JP2823163B2 - Image synthesis device - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an image synthesizing method for obtaining a synthesized image obtained by synthesizing a plurality of images.
Platen read by one reading means
Image synthesis device that synthesizes images of multiple areas
You. [Prior Art] Conventionally, various image synthesizing apparatuses for synthesizing images have been used.
Proposals have been made, but multiple
When synthesizing the first image, all the first images are read.
The second image is read and stored in memory.
It is common to combine with the first image stored in the moly
Was. However, according to this method, the first image data
Requires large-capacity memory to store data
Disadvantageous. [Object of the invention] In view of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art, the present invention has a large capacity.
Images that can be composited without the need for memory
The purpose is to provide a synthesizer. EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on examples. FIG. 1 is a digital color copying machine to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. The whole can be divided into two parts. The upper part of Fig. 1 reads the original image and uses digital color
Color image scanner 1 that outputs image data
(Hereinafter abbreviated as “scanner 1”) and built into scanner 1
Performs various image processing of digital color image data.
And processing equipment for interfaces with external devices
It has a controller unit 2 having functions. Scanner unit 1 is placed downward under document holder 11
In addition to reading three-dimensional objects and sheet manuscripts, large format sheets
It also has a built-in mechanism for reading documents. The operation unit 10 is connected to the controller unit 2.
It is used to input various information as a copier.
is there. The controller unit 2 performs scanning according to the input information.
An instruction regarding the operation is given to the canana unit 1 and the printing unit 3.
If you need to perform complicated editing,
Attach a digitizer etc. in place of presser foot 11 and control it.
Advanced processing is possible by connecting to roller unit 2.
You. The lower part of FIG.
For recording digital image signals on recording paper
Counter 3. In this embodiment, the printer unit 3 is
Ink jet recording system described in JP-A-54-59936
Full-color ink jet using the recording head
Printer. The two parts described above are separable and the connection cable
Can be installed in remote locations by extending
It is possible. (Printer) Fig. 2 is from the side of the digital color copier shown in Fig. 1.
FIG. First, the exposure lamp 14, lens 15, full color line
・ Image sensor 16 (book
In the embodiment, the CCD is placed on the platen glass 17 by CCD).
Original image, projected image by projector, or sheet
The sheet original image is read by the feed mechanism 12. Next, various
Is performed by the scanner unit 1 and the controller unit 2,
The data is recorded on the recording paper by the printer unit 3. In FIG. 2, the recording paper is of a small fixed size (this embodiment).
Paper cassette for storing cut sheets of A4 to A3 size)
20 and a large size (A2 to A1 size in this embodiment)
) Is supplied from the roll paper 29 for recording. Paper is fed one by one from the manual feed slot 22 in Fig. 1.
The paper feeder cover 21
Paper feed (manual feed) is also possible. The pick-up roller 24 is moved from the paper cassette 20 into the cassette.
This is a roller for feeding paper sheets one by one.
The cut paper is fed by the cut paper feed roller 25 to the first row of paper.
Roller 26. Roll paper 29 is sent out by roll paper feed roller 30.
Is cut into a fixed length by the cutter 31, and the first row of paper is cut.
Conveyed to LA26. Similarly, the recording paper inserted from the manual feed slot 22
The sheet is conveyed to the first sheet feeding roller 26 by the roller 32. Pick-up roller 24, cut paper feed roller 25,
Roll paper feed roller 30, first paper feed roller 26, manual feed low
Is a paper feed motor (not shown) (in this embodiment, a DC servo motor).
Each roller driven by a motor)
ON / OFF control is performed as needed by the electromagnetic clutch attached to
It can be obtained. The print operation is started by the instruction from the controller unit 2.
Is started, the paper is selected from one of the paper feed paths described above.
The recording paper thus conveyed is transported to the first paper feed roller 26. Recording paper
After making a predetermined amount of paper loop to remove skew
Turn on the paper feed first roller 26 and feed the recording paper to the paper feed second roller 27
Is transported. Between the second paper feed roller 27 of the first paper feed roller 26,
Precise paper feed movement between the feed roller 28 and the second paper feed roller 27
Sufficient amount of paper on the recording paper
come. The buffer amount detection sensor 33 detects the buffer amount.
It is a sensor for informing. Always work while buffering paper
Especially when transporting large-size recording paper
Of the paper feed roller 28 and the second paper feed roller 27
The paper feeding operation can be performed accurately. When printing with the recording head 37, the recording head 37
The scanning carriage 34 on which the etc. are mounted is the carriage rail
A reciprocating scan is performed on the scan 36 by a scan motor 35. And
In the forward scan, an image is printed on the recording paper and the return scan is performed.
In the inspection, the paper feed roller 28 feeds the recording paper by a predetermined amount.
Do the work. At this time, the drive system is covered by the paper feed motor.
While detecting with the toe amount sensor 33,
Control is performed so as to obtain the toe amount. The printed recording paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 23 and
Complete the lint operation. Next, referring to FIG. 3, details around the scanning carriage 34 will be described.
A detailed explanation is given. In FIG. 3, the paper feed motor 40 intermittently feeds the recording paper.
The paper feed roller 28 and the second paper feed roller
The second paper feed roller 27 is driven via the roller clutch 43.
You. The scanning motor 35 drives the scanning carriage 34 via the scanning belt 34.
Drive source for scanning in the directions of arrows A and B
You. In this embodiment, since accurate paper feed control is required,
Use a pulse motor for the feed motor 40 and the scan motor 35.
ing. When the recording paper reaches the second paper feed roller 27, the second paper
Roller clutch 43 and paper feed motor 40, turn on the recording paper.
The sheet is conveyed on the platen 39 to the paper feed roller 28. The recording paper is sent to a paper detection sensor 44 provided on the platen 39.
Therefore, the sensor information is detected and the position control, jam control, etc.
Used for When the recording paper reaches the paper feed roller 28, the second paper feed row
La clutch 43, paper feed motor 40 off, platen 39
Suction operation is performed from the inside by a suction motor (not shown),
The recording paper is brought into close contact with the platen 39. Prior to the image recording operation on the recording paper, the home position
The scanning carriage 34 is moved to the position of the
Next, a forward scan is performed in the direction of arrow A, and a scan is performed from a predetermined position.
Anne C, Magenta M, Yellow Y, Black K ink
Is ejected from the recording head 37 to perform image recording. Predetermined length
When the image recording for the minute has been completed, stop the scanning carriage 34 and
Then, the homeward scanning is started in the direction of arrow B, and the home position is started.
The scanning carriage 34 is returned to the position of the position sensor 41. Return
During path scanning, paper feed for the length recorded by recording head 37
The paper feed roller 28 is driven by the paper feed motor 40.
Perform in the direction of arrow C. In this embodiment, the recording head 37 uses the ink of the above-described method.
・ Jet nozzle, 256 nozzles each for Y, M, C, K
Four of each assembled are used. Scan Carriage 34 is Home Position Sensor 41
When the home position is detected and stopped, the recording
The recovery operation of the edge 37 is performed. This provides a stable recording operation.
The recording head 37 remains in the nozzle of the recording head 37.
Unevenness at the start of ejection caused by viscosity change of the ink
Paper feed time, internal temperature, discharge time, etc.
Recording head according to pre-programmed conditions
This is a process for performing a pressurizing operation on 37, an idle discharge operation of ink, etc.
You. By repeating the above operation,
Perform image recording. (Scanner Part) Next, the operation of the scanner part 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Give an explanation. FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a mechanical mechanism inside the scanner section 1.
FIG. The CCD unit 18 is a unit composed of a CCD 16, a lens 15, etc.
A main scanning motor 5 which is a nit and is fixed on a rail 54
0, main scanning direction consisting of pulley 51, pulley 52, and wire 53
Is moved on the rail 54 by the drive system of
Is read in the main scanning direction. Shade 55, home
・ Position sensor 56 is the main run in the correction area 68
The CCD unit 18 to the home position of the inspection
Used for movement control. The rail 54 is mounted on the rails 65 and 69, and is
Motor 60, pulleys 67, 68, 71, 76, shafts 72, 73, wires 66
It is moved by the drive system 70 in the sub-scanning direction. Shading
The plate 57 and the home position sensors 58 and 59 are
Book mode for reading manuscripts such as books placed on lath 17
Time, sheet mode for sheet reading
The rail 54 to the home position of the sub-scan
Used for position control of Sheet feed motor 61, sheet feed rollers 74/75, Pooh
Re-62, 64 and wire 63 are mechanisms for feeding sheet documents.
is there. This mechanism is located on the platen glass 17 and faces downward.
A predetermined amount of the placed sheet document is fed by the sheet feed rollers 74 and 75.
It is a mechanism for sending one by one. FIG. 5 shows the reading in the book mode and the sheet mode.
