JP2005277662A - Image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus capable of easily acquiring a reading start address of a page memory in inverting various images without performing a complicated arithmetic operation. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of candidates of reading start addresses to be used for normal processing and various kinds of inversion processing are stored in a register during writing image data into the page memory. An address in storing a first pixel in a first line (same as the writing start address (1)), an address (2) in storing a last pixel in the first line, an address (3) in storing a first pixel in the last line, and an address (4) in storing a last pixel in the last line are stored in the register as the candidates of addresses of the reading start address. Any one is selected from among these candidates of reading start addresses stored in the register, depending on the presence or absence of inversion processing set by an inversion processing setting key and the type of inversion processing (horizontal inversion, vertical inversion or horizontal/vertical inversion). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that outputs image data stored in a page memory by inverting it horizontally and / or vertically.

  In an image processing apparatus that processes image data, such as a facsimile machine, a digital copying machine, a printer, or a multifunction machine that integrates these functions, it reads image data read by itself or image data input from an external device. Some have a function of reversing left and right and / or up and down and recording on paper (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In an image processing apparatus that performs such inversion processing, when image data for one page is once written (stored) in the page memory and then recorded in a normal direction without being inverted, the writing at that time When the image data is read from the page memory using the start address as the read start address and recorded by performing left / right and / or up / down inversion, another address different from the write start address according to the type of inversion processing Is read out from the page memory as a read start address. Conventionally, the read start address when recording with left / right and / or up / down inversion is conventionally set to various parameters such as the write start address, the page width and number of lines of image data stored in the page memory, and the type of inversion. Based on this, it is obtained by a predetermined calculation.
JP-A-8-16768

  In the conventional image processing apparatus, since the read start address is obtained by a predetermined calculation based on various parameters, there is a problem that a complicated calculation process is necessary. In addition, it is necessary to provide an apparatus for performing such arithmetic processing, and there is a problem that an increase in the size and cost of the configuration cannot be avoided.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides an image processing apparatus capable of easily obtaining a read start address of a page memory at the time of various image inversions without performing complicated calculation processing. For the purpose.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus comprising: a page memory capable of storing at least one page of image data; and a control means for controlling writing / reading of image data to / from the page memory. While writing image data to the memory, a storage means for storing a plurality of candidates for the read start address of the image data from the page memory, a setting means for setting inversion information relating to inversion of the image, and setting by the setting means Selection means for selecting one read start address from a plurality of candidates stored in the storage means according to the inverted information.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, while image data is being written to the page memory, at the time of reading according to various inversions (left-right inversion, up-down inversion, etc.) in which the write address may be performed The write address is sequentially stored in the storage means as a read start address candidate every time the start address is reached, and a plurality of stored addresses are stored according to the set inversion information (horizontal inversion, upside down inversion, etc.) One read start address is selected from the candidates by the selection means. Therefore, a reading start address necessary for a desired type of inversion processing can be easily obtained without performing complicated calculation processing.

  According to a second invention, in the first invention, the control means controls reading of the image data from the page memory in accordance with the read start address selected by the selection means. Features.

  In the image processing apparatus of the second invention, the image data stored in the page memory is read from the read start address selected by the selection means. Therefore, the reading order matches the set inversion information (left-right inversion, upside-down inversion, etc.), and an image in a desired inversion mode is recorded.

  An image processing apparatus according to a third invention is characterized in that, in the first or second invention, the inversion information is information representing any inversion among left-right inversion, up-down inversion, and up-down left-right inversion.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the third aspect of the invention, the inversion information indicates any of left / right inversion, up / down inversion, and up / down / left / right inversion. Therefore, in any case of left-right inversion, up-down inversion, up-down, left-right inversion, a read start address suitable for each inversion mode can be easily obtained.

  In the present invention, while writing image data to the page memory, a plurality of candidates for the start address at the time of reading are stored, and one of the stored candidates is read out according to the set inversion information. Since the start address is selected, it is possible to easily obtain a read start address necessary for a desired type of inversion processing without performing complicated calculation processing. Since the image data is read from the page memory according to the selected read start address, an image in a desired reverse mode can be easily recorded.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile composite apparatus 20 as an image processing apparatus of the present invention.

  The facsimile multifunction device 20 includes a control unit 1, a reading unit 2, a recording unit 3, a display unit 4, an operation unit 5, a ROM 6, a RAM 7, a codec unit 8, an image memory 9, a page memory 10, a register 11, a modem 12, an NCU ( Network Control Unit) 13, a PC interface unit 14 and the like. The facsimile multifunction device 20 reads a document by the reading unit 2 to obtain image data, read image data, image data received by facsimile communication, or image data corresponding to image data received from an externally connected PC. The recording section 3 has a recording function and a transmission function for facsimile transmission of the read image data or the received image data.

