JP2008288783A - Image processor, image reader, image processing program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor for automatically connecting the divided read images of an original in a size exceeding a readable range, an image reader, an image processing program and a recording medium. <P>SOLUTION: An image reading and forming apparatus 1 (the image reader) is provided, wherein when an original read part 20 divides and reads the original having original surface larger than the maximum scannable range in two or more times, an image data processing part 15 judges the continuity of the divided read images, and when the continuity is confirmed, the image data processing part 15 connects the divided read images in a state corresponding to the continuity. Thus, even when the large original which can not be read in one time is divided and read, the continuity of the respective divided read images is judged and they are automatically connected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing device, an image reading device, an image processing program, and a recording medium, and more specifically, an image processing device, an image reading device, an image processing program, and a recording that combine read data having a size exceeding a readable range. It relates to the medium.

  Recently, with the widespread use of computers, paperwork has also been digitized, and for example, in the handling of documents within a company, information is exchanged on an electronic document basis using computers.

  However, there are still situations where paper-based documents are being used, including meetings and meetings, and it is thought that the demand for paper-based documents will not disappear. Documents that only exist in Japan are very difficult to handle.

  In order to digitize such a paper document, a document image is scanned by a main scanning / sub scanning of an image reading device such as a scanner device, and the document image is read by a host device such as a computer via a network or the like. Incorporation is performed (see Patent Document 1).

  This prior art shows that it is possible to perform a pre-scan before reading a document, specify a necessary image range as a reading range within the maximum reading range, and set scanning conditions. Yes.

JP-A-9-51398

  However, in the above-described prior art, there is no description about reading a large original image exceeding the maximum reading range that can be read by the image reading apparatus. An original image is divided into a plurality of reading ranges and read in a plurality of times, and is printed out or stored as a divided image, or transmitted to a computer or the like. Originally, one image is divided into a plurality of printouts, stored, or transmitted, so that not only can the image not exceed the maximum readable range be generated, but also part of the image is lost. In order to improve the manageability, usability, and confidentiality of images, there is a need for improvement.

  Accordingly, the present invention determines an image processing apparatus, an image reading apparatus, an image processing program, and a recording medium that can determine the continuity of a plurality of read images and combine them to improve the manageability, usability, and confidentiality of the images. The purpose is to provide a medium.

  The image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention determines the continuity of the divided read image obtained by dividing and reading one original image a plurality of times, and the continuity determining unit determines that the image is continuous. A combination means for combining the divided read images in a state corresponding to the continuity, and a divided read image combination for controlling the continuity determination means and the combination means to combine the divided read images based on the continuity The above object is achieved by providing a control means for performing processing.

  An image reading apparatus according to a second aspect of the invention determines an continuity of an image reading unit that reads an image of a document and a divided read image that is read by dividing one document image into a plurality of times by the image reading unit. Continuity determining means, combining means for combining the divided read images determined to be continuous by the continuity determining means in a state corresponding to the continuity, and controlling the continuity determining means and the combining means to perform the division The above object is achieved by including control means for performing divided read image combining processing for combining read images based on their continuity.

  In each of the above cases, for example, as described in claim 3, a selection unit that selects whether or not to execute the divided read image combining process is provided, and the control unit performs the division according to the selection of the selection unit. Execution / non-execution of the read image combining process may be controlled.

  Further, in the case of claims 1 to 3, for example, as described in claim 4, a storage unit for storing the divided read image is provided, and the control unit sequentially reads the divided read image of the one original. When all the divided read images of the original are saved in the storage means and stored in the storage means, the continuity judging means sequentially judges the continuity of the divided read images, and the combining means makes the continuous A batch combining process for combining the divided read images based on the sex determination result may be performed.

  Further, in the case of claims 1 to 3, for example, as described in claim 5, the control unit causes the continuity determination unit to perform the division every time a divided read image of the one original is generated. Sequential combining processing may be performed in which the continuity of the read image is determined, and the combined unit combines the divided read images based on the continuity determination result.

  Further, in the case of claims 1 to 5, for example, as described in claim 6, image conversion means for performing at least one type of image conversion processing on the divided read image as the continuity determination target is provided. When the continuity determining unit determines that continuity is not confirmed in the divided read image, the control unit causes the image conversion unit to perform image conversion processing on the divided read image, and the continuity determining unit. The process for determining the continuity of the divided read image after the image conversion processing is repeatedly executed until the continuity of the divided read image is confirmed or the image conversion means executes all types of image conversion processing. May be.

  Further, in the case of Claims 1 to 6, for example, as described in Claim 7, the image processing apparatus includes character recognition processing means for performing character recognition processing on the divided read image, and the continuity determination means includes the character recognition processing means. The continuity of the divided read image may be determined based on the consistency of the character information of the divided read image subjected to the character recognition processing by the character recognition processing means.

