JP2004072527A - Compound machine, electronic filing system, and scanner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To use images inside and outside a closed area in accordance with a marking color by extracting the closed area marked with the particular color. <P>SOLUTION: A scanner 1 stores image data read by performing raster scanning of an original image by a reading mechanism 11 in a memory 16. A closed area extracting part 12 acquires the image data from the memory 16 and extracts the closed area surrounded by the marking with a prescribed color in the original image. Marking colors are associated with processing to be applied to an image and stored in a processing definition table 17. A processing by colors part 14 applies the processing associated with the marking color of the closed area in the processing definition table 17 to the image in the extracted closed area. A printer 2 receives this processing result and performs printing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technique for extracting and using a closed area marked in a read image.
[0002]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A technique of capturing an image with a scanner and extracting a marked closed area from the captured image is described in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-61869. As a result, it is possible to cut out a specific area from the original image with scissors, copy the cut area, and selectively extract and print the specific area.
[0003]
However, in the related art, the cutting and pasting, in which a selected area is cut out and printed, is merely automated. If the computer-controlled scanner extracts a specific area required by the user from the read image, the image in that area can be used in various ways.
[0004]
Further, if a color scanner is used, it is possible to identify the color of the marking indicating the closed area.
[0005]
Therefore, the present invention provides a technique for extracting a specific area and using an image inside or outside the area according to the color of the markings constituting the area.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A multifunction peripheral according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a reading unit that reads an original image; an extracting unit that extracts a closed area surrounded by a predetermined color in the original image read by the reading unit; Storage means for storing the processing to be performed in association with the image, and a color forming the closed area in the storage means for the image inside or outside the closed area extracted by the extraction means. And a printing unit that prints the image in the closed area processed by the processing unit.
[0007]
In a preferred embodiment, when the original image includes a plurality of closed regions, the extracting unit extracts each closed region, and the printing unit prints each closed region on different printing paper.
[0008]
In a preferred embodiment, the process performed on the image is a process of enlarging the extracted closed region, and the printing unit prints the enlarged image of the closed region.
[0009]
In a preferred embodiment, the process performed on the image is a process of selecting an area other than the extracted closed area, and the printing unit prints an image of an area other than the selected closed area. .
[0010]
In a preferred embodiment, the process performed on the image is a process of determining a position at which the image of the extracted closed region is to be printed, and the printing unit includes an image of the closed region at the determined position. To print. In the process of determining the print position of the image of the closed area, the print position may be set at the center of the printing paper.
[0011]
An electronic filing system according to one embodiment of the present invention reads an image, obtains an image of the original image, obtains an image, a storage device for storing the image data, based on the image data, Extracting means for extracting a closed area surrounded by a marking of a predetermined color in the original image; and extracting the extracted area to the storage area of the storage device, which is associated with the color of the extracted marking of the closed area. And writing means for writing the image data in the closed area.
[0012]
In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further comprises recognition means for generating a text file by recognizing the characters in the extracted closed area, wherein the writing means converts the text file generated by the recognition means into the extracted text file. The data is written in association with the image data in the closed area.
[0013]
7. The electronic filing system according to claim 6, wherein in the preferred embodiment, the storage device is detachable.
[0014]
A scanner according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a reading unit that reads an original image, an extracting unit that extracts a closed area surrounded by a predetermined color in the original image read by the reading unit, Means for correlating and storing the processing to be performed, and performing the processing associated with the color forming the closed area in the storage means on the image in the closed area extracted by the extracting means. A processing unit; and an output unit that outputs a processing result of the processing unit.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a system for selectively copying a designated area according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This system includes a scanner 1 and a printer 2. The printer 1 and the scanner 2 may be configured separately from each other, or may be housed in the same housing. When housed in the same housing, this device is generally called a multifunction peripheral or the like.
[0017]
The scanner 1 includes a reading head (not shown) for optically reading an image, and reads a reading mechanism 11 for scanning and reading an image, and extracts a closed region marked in the read image for each marking color. According to the correspondence defined by the closed area extraction unit 12, the processing definition table 17 storing the marking colors constituting the closed area and the processing performed on the image in the closed area in association with each other, , A color-specific processing unit 14 for performing a process corresponding to a marking color on an image in each closed area, a printer interface 15 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the printer 2, and accumulating image data read by the reading mechanism 11. And a memory 16.
