JP2011035539A - Image processing apparatus, image processing method, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow desired variation to be obtained by one instruction by reducing work required for instruction of an insertion area in editing of image data. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU 111 of an image forming apparatus (digital copying machine 10) designates an optional area to image data displayed on a touch panel 131 of an operation portion 13, by an operation on the touch panel 131 and registers a plurality of pieces of information (constituted of figures or characters) to be inserted into the designated area, in an HDD 115 and sequentially inserts the plurality of registered pieces of information into the designated area of image data to be repeatedly output to an engine portion 12, whereby a plurality of kinds of image data (desired variation) are created. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus (particularly, a digital multifunction peripheral, a digital copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, a printer, etc.), an image reading apparatus (scanner apparatus, etc.), a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as “PC”), etc. Digital image processing apparatus), image processing method in the image processing apparatus, program for realizing the functions necessary for the computer controlling the image processing apparatus (functions related to the present invention), and computer recording the program The present invention relates to a readable recording medium.

  As an image processing apparatus as described above, for example, as seen in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228707, the layout is changed on the preview image based on the scan data (document image data) of the format image read by the scanner. Some things can be edited.

However, when it is desired to create a variation of the edited image data in which only a part of the image data of the document is changed, the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-151867 must repeat editing and output (printing) for one of the variations of the image data. It was difficult for users to use.
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and can reduce the work of specifying an insertion area in editing image data, and can obtain a desired variation as edited image data with a single instruction. The purpose is to do.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following image processing apparatus, an image processing method in the image processing apparatus, a program to be executed by a computer that controls the image processing apparatus, and a computer readable recording of the program Recording medium is provided.

  An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an image reading unit that reads an image of a document, an image storage unit that stores image data read by the image reading unit, and an image that displays image data stored in the image storage unit. It is possible to connect display means to image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on the image data stored in the image storage means, and to edit the image data stored in the image storage means Is an image processing apparatus that performs the following.

  That is, an area designation unit for designating an arbitrary area for the image data displayed by the image display unit, an information registration unit for registering a plurality of pieces of information to be inserted into the designated area by the area designation unit, and the information registration And an image creating means for creating a plurality of types of image data by sequentially inserting a plurality of information registered by the means into the designated area of the image data to be repeatedly output to the image forming means.

Note that it is preferable to provide output number designation means for designating the number of output sheets to the image forming means for each of a plurality of types of image data created by the image creation means.
In addition, when there are a plurality of the designated areas, the information registration means is a means for registering a plurality of pieces of information to be inserted into the designated areas, and inserts the information into the designated areas registered by the information registration means. An information combination selection unit that selects a combination of a plurality of information to be provided is provided, and the image creation unit is configured to repeat the combination of the plurality of information selected by the information combination selection unit to the image forming unit. It is desirable to create a plurality of types of image data by sequentially inserting into each designated area.

Furthermore, the information registered by the information registering means may be constituted by figures or characters.
Furthermore, it is preferable to provide a format setting means for individually setting a plurality of information formats registered by the information registration means.
The information registration means may be a means for reading and registering a file describing information to be inserted into the designated area.
Further, the area designation means may be a means for performing area designation using a separate sheet having the same size as the original.

  An image processing method according to the present invention includes an image reading unit that reads an image of a document, an image storage unit that stores image data read by the image reading unit, and an image that displays image data stored in the image storage unit. It is possible to connect display means to image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on the image data stored in the image storage means, and to edit the image data stored in the image storage means An image processing method in the image processing apparatus for performing an area designation step for designating an arbitrary area for the image data displayed by the image display means, and information to be inserted into the designated area by the area designation step A plurality of information registration steps for registering, and a plurality of pieces of information registered in the information registration step for the image data to be repeatedly output to the image forming means Those having an image creation step of creating a plurality of types of image data are sequentially inserted into the constant region.

The program according to the present invention is a program for causing a computer that controls the image processing apparatus to realize the functions as the respective means constituting the image processing apparatus described above.
The recording medium according to the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  According to this invention, the image processing apparatus designates an arbitrary area for the image data displayed by the image display means, registers a plurality of pieces of information to be inserted into the designated area (insertion area), Edit the image data of a single document by sequentially inserting the plurality of registered information into a designated area of image data to be repeatedly output to the image forming means to create a plurality of types of image data (desired variations). It is no longer necessary to obtain desired variations by repeating the output. Therefore, the work for specifying the insertion area in editing the image data is reduced, and a desired variation can be obtained as the edited image data with a single instruction.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a digital copying machine which is an embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of processing from reading an image of a document to starting printing in the digital copying machine 10 shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement procedure of the area designation using the touch panel 131 of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure holding the figure registered into HDD115 of FIG. 1, and the edit content with respect to the figure.