  Further, in the case of claims 1 to 6, for example, as described in claim 8, the divided read image is a bitmap image, and the continuity determining means matches the bitmap of the divided read image. The continuity of the divided read image may be determined based on the property.

  An image processing program according to a ninth aspect of the invention achieves the above object by causing an image processing apparatus or an image reading apparatus to function as the image processing apparatus or the image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects. is doing.

  A recording medium according to a tenth aspect of the invention achieves the above object by recording the image processing program according to the ninth aspect.

  According to the present invention, when the continuity of the divided read image obtained by dividing and reading one original image is determined and the continuity is confirmed, the divided read image is determined according to the continuity. Therefore, even if a large original that cannot be read once is divided and read, it is possible to determine the continuity of each divided read image and combine them, improving the manageability and usability of the images. In addition, the confidentiality can be improved by managing the image as one image.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The scope of the present invention limits this invention especially in the following description. As long as there is no description of the effect, it is not restricted to these aspects.

  1 to 9 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of an image processing apparatus, an image reading apparatus, an image processing program, and a recording medium of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows an image processing apparatus, an image reading apparatus, 1 is a block configuration diagram of an image reading and forming apparatus 1 to which an image processing program and a first embodiment of a recording medium are applied. FIG.

  In FIG. 1, an image reading and forming apparatus (image reading apparatus) 1 includes a controller 10, a document reading unit 20, an operation panel 30, and the like, and further includes an image forming unit as an image data output unit 40. A large-capacity storage unit may be provided, or a computer or the like connected via a network or the like may be used as the image data output unit 40 to transmit image data.

  The controller 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11, a read only memory (ROM) 12, a random access memory (RAM) 13, an image data storage unit 14, an image data processing unit 15, a document reading unit I / F 16, and an image data output. An I / F 17 and the like are provided, and main components are connected by a system bus 18.

  The document reading unit (image reading unit) 20 is connected to the document reading unit I / F 16 and irradiates the document with the reading light while relatively moving the document and the reading light in the sub-scanning direction, and reflects the reflected light. A photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) performs photoelectric conversion to read the original image through main scanning and sub-scanning, and read the original image as digital image data via the original reading unit I / F 16 and the system bus 18. To the RAM 13 or the image data storage unit 14.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the document reading unit 20 has a maximum readable range (maximum scannable range) MS, and the maximum scan as shown in FIG. 2A is possible. When reading a document A having a document surface larger than the range MS, as shown in FIG. 2C, the document A is placed in four scan areas A-1 to A with the maximum scanable range MS in contact with each other so as not to overlap. As shown in FIG. 2D, when it is difficult to read by dividing and dividing into A-4, or when it is difficult to scan the document reading unit 20 in the state as shown in FIG. In addition, it is generally performed that the document A is read by dividing the scan areas Aa to Ag partially into a plurality (seven in the case of FIG. 2D). The original A targeted in this embodiment is not only a text original consisting of characters but also an original in a broad sense including an image original and a composite original in which these exist in a complex manner.

  The ROM 12 stores a basic program as the image reading and forming apparatus 1, an image processing program to be described later, necessary data, and the like.

  The CPU (control means) 11 controls each part of the image reading and forming apparatus 1 while controlling the basic operation as the image reading and forming apparatus 1 while using the RAM 13 as a work memory based on a program in the ROM 12. Then, a divided read image combining process to be described later is executed.

  A RAM (storage means) 13 is used as a work memory for the CPU 11 and is used for temporarily storing image data read by the document reading unit 20 and image data being processed.

  The image data storage unit (storage unit) 14 uses a hard disk, a large-capacity RAM, or the like, and stores image data read by the document reading unit 20 and image data being processed.

  The image data processing unit (continuity determination means, combination means) 15 is under the control of the CPU 11 and performs continuity determination processing of divided read image data and image data processing, for example, image deformation processing, image rotation processing, and image movement. Processing, image combining processing, etc. are performed.

  As described above, the document reading unit 20 is connected to the document reading unit I / F 16, and exchanges control signals and data with the document reading unit 20.

  The image data output I / F 17 is connected to the image data output unit 40, and exchanges control signals and data with the image data output unit 40. The image data output unit 40 receives and accumulates image data from the controller 10 as well as a printer unit that prints and outputs image data received from the controller 10 on paper in a predetermined printing method, for example, an electrophotographic method. It may be a computer or the like that receives image data from a capacity storage device or the controller 10 and performs various data processing or storage.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel (selection means) 30 is provided with a display unit 31 in which a display panel and a touch panel are integrated, a start button 32 as a mechanical button, a stop button 33, a main button 34, and the like. The display unit 31 displays various information, touch buttons, and the like on the display panel, and enables an input operation by touching a touch panel of a display portion of the displayed touch button. For example, in FIG. 3, a normal scan button Sa for scanning the document A as it is on the display unit 31 and a divided scan automatic merge button Sb for instructing operation of divided read image combination processing are displayed as a divided scan selection screen G1 (selection means). It is displayed.