[0018]
Components or functions for performing image processing other than the reading mechanism 11, the printing mechanism 23, and the interfaces 15 and 21 are realized, for example, by a computer system of a scanner and a printer executing a predetermined computer program.
[0019]
The reading mechanism 11 performs, for example, a raster scan of various images (including characters, symbols, figures, photographs, illustrations, and the like) printed on paper by a print head (not shown), and a predetermined number of pixels. Read the value. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the reading head reads a one-line image while scanning the original image 30 in the main scanning direction 41, and after reading one line, moves the reading head in the sub-scanning direction and moves to the next Repeat reading one line. The reading head reads pixel values of three colors R (red), G (green), and B (blue) for each pixel from the original image. Then, the read RGB values of each pixel are stored in the memory 16.
[0020]
Here, in the original image 30, the X-axis is set in the main scanning direction 41 and the Y-axis is set in the sub-scanning direction 42 with the point at which the reading head starts reading as the origin, and the position of each pixel is represented by XY coordinates. Therefore, the image data stored in the memory 16 has a format in which RGB has respective values for X and Y (r _xy , g _xy , b _xy ).
[0021]
The image reading performed by the reading mechanism 11 includes pre-scanning and main scanning. The pre-scan is a low-resolution scan for detecting a closed area 31 marked in the original image 30. The main scan is a high-resolution scan performed to use an image in the closed area 31. In the main scan, as will be described later, the coordinates of the closed area 31 on the original image 30 may be acquired from the closed area extraction unit 12 and only the portion where the closed area 31 exists may be scanned.
[0022]
The closed region extraction unit 12 filters the image data of the original image 30 stored in the memory 16 with each color used for marking, and creates a binary image of each color. As the filtering processing, for example, RGB image data is subjected to HSL conversion, threshold processing is performed on the HSL value, and a binary image of a color used for marking is created. Then, a labeling algorithm is applied to the binarized image, and a closed region is extracted for each color.
[0023]
Here, when the above-described closed area extraction processing is applied to the image data obtained by the pre-scan, the points having the smallest Y coordinates and the largest points are extracted for the extracted closed area. When a plurality of closed regions are extracted, a point having the smallest Y coordinate and a point having the largest Y coordinate are extracted from the entire closed region. Then, the reading mechanism 11 is notified of the minimum value y _min of the Y coordinate and the maximum value y _max of the Y coordinate.
[0024]
The reading mechanism 11 performs a high-resolution main scan so as to include at least a range from y _min to y _max .
[0025]
Similarly, the closed area extraction unit 12 performs an area extraction process for each color of the marking on the image data obtained by performing the main scan, and extracts a closed area for each color. If there are a plurality of closed areas of the same color, each is extracted. Then, the coordinate value of the outer edge (marking portion constituting the closed region) 32 in each closed region is notified to the color-specific processing unit 14 together with the marking color.
[0026]
In the processing definition table 17, processing contents to be performed on the image are defined for each marking color. For example, for the marking color red, centering processing, for the marking color green, processing to enlarge according to the size of the printing paper, for the marking color blue, cut out the closed area and close the closed area. Processing for selecting an area other than the above can be associated with each other. Further, as the processing content, no processing in which no processing is added, processing of moving to a predetermined position, and the like can be registered.
[0027]
The scanner 1 includes a panel (not shown) having input keys, a display device, and the like. When a user performs a predetermined input from this panel, the content stored in the process definition table 17 is added or changed. It is possible.
[0028]
The color-specific processing unit 14 performs the following processing for each closed area.
[0029]
First, the color-specific processing unit 14 acquires the image data in the closed area 31 from the memory 16 based on the coordinate value indicating the outer edge 32 of the closed area. At this time, the image data has RGB values for each pixel.
[0030]
Then, the color-specific processing unit 14 refers to the processing definition table 17 to acquire the processing content corresponding to the marking color of the closed area 31 to be processed, and performs processing on the previously acquired image data.
[0031]
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, corresponding processing is performed in accordance with the marking colors constituting the closed area.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 4, when the original image includes a closed region 32a marked in red, a closed region 32b marked in green, and a closed region 32c marked in blue, the respective closed regions The processing is performed every time. Then, each closed area is printed on different printing paper.
