JP2005150879A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To save a memory capacity in the main part of an apparatus by storing template image data edited by a connected PC while encoding, and to synthesize an image without starting the connected PC when the image is synthesized using an encoded template registered in the main part of the apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus comprises a document reading means, an image output means, a template image receiving means, an encoding means, a decoding means, a storage means, and an image synthesizing means wherein a template image formed by a connected PC is stored in the main part of the apparatus after being encoded. A template specified by an operating section and an encoded template image stored in the main part of the apparatus when the image data read out by the document reading means is synthesized are decoded and synthesized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a peripheral device having a copy function connectable to a personal computer, a scanner function, a print function, and a color document and a monochrome document transmission / reception function, and particularly relates to an image forming apparatus in which a scanner unit is configured by a flat bed type scanner. .

  FIG. 6 is an external view of a conventional flat bed type color facsimile apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a conventional apparatus). In FIG. 6, 1 is a conventional apparatus main body, 2 is a flat bed type scanner unit, 3 is a part of the scanner unit 2 and presses the original plate, 4 is a paper feeding unit for setting printing paper to the conventional apparatus, Reference numeral 5 denotes an operation unit for instructing operation of the conventional apparatus. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the conventional apparatus. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes the entire conventional apparatus, and reference numeral 20 denotes a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) connected to the conventional apparatus 10. In the internal configuration of the conventional apparatus 10, reference numeral 101 denotes a central processing control device (hereinafter referred to as CPU) that controls the entire conventional apparatus, and 102 denotes an operation unit that gives an operation mode, a start instruction, etc. of the conventional apparatus. Consists of an operation panel composed of Reference numeral 103 denotes a display unit that displays the operation status and operation menu of the conventional apparatus, and is configured by, for example, an LCD. Reference numeral 104 denotes a document reading unit, which includes a contact sensor, a CCD, or the like, and reads image data set on the document table by LED lighting control or light source switching. Reference numeral 105 denotes a correction coefficient of image data read by the document reading unit 104 and a memory for temporarily storing the read image data. Reference numeral 106 denotes an image processing unit that performs image processing on the image data read by the document reading unit 104. Filter processing such as edge enhancement, resolution conversion processing to match the output resolution, and luminance density conversion processing for converting the luminance signal into a density signal, that is, cyan (hereinafter C), magenta (hereinafter M), and yellow (hereinafter Y). And a masking process for correcting the converted C, M, and Y signals to appropriate values. Reference numeral 107 denotes a memory used when the image processing unit 106 performs image processing. Reference numeral 108 denotes an encoding process performed on the image data processed by the image processing unit 106 at the time of transmission, and code data transmitted via a communication line at the time of reception. It is a code decoding part which performs a decoding process. The encoding / decoding process performed by the encoding / decoding unit 108 includes JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) or JBIG (Joint Bi-lebel Image experts Group) code decoding method, MR encoding method, MH encoding method, MMR encoding. There are methods.

  Reference numeral 109 denotes a memory for storing code data encoded by the code decoder 108 at the time of transmission. Reference numeral 109 denotes a memory for storing code data sent from the communication line at the time of reception. Reference numeral 110 denotes a communication control unit for controlling the communication line. An image output unit 111 records the image data processed by the image processing unit 106. As a method for configuring the recording unit, there are an ink jet method that uses ink for printing and a laser beam method that uses toner. The former is a printing method that can reduce costs, and the latter performs high-quality printing. It is a possible printing method. A memory 112 is used by the image output unit 111 and stores print image data or parameters necessary for printing. Reference numeral 113 denotes a general public communication line.

  114 is a PCi / f unit that is a connection unit between a conventional apparatus and an externally connected PC, and 115 is an i / f that connects the PCi / f unit 114 and the externally connected PC. For example, bidirectional i / f by IEEE1284 or USB (Universal Serial Bus) It is composed of i / f.