It is explanatory drawing of a picking operation. In the book mode, the correction area 68 shown in FIG.
One illustrated book mode home position (book
Move the CCD unit 18 to
Start reading the entire surface of the original placed on the platen glass 17
I do. Prior to scanning the original, the correction area 68
Parameters required for processing such as color correction, black level correction, and color correction.
Set the meter. After that, run in the direction of the arrow shown
The scanning in the main scanning direction is started by the inspection motor 50. Indicated by
When the reading operation of the specified area is completed, the main scanning motor
Reverse the 50 and drive the sub-scanning motor 60,
Is moved in the sub-scanning direction to the correction area 68 of the area. Continued
And, as in the case of main scanning of the area,
Processing such as coding correction, black level correction, and color correction.
The reading operation of the area is performed. By repeating the above scanning,
Perform the reading operation and finish the reading operation of the area
After that, the CCD unit 18 is changed to the book mode home
Return to position. In this embodiment, the platen glass 17 is an original of maximum A2 size.
In fact, there are many more times
Scanning must be performed, but in this description
Simplified for simplicity. In sheet mode, the CCD unit 18 is
Mode Home Position (Seat Mode HP)
Move to the area of the sheet original and feed the sheet feed motor
Scanning repeatedly while intermittently operating 61
Read the entire surface. Prior to scanning the original, the correction area 68
Processing such as color correction, black level correction, and color correction.
Then, in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure, the main scanning motor 50
Start scanning in the direction. Reading operation of the outbound path in the area
Is completed, the main scanning motor 50 is rotated in the reverse direction,
During the inspection, the sheet feed motor 61 is driven to
Move in the sub-scanning direction by a fixed amount. Continue to do the same
Is repeated to read the entire sheet document. The reading operation described above is the same-size reading operation.
If there is, the area which can be read by the CCD unit 18 is
As shown in FIG. 5, it is actually a large area. This is a book
The digital color copier of the embodiment is an enlargement / reduction magnification machine
This is because it has a built-in function. That is, as described above
The recording area of the recording head 37 is fixed at 256 bits at a time.
For example, if you perform a 50% reduction operation
In this case, at least twice the image information of 512 bit area is required.
It is because it becomes. Therefore, the scanner unit 1 performs one main scan.
Scan to read and output image information in any image area
Built-in functions. (Film Projection System) The scanner unit 1 of this embodiment is a projection exposure system for film projection.
Light means can be mounted. FIG. 6 is a view showing a projection exposure means on the scanner section 1.
Oblique when the Ekta unit 81 and the reflection mirror 80 are attached
FIG. Projector Unit 81 is a negative film, positive
・ It is a projector for projecting a film.
It is held by the film holder 82 and
It is attached to the corner 81. Projector Unit 81
The shadowed image is reflected by the reflection mirror 80, and the Fresnel
-Reach the lens 83. Fresnel lens 83
The light is converted into parallel light, and an image is formed on the platen glass 17. Thus, negative film and positive film images are
Projector unit 81, reflective mirror 80, and Fresnel
To form an image on the platen glass 17 by the lens 83
The image is read by the CCD unit 18 in the same way
Filtering is possible. FIG. 7 illustrates the film projection system in more detail.
FIG. Projector Unit 81 is a halogen lamp 90,
Reflector 89, condenser lens 91, film holder 82, projection
It is constituted by a lens 92. For halogen lamp 90
The direct light generated by the light and the reflected light by the reflector 89 are collected by the
The light is collected by the lens 91 and reaches the window of the film holder 82
I do. Film holder 82 is for negative film, positive
・ Has a slightly larger window than one frame of film, allowing for room
To hold the film inside. Projection light reaching the window of the film holder 82 is installed inside
The projected image of the film by transmitting the film
Get. The projection image obtained in this way is
Optically magnified by 92 and oriented by reflective mirror 80
After being changed, it becomes a parallel light image by Fresnel lens 83
Is converted. The CCD unit 18 inside the scanner 1
Read in book mode as described and convert to video signal
You. FIG. 8 shows a film and an image formed on a platen glass.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship with a shadow image. A 22 × 34mm film image is magnified 8 times and the platen glass
FIG. 17 shows a state where an image is formed on a screen 17. (Explanation of Entire Function Block) Next, referring to FIG.
The function block of the copying machine will be described. The control units 102, 111, and 121 respectively include the scanner unit 1 and the controller.
A control circuit for controlling the controller 2 and the printer 3
Micro computer, program ROM, data
-It is composed of a memory, a communication circuit and the like. Control units 102-111
And the control units 111 to 121 are connected by a communication line.
The control units 102 and 121 operate according to the instruction of the control unit 111.
Utilizes a so-called master / slave control mode.
You. The control unit 111 operates when operating as a color copier.
Operates according to the input instructions from the operation unit 10 and the digitizer 114.
I do. The operation unit 10 includes, for example, a display unit as shown in FIG.
And use a liquid crystal (LCD display section 84)
By providing a touch panel 85 made of a transparent electrode,
To specify the color and edit operation.
I can. Also, a key related to the operation, for example, a copy operation start
Start key 87 for instructing, and key for stopping copying operation
Top key 88, reset to return the operation mode to the standard state
Key 89, Projector for selecting a projector
・ A frequently used key such as the key 86 is provided independently. Digitizer 114 has trimming, masking, color
For inputting position information indicating the processing area for conversion, etc.
When complex editing is required, connect as an option.
Continued. In addition, the control unit 111 includes, for example, IEEE-488, a so-called GP-
General-purpose parallel interface such as IB interface
Control circuit = also controls the I / F control unit 112.
Input / output of image data between devices, remote control by external device
So that you can do it through this interface
It has become. Further, the control unit 111 performs various processes related to the image.
Multi-value synthesizing section 106, image processing section 107, binarization processing section 108,
It also controls the value synthesizing unit 109 and the buffer memory 110. The control unit 102 drives the mechanism of the scanner unit 1 described above.
Control of the mechanical drive unit 105 that performs control, when reading a reflected original
Exposure control unit 103, which controls the exposure of the lamps
Control the exposure of the halogen lamp 90 when using the
The control of the exposure control unit 104 is performed. Also, the control unit 102
Signal processing unit 100 that performs various processes related to
It also controls the force image processing unit 101. The control unit 121 drives the mechanism of the printer unit 3 described above.
Mechanical drive unit 105 for controlling and mechanical operation of printer unit 3
Time variation absorption and recording head 117-120 on the mechanism
Control the synchronous delay memory 115 that performs delay correction by
Do. Next, the image processing block shown in FIG.
Will be explained. The image formed on the CCD16 is converted by the CCD16 into an analog
It is converted into an air signal. The converted image information is red → green →
Analog signal processing unit 100 processed serially like blue
Is input to In the analog signal processing unit 100, red, green,
Sample & Hold for each blue color, complement dark level
Positive, analog after controlling the dynamic range, etc.
・ Digital conversion (A / D conversion) and serial multi-value (this implementation
In the example, each image is converted to a digital image signal of 8 bits long)
Output to the input image processing unit 101. The input image processing unit 101 performs shading correction and color interpolation.
Correction processing necessary for the reading system such as positive and
This is performed as it is with a real multi-valued digital image signal. The multi-value synthesizing unit 106 of the controller unit 2 includes the scanner unit 1
Serial multi-level digital image signal and
Serial multi-valued digital data sent via the parallel I / F
Circuit block for selecting image signals and synthesizing
It is. Selectively synthesized image data is serial multi-valued
Is sent to the image processing unit 107 as it is. The image processing unit 107 performs smoothing processing, edge enhancement,
Black extraction, color of recording ink used in recording head 117-120
This is a circuit that performs masking processing for correction and the like. Siri
The multi-level digital image signal output is output to the binarization processing unit 10
8. The data is input to the buffer memory 110, respectively. The binarization processing unit 108 performs serial multi-valued digital image signal
This is a circuit for binarizing a signal.
Simple binary processing by the
You can choose. Where the serial multi-valued digital
The image signal is converted into a four-color binary parallel image signal.
4 colors for binary synthesis unit 109, 3 colors for buffer memory 110
Is sent. The binary synthesizing unit 109 is sent from the buffer memory 110
Coming binary color image signals of three colors and the binarization processing unit 108
4 color binary image signal that is sent
A circuit for synthesizing a binary parallel image signal of four colors
It is. The buffer memory 110 is a multi-valued image via a parallel I / F.
Buffer memory for input and output of images and binary images
Yes, it has memory for three colors. The synchronization delay memory 115 of the printer unit 3
Absorption and recording head 117-120
Circuit for delay correction based on the arrangement of
Internally, the timing required to drive the recording heads 117-120
It also generates the ringing. Head driver 116 drives recording heads 117 to 120
Analog drive circuit for recording
A signal that can directly drive 20 is generated internally. Recording heads 117 to 120 are cyan and magenta, respectively.