  The start button 32 is used for operations such as determination of various commands and instructions for starting various operations of the image reading and forming apparatus 1, particularly instructions for starting each divided scan when performing divided scanning (divided reading), which will be described later. 33 is used for operations such as canceling various commands and instructing to end various operations of the image reading and forming apparatus 1, in particular, a divided scan end instruction in the case of a divided scan described later. The main button 34 is used for operations such as reading various functions provided in the image reading and forming apparatus 1 and displaying them on the display unit 31.

  The image reading and forming apparatus 1 includes a CD (Compact Disc), an MO (magneto-optical disk), a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a CD-RW (Compact Disc Rewritable), a DVD (Digital Video Disk), and a memory. The divided read image combination processing program (image processing program) recorded on a recording medium such as a card flexible disk is read into the ROM 12 or a non-illustrated non-volatile memory or the like, stored, executed, and divided as described later. It is constructed as an image reading and forming apparatus 1 that executes a read image combining process.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The image reading and forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment sequentially stores image data (divided read images) obtained by reading a document A having a document surface larger than the maximum scanable range MS in the RAM 13 or the image data storage unit 14, and When the divided read images are stored in the RAM 13 or the image data storage unit 14, the continuity is automatically determined, and batch combining processing for combining (merging) into one image data is performed and output.

  When the original A larger than the maximum scanable range MS is divided and merged (merged), a method for designating the number of scans in advance and a method for controlling the scan with the start button 32 and the stop button 33 are selected. be able to. First, divided read image combination processing in the case where the number of scans is designated in advance and divided scans to combine images will be described with reference to FIG.

  That is, in the image reading and forming apparatus 1, when the document scan mode is selected by operating the operation panel 30, the CPU 11 performs the divided scan including the normal scan button Sa and the divided scan automatic merge button Sb as shown in FIG. The selection screen G1 is displayed on the display unit 31 of the operation panel 30, and as shown in FIG. 4, it is checked which mode is selected as the scan mode, the normal scan mode or the divided scan automatic merge mode (step S101).

  In step S101, when the normal scan mode is selected by the normal scan button Sa, the document A is set in the scan area of the document reading unit 20, and the start button 32 is operated, the CPU 11 causes the document reading unit I / F 16 to operate. Then, the original reading unit 20 is controlled to cause the original reading unit 20 to read the original A to be read (step S102). The CPU 11 primarily stores the image data of the document A read by the document reading unit 20 in the RAM 13 or the image data storage unit 14 through the system bus 18, and then performs the necessary image processing on the image data processing unit 15 to obtain the image data. The image is output to the image data output unit 40 via the output I / F 17 and the process is terminated (step S103).

  In step S101, when the divided scan automatic merge button Sb is operated to select the divided scan automatic merge mode, a scan number input screen G2 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed, and the number of scans is displayed on the scan number input screen G2. Is input (step S104), and when the document A is set in the scan area of the document reading unit 20 and the start button 32 is operated, the CPU 11 controls the document reading unit 20 via the document reading unit I / F 16. Then, the original reading unit 20 is made to read the original A to be read, and the image data of the original A read by the original reading unit 20 is sent as divided read image data to the RAM 13 or the image data storage unit 14 through the system bus 18. Firstly stored (step S105). Note that, on the scan number input screen G2 in FIG. 5, the CPU 11 displays a numeric keypad KD for inputting the number of scans and a scan number dialog ND for displaying the number of scans input by the tenkey KD on the display unit 31. Then, the number of scans input with the numeric keypad KD is displayed on the scan number dialog ND, thereby allowing the input of the number of scans and the confirmation of the input number of scans. For example, when the document A shown in FIG. 2A is divided into seven as shown in FIG. 2D and read, “7” is input as the number of scans.

  When the CPU 11 causes the document reading unit 20 to read the document A, the CPU 11 checks whether the number of times of reading (the number of read image data) has reached the specified number of scans designated in step S104, that is, whether the number of times of reading has been read. (Step S106) When the designated number of times of scanning has not been read, the process returns to Step S105, the next reading target portion of the document A is set in the scan area of the document reading unit 20, and the start button 32 is operated, the document reading is performed. The original reading unit 20 is controlled via the unit I / F 16 to cause the original reading unit 20 to read the original A to be read, and when the reading is completed, a process of checking whether the reading has been performed a specified number of times is repeatedly performed (Step S1). S105, S106).

  After reading the designated number of times in step S106, the CPU 11 causes the image data processing unit 15 to analyze the continuity between the read image data (divided read image data) temporarily stored in the RAM 13 or the image data storage unit 14. The read image data is combined based on the continuity analysis result and stored in the image data storage unit 14 (step S107).

