JP2015119262A - Image processing device, image processing method, and image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing device, an image processing method, and an image processing program, capable of appropriately performing white determination to an extraction image independently of an image size of the extraction image.SOLUTION: In a case where it is determined that a second determination region that is set by a second determination region setting part 93 is equal to or smaller than a preliminarily-defined minimum size (YES at S11), a first determination region setting part 92 changes the second determination region to a region of the entire extraction image, and sets the region after the changing as a first determination region (S12). Otherwise (NO at S11), the first determination region setting part 92 sets the second determination region as the first determination region as it is (S13). In a case where a white determination processing part 94 determined that the extraction image is not a white image on the basis of whether or not an image of the first determination region that is set by the first determination region setting part 92 is a white image (YES at S15), an image processing part 95 executes image generation processing for generating the image repeat image by using the extraction image.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program having a function of performing white determination as to whether an input image is a white image.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed an image processing apparatus equipped with a white determination function for determining whether or not a read image of a document is a white image and deleting the image when it is determined to be a white image (for example, Patent Documents). 1). In an image processing apparatus equipped with such a white determination function, a determination region for performing white determination from one page of a document image is set in advance. For example, the distance from each of the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the document can be input. When the distance is input, a rectangular area inside the each side by the input distance is set as the determination area. It is also conceivable that the distances from the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the document are predetermined by the initial setting. Then, white determination is performed based on whether or not a drawing image such as a character or a graphic exists in the determination area.

JP-A-10-229484

  By the way, there is a case where the image processing apparatus is equipped with a function of extracting an image of a specific area in the read document image as an extracted image and generating a desired output image using the extracted image. When such an output image is generated, if the extracted image is a white image, a desired output image may not be generated, for example, the entire output image is also a white image. Therefore, white determination may be performed on the extracted image.

  Here, when the user sets the determination region used for the white determination as described above, depending on the relationship between the distance for setting the determination region and the size of the extracted image, the determination image may be included in the extracted image. An area may not be set. For example, when the extracted image is a square image having a side of 20 mm, 10 mm is input as the distance for setting the determination region. In addition, when a default value is set in advance for the distance, white determination is performed using the default value. Similarly, depending on the relationship between the distance and the size of the extracted image, the determination may be performed on the extracted image. There arises a problem that an area may not be set.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program capable of appropriately performing white determination on an extracted image regardless of the image size of the extracted image.

  An image processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a determination area setting unit and a white determination processing unit. The determination area setting means sets a first determination area in the extracted image extracted from the input image according to the size of the extracted image. The white determination processing unit determines whether or not the first determination region set by the determination region setting unit is a white image.

  An image processing method according to another aspect of the present invention includes a first step and a second step. The first step sets a first determination region in an extracted image extracted from the input image according to the size of the extracted image. In the second step, it is determined whether or not the first determination region set in the first step is a white image.

  An image processing program according to another aspect of the present invention causes a computer to execute processing including a first step and a second step. The first step sets a first determination region in an extracted image extracted from the input image according to the size of the extracted image. In the second step, it is determined whether or not the first determination region set in the first step is a white image.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately perform white determination on the extracted image regardless of the image size of the extracted image.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of an embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an electrical configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Explanatory drawing of an image repeat image. The screen figure of a judgment area setting screen. Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between a read image and the 1st determination area | region. Explanatory drawing of the setting aspect of the 1st determination area | region in 1st Embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of image repeat image generation processing executed by the control unit of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the modification which concerns on the setting of a 1st determination area | region.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, embodiment described below is only an example which actualized this invention, and does not limit the technical scope of this invention.

  First, a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The image processing apparatus 1 is a multifunction machine having an image reading function, a facsimile function, an image forming function, and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, an image processing apparatus 1 includes an image reading unit 2, a document cover 3, an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 4, an image forming unit 5, and an operation display unit 6 (FIG. 1). 2), a paper feed cassette 7, a communication interface (I / F) unit 8 (see FIG. 2), and a control unit 9 (see FIG. 2) for controlling them. Note that the image processing apparatus 1 that is a multifunction peripheral is illustrated and described as an example of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a printer, a facsimile apparatus, a copier, or a scanner apparatus may be used. This corresponds to the image processing apparatus according to the invention.