  Specifically, the control unit 1 is configured by a CPU, and is connected to the above-described hardware units of the facsimile multifunction device 20 via the bus 15. The control unit 1 controls them and is stored in the ROM 6. Various software functions are executed according to the control program. The reading unit 2 reads a document with an optical system using a CCD image sensor, for example, and outputs the read image data.

  The recording unit 3 is an electrophotographic printer device, and is an image corresponding to image data of a document read by the reading unit 2, image data received by facsimile communication, image data sent from an external PC, and the like. On the paper. The display unit 4 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display device or a CRT display. The display unit 4 displays an operation state of the facsimile multifunction device 20, displays a screen for prompting an operation input to the user, and reads an image of a document read for transmission. Data, image data transmitted from other facsimile machines or PCs, etc. are displayed.

  The operation unit 5 includes character keys, numeric keys, abbreviated dial keys, one-touch dial keys, various function keys, and the like necessary for operating the facsimile composite apparatus 20. The operation unit 5 sets whether or not to perform image data reversal processing using the page memory 10 as a function key, and performs any reversal processing among horizontal reversal processing, vertical reversal processing, and vertical and horizontal reversal processing. A reversal processing setting key 5a is set for setting whether to perform. In addition, it is also possible to substitute a part or all of the various keys of the operation unit 5 by using the display unit 4 as a touch panel system.

  The ROM 6 stores in advance various software programs necessary for the operation of the facsimile composite apparatus 20. The RAM 7 is composed of SRAM, flash memory, or the like, and stores temporary data generated when software is executed. The codec unit 8 encodes and compresses image data and decodes the image data that has been encoded and compressed. The image memory 9 stores image data encoded by reading a document, image data received and encoded from another facsimile machine or PC, and the like.

  The page memory 10 is composed of, for example, an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), and image data for one page read by the reading unit 2 or one page received from another facsimile machine or PC. Accumulate image data. One page worth of image data accumulated and developed in the page memory 10 is read out by the recording unit 3, and an image corresponding to the image data is recorded. At this time, by changing the read start address of the image data from the page memory 10, the recording unit 3 displays an image that has been subjected to left / right inversion processing, up / down inversion processing, or up / down / left / right inversion processing on the original image. Print out on paper.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between various inversion processes and read start addresses. FIG. 2A shows one page of image data stored in the page memory 10, and the write start address is an address when storing the first pixel of the first line (( 1)). In FIG. 2A, since the image data is sequentially written from the left end to the right in each line going downward from the upper end line (first line), the order of writing the image data to the page memory 10 is as follows. , (1) in the upper left corner, (2) in the upper right corner, (3) in the lower left corner, and (4) in the lower right corner. When the read start address is set to be the same as the write start address ((1)) and the image data is read in the same order as that at the time of writing, the normal processing without inversion is performed (FIG. 2B). By reading the image data using the address ((2)) when accumulating the last pixel of the first line as the read start address, the horizontal reversal process can be performed (FIG. 2 (c)). In addition, the upside down process can be performed by reading out the image data using the address ((3)) when accumulating the first pixel of the last line as the read start address (FIG. 2 (d)). Further, the image data is read using the address ((4)) when accumulating the final pixel of the final line as the read start address, so that the up / down / left / right inversion processing can be performed (FIG. 2 (e)).

  The register 11 stores a plurality of read start address candidates. Specifically, the register 11 stores a plurality of candidates to be read start addresses in each of the normal process, the horizontal flip process, the vertical flip process, and the vertical flip process. This storage process is performed when the write address reaches an address that may become the read start address in any inversion process during the writing process of the image data to the page memory 10, and the write address at that time Are sequentially stored in the register 11 as candidates for the read start address. Therefore, when four types of processing, that is, normal processing, left / right inversion processing, up / down inversion processing, and up / down / left / right inversion processing, can be performed, a total of four read start address candidates, one for each processing, are registered. Stored in

  The modem 12 is connected to the bus 15 and is composed of a facsimile modem capable of facsimile communication. Similarly, the modem 12 is directly connected to the NCU 13 connected to the bus 15. The NCU 13 is hardware that performs operations of closing and opening the line L1 with a public switched telephone network (PSTN), and connects the modem 12 to the PSTN as necessary. The facsimile composite apparatus 20 is connected to other facsimile apparatuses by PSTN so that normal facsimile communication can be performed. The PC interface unit 14 is connected to an external PC via a communication line L2 such as a LAN, and exchanges data with the PC. Various image data created and edited by an external PC are transmitted to the facsimile multifunction apparatus 20 (PC interface unit 14) via the communication line L2, and an image corresponding to the transmitted image data is transmitted to the facsimile multifunction apparatus 20. The data is printed out on a sheet at (recording unit 3).