  When the image data processing unit 15 completes the combination of all the divided read image data, the CPU 11 causes the image data processing unit 15 to perform the necessary image processing on the combined image data, and then outputs the image data output I. The data is output to the image data output unit 40 via / F17 and the process is terminated (step S103).

  In the above description, when the original A is divided and scanned, the number of scans, which is the number of divisions, is first input and designated. However, the procedure of the division scan is not limited to the one that inputs and designates the number of scans in advance. As shown in FIG. 6, when the division scan is performed without inputting the number of scans in advance and the scan is completed up to the last division area of the document A, the end of the division scan is indicated by an operation on the operation panel 30 (for example, You may make it instruct | indicate by operation of the stop button 33).

  In this case, as described above, the CPU 11 displays the divided scan selection screen G1 on the display unit 31 of the operation panel 30 as shown in FIG. 3, and as shown in FIG. It is checked which mode of the scan automatic merge mode has been selected (step S201).

  In step S201, the normal scan button Sa on the divided scan selection screen G1 is operated to select the normal scan mode, and the CPU 11 sets the document A in the scan area of the document reading unit 20 and operates the start button 32. The original reading unit 20 reads the original A to be read (step S202), the image data of the original A read by the original reading unit 20 is temporarily stored in the RAM 13 or the image data storage unit 14, and then the image data The processing unit 15 performs necessary image processing and outputs the image data to the image data output unit 40 via the image data output I / F 17 to complete the processing (step S203).

  In step S201, when the divided scan automatic merge button Sb on the divided scan selection screen G1 is operated to select the divided scan automatic merge mode, a scan operation guidance screen G3 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. The scan operation guidance screen G3 displays, for example, a scan operation guidance such as “Set a document and press the START button. Press the STOP button to end scanning” on the display unit 31.

  When the document A is set in the scan area of the document reading unit 20 and the start button 32 is operated in accordance with the scan operation guidance screen G3, the CPU 11 operates the document reading unit via the document reading unit I / F 16. 20 to cause the original reading unit 20 to read the original A to be read (step S204) and check whether the stop button (STOP button) 33 is pressed without pressing the start button (START button) 32. (Step S205).

  When the stop button 33 is not pressed in step S205, the CPU 11 returns to step S204, sets the next reading target portion of the document A in the scan area of the document reading unit 20, and operates the start button 32. Then, the original reading unit 20 is controlled via the original reading unit I / F 16 to cause the original reading unit 20 to read the original A to be read. When the reading is completed, the start button 32 is not pressed and the stop is stopped. The process of checking whether the button 33 has been pressed is repeated (steps S204 and S205).

  If the stop button 33 is pressed without pressing the start button 32 in step S205, the CPU 11 determines that all areas that the user of the original A wants to merge are scanned, and temporarily stores them in the RAM 13 or the image data storage unit 14. The stored divided read image data is sequentially transferred to the image data processing unit 15 to cause the image data processing unit 15 to analyze the continuity between the divided read image data, and to process the image data based on the analysis result of the continuity. The read image data is combined with the unit 15 and stored in the image data storage unit 14 (step S206).

  When the image data processing unit 15 completes the combination of all the read image data, the CPU 11 causes the image data processing unit 15 to perform the necessary image processing on the combined image data, and then outputs the image data output I / O. The image data is output to the image data output unit 40 via F17, and the process is terminated (step S203).

  Then, the image data processing unit 15 executes the image combining process in step S107 in FIG. 4 and the image combining process in step S206 in FIG. 6 as shown in FIG.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the image data processing unit 15 first checks whether the image data to be processed is image data to be processed for the first time (step S301). Since there is no image data to be determined (image data to be combined), the process proceeds to the next image data processing.

  In step S301, when the image data to be processed is not the image data to be processed for the first time, the image data processing unit 15 performs the previous image data (the previous image is the image data that has been processed first, and a plurality of image data has already been processed. The image data of the same document A is determined, and if there is no continuity, the process returns to step S301. The process proceeds to the next image processing.

  In this continuity determination, for example, character recognition processing is performed on two pieces of image data to be subjected to continuity determination, and consistency between character strings obtained as a result of the character recognition processing and consistency as a document are determined. Thus, the character recognition continuity determination method for determining the continuity of two image data, the two image data (bitmap image data) to be continuity determination are superimposed, and the consistency of the bitmap is determined. An overlay continuity determination method for determining the continuity of two image data can be used. Note that the continuity determination method is not limited to the above two determination methods, and any method can be used as long as it can appropriately determine the continuity of the image data. The image data processing unit 15 also determines the continuity of the subsequent image data at which position in the previous image data and at what angle in determining the continuity of the image data.

  If there is continuity in step S302, the image data processing unit 15 combines (merges) the two image data (step S303), and image data for which continuity is not confirmed is stored in the RAM 13 or the image data storage unit 14. (Step S304).