  The image reading unit 2 executes image reading processing for reading image data from a document. As shown in FIG. 1, the image reading unit 2 includes a contact glass 10, a reading unit 11, a mirror 12, a mirror 13, an optical lens 14, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 15, and the like.

  The reading unit 11 includes an LED (Light Emitting Diode) light source 16 and a mirror 17 and moves in a sub-scanning direction 18 (left and right direction in FIG. 1) by a moving mechanism (not shown) using a driving motor such as a stepping motor. It is configured to be possible. When the reading unit 11 is moved in the sub-scanning direction 18 by the drive motor, light emitted from the LED light source 16 toward the contact glass 10 provided on the upper surface of the image reading unit 2 is moved in the sub-scanning direction 18. Scanned.

  The mirror 17 reflects the reflected light reflected by the back surface of the document or the document cover 3 toward the mirror 12 when light is emitted from the LED light source 16. The light reflected by the mirror 17 is guided to the optical lens 14 by the mirrors 12 and 13. The optical lens 14 collects incident light and makes it incident on the CCD 15.

  The CCD 15 is a photoelectric conversion element that converts received light into an electrical signal (voltage) corresponding to the amount of light (intensity of luminance) and outputs it to the control unit 9. In the control unit 9, image data of the document is generated by performing image processing on the electrical signal from the CCD 15. In the present embodiment, an example in which the CCD 15 is used as an imaging device will be described. However, a contact image sensor (CIS: Contact Image Sensor) having a focal length shorter than that of the CCD 15 is used instead of the reading mechanism using the CCD 15. It is also possible to apply a reading mechanism.

  The image reading unit 2 is provided with a document cover 3 so as to be rotatable. When the document cover 3 is rotated, the contact glass 10 on the upper surface of the image reading unit 2 is opened and closed. The rotation support portion of the document cover 3 is provided with a cover open detection sensor (not shown) such as a limit switch. When the user opens the document cover 3 so as to read an image of the document, the cover is opened. The detection sensor is activated and the detection signal (cover open detection signal) is output to the control unit 9.

  Here, the reading of the document image by the image reading unit 2 is performed in the following procedure. First, the document is placed on the contact glass 10, and then the document cover 3 is closed. Thereafter, when an image reading instruction is input from the operation display unit 6, one line of light is sequentially emitted from the LED light source 16 while moving the reading unit 11 to the right in the sub-scanning direction 18. Then, reflected light from the back of the document or document cover 3 is guided to the CCD 15 via the mirrors 17, 12, 13 and the optical lens 14, and light amount data corresponding to the amount of light received by the CCD 15 is sequentially output to the control unit 9. Is done. When the light amount data in the entire area irradiated with light is obtained, the control unit 9 processes the light amount data to generate document image data from the light amount data. This image data is image data constituting a rectangular image.

  A document cover 3 is provided with an ADF 4. The ADF 4 sequentially conveys one or more originals set on the original setting unit 19 by a plurality of conveyance rollers so that the automatic original reading position determined on the contact glass 10 passes rightward in the sub-scanning direction 18. Move the document. When the document is moved by the ADF 4, the reading unit 11 is disposed below the automatic document reading position, and the image of the moving document is read by the reading unit 11 at this position. The document setting unit 19 is provided with a mechanical document detection sensor (not shown) capable of outputting a contact signal. When a document is set on the document setting unit 19, the document detection sensor operates, The detection signal (original detection signal) is output to the control unit 9.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming unit 5 is based on image data read by the image reading unit 2 or a print job input from an information processing apparatus such as an external personal computer through a communication I / F unit 8. An electrophotographic image forming means for executing image forming processing (printing processing). Specifically, the image forming unit 5 includes a photosensitive drum 20, a charging unit 21, a developing unit 22, a toner container 23, a transfer roller 24, a charge removing unit 25, a fixing roller 26, a pressure roller 27, and the like. In this embodiment, the electrophotographic image forming unit 5 will be described as an example. However, the image forming unit 5 is not limited to the electrophotographic type, and may be an ink jet recording type or other than that. The recording method or the printing method may be used.

