB42 AC08 AC24 AC25 AE03 AF11 5C073 CA02 CC01 CE02 CE04 5C076 AA14 AA21 AA22 BA05 BB03 BB06 CB01

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A document reading means for reading a document image and generating color image data corresponding to the document image, a bitmap memory for developing the color image data as bitmap data, and the document reading means. First memory control means for expanding the color image data to be output in the bitmap memory, and enlargement processing is performed on the color image data expanded in the bitmap memory by the first memory control means to obtain an original image. Enlargement processing means for generating and outputting color image data corresponding to the enlarged image, and second memory control means for returning the color image data output by the enlargement processing means to the bitmap memory and developing the same. Image compression means for compressing color image data expanded in a bitmap memory by a lossy compression method An image memory for accumulating color image data compressed by the image compression means, and reading the color image data from the image memory, and expanding the read color image data according to the compression processing by the image compression means. A digital color copying machine comprising: an image decompression means for performing processing; and a third memory control means for expanding the color image data decompressed by the image decompression means into the bitmap memory. 2. A means for instructing reduction output of a document image, and when reduction output of a document image is instructed, color image data output by the document reading means is subjected to reduction processing to obtain a document image. The color image data corresponding to the reduced image is generated and output, and when the reduction output is not instructed, the color image data output from the document reading unit is further output as it is, and the reduction processing unit is further included. 2. The digital color copying machine according to claim 1, wherein the first memory control means expands the color image data output by the reduction processing means into the bitmap memory. 3. The color image data expanded in the bit map memory by the second or third memory control means, further comprising processing means for performing processing for giving a predetermined image to an output image. The digital color copying machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: 4. The digital color copying machine according to claim 1, further comprising means for sending color image data compressed by said image compression means to a computer network.