  If image data whose continuity is not confirmed remains in step S304, the image data processing unit 15 returns to step S301 to determine continuity and merge image data for the next image data in the same manner as described above. (Steps S301 to S304). When there is no image data whose continuity is not confirmed in Step S304, the image combining process is terminated.

  As described above, the image reading and forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment determines the continuity of the divided read image obtained by dividing and reading the image of one document A a plurality of times, and confirms the continuity. The divided read images are combined in a state corresponding to the continuity.

  Therefore, even if a large document A that cannot be read at a time is divided and read, the continuity of each divided read image can be determined and combined, and the manageability and usability of the image can be improved. In addition, by managing as one image, confidentiality can be improved, and a large image exceeding the maximum scanable range MS can be generated.

  Further, the image reading and forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment displays the divided scan selection screen G1 of the operation panel 30, and when the normal scan button Sa and the divided scan automatic merge button Sb are selected and operated, the CPU 11 performs the selection. The execution / non-execution of the divided read image combining process is controlled accordingly.

  The divided read image combining process can be appropriately executed according to the user's intention, and the usability can be improved.

  Further, in the image reading and forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the CPU 11 sequentially stores the divided read images of one original A read by the original reading unit 20 in the RAM 13 or the image data storage unit 14, and When all the divided read images are stored in the RAM 13 or the image data storage unit 14, the image data processing unit 15 sequentially determines the continuity of the divided read images, and the divided reading is performed based on the continuity determination result. Performs batch merge processing to merge images.

  Therefore, even when there is no image that can be combined (merged) without confirmation of continuity at the time when a certain divided read image is generated, that is, when an image read by the original scanning unit 20 is divided, there is no subsequent image. Even when an image that can be combined is generated after the continuity is confirmed, it is possible to appropriately determine the continuity of the images and combine them, and it is possible to reliably combine the divided read images without depending on the reading order. .

  Further, in the image reading and forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the image data processing unit 15 performs character recognition processing on, for example, two image data to be subjected to continuity determination. The character recognition continuity judgment method for judging the continuity of two image data by discriminating the consistency of the character strings obtained as a result of the above and the consistency as a document, and superimposing two image data to be continuity judgment objects In addition, it is performed using a superposition continuity determination method that determines the continuity of two image data by determining the coincidence of bitmaps.

  Therefore, by evaluating the continuity of images using character information, it is possible to combine the images of character information without a sense of incongruity, and by reliably determining the continuity of images using a bitmap, Can be combined without a sense of incongruity.

  In the determination of the continuity of the images in the image combining process in FIG. 8, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, various image conversion processes are performed on the image data to be processed, and the image data after the image conversion process and the previous image data are processed. The continuity with the image data may be determined. In FIG. 9, the same processing steps as those in FIG. 8 are given the same step numbers.

  That is, the image data processing unit 15 checks whether the image data to be processed is image data to be processed for the first time (step S301). If the image data is to be processed for the first time, the image data processing unit 15 determines the continuity and determines the partner image data to be combined. Since it does not exist, the process proceeds to the next image data processing.

  When the image data to be processed is not the first image data in step S301, the image data processing unit 15 determines whether there is continuity with the previous image data (step S302). It is checked whether there is an unconverted image conversion process among the plurality of image conversion processes being performed (step S401). As this image conversion processing, for example, various types of conversion processing necessary for determining image continuity such as image parallel movement, image rotation movement, and the like.

  When there is an image conversion process that has not been tried in step S401, the image data processing unit 15 performs the image conversion process that has not been tried on the image data to be processed (step S402), and continuity with the previous image data is present. It is determined whether or not there is (step S302).

  If there is no continuity in step S302, the image data processing unit 15 further checks whether there is an image conversion process that has not been tried. If there is an image conversion process that has not been tried, the image data processing unit 15 Then, the image conversion process that has not been tried is performed on the image data to be processed, and the process of determining whether there is continuity with the previous image data is repeated (steps SS401, S402, and S302).

  When there is no image conversion process that has not been tried in step S401, that is, when all the image conversion processes have been tried, the image data processing unit 15 determines that there is no image continuity, and returns to step S301. The process proceeds to the next image processing.

  If there is continuity in step S302, the image data processing unit 15 combines (merges) the two image data (step S303), and image data for which continuity is not confirmed is stored in the RAM 13 or the image data storage unit 14. (Step S304).

  If image data whose continuity has not been confirmed remains in step S304, the image data processing unit 15 returns to step S301 to determine continuity, image conversion processing, and image for the next image data as described above. Data merging is performed (steps S301, S302, S401, S402, S303, and S304), and if there is no remaining image data for which continuity is not confirmed in step S304, the image combining process is terminated.

  As described above, the image reading and forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment performs the image conversion process until the continuity of the divided read image can be confirmed, or until all types of image conversion processes provided are performed.

  Accordingly, it is possible to correct the deviation of the divided read images and reliably determine the continuity, and to combine (merge) the images more appropriately and reliably.