  Here, in the image forming unit 5, the image forming process for the printing paper supplied from the paper feed cassette 7 is performed in the following procedure. First, when a print job including a print instruction is input through the communication I / F unit 8, the photosensitive drum 20 is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential by the charging unit 21. Next, light based on image data included in the print job is irradiated onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 20 by a laser scanning unit (LSU not shown). As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 20. The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 20 is developed (visualized) as a toner image by the developing unit 22. The developing unit 22 is supplied with toner (developer) from the toner container 23. Subsequently, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 20 is transferred onto the printing paper by the transfer roller 24. Thereafter, the toner image transferred to the printing paper is heated and fused by the fixing roller 26 when the printing paper passes between the fixing roller 26 and the pressure roller 27 and is discharged. The electric potential of the photosensitive drum 20 is neutralized by the neutralization unit 25.

  Referring to FIG. 2, in image processing apparatus 1, image reading unit 2, ADF 4, image forming unit 5, operation display unit 6, communication I / F unit 8, storage unit 28, and control unit 9 mutually exchange data. Each component is connected via the data bus 200 so that input / output can be performed.

  The communication I / F unit 8 is an interface that executes data communication with an external apparatus connected to the image processing apparatus 1 via a communication network such as the Internet or a LAN. The storage unit 28 is configured by a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD).

  The control unit 9 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The CPU is a processor that executes various arithmetic processes. The ROM is a non-volatile storage unit in which information such as a control program for causing the CPU to execute various processes is stored in advance. The RAM is a volatile storage unit used as a temporary storage memory (working area) for various processes executed by the CPU. The control unit 9 controls the operation of the image processing apparatus 1 by the CPU executing a program stored in the ROM.

  The ROM of the control unit 9 stores in advance an image processing program for causing the CPU of the control unit 9 to execute image processing (see the flowchart of FIG. 7) described later. The image processing program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD, a DVD, or a flash memory, and is installed from the recording medium into a storage unit such as the EEPROM of the control unit 9 or a hard disk (not shown). May be. The present invention records a method for executing each processing procedure of the image processing in the image processing apparatus 1, an image processing program for causing the control unit 9 to execute each processing procedure of the image processing, or the image processing program. It may be considered as a computer-readable recording medium.

  The operation display unit 6 includes a display unit 29 and an operation unit 30. The display unit 29 includes, for example, a color liquid crystal display and displays various types of information to the user who operates the operation display unit 6. The operation unit 30 includes various push button keys disposed adjacent to the display unit 29, a touch panel sensor disposed on the display screen of the display unit 29, and the like, and various instructions are input by the user of the image processing apparatus 1. The Note that when the user performs an operation on the operation display unit 6 in order to execute at least one of an image reading operation and an image forming operation, an operation signal is output from the operation display unit 6 to the control unit 9.

  The image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has an image repeat function that extracts an image of a specific area in a read document image and generates an image (referred to as an image repeat image) in which a plurality of the extracted images are arranged in one page. . The image repeat function is used when a plurality of the same images are desired to be formed on one sheet, for example, label printing or sticker printing.

  The operation unit 30 includes a mode setting operation unit 31 for performing an operation for setting the operation mode of the image processing apparatus 1 to an execution mode of the image repeat function (hereinafter referred to as an image repeat mode). The mode setting operation unit 31 is an operation key of a predetermined mode setting screen (not shown) displayed on the display unit 29, for example.