  In the facsimile composite apparatus 20 having such a configuration, a plurality of read start address candidates used for normal processing and various inversion processes are stored in the register 11 during image data writing to the page memory 10. . Specifically, an address when accumulating the first pixel on the first line (the same as the write start address ((1) in FIG. 2)) and an address when accumulating the last pixel on the first line ((( 2)), and the address when accumulating the first pixel of the last line ((3) in FIG. 2) and the address when accumulating the final pixel of the final line ((4) in FIG. 2) are read out. It is stored in the register 11 as a start address candidate.

  One candidate (reading start address) is selected from the four candidates stored in the register 11 according to the presence / absence of the inversion processing set by the inversion processing setting key 5a and the type of the inversion processing. Specifically, when a normal process that does not perform inversion is set, an address ((1) in FIG. 2) for accumulating the first pixel in the first line is selected as a read start address, and left / right inversion processing is performed. Is set, the address ((2) in FIG. 2) for accumulating the last pixel of the first line is selected as the read start address, and when upside down processing is set, When the address for storing the first pixel ((2) in FIG. 2) is selected as the reading start address and the up / down / left / right inversion processing is set, the address for storing the last pixel of the last line (FIG. 2 (2)) is selected as the read start address. Therefore, a necessary read start address corresponding to the setting content (reversal information) with the reversal processing setting key 5a can be easily obtained.

  When the image data is read from the page memory 10, the desired inversion processing set by the inversion processing setting key 5a can be performed by performing the image data reading processing according to the selected reading start address.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure of image data writing processing to the page memory 10 in the facsimile multifunction device 20. The control unit 1 starts image data writing processing to the page memory 10 (step S1).

  The control unit 1 determines whether or not the address that can be the read start address in the normal process or various inversion processes, specifically, any one of the addresses (1) to (4) in FIG. S2) If not reached (S2: NO), the operation proceeds directly to step S4. On the other hand, when an address that can be the read start address is reached (S2: YES), the control unit 1 stores the write address at that time in the register 11 as a read start address candidate (step S3), and the operation proceeds to S4. move on.

  The control unit 1 determines whether or not writing of all image data for one page up to the last pixel of the last line is completed (S4), and if not completed (S4: NO), the operation proceeds to S1. Return and continue the write process. When the writing of the image data for one page is completed (S4: YES), the operation ends.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation procedure of the image data reading process from the page memory 10 in the facsimile multifunction device 20. The control unit 1 detects the key input of the inversion processing setting key 5a, and acquires inversion information indicating the presence / absence of the inversion processing and the type of the inversion processing (step S11). Next, the control unit 1 selects one read start address from the four candidates stored in the register 11 according to the acquired inversion information (step S12).

  The control unit 1 starts reading image data from the page memory 10 according to the selected read start address (step S13). The control unit 1 determines whether or not reading of all image data for one page up to the last pixel of the last line has been completed (step S14). If not completed (S14: NO), the operation is S13. Return to, and continue the reading process. When reading of image data for one page is completed (S14: YES), the operation ends.

  In the present invention, all read start address candidates corresponding to all types of inversion processing are stored, and therefore, when a plurality of types of inversion processing are performed on one page of image data (for example, left and right). The present invention is very convenient for inversion and upside down. In addition, the present invention is effective when the type of inversion processing is not set when image data is written.

  In the above example, the inversion information is set after the image data writing process for one page is completed. However, the setting timing of the inversion information is not limited to this, and before the image data writing process. Alternatively, the image data writing process may be in progress.

  In addition, the facsimile composite apparatus has been described as an example, but it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to all image processing apparatuses that can invert image data, such as a facsimile apparatus, a digital copying machine, and a printer.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus (facsimile multifunction apparatus) according to the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the relationship between various inversion processes and a read start address. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure of image data writing processing to a page memory in the facsimile multifunction peripheral. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure of image data reading processing from a page memory in the facsimile composite apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control part 3 Recording part 5 Operation part 5a Inversion process setting key 6 ROM
7 RAM
10 page memory 11 register 20 facsimile compound device (image processing device)

Claims (3)

An image processing apparatus comprising: a page memory capable of storing image data for at least one page; and a control unit that controls writing / reading of image data to / from the page memory.
While writing image data to the page memory, storage means for storing a plurality of candidates for read start addresses of image data from the page memory, setting means for setting inversion information related to image inversion, and setting means An image processing apparatus comprising: selection means for selecting one read start address from a plurality of candidates stored in the storage means according to the inversion information set in the above.   2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls reading of image data from the page memory in accordance with a read start address selected by the selection unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inversion information is information indicating any inversion among left / right inversion, up / down inversion, and up / down / left / right inversion.

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