JP2699366B2 - Image processing device coordinate input device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that reads image information and performs various types of image processing, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus that performs a different process on a designated region from another region. It relates to a processing device.

[Conventional technology]

Generally, in an image processing apparatus, an image of a document is read by an image input device and converted into an electrical image signal. After performing various image processing on the image signal, the image signal is output as an image by an image output device such as a laser printer.

Conventionally, in such an image processing apparatus, JP-A-60-242480, JP-A-60-213168, and the like disclose that a part of a document image is designated as an area and processing different from other areas is performed. I have. When such an image processing apparatus is applied to a copying machine, it is possible to perform editing such as deletion, extraction, color conversion, and back shading only on an image in a designated area.

In such an editable copying machine, it is necessary to specify an area to be edited. For this reason, usually, a closed area is designated by inputting coordinates on a document using numerical keys or a digitizer. When specifying this closed area, for example, a rectangular area is set by specifying the coordinates of two diagonal points on a diagonal line, or a polygonal or arbitrary-shaped area is set by sequentially specifying multiple points. That is being done.

The area set in this way is stored in a storage device such as a bitmap memory, and while reading the image of the original during the copying operation, the content of the storage device in which the area is stored is read and designated in synchronization with the image. Image processing is performed only on the region.

In such an editable copying machine, it is necessary to specify the type of editing such as deletion, extraction, color conversion, and background coloring in addition to the area to be edited. For this reason, some of the digitizer coordinate input surfaces are assigned to function designation surfaces, and when this function designation surface is pressed, they are identified not as the coordinates of the area but as the type of function.
As described above, when the type of the function is specified by using the coordinate input surface of the digitizer, there is an effect that the device for inputting the area and the input device for specifying the function can be shared.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, in such a digitizer, as the number of functions increases, the area required for designating the type of processing increases, and the area for inputting the coordinates of the original editing area decreases.

Therefore, conventionally, a fixed area corresponding to the size of the document, for example, an area corresponding to A3 size paper is secured as an area for area input, and an area for designating a function is additionally provided on the digitizer. Was secured. For this reason, the area of the digitizer has been increased, which has led to an increase in the size and cost of the digitizer.

In particular, for example, in color conversion for converting the color of an image in a specified area or background coloring for coloring the background,
Since the color needs to be specified, a surface for specifying the color is further required, and the effective area for specifying the editing area is further reduced. In addition, since the size of the coordinate input surface of the digitizer is limited, it is impossible to increase the number of types of editing unnecessarily.

The present invention has been devised to solve the above-described problems, and has as its object to specify a large number of types of processing without reducing the effective area used for an editing area. I do.

[Means for solving the problem]

The present invention provides coordinate designation means for outputting coordinate data of a designated position in a coordinate inputtable area in order to achieve the above object, wherein the coordinate input area for editing area designation included in the coordinate inputtable area is provided. And a function designation area for designating an editing function assigned to a part of the coordinate input area for designating the editing area, and a part other than the coordinate input area for designating the edit area, which is a part of the coordinate inputtable area. And a switch area for specifying whether coordinate data from the function specification area is used as area specification information or used as function specification information, and the coordinate specification is performed based on the specification for the switch area. Selection means for selecting whether to use the coordinate data from the means as the area designation information or the function designation information.

[Action]