  In addition, the operation unit 30 is used to specify an area for extracting an image from the read image obtained by the reading operation of the image reading unit 2 when the operation mode of the image processing apparatus 1 is set to the image repeat mode. An image selection operation unit 32 is provided. The extracted image selection operation unit 32 is an extraction frame F2 displayed on the display unit 29 together with the read image F1, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, in the present embodiment, the area within the extraction frame F2 is designated as an area for extracting an image from the read image F1. Further, the extraction frame F2 moves by performing a slide operation with the fingertip on the extraction frame F2. Further, by performing a pinch-out operation or a pinch-in operation on the extraction frame F2, the extraction frame F2 is enlarged or reduced. An area designated by the operation of the extraction frame F <b> 2 by the extracted image selection operation unit 32 becomes the extracted image 101. FIG. 3 shows an image repeat image 100 in which a plurality of extracted images 101 are arranged in one page.

  Furthermore, the operation unit 30 includes a determination region setting operation unit 33 for the user to set a determination region (hereinafter referred to as a second determination region) on which the user performs white determination processing described later on the extracted image 101. Prepare. In this embodiment, the determination area setting operation unit 33 is various distance input units 201 to 204 described later displayed on the determination area setting screen 200 illustrated in FIG.

  The second determination area is a rectangular area defined by a plurality of line segments (sides) that are spaced inward from the respective sides constituting the outer shape (rectangle) of the extracted image 101. The determination area setting screen 200 shown in FIG. 4 is a screen for setting the distance from each side constituting the outer shape of the extracted image 101 to each side of the second determination area. Specifically, the determination area setting screen 200 is provided with distance input units 201, 202, 203, and 204 for inputting the separation distances a, b, c, and d. The separation distance a is a separation distance between the upper side constituting the outer shape of the extracted image 101 and the upper side of the rectangle defining the second determination area. The separation distance b is a separation distance between the lower side constituting the outer shape of the extracted image 101 and the lower side of the rectangle defining the second determination area. The separation distance c is a separation distance between the left side that forms the outer shape of the extracted image 101 and the left side of the rectangle that defines the second determination region. The separation distance d is a separation distance between the right side that forms the outer shape of the extracted image 101 and the right side of the rectangle that defines the second determination region. The user touches the display position of the distance input units 201 to 204 corresponding to the separation distance to be set, and inputs a numerical value with a numeric keypad (not shown) of the operation unit 30 to correspond to the touched distance input unit. A separation distance can be set. The operation unit 30 receives an input regarding the separation distance as an input for setting a size and a position of the second determination region with respect to the extracted image.

  Conventionally, there is a case in which an image processing apparatus is equipped with a function of extracting an image of a specific area in a read document image as an extracted image and generating a desired output image using the extracted image. When such an output image is generated, if the extracted image is a white image, a desired output image may not be generated, for example, the entire output image is also a white image. In some cases, white determination is performed on the extracted image.

  Here, when the user sets the determination region used for the white determination as described above, depending on the relationship between the distance for setting the determination region and the size of the extracted image, the determination image may be included in the extracted image. An area may not be set. For example, when the extracted image is a square image having a side of 20 mm, 10 mm is input as the distance for setting the determination region. In addition, when a default value is set in advance for the distance, white determination is performed using the default value. Similarly, depending on the relationship between the distance and the size of the extracted image, the determination may be performed on the extracted image. There arises a problem that an area may not be set. On the other hand, in the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, as described later, white determination on the extracted image is appropriately performed regardless of the image size of the extracted image.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 9 executes a program using the CPU, whereby an image extraction unit 91, a first determination region setting unit 92, a second determination region setting unit 93, a white determination processing unit 94, and It functions as the image processing unit 95. Note that a configuration in which a part or a plurality of functions of the control unit 9 is provided as an electronic circuit is also conceivable as another embodiment.

  When the image processing apparatus 1 is set to the image repeat mode by the mode setting operation unit 31 and an operation for determining the extraction image 101 is performed by the extraction image selection operation unit 32, the image extraction unit 91 performs the extraction frame F2. The selected extracted image 101 is extracted from the read image F1. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, when an area including the character “B” is selected from the read image F <b> 1 by the extraction frame F <b> 2, the image extraction unit 91 uses the image included in this area as the extracted image 101. Extracted from the read image F1.