  Hereinafter, an operation flow at the time of image composition of the conventional apparatus will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 2 shows an operation flow at the initial operation of the present invention. The user creates a template as original image data to be combined on the connected PC. FIG. 7 shows an example of a template to be created. As shown in FIG. 7, the template created using the PC 20 may have a stamp format such as (a), (b), or (c), or a document format such as (d). Further, a format such as (e) or (f) may be used. When the user creates a template represented by (a) to (f) in FIG. 7 by the PC 20, the created template is registered in the conventional apparatus. That is, the conventional apparatus receives template image data output from the PC 20 via the PCi / f unit 115 (step S201). The PCi / f unit 114 stores the template image data sent from the i / f unit 115 in the memory 107. The CPU 101 confirms the format of template image data stored in the memory 107. When the template image data stored in the memory 107 is composed of characters or in a bitmap format, the character template image data or bitmap template image data is stored in the memory 107 for each pixel. The image data is developed as image data of the held image and stored in a region different from the region in which the received template image data is stored.

  The CPU 101 registers the received template in the memory 107 for each received template (step S202). Identification of each received template by the CPU 101 is performed by adding an index or name before the template image data when transmitting the template image data from the PC 20. Next, image data to be synthesized, that is, documented image data is set on the document table of the conventional apparatus (step S203). When the user presses a copy operation activation key on the operation unit 102 (not shown) after setting the image data, the conventional apparatus starts reading the image data of the document (steps S204 and S205). The document reading unit 104 sequentially reads image data of the document and outputs it to the image output unit 106 using the memory 105. The image processing unit 106 stores the read image data of the received document in the memory 107. At this time, the read document image data is superimposed on the developed image image data in the memory 107 sent by the PC 20. That is, the image composition is realized by adding the pixel data of the read image corresponding to the pixels of the image data sent by the PC 20 (step S206).

  The synthesized image data is transferred to the image output unit 111. The image output unit 111 sequentially outputs the image data transferred from the image processing unit 106 (step S207). The conventional apparatus outputs the composite image data by repeatedly executing the processing from step 205 to step S207 until the output of all the image data after the synthesis is completed.

  Next, an image composition processing operation when template data is registered in advance in the conventional apparatus will be described. FIG. 3 shows an operation flow of a second example of the conventional apparatus. In the second example, since the template is registered in the apparatus main body in advance, the PC 20 can be operated with the power off. When the user selects a template registered in the conventional apparatus, the conventional apparatus starts an image editing operation (step 301). An example of the selection method in this case is shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, 201 is a display unit such as an LCD configured in the operation unit 102, 202 is a key for selecting whether or not to use a template, and 203 is an LED that is turned on and off each time the selection key 202 is pressed. Indicates that the template is used when lit. Reference numerals 204 and 205 denote designation keys for designating selection numbers in the menu displayed on the display unit 201. For example, when the user designates the template shown in FIG. 7A, the user designates the template by depressing the designation key 204 or 205 and designating the reverse color on the display unit 201 as “shagahi”. After the template is selected, a document is set on the document table, and when the copy activation key is pressed, the conventional apparatus starts an image editing operation. That is, the CPU 101 expands the template data designated by the designation keys 204 and 205 into image data having a value for each pixel in the memory 107. Further, the document reading unit 104 reads image data of the document (step S304). Document image data read by the document reading unit 104 is output to the image processing unit 106. The image processing unit 106 performs image processing on the image data read by the document reading unit 104 and stores the image data in the memory 107. At this time, as shown in the first example, image synthesis is performed by adding the pixels corresponding to the respective pixel positions (step 305). The combined image data is output to the image output unit 111 (step S306). The conventional apparatus outputs composite image data by repeatedly performing the processing from step S304 to step S306 until image synthesis and image output of all document image data set on the document table are completed.