  10 to 13 are diagrams showing a second embodiment of the image processing apparatus, image reading apparatus, image processing program, and recording medium of the present invention.

  This embodiment is applied to an image reading and forming apparatus similar to the image reading and forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. In the description of the present embodiment, the first embodiment will be described as necessary. The description will be made using the same reference numerals used in the description.

  When the original A that is larger than the maximum scanable range MS of the original reading unit 20 is divided and automatically merged, in the first embodiment, continuous reading of images after all necessary reading of the original A is completed. In this embodiment, each time the document A is read, sequential combination processing for determining and combining image continuity is performed. Also in this embodiment, in the case of performing the divided scan, as in the case of the first embodiment, a method of inputting the number of divided scans in advance, and a method of controlling the scan with the start button 32 and the stop button 33 And can be used in selection. First, divided read image combination processing in the case where the number of scans is designated in advance and divided scans are combined will be described with reference to FIG.

  In other words, when the document scanning mode is selected by operating the operation panel 30, the image reading and forming apparatus 1 causes the CPU 11 to perform the divided scan having the normal scan button Sa and the divided scan automatic merge button Sb as shown in FIG. The selection screen G1 is displayed on the display unit 31 of the operation panel 30, and as shown in FIG. 10, it is checked which mode is selected as the scan mode, the normal scan mode or the divided scan automatic merge mode (step S501).

  In step S501, when the normal scan button Sa is operated to select the normal scan mode, the original A (see FIG. 2) is set in the scan area of the original reading unit 20, and the start button 32 is operated, the CPU 11 Then, the original reading unit 20 is controlled via the original reading unit I / F 16 to cause the original reading unit 20 to read the original A to be read (step S502). The CPU 11 primarily stores the image data of the document A read by the document reading unit 20 in the RAM 13 or the image data storage unit 14 through the system bus 18, and then performs the necessary image processing on the image data processing unit 15 to obtain the image data. The image data is output to the image data output unit 40 via the output I / F 17 and the process is terminated (step S503).

  In step S501, when the divided scan automatic merge button Sb is operated to select the divided scan automatic merge mode, the scan number input screen G2 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed, and scanning is performed on the scan number input screen G2. When the number of times is input (step S504), the document A is set in the scan area of the document reading unit 20, and the start button 32 is operated, the CPU 11 moves the document reading unit 20 through the document reading unit I / F16. Then, the original reading unit 20 reads the original A to be read, and the image data of the original A read by the original reading unit 20 is temporarily stored in the RAM 13 or the image data storage unit 14 through the system bus 18 ( Step S505).

  When the CPU 11 causes the document reading unit 20 to read the document A and temporarily stores the image data of the document A read by the document reading unit 20 in the RAM 13 or the image data storage unit 14, the CPU 11 stores the image data in the image data processing unit 15. Image combination processing for analyzing the continuity of the read image data temporarily stored in the RAM 13 or the image data storage unit 14 and combining the read image data with the image data processing unit 15 based on the analysis result of the continuity (Step S506).

  When the CPU 11 causes the image data processing unit 15 to perform the image combining process, the CPU 11 checks whether the number of times the document A has been read by the document reading unit 20 has reached the designated number of scans designated in step S504, that is, whether the number of times has been read. (Step S507) If the specified number of times of scanning has not been read, the process returns to Step S505, the next reading target portion of the document A is set in the scan area of the document reading unit 20, and the start button 32 is operated. The process of controlling the unit 20 to cause the original reading unit 20 to read the original A to be read, and when the reading is completed, causes the image data processing unit 15 to perform an image combining process and check whether it has been read a specified number of times. Are repeated (steps S505 to S507).

  After reading the designated number of times in step S507, the CPU 11 causes the image data processing unit 15 to perform necessary image processing on the combined image data, and then the image data output unit via the image data output I / F 17. It outputs to 40 and a process is complete | finished (step S503).

  Also in the present embodiment, in the above description, when the original A is divided and scanned, the number of scans, which is the number of divisions, is first input and designated. However, in the procedure of division scan, the number of scans is input and designated. Not limited to the above, the number of scans is not input in advance, the division scan is performed, the image combination processing for combining the read image data is performed, and the operation of the operation panel 30 (for example, the stop button) The processing may be terminated when instructed by pressing (33).

  In this case, as described above, the CPU 11 displays the divided scan selection screen G1 on the display unit 31 of the operation panel 30 as shown in FIG. 3, and as shown in FIG. It is checked which mode of the scan automatic merge mode has been selected (step S601).

  In step S601, the normal scan button Sa is operated to select the normal scan mode. When the document A is set in the scan area of the document reading unit 20 and the start button 32 is operated, the document reading unit 20 is operated. The original A to be read is read (step S602), and the image data of the original A read by the original reading unit 20 is temporarily stored in the RAM 13 or the image data storage unit 14, and then necessary for the image data processing unit 15. Image processing is performed, and the image data is output to the image data output unit 40 via the image data output I / F 17 to end the processing (step S603).