  The second determination area setting unit 93 sets the second determination area for the extracted image extracted by the image extraction unit 91 based on the input information to the determination area setting screen 200 received from the operation unit 30. The second determination area setting unit 93 corresponds to second determination area setting means. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the extracted image extracted by the image extraction unit 91 is an image having a rectangular shape with a length of 40 mm and a width of 30 mm, and the separation distance a = b = c = Consider a case where d = 5 mm is input. In this case, the second determination area setting unit 93 sets, as the second determination area R2, a rectangular area of 30 mm in length and 20 mm in width excluding a 5 mm wide strip-shaped area along each of the upper, lower, left and right sides of the extracted image 101. To do.

  When the second determination area R2 is set by the second determination area setting section 93, the first determination area setting section 92 determines whether or not the second determination area is equal to or smaller than a predetermined minimum size. For example, in the case where the minimum size is a rectangular area of 5 mm square, as shown in FIG. 5, when the second determination area R2 is a rectangular area having a length of 30 mm and a width of 20 mm, the first determination area setting unit 92 It is determined whether or not the second determination area R2 of 30 mm × 20 mm is equal to or smaller than a 5 mm square area. Note that the first determination area setting unit 92 may determine whether or not the second determination area R2 is 0, that is, whether or not the minimum size is 0.

  When the second determination region R2 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined minimum size, the first determination region setting unit 92 sets the entire region of the extracted image as the first determination region R1, as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the second determination region R2 exceeds the minimum size, the first determination region setting unit 92 sets the second determination region R2 as it is as the first determination region. The first determination area setting unit 92 corresponds to first determination area setting means for setting the first determination area R1 in the extracted image according to the size of the extracted image.

  The white determination processing unit 94 determines whether the extracted image 101 is a white image based on whether the image of the first determination region R1 set by the first determination region setting unit 92 is a white image. Determine. The white determination processing unit 94 counts the number of pixels having a predetermined density among the pixels existing in the first determination area R1, and determines whether or not the count exceeds a predetermined threshold value. judge. When it exceeds, the white determination processing unit 94 determines that the image of the first determination region R1 is not a white image, and determines that the extracted image 101 is not a white image. On the other hand, when the count number is equal to or smaller than the predetermined threshold, the white determination processing unit 94 determines that the image of the first determination region R1 is a white image, and the extracted image 101 is a white image. Judge that there is.

  When the white determination processing unit 94 determines that the image is not a white image, the image processing unit 95 uses the extracted image 101 to execute image generation processing for generating the image repeat image. The image repeat image is an example of an output image in which a plurality of the extracted images 101 are arranged. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, when the character region “B” is selected as the extracted image 101 from the read image, the image processing unit 95 uses the extracted image 101 of the region including the character “B” as a matrix. An image arranged in a shape is generated.

  When the white determination processing unit 94 determines that the image is a white image, the control unit 9 performs processing for prompting the user to change the second determination region R2. For example, the control unit 9 causes the display unit 29 to display a message indicating an instruction to change the second determination region R2. In this case, the image processing unit 95 does not generate the image repeat image.

  Next, the flow of image repeat image generation processing executed by the control unit 9 will be described with reference to FIG. The image repeat image generation process is started when a document is set on the document setting unit 19 and the image repeat mode is set by the user. 7, steps S1, S2,... Represent processing procedure (step) numbers. Here, it is assumed that an image of one original is read.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the control unit 9 receives reading instruction information (operation information) indicating an original reading instruction from the operation unit 30 (YES in step S1), the control unit 9 causes the image reading unit 3 to perform a reading operation (step S1). Step S2). Then, the control unit 9 causes the display unit 29 to display the read image obtained by the reading operation and the extraction frame F2 (see FIG. 3) for designating the extracted image 101 (step S3).