The editing area and the type of processing are input by coordinate specifying means such as a digitizer. The coordinate input area of the coordinate specifying means includes a coordinate input area for specifying an editing area. Here, in the present invention, a part of the coordinate input area for specifying the editing area is allocated to the function specifying area for specifying the editing function. Further, a switch area for specifying whether to use coordinate data from the function specification area as area specification information or function specification information, other than the coordinate input area for specifying the editing area, which is a part of the coordinate inputtable area. Assigned to. Then, when inputting the editing area, when an instruction that the next input coordinate means the area is given from the switch area and then the coordinates are input, the coordinates are processed as information representing the editing area. Also, if an instruction is input from the switch area to indicate that the coordinates to be input next represent the type of function, then the coordinates are input, and the coordinates are processed as information representing the type of processing. Therefore, the same area on the coordinate input surface of the coordinate designating means can be used not only as the area designating area and the function designating area, but also as the switch area.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the features of the present invention will be specifically described based on embodiments with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a coordinate input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawing, reference numeral 20 denotes a digitizer as coordinate input means as a whole. The digitizer 20 has, as a coordinate input area, a flat surface having a slightly shorter side than, for example, A3 size (297 mm × 420 mm) paper, and obtains a position pressed by a pen or the like as coordinate data. The digitizer 20 is provided on an upper surface of a platen cover 1j which covers the platen glass 1a of the image input apparatus 1 so as to be openable and closable, for example, as shown in FIG.

Region of width W height H corresponding to the A3 size paper of the coordinate input area of the digitizer 20 is basically used as an area designated area E _R, the width W swath height h of the downward machining Switch area E _S for specifying the type of
Used as The switch area E _S, is the template 21 is affixed for the specified function on the coordinate input surface of the digitizer 20, and so as to perform the functions specified easily. The template 21 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin plate having a thickness of about 2 mm, and includes a plurality of windows 22 a to 2 corresponding to each processing type.
2g is formed, and "area designation",
Characters such as “set”, “delete”, “extract”, “color conversion”, “back coloring”, and “end” are given.

Among coordinate input area of the digitizer 20, when the area designation area E _R is pressed processes the coordinate data obtained at this time as information basically represents the editing area, and each of the switch area E _S When any one of the windows 22a to 22g is pressed, the coordinate data obtained at this time is uniquely processed as information representing the type of processing.

Of the above-mentioned processes, "color conversion" and "back coloring"
If you specify, you need to specify the color in addition to the edit area. Therefore, in addition to further provided color selection area E _C of the switch area E _S.

Here, sticking a seal 23 for color selection in a partial region designated area E _R, using the portion where the seal 23 is affixed as a color selection area E _C, areas designated area E _R and the coordinate input surface Is shared. The sticker 23 is printed with a plurality of predetermined standard colors having different colors and densities. In the example of FIG. 1, for example, ten colors are arranged in the vertical direction, and three densities of dark, medium, and light are arranged in the horizontal direction.

Next, a configuration example of an image processing apparatus using the coordinate input device will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an image input device for reading an image of a document. The image input apparatus 1 irradiates a document (not shown) placed on a platen glass 1a with a light source 1b as shown in FIG.
Reflected by c, 1d, 1e, image sensor 1g by lens 1f
And an image signal is obtained from the image sensor 1g. Light source 1b and mirror 1c are full speed carriage
The mirror 1d and 1e are mounted on the half-speed carriage 1i. The full-speed carriage 1h is moved in the direction of the arrow along the lower surface of the platen glass 1a, and the half-speed carriage 1i is moved in the same direction at half the speed of the full-speed carriage 1h to read the image of the document.

An image signal from the image input device 1 is converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter 2, a halftone image such as a photographic original is passed through a dither processing circuit 3, and a binary image such as a text original is converted into a digital signal. It is supplied to the image processing circuit 5 via the value conversion circuit 4. The image processing circuit 5 is connected to a RAM (random access memory) table 6 in which function codes indicating types of processing such as deletion, extraction, color conversion, and back shading are stored in advance. Each of the above processes is performed according to the function code read from the.
Reference numeral 7 denotes a halftone generation circuit for generating a halftone pattern when the back halftone is shaded. The image signal processed by the image processing circuit 5 is supplied to a multi-color image output device 8 such as a laser printer, and is output as an image. That is, copying is performed in a state where the image of the document is edited.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a bitmap memory for storing an editing area. This bitmap memory 9 has a drawing device
10 is connected. The drawing device 10 is provided to perform writing and reading of the bitmap memory 9 at high speed, and usually includes an integrated circuit dedicated to drawing such as a CRTC (cathode ray tube control device), for example, HD63484 (manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd.). used. A CPU (central processing unit) 11 is connected to the drawing device 10.