  In step S601, when the divided scan automatic merge button Sb is operated to select the divided scan automatic merge mode, the CPU 11 displays the scan operation guidance screen G3 as shown in FIG. In accordance with G3, when the document A is set in the scanning area of the document reading unit 20 and the start button 32 is operated, the document reading unit 20 is controlled via the document reading unit I / F 16 to be read by the document reading unit 20. The target document A is read, and the image data of the document A read by the document reading unit 20 is temporarily stored in the RAM 13 or the image data storage unit 14 through the system bus 18 (step S604).

  When the CPU 11 causes the document reading unit 20 to read the document A and temporarily stores the image data of the document A read by the document reading unit 20 in the RAM 13 or the image data storage unit 14, the CPU 11 stores the image data in the image data processing unit 15. The continuity analysis of the read image data temporarily stored in the RAM 13 or the image data storage unit 14 is performed, and further, the image combining process for combining the read image data based on the continuity analysis result is performed (step). S605).

  When the CPU 11 causes the image data processing unit 15 to perform image combining processing, the CPU 11 checks whether the stop button (STOP button) 33 has been pressed without pressing the start button (START button) 32 (step S606).

  When the stop button 33 is not pressed in step S606, the CPU 11 returns to step S604, sets the next reading target portion of the document A in the scan area of the document reading unit 20, and operates the start button 32. Then, the document reading unit 20 is controlled to cause the document reading unit 20 to read the document A to be read, and when the reading is completed, the image data processing unit 15 performs image combining processing, and the start button 32 is pressed. The process of checking whether the stop button 33 is pressed without being pressed is repeatedly performed (steps S604 to S606).

  If the stop button 33 is pressed without pressing the start button 32 in step S205, the CPU 11 causes the image data processing unit 15 to perform the necessary image processing on the combined image data, and then outputs the image data output I. The data is output to the image data output unit 40 via / F17, and the process is terminated (step S603).

  Then, the image data processing unit 15 executes the image combining process in step S506 in FIG. 10 and the image combining process in step S605 in FIG. 11 as shown in FIG.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the image data processing unit 15 first checks whether the image data to be processed is image data to be processed for the first time (step S301). Since there is no image data to be determined (image data to be combined), the process proceeds to the next image data processing.

  If it is determined in step S301 that the image data to be processed is not image data to be processed for the first time, the image data processing unit 15 determines whether there is continuity with the previous image data (image data that has been processed first) (step S301). S702) If there is no continuity, it is determined that the image data is not the same document A, and the process returns to step S301 to proceed to the next image data processing. This determination of continuity is the same as in the case of the first embodiment.

  If there is continuity in step S702, the image data processing unit 15 combines (merges) the two image data, and ends the image combining process (step S703).

  In the determination of image continuity in the image combining process of FIG. 12, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, various image conversion processes are performed on the image data to be currently processed, and the image data after the image conversion process and the previous image data are processed. The continuity with the image data may be determined. In FIG. 13, the same step numbers are assigned to the processing steps similar to those in FIG.

  That is, the image data processing unit 15 checks whether or not the image data to be processed is image data to be processed for the first time (step S701). If the image data is to be processed for the first time, there is no counterpart image data for determining continuity. Then, the image combining process is terminated.

  If it is determined in step S701 that the image data to be processed is not image data to be processed for the first time, the image data processing unit 15 determines whether there is continuity with the previous image data (step S7702). Of the plurality of prepared image conversion processes, it is checked whether there is an unconverted image conversion process (step S801). This image conversion processing is the same as the case of FIG. 9 of the first embodiment, and is various conversion processing necessary for determining image continuity such as parallel movement of images and rotational movement of images.

  When there is an image conversion process that has not been tried in step S801, the image data processing unit 15 performs the image conversion process that has not been tried on the image data to be processed (step S802), and continuity with the previous image data is present. It is determined whether it exists (step S702).

  If there is no continuity in step S702, the image data processing unit 15 further checks whether there is an image conversion process that has not been tried. If there is an image conversion process that has not been tried, the image data processing unit 15 Then, the image conversion process that has not been tried is performed on the image data to be processed, and the process of determining whether there is continuity with the previous image data is repeatedly performed (steps SS801, S802, and S702).

  In step S801, when there is no image conversion process that has not been tried, that is, when all image conversion processes have been tried, the image data processing unit 15 determines that there is no image continuity, and ends the image combination process. .

  If there is continuity in step S702, the image data processing unit 15 combines (merges) the two image data (step S703), and ends the image combining process.

  As described above, in the image reading and forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the CPU 11 reads the image of the divided area by the document reading unit 20 and each time a divided read image of one document is generated, the image data processing unit. 15 sequentially determines the continuity of the divided read images, and performs a sequential combining process for combining the divided read images based on the continuity determination result.