It is a figure for demonstrating the operation procedure of the figure combination selection using the touch panel 131 of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure holding the character string registered into HDD115 of FIG. 1, and the format setting content with respect to the character string. It is a figure for demonstrating the process which inserts and outputs each different combination of a several character string to the scan data of the original document read by the scanner part of FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a method for specifying an insertion area based on scan data of a mask image with respect to scan data of a document read by the scanner unit of FIG. 1.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a digital copying machine (copy system) which is an embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

The digital copying machine 10 includes a controller 11, an engine unit 12, an operation unit 13, and a scanner unit 14.
The controller 11 controls the entire digital copying machine 10, and includes a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 114, and an HDD (Hard Disk Device) 115.

The CPU 111 is a central processing unit that controls the controller 11 and can perform various editing (processing) processes on the image data.
The ROM 112 is a read / write-only memory (storage means) that stores various kinds of fixed data such as a program for driving the digital copying machine 10 and an application program for editing (processing) image data.

The RAM 113 is a readable / writable memory that loads a program used (executed) by the CPU 111 from the ROM 112 and develops it, and temporarily stores calculation results and image data. The RAM 113 functions as image storage means.
An ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 114 performs control of the RAM 113, control of the engine unit 12, the operation unit 13, and the scanner unit 14, and communication.

  The HDD 115 is a large-capacity storage device (non-volatile storage unit) that accumulates and stores image data of a document read by the scanner unit 14 and information including graphics or character strings inserted into the image data. The HDD 115 also functions as an image storage unit. In addition to the HDD 115 or in place of the HDD 115, other nonvolatile storage means such as a flash memory can be used.

The engine unit 12 is an image forming unit that performs image forming processing based on image data and forms (prints) an image on a sheet (or other medium).
The operation unit 13 is an operation unit for a user to perform an operation, and includes an input unit (consisting of operation switches or operation keys) for inputting various information and a display unit for displaying various information. The display unit includes a touch panel 131 on the surface thereof. This display unit functions as image display means.
The scanner unit 14 is an image reading unit that optically reads an image of a document and outputs image data.

  Here, the CPU 111 executes a program on the RAM 113 and controls the engine unit 12, the operation unit 13, and the scanner unit 14, thereby specifying an area designating unit, an information registering unit, an image creating unit, and an output number designating unit according to the present invention. It can serve as a means, an information association selection means, and a format setting means.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of processing from reading an image of a document to starting printing in the digital copying machine 10 shown in FIG. Here, for simplification of explanation, the area into which information is inserted (insertion area) is limited to a rectangle. The information to be inserted into the insertion area is a figure.
The CPU 111 starts the process shown in FIG. 2 when an instruction to start copying is given by an operation on the touch panel 131 of the operation unit 13 by the user (an operation button other than the touch panel 131 may be operated).

  First, the process proceeds to step S1, and image reading processing of a document is performed. That is, the document set by the scanner unit 14 is scanned to read an image, and the image data of the document read by the scanner unit 14 is developed on the RAM 113. The expanded image data can be transferred to the HDD 115 and stored. Then, information for selectively instructing whether or not the image data of the document read by the scanner unit 14 and developed on the RAM 113 needs to be processed (edited) is displayed on the touch panel 131, and is displayed to the user. Let me check.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S 2, where it is checked whether or not an instruction indicating that processing is necessary is performed on the image data of the document developed on the RAM 113 (whether or not an instruction indicating that it is unnecessary is given). If an instruction that processing is necessary is given by the above operation, the process proceeds to step S3, and an arbitrary area (insertion area) into which a figure is inserted is specified for the image data of the document developed on the RAM 113. Perform processing (area specification processing).

In this area designating process, first, image data (scan data) of a document developed on the RAM 113 is displayed on the touch panel 131 of the operation unit 13 as an image preview (print image). Designation (selection) of the insertion area is performed by a predetermined operation procedure.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an operation procedure for specifying a region using the touch panel 131 of FIG.

  The user touches the vertex a having an insertion area to be selected with the touch pen or the like on the image preview PV displayed on the touch panel 131 (see (1) in FIG. 3), and continues to touch the diagonally on the diagonal. (See (2) in FIG. 3). This completes the designation of one rectangular area (“area 1” in the example of FIG. 3). When it is desired to designate a plurality of insertion areas, touching the “next area designation” button BT1 on the touch panel 131 selects to move to the next area designation (see (3) in FIG. 3). Specify the area in the procedure. This is the function of the area specifying means.