Jets yellow, black, and black ink onto recording paper.
Record the image. FIG. 10 is a diagram of the image between the circuit blocks described in FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of timing. The signal BVE is used for the main scanning reading operation described with reference to FIG.
This is a signal indicating an image effective section for each scan. Signal BV
Full screen image output by outputting E multiple times
It is. The signal VE contains the image of each line read by the CCD16.
This is a signal indicating the effective section. When signal BVE is enabled, signal VE
Only becomes effective. The signal VCK is a clock signal for sending out the image data VD.
is there. Signals BVE and VE also change in synchronization with this signal VCK
I do. The signal HS is discontinuous while the signal VE outputs one line.
This signal is used when repeating valid and invalid sections.
If the signal VE is valid continuously for one line output,
This is an unnecessary signal. A signal indicating the start of one-line image output
No. FIG. 11 illustrates the analog signal processing unit 100 in detail.
FIG. The image passing through the lens 15 is subjected to photoelectric conversion by the CCD 16.
It is. Image information is serial analog like red → green → blue
After being amplified by the amplifier 301,
Low-pass filter for removing noise component of image signal
Entered in 302. This image signal is sent to the timing controller 300
From the S / H circuits 303, 304, 305,
The image signals are separated into green and blue image signals. Variable gain amplifier
Reference numerals 306, 307, and 308 denote voltage-controlled amplifiers, and the D / A converter 32
It is controlled by the output voltage of 5. Separated into each color above
The image signal is supplied to the D / A converter 325 by a signal from the control unit 102.
Through the variable gain amplifiers 306 to 308. Capacitors 309, 310, 311 and switches 312, 313, 314 are
Clamp circuit that clamps the dark part of the image signal to a predetermined value
In accordance with the timing from the timing control unit 300.
Do. The dark clamp level is set to the
From the D / A converter 325 according to the signal from
Is possible. The dark-clamped image signal is supplied to the buffer amplifier 31.
5,316,317 and input to A / D converters 318,319,320.
It is. The A / D converters 318, 319, 320 convert each color image signal.
Performs analog-to-digital conversion and sets it to latch 322, 323, 324.
To cut. Latches 322, 323, and 324 receive signals from the timing control unit 300.
Input as serial multi-value (8-bit length for each color)
Output to the image processing unit 101. Next, use Fig. 12 for a detailed description of the input image processing unit 101.
I will explain. The multiplexer 150 receives the signal from the analog signal processing unit 100.
The image data and the image data from the pattern generation circuit 151
This is a circuit for switching. The pattern generation circuit 151 is a device such as a continuous tone pattern.
To adjust patterns and generate patterns to be used when checking.
Road. Therefore, during normal copying operation,
The server 150 has selected the A input. The black offset circuit 152 is connected to the dark of the image sensor 16.
This is a circuit that performs level correction. That is, the image sensor
Changes to dark level, such as variations in dark current between 16 pixels
Movement, so remove it and read dark area images uniformly.
Is a circuit for performing the following. The shading correction circuit 153 is an optical exposure system.
It is a circuit for removing loose shading unevenness,
This enables uniform reading of bright area images. The input masking processing circuit 154
Ideal color sensitivity of red (R), green (G), blue (B)
Digital arithmetic processing is performed so as to obtain a degree distribution. The operation expression is
It is given by the following equation. The pixel density conversion circuit 155 converts the image read at high resolution.
This is a circuit for converting to a predetermined pixel density. This embodiment
In digital color copiers, recording heads 117 to 120 have
The time interval for discharging each 256 dots is fixed at 400 μs.
You. CC in the timing controller 300 of the analog signal processor 100
Switching of D16 photo charge storage time between 400μs and 200μs
Can be used. In other words, the timing
The raw circuit is intact, and the frequency is twice as high as 400 μs.
200μs (double density)
Degree) is easily realized. Do this double density reading
In this case, the image data is doubled.
The circuit to reduce the data amount is the function of the pixel density conversion circuit 155.
It is. If the accumulation time is 400 μs,
Then, it is sent to the conversion circuit 156 at the subsequent stage. The conversion circuit 156 has complementary colors of cyan, magenta and red, green and blue.
And yellow conversion circuit, and at the same time
It also performs the conversion of sex, offset, etc. Conversion circuit 156 is ROM, RAM
It is constructed by the look-up table method
It is. Next, the image processing unit 107 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
You. The color sequential signals of Y, M, and C obtained from the multi-value synthesizing unit 106 shown in FIG.
The signal is sent to conversion section 200a. The scaling unit 200a receives the input image data and the subsequent image data.
Since the range of pixels used differs with the image data, it is controlled by the scaling unit 200a.
The scaling is performed by the scaling control signal sent from the control unit 200.
Is output. Output image data (hereinafter referred to as input image
Data) is sent to the serial / parallel conversion unit 201,
Parameters for Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan)
After converting to a real signal, the masking unit 202 and the selector
Sent to -203. The masking unit 202 compensates for the color smear of the output ink.
A circuit for correcting the error is performing the following calculation. These nine coefficients are transmitted from the control unit 200 to the masking control signal.
Smear of ink in the masking unit 202 determined by the number
Is corrected, the selector unit 203 and U
This is input to the CR unit 205. The selector 203 has input image data and masking
Image data output from the unit 202 is input. In the selector 203, the cell clock transmitted from the normal control unit 200 is transmitted.
Input image data is selected by the data control signal 1. Entering
If color correction in the power system is not performed sufficiently,
No. 1 selects the image data output from the masking unit 202.
Is output. Serial image output from selector 203
The image data is input to the black extraction unit 204. In one pixel
In order to use the minimum value of Y, M, and C as black data, the black extraction unit 204
The minimum value of Y, M, C is detected. Black data detected
Is input to the UCR unit 205. In the UCR unit 205, black data extracted from each of the Y, M, and C signals
Is subtracted. For black data, simply use the coefficient
Is being applied. The black data input to the UCR unit 205
Time difference with the image data sent from the
After the correction, the following calculation is performed. Y '= Y-a ₁ Bk M '= M-a _Two Bk C '= Ca _Three Bk Bk '= a _Four Bk Y, M, C, Bk: extractor, input data Y ', M', C ', Bk': extractor, output data coefficient (a ₁ , a _Two , a _Three , a _Four ) Is the UCR system sent from the control unit 200
It is determined by the control signal. The data output from UCR unit 205 is next to γ, offset
The input is made to the client unit 206. In the γ, offset section 206, gradation correction as shown in the following equation is performed.
Will be Y '= b ₁ (Y-C ₁ ) M '= b _Two (M-C _Two ) C '= b _Three (C-C _Three ) Bk '= b _Four (Bk-C _Four ) Y, M, C, Bk: γ, offset part input data Y ', M', C ', Bk': γ, offset part output data Also, the coefficient (b ₁ ~ B _Four , C ₁ ~ C _Four ) From control unit 200
Is determined by the transmitted γ, offset control signal. γ, the signal whose tone has been corrected by the offset unit 206 is
Line buffer 207 for storing image data for N lines
Is input to In this line buffer 207, the control unit 200
Smoothing at the subsequent stage by the memory control signal sent from
The 5-line data required for the azamming section 208 is
Output in a parallel. The signals for these five lines are sent to the control unit 20.
Filter size is possible by filter control signal from 0
Input to a weird spatial filter, smoothing, then edge
Emphasis is made. In smoothing, the flatness of the pixel of interest and surrounding pixels
By setting the average value as the density value of the pixel of interest,
Perform removal. In addition, as shown in FIG.
The difference between the smoothed signals is defined as an edge signal,
Edge addition is performed by adding to the raw data. flat
The detailed description of the smoothing edge enhancement unit 208 will be described later. Image data output from the smoothing / edge enhancement unit 208
Is input to the color conversion unit 209, and the color conversion
Color conversion is performed by the control signal. The operation unit 10 in FIG.
And convert in advance by the digitizer device 114
Enter the color to be converted and the area where the signal is valid.
In advance, the image data is converted by the color conversion unit 209 based on the data.
Are replacing the data. In the present embodiment, the color conversion unit 20
Detailed description of 9 is omitted. Smoothing, edge enhancement unit 208
The output image signal and the color-converted image signal are
And output by selector control signal 2
Image data to be selected is selected. Either image data
The selection is input from the digitizer device or the like.
It is determined by specifying a valid area. selector
The image signal selected at step 210 is a buffer memo (not shown).
And a dither processing unit 211 for binary processing. Here is a description of the system input to the buffer memory.
Description is omitted. The binarization process will be described. Images to be binarized
The image data is stored in the dither section 211 in FIG. 13 in the order of Y, M, C, and Bk.