  The control unit 9 determines whether or not an operation has been performed on the extraction frame F2 (step S4). If it has been performed (YES in step S4), the control unit 9 moves the extraction frame F2 in accordance with the operation. Change to enlarge or reduce (step S5), and execute step S6. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the operation on the extraction frame F2 has not been performed (NO in step S4), the control unit 9 skips the process in step S5 and executes the process in step S6. .

  In step S6, the control unit 9 determines whether or not the operation information for determining the extraction area has been received from the operation unit 30 (step S6). When the operation information for determining the extraction area is not received from the operation unit 30 (NO in step S6), the control unit 9 returns to the process of step S4. On the other hand, when the control unit 9 receives the operation information for determining the extraction area from the operation unit 30 (YES in step S6), the image extraction unit 91 extracts the extracted image 101 selected by the extraction frame F2 from the read image. (Step S7). And the control part 9 displays the determination area | region setting screen 200 (refer FIG. 4) on the display part 29 (step S8). Thereby, the input of the distance information of the separation distances a to d is accepted.

  The control unit 9 determines whether or not the operation information for determining the distance information of the separation distances a to d is received from the operation unit 30 by the operation of the OK button B1 in FIG. 4 (Step S9). When the operation information is not received from the operation unit 30 (NO in step S9), the control unit 9 stands by. When the control unit 9 determines that the operation information has been received from the operation unit 30 (YES in step S9), the second determination area setting unit 93 is based on the distance information received from the operation unit 30 together with the operation information. Then, the second determination region R2 is set for the extracted image extracted by the image extraction unit 91 (step S10).

  The first determination area setting unit 92 determines whether or not the second determination area R2 set by the second determination area setting unit 93 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined minimum size (step S11). When determining that the second determination region R2 is equal to or smaller than the minimum size (YES in step S11), the first determination region setting unit 92 sets the entire region of the extracted image 101 as the first determination region R1 ( Step S12). On the other hand, when it is determined that the second determination region R2 exceeds the minimum size (NO in step S11), the first determination region setting unit 92 sets the second determination region R2 as it is as the first determination region R1. (Step S13).

  After the processing in step S12 or S13, the white determination processing unit 94 determines whether the extracted image 101 is based on whether the image of the first determination region R1 set by the first determination region setting unit 92 is a white image. Is a white image (step S14). If the white determination processing unit 94 determines that the image is not a white image (YES in step S15), the image processing unit 95 executes image generation processing for generating the image repeat image using the extracted image 101 (step S16). . On the other hand, when the white determination processing unit 94 determines that the image is a white image (YES in step S15), the control unit 9 performs processing for instructing the user to change the second determination region R2 (step S17).

  As described above, in the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when the second determination region R2 set by the user is equal to or smaller than the preset minimum size, the entire extracted image 101 is the first determination region R1. Set as Thereby, it is possible to appropriately perform white determination on the extracted image 101 regardless of the image size of the extracted image 101. As a result, an appropriate image repeat image can be generated.

  If the extracted image 101 is determined to be a white image by white determination processing, the image processing apparatus 1 does not generate the image repeat image and instructs the user to change the second determination region R2. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the image repeat image is not formed and a blank printed matter is generated.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not restricted to the thing of the content mentioned above, A various modification is applicable.

  In the embodiment, when the second determination region R2 is equal to or smaller than the preset minimum size, the first determination region setting unit 92 changes the second determination region R2 to an entire region of the extracted image 101. The changed area is set as the first determination area R1. However, the mode of change is not limited to this, and the first determination region setting unit 92 reduces the first reduced region in which the outer shape of the extracted image 101 is reduced toward the center of the extracted image 101 at a preset reduction rate. You may comprise so that it may set as determination area | region R1. For example, when the vertical reduction ratio is set to 80 (%) and the horizontal reduction ratio is set to 70 (%), as shown in FIG. A region in which the length is reduced to a length of 80 (%) and the width to a length of 70 (%) toward the center of the extracted image 101 is set as the first determination region R1. Also good. An area obtained by reducing the outer shape of the extracted image 101 toward the center of the extracted image 101 at a preset reduction rate while maintaining the aspect ratio of the outer shape of the extracted image 101 is set as the first determination region R1. It is also possible to do. Note that a predetermined value may be stored in the control unit 9 as the reduction ratio when the outer shape of the extracted image 101 is reduced, or the control unit 9 sets according to the operation of the operation unit 30 by the user. A possible configuration may be used.