After the insertion area designation is completed, the CPU 111 touches the “complete” button BT2 in FIG. 3, for example, to specify the processing to be executed in step S4, that is, the figure to be inserted into the insertion area (may be a plurality of insertion areas). The process proceeds to registration (graphic registration process). Here, it is assumed that the graphic data stored (prepared) in the HDD 115 in FIG. 1 is used as the graphic to be inserted.
In this graphic registration process, a software keyboard for inputting a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of desired graphic data is first displayed on the touch panel 131 in response to a graphic data designation request issued by touching (pressing) the “complete” button BT2. To display.

The user inputs the URL of desired graphic data by operating the software keyboard.
As a result, the CPU 111 reads desired graphic data (graphic data corresponding to the input URL) from the HDD 115 under the control of the ASIC 114 and develops it on the RAM 113. At this time, the ASIC 114 creates image data in which the designated insertion area in the image data of the original read first is replaced with desired graphic data. Thereby, desired graphic data can be inserted into the insertion area designated by the user.

The image data is displayed on the touch panel 131 as an image preview PV.
The user instructs editing processing (processing processing) such as enlargement, reduction, trimming, etc. on the graphic while viewing the image preview PV, and causes the CPU 111 to perform the editing processing. The editing process for the figure corresponds to the format setting process.
When the editing process is completed, the user touches the “figure registration” button BT3 in FIG. Thereby, the CPU 111 registers (saves) the graphic data subjected to the editing process in the HDD 115.

At the time of registration, a registered name of graphic data is designated to identify each graphic data. This designation is made possible by, for example, displaying a screen for the user to input a registered name of graphic data. By naming graphics data, the user can register a plurality of graphics for one insertion area.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure that holds a graphic registered in the HDD 115 of FIG. 1 and the editing content for the graphic.

  When the registration of the figure is completed by touching the “figure registration” button BT3, a software keyboard for inputting the URL of the desired figure data is displayed on the touch panel 131 in response to a request for specifying the figure data. It is possible to register the figure by performing an editing process on the desired figure data. This operation (work) by the user for registering the graphic is repeated for the number of graphics to be inserted, and when registration of all the graphics to be inserted is completed, for example, by touching the “Done” button BT2 in FIG. In step S5, it is determined that registration of all the figures to be inserted has been completed, and the process proceeds to step S6 for selecting a combination of figures to be inserted (graphic combination selection process). This process corresponds to the case where there are a plurality of insertion areas.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an operation procedure for selecting a graphic combination using the touch panel 131 of FIG.
In the graphic combination selection process in step S6, for example, a graphic to be inserted is selected from a list of registered names of graphics displayed for the areas 1, 2, and 3 shown in FIG. At this time, for example, the figure to be inserted is selected from the list of registered names of the figures displayed for the area 1 "Maru 1", "Maru 2", and "Maru 3".

This operation is repeated for the number of graphic combinations to be printed, and when completed, for example, by touching a “Done” button (not shown), a process for setting the number of output sheets (number of printed sheets) in step S7 (output sheet number setting process) Migrate to
In the output number setting process, a software keyboard for inputting the output number for each graphic combination is displayed on the touch panel 131.

The user inputs the number of output sheets for each graphic combination by operating the software keyboard.
As a result, the CPU 111 sets the number of output sheets input for each graphic combination and stores it in the HDD 115.
This completes the processing (print preparation) until printing is started.

  After completion of the print preparation, a process of creating an image image (image data) to be output to the engine unit 12 by inserting a combination of figures into each insertion area of the image data of the document read by the scanner unit 14 and developed on the RAM 113 Is repeated for the number of combinations of graphics, and each output image image is sequentially output to the engine unit 12 for the set number of output sheets to be printed, thereby printing the number of output sheets set for each combination of graphics. Results are obtained. Each image image may be created collectively on the RAM 113 or HDD 115 and then repeatedly output to the engine unit 12 in sequence for the set output number. Alternatively, the first image image may be generated and output repeatedly for the set output number. Alternatively, the next image may be created and output repeatedly for the set number of output sheets, and thereafter the same processing may be repeated.

When a plurality of pieces of information to be inserted into the insertion area are configured by figures, each piece of information includes necessary figure data from a figure data file (description of figure data) prepared in advance on the HDD 115. You can also read and register. Further, when a plurality of pieces of information to be inserted into the insertion area are constituted by character strings (or even one character), necessary character string data can be read from each text file (character string data described) and registered. it can. In this case, the user may set a format such as a font, a font size, a writing direction, a background color, and a transmittance thereof by operating on the operation unit 13 while viewing the image preview.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure that holds a character string registered in the HDD 115 of FIG. 1 and formatting contents for the character string.