It is input in real 8bit. In the dither section 211, for each color, 6 bits in the main scanning direction,
6 bits in the scanning direction, 4 bits in the main scanning direction, 8 bits in the sub-scanning direction
It has a memory space and dither control from the control unit 200
Dither matrix size and matrix by signal
The dither threshold in the source is set. During operation of the dither circuit,
The main scanning direction is the image of one line of the CCD line sensor.
The reading section signal and sub-scanning direction are
Are counted, and the set dither threshold in the memory space is counted.
Read the value. Also, this memory space is serially Y, M,
Serial dither threshold is obtained by switching to C and Bk.
It is. This threshold is then input to a comparator not shown
Compare the image data input by selector 210 with the size
Compare. The output from the comparator is: image data> threshold: 1 image data ≦ threshold: 0. This data is then serial-parallel
In the conversion section, the parallel
It is output to the buffer memory 110 and the binary synthesizing unit 109. Also, a complementary color conversion circuit 120, a scaling unit 200a, a masking unit 20
2, UCR unit 205, γ offset unit 206, smoothing / edge enhancement
From the control unit 200 which controls the unit 208 and the dither unit 211.
Control signal can be switched for each main scan
For example, parameter change by synthesis processing etc.
It is possible to do. Of course, this switch
Can be performed not only for each main scan but also for each pixel.
No. Next, referring to FIG.
Give an explanation. Sent from binary combining section 115. Binary
The image data is reproduced by D-type flip-flop 250.
Arrange the latched timing. Get the timing right
The acquired image data is first-
Out memory 251 (FIFO memory)
The image is read by the image clock of the printer unit 3. FIFO memo
The memory 251 is controlled by the FIFO control circuit 252. D type free
Top flop 250 and FIFO memory 251 are used in printer unit 3.
To separate the image clock used from the external clock
Circuit, whereby the binary synthesizing unit 109 and the synchronization delay
It is possible to extend the transmission distance of the
Completely separate from the clock input image used in the linter unit 3.
I can do it. The multiplexer 253 stores the image data from the FIFO memory 251.
And the image data output from the pattern generation circuit 254.
This is a circuit for switching the A input.
You. The pattern generation circuit 254 performs operations such as a test print operation.
This is a circuit that generates a pattern for checking the work. A block 280 surrounded by a frame indicates a delay in image data and a mechanism.
Circuit block for synchronizing
1 for each of the record heads 117-120 for
There are a total of four identical circuit blocks. The memory 255 is, for example, a dynamic memory having an IMX1 bit configuration.
-It is a memory (DRAM). Using this memory 255
Performs image data delay and mechanical synchronization. Multiplexer 256 provides a memory address to memory 255
This is a circuit for switching the dress and the control signal. Input data
Count that generates the address signal WRAD for writing PVD
258 and the address signal RDAD for reading the output data HVD
Counter 261 that generates
Latch circuits 257 and 262 for presetting
And can be preset. The counters 258 and 261 are, for example, synchronous type up counters.
Count operation by the input signal of the enable terminal E.
Control the operation. The counter 258 is sent from the binary synthesizing unit 250.
The signal WRE obtained by taking the logical product of the incoming signal BVE and signal VE
B controls the count operation. Also, counter 261
Is the signal DLEB generated by the J / K flip-flop circuit 265.
(Signal during data delay clock counting) and J / K
The signal HBVE generated by the flip-flop circuit 266 (signal BVE
Signal HVE generated by the HVE generation circuit 268
OR (equivalent to number VE) with OR gate 267
The count operation is controlled by the taken signal RDEB. The address signal RDAD is input to the comparator 260,
This is compared with the latch circuit 259. Comparator 260 uses both
RDED signal is generated when these signals match. The counter 258 has 20 bits because the DRAM 255 has 1M bits.
A counter can be used to count from a preset address.
Start from FFFFF (hex) to OOOOO (hex)
Count operation by signal WREB signal until
You. On the other hand, the counter 261 simply controls the memory address.
Signal by the comparator 260
The number of extra bits, such as
For example, a 24-bit counter is used, and the lower 20-bit address signal is
Signal to control the memory address of DRAM 255, all 24 bits
Are used for the comparator 260. In the present embodiment, as described above, two
Function of memory read address control and read
By providing termination control, hardware simplification is realized.
Is showing. Next, the operation of the circuit of FIG. 15 will be described in more detail. First, before the operation of the memory 255, the latch circuits 257, 262, 259
First, the data from the control unit 121 is set. Latch circuit 2
57 specifies the address to write data to memory 255
In particular, using the pattern generator 254
Used when writing sequential data to memory 255.
Sets the value 0. The latch circuit 262 generates the signal RGST described later,
Clock signal before starting read operation of memory 255
This sets the number of clocks of the signal VCK. For example,
2 if the value F0000 (hexadecimal) is set ¹⁶ Clock late
Postponement is performed. The latch circuit 259 outputs the clock signal V indicating the end of the read operation.
This sets the number of clocks of CK. Next, after loading data into counters 258 and 262,
Unt operation is possible. The counter 258 signal is WRE
Writes input data PVD to memory 255 by B
U. The read operation of the output data HVD from the memory 255 is as follows
It is done as follows. First, a read start signal RGST is input commonly to each color block.
When pressed, D-type flip-flops 263,264
Clock signal VCK A pulse signal DLST for one clock cycle is generated.
And the Q output of J / K flip-flop 265 = signal DLEB
Go high. Therefore, the signal RDEB also goes high,
The counter 261 starts counting from the preset count value.
To start. The counter 261 continues counting up, and the value FFFFF (16
), The ripple carry (signal RDST)
Output from RC terminal, signal DLEB is low, J / K flip
The signal HBVE of the Q output of the flip-flop 266 is set high. The recording head is generated by the HVE generating circuit 268 in which the signal HBVE becomes high.
Generation of signal HVE equivalent to enable signal VE for 117-120
Is started. The signal HVE signal is recorded head timing
Sent to the recording generation circuit 269 for driving the recording heads 117 to 120.
Generate a signal. The signal HVE is used to read the output data HVD.
The counter 261 is counted up according to the overflow operation.
The comparator 260 turns on the signal RDEB and outputs the signal HBVE.
This read operation is continued until it is turned off. The circuit operation described above is explained using the timing chart of FIG.
The explanation is as follows. The signal WREB is the logic of the signal BVE and the signal VE as described above.
Time t corresponding to signal BVE since it is a product signal _W Between
Repeat the on and off. Time t _R Input data to memory 255
From the start of writing PVD to the generation of signal RGST.
Time. In the figure, the signal WREB occurs before the signal RGST
Read the output data HVD from memory 255
Signal WREB is turned on immediately before output (signal HVE occurs).
That is, it is only necessary that the writing operation is performed. The signal RGST corresponds to the scanning path of the scanning carriage 34 in FIG.
A sensor installed in the middle (not shown, around the HP sensor 41)
Signal), the scanning carriage is an arrow
When scanning in the direction of mark A, ink from recording head 37
Used as ejection timing. The signal DLEB is the signal RDEB-C, RDEB shown at the bottom of FIG.
−M, RDEB−Y, RDEB−Bk time t ₁ , t _Two , t _Three , t _Four , That is, the signal R
How much delay from GST to read output data HVD
Is a signal that controls Recording head 117-120 mechanical
It works to correct a misalignment. For example, (time
Between t _Two −time t ₁ ) Is the distance between record head 118 and record head 117
And the time calculated from the scanning speed (indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 3)
Of ink dots ejected from both recording heads
Synchronization will take place. On the other hand, the valid times tC, tM, tY, and tBK of the signal HVE are the input data.
Data PVD and output data HVD are the same at the same clock frequency.
Time tW = tC = tM = TY = tBK
To set the data in the latch circuit 259 so that
From the image data sent from the binary synthesizing unit 115.
Can be recorded without excess or shortage. FIG. 17 shows a specific control timing chart of the memory 255.
Yat. In FIG. 17, the signals RAS *, CAS *, and WE *
This is a control signal for a normal dynamic RAM. Clock
No. VCK one cycle, write cycle, read as shown
.Use by dividing into three cycles, a refresh cycle
To use. The address signal ADR of the memory 255 is
WRAD, the upper 10 bits of signal WRAD = signal
Signal WH, lower 10 bits = signal WL, middle 10 bits of signal RDAD =
Signal RM, lower 10 bits = signal RL are given as shown. The signal WE * is valid when the signal WREB is on (low level).
This signal is used to write input data PVD.
Used during the write cycle). The read cycle is a memory that reads the output data HVD.
This is a recycle, and a read operation is always performed. The refresh cycle is the so-called CAS-before-RAS
Provided at the timing of refresh operation and written
Input data PVD is always refreshed so that it does not disappear.
The memory cycle to be performed. In this manner, the operation of the memory is performed by dividing one image section.