  Further, a configuration in which the control unit 9 has a plurality of setting modes with different setting methods for the first determination region R1 and the setting mode can be selected according to a user operation of the operation unit 30 is conceivable. Specifically, when the control unit 9 has the second determination region R2 that is equal to or smaller than a preset minimum size, the first determination region setting unit 92 sets the second determination region R2 to the entire extracted image 101. A first mode in which the area after the change is set as the first determination area R1, and an area in which the outer shape of the extracted image 101 is reduced at a preset reduction rate toward the center of the extracted image 101. And a second mode in which the first determination region R1 is set, and one of the modes may be selected in response to a user operation. Thereby, the user can selectively use the first mode and the second mode.

  When the reading target is a document bundle made up of a plurality of documents, the user can set the size of the second determination region R2 for each read image (for each page), and white based on the second determination region R2. A determination process may be performed. That is, the control unit 9 of the image processing apparatus 1 displays the determination area setting screen 200 shown in FIG. 4 on the display unit 29 each time an image of each document is read, and receives inputs of the separation distances a to d. Then, the control unit 9 of the image processing apparatus 1 executes the white determination process (S14) after executing the processes of steps S11 to S13 in FIG. 7 for the received second determination region R2. Thus, when generating image repeat images based on the extracted images 101 extracted from the read images of a plurality of originals of the same size or different sizes, appropriate white determination processing is performed for each read image (for each page). It can be carried out.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing apparatus 9 Control part 91 Image extraction part 92 1st determination area setting part (1st determination area setting means)
93 Second determination area setting unit (second determination area setting means)
94 White determination processing unit (white determination processing means)
95 Image processing unit (image processing means)

Claims (9)

First determination area setting means for setting a first determination area in an extracted image extracted from an input image according to the size of the extracted image;
White determination processing means for determining whether or not the image of the first determination area set by the first determination area setting means is a white image;
An image processing apparatus comprising:   The first determination area setting means is a minimum size in which a second determination area defined by a plurality of line segments separated from each side constituting the outer shape of the extracted image by a predetermined distance is set in advance. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the entire extracted image is set as the first determination area when the following is true.   The first determination area setting means is a minimum size in which a second determination area defined by a plurality of line segments separated from each side constituting the outer shape of the extracted image by a predetermined distance is set in advance. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an area obtained by reducing the outer shape toward a center of the extracted image with a preset reduction ratio is set as the first determination area when the following is true.   The first determination area setting means is a minimum size in which a second determination area defined by a plurality of line segments separated from each side constituting the outer shape of the extracted image by a predetermined distance is set in advance. In the following cases, a first mode in which the entire extracted image is set as the first determination region, and a region in which the outer shape is reduced at a preset reduction rate toward the center of the extracted image are set in the first mode. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the second modes set as the determination area is selected and executed according to a predetermined selection operation.   5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a second determination area setting unit configured to set a size of the second determination area for each of the read images according to a predetermined setting operation. .   6. The image processing device according to claim 1, further comprising an image processing unit configured to execute an image generation process for generating an output image in which a plurality of the extracted images are arranged when the white determination processing unit determines that the image is not a white image. An image processing apparatus according to 1.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image processing unit does not execute the image generation processing when the white determination processing unit determines that the image is a white image. A first step of setting a first determination region in the extracted image extracted from the input image according to the size of the extracted image;
A second step of determining whether or not the image of the first determination region set in the first step is a white image;
An image processing method comprising: A first step of setting a first determination region in the extracted image extracted from the input image according to the size of the extracted image;
A second step of determining whether or not the image of the first determination region set in the first step is a white image;
An image processing program for causing a computer to execute processing including

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