  Therefore, resources for storing the image data being processed can be minimized, and costs can be reduced.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.

  The present invention relates to an image processing device that combines read image data having a size exceeding the readable range, a scanner device incorporating the image processing device, an image reading device such as a composite device, and the image processing device and image reading device. The present invention can be used for an applied image processing program and a recording medium for recording the image processing program.

1 is a block configuration diagram of an image reading and forming apparatus to which a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a read original, a maximum scanable range, and a divided scan by the image reading and forming apparatus of FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which a divided scan selection screen of the operation panel in FIG. 1 is displayed. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a divided read image combining process in the case where the number of scans by the image reading and forming apparatus of FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state where a scan number input screen of the operation panel of FIG. 1 is displayed. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing divided read image combining processing in a case where divided scanning is performed without specifying the number of scans in advance by the image reading and forming apparatus of FIG. 1 to combine images. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a state in which a scan operation guidance screen of the operation panel in FIG. 1 is displayed. 7 is a flowchart showing detailed processing of the image combining processing in FIGS. 4 and 6. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an image combination process when an image conversion process is added to the image combination process of FIG. 8. 10 is a flowchart showing a divided read image combining process when an image reading and forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present embodiment designates the number of scans in advance and performs divided scan to combine images. 9 is a flowchart showing a divided read image combining process when an image reading and forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present embodiment combines images by performing a divided scan without specifying the number of scans in advance. 12 is a flowchart showing detailed processing of the image combining processing in FIGS. 10 and 11. 14 is a flowchart showing image combining processing when image conversion processing is added to the image combining processing of FIG. 13.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image reading and forming apparatus 10 Controller 11 CPU
12 ROM
13 RAM
14 Image Data Storage Unit 15 Image Data Processing Unit 16 Document Reading Unit I / F
17 Image data output I / F
18 System bus 20 Document reading section 30 Operation panel 31 Display section 32 Start button 33 Stop button 34 Main button Sa Normal scan button Sb Split scan automatic merge button G1 Split scan selection screen G2 Scan count input screen G3 Scan operation guidance screen 40 Image data Output part A Document MS Maximum scanable range

Claims (10)

  According to the continuity, the continuity determining means for determining the continuity of the divided read image obtained by dividing one document image into a plurality of times and the divided read image determined to be continuous by the continuity determining means. A combination means for combining the image data in a connected state, and a control means for performing the divided read image combination processing for controlling the combination means and the combination means to combine the divided read images based on their continuity. An image processing apparatus.   An image reading unit that reads an image of a document, a continuity determination unit that determines the continuity of a divided read image that is read by dividing one document image by the image reading unit, and the continuity determination unit Combining means for combining the divided read images determined to be continuous in a state corresponding to the continuity, and division for controlling the continuity determining means and the combining means to combine the divided read images based on the continuity An image reading apparatus comprising: control means for performing a read image combining process.   The image processing apparatus includes a selection unit that selects whether or not to execute the divided read image combination process, and the control unit controls execution / non-execution of the divided read image combination process according to the selection of the selection unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or the image reading apparatus according to claim 2.   A storage unit configured to store the divided read image; and the control unit sequentially stores the divided read image of the one original in the storage unit, and all the divided read images of the original are stored in the storage unit. Then, the continuity determining unit sequentially determines the continuity of the divided read images, and the combining unit performs a batch combining process for combining the divided read images based on the continuity determination result. The image processing apparatus or image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The control unit causes the continuity determination unit to determine the continuity of the divided read image each time a divided read image of the one original is generated, and causes the combining unit to perform the division based on the continuity determination result. The image processing apparatus or the image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a sequential combining process for combining the read images is performed.   Image conversion means for performing at least one type of image conversion processing on the divided read image to be subjected to continuity determination; and the control means is configured so that the continuity determination means does not confirm continuity in the divided read image. When the determination is made, the image conversion unit performs image conversion processing on the divided read image, and the continuity determination unit performs processing for determining the continuity of the divided read image after the image conversion processing on the divided read image. 6. The image processing apparatus or image according to claim 1, wherein the image processing device or the image is repeatedly executed until continuity is confirmed or the image conversion means executes all types of image conversion processing. Reader.   Character recognition processing means for performing character recognition processing on the divided read image, and the continuity determining means is based on the consistency of character information of the divided read image subjected to character recognition processing by the character recognition processing means. 7. The image processing apparatus or image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the continuity of the divided read image is determined.   2. The divided read image is a bitmap image, and the continuity determination unit determines the continuity of the divided read image based on the consistency of the bitmap of the divided read image. The image processing apparatus or image reading apparatus according to claim 6.   An image processing program causing an image processing apparatus or an image reading apparatus to function as the image processing apparatus or the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.   A recording medium for recording the image processing program according to claim 9.

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