Further, a gate 12 is connected between the output side of the bitmap memory 9 and the drawing device 10. This gate 12
Is opened when the drawing apparatus 10 is in the input mode, so that the drawing apparatus 10 can refer to the contents of the bitmap memory 9.

The CPU 11 writes a function code into the RAM table 6, controls the drawing device 10, and the like, and includes a digitizer 20 for designating an area of a document to be edited and a type of processing.
Based on the instruction from the CPU, the contents of the RAM table 6 are rewritten, and an instruction of which area of the bitmap memory 9 is to be filled is given to the drawing apparatus 10.

One of the output of the bit map memory 9 and the output of the CPU 11 is selected by the multiplexer 13 and supplied as an address signal to the RAM table 6, and the output of the RAM table 6 indicates to the image processing circuit 5 a function indicating the type of processing. Supplied as code. Further, a gate 14 is provided between the RAM table 6 and the CPU 11, and is opened during periods other than the reading period of the image of the original so that the contents of the RAM table 6 can be rewritten by the CPU 11.

Next, the procedure for designating the editing area and the type of processing using the above-described coordinate input device will be described with reference to an example of color conversion.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

First, (see FIG. 1) mounted to on the coordinate input surface of the digitizer 20 the document to be edited, to press the window portion of the "area designation" switch area E _S with the pen. In the following description, pressing the window portion is referred to as selecting. This instruction is supplied to the CPU 11, and the coordinate data input thereafter is treated as area data in the CPU 11.

Next, the outer periphery of the editing area is indicated by a pen. At this time, the digitizer 20 is operated in the continuous input mode, and the coordinates are continuously read while the tip of the pen indicating the coordinates is in contact with the coordinate input surface of the digitizer 20.
The data is supplied to the CPU 11 as coordinate data representing an area. In this case, it is possible to use space designated area E _R entire area of the A3-size as the editing area. That is, even when the color selection area E _C is selected, read as coordinate data representing the region. Therefore, a sufficient editing area can be secured.

When selecting a set portion of switch area E _S with the pen after the end of input areas, the coordinate data of the outline of the editing area is stored in a register in the CPU 11.

Next, what kind of processing is performed on the image in the area specified in this way is specified. Here, when the color conversion or the background coloring is selected, the coordinate data input thereafter is handled by the CPU 11 as color selection data. For the color conversion or the back coloring, it is necessary to specify the color after conversion, of the color selection area E _C assigned a part of the area designated area E _R of the digitizer 20, the desired color and density Press the part.
Since the coordinate data generated at this time does not represent the area, but represents the type and density of the color, the CPU 11 determines the color and density based on the designated coordinates, and
Store it in the register provided in PU11. In this example,
Since color conversion is selected, the CPU 11 stores that the type of processing corresponding to the editing area specified first is color conversion.

Next, the designation of areas and functions are completed by selecting the end of the switch area E _S.

When a plurality of areas are specified and different processings are specified, the same operation may be performed by selecting the area specification again before selecting the end.

Also, regarding the deletion and extraction, the other steps are the same except that the above-described color selection step is not performed.

In this manner, when the area designation is pressed region designated area E _R to after being selected, CPU 11 processes the coordinate data as the area information, the area designated area E _R to after color selection is selected when the color selection area E _C of out is pressed processes the coordinate data as the color and density information. Also,
When one of the windows 22a~22g switch area E _S is selected, so that processing as the function information coordinate data unconditionally. Note here, the combined color selection area E _C and switch area E _S, referred to as function designation area.

Next, after this original is placed on the platen glass 1a of the image input apparatus 1, image reading is started. Here, prior to actual image reading, an outer peripheral pattern, that is, an outline, is written on the corresponding surface of the bit map memory 9 described above. Next, the inside of the outline is filled. These drawings are CP
It is performed at high speed by the drawing device 10 based on an instruction from U11.