Here, as a method for registering information to be inserted into the insertion area, an example in which character string data is read from a text file and registered will be briefly described.
In the text file, character string data is listed if the information to be inserted into the insertion area is a character string. However, if the information to be inserted into the insertion area is an image file, the file path of the file is listed.
The CPU 111 reads the necessary character string data (or file path) from the text file, reads the character string data (or the image file corresponding to the file path) by the scanner unit 14, and selects the scan data selection area (selected) It is expanded on the RAM 113 as information to be inserted into the (insertion area).

When there are a plurality of selected areas in the scan data of the document, the text file is converted into a CSV (Comma Separated Values) format, and the character string to be inserted into each selected area (inserted area) is described in order. If you want to output multiple combinations, write each combination separated by a line break.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a process of inserting and outputting different combinations of a plurality of character strings in the scan data of the document read by the scanner unit 14 of FIG.

The CPU 111 performs, for example, the following print processing after performing the processing (print preparation) of steps S1 to S7 in FIG. However, the set number of output sheets is “1”.
The scan data of the document read by the scanner unit 14 (scan data repeatedly output to the engine unit 12) is shown in FIG. 7A, and the insertion areas 1, 2, and 3 designated for the scan data are shown in FIG. When it is assumed that different combinations (CSV format text files) of a plurality of character strings designated as combinations of information to be inserted are shown in FIG. 5B, each scan data of the document read by the scanner unit 14 is displayed. As shown in (c) of the figure, different combinations of a plurality of character strings shown in (b) of the figure are sequentially inserted into the insertion areas 1, 2, 3 and output to the engine unit 12 for printing. .

Next, an example of using a mask image will be briefly described as a method for specifying an area (insertion area) into which a figure is inserted.
A mask image is an image for designating an insertion area into which a figure is to be inserted. The scan data read by the scanner unit 14 from the paper on which the mask image is formed is referred to as mask image scan data. The paper on which the mask image is formed is the same size as the original. The mask image is preferably created in advance by the user using tracing paper or the like.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a method for designating an insertion area based on scan data of a mask image with respect to scan data of a document read by the scanner unit 14 of FIG.
When the insertion area is designated using the mask image, the scanner unit 14 scans the mask image (the sheet on which the mask image is actually formed) following the document. In this case, assuming that the scan data of the document read by the scanner unit 14 is shown in FIG. 8A, and the scan data of the mask image read by the scanner unit 14 is shown in FIG. The CPU 111 performs the following processing.
That is, from the scan data of the mask image shown in FIG. 8B, for example, the luminance ground portions E1 and E2 having a predetermined threshold value or less are recognized and acquired as the mask image region. Then, as shown in FIG. 8C, the scan data area of the document having the same coordinates as the acquired mask image area is determined as the insertion area.

  As described above, the CPU of the digital copying machine designates an arbitrary area for the image data displayed on the operation section by an operation on the operation section, and information to be inserted into the designated area (insertion area). Are registered in the HDD, and the plurality of registered information are sequentially inserted into the designated area of the image data to be repeatedly output to the image forming means to create a plurality of types of image data (desired variations). It is no longer necessary to obtain a desired variation by repeatedly editing and outputting the image data of one original. Therefore, the work for specifying the insertion area in editing the image data is reduced, and a desired variation can be obtained as the edited image data with a single instruction.

In addition, by making it possible to specify the number of sheets to be output (printed) to the engine unit for each of a plurality of types of image data to be created (each image data), it is possible to print only the necessary number of copies for each image data.
Furthermore, when there are multiple insertion areas, register multiple pieces of information to be inserted into each insertion area, select a combination of the multiple pieces of information, and repeatedly output the selected combination of multiple pieces of information to the engine unit By creating a plurality of types of image data by sequentially inserting them into each insertion area of the image data to be printed, it is possible to print out only a combination of a plurality of pieces of information that the user needs to print.

Furthermore, since the information to be registered is composed of graphics or characters, a graphic image or a document image can be used, so that a graphic image or a document image can be naturally inserted.
Further, if the formats of a plurality of information to be registered can be individually set, optimum formats can be set for a plurality of pieces of information to be inserted into the insertion area.
Furthermore, by reading and registering a file describing information to be inserted into the insertion area, the user's work for registering information can be omitted, and usability is improved.
Furthermore, by making it possible to specify the insertion area using a separate sheet having the same size as the original, the user's work for selecting the area can be omitted, and usability is further improved.