Data can be input and output at the same time in memory 255
It has become. (Mirror Image for Back Print Film) The printer unit 3 according to the present embodiment
In addition, an ink absorption layer that absorbs ink is placed on a transparent film.
Can use back print film applied to
It is. Back print film as shown in (Fig. 19)
Print ink on the ink absorbing layer. The printed image is
Is absorbed by the ink absorption layer and penetrates into the transparent film surface,
In order to form an image, as shown in the figure,
It is necessary to read the printed image. Therefore, normal pudding
When printing is performed in the same way as
Lum will give you a mirror image. There are several ways to restore this mirror image to a normal image.
It is. One is the main scanning of the scanner section B1 and the other of the printer section 3.
This method scans one of the main scans in the reverse direction.
You. This method is very easy to implement,
Copying equipment that requires high accuracy of 400 dpi as in the example
Problems with the mechanical scanning system, such as backlash and vibration
To obtain stable performance in reciprocating operation
It is difficult. In addition, such backlash vibration
Sensor for image reading and image printing to remove
It is considered that reading and printing operations are performed with this signal.
However, in this case, to obtain a mirror image,
Forward and backward sensors are required, cost and reliability
Disadvantage in terms of Next conceivable is a buffer memory for one main scan.
When writing data for one main scan is completed,
This is a method of reading data from the
You. This method is used when the buffer memory capacity is small.
Good, but requires memory space when dealing with large images
It is disadvantageous in cost. In the present embodiment, a method in which the disadvantages of the above two methods are improved
This will be described below with reference to FIG. FIGS. 18A and 18B show a state where an original is read by the scanner unit 1.
FIGS. 18C and 18D show dot printing in the printer unit 3.
It is a figure explaining a situation each. Figures 18-a and c are correct
The image, FIG. 18-b, d is a combination in the case of a mirror image. In the present embodiment, the operation of the printer unit 3 is defined as a normal image and a mirror image.
The operation of the scanner unit 1 is changed between a normal image and a mirror image.
You. In the case of mirror image operation, scan in the sub-scanning direction sequentially from the opposite side.
And reverse the dot reading direction for one line
As a result, a mirror image as shown in FIG. 18-d is obtained. Dot reading
Reversing the scanning direction means that the main scanning direction of the CCD
That is, in one line of image data sent in synchronization with the VE signal
If the data order is 256 bit data, 0 → 255 is 255
→ It is the opposite, like 0. This is a line bar
Read the image data written on the software in reverse order
And can be easily realized.
The control may be performed by the controller 2 and the printer 3. For example,
This can be performed by the delay memory 115. The counter 258 shown in FIG.
A counter that separates into parts to be counted and performs main scanning dots
(8-bit counter if the data is 256 bits)
This is a counter that can count up and down.
What is necessary is just to control the up-down. A specific example of the circuit is the circuit shown in FIG. If the memory 255 in Fig. 15 is a 256-bit memory,
Since 18 address signal lines are required, the counter 258
8-bit counter 258-a, 10-bit counter 258-b
It is divided and configured as shown in FIG. Read a memory 255
The counter 261 that generates the dress is a synchronous
Counter 258-a.
Synchronous up counter and down counter 258-b
-Configure as a counter. This counter 258-a, 258-
Use the counter output of b as the write address of memory 255
To use. Control of up-count of counter 258-a
Is performed using the BPFS signal. For example, when the BPFS signal has a value of 0,
Count down when the BPFS signal is 1
Do. That is, when the BPFS signal has a value of 1,
Mirror image data for film output from memory 255
become. Next, an example of a specific control flowchart of the copying operation will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIG. When the start key 87 is pressed, first, step SP10
To the CCD unit 18 in the scanner unit 1
Move to Yong. At the same time, the printer
At 3, the printing paper is fed. In step SP12, back print film
A determination is made as to whether the operation is a print operation, and the process branches. If it is not a back print film,
Proceeds to SP13, where the value of the above BPFS signal is set to 0, and the normal image data
Specify printing. Step SP14 for back print film
In the sub-scanning direction of the CCD unit 18 of the scanner unit 1.
Is calculated, and only the movement amount calculated in step SP15 is calculated.
Move the CCD unit 18. In step SP16, the BPFS signal
The printing of the mirror image data is designated by setting the sign to the value 1. In step SP17, it is determined whether or not copying has been completed for each main scan.
And branch. When copying is completed, the printer unit 3
The print sheet is discharged, and the copying operation ends. If copying has not been completed, proceed to step SP18.
The scanner unit 1 and the printer unit 3 perform one main scan.
Performs image reading and printing. In step SP19, the print paper is sub-scanned by a predetermined amount.
In the direction to prepare for the next main scan. In step SP20, check whether it is a back print film.
And if it is a back print film
Proceed to step SP22 and home position CCD unit 18
Direction, and if not, in the opposite direction to the home position.
The CCD unit 18 is moved by a predetermined amount in the sub-scanning direction. Loop processing consisting of steps SP17 to SP22 is
This is repeated several times, and one copy operation is completed. As described above, in the present embodiment, the main mechanism requiring the mechanical feed accuracy is required.
Scanning and printing are set to one direction, and
It is possible to obtain a mirror image for back print without requiring
It is working. The sub-scanning directions are book mode and sheet mode.
It is possible to cope only by scanning the document in reverse. (Buffer memory, I / F control unit) Next, referring to FIG.
The control unit 112 will be described. The buffer memory 110 stores the image scanner described in FIG.
(Hereinafter abbreviated as BJ scan)
Conversion and operation of image data with external devices as a buffer
There are mainly Image data normally handled by computers, graphics, etc.
Is a raster scan signal like a TV scan signal.
BJ scan signal raster scan signal
A conversion needs to be performed. Also, as explained earlier,
Since the main scanning is continuous scanning, at least one main scanning
Incorporating a memory is inevitable to speed up the operation of the device.
is there. Other operations include buffer memory 110
Also used as a memory for temporary storage of image data for generation
it can. Image composition will be described later. Buffer memory 110 has three memory banks 402-40.
4 (Red (R), Green)
(G), color component image data such as blue (B) is stored.
You. In the present embodiment, the memory banks 402 to 404 store 1M
A dynamic memory (hereinafter abbreviated as DRAM) having a X1 configuration.
(For example, Toshiba TC511000 can be used.)
Each consists of 24 (= 28M bits). DRAM
We used a large amount of memory in a relatively small and
-Because it can be realized at low cost. The memory banks 402 to 404 store the GPIB control circuit 400,
Control unit 111 to which the Toronics I / F control circuit 401 is connected
Data input / output on the CPU bus side and the conversion table 413
Image data input / output, exclusive OR gate 41 connected to
Three types of input / output of binary image data input / output connected to 5,414
Have power. CPU and DMA controller (not shown)
Image data faster than
(DMA) transfer. GPIB control circuit 400
For example, from a GPIB controller such as NEC µPD7210
This is a circuit that controls the configured GPIB interface.
You. Also, the Centronics I / F control circuit 401
A bi-directional parallel interface conforming to the Nix standard I / F
This is the circuit that controls the
And transfer image data at high speed. Multi-level image data input / output connected to the conversion table 413
Input and output image data sequentially in each memory bank,
Performs input / output operations as serial byte image data.
U. The frequency of one dot of the image handled by the printer 3 is the present embodiment.
Is 750KHz, so this multi-valued byte serial image
The data frequency is quadrupled to 3 MHz. In particular,
Memory banks 402 to 404 are 3 clocks at 3 MHz 1 clock cycle
Inputs / outputs clock cycle image data.
Add dummy information, and just one pixel at a cycle of 750 KHz
Data transfer is performed. Binary image data connected to exclusive OR gates 415,414
For input and output, three banks with 750 KHz 1 clock cycle
Input / output of image data is performed in parallel one bit at a time. The conversion table 413 stores multi-valued data such as RGBCMY.
This is a circuit for performing color conversion.
It consists of an up table. Exclusive OR
Gates 414 and 415 are used for color conversion of binary data (for bit inversion)
Is performed by the circuit. Thus, the color change
R, G, B or C, M, Y
It can also be connected to an external device that handles these color data. 750KHz data input / output to / from memory banks 402 to 404
One clock is defined as one cycle, and this is the lead modif
Eye write cycle, read cycle, refresh
Time-divided into three cycles
This allows the lead mod eye light
For writing and reading cycles of image data
The reading of image data by
I'm trying. Therefore, for example, the GPIB control circuit 400
Write image data to memory banks 402 to 404 from external devices
While reading the image data into the multi-value synthesizing unit 106 at the same time.
It is possible to transfer out. Up-down counter 406,407, up-down counter
Counters 409 and 410 count the pixels in the VE signal respectively
Or count the VE signal in the BVE signal, and
Whether to count up or down.
It can be controlled by a counter control circuit 416. In this way, two counters generate an address signal.