Next, the RAM table 6 is set. That is, the correspondence between the function number and the type of actual processing is set. Prior to drawing in the bitmap memory 9, the RAM table 6
May be set.

Next, the copying operation is started, and the scanning optical system provided in the image input apparatus 1 is moved to read the image of the document.
The signal obtained from the image input device 1 at the time of this reading is supplied to the image processing circuit 5 via the A / D converter 2, the digitizer processing circuit 3, or the binarization circuit 4.

In synchronization with the reading of the image, reading of the bitmap memory 9 is performed, and the read output is
The data is supplied to the RAM table 6 via the line 13. Reading and writing of the bitmap memory 9 is performed by a technique called DMA (Direct Memory Access).
That is, at the time of scanning in which high-speed operation of the memory is required,
Gate 1 by DMA control signal generated in synchronization with document scanning
At the same time as 2 and 14 are closed, the address of the RAM table 6 is switched to the bit map memory 9 side, and reading from the memory 9 is performed directly by the DMA control circuit (not shown).

As described above, the correspondence between the above-described function numbers and the function codes indicating the types of processing is written in the RAM table 6 by the CPU 11 in advance. Therefore, the function code is read from the RAM table 6 in bit units corresponding to the filled area of the bit map memory 9. In this example, a function code corresponding to color conversion is read.

In the image processing circuit 5, processing corresponding to the function code from the RAM table 6 is performed. That is, in the present embodiment, color conversion is performed on the image signal from the dither processing circuit 3 or the binarization circuit 4 in the editing area. That is, the ratio and level of each color component of the color signal representing the color of the image corresponding to the editing area, the line color conversion in the editing area by adjusting in accordance with the designated color and density in the color selection area E _C Will be

The image signal after the image processing is supplied to the image output device 8,
A copy is obtained in which the color of the image in the editing area in the image of the document is converted to the designated color.

In the above embodiment, a part of the region designated area E _R provided on the coordinate input surface of the digitizer 20 is to assign a color selection area E _C, further switch area E _S region designation area E You may make it allocate on _R. That may be provided an area for specifying the functions other than the editing area in a partial area specified area E _R.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, in the present invention, a coordinate input area for specifying an editing area is included in the coordinate inputtable area of the coordinate specifying means. Here, in the present invention, a part of the coordinate input area for specifying the editing area is allocated to the function specifying area for specifying the editing function. Further, in addition to a part of the coordinate input area and a coordinate input area for specifying the editing area,
A switch area for designating whether coordinate data from the function specification area is used as area specification information or used as function specification information is assigned. Then, when inputting the editing area, when an instruction that the next input coordinate means the area is given from the switch area and then the coordinates are input, the coordinates are processed as information representing the editing area.
Also, if an instruction is input from the switch area to indicate that the coordinates to be input next represent the type of function, then the coordinates are input, and the coordinates are processed as information representing the type of processing. Therefore, the same area of the coordinate input surface of the coordinate designating means can be used not only as an area designating area and a function designating area, but also as a switch area. Digitizer can be reduced in size while securing
There is no increase in the number of parts.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a coordinate input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing device using the coordinate input device, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an image input device and a digitizer. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for designating a region and a type of processing. 20: digitizer, 21: Template 22a-22g: window, 23: Seal E _R: region designation area, E _S: switch area E _C: color selection area

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. Coordinate designating means for outputting coordinate data of a designated position in a coordinate inputtable area, comprising: a coordinate input area for specifying an edit area included in the coordinate inputtable area; A function designation area for designating an editing function assigned to a part of a coordinate input area for designation; and a function designation area for a part of the coordinate input enabled area and assigned to a region other than the coordinate input area for designation of the edit area. And a switch area for specifying whether to use the coordinate data from the area as the area specifying information or the function specifying information, and the coordinate data from the coordinate specifying means based on the specification for the switch area. And a selecting means for selecting whether to use as the area designation information or the function designation information. Apparatus.