  When creating a mask image, a “mask image region designation mode” button or the like is prepared on the touch panel 131, for example, as in the rectangular region 1 setting method shown in FIG. When the CPU 111 accepts a mask image area designation request issued by touching the etc. via the ASIC 114, the above-described mask image area designation mode is set, and the predetermined area designated with the touch pen or the like is set as the mask image area. It is also possible to create a mask image (print the mask image on a sheet) by creating mask image data using the region as a mask image and outputting the mask image data to the engine unit 12.

  As described above, the embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a digital copying machine has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a facsimile apparatus including an image reading unit and an image forming unit and capable of connecting an image storage unit and an image display unit, Alternatively, other image forming apparatuses such as a printer having an image forming unit and an image reading unit, an image storage unit, and an image display unit can be connected, of course, an image reading unit and an image storage unit, an image forming unit, and The present invention can be applied to an image reading apparatus to which an image display means can be connected, and various image processing apparatuses such as a PC to which an image reading means, an image storage means, an image display means, and an image forming means can be connected.

[Program related to this invention]
This program has functions as a region designation means, information registration means, image creation means, output number designation means, information combination selection means, and format setting means related to the present invention for a computer (CPU) that controls the image processing apparatus. It is a program for realizing each of them, and the above-described operational effects can be obtained by causing a computer to execute such a program.

Such a program may be stored in a ROM provided in the image processing apparatus from the beginning, a non-volatile memory (flash ROM, EEPROM, etc.), or a storage means such as an HDD, or a CD-ROM which is a recording medium Or a non-volatile recording medium (memory) such as a memory card, flexible disk, MO, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD + R, DVD + RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, or DVD-RAM. You can also. The above-described procedures can be executed by installing the program recorded in those recording media in the image processing apparatus and causing the CPU to execute the program, or by causing the CPU to read and execute the program from the recording medium. .
Furthermore, it is also possible to download and execute an external device that is connected to a network and includes a recording medium that records the program, or an external device that stores the program in the storage unit.

  As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the work for designating an insertion area in editing image data is reduced, and a desired variation can be obtained as edited image data with a single instruction. Therefore, an easy-to-use image processing apparatus can be provided.

10: Digital copier 11: Controller 12: Engine unit 13: Operation unit 14: Scanner unit 111: CPU 112: ROM 113: RAM
114: ASIC 115: HDD

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-079744

Claims (10)

Image reading means for reading an image of a document, image storage means for storing image data read by the image reading means, image display means for displaying image data stored in the image storage means, and the image storage means An image processing apparatus that can be connected to an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on image data stored in the image data, and performs an editing process on the image data stored in the image storage unit. ,
Area designating means for designating an arbitrary area for the image data displayed by the image display means;
Information registration means for registering a plurality of information to be inserted into the designated area by the area designation means;
Image creating means for creating a plurality of types of image data by sequentially inserting a plurality of pieces of information registered by the information registering means into the designated area of image data to be repeatedly output to the image forming means. An image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.
An image processing apparatus, comprising: an output number designating unit for designating an output number to the image forming unit for each of a plurality of types of image data created by the image creating unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The information registration means is a means for registering a plurality of information to be inserted into each designated area when there are a plurality of the designated areas,
Providing an information combination selection means for selecting a combination of a plurality of information to be inserted into each of the designated areas registered by the information registration means;
The image creation means creates a plurality of types of image data by sequentially inserting a combination of a plurality of information selected by the information combination selection means into the designated areas of the image data to be repeatedly output to the image forming means. An image processing apparatus characterized by being a means.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information registered by the information registration unit is configured by a graphic or a character. In the image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An image processing apparatus comprising: format setting means for individually setting a plurality of information formats registered by the information registration means.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information registration unit is a unit that reads and registers a file describing information to be inserted into the designated area.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the area designating unit is a unit that designates an area using a separate sheet having the same size as the original. Image reading means for reading an image of a document, image storage means for storing image data read by the image reading means, image display means for displaying image data stored in the image storage means, and the image storage means Image processing in an image processing apparatus that can be connected to an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on image data stored in the image processing unit and that performs editing processing on the image data stored in the image storage unit A method,
An area designating step for designating an arbitrary area for the image data displayed by the image display means;
An information registration step for registering a plurality of pieces of information to be inserted into the designated region by the region designation step;
An image creation step of creating a plurality of types of image data by sequentially inserting a plurality of pieces of information registered in the information registration step into the designated area of the image data to be repeatedly output to the image forming means. Image processing method.   A program for causing a computer that controls the image processing apparatus to realize functions as respective units constituting the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 9 is recorded.

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