[0033]
Each of the image data processed by the color-specific processing unit 14 is transmitted to the printer 2 via the printer interface 15.
[0034]
Note that the above-described closed region extraction processing has the same configuration as that described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-61869, and can be performed by the same method.
[0035]
The printer 2 includes a scanner interface 21 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the scanner 1, a print control unit 22 for controlling a printing mechanism 23 to execute printing, a print head and a paper feeding mechanism (not shown), and the like. A printing mechanism 23 for forming an image and executing printing.
[0036]
Upon receiving the image data from the scanner 1 via the scanner interface 21, the print control unit 22 converts the image data from the RGB format to the CMYK format, and causes the printing mechanism 23 to execute printing.
[0037]
According to the present embodiment, a designated closed area can be extracted and selectively printed. Further, according to the colors of the markings constituting the extracted closed area, it is possible to perform a process that is assigned in advance and print. Further, the processing assigned to each color can be changed.
[0038]
Further, in the present embodiment, different processes are assigned to the colors of the markings constituting the closed region, but different processes may be assigned according to the types of the lines constituting the closed region. For example, centering can be performed if the line forming the closed region is a black solid line, enlargement can be performed if the line is a black dotted line, and cutout can be realized if the line is a black dashed line.
[0039]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 shows a configuration of an electronic filing system 5 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The first embodiment is characterized in that the system 5 extracts a closed area marked with a predetermined color, does not print the image of the closed area, and includes a storage device for storing data relating to the image of the closed area. Different from form. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof may be omitted.
[0040]
The electronic filing system 5 according to the present embodiment includes a reading mechanism 11, a closed area extraction unit 12, a memory 16, a storage processing unit 51, a recording area definition table 52, and a storage device 55.
[0041]
The components or functions other than the reading mechanism 11 are realized, for example, by a computer system of the scanner executing a predetermined computer program.
[0042]
The reading mechanism 11 reads an original image as in the first embodiment, stores the image data in the memory 16, and the closed area extracting unit 12 extracts a closed area. Further, as in the first embodiment, the approximate position of the closed area is grasped by the low-resolution prescan, the main scan is performed at the high resolution, and a high-resolution image in the closed area is obtained.
[0043]
The storage processing unit 51 and the storage area definition table 52 will be described with reference to FIG. The storage processing unit 51 acquires the coordinate value indicating the outer edge 32 of the closed region and the color of the marking constituting the closed region from the closed region extracting unit 12.
[0044]
In the storage area definition table 52, a marking name and a folder name or a storage area (for example, an address or a path) on the storage device are stored in association with each other as an output destination of the image data. For example, in the example of FIG. 6, each data is stored as “$ A company” when the marking color is red, “$ B company” when the marking color is green, and “$ C company” when the marking color is blue. Directories to be associated with each other. Instead of the directory names, the folders A, B, and C may be associated with the respective marking colors. The storage contents of the storage area definition table 52 can be added or updated using an input device (not shown) or the like.
[0045]
The storage processing unit 51 first specifies the coordinates in the closed area 31 based on the coordinate value indicating the outer edge 32 of the closed area, and acquires the image data in the closed area 31 from the memory 16. Then, the storage processing unit 51 refers to the storage area definition table 52 and writes the image data in the closed area 31 into the storage area corresponding to the marking color of the closed area 31.
[0046]
Thus, the image data of the closed area can be stored in the storage area determined for each marking color only by marking and reading the original in a predetermined color.
[0047]
Here, various storage media can be used as the storage device 55. Further, the storage device 55 can be realized using a portable storage device that is detachable from the electronic filing system 5.
[0048]
When a character is included in the closed area 31, a text file is generated by performing character recognition, and the text file is associated with the marking color of the storage device 55 instead of the image data or together with the image data. It can also be stored in a reserved area.
[0049]
By specifying a printer port in the storage area definition table 52 instead of specifying a storage area of a storage device as an output destination of image data, an image in a closed area can be passed to a printer and printed.
[0050]
One application example of this system is an electronic filing system that collects newspaper articles by company. That is, when an article of a company of interest is placed in a newspaper, the article is marked with a color predetermined for each company and read by the present system. By associating the storage area with the color determined for each company in the storage area definition table 72, newspaper articles can be filed in the storage device by company.