Examples of techniques for outputting composite image data include Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-20271 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 09-86015

  However, in the conventional apparatus, since the template document data generated by the connected PC is stored as it is in the memory in the apparatus main body, a large-capacity memory must be configured to store a large number of templates in the apparatus main body. There is a problem.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, and as means for solving the problem, means for receiving template image data created by the connected PC, and first storage means for storing the received image data, An encoding processing means for encoding the template image data stored in the first storage means; a second storage means for storing the code data by the encoding processing means; and from the second storage means at the time of image composition processing Decoding means for reading and decoding the code data; third storage means for storing image data decoded by the decoding means; original image data read by the original reading means; and stored in the third storage means An image synthesizing unit that synthesizes the template image data and an image output unit that outputs the synthesized image data synthesized by the image synthesizing unit. That.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the template created by the connected PC is encoded and stored in the memory of the apparatus main body, decoded at the time of image synthesis, developed on the memory, and the image on the platen. Since data and composition can be performed, there is an effect that the memory capacity for storing the template can be saved. In addition, when image synthesis is performed using a template after encoding processing that has been registered in the main body of the apparatus, it can be synthesized with original image data only by specifying the operation unit. There is an effect that there is no need to raise.

(Function)
By encoding the template image data edited with the connected PC and storing it in the apparatus main body, the memory capacity of the apparatus main body can be saved. In addition, in the case where image composition is performed using a template after encoding processing registered in the apparatus main body, it is possible to perform image composition without starting up the connected PC.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configuration of the apparatus according to the present invention is the same as that of the conventional apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows an operation flow during the initial operation of the present invention. The user of the present invention creates a template as the original image data to be combined on the connected PC. FIG. 7 shows an example of a template to be created. As in the conventional example, a template created using the PC 20 may have a stamp format such as (a), (b), or (c), or a document format such as (d). Further, a format such as (e) or (f) may be used. When the user creates a template represented by (a) to (f) of FIG. 7, the created template is registered in the apparatus of the present invention. That is, the apparatus of the present invention receives template image data output from the PC 20 via the PCi / f unit 115 (step S401).

  The PCi / f unit 114 stores the template image data sent from the i / f unit 115 in the memory 107. The CPU 101 confirms the format of template image data stored in the memory 107. When the template image data stored in the memory 107 is composed of characters or in a bitmap format, the character template image data or bitmap template image data is stored in the memory 107 for each pixel. The image data is developed as image data of the held image and stored in a region different from the region in which the received template image data is stored. Identification of each received template by the CPU 101 is performed by adding an index or name before the template image data when transmitting the template image data from the PC 20.

  Next, the CPU 101 transfers the decompressed image data stored in the memory 107 to the encoding / decoding unit 108. The encoding / decoding unit 108 performs an encoding process on the image data transferred from the memory 107 (step S402). When the template image data transmitted from the PC 20 is color image data, the encoding / decoding unit 108 performs a suitable encoding process on a color image such as JPEG, and when the template image data is template image data composed of a monochrome image. Encoding processing suitable for black and white images such as JBIG, MH, MR, and MMR is performed. In addition, the encoding method may not be performed, and lossless encoding that can be completely decoded into original image data may be performed regardless of the attribute of the template image data. The code data generated by the code decoding unit 108 is re-stored in the memory 107 to perform template registration (step S403). When the user presses a copy operation activation key on the operation unit 102 (not shown) after setting the image data, the apparatus of the present invention starts reading the image data of the document (steps S <b> 404 and S <b> 405). The document reading unit 104 sequentially reads the image data of the document (step S406) and outputs it to the image processing unit 106 using the memory 105. The image processing unit 106 stores the read image data of the received document in the memory 107. In addition, the CPU 101 stores the encoded template image data received from the PC 20 in the memory 107 and sequentially transfers the encoded template image data to the encoding / decoding processing unit 108. The code decoding unit 108 performs a decoding process on the transferred code data and develops the decoded image in the memory 107 again (step S407). The area where the code data is decoded and re-developed is performed for an area different from the area for storing the received template image data and the area for storing the image data read by the document reading unit 104. The image processing unit 106 reads the image data read by the document reading unit 104 stored in the memory 107 and the decoded image data of the template image stored in the memory 107 and performs image composition. That is, the read original image data is superimposed on the decoded image image data in the memory 107 sent by the PC 20. As in the conventional example, the image composition method realizes image composition by adding the pixel data of the read image corresponding to each pixel of the image data sent by the PC 20 (step S408).