Is the data of BJ Scanyan Rasta Scan mentioned earlier
This is for performing signal conversion. For example, multi-value data of each color 1024 × width 1024 × 8 bits
Consider the case of handling (byte data). Data is GP
Sent via IB and stored in memory banks 402-404,
Image processing of multi-value data and printing by printer unit 3
Consider an example. First, the matrix control circuit 405 is controlled, and the
Counters 406 and 407 are used in 10-bit increments
Set. Both up-down counters 406 and 407
Count down from 0
Preset the count value, and
Counter 406 counts the VE signal,
The parameter 407 is set to count pixels. The up-down counters 406 and 407 are connected to memory bank 4
Counter that generates DRAM write addresses from 02 to 404
It is. In this embodiment, the address is common to each bank, and is 8
Since DRAM is used for bit parallel, 1M bit
Memory write address signal of 20 bits per capacity
Should be generated. The up-down counters 406 and 407 are 1 in this embodiment.
Uses a 4-bit counter. Therefore, the memory
The write address is 14 × 2-20 = 8 bits of address.
The dress signal becomes unnecessary. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 22A,
The output of address counters 406 and 407 is configured to overlap
And the overlapping part is selected by the matrix control circuit 405.
To determine which counter output to use. Similarly, the memory read address is up-down
Counters 409, 410 and the matrix control circuit 408
You. By making these settings, the write memory
The addresses are assigned in the order shown in FIG.
Write data to 04. When reading data from memory banks 402 to 404
Controls the matrix control circuit 408 to be the same as during writing.
Up-down counters 409 and 410 are 10 bits each
Set to be used. Also, Up Down Cow
Counters 409 and 410 are both up counts, and
Similarly, the value 0 is preset as a count initial value. Reading
In the case of overflow, the up-down counter 409
Count and up / down counter 410 counts VE signal.
Let's undone. In the case of reading, the number of pixels in 1VE is
Since it is variable depending on the magnification, for example, 256 pixels in 1VE
Read memory address is 22nd
It changes as shown in FIG. Thus, the memory address at the time of writing and reading is
By changing the order of the
Data signal conversion to scan is performed. Signal data
Depending on the array, the counter up count,
Count, preset count value,
By changing the configuration of the Les Matrix, various images
The data can be handled flexibly. The DRAM control circuit 411 has a memory write address,
Mori read address is multiplexed by time division
To control the DRAM of memory banks 402-404
Circuit. The scaling control circuit 412 stores data in the memory banks 402 to 404.
When writing data, the reduction process by thinning out the data
When reading data, enlargement processing by inflating the data is performed.
Circuit. With this circuit, image data can be
The magnification can be changed by the magnification. Note that the up-down counter reads data two by two.
Used for read control and data write control, but only one
Is composed of two up-down counters.
However, conversion in the data array direction is possible. (Binary Combining Unit) Next, referring to FIG.
An example will be described. 2-input NAND gates 450 to 453 are output from the binarization processing unit 108
Sent cyan (S-C), magenta (S-M),
Binary data of yellow (SY) and black (S-Bk)
And when the SENB signal is at logic 1,
Permits image output to the subsequent circuit, disables when logic 0
Circuit. 3-input NAND gates 454 to 458, 2-input NAND gate 459, in
The circuit composed of the barter 455 is a buffer memory 110
Cyan (IC) and magenta (IC)
M) and yellow (I-Y) binary data
Generates a black signal when is logic 1 (dot printing)
Circuit. The data sent from buffer memory 110
Since the data is of three colors, a black signal is generated here.
To improve the reproducibility of black. In this embodiment, when all of IC, IM, and IY are logic 1,
The output of IC, IM, and I-Y is set to logic 0, and the black signal
Dot print (output of 2-input NAND gate 459)
Since it is inverted, it is set to logic 0). This is a four-color
To limit the amount of ink for simultaneous printing of ink
In order to increase print density, IC, IM, and I-Y
Even if the simultaneous printing of four colors is performed while the output remains at logic 1,
Good. When IENB signal is logic 1, image output to the subsequent stage is permitted.
It is rejected at the time of logic 0. The two-input NAND gates 460 to 463 correspond to the two circuits described above.
For performing a logical sum (synthesis) of binary images output from
Circuit, including cyan (PC), magenta (PM),
Outputs yellow (P-Y) and black (P-Bk) signals.
Power. As described above, controlling the SENB signal and IENB signal
Can be combined (both logical), selected (any logical 1),
Prohibition (both are logical 0) is realized. (Multi-Value Combining Unit) Next, referring to FIG.
An example will be described. An SV signal which is multi-valued image data from the scanner unit 1;
IV signal which is multi-valued image data from the buffer memory 110
And data conversion using the SV signal and the IV signal.
Multiplexer for switching the output from the top table 470
Composed of Kusa 480. The look-up table 470 stores, for example, the SV signal and the IV signal.
Conversion table for performing operations such as signal addition and logical addition
And is composed of a memory such as a ROM and a RAM. The conversion process
In addition to simply obtaining a composite output by addition,
Signals and IV signals by changing the arithmetic processing.
It is possible to obtain fruit. In this embodiment, multiplexing is used for signal switching.
480 is used, but selection and prohibition of SV signal and IV signal
Also, at the Look Up Table 470,
The configuration may be such that the multiplexer 480 is omitted. (Operating Mode) Next, referring to FIG. 25, possible operations in this embodiment will be described.
The mode will be described. FIG. 25-a shows the signal flow in the normal copying mode.
doing. The hatched lines indicate the signal flow. This mode
Since the buffer memory 110 is not used,
If you do not need the operating mode to
The re 110 may not be necessary. Therefore, the buffer memory 110
Related parts can be separated as circuits as options
It is desirable to be composed. FIG. 25-b shows the image data read by the scanner section.
Image processing, temporarily storing in buffer memory 110, multi-valued data
External multi-value output mode, which outputs data to an external device as
You. FIG. 25-c shows the binary data after further binarization processing.
External binary output mode that outputs data to an external device as data.
You. FIG. 25-d shows a multi-valued image data sent from an external device.
External multi-valued to perform image processing of data and print out by the printer unit 3
Input mode. Similarly, FIG. 25-e shows an external device.
The transmitted binary image data is printed by the printer unit 3.
This is the external binary input mode. Figures 25-b to 25-e show the interface with external devices.
This is the operation mode using the face.
Combining the copy modes shown in Fig. 25-d, Fig. 25-e and Fig. 25-a
Adjust the original image read by the scanner unit 1 and the external device.
Operation to combine and print incoming image data
The modes are FIG. 25-f and FIG. 25-g. FIG. 25-f shows the multi-valued image data sent from the external device.
Multi-level synthesis mode in which data is synthesized by the multi-level synthesis unit 106,
-G shows the binary image data sent from the external device as 2
2 shows a binary combination mode in which the value is combined by the value combining unit 109. The image read by the scanner unit 1 is a book mode
Mode, seat mode, or project mode
It can be of course. FIGS. 25-h and 25-i show the buffer memory 110.
Do not use it as a buffer with an external device.
Used as a temporary storage location for scanned image data,
This is an operation mode for combining images. For example, one main scan image read in the book mode
The image data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 110, and
And a different place from the book mode original on the platen glass 17.
Projector mode projected on the projector
, And simultaneously stored in buffer memory 110.
This is an operation mode in which the output is synthesized with the contents. of course,
Combines two originals placed on the platen glass 17
-It may be used when combining in the same manner in the mode. FIG. 25-h shows the multi-valued image data stored in the buffer memory 110.
When the data is stored and read out, the
In the memory multi-level synthesis mode for printing by the printer unit 3,
You. Similarly, FIG. 25-i illustrates the buffering of binary image data.
When storing and reading in the memory 110, the binary combining unit 109 combines them
Memory composite mode for printing with the print unit 3
It is. In this combination mode, the scanner unit 1 performs two main scans.
In contrast, the printer unit 3 only performs one main scan.
And the amount of ink in the image synthesizing unit is
It can be reduced compared to the case of multiple times of main scanning.
Problems such as ink overflow, etc.
come. Change the magnification and image processing at the time of image reading, and
Shifts when reading from buffer memory 110
Performs fine-grained image synthesis that has never been done before
Can do things. In this embodiment, the data is stored in the buffer memory 110.
Although there is only one image, for example, DRAM read model
Image data written once using if-i-write operation
Data can be further combined to produce three or more images.
You may do it. The image composition shown in FIGS. 25-h and 25-i
In this method, the memory 110 is used.
There is also a method of synthesizing images without using
Do. FIG. 26 shows an image acquisition without using the buffer memory 110.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method for performing the configuration. The two originals placed on the platen glass 17 are 1, 1 ', 2,
Read alternately as shown in 2 ', and print
The same main scan on the paper is scanned twice, and the image as shown
This is a method of performing image composition. When reading an image,
Even if the magnification, position, image processing (negative / positive, etc.)