[0051]
Further, similarly to the first embodiment, instead of changing the storage location of the image data for each color of the marking constituting the closed area, the storage location may be changed according to the type of the line constituting the closed area. it can. For example, it is also possible to realize that the closed area is stored in folder A if it is a solid black line, folder B if it is a black dotted line, and folder C if it is a black dashed line.
[0052]
Furthermore, when the electronic filing system according to the present embodiment includes a printer, it is possible to associate the processing to be performed at the time of printing with the storage location of the data with the line color and line shape. For example, when the line color is red, folder A, green is folder B, and blue is folder C. Centering is performed if the line shape is a solid line, enlargement is performed if a dashed line is shown, and cutout is performed if a dashed line is shown.
[0053]
The embodiments of the present invention described above are exemplifications for describing the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to those embodiments. Those skilled in the art can implement the present invention in various other modes without departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0054]
For example, the electronic filing system 5 can be realized integrally with a scanner, or can be realized using a scanner and a general-purpose computer system.
[0055]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, an image inside or outside an area can be used according to the color of a marking constituting the extracted specific area.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a multifunction peripheral according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a process associated with a prescan.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining processing for each marking color of a closed area;
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a process for each marking color of a closed area.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of an electronic filing system according to a second embodiment to which the present invention has been applied.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a processing image of the electronic filing system.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Scanner 2 ... Printer 5 ... Electronic filing system 11 ... Reading mechanism 12 ... Closed area extraction part 14 ... Color processing part 15 ... Printer interface 16 ... Memory 17 ... Processing definition table 21 ... Scanner interface 22 ... Print control part 23 ... Printing mechanism 51 storage processing unit 52 storage area definition table 55 storage device

Claims (12)

Reading means for reading the original image;
Extracting means for extracting a closed area surrounded by a predetermined color in the original image read by the reading means,
Storage means for storing a color and a process to be performed on an image in association with each other;
Processing means for performing processing associated with a color forming the closed area in the storage means on an image inside or outside the closed area extracted by the extraction means,
A printing unit that prints the image in the closed area processed by the processing unit. When the original image includes a plurality of closed regions, the extracting unit extracts each closed region,
The multifunction peripheral according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit prints each closed area on different printing paper. The process performed on the image is a process of enlarging the extracted closed region,
The multifunction peripheral according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit prints the enlarged image of the closed area. The process performed on the image is a process of selecting an area other than the extracted closed area,
The multifunction peripheral according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit prints an image of an area other than the selected closed area. The process to be performed on the image is a process of determining a position to print the image of the extracted closed region,
The multifunction peripheral according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit prints the image of the closed area at the determined position. The multifunction peripheral according to claim 4, wherein the process of determining the print position of the image in the closed area sets the print position at the center of a print sheet. Acquiring means for reading an original image and acquiring image data of the original image;
A storage device for storing the image data,
Extracting means for extracting a closed region surrounded by a marking of a predetermined color in the original image based on the image data,
A writing unit that writes image data in the extracted closed area to a storage area of the storage device, the writing unit being associated with a color of the marking of the extracted closed area. Recognition means for recognizing characters in the extracted closed area and generating a text file,
7. The electronic filing system according to claim 6, wherein the writing unit writes the text file generated by the recognition unit in association with the extracted image data in the closed area. The electronic filing system according to claim 6, wherein the storage device is detachable. Reading means for reading the original image;
Extracting means for extracting a closed area surrounded by a predetermined color in the original image read by the reading means,
Means for storing the color and the processing to be performed on the image in association with each other;
Processing means for performing, on the image in the closed area extracted by the extraction means, processing associated with a color forming the closed area in the storage means;
An output unit that outputs a processing result of the processing unit. Reading the original image;
Extracting a closed region surrounded by a predetermined color in the original image from the read original image;
Performing, on the extracted image in the closed region or the image outside the closed region, a process that is previously associated with a color forming the closed region,
Outputting the processing result. Reading an original image and obtaining image data of the original image;
Based on the image data, extracting a closed area surrounded by a predetermined color marking in the original image,
Writing the image data in the extracted closed area to a storage area previously associated with the color of the marking of the extracted closed area.

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