  The synthesized image data is transferred to the image output unit 111. The image output unit 111 sequentially outputs the image data transferred from the image processing unit 106 (step S409). The apparatus according to the present invention outputs composite image data by repeatedly executing the processing from step S406 to step S409 until output of all the image data after synthesis is completed (step S410).

  In the description of the first embodiment, the memory 105, the memory 107, the memory 109, and the memory 112 are configured for each processing unit. However, the memory configuration of the device of the present invention is not limited to the above configuration. Absent. That is, the configuration of the memory unit may be one, and each processing unit may access time division. In this description, the template image data transferred from the connection PC 20 to the present invention device is character image data or bitmap image data. However, the present invention device is not limited to the image data. Alternatively, the image data may be registered directly. Further, as a function of the document reading unit, when the image data of the document can be read as bitmap image data, the bitmap image data read on the memory and the bitmap template image may be directly combined. In this embodiment, the case where the image data on the platen is combined with the decoded template image while being read has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above example. In other words, when a memory capable of sufficiently storing the image data to be read by the document reading unit and the decoded template image data is provided, the image synthesis is performed collectively after the reading of the image data on the platen. Also good.

  Next, a second embodiment of the device of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, the operation when there is no template registered in the device of the present invention has been described. However, the operation of the device of the present invention is not limited to the above example. That is, the same function can be realized even when template data is registered in advance in the apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows an operation flow of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. In the second embodiment, since the template is registered in the apparatus main body in advance, there is no problem in realizing the function even when the PC 20 is in the power-off state. When the user selects a template registered in the device of the present invention, the device of the present invention starts an image editing operation (step S501). An example of the selection method in this case is shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, 201 is a display unit such as an LCD configured in the operation unit 102, 202 is a key for selecting whether or not to use a template, and 203 is an LED that is turned on and off each time the selection key 202 is pressed. Indicates that the template is used when lit. Reference numerals 204 and 205 denote designation keys for designating selection numbers in the menu displayed on the display unit 201. For example, when the user designates the template shown in FIG. 7A, the user designates the template by depressing the designation key 204 or 205 and designating the reverse color on the display unit 201 as “shagahi”. After the template is selected, when the document is set on the document table and the copy start key is pressed, the apparatus of the present invention starts the image editing operation (steps S502 and S503). That is, the CPU 101 transfers the code data of the template designated by the designation keys 204 and 205 from the memory 107 to the code decoding unit 108. The transferred code data is decoded by the code decoding unit 108 (step S504). The decoded image generated by the decoding process is stored again in the memory 107 as image data having a value for each pixel. Further, the document reading unit 104 reads image data of the document (step S505). Document image data read by the document reading unit 104 is output to the image processing unit 106. The image processing unit 106 performs image composition processing on the image data read by the document reading unit 104 in correspondence with the decoded template image. The combined image data generated by the image combining process is stored in the memory 107. Image synthesis at this time is performed by adding the pixel data corresponding to each pixel position as shown in the first embodiment (step S506). The combined image data is output to the image output unit 111 (step S507). The apparatus according to the present invention outputs composite image data by repeatedly performing the processing from step S504 to step S507 until image synthesis and image output of all document image data set on the document table are completed.

  In the description of the second embodiment, the memory 105, the memory 107, the memory 109, and the memory 112 are configured for each processing unit as in the first embodiment. Is not limited to the above configuration. That is, the configuration of the memory unit may be one, and each processing unit may access time division. In this description, the template image data transferred from the connection PC 20 to the present invention device is character image data or bitmap image data. However, the present invention device is not limited to the image data. Alternatively, the image data may be registered directly. Further, as a function of the document reading unit, when image data of a document can be read as bitmap image data, a configuration may be adopted in which the bitmap image data read on the memory and the bitmap template image are directly combined. . In the present embodiment, the case where the image data on the platen is combined with the decoded template image while being read has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above example. In other words, when a memory capable of sufficiently storing the image data to be read by the document reading unit and the decoded template image data is provided, the image synthesis is performed collectively after the reading of the image data on the platen. Also good.