Change the place where the scanner unit 1 reads multiple documents.
The printer unit 3 feeds the print paper in the sub-scanning direction
Can be easily realized by providing a “pause operation” that does not perform
This is an image synthesis that can be performed. This method does not use buffer memory 110
Has the advantage that it can be realized at low cost. But ahead
Apply ink to the same spot on the print paper as
If you hit the amount, the deflection of the print paper, ink over
・ Synthesis of images at multiple locations due to problems such as flow
When performing the
You. The images to be combined are not only in book mode, but also
・ Image in combination with mode and project mode
You may make it synthesize | combine. (Explanation of the control flow) The control unit 111 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 27 to 31.
Will be described. FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the highest level of control in this embodiment.
It shows a low. When the power is turned on, step SP
In step 101, an initial setting according to the standard copy mode is performed. S
In step SP102, some key is pressed on the operation unit 10 in FIG.
Wait until is pressed. When there is a key input, step SP10
Change the copy mode according to the key pressed in step 4,
Reset according to. For example, Project key 86
When pressed, switches to Projector mode and the LCD display 84
Press the key on touch panel 85 according to the displayed content.
If so, the book mode / sheet mode,
Set magnification, number of images, enlarged continuous shooting mode, composite mode, etc.
You. Further shown in FIG. 30-a according to the set mode.
The display on the LCD display section 84 is changed as follows. On the other hand, when the start key 87 is pressed, the copy sequence
To start. FIGS. 32 and 33 show the copying sequence.
It is for explaining the concept. On the platen glass 17
Copy each of the two originals at 2x magnification and 1x magnification
Copy mode to combine and output on 4 print papers
About the read image area and print image area
I have. In this copy sequence, images are printed from each original
The print area to be performed is called a sub area. In the example of Fig. 32
Has a first sub-area and a second sub-area. Actually drawing
The image is formed in the total area of each sub area
Yes, it is simply called an area. In the example of FIG.
Since the sub-area is included in the first sub-area, the area is
Equal to the first sub area. In addition, one print sheet
The area formed is called a block, and in the example of FIG. 32,
Is for 4 prints from block 1 to block 4
Recorded on paper. The copying of the area is performed for each block. Figure 33 shows
Explain concepts in block-by-block copy sequence
For the purpose of illustration, only the fourth block
You. Support each sub-area cut by each block
Call it a block. In block 4 shown in FIG. 33,
The first sub area corresponds to the first sub area and the second sub area.
Block and the second sub-block. Against this
However, in the first and second blocks, only the first sub-block
No. In the block, one scan described in FIG. 5 is performed.
The area to be printed by canon is called a line. Figure 33 example
Then, there is a first line to a fifth line. Block copying is performed line by line. Figure 34 shows
Explain the concept in the line-by-line copy sequence
And only the third line is shown again. Each lie
Each sub-block cut by the sub-line
Call. In the third line shown in FIG.
The first sub-line corresponding to the second sub-block
There is a second sub line. In contrast, the first and fifth lanes
There is only the first sub-line in the room. (Area copy) The copy sequence is explained based on the concept described above.
I will tell. In step SP105 of FIG. 27, the process proceeds to step SP104.
Configure the area that includes each specified sub-area
You. In step SP106, set the area to the size of the printer paper.
To make one or more blocks. Step SP107
First, the pointer n indicating the block being copied is set to 1 first.
You. In step SP108, the n-th block will be described later.
Perform a block copy sequence. In step SP109,
Whether the copy sequence for the last block has been completed
If not completed, S, n in step SP110
Is incremented by 1 and the block copy sequence of the next block is executed.
U. If all blocks have been completed, step SP10
Return to 2. (Block copy) Fig. 28 shows the flow of the block copy sequence.
It is. First, in step SP201,
Check if you have a common area with the block to copy
If there is a common area, sub-
-Blocked. Block at step SP202
Divide the area to be written by one scan and
Make in. Step SP203 shows the line being copied
First, the pointer: l is set to 1. In step SP204, the l
A copy sequence described later is performed on the line. Stets
In step SP205, the copy sequence for the last line ends.
Judge whether it is completed or not, increase l by 1
To perform a line copy sequence for the next line. All la
Copying sequence of this block if completed
To end. (Line copy) Fig. 29 shows the flow of the line copy sequence
It is. First, in step SP301,
Check if you have a common area with the line to be copied
If there is a common area, the area is
・ It is a line. In step SP302, the sub line
Check if there is any, if not, do not copy
Proceed to step SP306. If there is a sub line,
In step SP303, it is checked whether the number is one. With one
If there is, at step SP304, one sub-line
Perform a simple copy sequence for the If there is more than one
In step SP305, copy sub-lines described later are described.
All the composite copying sequences are performed.
Proceed to step SP306. In step SP306, up to the first line of the n-th block
To notify the operator that copying has been completed, refer to FIG. 36.
-Update the display as shown in figure b. As a result,
The copy sequence ends. (Simple copy) Fig. 30 shows a simple copy when there is only one sub line.
It shows the flow of the sequence. First step
In SP401, depending on the copy mode of the sub line to be copied
To set each parameter. The copy mode here
Is the document type (normal document or sheet reading
Or a projection image? ), Copy magnification, density, bird
Editing such as mining and masking.
Is the variable magnification control set for the image processing unit shown in FIG.
Control signal, masking control signal, UCR control signal, γ-offset
In the control signal, the dither control signal and the leader part
Read mode to be set, set in printer section
Write mode. Next, at step SP402, the first la
To the beginning of the writing area corresponding to the printer
Move the di. Next, in step SP403, the sub
Leader key to the beginning of the reading area corresponding to the line
Move the ridge. Next, in step SP404,
Start each printer scan
The read image is output by a printer. Thus, the simple copying sequence ends. (Synthetic copy) Fig. 31 shows a synthetic copy sheet when there are multiple sub lines.
It shows the flow of Kens. First step SP50
1 indicates whether the buffer memory board is connected
Check to see if it is connected,
A Combining using memory, if one is not connected
If SP511 or later, synthesis without buffer memory is performed.
U. In step SP502, first, the first line to be copied is
Move to the carriage of the printer to the corresponding writing area.
In step SP503, the buffer memory is cleared. S
In step SP504, a pointer indicating the sub line being copied:
Sl is set to 1 first. In step SP505, simple copy
Sub-line to be copied is similar to step SP401 in FIG.
Each parameter is set according to the in-copy mode.
In step SP506, the reading corresponding to the Sl sub-line is read.
Move the leader's carriage to the beginning of the capture area. Next
At step SP507, scan the leader and read
The captured image is combined with the image in the buffer memory,
Leave in buffer memory. In step SP508, the final sub
-Judge whether the line has been merged.
If not, increment SP by 1 in step SP509, and
Performs synthesis of components. On memory for all sub-lines
If you combine them in step, use step SP510 to scan the printer.
The image on the buffer memory with the printer.
Output to end the composite copy sequence. On the other hand, using the buffer memory after step SP511
No composite sequence, just a little different from the above sequence
different. First, step SP511,512,513,514
This is the same as steps SP502, 504, 505, and 506. Step SP5
In 15, we started scanning the reader and printer respectively
The image read by the reader is output by the printer.
Power. Steps SP516 and SP517 are combined with steps SP508 and SP509.
Same, copy finished for last sub line
If so, the composite copy sequence ends. The above control flow is based on the image read from the reader.
This is for output to a printer.
External device control of leader and printer units at low
A to i shown in FIG.
Is a flow for executing each operation mode. First, the 25th
For the normal copy mode shown in Fig.
The number of blocks and sub-lines is 1, and simple copying is performed.
Repeat for the number of lines. Next, in FIG. 25-b and FIG.
The mode is described in Fig. 30 in simple copying.
External device instead of printer control of SP402 and SP404
This is realized by performing control for output. At this time, outside
Depending on whether the image required by the external device is multi-valued or binary
The image processing paths shown in FIGS. 25-b and 25-c are realized.
As shown in step SP401, the parameters for the circuit
Set. Next, in FIG. 25-d and FIG.
The mode is described in Fig. 30 in simple copying.
From an external device instead of the SP403 / SP404 reader control
This is realized by performing control for input. At this time, outside
Depending on whether the image provided from the external device is multi-valued or binary.
Realize the image processing paths shown in FIGS. 25-d and 25-e, respectively.
As in step SP401,
Set the data. Next, referring to FIG. 25-h and FIG.
For each of the sub-
By specifying as rear,
Can appear. In this case, if the memory board is connected
And performed by steps SP502 to SP510 in FIG.
However, even if the memory board is not connected,
Is performed by steps SP511 to SP517.
It can also be realized by the “upper combining mode”. This mode is
This is an extension of the “normal copy mode” in Figure 25-a.