It is a figure showing the structure of the conventional apparatus and this invention apparatus. It is the processing flow at the time of the 1st image composition of the conventional apparatus. It is a processing flow at the time of the 2nd image composition of the conventional apparatus. It is a processing flow at the time of the 1st image composition of this invention apparatus. It is a processing flow at the time of the 2nd image composition of this invention apparatus. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of a conventional apparatus and this invention apparatus. It is a template block diagram in this invention apparatus. It is an example of the template selection method in this invention apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

101 CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 102 Operation part 103 Display part 104 Original reading part 105,107,109,112 Memory 106 Image processing part 108 Coding / decoding part 110 Communication control part 111 Image output part 113 Communication line 114 PCi / f part 115 i / f part

Claims (6)

  A means for receiving template image data created by a connected PC in an image forming apparatus connectable to a PC, which reads the original image data by a flat bed type original reading means, prints and outputs the processed image, and the received image A first storage means for storing data; an encoding processing means for encoding the template image data stored in the first storage means; a second storage means for storing code data by the encoding processing means; Decoding means for reading and decoding the code data from the second storage means at the time of composition processing, third storage means for storing image data decoded by the decoding means, and original image data read by the original reading means And image synthesizing means for synthesizing the template image data stored in the third memory means, and the image synthesizing means An image forming apparatus comprising an image output section, that it consists of outputting the synthesized image data has been made.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the template image data received from the connected PC is encoded for each received template and stored as encoded data in the apparatus body.   A template image data of the first image format created by the connected PC is received by an image forming apparatus that can be connected to the PC, which reads the document image data by a flatbed type document reading means, performs image processing, and prints out the image. Means, first storage means for storing the image data received by the receiving means, conversion means for converting the image data stored in the first storage means into template image data of the second image format, and the conversion means Second storage means for storing the template image data converted by the above, encoding processing means for encoding the template image data stored in the second storage means, and third data for storing the code data by the encoding processing means. Storage means; decoding means for reading out and decoding the code data from the third storage means during image synthesis processing; and A fourth storage means for storing the image data decoded by the encoding means; an image composition means for combining the original image data read by the original reading means and the template image data stored in the fourth storage means; And an image output means for outputting the synthesized image data synthesized by the synthesizing means.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the template image data received from the connected PC is encoded for each received template and stored as encoded data in the apparatus main body.   A means for receiving template image data created by a connected PC in an image forming apparatus connectable to a PC, which reads the original image data by a flat bed type original reading means, prints and outputs the processed image, and the received image First storage means for storing data, encoding processing means for encoding the template image data stored in the first storage means, and second storage for storing a plurality of code data for each template by the encoding processing means Means for selecting one of the plurality of encoded template image data stored in the second storage means, and the code data stored in the second storage means selected by the selection means during the image composition process. Decoding means for reading and decoding; and third storage means for storing image data decoded by the decoding means; Image synthesizing means for synthesizing original image data read by the original reading means and template image data stored in the third storage means; image output means for outputting synthesized image data synthesized by the image synthesizing means; An image forming apparatus comprising: In an image forming apparatus that can be connected to a PC, which reads original image data by a flatbed type original reading means, performs image processing, and outputs a printout.
Means for receiving template image data of the first image format created by the connected PC; first storage means for storing image data received by the receiving means; and image data stored in the first storage means. Conversion means for converting the image data into template image data of the second image format, second storage means for storing the template image data converted by the conversion means, and encoding for encoding the template image data stored in the second storage means A processing means, a third storage means for storing a plurality of code data by the encoding processing means for each template, a selection means for selecting one from a plurality of encoded template image data stored by the third storage means, Decoding means for reading and decoding the code data stored in the third storage means selected by the selection means at the time of image composition processing; A fourth storage means for storing the image data decoded by the decoding means; an image composition means for combining the original image data read by the original reading means and the template image data stored in the fourth storage means; Image output means for outputting synthesized image data synthesized by the image synthesis means;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

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