I have. These "composite mode on memory" or "paper
Sub-areas with different copy modes
A, for example, the normal reflection original image and projection original image
They can be synthesized with different magnifications and processing. In addition, external images
If it is a sub area, it can be easily synthesized with external images
Wear. 25-f and 25-g.
For the value synthesis mode, see the
This is a one-to-one synthesis of images from
Because the part of the composite copy is different, 31-
This will be described with reference to FIG. The other part of the flow is the subarea
Is fixed only to the leader image and the memory image
different. First, step SP601 is the same as steps SP502 and SP511.
You. In step SP602, the sub-line related to the memory image
Set each parameter according to the copy mode of
In step SP603, the image is loaded into the memory. Image import source
Depends on the external device, reader, and CPU depending on the copy mode
There is direct writing. Leader image in step SP604
Each parameter according to the copy mode of the subline
And set the scan start position at step SP605.
Move the leader's carriage. And step SP60
In 6, we will start scanning the leader and printer.
The image of the memory is read out at the
Alternatively, synthesis is performed by a multi-level synthesis circuit. This switching is possible with SP602.
Depending on whether the memory image is binary data or multi-valued
In the former case, the binary combination mode shown in FIG.
In this case, the binary combination mode shown in FIG. 25-f is selected. (Long Paper Continuous Shooting Mode) In this embodiment, enlargement and roll paper of the printer unit 3 are used.
Since a large-sized copy is possible, the following description will be given. In this embodiment, any magnification from 50% to 1600% is possible
So, for example, an A4 size (210 mm x 297 mm) original
If you copy at 600%, a pre of 1260 mm × 1782 mm size
Image is obtained. The diagram for explaining that
FIG. 35. Fig. 35 is a view of an A4 size document placed horizontally.
Fig. 35-b shows the print paper when Fig. 35-a is enlarged by 600%.
FIG. In the present embodiment, the maximum A2 longitudinal direction
(594mm) because it can be used only up to the width of the print paper
As shown in Fig. 35-a, A4 size original is divided vertically into three
And the and of each part are shown in Figure 35-b.
I will make a copy corresponding to the lint paper ',', '
To do. In this case, use roll paper as the print paper and
The feed amount in the inspection direction is an arbitrary length. In this example, 1260mm
Become. Conventionally, cut paper has been used as print paper for this type of enlarged copy.
Since paper was used, for example, use A3 size cut paper
In this case, 18 print sheets are required in this embodiment.
If you combine them into one afterwards,
However, there is a disadvantage that the amount of work increases. In this embodiment,
Use the roll paper and set the sub-scan feed amount.
By reducing the number of print papers,
The shortcomings have been improved. FIG. 36 shows the operation unit 10 when making the above-mentioned large-size copy.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an LCD display unit 84. Figure 36-a shows the display before copying, and Figure 36-b shows the copy.
This shows an example of the display in the middle. Original size, magnification, print when taking enlarged copy
If two of the three parameters of size are determined,
The remaining one is determined automatically. For example, if the document size is A4
If the magnification is 600% larger in size, it is 1260mm x 1782mm
The size of the printing paper is required, as shown in Fig. 35-a
A4 size original is placed horizontally, and the printing paper is
When used in three parts, no waste of print paper
You can get pea. Fig. 36-a shows the original size or
Describes how to divide the print paper and make copies.
In the figure doing the appearance of displaying on the liquid crystal in the graphic display
is there. For such operators, the number of divisions,
By displaying the length, etc. necessary for one print in one direction
Operability has been improved. When making such a large copy, one copy time
Is very costly to the operator.
Need to show that Figure 36-b shows an example
FIG. 36 is a view showing a graphic display in FIG. 36-a.
The part where copying has been completed is displayed as diagonal lines.
To inform the operator how much copying is progressing
Is possible. The flow chart for performing such display and copying is
It is shown in Figure 37. In FIG. 37, the document size in SP701 and SP702,
Enter the direction of the original, magnification, and number of prints.
In 703 to SP705, the number N of divided areas of the roll paper,
Paper length required to record the area,
The number of main operations M of the leader is set. Print at the same time
The number n of divided areas that have been completed, and m that indicates the number of times the main scanning has been completed
Is initialized to 0. And the size of the original in SP706
Direction, number of prints, magnification, number of divided areas N, reader main scanning
The number of times M is output to the display unit, and the display unit displays as shown in FIG. 36-a.
Display. And when the start button is pressed, SP70
Start printing with 7. Each time the reader finishes one main scan, m is incremented by one.
Then, the values n and m are output to the display unit (SP708 to 710). Soshi
When m = M, n is incremented by 1 and the copying of all divided areas is completed.
It is determined whether or not all have been completed (SP714), and all have not been completed
If so, the reader starts reading the next segment and
The operator cuts the roll paper (SP713). Copying is executed as described above until n = N, and
Output n and m to the display unit for each main scan of the reader during
It is. Depending on the values of the display parts n and m, the display as shown in FIG.
It becomes possible. Conventionally, multi-segment LEDs have been used as this type of display.
Use and take a way to indicate what percentage of the total is finished
However, as in this embodiment, multiple print papers are used.
When the copying process is performed once, the display is insufficient. You
At least, on what page, what part of the printer paper is being copied
It is desirable to let the operator know if this is the case. In this embodiment, only the method using the graphic display is shown.
However, other indications based on time and the number of scans
May be displayed simultaneously. <Effects> As described above, the image synthesizing apparatus according to the present invention has
Multiple images in different document reading areas on the
Scan alternately in line units by the reading means (actual
In the embodiment, the reading method shown in FIG. 26 and the reading method shown in FIG.
Alternately read in multiple line units as shown in a row chart
Method is disclosed), obtained in each scan
An image corresponding to the image information can be transmitted through a compositing image memory.
Recorded on the same recording area by the recording means.
In the recording in the same area,
According to the number of document reading areas scanned by
A system that repeats the above-described alternate scanning in line units by the number of times
And control means. With this configuration, a plurality of images placed on the platen
One reading means does not require a large amount of memory
And record the composite image on one recording material.
Need to replace the original on the original placing surface
And can combine multiple images with a simple configuration.
Wear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an external view of a digital color copying machine to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the digital color copying machine shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a mechanical mechanism inside the scanner unit 1, FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a reading operation in a book mode and a sheet mode, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the scanner unit 1 when a projection unit 81 and a reflection mirror 80 as projection exposure means are attached. FIG. 7 is a detailed explanatory view of the film projection system. FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship with the projected image to be formed. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of function blocks of a digital color copying machine to which the present invention is applied. FIG. Illustration of timing, Fig. 11 is analog signal processing 12 is a block diagram of the digital image processing, FIG. 13 is a detailed circuit diagram of the image processing unit 107, FIG. 14 is a timing chart of the smoothing and edge enhancement processing, and FIG. 16 is a detailed circuit diagram of the synchronous delay memory 115, FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a timing chart of each part in FIG. 15, FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a control timing chart of the memory 255 in FIG. 15, FIG. 18-b, 18-c and 18-d are illustrations for obtaining an erect image and a mirror image, FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a back print film, and FIG. 20 is an erect image output and a mirror image output. Switching circuit diagram, FIG. 21 is a flowchart of erect image reading and mirror image reading control, FIG. 22 is a detailed circuit diagram of a buffer memory I / F control unit, FIG. 22A, FIG. 22B, and FIG. FIG. 23 is a circuit diagram of the binary combining unit 109, FIG. 24 is a circuit diagram of the multi-value combining unit 106, and FIG. Figure, the 25-b view, a 25-c Figure, the 25-d view, the
25-e, 25-f, 25-g, 25-h, 25
FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of the mode of each operation, FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of performing image synthesis without using the buffer memory 110, and FIGS. 27 to 31 and FIG. FIGS. 32, 33 and 34 are explanatory diagrams of a copying sequence, FIGS. 35-a and 35-b are explanatory diagrams of a continuous paper continuous shooting mode, and FIGS. 36-a. 36-b are diagrams showing a display mode of the display unit in the continuous paper mode, and FIG. 37 is a control flow chart in the continuous paper mode.

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Toshihiro Kadowaki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (56) References JP-A-61-265971 (JP, A) JP-A-62-243475 ( JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H04N 1/393 H04N 1/04 G03G 15/22 G06K 15/00

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] Reading means for sequentially reading a plurality of images in mutually different document reading areas on a document mounting surface; recording means for sequentially recording images in a plurality of divided recording areas; Different original reading areas are alternately scanned in line units, and when an image corresponding to the image information obtained in each scan is superimposed and recorded on the same recording area by the recording means without passing through an image memory for synthesis, An image synthesizing apparatus, comprising: control means for repeating the alternate scanning in line units by the number of times corresponding to the number of document reading areas scanned by the reading means in recording in the same area.